News

As a follow-up to the Kankakee Valley Park District Board meeting of March 24, I would like to clarify some points from the much-appreciated article written by Jeff Bonty which appeared in the Daily Journal on March 27, 2025.

Bird Park on Kankakee’s west side is getting its first update in years. he $1.2 million project will bring Kankakee Valley Park District’s flagship park more into the 21st Century.

A list of births at Kankakee hospitals.

Kankakee School District 111's assistant superintendent of business services gave an update on the forensic audit currently looking into the district's spending on its former Youth Empowerment Program.

The 2024 crime rate for each Kankakee, Bourbonnais and Bradley police departments showed each trending down.

Betty Hutton is celebrating her 90th birthday with an open house for family and friends.

Kankakee County is hoping it can sell the former animal control shelter on Stanford Drive.

Annette Zimbelman, a defeated Manteno Choice Party candidate in the April 1 village board election, was appointed Monday to fill the remaining two years of village Trustee Wendell Phillips on Monday.

Talk-Line podcast: Editor Charlene Bielema discusses area news stories on the “Project ROCK” walking bridge construction project, Sterling riverfront improvements, criminal court cases, a new business opening at the Northland Mall and more.

The Illinois Department of Public Health has launched a new data dashboard to help school officials and the public monitor any outbreaks of measles, should one occur in Illinois.

Kankakee School District 111 has narrowed down its options for relocating the transition program for adult students with disabilities out of the Meadowview Center due to facility issues with the former Embrace Consignment Store location.

The Manteno Board of Trustees approved an ordinance annexing a 72-acre parcel of farmland into the village and rezoned it heavy industrial

McColly Bennett recognizes its top sales producers for the month of February.

Approximately 200 people attended Saturday's Hands Off rally at the Kankakee County Courthouse.

Cordes Brothers Towing at 151 Linden will offer services like U-Haul trucks, trailers, towing equipment and moving supplies.

“Distracted driving is dangerous, claiming 58 lives in Illinois in 2023. We need everyone’s support in making our roads safer, which includes staying focused behind the wheel,” Commander Jason Sztuba said in a release.

Zonta Club of Kankakee recently announced that Casey Cromwell, of Momence, is the recipient of the 2025 Young Women in Leadership Award for $1,000.

Gotion Illinois, a global manugacturer in clean energy storage solutions, is expanding its upcoming job fair to support both graduating high school seniors and workers recently displaced by the Gilster Mary Lee facility fire in Momence.

The seven-member Kankakee School Board will have two new members and retain three incumbents following the outcome of Tuesday’s consolidated election.

Manteno remains a house divided.

The Manteno Plan Commission on Wednesday unanimously approved a recommendation by Martin Rentals CJM to have a 72-acre tract of farmland rezoned upon its annexation into the village of Manteno.

It will be a time for change in the village of Manteno following Tuesday’s election, and that change will extend to the Manteno District 5 School Board, where an incumbent was unseated.

List of recent births at Kankakee hospitals.

Voters this week in Kankakee County determined who will make the important decisions regarding their communities, schools, townships, fire departments, parks and libraries. See the results here.

BBCHS' Ironclad Robotics team has qualified for the 2025 FIRST Championship in Houston, Texas on April 16-19, and a GoFundMe fundraiser is underway to help get them there.

The Manteno Freedom Party won at least two seats on the village board as well as village clerk. Two more seats are pending final mail-in ballot counts with one seat guaranteed for the party.

Manteno Freedom Party candidate Annette LaMore defeated Manteno Choice Party candidate for mayor.

Jeff Keast, currently a trustee and member of the Bourbonnais Citizens Party, defeated People’s Choice Party candidate David Zinanni in the mayoral contest.

The Kankakee School Board approved a contract last month with Curriculum Management Solutions, Inc., of Iowa, to complete the district-wide audit of curriculum and instructional practices for a total cost of $130,332.

Ballots cast across Kankakee County decided numerous local contests on Tuesday.

See which candidates won and lost in school board elections throughout Kankakee County, including contested races in Kankakee, Bourbonnais, BBCHS, St. Anne and Manteno school districts.

Manteno residents voted for change on Tuesday in the municipal election as Manteno Freedom Party mayoral candidate Annette LaMore defeated Joel Gesky, a village trustee and Manteno Choice Party candidate 1,536-1,231.

Jeff Keast will be changing titles as a member of the Bourbonnais village government.

Voters this week in Grundy County determined who will make the important decisions regarding their communities, schools, townships, fire departments, parks and libraries. See the results here.

Voters this week in Kankakee County determined who will make the important decisions regarding their communities, schools, townships, fire departments, parks and libraries. See the results here.

Voters this week in Kendall County determined who will make the important decisions regarding their communities, schools, townships, fire departments, parks and libraries. See the results here.

Voters this week in Will County determined who will make the important decisions regarding their communities, schools, townships, fire departments, parks and libraries. See the results here.

Herscher Police Chief Kurt Quick said Hannah Kroesh, 26, of Herscher, was arrested by Iowa Stare Patrol Monday for possession of stolen vehicle from Herscher.

Clove Alliance, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting survivors in Kankakee, Iroquois, and Ford counties, is organizing a variety of events to educate the public and foster alliances.

The 150th anniversary celebration kicks off with the Soirée de Bourbonnais — an outdoor formal gala — Saturday, May 17, at The Grove at Robert Goselin Park, 700 Main St. NW.

This spring, Will County voters will get to decide who will represent them on their town, school, park and township boards, as well as weigh in on local referendum questions.

LeShae Hudson: In my experience, the best way the district can improve reading and English proficiency and test state scores is bridging the gap between school life and home life

Tammy Sarver: We need to have serious discussions about the repercussions of unchecked and irresponsible building and development upon the natural environment

Rob Roe: The Village must maintain a balanced budget and their incredible bond rating to ensure real estate taxes do not increase

Thomas Cawthorne: Parking and traffic will always be a hot button topic. I believe that the recommendations made in the Guiding DG long range comprehensive study will assist in helping alleviate some of those concerns.

Christ Gilmartin, running for Downers Grove Village Commissioner: From utilizing AI to make our streets safer to modernizing administrative processes, technology can help us serve residents faster, reduce costs, and stay competitive

Paul Drabik: One of my main concerns is the governance and bureaucracy of the Downers Grove Library

Many students can now attend Kankakee Community College for free because of almost $17.4 million in grants awarded by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and the Illinois Community College Board.

This spring, Kankakee County voters get to decide who will make the important decisions regarding their communities, schools, townships, fire departments, parks and libraries.

This spring, Kendall County voters get to decide who will make the important decisions regarding their communities, schools, townships, fire departments, parks and libraries.