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Manteno leaders stalled again Tuesday on filling a key municipal role, leaving the village without a permanent building and zoning official as local construction plans pile up. The 3-2 vote against Mayor Annette LaMore’s pick highlights immediate questions about the village’s finances and who will oversee permits while the vacancy persists.
The mayor nominated Jim Paicz to replace Chris LaRocque, who retired Aug. 29 after serving as village administrator and acting building and zoning director. The board rejected the appointment on a 3-2 split; trustees Todd Crockett, Annette Zimbelman and Joel Gesky voted no, while Mike Barry and Peggy Vaughn supported the hire. Trustee CJ Boudreau was not present for the vote.
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Why the trustees held back
Financial uncertainty was the central obstacle. Several trustees said they did not have a clear picture of how the position would be funded. Crockett repeatedly stressed his concern was fiscal, not a judgment on Paicz’s qualifications, pointing to a requested salary figure that had not been clearly documented for the board.
LaMore told trustees Paicz would not need village-provided health insurance, which she said reduces the overall cost. The mayor has pushed for the appointment for roughly three weeks; she emphasized that the post is her prerogative to nominate, while the board must approve the hire.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Candidate | Jim Paicz (nominated) |
| Reason for vacancy | Retirement of Chris LaRocque (effective Aug. 29) |
| Board vote | 3 opposed, 2 in favor; CJ Boudreau absent |
| Stated salary | Planned at about $60,000 (disputed/unclear to some trustees) |
| Immediate consequence | Village will continue without a permanent building and zoning/code enforcement officer |
Short-term impact on residents and projects
Trustees and the mayor acknowledged practical consequences if the post stays empty. Without a designated official, residents and contractors lack a local authority to approve or deny building plans, issue permits for fencing and decks, and enforce zoning rules.
- Delayed approvals: Construction and renovation projects may stall while applicants wait for official sign-off.
- Interim measures: The board is considering hiring an outside firm temporarily to handle building-related duties.
- Budget pressure: The cost of a contracted firm versus a salaried employee is part of the current financial calculation.
Trustee Barry framed the situation as urgent: he said the village “needs a code official” immediately so projects can proceed and enforcement can be maintained. He urged a quick resolution to avoid further backlog.
Some trustees questioned the process. Zimbelman asked why the position wasn’t publicly posted for other applicants. LaMore replied that the nomination was her choice and stressed Paicz’s willingness to serve.
The board also faces a larger staffing gap: the village is still without a permanent administrator following LaRocque’s retirement. That vacancy compounds the budgeting and operational questions now at the center of the debate over the building and zoning post.
For now, Manteno must balance the need to restore permitting and code enforcement services against concerns about fiscal transparency and long-term budget consequences. How quickly the trustees can agree on a path forward will determine whether routine building activity in the village resumes or remains in limbo.
