Homer Glen board approves HomerFest budget, Menard plat, construction payment, zoning changes and manager raise

The Village of Homer Glen Village Board approved a slate of operational, capital and policy measures at its Dec. 12 meeting, including the HomerFest 2025 budget, a final plat for Menard Lot 5, a pay estimate for the Heritage Park parking expansion (with retainage to be withheld until punch-list items are complete), zoning text amendments to allow body-piercing establishments in specified commercial districts, updates to temporary sign rules and fees, and a resolution defining the village's official social media sites as a one-way communications channel. The board also adopted an ordinance to decrease the number of Class B liquor licenses following two business closures and voted to increase the village manager's base salary.

Trustees discussed the HomerFest budget (proposed at roughly $248,539), with Trustee Fialco explaining the figure reflects a 3% increase over last year's budget to account for inflation; trustees emphasized the event typically runs at or near break-even and that the larger number provides a…