The Homer Glen Village Board voted Wednesday to extend its relaxation of sign ordinances through the end of the year to try to help local businesses advertise during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The board first relaxed regulations in June, effective through Sept. 15, allowing businesses to have one ground-mounted sign or one feather banner and wall sign on the building facade.

The Village Board plans to revisit the issue in December to see if it should be extended, Mayor George Yukich said.

“We want to help out the businesses as much as we possibly can,” Yukich said.

Business owners will not need a permit to put up their signs and there’s no fee to adding signs, under the temporary rules. Businesses are not allowed to have inflatable signs, hot air balloons or rotating and animated signs.

Village officials have been meeting with business owners to try to help them weather temporary closures and other disruptions that have impacted normal business operations.

Trustee Keith Gray said business owners have said it is difficult to get the message to people that they are open or open with restrictions. Gray said he hopes that temporarily loosening the village’s sign ordinances will help.

Road referendums

The Village Board has scheduled two meetings to answer questions on a ballot question that would transfer stewardship of the Homer Township Road District to the village of Homer Glen.

Public meetings will be held at 7 p.m. on Oct. 6 and Oct. 12 at the Village Hall, 14240 W. 151st St. Residents can also attend the meeting remotely via Zoom.

The Homer Township Road District and the Village Board have been working to transfer the road operations, including the district’s assets, to the village.

When the village incorporated in 2001, it was given ownership of the public roads and rights of way. Under a 2003 agreement, the Homer Township Road District maintains and regulates the roads.

Homer Glen has more than 157 miles of village-owned streets whereas the township has about 18 miles. Village officials said it makes sense to control and maintain its own streets and be able to build and develop new roads, sidewalks, trails and other public infrastructure.

“I know it is the best thing for the community,” said township road district Commissioner Mike DeVivo, who will take questions at both meetings.

Homer Township has put a proposition to abolish the road district on the November ballot.