When the Chicago Cubs’ Addison Russell hit a two-run home run March 7 in a spring training game, it was a good moment for a new Homewood business. A photo by Chris Sweda of Russell’s swing was published on a newspaper website, and it clearly shows the concentric swooping “H” logo of Homewood Bat Company.[Read More…]
Author: Eric Crump
Homewood combines two committees in attempt to streamline government
Homewood trustees approved several measures Tuesday, March 22, that will enable a merger of two village review boards, the Plan Commission and the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA). The seven-member combined board will be known as the Planning and Zoning Commission. Village Economic Development Director Tom Vander Woude told trustees[Read More…]
Welcoming but bullet proof: Homewood’s new cannabis dispensary balances security, comfort
After nearly a year of development and a three-month build-out, the Windy City Cannabis dispensary is set to open in Homewood on Jan. 4, according to company officials. WCC officials believe their dispensary at 1137 175th St. has achieved a challenging balancing act: It must be secure enough to meet[Read More…]
A coach at heart: ‘Marvelous Marv’ continues to lead
On opening day for Homewood Baseball & Softball this year, one of the ceremonial first pitches was high and inside. But it was pretty good for an octogenerian arm. The pitcher was Marvin Austin, who was given the first-pitch honor for his role as one of the founders of little[Read More…]
Homewood joins land bank to address vacant buildings
When Bogart’s Charhouse ceased operations at 18225 Dixie Highway a few years ago, it created a significant hole in Homewood’s downtown commercial landscape, and a tangle of red tape has thwarted efforts to redevelop the site. But Homewood has a new tool for dealing with impediments to development that could[Read More…]
Spellbinding storyteller Beth Horner returns to Homewood Stories Sept. 15
[Editor’s Note: Host Karen O’Donnell announced Tuesday, Sept. 8, that the room is full and no additional reservations can be accepted for the Sept. 15 show.] Master storytellers are spellbinding. There. I’ve stated the obvious. Even though that’s common knowledge, it is still sometimes surprising to be caught in the[Read More…]
Walmart wins Class 8 tax break, gets tough questions from Homewood residents
Walmart is coming to Homewood. But the retail giant’s reception will be mixed at best, if the prevailing views expressed at the Homewood Board of Trustees meeting Tuesday is any indication. Homewood trustees voted 4 to 1 to approve a resolution supporting Walmart’s application for Class 8 property tax incentives[Read More…]
First phase of Homewood science center development finished, trustees vote to start next phase
The west side of the stairway from the tunnel to the Metra platform was closed Wednesday after a step was found to be damaged. (Photo by Eric Crump/HF Chronicle) Commuters who use Homewood train station’s Metra service had to make do with half the usual stairway for a few days,[Read More…]
Homewood trustees approve science center planning budget
The former Ryan Funeral Home, purchased by the village of Homewood in December, is slated to be the home of the proposed community science center. (Photo by Eric Crump/HF Chronicle) Quick look: Trustees approve $100,000 budget adjustment to pay for the next phase of planning. Vote is 5-1, with Trustee[Read More…]
Homewood station renovations are on Metra’s to-do list but not likely to be done soon
The celebration last week of completed renovations at the Flossmoor Metra station had commuters at the next two stops to the north revisiting an old question: “What about us?” Homewood and Calumet stations both are in need of attention. Homewood, for instance, has numerous problems, from a dank, smelly tunnel[Read More…]



