The public demanded answers after longtime Manteno Wildcats volunteer and Athletic Director Mike Barry was dismissed on June 3. Barry, a 14-year volunteer with the youth football organization, was set to start his 15th season when he was notified of his dismissal by then-President James Neally.
Barry felt he was let go from the Wildcats for political retaliation due to his outspoken opposition to the Gotion lithium battery plant.
“I’ve been very vocal with speaking out at the village board meetings about the Gotion plant,” Barry said in an interview. “I think that had to do with some of – or the majority of – the reasoning behind that.”
Barry suspected the village would not approve a lease for the use of Legacy Park with the Wildcats organization, while he was a part of it because of his comments about Gotion.
Days after Barry’s dismissal on June 8, Neally announced his departure from the Wildcats organization on social media.
“I have to stand up for what I believe in,” Neally wrote.
The Wildcats organization did not respond to requests for comment, but they made a lengthy Facebook post on June 10 announcing the decision to remove Barry.
“We, as an organization, support Dirty’s right to his freedom of speech, opinions, and passion for the community. We are aware he has been vocal in several polarizing community issues recently. Please know those opinions have no bearing on our decision as a board,” the statement read of Barry, whose nickname is Dirty.
There was no mention of Neally’s departure in the statement, nor a basis provided for Barry’s dismissal.
The controversial upset in the Wildcats organization, coupled with the suspicions it was related to Gotion, drew widespread attention. A support rally was organized and held before the June 17 Manteno Village Board meeting, which drew a large crowd.
Barry stated during public comment he was told by Neally the village wouldn’t work with Barry, regarding the Wildcats organization, and he questioned why. The board did not respond.
Tensions ran high during the village board meeting as members of the public spoke of the situation with Barry, with some accusing the village of neglecting their duties, not listening, and not representing the people.
“All I see is rules for thee but not for me,” said Manteno resident and Barry’s neighbor Paul Motel, after chastising the board for their behavior, noting the village previously had a sense of community, but the village board destroyed it.
Illinois State Senate District 40 Republican candidate Phil Nagel, who is running in opposition to State Sen. Patrick Joyce, D-Essex, attended the rally before the board meeting and spoke at the meeting.
“You can confirm or deny this but, wow, it really does give the appearance of political retaliation what happened to him,” Nagel said of Barry being ousted.
After public comment, a lease agreement for the youth soccer program was up for consideration. Village Administrator Chris LaRocque stated the leases are the same for football, soccer, and baseball between the organizations and the village.
LaRocque noted “regime changes” with the soccer program, and said it warranted having the lease renewed. In past years, they skipped the formality because there were no issues. He said they were trying to be more strict and consistent with the process.
A FOIA request to obtain recent communication regarding the Wildcats and the Manteno board was denied in part due to “private information.” However, emails regarding the lease and the 2024 lease agreement itself were provided.
On March 26, LaRocque requested a list of Wildcats board members and a financial statement. Neally supplied the board members’ names, and the financial statement came through May 16 from Treasurer Rebecca Denison.
Neally questioned why the financials were requested, to which LaRocque pointed to a section of the lease. LaRocque acknowledged later the village does not regularly request statements but occasionally will to ensure league solvency.
The Wildcat’s lease agreement was dated April 19, 2024, with Neally as signatory.
During a June 20 Manteno Wildcats board meeting, a large crowd gathered and became unruly when speakers were cut off for exceeding a two-minute comment allotment. Profanity was prevalent, as were angry outbursts from speakers and the crowd.
Speakers praised Barry, lauding his efforts within Manteno and other communities.
Barry and his wife spoke, stating they were not told why he was released. Barry’s wife chastised Hartman for bringing their son into the mix, with allegations he was ineligible to play, which they said were untrue.
Impassioned speakers singled out Wildcat’s Vice President Lucas Hartman as the problem, and one called for his resignation.
Neally questioned, “Why now?” He said no one raised issues about Barry at the December executive meeting.
“I feel this was spearheaded by Lucas. I received many phone calls on how the village wanted to do this or that, but Mike needed to shut up,” Neally said in his statement before he was cut off.
At the end of the meeting, Hartman read a statement that alleged the Wildcats had been sent by a vendor to collections, stating Barry had received the invoices but not paid them. He said this put the account into the negative at the start of the 2024 season.
The 2024 Wildcats financial statement supplied to the village showed a net income of $48,275.57. It is unclear at what point the account was negative or if it was a categorical deficit.
“Mike Barry was not asked to leave the Wildcat family. Nor was he asked to stop coaching, ever. That was made clear in two meetings,” Hartman said, shocking the audience and Barry.
Barry interrupted Hartman, yelling, “When, when was that made clear?” He said Hartman screamed at him at the second meeting, at which point Barry said he listened to the vote and left.
Barry expressed anger that Hartman told him his son couldn’t play because Herscher’s coaches said he was overweight, which Barry said was a lie. Hartman continued his prepared statement, noting they wanted Barry to continue as a coach.
When Hartman said Barry’s removal was not politically motivated, the crowd burst out into laughter and jeers.
Hartman’s statement alleged Barry was removed for compliance issues. He said the organization did not have inventory counts, aging reports, or budget reports, and helmets were not in compliance with safety standards, which resulted in the Wildcats having to purchase 70 new helmets.
After Hartman spoke, Neally said there were opportunities to address those issues, but they were not brought up. In another Facebook post, Barry refuted claims of inventory issues and noted missing helmets were found on the day of the meeting.
The Manteno Wildcats organization has no website, does not publicly publish meeting dates, agendas, or minutes, does not list its board members on its Facebook page, and currently is not registered with the state. They have not pulled permits for upcoming raffles with thousands of dollars in prizes advertised.
The last state registration for the organization listed Barry as president and was filed in 2019 and dissolved as of January 22, 2022. In Illinois, businesses and non-profit organizations (regardless of whether they have 501(c)3 standing) are required to register articles of incorporation.
The Wildcats published a statement on Facebook that those seeking to pull their children out of the Wildcats and receive a refund would need to notify them by midnight on June 23.
Stephanie Irvine is a freelance reporter.