MCEDC proposes $2,000 private‑petitioner fee for boundary amendments

At the July 29 meeting, MCEDC administrator Mark Pecos proposed a $2,000 fee to be charged to private petitioners who seek to have property added to the enterprise zone boundary. "In this case, it would be the suggestion that the $2,000 fee be collected after the board approval," Pecos said, adding that peer enterprise zones use similar nominal fees to cover administrative costs and that the Illinois statute limits total charges to $50,000.

Board members asked how the fee is currently covered and whether municipalities or private petitioners would typically pay. Pecos said current costs come from the enterprise zone operational budget and that private petitioners initiating project‑driven boundary amendments commonly bear the fee; designated units of government could waive the fee if they chose. Members agreed there was consensus to direct staff to place the fee proposal on the next meeting agenda for formal action.