[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-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",6154846,"mediaKeyId","5482909-b67c124531341b09fcab62a13431ead6","parentId",5482909,"title","Sewer crews report pump failure at Lift Station 500, deploy bypass pump and consider grinder upgrade","audioSeconds",234,"startMs",733000,"endMs",967000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5482909-b67c124531341b09fcab62a13431ead6&start=733&end=967","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5482909-b67c124531341b09fcab62a13431ead6/thumbnail_733000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6154846/Kankakee-City/Kankakee-County/Illinois/Sewer-crews-report-pump-failure-at-Lift-Station-500-deploy-bypass-pump-and-consider-grinder-upgrade","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6154846-228b8a0944354be11db1b232280587b6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771063469&Signature=PBSlylE5iPy0mqovOQuRvCGTnFyROzW4OKh38n587CdDecp5IRwbEVDttNLPUEnGwzbHZugq-bMcfoKxik53zi7kmkPFzO4pF3dE~sSu467u8bZcjfe3p1NpWaRYE4AA10ixWuPx32L4O9jxkkgLJxb-rerqpfRDV6GwQJNMLamAZ1spifnUj9va28YMsHE7bPKUUCsJ75jGJMsEAoJOrHgyetfPnGp4ITZpzXYby5aYDal0iyaagPWcnPIMeBZ06s0bfWz9nOAwOeP0dZzzuHLVGYZOKCIwrKWwsM2Q~ghj4bPA-KFUzvqWEn9O~QIa6zj4sXoiVr5bIfO3yvn1RA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Kankakee, IL","date","2025-07-26T15:45:07.32Z","article","Sewer staff told the Environmental Services Utility Board on July 21 that Lift Station 500 experienced a pump failure after debris clogged the unit and caused the pump to burn out.
“ We had an issue out at, Lehi Station 500. We had some debris that got caught in 1 of the pumps. Locked it up. Overload switch, that's supposed to, stop that, when it drawn too much power to keep it from frying failed. So the pump pump, fried, ” said Superintendent Zach (sewer superintendent), describing the incident. Staff installed a bypass pump to restore flow while they consider options for a more robust solution.
Zach said the current lift station is built for Smith & Loveless pumps but staff are looking at modifications and alternate pumps that can better pass debris. “I think that that might be, the way to go,” Zach said, adding he is working on the solution for the current fiscal year. Committee members inquired whether the county would contribute to a grinder purchase; Zach said, “I haven't gotten that far yet.”
Staff also reported that crews worked with the fire department to remove heavy debris and a dock from a buoy line, which had created significant tension and a risk of equipment damage. Lab operations reported routine sampling with ongoing efforts to manage an odor/foaming problem at Gar Creek through pretreatment conversations with industries.
Why this matters: Lift‑station failures can disrupt collection system operations and require costly emergency repairs. Staff have already put a temporary fix in place and are evaluating a grinder purchase and station modifications to reduce the recurrence of debris‑related outages.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Kankakee - Environmental Services Utility Livestream","oneSentenceSummary","Sewer staff described a recent pump failure at Lift Station 500 after debris triggered an overload; a bypass pump was installed and staff said they are evaluating grinder options and larger pumps to reduce future debris problems.","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},6154851,"Committee approves $28,600 roller; crews report progress on milling, new grinder and targeted patching",2407,412000,2819000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5482909-b67c124531341b09fcab62a13431ead6&start=412&end=2819","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5482909-b67c124531341b09fcab62a13431ead6/thumbnail_412000.jpg","/articles/6154851/Kankakee-City/Kankakee-County/Illinois/Committee-approves-28600-roller-crews-report-progress-on-milling-new-grinder-and-targeted-patching","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6154851-6a4ed16134fc85db1a52e3fa0c164255/orig.mp4?Expires=1771063469&Signature=fH1TZbOH~Zahxha4FQMn3XafO1sllfXPcMunN3MmTwHQxtvkARhDMOJGt3l88sbRNMhWk~1NqAMT9uGiE5IJ0sxu87lYIgWr79XWeQDv8l2Q~1XoMgEOWWOpa5FaxD0DiLLXUMzZfWIaqynJM-xPFVlex74TP2KUkF5DyTX-akvk~~oghyyVrz9ixffZKPBSOlbYqcCBl2B1Z-3UshDteccW2fLbrOYCDwFRUOOBgud~4PZYArUTFc-woM3Av9aMC8QqPZUuEp7VK9eT3MBj5bCt-8tLL~LDiT5yF4p0WUYfHhQtpwOG69rp5tFWIAI0~F-gNi-OnsUGUq58eS24~Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Environmental Services Utility Board approved purchasing a 2013 Sakai vibrating double‑drum roller for $28,600 and heard a street‑maintenance update on July 21.
Alderman Jones moved to approve the roller purchase and Alderman Olsenga seconded; the committee recorded a 7‑0 vote in favor. Staff said the heavier vibrating roller will be used on city roads while a smaller roller will continue to support tar‑and‑chip alley work.
Mr. Lopez, the city’s street superintendent, told the committee the new milling/grinding process is gaining speed. “They did 60 ton in like 2 weeks, and now they're doing almost 60 ton a week,” Lopez said, describing the crew’s learning curve on the grinder and their manual follow‑up work. Lopez said crews are focusing on smaller patches — typically 10‑by‑20‑foot sections — and staying in a single ward for several weeks so residents see consistent progress.
Lopez also described a small project to fabricate an in‑house drag box to allow a skid steer to pull and lay asphalt more efficiently, reducing the need for manual shoveling. Staff said the tar‑and‑chip machine is being used in alleys with the smaller roller running behind it, while the larger new roller is intended for compacting ground and replaced asphalt on city streets.
Why this matters: the equipment purchase and process changes aim to increase life span of pavement repairs and reduce recurring pothole work by improving compaction and patch quality.","The ESU committee approved buying a 2013 Sakai vibrating double‑drum roller for $28,600 and heard progress reports on a new grinder/milling approach and a planned in‑house drag box to speed patching work.",{"_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},6154856,"ESU staff outline $4 million revenue bond plan to fund hydro plant and sewer lining",222,2780000,3002000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5482909-b67c124531341b09fcab62a13431ead6&start=2780&end=3002","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5482909-b67c124531341b09fcab62a13431ead6/thumbnail_2780000.jpg","/articles/6154856/Kankakee-City/Kankakee-County/Illinois/ESU-staff-outline-4-million-revenue-bond-plan-to-fund-hydro-plant-and-sewer-lining","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6154856-3387162b3bdeaa08bbf920f4a787cc46/orig.mp4?Expires=1771063469&Signature=i~WyAJJfUUKWtjXP1Km0sq5aMcW1dOGYVpI~2tXuP4~rq7X7~lE7cyjTgD~17YkPGJv-Kj46ump3-IxiRP0pLv2sS9BOj2uuX-bkjrIcB450azGbw85k-XHEIPX8kMJe05XYBNCAEgYewEc2abBRJ5zX6jpOCOVxneeAaVHx1K1UsVd4Lt6pgNdXOgqSsnCwVpO2DWsAFIA4kwhP6lUntsNKWevN6S~OoFRGhjXTZATuJFknAYlTSrGKRKzLpd16ohDJBoGL-WkXI5HIal3ycnXVSm1mPATSIZ0WkNSZLcxPQej0jBMUcq5GDPFayPnOy5DSOuiE5oagsdUTgx8WUQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Environmental Services Utility Board discussed a proposed $4 million revenue bond issuance at its July 21 meeting to fund the hydroelectric project and continued sewer infiltration and inflow (I&I) work.
Mayor Curtis summarized the proposed allocation: about $2,000,000 for the hydro plant, $1,500,000 for I&I and sewer lining work across basins over multiple summers, and $500,000 held as miscellaneous contingency for lift‑station repairs or other needs.
The committee heard a projected timetable: a first reading at city council on Aug. 4, a second reading Aug. 19, and a planned sale of bonds the week of Sept. 8. The city’s finance staff noted a typical repayment schedule would be 11 years for this issuance, though the city often issues longer obligations for other capital.
Comptroller Rogers identified an additional option: refinancing the city’s 2013B bonds if market conditions produce a sufficient interest‑rate advantage. As Rogers said in the meeting, “it's the 2013 B's. I just looked it up.” Staff reported a potential savings in the neighborhood of $100,000 if current rates allowed a refinance that met internal thresholds.
No committee vote on the bond measure occurred during the meeting; staff framed the presentation as informational and asked members to raise questions prior to committee and council readings. Staff emphasized the bond proceeds would allow the city to continue three more summers of I&I lining and to complete the hydro work while preserving the ESU operating cushion.
Why this matters: bond proceeds would accelerate infrastructure work and the hydro project but will add a debt service obligation; staff said refinancing could lower future debt costs if market conditions make it worthwhile.","Staff presented a plan to issue $4 million in revenue bonds to fund hydro plant completion and three summers of sewer I&I work; refinancing of 2013 bonds was discussed as a possible near‑term cost saver.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":91,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6154861,"Utility committee reviews $2.3 million ESU capital plan, moves budget to council",1488,1292000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5482909-b67c124531341b09fcab62a13431ead6&start=1292&end=2780","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5482909-b67c124531341b09fcab62a13431ead6/thumbnail_1292000.jpg","/articles/6154861/Kankakee-City/Kankakee-County/Illinois/Utility-committee-reviews-23-million-ESU-capital-plan-moves-budget-to-council","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6154861-a04c785fe43952880560763b90727f06/orig.mp4?Expires=1771063469&Signature=HIJ-MzqS-yB0Ob0atu3gjDgj6CnpAKPlAg6TYLO6nxs1MeeXHJDZPrJ09MdMprVgzS1L5N2PaO6bNH2v5e4caEPStpgvI2OiLPOEwi7zML2DouF40wXj~wiC4iI4lF3if1PsQVV09VaD4MCqtmtWBaOc~eq3wb3egA2fiiTeHLC9~YLG9EuU7ARPrzjlgT3Z2Q-tC4NhZOlCAgtO~zo1586e2R9E1pQmMjYOfIdueFoILre2Gcfzq-XJjOb~tUf0g5f~3tOxMGbRdDmokrN-LkpPuUXu~XYA4RMvJsbJDMWapTrxTHUnp1yq~yh8S3xNxALDR6K5vcRdt7Kg3uIimw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Environmental Services Utility Board reviewed the proposed fiscal 2025–26 budget and an attached capital list at its July 21 meeting and moved to recommend the budget to the full city council.
Comptroller Rogers, the utility’s finance lead, said, “Actual year to date expenses are currently 13.2% below budgeted or 847,846 less than budgeted.” That shortfall, plus revenue increases tied to rate changes, is driving the utility’s fiscal position as staff presented the proposed spending plan.
The plan includes roughly $2,308,000 in self-funded capital for the coming year, with line items staff highlighted in the committee packet. The list calls for building and property work (tuckpointing, seal coating), upgrades to the Amtrak waiting area, four used dump trucks and one new truck on order, a proposed salt‑barn rebuild, lift‑station repairs and a $150,000 entry for a grinder at Lift Station 500. The packet also shows $585,000 for work in Basin 9 — described in the meeting as manhole and I&I (inflow and infiltration) repairs — and a broader $1,500,000 placeholder for future sewer lining across basins in subsequent years.
City Manager (name not specified in the transcript) and Superintendent Newton were cited by the mayor as contributors to the budget development; the mayor asked committee members to prioritize projects that should be bonded versus those paid from cash on hand. The packet and discussion clarified that the $2.3 million in the capital list is intended to be paid from surplus and operating revenue rather than new bonding. The mayor said the city generally reserves bond proceeds for projects with long useful lives and prefers to use cash for shorter‑lived assets.
Capital highlights discussed:
• Amtrak waiting area: upgrades to doors, interior work and a potential QR‑code access system tied to ticketing to reduce after‑hours break‑ins. The work is presented as city improvements to the depot waiting area.
• Salt barn: an insurance payment of about $55,000 has been received for earlier damage; staff recommended budgeting an additional up to $75,000 so the rebuilt facility will be concrete‑based with a prefab cover (estimated total near $130,000 depending on options). Staff said the rebuild should start promptly so new salt deliveries can be stored before winter.
• Lift‑station and sewer work: the packet includes $150,000 for a grinder at Lift Station 500 and $585,000 programmed for Basin 9 manhole and lining work this year. Staff said the larger $1.5 million figure in the packet is for multi‑year I&I work in future summers.
• Vehicles and equipment: funding for several vehicle replacements, one new lab truck, software implementation and a $28,600 purchase for a heavier vibrating roller (separately approved in the meeting) were discussed.
Comptroller Rogers told the committee the revenue forecast for fiscal 2026 is $25,347,000 and that the ESU fund surplus is estimated at $745,704. The manager and comptroller noted that sewer treatment costs are rising and that industrial sewer rates were increased more than residential rates to better match cost responsibility.
Committee members asked about timing and funding. Alderman Johnson moved to recommend the ESU budget to full city council and Alderman Swanson seconded; the chair conducted a roll call after the motion. The transcript records the motion, second and roll call but does not record a final tally in the committee minutes provided.
Why this matters: the recommended budget steers more than $2 million of capital spending without additional bonding, and earmarks funds for sewer infrastructure and stormwater‑related repairs that affect rates and long‑term maintenance.
Members flagged several follow‑ups: confirm the overtime line item level, finalize the exact salt‑barn contract price and continue the more detailed procurement work for the Basin 9 lining project before city council consideration.","The Environmental Services Utility committee reviewed the proposed 2025–26 ESU budget and detailed a $2.3 million self-funded capital list including tuckpointing, a salt barn rebuild, lift‑station grinders and Basin 9 sewer work; committee members moved to recommend the budget to full city council and a roll call was held.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Sewer crews report pump failure at Lift Station 500, deploy bypass pump and consider grinder upgrade

Committee approves $28,600 roller; crews report progress on milling, new grinder and targeted patching

ESU staff outline $4 million revenue bond plan to fund hydro plant and sewer lining

Utility committee reviews $2.3 million ESU capital plan, moves budget to council