Peotone Village Board Hears Strategic Planning Results, Approves New Businesses and Infrastructure Projects

By Andrea Arens

The Peotone Village Board meeting on May 18 featured a wide-ranging agenda that included new business approvals, infrastructure updates, police vehicle purchases, code enforcement discussions, and the presentation of a community-wide strategic planning survey.

One of the evening’s highlights was the approval of two new businesses opening in Peotone.

Christina Clark, owner of Bang Hair Parlor, addressed the board before her business registration was approved for 116 W. Main Street. Clark said opening a salon in Peotone has personal significance after living in the community for eight years and raising her family locally.

“This town means a lot to me and my family,” Clark said. “I’m not just looking to open a business. I’m looking to build something positive within our community.”

Clark said she has spent nearly 25 years working in the hair industry and hopes the salon will become a welcoming space that supports both clients and the local business community.

The board also approved a business registration for Bloom Chiropractic and Wellness Center at 425 S. Governors Highway. Chiropractor Madeline Tyler told trustees she is returning home to start her own practice after gaining several years of experience at another office.

“I’m excited to be a part of the community and start growing here,” Tyler said.

Strategic Planning Survey Presented

Consultant Cory Plasch presented findings from a village strategic planning survey and focus group sessions involving residents, business owners, taxing bodies, village employees, nonprofits, and local students.

According to the survey, residents most frequently identified Peotone’s “small-town character,” peaceful atmosphere, and sense of community pride as the village’s greatest strengths. Public safety, schools, and affordability ranked among the most important quality-of-life issues.

The survey gathered 337 responses, with 89% identifying themselves as village residents.

Plasch said residents also expressed strong interest in attracting new businesses and maintaining well-kept neighborhoods and commercial areas. Water infrastructure concerns were among the most frequently cited issues.

Focus group discussions revealed a recurring theme of balancing growth with preserving Peotone’s identity. Plasch said younger residents, particularly high school students, expressed interest in seeing more opportunities, recreation, and diversity within the community.

“They actually would prefer to stay here,” Plasch said of local students. “They just don’t feel like they have those options.”

Board members also discussed scheduling future strategic planning sessions to continue work on long-term village goals.

Infrastructure and Public Works Updates

Public Works Director Bob Hennke reported that downtown flower baskets, Memorial Day banners, and flags would soon be installed as warmer weather arrives. Hennke also updated the board on several infrastructure projects, including road maintenance and storm sewer inspections.

The board approved a resolution authorizing resurfacing work on East South Street and South Fourth Street for fiscal year 2027. The Public Works Committee consisting of trustees Todd Sandberg, Nick Strba, and Jackie Richards had agreed at their April 29th meeting to resurface South and Fourth, but questions from other officials about whether the sewers would be needing repair and that would require the streets to be excavated. Aqua did not repair the sewers downtown before the streetscape and once again said the reconstruction was not on the horizon. Village officials said recent inspections showed the storm sewer infrastructure beneath the roadway remains in excellent condition.

Village Administrator Nick Palmer said the village also met with Aqua Illinois regarding underground utility concerns before moving forward with the project.

Police Department Updates

Police Chief David DeMik reported the department recently received grant funding through the Illinois Public Risk Fund. The funding will be used to purchase automated external defibrillators (AEDs) for public works facilities and replace outdated AEDs in police vehicles.

DeMik also updated the board on efforts to enforce truck traffic restrictions, noting officers issued 17 citations since the previous meeting.

The board later approved the purchase of two new Ford Explorer police vehicles from Terry’s Ford after officials determined the dealership provided the lowest overall cost while including necessary police equipment packages and warranties.

New Special Event Ordinance Approved

Trustees approved a new special events permitting ordinance designed to create a standardized approval process for community events.

Palmer said the ordinance establishes permitting requirements with a $25 application fee, outlines safety and operational standards, clarifies enforcement authority, and allows the village to recover certain event-related costs when necessary. Moving forward, event hosts will be asked to submit applications for events within a certain timeframe, predict attendance, and provide insurance, site plans, and safety plans and request whether open alcohol is requested.

Trustee Todd Sandberg commented that the ordinance was a long time coming referring to his suggestions to revise the current ordinance with regards to liquor consumption at downtown events back in April of 2024. Sandberg has hosted the annual car show downtown for the last 38 years. He added, “I do have some concerns about certain parts, but with any ordinance, there’s going to be some growing pains and we can figure those out as we come across them.” The ordinance is expected to evolve over time, particularly for larger events hosted at the Will County Fairgrounds.

Chickens and Code Enforcement Discussed

The board also discussed the future of the village’s backyard chicken ordinance, which is currently set to expire in June 2026 due to a sunset provision adopted when the ordinance was originally passed in 2023.

No formal action was taken, though trustees discussed potentially extending the ordinance or grandfathering existing license holders. Sandberg asked how many chicken licenses were currently held and that number was one. Trustee Nick Strba said he had no issue with chickens in village limits. Sandberg mentioned he was fine with extending the sunset clause till the end of the current mayor’s term.

Palmer and Mayor Chris Vieaux said the village is considering hiring a part-time code enforcement officer to improve consistency and response times to address complaints regarding overgrown grass, junk vehicles, trailers, and property maintenance concerns throughout town. The additional position would replace the outsourced code enforcement through B & F.

“We’re not looking to make money,” Palmer said. “We’re trying to keep the town looking nice.”