Kankakee County board adopts balanced FY2026 budget despite loss of ICE bed‑rental revenue and ARPA phase‑out
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Summary
Kankakee County adopted its FY2026 combined annual budget and appropriation ordinance on Nov. 10 after officials described a plan they said balances increased costs and lost revenues tied to ARPA ending and a multiyear decline in bed‑rental receipts.
The Kankakee County Board voted on Nov. 10 to adopt the combined annual budget and appropriation ordinance for fiscal year 2026.
Board leaders said the budget was especially difficult this year because federal ARPA funding is ending and the county has seen a $26 million decline in bed‑rental revenue over the past four years, a reduction officials tied to the county’s inability to house ICE detainees. The chairman said those losses, combined with higher costs for health insurance and other services, required careful work from department heads and elected officials to produce a balanced budget.
"We're passing a balanced budget, which I think is even better news given all these variables," the chairman said. Officials reported the budget includes a fully funded $6 million courthouse renovation and $1.5 million allocated for river equipment; the overall number in the ordinance rose compared with last year largely because of those capital projects.
Finance staff and board members praised the collaboration across departments and warned that continued revenue volatility — including permit caps for certain energy projects — may put further pressure on county finances. The ordinance passed on a roll‑call vote.
