History Homer Open Space FAQ

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In 1999 before Homer Glen was a village and before the I-355 tollway was built through the Township, the citizens of Homer Township voted to establish an Open Space Program. The use of such land is established by Illinois State Statute. Homer Township residents’ goal was to preserve land for nature, passive recreation and to keep it from being developed into subdivisions or other intensive uses. This would reduce the impacts on schools, traffic and other community resources. At no time was an intense level of development part of the campaign to create an Open Space Program.

Township governments are allowed by Illinois State Statute to create an Open Space Program and can acquire land in various ways. Voter approval through referendum is how voters in Homer Township approved the creation of an Open Space Program. Voters also approved through referendum that Homer Township borrow $8 million dollars to purchase the land for the Open Space Program. Four separate parcels of land were purchased totaling over 200 acres. Additional lands have been donated by generous land owners. The bond has been paid off by taxpayers of Homer Township. . 

Residents voted to borrow $8 million dollars to buy land. Is it paid off? Yes, the bond taken out by Homer Township to purchase the land for the Open Space Program has been paid off by the property owners of Homer Township.