[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6356385,"mediaKeyId","2216610-ee1753eb0422e4c24aba4e72482bbaab","parentId",2216610,"title","River Valley Special Recreation asks Manteno to join as partner district to make programs cheaper and expand services","audioSeconds",1583,"startMs",1665000,"endMs",3248000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2216610-ee1753eb0422e4c24aba4e72482bbaab&start=1665&end=3248","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2216610-ee1753eb0422e4c24aba4e72482bbaab/thumbnail_1665000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6356385/Manteno/Kankakee-County/Illinois/River-Valley-Special-Recreation-asks-Manteno-to-join-as-partner-district-to-make-programs-cheaper-and-expand-services","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6356385-b922528ce3ae66e3138e769e1b92b93a/orig.mp4?Expires=1776502179&Signature=KQjLQN4YaUbD7c02s5LFQuvBH8ILU40BMav8nVxJllUk548zgiKz43ugCtHIXUBaY6v0kjWOVUTcSpmnwng8DXQlW3neyO0dWEY4ylgsCR-guAkZjhzN29Qvz2QdGcKLxQ4Tb-3IFXIhkw2vIYdaZRa2ijn6N~~ICgSJCCW0JZHijOBNZz1Gfh08TaYfUfMRyoNViUfEcV-jVQ1II66vkAYTddiZ7zsZTYHz5kXwjOGOaGR1IL0uS9~~0RMtkcRnCvx7LSTIYAGBlrpf8sTIxgzPremMkwWDzY8FrfBKIgl7mDHY8PXWmfjAaH2vhmXBgCNIhze-WgsAmQjRgI3x5w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Village of Manteno, IL","date","2025-02-03T23:42:53Z","article","River Valley Special Recreation Association made a formal presentation at the Feb. 3 Village of Manteno Board meeting seeking a partnership that would extend in‑district program rates and scholarship eligibility to Manteno residents.

Kristen Giacchino, executive director of River Valley Special Recreation Association, told trustees the agency provides therapeutic recreational programming for people with disabilities and special needs and that park-district member levies cover most of River Valley’s operating budget. She cited Illinois authorities that allow a municipality to levy property tax support for a special recreation association and said the village could either use municipal levy authority or identify funds in its budget to support participation.

Giacchino said River Valley served roughly 22 Manteno residents in 2024 and offered 105 program sessions that year. Manteno residents spent $19,415 at River Valley in 2024, she said; as out‑of‑district participants they paid 25–40% more than in‑district families and could have collectively saved about $7,716 by being treated as in‑district participants. Giacchino said a Manteno membership would enable River Valley to hire another full‑time staff member and expand programs.

Parents and board members described the programs’ local impact. Jenny Rensham, who identified herself as a Manteno resident and parent of a child who attends River Valley, described how her son Sam has attended River Valley programs for 15 years and credited the agency with providing consistent supervision, social skills development and life‑skill activities. Peggy Souking, treasurer of the River Valley Special Recreation Foundation and a parent, said scholarships currently are available only to in‑district participants and that a Manteno partnership would make programs more affordable for local families.

Kim Mead, who said she is both a parent of a participant and a recreation professional, described the agency’s summer programming, adult day program and Special Olympics offerings and urged trustees to visit River Valley’s facilities.

Trustees asked for additional numbers. Giacchino said she could provide district comparisons and urged trustees to tour River Valley’s space. Trustee Boudreaux said she would work with staff to obtain Census or other data to estimate how many Manteno residents might benefit.

No formal vote was taken on joining River Valley. Trustees and River Valley representatives agreed to follow up with additional data and future meetings to discuss details including fees, levy options and scholarship availability.

Why it matters: A partnership would lower costs for local families, expand program access for residents with disabilities, and could increase River Valley staffing and services if funded by a municipal levy or other village appropriation.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Manteno Village Board Meeting February 3, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","River Valley Special Recreation Association made a formal presentation at the Feb. 3 Village of Manteno Board meeting seeking a partnership that would extend in‑district program rates and scholarship eligibility to Manteno residents.","taxTitle","Manteno, Kankakee County, Illinois","taxId",70424,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6356388,"Residents press trustees over Goshen battery plant safety, transparency and zoning",4181,499000,4680000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2216610-ee1753eb0422e4c24aba4e72482bbaab&start=499&end=4680","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2216610-ee1753eb0422e4c24aba4e72482bbaab/thumbnail_499000.jpg","/articles/6356388/Manteno/Kankakee-County/Illinois/Residents-press-trustees-over-Goshen-battery-plant-safety-transparency-and-zoning","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6356388-b2ecb93bfb81fd4af009ed70090757f8/orig.mp4?Expires=1776502179&Signature=oE9y14OBYxL70YAyT-URZprssGscGDy0sEQbXcENhkgI0JZT3MJfQ69jBeSLrtFdjeSCNpVnS47nlnsKGPM9WppjPRwTJeGi0yEkb6hSw9JGtz19szLp5bt6y5CQ8GwcBOGUxeg3MFNRIyfmUVbTrttiLM91mzUtcsvfIPZXAO-qdp76hWgg2h6bN1bzkjrZpY9QS~Yv4oLl~6VeC-XBTIx0bjMseH~ZrwWi6zu6Hpx5zuev5-sLHUZ3v4KE5TqxXG0nejCtp4tf437jCdo6MRWn-NxCpLhnu2VxPLwGqSZ5psF54~EC~BE3DtQE-O6yBUOkjPROPdMme9CY9odJQw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several residents used the public comment period at the Feb. 3 Village of Manteno Board of Trustees meeting to press elected officials for information and emergency-planning details related to the proposed Goshen battery plant and to decry the board’s transparency.

The most direct charge came from Francine Fatima, who asked why the village rezoned land “from light industrial to heavy industrial” and said that change “opened a Pandora’s box” that allowed the company to “take root here.” Fatima also accused state officials and the village of being aligned with policies she opposes.

Tim Finnegan, who said he attended the public hearings, asked what the village has implemented to protect residents in the event of a major fire at the Goshen plant. “What warnings will be for the school to evacuate and seek refuge?” Finnegan asked, and he pressed whether the village or mayor signed a nondisclosure agreement that limited what could be disclosed at public hearings. “Isn’t it true … the public meetings were a sham because the mayor … signed an NDA, silencing you and the rest of the board?” he said.

Other speakers raised related concerns. Paul Motel, who identified himself as a candidate for trustee, asked why information about recent levy and tax-levy documents was not posted on the village website. Bob Foresight and Mike Berry faulted trustees for what they described as “good old boy politics,” lack of environmental study and a continued absence of a published fire plan or other emergency procedures for the plant. Berry said he and other residents have seen out-of-area campaigners handing out “go for Goshen” signs and reiterated concerns about whether village first responders have equipment and radios adequate to coordinate with the plant.

Trustees and staff answered questions about municipal budgeting and the timing of public records rather than announcing any new safety or evacuation protocols. In response to repeated calls for more information, one trustee said the budget and related documents are posted by public hearing and urged residents to consult the posted materials; a village finance official described the municipal budget process and noted public hearings and an annual audit. The village confirmed that animal control services will be provided through an intergovernmental agreement with Kankakee County (see separate article on votes at a glance).

Speakers who raised safety and transparency concerns asked for specific emergency-planning details — what hazard warnings would be used, whether families would be told to vacate, and what equipment the fire and police departments would have to respond to a large-scale battery fire. Those details were not provided at the meeting; trustees and staff said follow-up and routine budgeting work would continue.

The public session featured tense exchanges between speakers and trustees near the meeting’s end; an adjournment motion followed shortly afterward.

Why it matters: Residents who live nearest to the proposed plant are seeking clear, written information about evacuation protocols and first-responder capabilities. Village officials did not announce a new emergency plan or new safety equipment purchases during the meeting, leaving those questions unresolved going into follow-up work and upcoming committee meetings.","Several Manteno residents used public comment at the Feb. 3 board meeting to press trustees for details about a proposed Goshen battery plant, raise safety and evacuation concerns, and accuse village leaders of poor transparency; trustees responded with budget and process explanations but no new safety plan was announced.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6356380,"Manteno trustees approve code update, surplus sale, animal control IGA and $61,174.94 in bills in omnibus vote",59,3541000,3600000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2216610-ee1753eb0422e4c24aba4e72482bbaab&start=3541&end=3600","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2216610-ee1753eb0422e4c24aba4e72482bbaab/thumbnail_3541000.jpg","/articles/6356380/Manteno/Kankakee-County/Illinois/Manteno-trustees-approve-code-update-surplus-sale-animal-control-IGA-and-6117494-in-bills-in-omnibus-vote","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6356380-6ddea49c35e0f0028f0e5404ca23b039/orig.mp4?Expires=1776502179&Signature=Ai5TOntwG5hUn216BXy4IYovO7T3txrxnndbOB0xaqHR-HD~xLDQHJpkLOgKEWVfrmmJpeIUyXiI9BqBMruCVvXL-6k2d6wZMJAzOysZkqoshbw3MwRNoTiamYifZPyoB9sxpLleGux9~FPTdcDutzDy1sb4U6nv0GX6qZq~utdVFjFkZv6kwWZHKhbQ5H6Ifzz1~0vBahinRZFr-u~iPwDaHEjbRZeGIrBtfFAnHuUWf1lFJr3DjndwVN2g7y61Qmn-mct18X4N~-vot3rSuTSNQNgrp9tePb9eSpUErHRpvr2QrrwyQSigSRfpZa1KScjFxwOXqr1STWmqcSIsOg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Village of Manteno Board of Trustees approved a consent agenda and related motions at its Feb. 3 meeting that covered code updates, surplus equipment sales, an intergovernmental animal control agreement and payment of bills totaling $61,174.94.

The consent package included four items: Ordinance 24‑18, an ordinance amending and updating provisions of the Manteno Municipal Code pertaining to officers, boards, commissions, bureaus and public property; Ordinance 24‑19, authorizing the sale of personal property and surplus equipment (a 2013 Ford Transit minivan was discussed as surplus); Resolution 24‑15, approving an intergovernmental agreement between Kankakee County and the Village of Manteno for animal control services following the retirement of the village’s animal control officer; and authorization of payment of bills in the amount of $61,174.94 (no TIF bills included).

The board first moved to take an omnibus roll-call vote. The initial motion to take the bundled vote passed with a roll call that registered Yes from Trustees Boyce, Boudreaux, Dole, Crockett, Gieske and Phillips. A subsequent motion to approve the consent items passed on a roll call vote with the same affirmative responses.

Appointment of a Mayor Pro Tem: With Mayor Tim Nugent absent, the board also moved to appoint Trustee Joel Gieske as Mayor Pro Tem during the meeting; the motion and second were made and a roll call recorded unanimous support.

Why it matters: The animal control agreement with Kankakee County replaces the village’s former single employee animal control officer following a retirement and reflects a shift to shared county services. The surplus ordinance authorizes the village to market and sell a vehicle; the municipal code updates will modernize administrative provisions. The bills payment completes routine municipal financial business.","At its Feb. 3 meeting the Village of Manteno Board of Trustees approved an omnibus consent agenda that included Ordinance 24‑18 (municipal code updates), Ordinance 24‑19 (surplus sale), Resolution 24‑15 (animal control intergovernmental agreement with Kankakee County) and payment of $61,174.94 in bills; motions passed by roll call.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

River Valley Special Recreation asks Manteno to join as partner district to make programs cheaper and expand services

Residents press trustees over Goshen battery plant safety, transparency and zoning

Manteno trustees approve code update, surplus sale, animal control IGA and $61,174.94 in bills in omnibus vote