Council tightens rules for donation drop boxes, reduces total allowed and raises fee

The Kankakee City Council approved amendments to the municipal code regulating donation drop boxes, cutting the number allowed in the city, raising fees and restricting where boxes may be placed on a property.

Under the new rules, the city reduced the maximum number of registered donation boxes from 30 to 14 (two locations per ward) and requires boxes to be at least 1,500 feet apart. The ordinance raises the registration fee (the meeting record shows the fee was increased substantially from $100 to a higher fee; the final ordinance text should be consulted for the exact per-box amount) and requires boxes to be located at the side or rear of buildings rather than in front, to address aesthetic and litter concerns noted by council members.

Alderman Marzak introduced the amendments and reported they were recommended by committee. In discussion, council members cited unsightly collections of clothing and other items around some boxes and sought to preserve commercial and residential appearance. The council voted on suspension of the rules and moved the ordinance to final reading; the roll-call vote approving the ordinance on final reading was 13 ayes, 0 nays.

City staff said the permit change will be enforced administratively through the licensing process and that the new limit of two boxes per ward is intended to spread locations more evenly. The ordinance also states boxes must not be placed in front yards and must be located to the side or rear of buildings; the council noted the change aims to reduce litter and improve neighborhood appearance.

The meeting record does not include the exact new fee in the discussion text; the adopted ordinance should be consulted for the precise fee schedule and the implementation timeline.