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3 days ago

Comptroller flags corporate replacement tax and hotel tax declines; Airbnb collections unclear The city's comptroller told the budget committee that corporate replacement tax receipts are well below expectations (about $400,000 short to date) and that a major downtown hotel's revenue drop has halved hotel‑tax collections; officials said tracking short‑term rentals remains a challenge.

Kankakee City's budget faces a $400,000 shortfall due to lower corporate replacement taxes and a significant drop in hotel tax revenues from a struggling downtown hotel.

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3 days ago

City warns storm damage will create multi‑million‑dollar budget gap; repairs and vehicle replacements expected City officials told the budget committee that storm damage affected dozens of municipal vehicles and many roofs and HVAC units across city facilities, and that insurance claims are unlikely to cover full replacement costs, creating multi‑million‑dollar gaps for next year’s budget.

Kankakee City faces a daunting multi-million-dollar budget gap due to extensive storm damage, with repairs and vehicle replacements poised to stretch resources thin.

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3 days ago

Kankakee audit issues clean opinion; bond financing slashes police and fire pension liabilities Auditors presented an unmodified FY2025 opinion and told the Kankakee City Budget Committee that bond financings dramatically reduced net pension liabilities for police and firefighters, while the general fund remained strong at roughly $25.3 million.

Kankakee City's recent audit revealed a clean opinion and a dramatic drop in police pension liabilities, thanks to strategic bond financing—what does this mean for the city's financial future?

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1 week ago

Kankakee City committee hears housing program progress; residents urged to start storm-relief applications with United Way/KCCSI At its April 6 meeting, the Kankakee City Community Development Committee reviewed housing-program progress — including reductions in long wait lists and HUD-funded work — and staff directed residents seeking immediate storm-relief to apply with United Way funds administered locally by KCCSI. Staff warned funding deadlines could put some projects at risk.

Kankakee City is making strides in housing programs, but residents impacted by recent storms need to act fast for crucial emergency relief funds!

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1 month ago

Kankakee committee advances zoning changes to regulate dumpsters and recycling collection The Kankakee ordinance committee voted to forward zoning text amendments that allow centralized dumpsters for four-unit multifamily buildings, require collection pads of concrete/asphalt (or approved equivalents), and require screening for dumpsters adjacent to single-family homes; compliance and reading dates were set for council consideration.

Kankakee's ordinance committee is shaking up dumpster regulations, proposing new zoning changes that could transform waste collection for multifamily buildings!

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1 month ago

Parents and therapists praise Easterseals Joliet early-intervention services Families and therapists described how Easterseals Joliet’s early-intervention programs — including home visits, equipment clinics and outpatient services — supported children with disabilities and helped some former clients pursue careers.

Parents and therapists share inspiring stories of how Easterseals Joliet's early-intervention services transformed lives, helping children with disabilities thrive and pursue their dreams.

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2 months ago

Kankakee City Council approves rezoning, liquor license, engineering contracts and bond abatements At its Feb. 17 meeting the Kankakee City Council approved a rezoning for 1151 S. Washington, a Class G liquor license for 150 E. Station St., contracts for sewer investigations and parking maintenance, a grocery-feasibility study and annual bond abatements totaling $7,867,108.

Kankakee City Council just made major moves by approving a new liquor license, significant rezoning, and a grocery-store feasibility study—find out how these decisions will shape the community!

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2 months ago

Kankakee City Council approves QuickTrip permit extension, riverfront engineering and multiple resolutions At its Feb. 2 meeting the Kankakee City Council unanimously approved a one-year extension of a conditional-use permit for a QuickTrip convenience store and fuel sales, authorized engineering services and state grant paperwork for the Kankakee Riverfront Trail, and passed several routine bills and resolutions.

Kankakee City Council is paving the way for progress with a unanimous vote on a crucial downtown trail project and an extended permit for QuickTrip's convenience store—what's next for the city's exciting developments?

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2 months ago

Kankakee officials weigh ordinance changes to require hard‑surface pads and screening for centralized dumpsters City planner Melissa King presented proposed zoning amendments to require centralized refuse collection sites be placed on concrete or asphalt and screened; council debated exemptions for existing sites, enforcement of residential totes, and a compliance window and asked for a revised redline next month.

Kankakee's city planners are pushing for new zoning rules that could transform how dumpsters are managed, focusing on hard surfaces and screening to improve aesthetics and sanitation.

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2 months ago

City crews respond to large foam discharge at Stone Street; industry forced main traced as source, investigation ongoing A heavy foam discharge from a manhole at Stone Street and Kennedy Drive prompted a multi-agency response; staff traced the flow to a factory forced main, applied defoamer, removed foam and are tallying costs while pursuing potential MS4 enforcement and further investigation.

A bizarre bubble bath of foam erupted from a buried manhole in Kankakee City, prompting emergency crews to spring into action and investigate the source!

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2 months ago

City wins $990,000 state grant to advance West Riverwalk work Mayor announced Kankakee received a $990,000 OSLED grant to continue West Riverwalk planning and engineering; funding will support schematic and engineering work alongside ongoing East Riverwalk construction and Legion Park schematics.

Kankakee just scored a monumental $990,000 grant to elevate the West Riverwalk project, paving the way for stunning riverfront enhancements!

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2 months ago

Kankakee council approves bills, parking ordinances, surplus sales and personnel appointment At its Jan. 20 meeting Kankakee City Council approved more than $2 million in bills, adopted multiple parking and surplus-property ordinances, passed a developer amendment for 505 South Schuyler, and confirmed Christopher A. Salazar as deputy fire chief.

Kankakee City Council's recent meeting saw over $2 million in bills approved, new handicap parking measures, and the appointment of a new deputy fire chief—big changes are happening in the city!

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3 months ago

Kankakee police report December staffing, credit technology in shots-fired arrest; council approves $429,087.63 in bills Kankakee City police told the Public Safety Committee on Jan. 6 that staffing is at budgeted strength, technology including ShotSpotter and camera systems helped track a recent shots-fired incident leading to two arrests, and the council approved $429,087.63 in police bills.

Kankakee's police chief reveals how cutting-edge technology led to two arrests in a recent shots-fired incident while also reporting the department is fully staffed at 67 officers.

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4 months ago

ECDA says Harbor House $2M project is progressing but Davis‑Bacon rules and paperwork will delay city's bid timeline ECDA told the committee Harbor House’s larger project has broken ground, but the city’s $2 million portion has not gone to bid pending state reviews and Davis‑Bacon/Section 3 wage and hiring notices; staff warned the award requires substantial administrative work not budgeted for as admin costs were prioritized for construction.

Harbor House's ambitious $2 million redevelopment is underway, but red tape surrounding state regulations could delay the city's bid until February.

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4 months ago

Kankakee council approves fire-department amendments to Chapter 14, adding battery-storage standard and aligning fees The Kankakee City Council approved amendments to Chapter 14 of the municipal code to add NFPA 855 for stationary battery storage, standardize elevator-control keys for new installations, align inspection and permit fees with existing codes, and allow cost-recovery fees for certain training. The motion passed subject to legal review.

Kankakee City Council just approved critical amendments to enhance fire safety standards, including new regulations for battery-storage systems and standardized elevator keys!

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4 months ago

Kankakee reports S&P upgrade and nearly $1 million in bond interest savings, officials say Bernardi Securities told the Kankakee City Council the city's recent bond sale benefited from a Standard & Poor's upgrade to A-minus and favorable market timing, producing lower rates than projected and roughly $1 million in aggregate interest savings across general obligation and sewer bonds.

Kankakee just scored a major financial win with an S&P upgrade and nearly $1 million in bond interest savings, paving the way for improved roads and public safety!

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4 months ago

Kankakee staff present RFP that could move recycling to three city drop‑off sites as garbage contract nears end City Manager presented a 21‑page RFP on Nov. 17 asking vendors for two options: the current curbside/ alley model and an alternative that would move recycling to three city‑owned centralized sites; proposals are due Dec. 2 and the council will consider a recommendation at the Dec. 15 meeting. Contract currently in place expires Dec. 31.

Kankakee City is considering a major shift in how recycling is handled, potentially moving from curbside pickup to three centralized drop-off sites—what does this mean for you?

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5 months ago

Kankakee budget committee hears financial report; ARPA balance under $2M, $300,000 IDNR reimbursement noted Comptroller Rogers told the City of Kankakee Budget Committee that tax-levy collections are about 96% complete and the city received a $300,000 IDNR reimbursement for the East Riverwalk. ARPA allocations are under $2 million with a federal deadline next year; staff flagged a $300,000 youth-empowerment item tied to District 111 that needs invoicing.

Kankakee's financial outlook is bright as tax collections hit 96% and a $300,000 IDNR grant boosts the East Riverwalk project, but the clock is ticking on ARPA funds!

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5 months ago

ECDA reports lead remediation, CDBG projects and demolition progress; camera incentive popular ECDA staff told the committee they have 12 lead remediation projects in progress, 14 Healthy Homes cases in progress, seven CDBG housing rehab projects and three MIRROR projects; demolition permit is ready and the private security incentive (camera) program has more funds after reconciliation.

Kankakee City is making strides in community safety and housing with innovative programs, including a popular security camera incentive and multiple lead remediation projects!

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5 months ago

Police chief reports staffing shortfalls, spike in auto thefts; council approves $132,843 in police bills Police leadership told the council the department is budgeted for 67 officers but is effectively short due to academy assignments, training and leaves; overtime is high and auto thefts are up roughly 45% year-over-year. Council approved $132,843.54 in police-department bills.

Kankakee's police chief reveals alarming staffing shortages and a staggering 45% rise in auto thefts, all while the city approves over $132,000 in police bills.

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5 months ago

Kankakee staff map homeless services, urge agencies to join HUD Continuum of Care City and ECDA staff presented an updated Continuum of Care system map identifying gaps in emergency shelter, medical respite and reentry services, and urged local providers to attend CoC meetings to improve access to funding and the by-name list used for weekly case coordination.

Kankakee City is mapping out a new approach to tackle homelessness, but urgent gaps in services could leave many without help—how can local agencies step up?

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5 months ago

Kankakee City Council approves multiple ordinances, development incentives and firefighters’ letter of agreement At its Nov. 3 meeting, the Kankakee City Council approved a slate of zoning and administrative ordinances, development incentives including a $10,000 grant for a new wine bar, renewals of two insurance policies, and a labor letter of agreement with the firefighters’ union following executive session.

Kankakee City Council just greenlit exciting new developments, including a $10,000 grant for a local wine bar and new zoning changes to enhance your community!

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5 months ago

Kankakee committee weighs letting smaller apartment buildings contract privately for trash service; staff to return with ordinance draft and RFP alternatives The Kankakee City Ordinance Committee discussed whether the city should lower the mandatory city-contracted trash-service threshold from four units to three. Staff outlined operational concerns (dumpsters in narrow backyards, alley access, screening) and financial tradeoffs, gave a preliminary raw estimate that a four-unit account is billed $172.08

The Kankakee City Ordinance Committee is considering a major change that could allow smaller apartment buildings to opt for private trash services, raising questions about cost, logistics, and community impact.

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6 months ago

Kankakee police report rising calls, firearms recoveries and staffing gaps; fire/EMS warn of aging ambulances; council approves bills At the Oct. 7 Kankakee City public safety meeting, police reported 66 sworn officers on the roster, roughly 6,101 calls for service in September, 24 shots-fired incidents and a recent month tally of firearms recovered. Fire and EMS leaders described vehicle failures and long ambulance delivery timelines; the committee approved municipal bills for $

Kankakee police reported a staggering 6,101 calls for service in September, alongside a concerning rise in shots-fired incidents and ongoing staffing challenges.

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6 months ago

Kankakee announces $5 million Rebuild Illinois grant for riverfront ped‑bike path City officials announced a $5 million Rebuild Illinois grant to build a pedestrian and bicycle path along the riverfront, covering a stretch from Riverside to Station Street and supporting the riverfront master plan.

Kankakee just scored a $5 million grant to transform its riverfront with a new pedestrian and bicycle path, making waves in community development!

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6 months ago

City Council Approves Conveyance of 360 South Elm to Land Bank Council unanimously votes to recommend property conveyance to the land bank.

The Kankakee City Council just made a significant move by unanimously approving the conveyance of 360 South Elm to the land bank, paving the way for streamlined property management.

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6 months ago

City Council Approves $296K Bills Amid Grant Extensions and Project Updates Aldermen approved 34 ongoing projects and secured grant extensions for construction programs.

The Kankakee City Council just approved $296K in bills to boost community development and tackle local housing needs—big changes are on the horizon!

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6 months ago

Community Development Agency discusses grant impacts amid potential government shutdown Agency reports no current interruptions but anticipates delays in grant approvals.

Kankakee officials are tackling community initiatives with excitement for upcoming events, but a looming government shutdown raises concerns about crucial funding delays.

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6 months ago

Seventh Ward Committee Reviews Property Transfer to Yankee Regional Land Bank Authority Committee recommends transferring 762 Webster Circle East to Yankee Regional Land Bank Authority.

The Kankakee City Council is poised to transfer a key property to the Yankee Regional Land Bank, igniting a potential revitalization in the community!

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6 months ago

Kankakee Community Plans Expansion of Successful Security Incentive Program Council discusses funding and expansion of security initiative for local businesses.

Kankakee City Council is making strides to enhance community safety and engagement with exciting new initiatives and funding plans!

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