Village of Manhattan Logo Graphic

Manhattan Village Board Meeting Briefs

New Police Vehicles Approved: The village board authorized purchasing two new police interceptors for $157,362 total. A 2025 Ford F-150 will replace squad 773 for truck enforcement duties, while a 2025 Ford Explorer will replace squad 775 for regular patrol operations.

Summer Crew Hiring: Manhattan approved hiring 11 part-time seasonal workers at $17 per hour. The summer mowing crew will include Al Vlach, Bart Gilliam, Brandon Bird, Clarence Huizenga, Colin Rea, John Ramos and James Levine. Summer help positions went to Broderick Ceh, Conner Durkin, Danny Hodel and Mark Thrash.

Audit Services Extended: Village trustees approved a five-year contract with Lauterbach & Amen LLP for audit services covering fiscal years 2025 through 2029. The annual audit fee will range between $25,000 and $30,000 per year.

Board Reappointments: Patricia Lucas was reappointed to the Manhattan Police Pension Fund Board for a two-year term expiring May 1, 2027. Bruce Steinke received reappointment to the Manhattan Police and Fire Commission for a three-year term expiring May 1, 2028.

Code Correction Approved: The board passed an ordinance correcting a numbering error in municipal code. The municipal cannabis retailers tax was renumbered to avoid confusion with the municipal gas tax provisions.

INFRASTRUCTURE

Water Main Projects Scheduled: Three major water main improvement projects will begin this year following a May 29 bid opening. Work is planned for Front Street, Route 52 and Arsenal Road. SPEC continues work on the Well 7 extension project, which is approximately 75 percent complete.

Road Construction Planned: Park Street reconstruction from East North to First Street will begin in approximately two weeks. The project includes road widening, new storm structures and sump lines for area residents. When work begins, Smith Road to Abby will be closed on Eastern Avenue.

Meeting Date Change: The May 20 village board meeting has been rescheduled to Thursday, May 22, at 6 p.m. due to scheduling conflicts.

Latest News Stories

WCO-PZ-Aug-5.3

Key Stretch of Bell Road on Track for Thanksgiving Reopening, Committee Approves Additional Funds

ARTICLE SUMMARY Construction on Bell Road between 159th and 151st Streets is scheduled to have all lanes open by Thanksgiving, officials announced as the Public Works & Transportation Committee approved a...
WCO-LEG-8.5.2

Will County Leglislative Committee Opposes Federal Push for Heavier, Longer Trucks

ARTICLE SUMMARY: The Will County Board's Legislative Committee unanimously passed a resolution opposing any federal legislation that would increase the size and weight limits for commercial trucks on national roadways. Will...
WCO-Public-Safety.2

Will County Reports Progress in Opioid Fight, Highlights New FDA Labeling Rules

Article Summary: Will County is seeing a reduction in opioid overdose deaths and is expanding access to the reversal drug Narcan, health officials reported. The department also drew attention to...
WCO-Cap-Imp-8.5.4

In-House Staff Completes Major Renovations at Will County Adult Detention Facility

ARTICLE SUMMARY: Maintenance staff at the Will County Adult Detention Facility recently completed extensive renovations in-house, including a new control center and the full restoration of a 48-cell housing unit, saving...
Land-use-8.5.25

Will County Advances Truck Repair Facility Plan on Manhattan Road Despite Resident Objections

Article Summary: A proposal to rezone nearly 14 acres on Manhattan Road for a truck repair facility advanced after receiving a recommendation for approval from the Will County Land Use...
WCO-PZ-8.12.1

PZC Grants Variance for Oversized Garage in Joliet Township, Reversing Staff Recommendation

Article Summary: The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved a variance for a Joliet Township homeowner to build a garage addition that exceeds the county's size limits. The...
WCO-PZ-Aug-5.5

Will County Public Works Committee Approves Over $1.1 Million in New Agreements for 80th Avenue Project

ARTICLE SUMMARY: The Will County Public Works & Transportation Committee authorized two agreements totaling over $1.1 million for the ongoing reconstruction and widening of 80th Avenue between 191st and 183rd Streets....
Meeting Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board Legislative Committee for August 5, 2025

The Will County Board’s Legislative Committee focused on shaping its advocacy efforts at both the state and federal levels during its August 5 meeting. The primary discussion centered on crafting...
Meeting Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board Capital Improvements & IT Committee for August 5, 2025

The future of several key county facilities dominated the Will County Capital Improvements & IT Committee meeting on Tuesday. A major topic of discussion was the ongoing buildout of the...
Meeting Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board Public Health & Safety Committee for August 7, 2025

The Will County Board Public Health & Safety Committee on Thursday heard urgent requests for facility and funding support from two of the county’s key public-facing departments. The committee took...
Meeting Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board Public Health & Safety Committee for August 7, 2025

The Will County Board Public Health & Safety Committee on Thursday heard urgent requests for facility and funding support from two of the county’s key public-facing departments. The committee took...
Meeting Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Land Use & Development Committee for August 7, 2025

The Will County Land Use & Development Committee tackled two contentious zoning cases during its August 7 meeting, denying a special use permit for a landscaping business in a residential...

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Planning and Zoning Commission for August 5, 2025

The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission backed two controversial projects at its August 5 meeting, unanimously approving a large-scale landscaping business on a residential lot in DuPage Township despite...
Meeting Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Public Works & Transportation Committee for August 5, 2025

The Will County Public Works & Transportation Committee received a detailed presentation on "Our Way Forward 2050," a new 25-year long-range plan designed to guide the region's transportation infrastructure through...
Texas House sues six Democrats absconding in California

Texas House sues six Democrats absconding in California

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Following through on his pledge to use all means necessary to find, arrest and return absconding House Democrats to Texas, the Texas House, led by...