Brent Alan Porfilio

Hello! My name is Brent Alan Porfilio, and I have lived in Homer Township for 23 years - raising 4 children here, and I proudly serve as your Homer Township Highway Commissioner, and am asking for your vote in pursuing re-election to continue my dedicated, hard work for Homer Township residents and the Homer Township Road District.

When I was elected in 2021 I inherited a mess – the Homer Township Road District consisted of occupancy of half of an empty storage building shell, with no running water, sewer, fire protection, offices or bathrooms, and there was an IGA with Homer Glen Public Works where they basically took over more than $7 Million of assets away from the HTRD leaving us with basically nothing to maintain the 18.6 miles of HTRD ROW.

Accomplishments During My First Term

During my first term as Homer Township Highway Commissioner, I proudly accomplished the following tasks making taxpayer dollars work after starting out with basically nothing:

• 4 consecutive years of Reduced budget expenses and lowering of property taxes (current average household tax of only $45/year).
• 4 consecutive years of Roadway Improvements - Totaling 7.3 miles and $1.5M (~40% of the entire HTRD roadway ROW).
• Conversion of an empty storage building to a fully functioning Road District Maintenance Building with water, sewer, offices/furnishings, printers and computer network, bathrooms, Fire Protection system, security cameras, back-up generator/power, and wash bay.
• HTRD Facility Site Improvements including conversion of stone and dirt yard and access drive to concrete pavement, addition of drainage facilities, a salt Storage Dome, Material Storage Bins, security cameras, security fencing, solar lighting and detention.
• Establishment of Township-wide Roadway Striping Program (all 18.6 miles of roadway).
• Establishment of Township-wide Lighting program (Standardizing all Roadway Lights and adding solar lights where power is not available).
• Coordination of, and securing, Intergovernmental Agreements to save taxpayer money on HTRD shared projects for roadway and bridge improvements – with IDOT, Village of Homer Glen, City of Lockport, Lockport Road District, and the Will County Forest Preserve District.
• Use of Motor Fuel Tax funding from Will County and IDOT for Capital Roadway Improvements.
• Purchasing newer fleet of vehicles, and de-commissioning old ones (provided by HGPW that are no longer feasible to use) for maintaining HTRD ROW in a more efficient manner, and with lower maintenance costs (including 7000 series dump/plow trucks, 250 service trucks, a skid steer, backhoe, loader, trailer, and arm mower).
• Protected local residents on Meader Road from traffic from Unmah Cemetery users parking in their yards and on Meader Road by passing a No Parking Ordinance and installing No Parking signs, as well as hiring a local towing company and mounting cameras across from the entrance to monitor parking.
• Paved parking lots at the Homer Township’s Founder’s Crossing and Civic Center, and performed sidewalk improvements as well to help seniors residing at Founder’s Crossing, as well as special needs and senior residents using the Homer Township Civic Center.
• Graded, paved and dedicated the Mike DeVivo Memorial Trail from the Homer Recreational Fields behind the HT building to the HG Heritage Park.

Community Support and Advocacy

In addition to my work as your HTHC, I have spent time and resources on the following items helping, supporting, and defending local Township residents:

• Developed calculations & exhibits, and presented/spoke at public forum meetings, Will County Board meetings, and Village municipal meetings to support blocking of the Will County Highway Department’s 143rd Street Widening.
• Developed exhibits, a JT and IGA, as well as spoke, at public forum meetings, Will County Board meetings, and Village municipal meetings to support blocking of the Will County Highway Department’s Hadley and Parker Road Widening.
• I have invested time and resources advocating for HT residents by:
  • Speaking up on behalf of residents at local School Board & municipal meetings.
  • Promoting the Republican party and its values & attending candidate forums/fundraisers.
  • Helping elect competent local officials, engaging & listening to residents, and mailing materials for community awareness.
• Organized & Sponsored $5,000 Grants to Special Needs adults (aged 18+) in Homer Township (2022-2024 Homer Township Highway Commissioner Special Needs Grants) - inspired by my autistic son.

Political Experience

My local political experience includes the following leadership positions:

• City of Lockport Planning and Zoning Commissioner (2007-2021).
• 3 term HT Precinct Committeeman (2020 to present).
• Willow Walk HOA Board (327 homes – currently President) – 2014 to present.
• Knights of Columbus (Deputy Grand Knight - St. Joseph’s, Lockport) – 2022 to present.

I am a True Republican with a solid Republican voting record – voting in the last 14 elections. (Will County Clerk voting record data)

Conclusion

In closing, my goal has always been through public involvement to strive for a better future for my family and fellow Township residents - striving for solid, Conservative values, and improving our community for our kids and our families. I have pursued this goal by working hard for, and during elected official positions, and by tirelessly advocating publicly with our local governing bodies to lower taxes, improve social values, increase school academic performance, and maintain clean & low crime neighborhoods.