A Busy Worksite Meets Neighbor Complaints in Homer Township

A plan to bring a big trucking and excavation company to Homer Township hit a snag when local leaders and residents pushed back. Badger Daylighting wants to build an office and park around 30 trucks on 38 acres near 159th Street. The company uses high-pressure water to dig safely around buried pipes and wires, but this method worries nearby homeowners. Many depend on private wells, and residents fear drawing too much water could lower their water levels or pull contaminants closer to their drinking supply. Residents aren’t just concerned about water—they’re upset about zoning changes too. The land is currently zoned for homes, but the company wants it changed to allow heavy commercial use. Some worry this could set a trend, turning a quiet area into an unexpected industrial zone. Others point out that a nearby storage facility, also zoned for industrial use, faced opposition in the past. If this project gets approved, will similar requests follow?Traffic and noise are another big issue. The company expects 80 to 120 daily truck trips, mostly hauling equipment in and out. Many live near schools and quiet neighborhoods, and they’re not happy about adding diesel fumes and constant traffic. Joyce Hale, a nearby resident, called the zoning change unfair since most of the land is still set for homes. Others wonder why the county would allow a big change in a place where people chose to live for its residential feel. But the company isn’t ignoring the backlash. They’ve offered to work with local officials to ease concerns. One idea is to use city water instead of pumping from wells, or even donate part of the land to the Forest Preserve District. Still, residents want clear guarantees. They don’t want to wake up one day with polluted water or an industrial zone next door. Will County leaders are caught in the middle. They delayed a decision to give everyone more time to talk. Some board members stressed the need for solid answers before approving anything. The company promises good jobs and no hazardous waste, but is that enough to reassure people who never expected an industrial neighbor?