Homer Glen approves and unveils new logo

After eight months of research and focus groups, the village of Homer Glen approved a new logo Wednesday, consisting of a tree with four shades of green along with the tagline “You Know You’re Home.”

The Village Board in February hired MERJE, a Pennsylvania-based design firm, to create a brand that would capture the village’s identity and create a cohesive look to the village, distinguishing it from other towns and attracting new businesses, village officials said.

The logo was designed to invoke the spirit of Homer Glen, including its open space, natural preserves, agriculture and family friendly community, officials said.

The village’s seal along with its motto, Community and Nature in Harmony, will not change and will continue to be used in official and legislative capacities.

The new logo can be used on the village’s website, in marketing materials, on signs for parks, trails and open space, on village vehicles and on village uniforms. The village can also use its logo to promote special events, such as its Homer for the Holidays festival, and can change the colors on the tree to reflect the seasons, officials said.

MERJE also designed complementary logos to promote the 159th Street, 143rd Street and the Bell Road business districts, and it designed stone, metal and barn wood gateway signs that could be placed at village boundaries.

Trustee Keith Gray said the plan is to rollout the logo over the next few years. While stationery can be immediately updated, replacing signs throughout the village would take more time, he said.

Trustee Sharon Sweas cast the sole no vote, saying that changing the logo on everything villagewide would be costly and is not warranted. She said she also preferred using the existing seal and motto.

Michelle Mullins is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.