Kankakee Times

Joel Gesky, a Trustee for the Village of Manteno, recently defeated in his bid for mayor, is facing allegations that he threatened the Manteno American Legion with regulatory action over its decision to host an election night gathering for his opponent, newly seated Mayor Annette LaMore.

The accusation comes amid ongoing debate surrounding the proposed Gotion battery plant, a $2 billion lithium-ion facility backed by a company with ties to the Chinese Communist Party. The project could receive up to $8 billion in government subsidies, including $7.5 billion in federal tax credits and $500 million in Illinois state incentives.

In a letter dated April 1, 2025, and recently provided to the Kankakee Times, attorney David E. Bergdahl, representing the Concerned Citizens of Manteno in a lawsuit opposing the project, accused Gesky of attempting to pressure the American Legion into canceling the event for LaMore and her slate of candidates.

“I have been advised that the Manteno American Legion Post has been threatened by Trustee Joel Gesky, who is also a mayoral candidate,” Berdahl wrote in the letter. “Mr. Gesky informed the Legion this morning that if they host the Freedom Party's election night party tonight, he is going to yank their liquor license.” 

Bergdahl stated in the letter that Gesky would not have had the authority to take such an action.

“First, I don't think I should have to explain that Mr. Gesky lacks the power to do so,” he wrote. “Second, if he wins the election he still would not have authority to do so until elected and seated as Liquor Commissioner. Third, even as Liquor Commissioner he would not have the authority to do so. The Legion would have rights to hearings and formal charges before such could occur.” 

A text exchange between Gesky and Sean McNamara, commander of the Manteno American Legion, was also provided to the Kankakee Times. In the exchange, McNamara questioned the basis of the alleged threat.

“So you would like me to tell people they are not welcome in a public place? Just to be clear you were hosting a meet the candidates party in our hall,” McNamara said.

Gesky responded by drawing a line between political affiliations and licensing authority.

“Sounds to me like you are separating the two entities completely. So then we have a license issue. I will address those issues with the liquor commission and gaming commission. Thank you for clarifying that you are not picking sides,” Gesky wrote.

Bergdahl likened the alleged threat to past political practices in the village.

“This sinks to the level of former Mayor Bernard Christenson - who used to do the same thing,” Bergdahl wrote. “Heaven knows how many problems Mayor Christenson's poor judgment caused for me as Manager of Community Development.” 

Bergdahl noted that Village Attorney Joe Cainkar was out of town and said he was escalating the issue.

“You are the next step in line,” he wrote.

LaMore, who recently assumed office, declined to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) during a post-election visit to the Gotion facility.

"I ran for this election on being very open and transparent, and there's no way I'm going to sign an NDA,” she told the Kankakee Times. 

LaMore, who has pledged to halt further support for the plant, said Gotion later agreed to a tour for the village board without requiring NDAs.

Opposition has gained momentum in recent days after a Kankakee County judge ruled that most claims in a lawsuit filed by Concerned Citizens of Manteno, seeking to halt the plant’s progress, could proceed. The suit challenges the village’s rezoning for the plant, citing transparency failures and concerns over the potential use of hazardous chemicals like lithium and NMP.