Homer Township Residents Fight Against Executive Will County Executive Bertino-Tarrant (Homer Township, IL) — Recent developments in Will County have raised concerns among its residents about the potential overreach of executive powers, undermining the democratic process at the local level.

The issues began on November 5, 2023, during a Public Works and Transportation Committee meeting, where more than 100 concerned Homer Township citizens gathered to voice their opinions on a proposed project. Despite promises for a vote at the subsequent meeting, Committee Chair Joe Van Duyne omitted the matter from the agenda, citing procedural constraints.

After persistent efforts led by Homer Township Supervisor Steve Balich, the matter finally reached the Executive Agenda on January 11, only to be sent back to the Public Works and Transportation Committee for a decisive vote. On February 6, the committee voted against the project, a decision upheld by the Full Board with a 12 to 9 vote on February 15.

However, the victory was short-lived. On February 17, Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant claimed that the signed resolution needed to be corrected and presented a new version without her signature, which she subsequently vetoed.

The confusion escalated on March 1, when the Will County State’s Attorney issued an opinion, leaving elected officials without clear guidance. The Will County Executive’s control over legal representation, coupled with her legislative ties, raises concerns about potential abuse of power.

The most recent setback occurred on March 5 during a Special County Board meeting. Despite bipartisan support for Resolution 24-27, the Will County Executive declared a lack of quorum, preventing any further discussion on the matter.

The citizens of Will County are now facing a critical issue where the Executive form of Government appears to grant disproportionate power, reminiscent of dictatorial regimes. Bertino-Tarrant’s influence in Springfield has also raised worries about bills such as SB1015 and HB5050, which could diminish the County Board’s checks and balances.

The community questions why a majority vote by the Board can be ignored and why the voice of the people, represented by over 1,000 attendees across three meetings, continues to be disregarded.

Will County Chair Judy Ogalla and Leader Steve Balich urge citizens to stand together to defend local autonomy and democratic principles. The fight for transparency, accountability, and a government that genuinely represents the people remains paramount.

Homer Township Residents Fight Against Executive Will County Executive Bertino-Tarrant

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