[{"_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",6085115,"mediaKeyId","2904470-0ab651deb49bc0241fcc5d97ae171bef","parentId",2904470,"title","Kankakee fire department reports 691 March calls, $89,205.55 in bills; EMS and prevention programs highlighted","audioSeconds",336,"startMs",1624000,"endMs",1960000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2904470-0ab651deb49bc0241fcc5d97ae171bef&start=1624&end=1960","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2904470-0ab651deb49bc0241fcc5d97ae171bef/thumbnail_1624000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6085115/Kankakee-City/Kankakee-County/Illinois/Kankakee-fire-department-reports-691-March-calls-8920555-in-bills-EMS-and-prevention-programs-highlighted","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6085115-a90782422e829319815288b0f218c46c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179558&Signature=dE7p3zobU6nuMXCQaCtrOtl0jKnprwlbON7QHfho4nQW43EVENbWeRoJjxJiAl84VmxsBffzde3bpKpV3f7Hke1Qc3KIpKWDPwnep848spS302iVuyCcRnVynGfRPL6L70LTFTChsJpolRXKtXgSkNmJXOKF189l4wlZFI1F-4V-yuUBgWECu1jjjVXIg37TZkRUJbAI~QtuyatVfzyHAm0qtsvuVb38A4ZgmsqJy908P2yRD~NjqNm0~KDdqKzPvRXDSyJSBdX-vqfpBxyUdpzw7vwtaBuzkvHB7Fpc-~SY8LUsGx2-b7FLjBrFJ6Zh~0eesCOsfHvqGDZHOP99jg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Kankakee, IL","date","2025-04-09T04:59:04.007Z","article","Fire department officials told the April 8 Kankakee public safety meeting that the department responded to 691 calls in March, of which 427 were medical responses. The department reported three structure fires in March and estimated fire damage for the month at $25,500.

Staffing updates indicated 45 active personnel in fire operations when accounting for those on injury, administrative leave or training. The department reported one firefighter and one intern in paramedic training scheduled to finish in July.

The department reported a total of $89,205.55 in bills for the period, including $16,078.25 for apparatus maintenance (the largest single vendor payment was $13,338.20 to Quad County for pump work on Engine 2). The council approved payment of the bills by roll-call/voice vote; the meeting record indicates 4 ayes and no nays.

Officials described equipment and public-safety programming: 31 smoke detectors and eight carbon-monoxide detectors installed in March, 28 carbon-monoxide detectors installed year-to-date, AEDs donated by St. Mary’s Hospital, and installation of life rings at public boat ramps (the department reported St. Mary’s donated $2,500 to support the life-ring program). Fire officials also noted the department’s hazardous-waste drop-off planning and continued CPR training for city staff and partner agencies.

The department reported one suspected overdose in March and said a program coordinated with the coroner’s office appears to be reducing suspected overdoses.

Ending: Fire officials said maintenance, training and community risk-reduction programs will continue; the approved bills will be processed through standard accounts-payable procedures.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Kankakee - Public Safety Committee Livestream","oneSentenceSummary","Fire leadership reported 691 calls in March (427 medical), $25,500 in fire damage, ongoing apparatus maintenance, installation of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, a donated $2,500 for life rings and a decline in suspected overdoses; the council approved $89,205.55 in bills.","taxTitle","Kankakee City, Kankakee County, Illinois","taxId",4543,"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},6085120,"Kankakee police report staffing shortfall, expanded camera network; council approves $105,343.06 in bills",334,829000,1163000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2904470-0ab651deb49bc0241fcc5d97ae171bef&start=829&end=1163","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2904470-0ab651deb49bc0241fcc5d97ae171bef/thumbnail_829000.jpg","/articles/6085120/Kankakee-City/Kankakee-County/Illinois/Kankakee-police-report-staffing-shortfall-expanded-camera-network-council-approves-10534306-in-bills","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6085120-f90edd4f81b83f78fbd18e3e5ce4f5d1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179558&Signature=Hi3bX0K5~a~fcdcshyegfNSFxeONclG9ZlM48v7np4Gy7UmGECt0uIsN2NCjsV-5mLZqCG3rcZLUJ8D-LaLUjxdkWAmFXtXxkVZ2O2MZi3JzYfoV66HzDGoiLTDcUC30u1csVac-ulTuyeEpEVIwE4nQrjN0hUBV59h9C10JJlPNNTGdl7aUOhF~0hyWWP7uth1Syy-G~2vtEy33q8igUBW8J-4lA6MoCD2RjgzNEcvoN-Wtv60Cs~LF~zEZLOkErLcdlWnGNIHDFI64NERXAz7yfCMOZlq1Jm0tdLEE2Yvo6NGB8C2rn5aRi5w~qJkuDyciDG-wAwP~YMZnsQlSTg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A police official reported at the April 8 Kankakee public safety meeting that the department currently has 64 sworn officers while the budgeted strength is 67, and that one officer is expected to leave for another position this month.

The official said patrol staffing stands at 39 officers, with eight in investigations, and other specialty assignments including a school resource officer and a proactive operations unit. The hiring eligibility list is exhausted; new testing and recruitment are planned.

The department reported recovering four firearms in March and said it currently has 94 Verkada cameras deployed citywide along with eight license-plate-recognition (LPR) cameras. Officials said LPR and camera coverage are being expanded to cover major entrances and exits into the city.

Training updates included completion of mandated active-threat and Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board training; three officers were scheduled to graduate from the academy April 21. The department reported overtime of $11,413.12 for the February 23–March 22 reporting period and expected similar costs due to recent mandated training.

A bill-payment motion for police department expenditures totaling $105,343.06 passed the meeting by voice/roll-call vote; the meeting record shows the motion carried with four ayes and no nays.

Ending: Officials said recruitment and training efforts will continue and that more camera and LPR coverage is expected by year end; no policy changes were adopted at the April 8 meeting.","Police officials told the April 8 public safety meeting the department has 64 officers (budgeted for 67), ongoing recruitment and training, expanded deployment of Verkada cameras and LPRs, and overtime and equipment expenditures; the council approved $105,343.06 in bills for the department.",{"_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},6085125,"Kankakee United outlines events for National Youth Violence Prevention Week",240,543000,783000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2904470-0ab651deb49bc0241fcc5d97ae171bef&start=543&end=783","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2904470-0ab651deb49bc0241fcc5d97ae171bef/thumbnail_543000.jpg","/articles/6085125/Kankakee-City/Kankakee-County/Illinois/Kankakee-United-outlines-events-for-National-Youth-Violence-Prevention-Week","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6085125-06ffe0a3d1d7e28040938514c99521e8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179558&Signature=bcrvR8EFz0QnE9vHo7aIo2ovRYdswbiNdvBmNEOJQ99AnjWqh6UtPQ9lAqt2WaC9QUuny057605527gZBi0q1A6dlvEM0VmZ2hk~zck~qpHc7GyCSkY436n8hCs6DxNkAa9omuArMFBJgjFCR6ijUSDKnfbysTnHAuB1jp4LGKYBvSviVr~GMlVuw~0hK36g~ftP0ZiC0YrWsKfMpuL4llWvTkcqPnf5mPekB2a3BNA4~jxi5G1tDrNenJlSXnOGv9utXo0RmXeFuXGdX69Epnnt-s763viwlZrLsawHbt9CsMy4u5lHO04keOzAfjDuwmukT1vKGZ9I8SCq8~zbQw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Troy Lloyd, violence-prevention outreach coordinator for Kankakee United, told the public safety meeting on April 8 that the organization is planning a series of events during National Youth Violence Prevention Week, April 28–May 2.

Lloyd described a range of programming intended for middle- and high-school youth, including a police-stops career-center demonstration on April 28 and a skating trip to Tinley Park for junior high and high school students on May 1. \"We're trying to be proactive ... a little over 70 days away from the summer,\" Lloyd said, noting the group aims to provide safe activities as warmer months approach.

Other planned activities include a community walk against violence to promote peace and an anti-bullying \"Stand Tall\" event at Gold Star Gym intended as a no-contact confidence-building exercise for youth. Lloyd said registration and permission forms are on Kankakee United's website and that transportation and program fees are covered for participants; parents must provide permission and pick children up after events.

Lloyd asked for community support and donations to sustain programming and listed ways for residents and organizations to get involved, including volunteering, attending events and making financial contributions.

Ending: Kankakee United urged residents to register on its website; officials said more details and donation information are available online. No city funding decision was discussed at the April 8 meeting.","Kankakee United presented a slate of youth-focused events the city will host or support during National Youth Violence Prevention Week, April 28–May 2, and requested community donations and volunteers.",{"_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},6085130,"Kankakee resident urges fee waiver and clearer ComEd coordination after March house fire",2374,106000,2480000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2904470-0ab651deb49bc0241fcc5d97ae171bef&start=106&end=2480","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2904470-0ab651deb49bc0241fcc5d97ae171bef/thumbnail_106000.jpg","/articles/6085130/Kankakee-City/Kankakee-County/Illinois/Kankakee-resident-urges-fee-waiver-and-clearer-ComEd-coordination-after-March-house-fire","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6085130-871e54b321b420d82ba41c6f1813b871/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179558&Signature=e0FOBwhp7NW-uZ8uwRcG0tuGbk4owylihR9nZz0p7slio14OjxCnJdQ6RbDNkltquYnG~IYxU~8AxsOPQYM3LPpLp6M8P2h0UBh67IHCTaclaLdhaH4r-5QcjAJNWyGKtO-aohytm0ZnP2lrvl-9KYhy1u1w2EOK1LzAXALoc-AzCS-0-yz2FMU0kiCmKgkmYU6uAUhwiPyQAmeRCc-eqdRvlFthijg8M1HJMB9nI3afUuiAoeo4aWF0SYmNWo688z~zlks68KT3BSlQ4smYPXJn35uC~qEvUDabZmpT1ywQejv~BiaC7R0Z68X6EihQHhp0ATAhTnyfFPwF7Babsw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Michelle Howard, a Kankakee resident, told the Kankakee City Public Safety meeting on April 8 that her family was displaced after a March 3 house fire and that city permitting and utility coordination added to the burden of recovery.

\"We had to pay a $50 fee to get that permit. When you have a fire like that, and if I was a single mom, you may not have that $50 to spare,\" Howard said, adding that the inspection-and-permit timeline would have left her without electricity for about a week and a half if a licensed electrician had not acted quickly.

Howard urged the city to create a hardship or forgiveness process for the $50 permit charge and to improve communication with ComEd so residents returning after a fire do not face delays in service restoration. \"It's just a little bit broken,\" she said.

Mayor (unnamed) and other officials responded during the meeting that the city would not leave displaced residents without immediate shelter or basic needs and noted existing practices such as hotel vouchers and Red Cross notification.

\"We notify the Red Cross when we have any fire. They can work with them. They give them vouchers,\" a fire official said during the discussion of immediate post-fire assistance. City staff also described an \"after the fire\" bag the city currently distributes with basic supplies and information for displaced households.

City officials said Director Nelson has been asked to pursue changes in code procedures. The mayor told the meeting he had spoken with Director Nelson after a separate economic development meeting and that staff would meet about expediting permit handling for emergency fire situations; a staff member said that would be discussed with code on Friday following the April 8 meeting.

City officials made clear that once a damaged property is returned to its owner, insurance and private contractors generally control repairs and boarding-up, but they said the city will try to create a contact list and clearer handoff process so homeowners can move more quickly through recovery.

Howard also praised the first responders who attended her fire, saying they made her family feel protected. \"The teams that you sent out to my house ... we felt very safe. We appreciate all of the work you guys did,\" she said.

Ending: Mayor and staff indicated they will pursue a code-level pathway to expedite permits and evaluate a hardship waiver tied specifically to fire incidents; no formal ordinance or fee-waiver policy was adopted at the April 8 meeting.","A Kankakee resident asked the city to waive a $50 inspection permit fee and improve communication with ComEd after a March 3 house fire left her displaced; city officials said staff will pursue an expedited protocol tied to fire incidents.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Kankakee fire department reports 691 March calls, $89,205.55 in bills; EMS and prevention programs highlighted

Kankakee police report staffing shortfall, expanded camera network; council approves $105,343.06 in bills

Kankakee United outlines events for National Youth Violence Prevention Week

Kankakee resident urges fee waiver and clearer ComEd coordination after March house fire