Kankakee council approves rezoning, contracts and settlements; gaming cafe conditional use cleared after mayor’s deciding vote

The Kankakee City Council on Sept. 2 approved a string of ordinances and resolutions covering zoning, contracts and settlement participation. Most measures passed with unanimous or large majorities at Tuesday’s meeting; one contested conditional-use decision required the mayor’s vote to carry.

Council members voted to rezone and approve a conditional-use permit for an automotive repair business at 205 North Paramount/Fairmont Avenue (ordinance PB2025-7-1). The planning director said the property had historically been used commercially and the planning board recommended approval with conditions; the council voted to suspend the rules and passed the ordinance on final reading, 14-0.

The council also rezoned 1076 East Maple Street from R-1 single-family to R-2 two-family residential (PB2025-8-3). Director King said the property had earlier been a legal two-family but lost its nonconforming status after a vacancy; the planning board recommended approval and the council approved the ordinance on final reading, 14-0.

A contested conditional-use permit for a gaming cafe at 604 North Entrance Avenue (PB2025-8-6) produced debate. Some aldermen opposed gaming cafes on equity and neighborhood-impact grounds; others argued the location would increase business-ownership diversity. The council’s recorded vote on final reading was seven ayes, six nays and one abstention; Mayor Curtis then cast the deciding vote in favor under city law, and the ordinance passed. The city attorney explained the mayor votes in specified circumstances and the mayor said he would cast his vote to resolve the split.

Council approved a resolution to award a $104,000 community-development block grant-funded demolition contract for Fifth Avenue to Alliance Demolition and Excavation Services Inc.; the company was the lowest responsive bidder and met federal contractor qualification requirements. The resolution passed by roll call.

The council renewed a three-year operating agreement among the Kankakee Riverfront Society Inc., the Kankakee Valley Park District and the City of Kankakee to continue partnership work on riverfront initiatives and associated master-plan projects.

In other business, the council authorized the city to participate in additional opioid settlement allocations with new defendants pursuant to state allocation agreements and approved multiple routine financial reports. The city bills totaling $1,017,560.54 and Environmental Services utility bills of $449,829.14 were approved by roll call; several members recorded individual abstentions on specific check numbers to avoid potential conflicts of interest but the overall tallies carried.

Several items that required only a single reading were passed under motions to suspend the rules; the meeting included standard committee reports and ceremonial resolutions honoring local residents and accomplishments.

Votes at a glance (select items) - PB2025-7-1 (Rezoning and conditional use, 205 N Paramount/Fairmont Ave): Passed (final reading) — 14 ayes, 0 nays. - PB2025-8-3 (Rezoning 1076 East Maple to R-2): Passed (final reading) — 14 ayes, 0 nays. - PB2025-8-6 (Conditional use for gaming cafe, 604 N Entrance Ave): Passed (final reading) — recorded 7 ayes, 6 nays, 1 abstention; Mayor Curtis cast deciding vote in favor; ordinance declared passed. - AB2025-8-2 (Conditional-use permit for shelter care facility, 970 E Court St): Motion to suspend rules failed (4 ayes, 10 nos); item postponed to subsequent meeting for second reading (see separate coverage). - Fifth Avenue demolition contract (Alliance Demolition & Excavation Services Inc.): Approved (resolution) — award using CDBG funds, contract amount $104,000. - Riverfront partnership agreement (Kankakee Riverfront Society / Kankakee Valley Park District / City): Approved (3-year agreement) — carried by roll call. - Opioid settlement participation (new defendants): Approved (resolution) — city opts in to additional defendant settlements pursuant to state allocation. - City bills (Report of officers): Approved — $1,017,560.54 (roll call; several abstentions recorded on specific checks).