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

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…