Manteno Trustees Withhold $45,000 in Legal Fees

The Manteno village board voted Monday to remove nearly $45,000 in legal fees from its bill payment list. The decision ends a period of routine financial approvals and leaves the village’s new law firm working without compensation for four months.

The withheld amount covers services provided by Oak Brook-based James Vasselli Law from June through September. The firm was hired to replace attorney Joe Cainkar, who represented the village for 20 years. Vasselli attorney Brian Miller now serves as the primary legal counsel for the administration. The change in firms is currently the subject of litigation.

Four trustees, Joel Gesky, Todd Crockett, Annette Zimbelman, and CJ Boudrea, voted to block the payment. They support Cainkar’s continued role with the village. The remaining two trustees, Mike Barry and Peggy Vaughn, voted against removing the fees. This division reflects the ongoing legal battle over who holds the authority to represent the village.

The case is pending before Kankakee County Circuit Court Judge Lindsay Parkhurst. James Vasselli represents Mayor Annette LaMore and the village, while attorney Daniel Bourgault represents the four trustees backing Cainkar. The next hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 12. Cainkar remains on a $1,700 monthly retainer and continues to bill for additional assigned work.

Mayor LaMore stated after the meeting that she supports fiscal responsibility and believes the legal dispute is a cost to taxpayers. She said the situation does not benefit Manteno residents. LaMore argued that Cainkar’s appointment was never formally signed or placed on a board agenda. She called the agreement illegal and stated that none of Cainkar’s bills should be paid by the village.

LaMore expressed frustration that the four trustees view Cainkar as special. She clarified that despite the four-month payment backlog, Vasselli Law will continue its work. She noted that the firm will wait and will not leave the village.