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Mayor credits resident engagement after state "build plan" effort stalled; urges continued vigilance
Summary
Mayor Balderman reported on a recently defeated state 'build plan' package, credited local and statewide civic engagement for blocking provisions he said would have reduced local control, and urged residents to stay engaged for the upcoming veto session.
Mayor Balderman delivered an extended report to the board on the recent state legislative effort often referred to in the meeting as the "build plan." The mayor credited broad civic engagement — including actions by New Lenox residents and outreach coordinated by village staff — with persuading some legislators to withhold support for parts of the package. "The people got engaged... and it went nowhere," the mayor said, urging continued attention ahead of the veto session.
Balderman described staff work that identified local impacts and said the village distributed information that had broad reach. He and other board members said local advocacy and outreach to legislators helped shape the outcome and that intergovernmental groups (including the Illinois Municipal League) are adopting the village's model for mobilizing municipal voices.
The mayor framed the episode as a reminder not to cede local control and encouraged residents to keep communicating with state representatives. Board members also praised recent special events and the Crossroads Sports Complex operations; Elena Murphy announced that applications for the village's fourth Citizens Academy open Friday and that the eight‑week program will run Sept. 8–Oct. 27.
