Manteno Village Board hears updates on fire and safety issues at Gotion lithium battery manufacturing plant.

Contractors sometimes knock on doors in the evening in Manteno to solicit work.

The only constant in life is change and in 2025, like most years, there were plenty of changes which took place in Kankakee County.

The Manteno Village Board passed an ordinance, banning the sale of synthetic drugs.

Gotion's issues with meeting fire and safety requirement for its battery manufacturing plant came to head at Monday's village board committee of the whole meeting.

Manteno Fire Protection District sends letter to village, Gotion over concerns at battery manufacturing plant.

Outgoing Village of Manteno Clerk Kerri Rolniak is taking a job out of state and resigned her position after seven months on the job following her election in April as a member of the Freedom Party.

The 30-by-50-foot pavilion will be constructed on the south end of the Square on Second.

Manteno adopted a short-term rental ordinance that doesn't include a 5% hotel tax.

Mark Kreusel, Gotion Illinois’ vice president of manufacturing and general manager, gave an update on the plant’s progress.

Manteno could soon collect short-term rental tax of 5% as it already does on its two hotels.

A storm sewer improvement project in the middle of the village of Manteno was awarded at Monday’s board meeting to a local contractor.

The purchase of the 2026 Ford Ranger for $37,528 from Taylor Ford of Manteno was eventually approved by a 4-2 vote.

The Manteno Police Department officially added a Rivian Electric Vehicle donated by Gotion to its fleet on Thursday.

The Manteno police department will soon receive a Rivian EV vehicle donated by Gotion.

The Manteno Board voted 4-2 to approve the expenditure of $158,333 for a pavilion kit from NuToys Leisure Products of Westchester at Monday’s meeting.

The Manteno Village Board voted to keep the 1% grocery tax in place.

A resolution to approve the purchase of a pavilion for Manteno’s Square on Second failed to gain enough trustee votes at Monday’s meeting.

Looking for a “clean slate” and to move the village forward, the Manteno Board of Trustees voted Monday to have a forensic audit done on its finances.

Some residents spoke up during Monday's meeting about a 'dysfunctional' board.

Manteno Village Board OKs paying for garbage fees and will rebate local property taxes.

In a vote on the payment of bills amounting to $692,890, some objections were raised by Trustee Mike Barry, who expressed concern over the final cost compared to the original estimate.

Manteno Mayor Annette LaMore appointed Jim Hanley as superintendent of public works and Alan Swinford as chief of police.

The final votes for the 2025 Municipal General Election were counted Tuesday.

Sherri Crawford: I believe the greatest weakness facing our community right now is the feeling that some residents don’t feel fully heard or involved in the decision-making process

Mike Barry: Our current administration has turned a blind eye to the residents on crucial decisions being made financially and safety wise

Cameron Boudreau: The top three priorities that I have as trustee is to continue financial stability, improve transparency as a village board and reunite the town together

Peggy Vaughn: My top three concerns are the health and safety of our community; number two, infrastructure; and number three, economic development and growth

Paul Motel: The current administration’s most significant shortcoming is transparency. Many community members believe that their views are overlooked and undervalued, leading to a sense of being disregarded when they voice their concerns

Just the talk of a possible police gun range being built behind the Manteno Public Works building spurred debate at village board meeting.

The village of Manteno turned to Jasculca Terman Strategic Communications in Chicago to handle public relations for all the planning and board meetings surrounding the zoning change for Gotion.

The village of Manteno approved a resolution for an intergovernmental agreement with Kankakee County to provide animal control services.

The former school teacher, coach and most recently public works employee, Dan Johnson has retired from the department.

The River Valley Special Recreation Association made a presentation at Monday's Manteno Board meeting about beginning a partnership with the village.

In a few months there will be a fishing pier available at Legacy Park in Manteno

The board unanimously approved a contract Monday with Piggush Simoneau Inc., of Kankakee, for $298,298