Air, Land, Water, Vegetation, Living Creatures

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

bigstockphoto_Japanese_Knotwwed_211782

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

 

Hine's Emerald Dragonfly
(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.

Print Brochure

 

 

Emerald Ash Borer

Emerald Ash Borer

Illinois Department of Agriculture Website

U.S. Forest Service Website

Emerald Ash Borer Website

Morton Arboretum Website

 

bigstockphoto_Japanese_Beetle_684125
(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

 

Flooded Street

Storm Water Improvements Notices

Notice of Storm Water Improvements
Farm View Hills Subdivision

Notice of Storm Water Improvements
Woodbine Subdivision

 

 

 

bigstockphoto_LightBulbGlobe_2067922

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

Energy Efficient Laundering

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

 

BigStock249697_Mosquito

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

Will County Health Department

Center for Disease Control (CDC) - West Nile Virus page

Revolution Health West Nile Virus Watch - Are you at risk?

 

More Resources

Bats and Birds

Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP)

Clean Air Counts

Comprehensive Plan

Conservation Design

Dark Sky Partners

Chicago Wilderness Grant (GIS Task Force)

Chicago Wilderness - A Regional Nature Reserve

Chicago Wilderness - Member News

Earth Hour

Environment Committee

Environmental Protection Agency

Fluorescent Light Bulb Recycling

FreeCycle

Green Communities Demonstration Grant Program

Green Vision 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

Lights Out America

LightPollution.org.uk

NAHB - National Green Building Program

Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission (NIPC)

Outdoor Lighting and Light Polution

Recycling

Storm Water Ordinance

Tree Preservation Ordinance

U.S. Green Building Council

 

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:

U.S. Green Building Council

NAHB - National Green Building Program

Homer Glen Building Department

Outdoor Lighting Page