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Monee’s new village hall is open and staff has moved in, but one elected official is feeling left out.
Village Clerk Doneshia Codjoe alleged last week she was denied office space in the just-opened Egyptian Trail building “for political reasons,” and that “the mayor and her team have determined the village clerk cannot work out of village hall. That’s Cook County-style politics at its worst.”
Codjoe is a candidate for village mayor in the upcoming April 1 election, challenging Dr. Therese Bogs, incumbent mayor, for the post.
In a letter to the editor, Codjoe wrote, “As village clerk, I am the keeper of the village’s records. Remarkably, the mayor and her team found room in the new village hall for those records. Just not for me.
“The mayor and her team found room for the deputy clerk. She’ll be working in the village hall, even as she runs for my job. But me? They’ve decided the village clerk’s office should be hidden away – with parks and recreation.” (It should be noted that Deputy Clerk Michell Powell-Johnson is running unopposed for village clerk in the April 1 election and does have an office in the new village hall. But she also serves as front office manager, a position that requires her presence at the facility.)
Codjoe added that “the mayor and her team are just playing political games.”
Village Administrator Ruben Bautista refuted Codjoe’s claims, pointing out that, historically, previous village clerks did not have an assigned office space.
“During the four year (Jim) Popp Administration, the clerk did not have an office assignment,” he said.
“It was only after the most recent mayoral election that an office space for the clerk was constructed – the weekend before Mayor Therese Bogs took office.
“It should be noted that the clerk had requested a relocation to a larger office and will relocate to the former human resource director’s office after cleanup and repair operations are completed at the Court Street location.”
The Egyptian Trail facility – formerly home to Riverside Medical Center – spans approximately 9,000 square feet and is built on a single level.
“It includes 13 offices,” Bautista explained, “accommodating 15 employees, including the following departments and roles: Mayor, administrator, and executive assistant; finance department (three employees); human resources director; information and technology department (two employees); economic development department (two employees); EMA director; front office manager and two clerical staff.
“The village clerk will continue to work from the Court Street location.
“This decision ensures proximity to the village board room, where meetings and ordinance approvals are conducted.
“The official ordinance files will remain at the Court Street location for accessibility during meetings and archival purposes. The clerk, as the elected official responsible for ordinances and electronic records, will oversee these materials at their current location.”
Bautista emphasized the new village hall does not have room for all departments, employees, and elected officials.
“Currently, there is no office space for the village’s building department employees (six staff members) or village trustees at the new village hall.
“The building department will continue to be temporarily located at the 5500 W. Wilson Street location until additional space is added to the new village hall.
“Plans are under consideration to construct an addition to the new village hall. This proposed expansion would include a new board room and office space for the building department, trustees, and village clerk.”
Responding to Codjoe’s comments, Mayor Bogs said the new village hall and office assignments are “not about any one person.”
“After nine months of collaboration, diligence, and hard work it is very exciting to finally be in our new village hall building, and there are numerous reasons why,” she said.
“When the original village hall building was constructed, in the 1980s, Monee’s population was roughly 900 residents. Today, Monee has grown to a wonderful, thriving, diverse community of 5,000+ residents, which does not even consider our daytime population. Inclusive of our daytime population, Monee’s population is closer to 15,000. The original building housed administration, building services, and the police station, including two jail cells, locker room, and a booking room. “Imagine that!
“As Monee has grown, so have the services we offer and initiatives we participate in for both our residents and local community. At the original building, there were often times when we did not have enough space for different department heads to meet with vendors, having to set up temporary folding tables for any large meetings to accommodate everyone. In short, we have simply outgrown the original space. The acquisition of the former Riverside building was not only cost effective, but it also fit into the village’s Comprehensive Plan.
“Village board meetings still will be conducted at the original building on Court Street, essentially making that space the legislative building for the village. The Court Street building now will be where policy is enacted, and the ordinances will be stored. Parks and Rec also will be moving over to this location, which gives that department the office space they so desperately need. As they continue to increase their programming for our residents and with the Firemen’s Park improvements, having an actual park complex located in the village is exciting and long overdue.
“During the past four years, we have been able to accomplish a monumental amount and having a village hall building, which is not only fitting but also a strong representation of where Monee currently is and where we are headed in the future, is imperative. With our continued growth and future trajectory, beautification, and restoration within the village is paramount.
“The new village hall is not about any one person,” she continued. “It is about the communal success, prosperity, and growth of our village as a whole. It is a building that will serve the village well for the next 40-50 years; a place where developers, state leaders, and distinguished guests can congregate in a space that is conducive and purposeful for meetings and productive, meaningful outcomes. The new village hall allows Monee to represent its residents in the best way possible, welcoming, and suitable for all guests that engage with our village.”
Meanwhile, even with the opening of the new building at 25711 S Egyptian Trail, much remains unchanged, including business hours, which are Monday – Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Public meetings and hearings, including board meetings and planning and zoning meetings, will continue to be held at the former village hall, 5130 W Court Street.
A date for a public open house at the new village hall has yet to be determined
“This move reflects the village’s commitment to growth, improved service delivery, and long-term planning,” Bautista said of the new building.
“While some challenges remain, the new facility provides a strong foundation for continued progress and a bright future.”
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