A petition drive underway looks to show just how unhappy Monee residents are about the options for roadway expansion eastward through their village.

Proposed by the Will County Department of Transportation, the options offered at a late-June public hearing drew an angry “No!” from both residents and public officials.

The reaction prompted Chad Hartman to draft the petition he hopes will help put a stop to the expansion plans.

Monee officials, striving for a positive resolution to the conflict, aren’t endorsing the petition. But they aren’t entirely rejecting it, either.

The extension routes proposed by WCDOT include stretching Monee-Manhattan Road eastward, creating an overpass that would carry truck traffic over Governors Highway and the Canadian National Railway, continuing along a path north of the McCorkle Subdivision and Golf Vista, and passing between Monee Elementary School and Country Meadows subdivision.

The second option would create a truck route that would cut between Walkers Grove and Heather Brook Subdivisions, between Route 50 and Will-Center Road — an area officials say is central to future commercial and residential development.

Although there is no exact price tag yet, it is expected that the project could cost somewhere between $150 million and $200 million. No funding has been allocated.

The proposed overpass would cost between $25 and $40 million. But that overpass would be needed because the railroads through Monee do not have any rail crossings with gates. Having to construct one would be very costly and would involve negotiations with the railroad.

County planners have acknowledged that the two options being presented for consideration are not popular, but they are hopeful that a consensus favoring one or the other can be reached, maybe with some tweaking.

If that is not possible, they say, there is an option called “No Build.” If the plans are so unwanted by the majority, then there is the alternative to do nothing.

“People need to tell us,” Ogalla said. “We’re the ones who vote on it.”

In the meantime, the Concerned Residents of Monee and Will County are hoping to send a message to the “Will County Board, Village of Monee Officials, and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT)” that neither of the proposed expansion routes will be acceptable.

“We, the residents of Monee and surrounding Will County communities, oppose the proposed truck route that would redirect heavy commercial traffic around or near our town,” the petition notes.

“This project would negatively impact our community in numerous ways:

* Increased noise and air pollution near homes, schools, and parks

* Reduced property values and damage to our small-town, rural character

* Greater traffic hazards for residents, especially families and seniors

* Potential harm to farmland, local wildlife, and natural habitats

* Lack of transparency and meaningful community input in the planning process

“We understand the need for traffic solutions—but not at the expense of our health, safety, and quality of life. There are better alternatives that do not put our town in harm’s way.

“We call on Will County and the Village of Monee to immediately pause all planning and development of the proposed truck route; hold a public forum to gather input from Monee residents and affected communities; and explore safer, smarter alternatives that reduce traffic impact without damaging our neighborhoods.” (It should be noted that officials from the Village of Monee are not participants in the planning process for the freight routes.)

“By signing this petition, you’re standing up for the voice of the community and protecting the future of Monee.

Together, we can stop this road from paving over what makes our town special.”

Monee Village Administrator Ruben Bautista told the Farmers Weekly Review that a formal response to county officials is being crafted.

“Our civil engineers, in coordination with Village leadership, are currently finalizing a formal written response that will be submitted to the Will County Board, County Executive’s Office, and the Will County Director of Transportation. We anticipate the response will be completed and submitted for their review by the end of this week.

“While the Village intends to strongly oppose the two proposed east-west alternative routes presented at the meeting, our approach remains focused on constructive dialogue and a solutions-oriented partnership with the county.

“In recent days, we’ve engaged in meaningful conversations with several stakeholders, including members of the Will County Board, the CM201-U School Board, and elected State officials, to ensure that our concerns are understood at all levels of government.

“Across these discussions, we’ve emphasized the significant public safety risks posed by the proposed routes—particularly as they relate to elementary school children, school-related traffic, and overall community mobility.

“In addition to safety concerns, the proposed Monee-Manhattan Road alignment poses serious economic challenges, particularly to our Towne Center Development, located near the intersection of Egyptian Trail, Monee-Manhattan Road, and Governors Highway.

“The construction of an overpass in that area would likely hinder visibility for key commercial sites—specifically the new Tractor Supply Co., which is currently under construction—and could negatively affect business attraction and long-term economic growth.

“That said, the village remains committed to working cooperatively and proactively with the County. We are hopeful that the Director of Transportation and the County Board will take our feedback into thoughtful consideration and be open to exploring more viable alternatives that protect both the integrity of our community and the County’s broader infrastructure goals. They do have a difficult task at hand, and it is our hope that a collaborative approach will bring a quick resolution.”

In the meantime, petition author Chad Hartman is pausing the signature gathering.

“I am going to wait until after July 24 (comment period) to start asking for signatures,” he said.

“I don’t want confusion out there between my petition and the website where everyone should be leaving their thoughts. It’s more important and effective right now to get people to the website and make their voice be heard!”