Will County Gazette

Steve Balich is clear about why he is running for Homer Township supervisor.

“In my opinion the current group is doing a very, very poor job at managing the township,” he told the Will County Gazette.

Balich, a Republican, believes the township can be operated more efficiently by reducing services or raising taxes. The former truck driver and real estate broker says he will reduce the actual tax dollars that property owners pay to the township.

“Right now, everybody cuts the rates and says they gave you a tax cut,” Balich said, adding that if property tax assessments go up, then taxpayers still end up facing an overall larger tax bill.

“I’m going to cut the actual dollar amount so that when assessments go up, your taxes aren’t going up,” he said. “That will mean that everybody will truly get a cut.”

Balich also promises to give $1 million of the township’s Open Space fund back to Homer citizens.

“That money has been sitting in the fund for years,” he said. “They just leave it in there. Any extra money we have in any funds that we’re not using, I want to rebate that to the people.”

He also pledges to put all township contracts out for competitive bidding to get the best possible prices.

“Logic would tell you that before spending other people’s money, you should get other prices." Balich said. "You don’t just take the first one that comes along, or the easiest route or your friend.” 

Balich is a member of the Will County Board of Commissioners, which he believes will give him an advantage as Homer Township supervisor.

“At one time in our county you had to be a supervisor to be on the board,” he said. “They’ve since changed that. But it’s a real benefit to have someone on the county board and as a supervisor." 

He added that there are numerous programs that go through the county commission that benefit the township. 

“You’re sitting there at the county board meeting and right then and there, you can make the motion to bring the program to your township,” he said.