The Village of Beecher Board on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, heard a detailed proposal for a large-scale solar project in nearby unincorporated Will County that includes a $100,000 donation offer to the village. A representative from Earthrise Energy presented plans for the 260-megawatt Plum Valley Solar facility and offered the funds in exchange for a letter of non-objection. Trustees began discussing using the money to complete long-stalled sidewalk projects. For more on this, see the full story.

In other major business, the board accepted its annual financial audit for the fiscal year that ended April 30, 2025. Auditors delivered a clean, “unmodified” opinion and described the village’s finances as being in a “healthy financial position,” citing strong reserves and a significant increase in net position. For more details, see the full story. The board also approved a special use permit for a new daycare and directed its attorney to begin drafting regulations for e-bikes.

Daycare Gets Green Light on Dixie Highway
The board unanimously approved a special use permit for a daycare facility to operate at 993 Dixie Highway. The location opened in April 2025 as an indoor children’s play facility and private party room. The change of use to include a licensed daycare required the special permit from the village, and the business must also secure licensing from the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS).

E-Bike Regulations Coming to Beecher
Following a meeting of the Public Safety Committee, the village board directed the village attorney to draft an ordinance to regulate the use of electric bicycles, or e-bikes, within Beecher. The committee developed a set of guidelines that will form the basis of the new ordinance, which will be brought back to the board for review and a vote at a future meeting.

Village to Hire New Administrative Assistant
The village will begin the recruitment process for a new full-time administrative assistant to fill an upcoming retirement in the village hall. Officials hope to have the new employee hired and in place by December to allow for a one-month overlap period for training with the retiring staff member. The position is already accounted for in the village budget.

Surplus Mowers to be Sold
The board voted to declare two Spartan mowers as surplus property, authorizing their sale to the public. The move comes after the village purchased a new John Deere mower. A 2019 model will be listed with a minimum bid of $2,000, while a 2020 model will have a minimum bid of $3,500, based on their age and condition.

New Squad Car Arrives, Vehicle Shuffle Ensues
The Beecher Police Department has taken delivery of a new Dodge pickup truck squad car. Once it is fully equipped, the vehicle it is replacing will be transferred to the Emergency Management Agency (EMA). In turn, the EMA’s 2009 Chevrolet HHR will be transferred to the Department of Public Works for a cost of $2,000. Public works staff will use the vehicle for meter reading and utility locates.

Youth Commission Announces Fall Events
Trustee Jessica Smith reported that the Youth Commission will host its second annual “Night on the Farm” event this Friday, October 17, from 5 to 7 p.m. Looking ahead, the commission is also planning a junior high-only roller-skating event in Lynwood on November 21 from 6 to 8 p.m.

Downtown Wayfinding Sign Installed
A new wayfinding sign designed to direct visitors to downtown businesses has been installed at the corner of Dixie Highway and Penfield Street. The sign was purchased using funds from the village’s Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district and was installed by the Public Works department. Trustees commented that the new sign looks great and is a welcome addition to the downtown streetscape.

Officials Tour New Homes in Hunter’s Chase
Village trustees, staff, Mayor Marcy Meyer, and the fire chief recently conducted a walkthrough of homes under construction in the Hunter’s Chase subdivision. The tour, which included inspectors from the village’s contracted firm Safe Built, was organized to ensure the development process continues smoothly and to allow officials to ask questions directly to the builders on-site.