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Kankakee County accepts IHDA Strong Communities funds to acquire, rehab or demolish up to 15 land‑bank properties
Summary
The board approved accepting Illinois Housing Development Authority Strong Communities Program round 2 funds to work on up to 15 land bank properties, with maximum per‑property caps noted; planning staff urged prioritizing rehabilitation over demolition.
Kankakee County’s board on Nov. 10 voted to accept funds from the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) Strong Communities Program round 2 to acquire, rehabilitate or demolish up to 15 potential land‑bank properties.
Ben, a planning staff member presenting the resolution, described the award as an "a la carte menu" with maximums of up to $5,000 for acquisition, $40,000 for demolition and up to $75,000 for rehabilitation per property; he noted the county does not expect to spend the maximum amounts on every parcel and will tailor work to property condition.
Ben said the grant balance and prior expenditures were under review and encouraged working closely with the land bank board to place properties back on the tax rolls or connect them with neighboring owners when rehabilitation is feasible. Board members urged a preference for rehabbing structures when reasonable and noted some properties likely require demolition. The resolution passed on a roll‑call vote.
