Village Denies Crematorium Permit

MOKENA, IL — The Village of Mokena Board of Trustees unanimously voted Monday to deny a special use permit for a prosed crematorium. The special use permit was requested by Jacob Vandenberg, of Vandenberg Funeral Homes.

The proposed crematorium was first brought up in October 2020, according to Community and Economic Development Director Alan Zordan. Since then, the proposal has been the subject of seven meetings, Zordan said, including the Village Planning and Zoning Commission on May 27, and two workshop sessions on the proposal were held on July 19 and Aug. 16.

Mokena Mayor Frank Fleischer said there would be no further discussion on the special use permit and called for a motion. Trustee Debbie Engler made the motion to deny the special use permit and Trustee George Metanias seconded the motion. There were no questions or comments from the Board. The motion carried 7-0.

In other Board related business:

• Trick-or-Treating hours for the village were approved for 1-5 p.m. Oct. 31.
• A contract for street improvement maintenance plan was granted to P.T. Ferro Construction, of Joliet, in the amount of $1,439,767.60. Additionally, Baxter Woodman Inc. was awarded a construction and engineering contract for street improvement and construction not to exceed $45,000.
• Vietnam War veteran Ronald Wegrzyn was recognized for his participation in a Honor Flight Chicago trip to Washington, D.C., Aug. 18.
• A 9/11 Commemoration at Pioneer Cemetery is scheduled for 11 a.m. Sept. 11.

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