By Jeff Vorva
When C.J. Boudreau was a kid and stopped by at a village board meeting in Manteno two decades ago, he was hooked.
Mayor Tim Nugent recalled the child’s appearance back then, and noted: “I’m not sure how many years ago it was, but C.J. came to a village board meeting when he was five or six years old. He sat up here with me, we did the Pledge of Allegiance, and he helped me run the meeting.
“He told me at that time that at some point in time he wanted to be a member of the village board and eventually take my place as mayor. This is his first step in doing that.”
That first step came on July 15 as Boudreau was appointed to the board as a trustee replacing Sam Martin, who resigned on July 1. Boudreau will fill out Martin’s term through April and has the option of running in the next election in April.
Boudreau, 26, is a fifth-generation family member, who teaches social studies at Manteno High School, and remarked: “I tell my students to get involved in government and the community. I saw this opportunity, and I took it.”
“I know I am younger, but I have been thoroughly involved in government and have done internships for state Reps and U.S. Congressmen…the biggest thing I need to do is to earn the trust and respect of Mantenoens.”
Boudreau graduated from Manteno High School in 2016, Northern Illinois University in 2020, and is working on a master’s degree in history from Arizona State University.
Aside from his new duty on the Manteno Board, Boudreau is president of the Manteno Education Association and a member of the Board of Directors for the Illinois Education Association.
Nugent said he is happy to have someone on the board with educational knowledge.
“It’s a good perspective to have that on the village board, because sometimes we get tunnel vision as to what the village needs, and we don’t always see what some of the other entities do,” the mayor continued.
He also praised Boudreau for his family history in the community.
Boudreau said he will be accessible to the residents: “I will be transparent of where I am and what I stand for. I also will be reaching out. So, please reach out to me. I have a new dog, so I walk around town. If you see me, don’t be shy to walk up and ask me questions. I really hope to do well for Manteno.”
Lockwood retires
Former Manteno Police Chief Joel Whalen set the force’s record by working 10,672 days during his long career. That record is safe for a long while.
Lt. Brian Lockwood was giving that record a serious challenge but his service time will stop at 10,618 as he retired from the force to pursue another opportunity.
“The influence he has had in this department cannot be overstated,” Chief Alan Swinford said. “His energy, positive attitude, and work ethic has been a role model on how to excel at your job. When I took over as chief, he made my transition easier and has been doing so every day for the past seven years. His energy and zest for law enforcement has had an impact on everybody in our department, especially our numerous younger officers.”
Lockwood said he enjoyed his 29-year stint in Manteno.
“Twenty-nine years is a long time, and it’s been a great ride,” he said. “But an opportunity popped up, and I’m going to start the next chapter of my life with my wife and kids. It’s been an honor and a pleasure to serve the Village of Manteno and its citizens.”
Break from the hostility
Lately it’s become commonplace for the citizens’ comment sessions at the Manteno meeting to be dominated by members of the public upset over the China-based Gotion battery plant coming to town. But the board got a break from that this time as the Concerned Citizens of Manteno – an anti-Gotion group – held a community picnic that day. Only two members of the public spoke at the meeting, and just one talked about Gotion.