Monee Township Reports Over $4,200 in General Assistance, Highlights Community Programs

Monee Township Board of Trustees Meeting | February 19, 2026

Article Summary: Monee Township distributed over $4,200 in General and Emergency Assistance to residents between mid-January and mid-February. Supervisor Donna Dettbarn also reported on robust participation in the township’s recent senior citizen events and continuing operations at the local food pantry.

Township Assistance Key Points:

• The township provided $3,796.55 in Emergency Assistance and $456.00 in General Assistance over a one-month period.

• The local food pantry recorded 53 visits during the same reporting window.

• A Senior Valentine’s Day Lunch Drive-Through saw increased participation due to the removal of capacity limits.

The Monee Township Board of Trustees on Thursday, February 19, 2026, reviewed the township’s latest welfare metrics, revealing significant community utilization of both emergency funding and local food pantry resources.

Delivering her routine report to the board, Supervisor Donna Dettbarn outlined the General Assistance metrics for the period of January 10, 2026, through February 12, 2026. Over this approximately one-month span, the township processed 11 intakes and received nine applications for aid. Two applications were denied, while five remained pending at the time of the report.

Financially, the township dispersed a total of $4,252.55 in aid. The bulk of these funds were distributed as Emergency Assistance (EA), which totaled $3,796.55. Standard General Assistance (GA) accounted for the remaining $456.00, with one total individual reported on the ongoing General Assistance roll. Furthermore, the township food pantry saw heavy utilization, recording 53 pantry visits during the reporting period. One resident additionally received “Other Aid.”

Beyond direct financial assistance, Dettbarn highlighted the success of the township’s community engagement programs. She reported that the Senior Valentine’s Day Lunch Drive-Through, held on Wednesday, February 11, was highly successful. The menu was updated to include classic lasagna alongside the traditional sandwich options. Dettbarn noted that utilizing a drive-through format allowed for greater community participation because attendance was not restricted by the physical capacity limits of the township building.

In old business updates, Dettbarn informed the board that the ongoing youth program is “going well,” and announced that a dedicated meeting regarding the upcoming pantry renovation was scheduled for Friday, February 20.

During her report, Supervisor Dettbarn also asked the board and attendees to pause for a moment of silence to pay respect to the recent passing of Reverend Jesse L. Jackson Sr.