Kankakee Times

Brian McHeffey, a Manteno veteran, called on Joel Gesky, a member of the Village of Manteno Board of Trustees, to resign following allegations that Gesky threatened to revoke the Manteno American Legion’s liquor license for hosting an election night event for his opponent, newly elected Mayor Annette LaMore.

Calling the alleged threat a "power trip," McHeffey told the Kankakee Times that Gesky should resign immediately.

“He should resign,” McHeffey said. “He should not hold any form of office considering what he's done.”

Failed mayoral candidate and Manteno Trustee Joel Gesky has been accused of threatening the Manteno American Legion. | YouTube / Manteno_

Gesky, a supporter of the Chinese Communist Party-linked Gotion lithium-ion battery plant, lost the April 1 mayoral race to LaMore, who campaigned against the project. 

Despite a projected construction cost of $2 billion, the plant could receive up to $8 billion in U.S. government subsidies, sparking bipartisan concerns over national security and taxpayer spending. Critics argue the project threatens American interests amid escalating tensions with China and growing reports of espionage and cyber threats.

In a formal letter, attorney David E. Bergdahl, representing the Concerned Citizens of Manteno, stated that Gesky threatened the Legion's liquor license, despite lacking the authority to take such action. 

A text exchange between Gesky and Legion commander Sean McNamara further revealed tension, with Gesky suggesting that political affiliation could influence licensing decisions. 

This controversy unfolds as opposition to the Gotion plant project continues to build, with a lawsuit challenging its rezoning and raising environmental concerns.

Tensions escalated at the April 21 Manteno Village Board meeting when McHeffey publicly confronted Gesky, accusing him of using strong-arm tactics.

McHeffey demanded answers directly from Gesky during the public comment portion of the meeting. 

“I'm going to ask you to resign right here, right now,” McHeffey said. “You shake your head no. I could throw you under the bus.” 

He then looked directly at Gesky. 

“Did you or did you not threaten a veterans organization on your election day? Did you? Or did you not?” 

When Gesky denied it, McHeffey pressed further. 

“So you're absolutely no? You would put your hand on a Bible and swear? No? Are you sure about that? Because this town is mostly veterans, and I'm pretty sure when that news comes out of what organization you threatened and how you threatened them and what you said to revoke something from them, it's gonna be H-E-double-hockey-sticks to pay with the veterans in this town, bud,” McHeffey said.

McHeffey also called for greater financial transparency in village operations. 

“I would like to see a full audit of all the finances that have gone on in this village,” he said. “I want to know where we the people—our tax dollars—have gone in the past few years. I want to know if there were bribes taken. I want to see where these other contracts have gone and everything else.”

He closed his remarks with a pointed warning. 

“As long as you're not behind the pen, right? Because I'm pretty sure the veterans’ swords are mightier than your pen. Remember that,” McHeffey said. 

In later comments to the Kankakee Times, McHeffey stopped short of accusing Gesky of criminal wrongdoing but urged higher authorities to intervene.

“I'm not really trying to publicly shame them, but I think congressionally, the Legion was founded by Congress way back when,” he said. “Someone from upper government should step down and say, ‘Hey, this can't happen.’”

McHeffey, a 20-year military veteran nearing retirement, expressed personal outrage at the situation. 

“It's just, it's appalling that it came to this,” McHeffey said. “Like, you really have to stoop that low as a human being to threaten a veteran's organization. And it wasn't inside the American Legion where the party happened, it was in the dugout.”

McHeffey described the Legion as a vital safe space for veterans. 

“Veterans have done enough for this country and here you are,” he said. “It's a getaway for veterans to go to talk to other different branch members and be like, hey, how are you doing? Have conversations. And then you're going to threaten to take away their liquor license.” 

As of this publication, Gesky has not issued a formal response to the public demands for his resignation.