Planning board backs Fortitude overnight shelter at 970 East Court with conditions

The City of Kankakee Planning Board recommended approval on Aug. 17 of a conditional use permit allowing Fortitude Community Outreach to operate an overnight shelter at 970 East Court Street, voting unanimously to send the proposal to City Council with conditions. The board attached requirements from the Fire Department, the Kankakee County Health Department and the city’s Code Enforcement division and limited the permit to a one-year review.

The vote follows a lengthy public hearing in which shelter operators and dozens of residents, service providers and elected officials gave testimony. Don Brewer, Fortitude’s executive director, and Jack Tyson, chairman of Fortitude’s board, described the organization’s plans and timeline for adding overnight beds. Brewer said Fortitude had previously sheltered people and is finishing remodel work so it can provide year‑round overnight sheltering in the fall. Tyson told the board the organization had solicited community input and had met with city representatives while preparing the project.

The case drew broad public comment. John Beavis, administrator of the Kankakee County Health Department, said homelessness is a county public‑health priority and asked the board to support Fortitude as “a first step” in a countywide continuum of care. “There is no one else locally ready, willing or able to help address this need in our community except for Fortitude at this time,” Beavis said. Sarah Howe, community services director for Catholic Charities, and Jeannette Tatro, who works at Thresholds, also endorsed the shelter and described Fortitude’s collaborative role in local homelessness services. Multiple residents and volunteers recounted experiences of homelessness or helping people in need and urged approval.

Several nearby residents and Alderman Michael Prude expressed opposition or asked for stronger safeguards. Prude said some neighbors were not consulted before Fortitude purchased the building and urged the organization to follow the initially discussed phasing plan that would start with daytime services. Cherry Malone Marshall presented a letter from a neighbor who lives directly adjacent and said the site is “ill suited” without comprehensive daytime programming, adding concerns about loitering and property use.

Fortitude representatives answered operational questions during the hearing. William Boykins, shelter director, said the facility would post admission and departure hours, require guests to leave by 8 a.m., and maintain at least one paid staff member overnight with volunteer support; capacity for phases was set in the conditions and final occupancy will be determined by the Fire Department. When asked about accepting intoxicated people, Fortitude’s spokesperson said the organization prefers to bring people inside to safety and relies on staff screening and behavior plans.

Planning Board member Deb Terrell made the motion to recommend approval and Jose Arturo Barajas seconded it. The board attached conditions including completion of all Fire and Health Department requirements before opening, provision of an operational plan addressing funding and staffing, limits on admission hours (admissions at 5:30 p.m., guests asked to leave by 8 a.m.), a minimum of one paid staff on site overnight, and landscaping/ screening requirements. The motion passed on a roll call vote with seven yes votes and no dissenting votes. The board’s action is a recommendation; final approval is reserved for the City Council.

The Planning Board chair said the case will likely appear on the City Council agenda on either Sept. 2 or Sept. 16. If City Council approves, the permit will be subject to the stated conditions and a required one‑year review.

Why it matters: Local providers and public‑health officials testified that Kankakee lacks an available overnight shelter and that Fortitude’s facility could fill a gap in emergency services. Neighbors and some city officials emphasized the need for robust operational controls, day services and clear supervision plans.

Additional procedural note: Planning Board members made clear that the recommendation carries conditions and that the council can accept or reject the board’s recommendation when the item is docketed.