Issue Spotlight · WON
How Heidi and Her Neighbors Saved Parker Hadley Road.
The road formerly known as Will County Route 1
In the early 2020s, Will County's Department of Transportation began studying a major expansion of Parker Road, Hadley Road and Chicago-Bloomington Trail — a corridor running through some of the last historic farmland in Homer Glen known as the Crossroads Community. The plan would have widened the roads, encroached on long-established residential properties, and erased the rural character of one of the village's most defining stretches.
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The wins
Sep 2023
Resolution 23-013
Dec 2023
County board transfer
Apr 2024
Homer Glen takes over
September 13, 2023 — Homer Glen Village Board passes Resolution 23-013, formally supporting the protection of the "Heritage Routes" of Parker Road, Hadley Road, and Chicago-Bloomington Trail.
December 21, 2023 — The Will County Board approves the transfer of jurisdiction of Parker Road, Chicago-Bloomington Trail and Hadley Road from Will County to the Village of Homer Glen.
April 24, 2024 — The Village of Homer Glen receives formal IDOT approval and officially assumes ownership of the corridor between New Lenox Township and Will-Cook Road.
Translation: Will County no longer has the authority to widen these roads. Decisions about Heritage Route corridors now belong to Homer Glen residents and their elected officials. That's a permanent win — and one rooted in years of grassroots organizing.
December 21, 2023 — The Will County Board approves the transfer of jurisdiction of Parker Road, Chicago-Bloomington Trail and Hadley Road from Will County to the Village of Homer Glen.
April 24, 2024 — The Village of Homer Glen receives formal IDOT approval and officially assumes ownership of the corridor between New Lenox Township and Will-Cook Road.
Translation: Will County no longer has the authority to widen these roads. Decisions about Heritage Route corridors now belong to Homer Glen residents and their elected officials. That's a permanent win — and one rooted in years of grassroots organizing.
Heidi's role in the win
• Organized neighbors into a coordinated opposition across multiple subdivisions along the corridor.
• Founded Parker Hadley Preservation in 2023 — an information hub that kept Will County residents informed about local development projects threatening historic and natural areas.
• Traveled to Springfield to meet directly with state senators advocating for the corridor.
• Spoke at Village Board and County meetings as a citizen advocate, not a politician — for years before this campaign.
• Built coalitions across party lines with neighbors who agreed that preserving Homer Glen's rural character matters more than which party you vote for.
• Founded Parker Hadley Preservation in 2023 — an information hub that kept Will County residents informed about local development projects threatening historic and natural areas.
• Traveled to Springfield to meet directly with state senators advocating for the corridor.
• Spoke at Village Board and County meetings as a citizen advocate, not a politician — for years before this campaign.
• Built coalitions across party lines with neighbors who agreed that preserving Homer Glen's rural character matters more than which party you vote for.
On the ground, meeting after meeting
Heidi leading a resident meeting on the Parker-Hadley widening — August 2023
Neighbors packed the pavilion — grassroots organizing, meeting after meeting
People choose to live in Homer Glen because it is one-of-a-kind. Our open land, our historic farms, and the scenic roads that run through aren't obstacles — they're the reason we are extraordinary. As Mayor, I will protect what we have and will create a plan for future generations.
— Heidi Pacella
What Heidi will do as Mayor
• Defend the Heritage Routes designation from any future attempt to reverse Resolution 23-013
• Require a community impact study and public hearing before the Village supports any major road project on Heritage corridors
• Use the Mayor's office to actively oppose any Will County or state proposal to widen historic corridors through Homer Glen
• Coordinate with neighboring towns facing similar pressure to present a unified regional voice
• Support permanent preservation easements on historic farmland to prevent future expansion attempts
• Require a community impact study and public hearing before the Village supports any major road project on Heritage corridors
• Use the Mayor's office to actively oppose any Will County or state proposal to widen historic corridors through Homer Glen
• Coordinate with neighboring towns facing similar pressure to present a unified regional voice
• Support permanent preservation easements on historic farmland to prevent future expansion attempts
Protect What We Won
Heidi will defend the Heritage Routes designation and refuse to let this happen again.
Take the Pledge