Village of Homer Glen Mission Statement
The Village of Homer Glen is committed to preserving, protecting, and enhancing our community's quality of life through responsible residential and economic development while utilizing sound fiscal management. We will strive to maintain open space, preserve our unique rural character, and safeguard our natural resources. The Village encourages community involvement in order to maintain and cultivate a balance of family, agriculture, business, environment, and cultural diversity for present and future generations.
Illinois' Most Unwanted Invasive Pests
A primary objective of the Cooperative Agriculture Survey (CAPS) program is to safeguard our nation’s food and environmental security from exotic pests that threaten our production and ecological systems. The Illinois CAPS program is a joint effort between several state and federal agencies, including the Illinois Natural History Survey, Illinois Department of Agriculture, and USDA-APHIS-PPQ. This cooperative program focuses exotic pest detection surveys based on a priority pest list, management of pest survey data, and increased public awareness and communication of the threats posed.
Illinois has been faced with the arrival of many unwanted, invasive plant pests and will continue to do so well into the future. Each of these invasive species has the potential to significantly impact the urban and natural landscapes of the state. Preventing the arrival of these pests is the best and most economical form of protection against invasive species. However, should they arrive, early detection is the key to protecting our natural resources.
Click the link below to find picture charts of unwanted invasive plants in Illinois.
Invasive Plants Threatening Illinois Habitats
(Click to enlarge)
Hine's Emerald Dragonfly
We share our community with an endangered species, the Hine’s Emerald Dragonfly. This rare dragonfly is only found in a few small areas in four states, and you live in one of them! Help keep this animal from becoming extinct by preventing water pollution.
Emerald Ash Borer
Illinois Department of Agriculture Website
(Click to enlarge)
Japanese Beetles
Japanese Beetles: Everything You Always Wanted to Know
Events
October 9 & 10, 2009
Autumn Star Gazing - at Trantina Farm
September 22, 2009
Homer Glen Lands Day Tree Planting Ceremony and Community & Nature in Harmony Awards
September 12 & 13, 2009
Homer Harvest Days
April 25, 2009
Earth Day - Arbor Day Tree Planting Ceremony
April 3 & 4, 2009
Stargazing - 100 Years of Astronomy Project at Trantina Farm in Homer Glen, April 3 & April 4
March 28, 2009:
Earth Hour 2009
March 5, 2009:
Building Department Presentation
"Green Building Standards" & Leeds Certification
November 15, 2008:
America Recycles Day
September 27, 2008:
Homer Glen Lands Day and Community & Nature in Harmony Awards
April 26, 2008:
Earth Day/Arbor Day
March 29, 2008:
Lights Out America - "Earth
Hour"
8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
March 19, 2008:
Presentation
"The Value of
Green Building & Leeds Certification"
December 18, 2007:
The Village Board passed an ordinance regulating
outdoor lighting.
For additional information, please
visit the Outdoor Lighting page on this website.
September 25, 2007:
Recognition of 2007 Community & Nature in Harmony Award Winners
2007:
Long Run Creek
Profile Study
September 25, 2007:
Homer Glen Lands Day Tree
Planting Ceremony
November 15, 2006:
Excellence in Conservation Award Presented to Annunciation Byzantine Church in
Homer Glen by Chicago Wilderness Congress
July 25, 2006:
Conservation Design
Ordinance Approved by Village Board
Green Vision Program was Approved by Village Board
Storm Water Improvements Notices
Notice of Storm Water Improvements
Farm View Hills Subdivision
Notice of Storm Water Improvements
Woodbine Subdivision
Outdoor Lighting & Light Pollution
Please visit the Outdoor Lighting page. It is packed with information about outdoor lighting and light pollution.
Outdoor Lighting and Light Pollution page
Highlands Naturalist: "A natural nightscape has become as rare as an unspoiled wilderness."
"Nature After Hours", an article in Chicago Wilderness
Helpful Articles
Make Clean Air Count with Energy Efficient Lighting in your Home
Clean Up Your Act with Low-VOC Cleaning Products
Make Clean Air Count with Low VOC Paints and Cleaning Supplies Around the House
Make Clean Air Count with Natural Landscaping for your Home and Community
Mosquitoes
Mosquito control services within the Village are provided by
Clarke Environmental Mosquito Control
If you have any questions regarding their service, please call Clarke at:
(800) 942-2555
For information about West Nile Virus, Avian Flu (Bird Flu), and much more:
Illinois Department of Health - West Nile Virus information
Center for Disease Control (CDC) - West Nile Virus page
Revolution Health West Nile Virus Watch - Are you at risk?
More Resources
Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP)
Chicago Wilderness Grant (GIS Task Force)
Chicago Wilderness - A Regional Nature Reserve
Chicago Wilderness - Member News
Environmental Protection Agency
Fluorescent Light Bulb Recycling
Green Communities Demonstration Grant Program
Homer Glen Lands Day: Tree Planting Ceremony, Community & Nature in Harmony Awards
Illinois Department of Agriculture
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA)
Illinois Coalition for Responsible Outdoor Lighting
International Dark-Sky Association
NAHB - National Green Building Program
Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission (NIPC)
Outdoor Lighting and Light Polution
Plant a Rain Garden
What is a rain garden?
It is a depression (minimum of 6 inches deep) that collects stormwater runoff from a roof, driveway or yard and allows it to infiltrate into the ground. Rain gardens are typically planted with long rooted native plants and can be colorful, landscaped areas in your yard that will also provide important environmental benefits.
Why build a rain garden at your home?
You can make a difference! Every time it rains, water runs off impervious surfaces such as roofs, driveways, roads and parking lots, collecting pollutants along the way. This runoff has been cited by the EPA as a major
source of pollution to our nation’s waterways. By building a rain garden at your home, you can reduce the
amount of pollutants that leave your yard and enter the North Chicago Branch River or Des Plaines River system. Also, a significant benefit of rain gardens is that they could provide extra storage for stormwater to help reduce the amount of stormwater that may sit in your yard during and after a rain storm.
Open the Rain Garden Brochure below for more information.
Rain Garden Brochure (Niles, Illinois)
Core Values
Rural Atmosphere
Concern for Environment
Preserving the rural atmosphere and protecting the environment are essential to safeguarding the appearance and character of Homer Glen.
Homer Glen's rural atmosphere is characterized by open space, agricultural settings, and the presence of large lots with horses and other domestic farm animals.
Protecting the environment is important to the health and well being of Homer Glen citizens.
Safeguarding areas of significant natural value, promoting the re-establishment of native vegetation, protecting and managing water resources, and providing wildlife corridors are fundamental environmental protections.
Understanding the agricultural roots and historical background of our geographic area will enrich the community and further clarify the need for preserving our rural atmosphere.
Managed Growth Density
Commercial Base Development
Responsible residential and commercial development protects quality of life by limiting adverse effects such as school overcrowding, flooding, road congestion, poor water quality and other environmental problems.
The highest priority in land-use decisions should be to protect residents from adverse impacts of differing land use patterns.
The Village of Homer Glen and its citizens benefit from commercial development that is consistent with the Village's Comprehensive Plan.
Inclusion - A Sense of Community
Limit Intrusive Government
Involvement of residents ensures an effective, representative, responsive government.
Promoting and encouraging the participation of all community members ensures the concerns of all are represented and respected.
Homer Glen residents benefit from a safe, family-oriented community by maintaining and enhancing educational, recreational and cultural opportunities. Pursuing alternative methods for funding these objectives without burdening taxpayers is a priority.
Homer Glen officials are entrusted to provide balance and stability while operating the Village in the least restrictive manner feasible.
A fiscally accountable government is needed to protect the interests of Homer Glen taxpayers.
Green Building Standards & Leeds Certification Presentation
The Village of Homer Glen Building Department Presents:
NAHB GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS &
LEEDS CERTIFICATION
Thursday, March 5, 2009
2:00 - 4:30 PM
Village Council Chamber
14917 Founders Crossing
All contractors and the public are invited to attend.
Links:
NAHB - National Green Building Program