Resident says Manteno agreement involves contamination at former dry-cleaner site; Illinois EPA named

A Manteno resident told the Village Board on Sept. 2 that a highway authority agreement with Manteno Laundry & Dry Cleaning concerns soil and groundwater contamination at the dry-cleaner site and involves the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.

David Burgell said he obtained a copy of the agreement and read a clause stating the property has experienced releases of contaminants and that such contamination “exceeds the tier 1 residential remediation objectives of 35 Illinois Administrative Code 742.” He told the board the unmentioned third party to the agreement is the Illinois EPA and called for transparency about the site status.

Burgell said previous board comments downplaying the matter were inaccurate and that the document he reviewed refers to a formal cleanup obligation. He asked the board to clarify what the agreement requires and what cleanup steps are planned.

Trustees discussed the highway authority agreement earlier in the meeting during public comment and agenda review, but the Sept. 2 record does not show a formal motion or vote related to cleanup responsibilities. Village staff did not provide detailed remediation plans during the Sept. 2 meeting; Burgell urged officials to disclose the agreement’s text and any Illinois EPA involvement.

The board did not adopt new measures during the meeting. Residents asked for clearer disclosure and for staff to explain the status of the property, any remediation timeline, and what role the village will play in addressing potential environmental and public-health risks.