Something big apparently is in the works for the Village of Monee.
Trustee Michael Wilson, in a recent economic development report, refused to say what it is, but he made it sound like it could be something village residents have wanted for a long time. Some speculated, and are hoping, that it could be a grocery store.
Wilson wasn’t saying just yet.
“Exciting news,” he teased, “to be announced at the January 28 meeting. I’m not even going to allude to what’s going to happen, what’s going to be. So tune in. You’re definitely going to want to be abreast of what’s going to happen.”
Meanwhile, in less dramatic business during that board meeting, village officials accepted a Community Benefit Agreement with Sparrow Property Management LLC. for Earthrise Energy, that calls for a $100,00 one-time donation in conjunction with a solar field they will build in unincorporated Will County.
The 2022 Arlington, Virginia, start-up proposes a 260 megawatt solar project in an area encompassing 2,400 acres, including some just outside the corporate limits of Monee.
Because the project is within 1.5 miles of Monee’s boundaries, officials there could file objections, if they have any, through Will County.
Construction of the Crete facility is slated to begin early this year.
A second, similar facility is being planned near the Village of Manhattan.
Earthrise officials said last fall that the facility will produce enough energy annually to power 40,000 Illinois households.
Earthrise drafted the Community Benefit Agreement that includes a one-time payment of $100,000 to the village that can be used toward creating a new Animal Control Agency to help ensure property handling and coordination of stray animals.
Monee officials accepted the agreement in a split vote on January 14.
“As we have discussed previously, this is an agreement by Earthrise Energy for a contribution to the Village of Monee for their future building which will be outside of the village limits,” Mayor Therese Bogs told the board.
Permits and other issues involved with the solar field will need to be resolved through the Will County Board, she added.
Bogs categorized the donation as “just to be a good neighbor.”
During a roll call vote, Trustees Doug Horne, Scott Youdris, Michael Wilson and Chuck Rakis voted to accept the donation. Trustees Heidi Gonzalez and John Henson voted no, but did not offer an explanation.
Also during that meeting, the board:
- Heard Trustee Scott Youdris report that Monee Emergency Management Agency finished 2025 with a total of 300 events calls, details and training, an increase of 64 events from 2024 making 2025 the busiest year to date. Total EMA hours were 5,095.5. Also during that month, EMA assisted with traffic control for a semi that drove off the roadway on Monee-Manhattan Road, and again for an accident on I-57, twice assisted the department of public works’ search for a water main break, and “went into Storm Mode operations for high winds” on January 8. “Power outages were short. No damage found or reported within Monee,” he said.
- Welcomed new Monee Police Officer Colton Pederson. In his public safety report Trustee Youdris noted that “with the addition of Officer Pederson, MPD is at its authorized headcount of 26 officers for the first time in five years. “While the 2025 stats aren’t all in yet,” he said, “there is no doubt that these additional officers are making a difference keeping our neighborhoods safe. Proactive policing is on the increase and violent crime continues to drop. Money continues to be one of the safest places in the metro area.”
- Heard Monee Historical Society President Billy Morgan recap a successful year of activities for the organization. He highlighted the group’s popular Charity Tea, Fall Fest activities, a Trivia Night, and the installation of the Marie Lefevre Bailly statue, and a presentation about Monee’s only remnant prairie.
- Approved a pay request from Earthworks Land Development and Improvement Corporation for the Mccorkle Pond bank restoration for $296,121.17.
- Heard Trustee Chuck Rakis report that village departments have begun the budgeting process, and the Finance department anticipates presenting the new budget to the board in April. “The Finance department has been consulting with several organizations regarding software upgrades, new investment opportunities and improvements to our internal payment processing system,” Rakis noted. “These updates are designed to strengthen our operations and support the village’s long-term goals. Once the proposed policies and opportunities have been thoroughly vetted, including a comprehensive review and assessment of their potential impact, we will provide detailed information to the board.”
- Heard Trustee Michael Wilson report that Tractor Supply Company at 5543 W. Monee-Manhattan Road is slated to have a “soft opening” on March 21, with a grand opening celebration “approximately a week later.” Wilson also said that global manufacturing giant Voortman Steel anticipates moving into its new 120,000 square foot facility on Ridgeland Avenue in April.