Monee Mayor Therese Bogs praised the village’s “strength, compassion, and resilience” during recent storms at the start of the August 26 board meeting.
“Over the past several weeks, our village and region have endured two significant severe weather events, on July 27 and August 11,” she said.
“These storms tested our community, infrastructure, resources, and patience. Homes and businesses were damaged, trees and utility poles fell, power and communications were disrupted, and many families faced uncertainty and hardship.
“Yet through it all, I witnessed something more powerful than the storms themselves: the strength, compassion, and resilience of Monee.
“To our residents, business owners, and visitors: your Village remains fully committed to you. Our employees have worked tirelessly to restore services, clear debris, address damage, coordinate resources, and return our community to normal operations as safely and quickly as possible.
“To Our Village Team: There are no words sufficient to express my gratitude and respect for our Village employees and team leaders.
“Since the first storm,” she said. “Many have worked extraordinarily long hours, responding day and night, often while dealing with damage to their own homes and property. Yet, they still reported for duty, cleared roads, answered calls, coordinated resources, assisted residents, protected property, and did whatever was necessary to help Monee recover.
“That is public service in its truest form.
“As Mayor, I could not be prouder of the men and women who serve this Village. Their professionalism, compassion, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment represent the very best of Monee.
“I also want to thank the countless residents and businesses who have remained patient, supportive, and willing to help. Your encouragement, prayers, patience, and acts of kindness have meant more than you may realize. They have reminded our employees why their work matters, especially during the most difficult hours.
“Adversity reveals the character of a community. These past several weeks have tested Monee, but our community has responded with generosity, patience, compassion, and strength. I am incredibly proud of the spirit I have witnessed.
“No community responds to emergencies of this magnitude alone,” Bogs acknowledged. “We are deeply grateful for the assistance provided by our mutual-aid partners and neighboring communities, including the Will County Emergency Management Agency; Chief Carl Nieland and the Monee Fire Protection District; the mayors, employees, and communities of Romeoville, Manhattan, Coal City, Richmond Township, Green Garden Township, and Monee Township; ComEd crews; Illinois Public Works Mutual Aid Network (IPWMAN); Canadian National Railway; and the many public safety personnel, public works crews, utility workers, emergency responders, governmental partners, and volunteers who stepped forward to assist Monee.
“On behalf of a grateful Village, thank you.
“These storms have caused damage, disruption, and hardship—but they will not define us. What will define us is how we respond.
“We will learn from these events, strengthen our emergency preparedness, evaluate our infrastructure and communications, build stronger partnerships, and pursue the resources needed to make Monee even more resilient.
“There is still work ahead, and recovery does not happen overnight. I ask for your continued patience and support as our employees and partner agencies complete that work.
“Please continue looking after your neighbors, especially seniors and those who may need additional assistance. Continue showing patience and kindness to the crews working throughout our community, and keep our employees, first responders, utility workers, mutual-aid partners, and everyone affected by these storms in your thoughts and prayers.
“Storms may test the strength of a community, but they also reveal its character.
“Over these past several weeks, I have seen Monee’s character firsthand—and I could not be prouder.
“We are resilient. We are compassionate. We are neighbors helping neighbors.
“Together,” she said. “We will recover, rebuild, and move forward stronger than before.
“May God continue to bless and protect our residents, employees, first responders, partners, and the entire Village of Monee.”