[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6332945,"mediaKeyId","2304089-dc40ab876f4b54f015911efa0db0a3d1","parentId",2304089,"title","Kankakee County board approves claims, tax adjustments, zoning permit and administrative measures","audioSeconds",607,"startMs",1753000,"endMs",2360000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2304089-dc40ab876f4b54f015911efa0db0a3d1&start=1753&end=2360","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2304089-dc40ab876f4b54f015911efa0db0a3d1/thumbnail_1753000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6332945/Kankakee-County/Illinois/Kankakee-County-board-approves-claims-tax-adjustments-zoning-permit-and-administrative-measures","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6332945-f7a4731845500a02fc9fed01fead45c3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771133341&Signature=Hv3ZMzVdbob9BYBqF10nk~VZ9TXokTAqV~H8vRELC0Dfv6XfZRgbKRhQR24mLJvcv8CuRk7ipz6TPHp8nBdlzEeY5ZtBPNVdnfbTpRL3QfIl71PMamLiTmrAHVMdZQD~ES8Uh1MhtGEgnk31DENMWoRlI-w4mnsScQnUjTVF1X5WKMu~9Dv7uwo5xebBR~E63eXoWaVjT~2bMR43mDMADlPdrBreCt3MyDujYBI5cPpkAnAeaHxjYWlBSzd0DX-S-5DtoKmK8JcfYEnEWh7r1FIgdOSqVIhDwFmkbM9cNubBkLVrsGjymYMixba~pUx6IDv05Vgvvj8WyhykZjvRvA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Kankakee County, IL","date","2025-02-12T03:47:14Z","article","The Kankakee County Board on Feb. 11 approved a package of routine and substantive measures including payment claims, tax-year resolutions, land-use approvals, intergovernmental agreements and infrastructure contracts.

Key approvals

- Claims committee report: The board approved the claims committee report, which the clerk recorded as total disbursements of $11,315,596.65. The motion was moved and carried after a roll-call vote in which a majority voted aye.

- Amended tax-year 2024 levy request: The board approved an amended levy request to add a missing line for an education extension; the presenter said the total levy amount remains unchanged. The motion passed by roll call.

- Property tax abatement for tax year 2024 (payable 2025): The board approved a resolution to abate property taxes for tax year 2024 payable in 2025.

- Zoning: The board approved Zoning Board of Appeals case 24-12, a special-use permit to operate a bed-and-breakfast at 968 S. Sandbar Road in Aroma Township. Planning and ZBA recommended approval with eight conditions; the board approved the permit by voice vote.

- Solar plan-review agreement with Village of Buckingham: The county agreed to perform plan reviews and inspections for solar installations in the Village of Buckingham under an intergovernmental agreement. The recorded fees in the discussion were $150 for residential plan reviews, $3.50 for commercial reviews, and $50 per inspection; the presenter said those figures align with the county’s unincorporated fees.

- Infrastructure: The board authorized (1) a resolution for maintenance under the Illinois Highway Code and (2) an engineering agreement with Gonzales Companies, LLC to design two bridge replacements on County Highway 16 in Manteno and Sumner townships; both measures were approved by roll call.

- Election precinct change: The board approved a polling-place change for Suburban A-8 to take effect for the April 1, 2025 consolidated election; the change moves voters to the Bradley Community Center because of construction at the Village Hall site.

Why it matters: The claims approval disburses county funds; the levy amendment and abatement affect property-tax administration; the bed-and-breakfast permit alters allowable land use at a specific parcel; the Buckingham agreement delegates building-plan reviews to the county and establishes fees; bridge-design authorization moves two replacement projects into the engineering phase.

Recorded votes and procedure: Most items passed on roll-call or voice votes as recorded in the meeting transcript. Where the transcript records a roll call, the clerk read names and registered “aye” for the majority; the transcript does not list individual no votes except where noted.

Ending: The meeting also included multiple appointments, committee reports and open positions the board recorded; the session ended after routine business and a motion to adjourn.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Kankakee County Board Meeting 2/11/2025","oneSentenceSummary","At its Feb. 11 meeting the board approved the claims committee report totaling $11.3 million, an amended 2024 tax levy request, a property tax abatement for 2024, a special-use permit for a bed-and-breakfast, an intergovernmental agreement to perform solar plan reviews for the Village of Buckingham and several highway and bridge measures.","taxTitle","Kankakee County, Illinois","taxId",4542,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6332948,"United Way: county-funded navigator logged 1,968 connections; housing accounted for 44% of 2-1-1 calls",137,1157000,1294000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2304089-dc40ab876f4b54f015911efa0db0a3d1&start=1157&end=1294","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2304089-dc40ab876f4b54f015911efa0db0a3d1/thumbnail_1157000.jpg","/articles/6332948/Kankakee-County/Illinois/United-Way-county-funded-navigator-logged-1968-connections-housing-accounted-for-44-of-2-1-1-calls","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6332948-3ef01a288ea0e033ea4c8a08ceba38f8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771133341&Signature=igcg8cyIcgdrE~~ksnPhSOyos9uzwrHNTalFUhMcjSwSe1to0gidhdr7Hz6PbMz0PA5D0htqENBvPc0AxPfrbRU33TS~hls0musw9xm34EgzBm1AHD6x8e37lVBR4nkOwttu4YxxuHh5mMMkQHCSmlEoPA--n1jYlEf4HEynboTIvjjBRSHu5NdwNNAzOzvFjvvaPvVWbWst8D5wb0q9gCCpQwGatzMZevQnTDg8wbmWhLcqS4MUtU6xDhg9cZpsn5SHyta4lhseZcgJZvf7SX~zZffDNDXWzdOw2FkHOfeuMJLO7W~I~90pckPSe8bnsJXBnLdkDGWhdm3XMSlGSQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mariah Vale, executive director of United Way, presented updates on the Success by 6 Early Childhood Coalition and the county-funded community navigator at the Feb. 11 Kankakee County Board meeting.

Vale said the county’s ARPA investment in June 2023 helped create a community navigator role that logged 1,968 connections and 479 referrals in its first full year. She said that initial county investment helped United Way secure $125,000 in additional funding to grow the program.

Vale also described local usage of the 2-1-1 information and referral line, which the United Way helps fund locally: last year the line provided referrals for 2,198 residents in Kankakee and Iroquois counties, and for Kankakee County callers specifically, 44% of requests concerned housing, shelter or rent assistance. Vale said that pattern showed housing and shelter needs “head and shoulders” above other categories in recent years.

Why it matters: The data highlight housing and shelter as pressing needs in Kankakee County and show the county ARPA investment helped seed a navigator position that attracted additional outside funding. United Way provided resource directories, including a local “Can I Help” directory listing over 800 services for county residents.

Board response and context: Vale offered handouts and welcomed board members to follow up with United Way for more detailed data. No formal board motion was recorded in direct response to the presentation during the meeting.

Ending: United Way encouraged board members to use the referral and directory resources and to consider the housing needs data in future planning.","United Way executive director Mariah Vale reported the county-funded community navigator logged 1,968 connections and 479 referrals in its first full year; 2-1-1 data show 44% of Kankakee callers sought housing or shelter assistance.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6332953,"Kankakee County board accepts resignation of regional superintendent; Patricia Hai sworn in",154,888000,1042000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2304089-dc40ab876f4b54f015911efa0db0a3d1&start=888&end=1042","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2304089-dc40ab876f4b54f015911efa0db0a3d1/thumbnail_888000.jpg","/articles/6332953/Kankakee-County/Illinois/Kankakee-County-board-accepts-resignation-of-regional-superintendent-Patricia-Hai-sworn-in","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6332953-e35d1c8a58c92ab8da76087bc139c2e3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771133341&Signature=gHxDEVjnhJgAE5IV2hH7rH~sVZvPIKZb~9-ErJcKy2Zd3aNdAsTY79HThqkHt1slmF3qgZOM75Zd-zuw7XQc1WEJYupXqL8ofhokuR7ZJDOqiXyLOBfR51KyxyXTgEQ-uDx38~nbnuNIwaEwHLbO0MQst7sx7t5oaygkcl1DxfUQKTIVTYFg~yD8Um3A3NEH4DhESEVjtA20VVKjYSgy0iE3tujJ5UhAATWA85S~MSuPfqJpAsfW8VtMCNI3WPjJRXtwyrDxywnCdF8~wnw4-kxHHP-QaCDoXyLdb~Ijn0ZPCudiU7BIqHiD6klzHdaCKNAp34qcnDbR1OpO42M2aw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Kankakee County Board on Feb. 11 accepted the resignation of Frank Pekunas as regional superintendent of schools for Iroquois and Kankakee counties, effective Feb. 28, 2025, and approved the appointment of Patricia Hai to the post.

Pekunas’ letter to the board said he has served as regional superintendent since 2022 and recommended Patricia Hai, who has been assistant regional superintendent for the region since August 2022. The resignation letter cited the appointment process requirements under 105 ILCS 5/3A-6 and asked county boards to proceed with the scheduled appointment process.

The board approved Pekunas’ resignation by voice vote after a motion by Denise Turner and a second by Ken Smith. The board then approved a resolution appointing Patricia Hai; the motion to appoint was made by Tinker Parker and seconded by Carol Weber and carried by voice vote. Patricia Hai immediately took the oath of office at the meeting and spoke briefly, thanking the board and saying she looked forward to supporting schools in both counties.

Why it matters: The regional superintendent oversees the Regional Office of Education for the two-county region and works with local districts and county boards on educational administration. The appointment replaces Pekunas and installs an internal successor the outgoing superintendent recommended.

Board action details: The transcript records the resignation letter, the motions to accept the resignation and to appoint Hai, and Hai’s swearing-in ceremony. The appointment resolution was read into the record and approved without recorded roll-call opposition.

Ending: Patricia Hai will assume the responsibilities of regional superintendent following the effective date of the resignation as outlined in the resignation letter. The transcript does not record further administrative details such as transition plan dates beyond the effective resignation date provided by Pekunas.","The county board accepted the resignation of Regional Superintendent Frank Pekunas effective Feb. 28, 2025, and appointed Patricia Hai as regional superintendent for Iroquois and Kankakee counties; Hai was sworn in at the Feb. 11 meeting.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6332958,"Kankakee County residents urge board to protect immigrants' rights amid ICE concerns",207,512000,719000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2304089-dc40ab876f4b54f015911efa0db0a3d1&start=512&end=719","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2304089-dc40ab876f4b54f015911efa0db0a3d1/thumbnail_512000.jpg","/articles/6332958/Kankakee-County/Illinois/Kankakee-County-residents-urge-board-to-protect-immigrants-rights-amid-ICE-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6332958-294b45441f6be26d43431ab462c7860f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771133341&Signature=RqLhKKLiexNsVxwiqlqUI9T3GF96WLtih1CDlX0kS1Q8984E6uuEP7OmW6KYZVtw~H1flklWEGSTAFbE2BDLUAzYLs8ZBIx3Buxt2aVDMWa6oMy9ixqTtdgXzInTrRb60oqw-cawnEDwhLfO2nA2FCLUba4Rxcm4FHKMAxyvexmBm7Ltshhhikg6bkZ0FE43nDHQNTZsL1BapwFGOLOUKxgz4N755esXJLLr1oqP89ITS75LdX-n0D9jqwo65Wi17tH2dh29KUYFfPWT6J-5dijq-azXb1pzM4uc21wM3sMDVlTe3Y36K4TBvHHjuzN34zIddSRNy-AvIPB2BHA4gg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Gary Ciacio of the city of Kankakee and Araceli Sharper of Kankakee addressed the Kankakee County Board during public comment on Feb. 11, urging county officials to protect immigrants’ rights and to ensure enforcement of due process.

Both speakers said recent federal immigration enforcement actions have created fear among local residents. Gary Ciacio told the board he opposed unchecked immigration enforcement and asked the county to “commit to protect the rights of immigrants in our county from overreach by ICE.”

Sharper said the county’s Latino population exceeds 13,000 and described people who live and work in Kankakee County as “integral” to the community. She said some residents are avoiding work and school because of fear over enforcement actions and recounted a recent incident in a neighboring state where three people were detained, she said, for speaking Spanish until a relative located birth certificates showing U.S. citizenship.

Why it matters: Speakers asked county leaders to take steps to prevent what they characterized as unlawful detentions and to reassure residents that county officials will protect residents’ rights and access to services. Neither speaker proposed specific county ordinances or motions; both framed their remarks as requests for the board to “stand up” for immigrant and Latino residents.

Board response and context: The public-comment items were recorded during the meeting’s public comment period; no county action or formal directive was recorded during or immediately after those remarks. The transcript includes speakers’ accounts and claims about recent ICE conduct; the board did not record a motion or vote tied to these comments during the meeting.

Ending: The speakers asked the board to consider actions that would reassure immigrants and Latino residents. The transcript does not record any immediate follow-up motions, referrals or staff directions tied to these public comments.","Two residents told the Kankakee County Board on Feb. 11 that recent ICE actions and reports of mistreatment warrant county protections and clearer commitments from officials.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Kankakee County board approves claims, tax adjustments, zoning permit and administrative measures

United Way: county-funded navigator logged 1,968 connections; housing accounted for 44% of 2-1-1 calls

Kankakee County board accepts resignation of regional superintendent; Patricia Hai sworn in

Kankakee County residents urge board to protect immigrants' rights amid ICE concerns