The City of Kankakee Fire department acknowledges the passing of former Kankakee Fire Chief, David St. John.  St. John was 75 years of age and transitioned on December 28, 2020 at Riverside Medical Center. 

Kankakee, IL – The Kankakee Fire Department wishes to announce the retirement of Deputy Chief Eric Boness, after 30 years of service with the City of Kankakee.

As the year 2020 is almost at its end, we continue to be proactive in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. In May, you should have received the first letter from me while we were in the early months of the virus. We have continued to provide updates on our social media platforms and on the City of Kankakee’s website at www.citykankakee-il.gov.

Kankakee, IL – For the third year in a row, the City of Kankakee remains hopeful as the City is lowering the tax rate. According to the latest report at Monday night’s city council meeting, for four years in a row, the equalized assessed valuation (EAV) of the property in the City of Kankakee increased.

Kankakee, IL – Long-term police officer, Joseph Martinez, has been promoted to sergeant within the Kankakee Police Department after serving 14 years. Sergeant Martinez has been a detective for the past eight years. He stated he hopes to continue to bridge the gap and lead by example.

KANKAKEE, IL - (December 16, 2020) – According to an article this past May in the Community Policing Dispatch blog, local municipalities can collaborate with residents to help solve crime and build trust through camera programs.  These programs help to build positive relationships between residents and police.

With the recent Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) approval for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine there have been a lot of questions circulating around how this vaccine will be administered to the community members of Kankakee County. Limited amounts of the COVID-19 vaccine will begin to be allocated to Kankakee County in the coming weeks.

Kankakee, IL – Public comments will resume in person starting on Monday, December 21, 2020. This announcement includes all business meetings conducted in the City of Kankakee. Personal attacks or political statements will not be entertained during the business meeting.

Kankakee, IL – COVID-19 testing continues to become available locally. Recently, the Duane Dean Behavioral Health Center located at 700 East Court Street in Kankakee, launched their first weekend for drive thru COVID-19 testing.