2014-05-19
The 60-foot-long pathway leads to a wood pier at a quiet pond behind a Homer Township home. A “no trespassing” sign warns the public to keep out, but there’s a problem — the sign has no legal power behind it. The pier has been built on public land. It’s one of 214 illegal encroachments that were discovered on 113 sites when the Will County Forest Preserve District staff walked along the boundaries of 12 of its 82 properties this spring. Letters were sent May 12, informing property owners that they’re illegally using forest preserve district land. Sometimes the site is …