Cities United conducts influence tour in Kankakee and other U.S. cities

The City of Kankakee's Public Safety Committee convened on July 9, 2025, to discuss various initiatives aimed at enhancing community safety and well-being. The meeting featured Sarah Bentley, an evaluation consultant from Vividus Labs, who is part of the Cities United initiative. Bentley shared insights from her travels to various communities, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in addressing public safety challenges.

Bentley highlighted that Cities United is currently visiting 20 communities, including notable locations such as Austin, Texas, and West Palm Beach, Florida. She noted that Kankakee is among the smaller cities involved in this initiative, which aims to tackle common issues faced by urban areas, particularly those related to youth safety and community health.

During the meeting, Alderman Jones inquired about the common problems observed across the visited communities. Bentley responded that many of the challenges are similar to those faced in Kankakee, indicating a widespread need for effective strategies to improve safety and support for young people.

The discussion underscored the significance of understanding local data and fostering partnerships with counties to address these issues comprehensively. Bentley expressed gratitude for the opportunity to engage with Kankakee and emphasized the value of learning from both large and small cities in their collective efforts to enhance public safety.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to continue exploring collaborative solutions and sharing resources among participating communities, reinforcing Kankakee's role in the broader network of cities working towards safer environments for their residents.