4 months of unpaid work: Manteno village's $45,000 legal fee standoff
Four trustees blocked payment to Vasselli Law for services rendered between June and September, citing a dispute over the village's primary legal counsel.
By Giulia Marshall ·
The Manteno village board blocked the approval of nearly $45,000 in legal fees during its November 2 meeting, leaving the village's current law firm to work without pay for four months. The withheld bill covers expenses for Oak Brook-based James Vasselli Law for June, July, August, and September.
The decision split the five-member board. Trustees Joel Gesky, Todd Crockett, Annette Zimbelman, and CJ Boudrea voted to remove the fees from the payment approval. Mike Barry and Peggy Vaughn voted against the removal. The confrontation marked a sharp turn after weeks of relative calm in the village government.
The financial dispute stems from a change in legal representation. Vasselli Law, with attorney Brian Miller acting as the primary liaison, replaced Joe Cainkar, who served the village for 20 years. The switch is currently the subject of litigation in Kankakee County Circuit Court, where Judge Lindsay Parkhurst is presiding.
Cainkar continues to attend village meetings and holds a monthly retainer of $1,700, though he bills additional amounts for specific legal tasks. The four trustees supporting Cainkar argue his appointment was procedural and valid. The village administration contends the change to Vasselli Law is the proper course of action.
Mayor Annette LaMore defended the board's financial decision after the meeting. She stated that the ongoing conflict over legal counsel increases costs for taxpayers. LaMore noted that she never signed off on Cainkar's appointment and that it was never placed on the board agenda.
“They illegally passed that agreement and none of Cainkar’s bills should be paid by the village,” LaMore said. She added that the firm will continue its work despite the payment backlog. “Vasselli will wait. The firm will not leave,” she said.
The legal dispute moves to the next stage on November 12. A hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. before Judge Parkhurst. James Vasselli will represent Mayor LaMore and the village, while Daniel Bourgault of Chicago-based Klein, Thorpe and Jenkins will represent the four trustees supporting Cainkar.
