Mayor March’s 2023 Village Recap

Village President Peter March got gas and made the first purchase at the Peotone Travel Center. –Photo by Jim Piacentini.

Village President Peter March got gas and made the first purchase at the Peotone Travel Center. –Photo by Jim Piacentini.

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To All Village Residents:

As we move into 2024, I feel it is important for all to see what their village government has accomplished for them in the past year. There was a great deal done with our limited budget and small staff. Here is an accounting of some of our accomplishments in no particular order:

Capital Projects

Corning Street sidewalk and other sidewalk repairs
Resurfacing Mill Trace subdivision with MFT funds
$3 million Road improvements for 88th Avenue and Wilmington-Peotone Road

Economic Development

Opening of Peotone Travel Center
Groundbreaking for Holiday Inn Express
Opening of Dunkin’, anticipate opening of Charley’s Steak
Welcomed new businesses downtown, Janski Design, Edit the Boutique
Abandoned house on Second Street was demolished
Engineering and Design plans completed for downtown streetscape project. Project is out for bid, with bid opening end of January 2024.
Obtained grant for pro bono planning services to update our comprehensive bike/walking path plan

Finance Department

Another clean audit
Restructured village investments to take advantage of higher interest rates and put more money into general fund
Received Budget Award from Government Finance Officers Association  
Police Pension fund up to 44 percent funded from a recent low of 21 percent, due to dedication from board to fully fund and transfer to state pool of investments
Implemented online payment portal for residents to use

Administrative

Completed Village Hall remodeling project to provide a more secure employee environment
Applied for and received $900,000 grant from Will County for Conrad Street storm sewer project
Hired FT Building department coordinator
Changed building services contractor

Police Department

Chief DeMik completed his first year
Fully staffed department by hiring four full time lateral hire officers
Bought three new squad cars
Increased truck length enforcement in village
Enforcement of no parking on sidewalks
Hired new community liaison for department
Instrumental in passing comprehensive village parking ordinance
Many community outreach programs, including sip ‘n stroll, trunk-or-treat, golf cart parade, and lighted Christmas parade; No shave November donation

Aqua

Still waiting for OK from IEPA to switch over water source.  

Public Works Department

Planted over 70 parkway trees
Designated Tree City again by Arbor Day Foundation
Hired two FT employees
Successful year with branch and leaf pickup, snow plowing, street sweeping, and maintaining village infrastructure
Flower baskets and banners on downtown poles

Community Events

Will County Fair, two car shows, Christmas in the Village, Tree lighting, Mill Open House, and others

There are many people to thank for this great year. Thanks to the Administration, Police and Public Works Departments, which are all composed of dedicated and passionate people who carry out the day-to-day business of our village. Also thanks to the Village Board Trustees, who give guidance, direction, and policy for our village. I personally want to thank Trustees Julie Sluis, Gary Hudson, Nick Strba, Shelly Marevka, Todd Sandberg, and Jackie Richards for their dedication and service to our village. Last but not least, I would like to thank the wonderful residents of Peotone. We appreciate your feedback and support!

We look forward to another productive and progressive year in 2024. We look for the continued help and support from our staff, residents, and officials to make that happen!

Happy New Year!

Mayor Peter March


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Local Farmers Markets

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Spread the loveTo help our readers, here are some Farmers Markets that are or will soon be available for your shopping convenience. If you know of a particularly good one that we’ve not listed, please feel free to email “The Vedette,” at newsdesk@thevedette.com, so we can add it to our weekly list. Happy shopping! •Beecher:…


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Former Illinois State Police trooper who pleaded guilty in relation to deadly crash postpones hearing

Peotone Police Blotter: May 4-8

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Spread the love May 4, a Peotone Officer was requested to respond to Gyro Loco for a report of a hit-and-run property damage accident. Upon arrival, the officer spoke with the manager who advised there was a golf cart that struck the front of the building and then left. Officer then also spoke with the…


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Doug Lileks will be the guest speaker at the annual Peotone Memorial Day Ceremony. –Photo submitted.

Peotone Announces Memorial Day Activities

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Spread the lovePeotone American Legion cordially invites the community to its annual Memorial Day program at the cemetery on Monday, May 27. Due to construction downtown and by the Legion Post, the parade route will need to be altered this year. Participants are asked to meet at Immanuel United Church of Christ at 9:30 a.m.…


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–Graphic submitted.

34th Annual Rhubarb Festival May 19

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Third graders stop by with a check for Helping Hands. Photo courtesy Helping Hands Food Pantry.

PES Competition Once Again Raises Big Money For Helping Hands

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Spread the lovePeotone Elementary School knows how to throw a fundraiser. From the thousands of cereal boxes to the hundreds of bags and boxes of fresh food, every fundraiser they host goes big, and this year was no exception. This year’s Peotone Elementary School fundraiser  resulted in a whopping $5,477.24 donation to Helping Hands, dedicated…


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PHS Honors Senior Softball, Baseball Athletes

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Spread the loveOn Wednesday, May 8, Peotone High School honored its senior baseball and softball athletes on Senior Night. Congratulations to Ashley Veltmann, Michael Bettenhausen, and Jakob Eaheart! Ashley Veltman is the daughter of Lauren and Chad Veltman and a four-year member of the softball team. Her favorite team memory is going on Chipotle and…


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–Logo submitted.

Board Authorizes Ordinance to Better Serve Farming Community

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Spread the loveOn April 18, the Will County Board authorized an ordinance change to better serve its farming community. This change assists farm truck drivers by making permits available that allow for the movement of agricultural commodities, without being subject to fines they may otherwise incur. Prior to the change of this ordinance, drivers faced…


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Students Earn Awards, Career Path Preparation at SkillsUSA Workforce Championships

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Spread the lovePEORIA – They poured concrete to lay bricks. They built tiny buildings, repaired diesel engines, and raced the clock and each other to be the best at more than 150 events – and they just might have found their successful career path in the process. Students from Chicago’s northern suburbs to deep Southern…


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Peotone Library News

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Spread the loveSummer Reading Program registration begins Monday, June 3 for all ages. Interested in being a sponsor – stop by or give us a call. The library now offers a monthly e-newsletter. Sign-up on the website at peotonelibrary.org. Then, at the bottom of the opening page, click on the Newsletter Signup box. Interested in…


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–Looks like lots and lots and lots of fun! –Photo submitted.

Merge Youth Group Offering Free Summer Events

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Spread the loveMerge Youth Group of Christ Community Church (CCC), 103 W. Corning Avenue in Peotone, will host multiple summer events for students entering sixth through 12th grades. All events, with the exception of Movie and Pizza Night, will be held at Christ Community Church. Mark your calendars for Sundays: June 9 – Ice Cream…


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Uplifted Care Community Grief Center Free Workshop/ Grief Support Service

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Spread the loveThe Honoring Mothers Workshop will be held on Saturday, May 18, from 10 – 11:30 a.m. This free workshop is a safe space for anyone, who has lost their mother, to be able to join others who have experienced a similar loss. Through activities and discussion, attendees have an opportunity to connect with…


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–Graphic submitted.

FHOF Cardiology Hosting Free Smoking Cessation Meetings

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Spread the loveFranciscan Health Cardiology Olympia Fields is hosting free weekly smoking cessation group meetings aimed at helping smokers kick the habit. Meetings help smokers learn proven strategies for success in quitting for good, develop a personal plan for quitting, minimize withdrawal symptoms, and begin living a new, healthy lifestyle. The group meetings are held…


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Uplifted Care Community Grief Center Vet-to-Vet Café May 15

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Spread the loveAll Veterans are invited to UpliftedCare Community Grief Center to attend the Vet-to-Vet Café, from 9 – 11 a.m., on Wednesday, May 15. Veterans will have an opportunity to meet other community veterans, share stories, access resources, and make new connections. Coffee and light snacks are provided. For more information or to register,…


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The Police Chiefs Association will hold its 43rd annual Law Enforcement Memorial Day on May 9. –Photo submitted.

Police Chiefs Association Holding Law Enforcement Memorial Day May 9

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Spread the loveThe 43rd annual Law Enforcement Memorial Day, sponsored by the Police Chiefs Association of Will County, is scheduled for Thursday, May 9. Details of the event were announced by Tracy Chapman, president of the Association and deputy director of the Forest Preserve District of Will County. The event will begin with a 10:30…


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One last picture of the dilapidated building before the owner demolished it on May 1 . –Photo by Ed Nelson.

Another Peotone Building Bites the Dust

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Spread the loveBy Andrea Arens A special board meeting was held on April 29 to approve an agreement with KLF Enterprises for the emergency demolition of 201 N. Second Street. The meeting itself lasted seven minutes, and the expense was approved for $25,500, waiving competitive bidding, with the mayor voting in favor, Trustee Gary Hudson…


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