Lindenhurst board authorizes joining regional NIMEC electricity bidding; hears community-solar option

The Lindenhurst Village Board on Feb. 23 adopted Resolution 2026-2-2331R authorizing the village to participate in the Northern Illinois Municipal Electric Collaborative (NIMEC) procurement process and allowing the Village Administrator to execute a contract with the lowest-cost electricity provider for up to 36 months.

Adam Hoover, a NIMEC representative, reviewed the electric facilities group bid program and told trustees the pooled approach aggregates demand across roughly 88 municipalities to secure lower rates. Hoover also described a potential community solar option that he said could reduce electric costs by approximately 10% but would require a long-term commitment of about 15–20 years and include an early-termination payment equal to one year of expected savings.

Trustee Dawn Suchy moved to adopt the resolution and Trustee Patty Chybowski seconded; the motion passed on a roll-call vote, 5–0. Trustee Pat Dunham served as Mayor Pro Tem during the meeting. Village Administrator Clay Johnson noted the village’s prior three-year agreement for the wastewater treatment plant and streetlights that locked rates until May 2026 and said NIMEC is requesting authorization to re-bid rates for the next period.

The decision authorizes staff to accept the lowest-cost offer for terms up to 36 months but does not commit the village to the community solar option. The board did not adopt a separate community-solar contract at the meeting; trustees discussed the length of commitment and the potential early-termination cost but took no additional formal action.

The resolution passed unanimously. A copy of the adopted Resolution 2026-2-2331R is part of the meeting record.