Sugar Grove president touts no tax hikes, growth opportunities in annual address

Sugar Grove is in the rise, Village President Jennifer Konen said during her state of the village address.

“It’s about more than just new developments,” she said during the presentation Friday at Waubonsee Community College. “It’s about growth that strengthens our community, opportunities that make life better for our residents and a shared vision of what the Village of Sugar Grove can be.”

In that vision is The Grove, the planned 760-acre development near Interstate 88 and Route 47.

“This is a transformative opportunity for the village,” she said. “The Grove is designed to open our doors to new opportunities for our families, children and businesses. It’s a project that positions our village for sustainable growth and creates spaces and services that truly benefit the community.”

The Grove plan envisions a lively town center, a range of housing options, parks and green space, and retail and commercial developments.

“I want to take a moment to emphasize that the board took its evaluation of this plan very seriously,” Konen said. “And when you look at the facts and the potential of this project, it’s clear The Grove is about moving Sugar Grove forward in a way that benefits everyone.”

Crown Community Development will soon be breaking ground on the project and home construction will begin in 2026, she added.

Other businesses coming to town include Jiffy Lube, Starbucks, the Cilantro Taco Grill and the BrightPath Sugar Grove Child Care Center, she said.

Konen also praised her colleagues on the village board for two consecutive years without property tax increases.

“This is something that hasn’t been done for 25 years,” she said.

Konen, who is seeking a second term as village president, faces challenger Sue Stillwell in the April 1 election.