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The Village of Peotone has announced plans to vote on the termination of its vehicle sticker program on January 27, 2025. This decision, initially made in December, will be finalized at the upcoming board meeting.
According to a Facebook announcement made on December 3, the issue had been under discussion for several years. The review focused on the program's impact on both the village's budget and its residents. As a result, notices for sticker renewals for 2025 were halted following the December board meeting.
In a press release dated December 23, Mayor Peter March addressed concerns regarding potential impacts on revenue streams and the budget. "There were some concerns about how ending the program would affect our revenue streams and budget," he said. However, March expressed confidence that increased revenues from new and existing businesses would offset any negative consequences. He added, "The Trustees and I have continually asked our staff to find ways to streamline services and better serve residents. Ending the vehicle sticker program is a practical step in that direction."
The vehicle sticker program required residents to purchase stickers for each vehicle parked or housed within the village limits. Renewal forms were typically mailed out in late December, with purchases available until mid-February. According to Village Administrator Nick Palmer, the process was labor-intensive due to manual handling by staff and required residents to visit Village Hall for payment and collection of stickers. Palmer noted that discontinuing the program would be beneficial as it was "costly and time-consuming."
The Village Board plans to review a draft ordinance in January 2025 to formally eliminate the program. At that point, no renewal letters will be sent out, marking the formal discontinuation of the initiative. The village considers this change "a positive step toward simplifying village operations and reducing unnecessary burdens" on both staff and residents.
