Not sure who is supposed to plow your street or trim the tree in the strip between the sidewalk and curb? Winter and storm season can raise practical questions fast. You want to keep your family safe, avoid citations, and know who to call when something goes wrong. This guide gives you a clear, homeowner-friendly playbook for snow removal, parkway trees, and right-of-way responsibilities in Homer Glen. Let’s dive in.
Quick answer: who handles what
- Village of Homer Glen: Plows and maintains municipal streets, manages Village-owned parkway trees, and enforces local codes.
- Will County Division of Transportation: Handles county roads and rights-of-way.
- Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT): Maintains state routes and manages winter operations on those corridors.
- Homer Township Highway Commissioner: May maintain certain township roads, depending on location.
- Utilities: Trim trees that threaten power lines within their easements. Do not prune near lines yourself.
- HOAs and private owners: Maintain private streets, common areas, and parkways within HOA boundaries. Owners are responsible for their own driveways and private approaches.
How to confirm your street’s jurisdiction
- Ask Village of Homer Glen Public Works which agency maintains your street. They can confirm if a road is municipal, county, state, or private.
- Check for clues: numbered route signs often indicate state routes; “private road” signs suggest HOA or private maintenance.
- Review your HOA documents or subdivision plat if you live in a managed community.
Snow removal in Homer Glen
Streets and plowing priorities
On municipal streets, the Village typically plows and treats roads in priority order. Main routes are cleared first, then collectors, then residential streets. County roads and state routes are handled by Will County and IDOT. Private streets are the responsibility of the HOA or owners.
If you believe a road hasn’t been plowed, first verify who maintains it. Then contact the correct agency for service.
Sidewalks and driveways
Property owners are responsible for driveways and private approaches. Municipal crews do not clear private driveways.
Many Illinois suburbs require owners to clear sidewalks abutting their property within a set time after snowfall. For Homer Glen’s specific sidewalk rules and timing, confirm with Village Code Enforcement. If a sidewalk remains icy or blocked, you can report the condition for follow-up.
Parking during snow events
Temporary parking limits often help plows operate safely. Villages commonly declare snow emergencies or enforce parking restrictions so crews can clear the streets. For Homer Glen’s process and enforcement, check with the Police Department or watch for Village alerts. When in doubt, move vehicles off the street to support safe and efficient plowing.
Mailboxes, hydrants, and plow etiquette
- Keep access to nearby fire hydrants clear of snow.
- Avoid placing permanent objects or hazards in the public right-of-way.
- Mailbox damage policies vary. If your mailbox is struck or blocked, document with photos and contact Village Public Works for guidance.
- Do not push or blow snow into the street or across a neighbor’s driveway. This can create hazards and may violate local codes.
Parkway trees and the right-of-way
What is the parkway?
The parkway (also called the terrace) is the strip between the street and your property line or sidewalk. Ownership and maintenance can be municipal, township, or private depending on the subdivision. That means responsibilities for tree care can differ by location.
Who maintains parkway trees?
- Village-owned parkways: The Village typically handles large tree removals, scheduled programs, and disease control for municipal street trees.
- HOA or private parkways: The HOA or owner manages trees in private/common areas.
- Utilities: If a tree threatens power lines within a utility easement, the utility is responsible for trimming or removal. Do not attempt to prune near power lines yourself.
When in doubt, call Village Public Works to confirm whether a tree sits on a municipal, county, township, or private right-of-way.
Hazardous trees: when to report
If you see a tree that is leaning, cracked, or clearly diseased, report it. Here’s a simple guide:
- Municipal street trees: Contact Village Public Works.
- County roads: Contact the Will County Division of Transportation.
- Township roads: Contact the Homer Township Highway Commissioner, if applicable.
- State routes: Contact IDOT.
- Trees near power lines: Contact your utility immediately.
Agencies typically inspect and determine whether pruning or removal is needed and will schedule work accordingly.
Roots, sidewalks, and curb damage
Tree roots can lift sidewalks and driveways over time. Repair responsibility depends on who owns the sidewalk and how local code assigns costs. Some municipalities coordinate removal and sidewalk repair for municipal trees, while others expect adjacent owners to repair sidewalks and may assess costs. For Homer Glen, check the Village’s current policies before you hire a contractor or start work.
Permits and restrictions
Do not remove or plant a tree in the public parkway without checking for permits. Many municipalities require permits or have approved species lists and replacement rules. For trees near power lines, contact the utility rather than attempting to prune yourself.
Reporting issues: what to do first
When you need service or want to report a hazard, a little preparation helps get the right response.
- Identify the location: exact address or nearest cross street.
- Determine the likely jurisdiction: municipal, county, state, township, HOA, or private. If unsure, start with Village Public Works.
- Describe the issue: blocked sidewalk, icy patch, fallen limb, tree on lines, root damage, mailbox hit, or obstructed roadway.
- Mention urgency: live wires, blocked hydrant, or immediate safety hazard.
- Add documentation: date, time, and clear photos.
- Provide contact info for follow-up.
Who to contact
- Village of Homer Glen Public Works: Municipal street plowing, municipal parkway trees, and Village rights-of-way.
- Village of Homer Glen Police Department: Snow emergency parking enforcement and safety hazards.
- Village Code Enforcement: Sidewalk clearing and public right-of-way concerns.
- Will County Division of Transportation: County roads and rights-of-way.
- IDOT: State routes, winter operations on state highways.
- Homer Township Highway Commissioner: Township-maintained roads, if applicable.
- Utilities: Trees on or near power lines and issues within utility easements.
- HOA or property manager: Private streets, parkways, and contracted snow services.
What response to expect
Immediate hazards, such as downed live wires or blocked roads, typically trigger rapid response. Non-emergencies, such as a tree inspection or a sidewalk concern, usually go into an inspection and scheduling queue. For sidewalk clearing enforcement, many municipalities allow a set window after snowfall before issuing violations. Confirm Homer Glen’s current timeline with Code Enforcement.
New resident checklist for winter
Use this quick checklist to stay ahead of snow and tree season:
- Confirm who maintains your street: municipal, county, state, township, or private.
- Sign up for Village alerts so you receive snow emergency notifications.
- Review HOA covenants if you have private streets or shared parkways.
- Mark hydrants near your home and plan to keep them clear.
- Set expectations with any snow removal contractor in writing.
- Photograph your mailbox and parkway tree condition before the first major storm.
- Save contact info for Village offices, County DOT, IDOT, utilities, and your HOA.
Neighborhood etiquette that keeps things moving
A few small actions go a long way during storms:
- Clear a walkable path along the full length of the sidewalk abutting your property when conditions allow.
- Avoid piling snow onto sidewalks, crosswalks, or bus stops.
- Keep vehicles off the street during snow operations when possible.
- Communicate with neighbors early if a plow ridge or windrow creates an issue.
- For parkway trees, do not prune or remove without checking permits and ownership.
Resolving disputes the right way
Start with a friendly conversation. Many conflicts are unintentional and solve quickly once everyone understands the rules. If an issue continues, review HOA rules or covenants, take photos and notes, and contact Village Code Enforcement for public right-of-way concerns. For private property issues, use HOA channels or consider mediation resources.
Why this matters when you buy or sell
Understanding who maintains streets, sidewalks, and parkway trees can influence your budget, daily routine, and risk during winter. If you are comparing homes in Homer Glen, knowing whether a street is municipal or private, or if a parkway tree appears to need attention, helps you plan for ownership costs and maintenance. During a sale, clear guidance on HOA responsibilities and local practices helps set buyer expectations and avoids surprises.
As your local real estate resource, we help you navigate neighborhood details, HOA documents, and local practices so your move feels smooth and informed.
Ready to get local guidance tailored to your block? Connect with the team at Community Connections Group for friendly, expert help.
FAQs
Who plows my street in Homer Glen?
- It depends on jurisdiction: the Village plows municipal streets, the County handles county roads, and IDOT maintains state routes; private streets are managed by HOAs or owners.
Do I have to shovel the sidewalk in front of my home?
- Many Illinois suburbs require owners to clear adjacent sidewalks after snowfall; confirm Homer Glen’s specific timing and enforcement with Village Code Enforcement.
Who trims or removes parkway trees?
- The Village typically manages municipal parkway trees, HOAs or owners handle private parkways, and utilities address trees that threaten power lines.
What should I do if a tree is leaning or damaged?
- Report it with photos and the exact location to the correct agency: Village Public Works for municipal trees, County DOT for county roads, Township for township roads, IDOT for state routes, or your utility for power line issues.
My mailbox was damaged during plowing; who is responsible?
- Policies vary; document the damage and contact Village Public Works to review guidelines and next steps, especially if the mailbox was close to the curb.
Can I shovel snow into the street to clear my driveway faster?
- No; avoid pushing or blowing snow into the roadway, which creates hazards and may violate local rules.
Who do I call if a large limb is on a state route?
- Contact IDOT for state routes; if there is an immediate safety hazard, use emergency channels first.
