The Village of Monee is in good shape.
That was the message in Mayor Therese Bogs’ annual State of the Village Address last week.
Money is a little tighter, she said, but the budget is balanced, the bills are paid, challenges were met, and essential programs are thriving.
The annual address marked Bogs’ fifth year in office, the first mayor in 20 years to be elected to a second term.
“It is my honor to welcome you to our State of the Village Address,” she said. “Tonight is about coming together as neighbors, friends, and partners in shaping the future of our community.
“I would like to thank our Board of Trustees – Trustees Horne, Youdris, Wilson, Gonzalez, Henson, and Rakis – for their support of these projects and our ability to work cooperatively on behalf of Monee and its residents.
“Over the past two years, we have faced challenges, celebrated successes, and continued building a village we are proud to call home. From strengthening our local services and supporting small businesses to investing in infrastructure and public safety, our shared commitment has made real progress possible.
“This evening, I will share where we stand today, the milestones we have reached, and the priorities that will guide us in the year ahead. Most importantly, this address is about you, the residents, volunteers, business owners, and staff who make our village strong, resilient, and connected.
“Thank you for being here, for caring about our community, and for helping shape its future.
Monee Police Department
“As a Police Department the year 2024 was an exciting time for the Village of Monee as it celebrated its 150th Anniversary,” Bogs continued.
“Resources were tight while hosting The Moving Wall and Fall Fest during the same week, but it was a rewarding challenge, and we were proud to be an integral part of both.
“Last March, Dustin Valadez was presented with the Village Award for Valor, and we also honored Special Olympian Nick Lorenz for leading us at the 2025 Polar Plunge. It highlighted our most successful year in raising funds for Special Olympics, which is a great cause and an honorable reflection on MPD and the many village contributors who make it all possible.
“In May MPD officers received a ‘Blessing for First Responders’ at St. Boniface. A very touching moment, to be recognized by the church.
“In January of 2025, we had 24 officers. The Village Board has authorized a total of 26 officers and, as of December, we have achieved our goal. It is the first time in three years MPD has reached its approved manpower allotment, and this number gives us the operational capabilities we need to meet all the law enforcement challenges presented, allows us to provide a School Resource Officer, to participate in the Joliet Metro Area Narcotics Squad, and be a part of the Will County Major Crimes Task Force. Every one of these assignments is a gold mine of resources, training, and intelligence, and the experience these officers are getting can only benefit MPD and our community. It is an exciting time as the PD continues to grow with an evolving village.
“The Illinois legislators continue to add training mandates on law enforcement, with little support and no financial assistance. In 2019, MPD Officers averaged 72 hours of annual training. Now, the average officer is spending between four-to-five weeks a year training.
“Proper training is critical for our officers, and we actively pursue grants that allow us to offset the increasing equipment costs we are facing. Sgt. Brent Cash was able to procure $15,000 for upgraded taser equipment and obtained three ballistic helmets at a value of about $3,400 We purchased new Motorola radios after receiving a $50,000 grant from Laraway Communications, helping to jumpstart our radio replacement program as our current batch is nearing 15 years old. We also have a request into the state for a $307,000 grant to offset the expense of the bodycams and in-car cameras.
“We have made it a habit to go beyond state mandates by conducting weapons training and de-escalation training above state requirements. Training included active shooter response at the grade school, active incident response on the Virtual Reality 3D system, and Command and Control training conducted by the Will County Critical Incident cadre. For the first time, this training for critical incident response was brought to Eastern Will County law enforcement. No other agency in our area has the capability or training to initiate rescue task force operations at our level.
“As we look forward, many of our goals remain the same, as we strive to give our people professional opportunities while prioritizing community safety.
“Traffic is a key factor in not just making our streets safer, but a factor in making our village safer. We plan on investing in a ‘portable scale’ to enforce truck violations. The commercial traffic is at an all-time high, and we need to protect our infrastructure and ensure the safety of our traffic flow. Officers will cross train with state truck enforcement experts to get our plan rolling. Proactive policing is a vital element in letting our community know we take their safety seriously, and we want to make a difference.
“A new PD is now on the drawing board and is an exciting time for everyone involved. This is a long-term plan for a modern, aesthetic, technological, operational, and comfortable public safety environment, with a state-of-the-art ‘Community Room.’
“Sufficient manpower, effective training, and proper use of resources are fundamental to fulfilling our goals, and we are achieving our goals and growing as law enforcement professionals because the village has committed to safety first. We have a safe community and want it to be even better.”
Emergency Management Agency
“The key to providing this service is truly teamwork from the Village Board to the volunteer responders,” the mayor noted.
“EMA is always on constant guard monitoring events and weather. This year Monee EMA has set another record for services and training for the eighth consecutive year, with 300 total events, calls, details, and training. With 18 members, we are on the high-end of agencies with our mutual aid organizations. Ten of our members have more than 100 hours of community service.
“We finished the installation of Monee’s third water tower camera. Our Technology Department linked the cameras to our village system so we can observe and operate them in any village building. This project was funded through a matching grant from Com-Ed and the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus in the amount of $8,500. This system was designed and developed by Monee EMA and our IT Department specifically to meet our needs. There is no other system like it, and this was considerable savings to the village. The village now can safely provide storm spotting and damage assessment. A new warning siren behind Fire Station #1 was installed, replacing the siren from the 1940s, with upgrades including automatic activation with our GEO fence and electronic notifications.
“Successful communication is the key to all operations as cell phones and the internet cannot be relied upon during emergencies. Monee EMA currently has 20 P25 portable radios. This provides a back-up system for our responders, and we have acquired an additional 14 mobile radios, which were purchased on the secondary market at a savings to the village of $50,400. This provides communication during an emergency to all village departments and our mutual aid partners. We have also made improvements to our Command Trailer, which includes installing an on-board generator and laser printer that improves our out-the-door time and reduces the amount of personnel needed to put our Command Trailer in service, and by installing a HAM radio base at EMA headquarters, we can communicate anywhere within the U.S.
“An electric entrance gate was installed at EMA, and the security system was upgraded allowing visual monitoring of all village buildings remotely and from building-to-building. All cameras can be monitored from the Command Trailer and the EMA building.
“We are extremely fortunate to have a well-trained and dedicated team that many agencies reach out to for assistance, due to our capabilities and staff.”
Information Technology
“Our IT Director has been busy with his regular duties, as well as collaborating with Emergency Management to design and build a state-of-the-art weather monitoring system, which serves as a premier system providing real-time weather spotting, which is the first in Illinois,” Bogs said.
“IT assisted with the setup of three water tower cameras and completed the conversion of old security surveillance software and equipment, allowing new surveillance systems in all village buildings to be integrated into a single application that enhances operational efficiency and provides better security to all village properties.
“Considerable improvements in cyber security have been instituted, and these advances have drastically reduced our daily cyber-attacks from foreign countries from 60 per day to three per day, as well as decreasing the desire of foreign countries from attempting attacks.
“IT also was instrumental in the initial project planning for the networking layout for the new Public Works Building, designed, constructed, and transferred network and equipment to the new Village Hall location, and configured and constructed a state-of-the-art EOC in the new Village Hall.”
Finance
“The village’s financial health is the primary goal of our Finance Department. The FY 2026 budget was a balanced budget, and this year’s budget is also. The Finance Department ensures expenditures are carefully monitored and align with the approved budget.
“The village has joined the State Treasurer’s Municipal Investment Program and will continue to look at investments that will generate the best returns. The village’s investment portfolio showed steady and healthy growth, including more than $127K in total earnings for 2025, driven primarily by interest income. Moving forward, the village will continue to prioritize revenue-generating investment strategies to strengthen financial sustainability.
“The village levy was adopted on December 10, 2025, and has not been increased. The 2025 Tax Levy Ordinance reflects the village’s commitment to responsible fiscal management, public safety investment, and legal compliance. The levy maintains service levels, meets required pension and debt obligations, and supports the village’s long term financial health – positioning Monee for continued stability in 2026.
“The village is committed to enhancing public services and infrastructure for its residents. We have worked diligently on grants and have successfully received $1,308,000 in 2024 and $560,000 in 2025. The village has not entered any new debt obligations and has continued its payments on the 2015 bond regularly, and all village liabilities are paid on time without penalty.
“The village has moved into a new Village Hall, has installed sidewalks, is finishing a 10-year road program, creating new parks and rec features, and is proud to say the new DPW building, constructed for the next 40 years, is approximately 1.5 million under budget. These expenditures underscore the village’s commitment to long-term infrastructure, employee support, and enhanced service delivery.”
Building Services
“The Building Services Department has been instrumental in fostering responsible growth while maintaining the integrity of our village,” Bogs continued.
“They have re-shaped the website information to help residents and businesses understand any requirements for the Building Services and Code Compliance of their property or business. In 2025, the Department worked diligently to update the Village of Monee’s building codes to ensure alignment with current Illinois state law and recognized best practices for the construction and maintenance of structures and property within the community.
“As part of this effort, the village adopted the 2024 International Code Council (ICC) Building Codes, which officially took effect on January 1, 2026. This adoption ensures the village’s regulatory framework remains current, promotes public safety, and supports high standards for development and property maintenance. The Building Services Department expanded its staffing to address the increasing demands associated with the continued growth of the village by adding two part-time positions: a field inspector and an office clerk. The hiring of additional staff helps with the efficiency of the department and allows for a code compliance officer to be on duty on Saturdays. They continually collaborate with residents to gain compliance with village codes resulting in a more beautiful Monee.
“Training remains an essential component of the department’s mission, and it provides ongoing training for all staff members through both on-site instruction and off-site classroom settings, to ensure they remain current with changes to applicable building codes, state laws, and village ordinances.
“This continued professional development supports consistent enforcement, accurate inspections, and high standards of service to the community.
“The Building Services Department oversaw building inspections and completed 3,720 inspections for the year related to permits, business licenses, and enforcements, which average 14 inspections per day.
“The village has continued to collaborate with residents, landlords, and business owners regarding code compliance matters to maintain and enhance the quality of life and economic vitality within the Village of Monee.
“In 2025, a total of 1,430 code enforcement actions were initiated, representing an average of approximately 5.5 enforcement actions per day. These efforts reflect the village’s ongoing commitment to preserving property standards and supporting a safe, attractive, and business-friendly community.
“The department ensures all contractors scheduled to perform work within the village are properly registered with the village. This registration process helps safeguard village residents by ensuring accountability and providing a formal avenue for addressing disputes related to contractor performance. Annually, our office maintains an active roster of approximately 551 licensed contractors and subcontractors.”
Department of Public Works
“Those who work in DPW wear many hats: truck drivers, electricians, plumbers, landscapers, custodians, movers, laborers, carpenters, mechanics… This list goes on and on. Our staff performs several functions daily, often behind the scenes ensuring the integrity of our infrastructure and continuity of services.
“Staff attended multiple training events, including CPR/first aid, flagger certification, pesticide application, lockout/tagout, trenching and shoring, MS4 compliance, and took part in monthly safety meetings covering several topics, such as fire safety, distracted driving, hot and cold weather safety, and proper lifting techniques and ergonomics.
“In celebration of Monee’s 150th anniversary, they were proud to be tasked with the excavation and opening of the village’s time capsule, and staff member Dan Trofimchuk was instrumental in coordinating the helicopter flyover during the village’s Moving Wall ceremony.
“Water main was replaced along Main Street and Eastgate Avenue, nine water main breaks were repaired, and the Ridgeland Avenue/Bruns Road Water Main Project was completed, which extended a 16-inch water main from Ridgeland Avenue and Lakeway Drive south to Bruns Road and east to Industrial Drive and Cleveland Avenue. This expands our potable water service area, spurs future development and, most importantly, provides a critical second water feed under I-57, ensuring a more dependable drinking water supply and enhanced fire protection.
“DPW completed 368 work orders or calls for service, which is 28 more than last year, responded to 1,495 locate requests from Julie, Inc., locating and marking village-owned infrastructure in advance of construction activity and other excavation operations, and planted 25 trees in addition to the 40 trees last year in parkways and various other locations, which qualified Monee for membership once again in Tree City USA.
“After years of erosion created a potential hazard for those accessing the McCorkle Pond, this restoration project rehabilitated the banks of the McCorkle Pond and created a new and more accessible access path, creating a safe and usable green space easily accessible for maintenance and recreation.
“Ten years in the making, the Industrial Drive/Cleveland Avenue Reconstruction project eliminates one of the last gravel roads within the village, improving aesthetics, traffic flow, and providing truck traffic with easier access to Rt. 50 and I-57 via Monee-Manhattan Road. The Country Meadows Access Road at Geranium Lane was first conceived in the early 2000s and this project provides convenient access for residents, as well as creating a more direct route for first responders to access the area in an emergency.
“Maintaining the village for the safety of residents, there were 250 sidewalk sections raised or leveled and, as part of our ongoing commitment to improve the walkability of Monee, the village installed 1,500 feet of new sidewalk, continuing to close the gaps in our sidewalk network.
“And last but certainly not least, in October we began the process of moving into our new home on Industrial Drive, a state-of-the-art facility with space to house all of our existing vehicles and equipment, office spaces, training facilities, and meeting spaces, along with enough potential for growth to support our department and the village for generations to come.”
Human Resources
“Monee’s HR Director was instrumental in helping the village obtain its 2024-2025 growth plans by providing a forum for attracting new talent to the village and creating a job description if the role was new. She worked through approximately 636 resumes, 162 applications, and coordinated and conducted interviews with staff to see that the right candidates were hired into the Village of Monee family to service our residents and customers.
“In 2024, the 457B Deferred Compensation Plan for all Village Employees was launched, and she continues to seek ways to provide additional means for village employees to supplement health care costs upon retirement, including setting in motion a Retiree Health Care Program. Director Knabe also maintains all of the village’s insurance policies and serves as the village’s representative and voting member for the Southwest Agency for Risk Management Board (SWARM) where, as a voting member, was part of a unanimous vote to collectively purchase virtual reality training technology to enhance the training of the collective’s municipalities police forces.
“Our HR Director works hard to promote and provide an open door for all employees so they have a platform to express their questions and/or concerns and works to help them seek viable solutions, creates a safe and healthy work environment and atmosphere for all village employees, and conducts regular check-ins with employees.
“The focus since starting with the Village of Monee has been to enhance the workplace culture, extending beyond the physical employee workforce but with our residents and customers seeking help. Director Jude Knabe continues to provide guidance, structure, and continuity for village policies and procedures, and she continues to seek ways in which to implement best practices for village employees, residents, and customers, and has created a satisfaction survey, which can be found on the village website.
“Recognition is a critical component to creating an environment where our employees know and feel they are considered our most important asset. The CREW Award between 2024 and 2025 recognized 16 well-deserving employees. For every birthday and anniversary, every individual receives a birthday card or anniversary certificate so, as part of our team, each employee feels well cared for and recognized.
“In 2024, Director Knabe along with Jill Donati attended the Crete-Monee High School Career Fair and they were able to meet with students and help them work through mock interviews, both for college and employment, and were able to provide feedback and suggestions, and she continued to work with the high school in 2025, being instrumental in bringing forth ideas on how to engage the community to partner with them to provide meaningful experiences for students.
“You will often see Director Knabe helping with events or with her laptop at events fielding questions about job opportunities and showing residents and guests how to navigate the Village of Monee website and how to utilize the available ‘Notify Me’ feature on the website.”
Parks and Recreation
“Parks and Recreation had quite the challenge in 2024, with celebrating Monee turning 150, and they crushed it,” she said.
“Parks and Rec provided a celebration that lasted all year, with a total of 45 events held to honor this historic event, with collaboration from several organizations: The Monee Historical Society had a display and events highlighting 150 years, the Monee Alliance of Churches hosted 150 hours of prayer, and Monee was honored to have Allen Lynch, Medal of Honor recipient and Chief Wanata at the Vietnam Moving Wall tribute.
“In 2025, there were 62 special events held in addition to Parks and Recreations’ programs, with an approximate attendance of 25,000.
“We are incredibly grateful to our 337 vendors and sponsors, who made donations totaling just over $69K. It is with your support and generosity that we continue to thrive.
“Fall Fest was especially unique with a Sting Ray Show, seven live bands, special needs day, car show, parade, fireworks, garage sales, senior tent, carnival, Arts and Craft Show, Community Prayer Service, and 12 food trucks. Record numbers of participants came from far and wide for this three-day event.
“Halloween Happenings had more than 3,000 attending and 16 trunks participating. There were free hotdogs, hayrides, a bonfire, DJ, and costume contest.
Senior events last year consisted of six luncheons, 12 breakfast bingo, Senior Expo and a Senior Health and Job Fair, attracting people from all over the surrounding areas.
“Firemen’s Park First phase of construction was completed in September featuring:
- A football/soccer/lacrosse field
- Two sand volleyball courts
- State of the art youth baseball field, with retractable pitching mound and two batting cages
- Bleachers
- Concession stand with restrooms
- New parking lot
- New ADA compliant playground
- ADA sidewalks connecting the entire park
- “A pet micro pantry was installed, which will help pet families with food and treats.
“Parks and Recreation has supported events at Crete-Monee School Dist. 201-U High School, Monee Elementary, Monee Historical Society, Monee Alliance of Churches, American Legion Post #1200, Monee Women’s Club, blood drives, church picnics, the Monee Chamber of Commerce, Parks Day at the Capitol, and Monee’s businesses. Lastly, by transitioning the Parks and Recreation Department to utilize the office space at 5130 Court Street, it allows their staff to have an administrative building to serve the community.”
Economic Development
“After more than a year of collaborating with the owners of Voortman Steel, their official ground-breaking ceremony was held in October 2024, with several state officials, including Gov. Pritzker attending. As a leading global manufacturer, Monee will be their ONLY U.S. facility and will ship across the world. Their initial investment is a 120,000-square-foot, $55 million headquarters and will create an additional 100 technical jobs.
“The dual $3 million retail project Starbucks and Dollar Tree opened in 2024, Subway opened in Lamel’s Plaza in 2025, and the 20,000-square-foot Tractor Supply store, with a 10,000-square-foot outdoor garden center has opened. Located to the northeast of our Towne Center next to Tractor Supply, there will be an attractive retention pond complete with landscaping, walkway, and an entrance sign welcoming people into Monee and our Towne Center.
“Business owner Matt Leader expanded his two existing industrial offices and light manufacturing property by adding two 30,000-square-foot buildings for a $5 million investment, which was completed at year-end 2024.
“Honoring those who have passed, Memorial Park at Governors Highway and Court Street had the official flag-raising ceremony in June 2024. Residents can order engraved paving bricks or tree plaques to honor loved ones.
“LeFevre-Bailly Park celebrates the history of the village and honors the namesake of Monee, Marie LeFevre-Bailey with a life-sized bronze statue at the corner of Governors Highway and Court Street. This is a very welcoming space for our residents and an appropriate complement to Memorial Park directly across the street.
“Several local business owners have been interviewed for Monee’s Business Spotlight Features on social media with more in the works. The village partnered with Chicago’s “very own” WGN Radio in their “Your Hometown” interview segment to promote economic development opportunities and the reason there is a growing interest in Monee. This strategic investment has significantly enhanced the village’s visibility and reputation, reflecting positively on the administration’s proactive approach. Our ongoing goal is creating jobs, attracting residents and tourists, increasing tax revenue, and fostering a vibrant community.
“In closing,” Mayor Bogs said, “I would like to acknowledge all the employees who collectively make Monee the wonderful village that it is. These are the faces you encounter at Village Hall, in town, or at one of thevVillage’s events. I am privileged to call them a part of our village family, and I know they all strive to serve our residents to the best of their ability and strive to make Monee the best it can be.
“I am thankful for the support of our staff, elected officials, attorney, administrator, businesses, churches and, most of all, the residents. I will continue my journey of serving you and continue to guide Monee to be the village people can be proud of.”