[{"_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",6751160,"mediaKeyId","5344719-c6395a3101d7565b7b8dc3b261a0b23e","parentId",5344719,"title","Kankakee County Board approves construction manager, authorizes $6 million state grant for courthouse improvements","audioSeconds",624,"startMs",3420000,"endMs",4044000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5344719-c6395a3101d7565b7b8dc3b261a0b23e&start=3420&end=4044","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5344719-c6395a3101d7565b7b8dc3b261a0b23e/thumbnail_3420000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6751160/Kankakee-County/Illinois/Kankakee-County-Board-approves-construction-manager-authorizes-6-million-state-grant-for-courthouse-improvements","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6751160-3e3a13f2cfd510097a578cea593adbb6/orig.mp4?Expires=1773531775&Signature=IArJhg09hg5uY81wOtXWRFDsca17ee5~QPggkCkfw9yQTt-urvGA4afR98MI2XUg3BN4kXEZe-KV9yK4c1hom0jfxLCyMpd7QVoEQoQlh8UVNwMHfpNtoYede8nLa4pOQxwUxVB4eikObxqyF9dNk4VVVJ2Cw4AO1a6jwFS5EL-HGPK3SriCt0SyBsgXzwpk3X~k~KoMVKo-LTeehLXYu7kjJLVxFW9lL68pM61E2zptVkBeQVocACDK7FsBS~g6TJK-MHE6FjDVejrO-kH40eIPRKEQo9nd2ZRl7CNZNVlG7SsgJu5tX9jWAqCIC7cMJcNkBXJqo7ubbjId10VRkA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Kankakee County, IL","date","2025-07-10T02:19:07.187Z","article","The Kankakee County Board on July 8 voted to authorize the county board chairman to sign an agreement with \"fair construction\" for capital improvements at the Kankakee County Courthouse and approved acceptance/amendment authority for a $6,000,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to fund the work.

The board’s highway, waterways and buildings committee said it vetted four construction managers and spent substantial time interviewing finalists; committee members described the selection as a competitive process and noted the selected firm has personnel who live in Kankakee County and a local office in Bradley. Ben (county staff) told the board the firm has worked at local projects, including a current $4.2 million project at KCC and larger historical renovations.

During a full-board discussion several members and a public commentator raised concerns about maximizing opportunities for local subcontractors and the potential cost impact of bringing in labor from outside the county. County counsel cautioned that restricting bidders by geography can be legally problematic and said the county’s procurement practice is to select the lowest responsible bidder on discrete trade contracts while encouraging outreach to local firms. The board discussed asking the construction manager to distribute bid packets to a list of local contractors.

The board also approved a parallel resolution authorizing the county board chairman to execute and amend the grant agreement with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for the courthouse capital improvements. Ben said the grant totals $6,000,000 and that authorizing the chairman to sign amendments will allow the county to manage end-date or scope adjustments as needed for the reimbursement grant.

Votes at the July 8 meeting were recorded by roll call; the construction manager resolution carried and the grant-authority resolution carried as read.

The county plans to return to the board in coming months with contract details and, later, with procurement results from the construction manager’s competitive bid process.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Kankakee County Board Meeting 7/8/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Kankakee County Board on July 8 voted to authorize the county board chairman to sign an agreement with \"fair construction\" for capital improvements at the Kankakee County Courthouse and approved acceptance/amendment authority for a $6,000,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to fund the work.","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},6751155,"County staff warns rising pharmacy and high-cost claims drove health plan to 131% loss ratio through May",511,1813000,2324000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5344719-c6395a3101d7565b7b8dc3b261a0b23e&start=1813&end=2324","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5344719-c6395a3101d7565b7b8dc3b261a0b23e/thumbnail_1813000.jpg","/articles/6751155/Kankakee-County/Illinois/County-staff-warns-rising-pharmacy-and-high-cost-claims-drove-health-plan-to-131-loss-ratio-through-May","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6751155-5b61ed7cf98b6155724be45e67df4cfb/orig.mp4?Expires=1773531774&Signature=hwko4j0PrSLLZvwhm6t-XMVxoA~RzYevZiQCyaU2F-vmlAxIHENTPe8plLDBMNtOMYunFNSt49blTPZWc-nENKncnlMXiX2zDeZNe-ijlquxPnygflvVxvtk1ZtnWABJhFpg2gTi2~SJ0aE6S9LstOQJjoHnfeGlXQFe-WC4nTU0sufzvyehx6Te457hGi2EJ5hqPnV2yy6dwDDiu5Bn9FVXnH0FmaH4sdSqlUG2Icr9VBQ0wQB4CBy97VZCBacDyoAoKeudFMmoQK2bZV4q4Du8Egwv0yv1OWjJcynp8chva0bQgxEMVslyICflddG8qXo05MrObgNcG79yq155XQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County staff briefed the Kankakee County Board on July 8 on the county’s group health plan performance through May 2025, reporting about $7.13 million in premiums paid and roughly $9.34 million in claims paid (medical and pharmacy combined), which the presenters described as a medical/pharmacy loss ratio near 131%.

Mike Lynch (presenting) explained that the plan covers roughly 417 employees and about 884 dependents and that the county’s stop‑loss reinsurance covers claims individually over $110,000. Lynch said a small number of very high-cost claimants and sharp increases in pharmacy spending — particularly nonspecialty GLP-1 drugs (for example, brand names discussed generically in the presentation) and specialty biologic drugs — accounted for much of the cost increase. He presented a per‑member‑per‑month cost increase and said the county’s year-to-date paid claims included one month with an anomaly that reflected a large claim that hit in May.

Lynch and Anita Speckman told the board staff will seek competitive renewals and intends to issue RFPs to approximately seven carriers; renewal pricing was expected in mid‑ to late August. Board members asked whether the $9.34 million figure represented paid amounts or billed charges; presenters confirmed the number represented claims paid under existing contracts. Lynch also noted that some high-cost members have since left the plan and underwriting adjustments will remove them from renewal calculations.

County leaders said they were briefing the board ahead of budget deliberations because the county generally bears 75% of premium costs with employees paying 25% and the increase would affect the county’s 2026 budget if trends continue. Lynch said Blue Cross’s stop‑loss arrangement mitigates extremely large individual claims above the $110,000 threshold but does not eliminate the plan’s exposure to rising pharmacy costs.

The board received the presentation and requested staff continue to pursue competitive quotes and return in August/September with renewal options and financial implications for the 2026 budget.","County staff told the Kankakee County Board that the employee group health plan showed about $7.13 million in premiums and roughly $9.34 million in paid claims through May 2025, producing a medical and pharmacy loss ratio near 131%.",{"_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},6751145,"Votes at a glance: County board approves grants, honorary roadway, hovercraft purchase and declares District 10 vacancy",836,3980000,4816000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5344719-c6395a3101d7565b7b8dc3b261a0b23e&start=3980&end=4816","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5344719-c6395a3101d7565b7b8dc3b261a0b23e/thumbnail_3980000.jpg","/articles/6751145/Kankakee-County/Illinois/Votes-at-a-glance-County-board-approves-grants-honorary-roadway-hovercraft-purchase-and-declares-District-10-vacancy","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6751145-cb4aef5b168f6664ad8bbed08e68d60a/orig.mp4?Expires=1773531774&Signature=U-81n6PAz6qU-wRTBNU8HVzTXxooO9l2xLmpF0h2gz6WmBNHmN-L1NmrSJHOS17zVAf2i2uR4F2WcuVNuEmeVRJiXwPK8uxFplmL59Hph2xhTi9Uk2EPnOKSKpJg4oh5aHSQIj5w82lePWIL07nUnbfHvL7cOC0mkpDxPCXW5~-TSMw2PdXN6jEnvBVV3UZN5YWv-6am8YfpMwVRm44u1kdKdQwFUkJuIpBJX1bxHWaZqDa6wt7H7ml06uIY6qKBlcyW3Spqq2DSlG2WUzTQgWCQDi-LoCvAFm-Y-pOWFr7GeAzW0eomO3ZjQmVGvtXp8fex8xO3t8rvoKaP6t5vdw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Kankakee County Board on July 8 approved multiple resolutions and recorded roll-call votes and voice votes on routine and grant-related items. Key outcomes included:

• Construction manager and DCEO grant authority: Board approved a resolution authorizing the county chair to sign an agreement with \"fair construction\" for courthouse capital improvements and separately approved the county chair’s authority to execute and amend a $6,000,000 grant agreement with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. (Committee vetting and procurement discussion preceded the votes.)

• Honorary roadway: The board designated County Highway 24500 South between 16000 East Road and 17000 East Road as honorary George Washington Jr. Roadway; motion carried by voice vote.

• Hovercraft purchase: The board authorized expenditure from the river equipment grant fund (Fund 931) to purchase a hovercraft for use by county fire protection districts; the resolution set a not-to-exceed amount of $75,000 and requires an intergovernmental agreement specifying custody, insurance and maintenance responsibilities.

• IHDA Strong Communities grant and land-bank acquisitions: The board approved a modification/extension to a Strong Communities Round 2 grant (original award cited as $487,000) and separately accepted IHDA funds for acquisition of four land bank properties; county staff said the extension will allow additional time for acquisition and demolition/renovation activities.

• Consent agenda and appointments: The consent agenda, including multiple reappointments to boards and commissions and disposal of surplus equipment for the State’s Attorney’s Office, was approved by roll call.

• Claims committee: The board approved the claims committee report for May 2025, recommending payment of $8,836,093.54 in claims.

• District 10 vacancy declared: The board formally declared a vacancy in County Board District 10 after noting the prior occupant had failed to file required economic interest forms and subsequently resigned; county administration will notify the relevant political parties and proceed under state law to fill the vacancy by appointment with the chairman’s selection subject to advice and consent of the board within statutory timelines.

Individual roll-call records and motions were entered on the record for each resolution as presented in the meeting minutes.","The Kankakee County Board approved several grant and procurement resolutions, a hovercraft purchase for river response, an honorary roadway designation, and declared a vacancy in District 10 at its July 8 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},6751150,"Birth to 5 Illinois Region 32 outlines early‑childhood needs for Kankakee and Iroquois counties, seeks council members",662,1177000,1839000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5344719-c6395a3101d7565b7b8dc3b261a0b23e&start=1177&end=1839","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5344719-c6395a3101d7565b7b8dc3b261a0b23e/thumbnail_1177000.jpg","/articles/6751150/Kankakee-County/Illinois/Birth-to-5-Illinois-Region-32-outlines-earlychildhood-needs-for-Kankakee-and-Iroquois-counties-seeks-council-members","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6751150-df1f36eecd34a948cf977b097ac61244/orig.mp4?Expires=1773531774&Signature=OZhYibttIPh2bYwocO1F3zDioRanQUo2kMiQK1cVdT4EHkzUKdSehfLwFQ8GxZi3j8uWBhWx4OW349Dfp29gDA94vWsy9zeBzsezqb0~slfdOZ2Z9qIiXqfjsVcUmhO76uivGpDFzb7pi6EGrszaT4F51pxmuQMNc3bsQInArS3mYnwKPc9-pX2KuD3yEW4SIPg23EXw4EP~MoNbQMvFiYX0yX1lef8InwxUB6ypGQnADEkj9qq~X6WKQ2cfTFReHIuDtSuB-wysKsdfCgI6nKtUho5LdVTwM5X4iZGxGk5z27TKqkA-XYMsYICuNWiWt8CYKNfYKCl2ik-O9851sA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Liz Gibson, regional council manager for Birth to 5 Illinois Region 32, told the board the regional office covers Kankakee and Iroquois counties and has produced a local early‑childhood needs assessment and regional action plan. \"We support the mobilization of our communities so we can build and sustain equitable access to inclusive high quality early childhood services for all children in the state of Illinois,\" Gibson said.

Gibson described two prioritized recommendations for the region: (1) establish a centralized community network for early‑childhood information and referrals to increase awareness and access, and (2) expand awareness and wraparound mental and behavioral health supports for families and professionals who work with young children. She said the regional office does not provide direct services but works through local partners to implement solutions and that reports and data specific to Kankakee and Iroquois counties are available in handouts provided to the board.

Gibson invited board members and community partners to apply to the region’s Action and Family Councils; interest forms are being accepted through Sept. 5 and the region maintains a local office in Bradley, Illinois. She encouraged continued collaboration with local stakeholders and noted Birth to 5 Illinois supports implementation of the new Illinois Department of Early Childhood at the state level with local input.

Board members received the presentation; no vote was required.","Birth to 5 Illinois Region 32 presented a regional needs assessment and action plan priorities, urging local engagement and recruitment for action and family councils. The region prioritized creating a centralized referral network and expanding mental and behavioral health wraparound supports for young children and families.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Kankakee County Board approves construction manager, authorizes $6 million state grant for courthouse improvements

County staff warns rising pharmacy and high-cost claims drove health plan to 131% loss ratio through May

Votes at a glance: County board approves grants, honorary roadway, hovercraft purchase and declares District 10 vacancy

Birth to 5 Illinois Region 32 outlines early‑childhood needs for Kankakee and Iroquois counties, seeks council members