Kankakee staff present RFP that could move recycling to three city drop‑off sites as garbage contract nears end
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Summary
City Manager presented a 21‑page RFP on Nov. 17 asking vendors for two options: the current curbside/ alley model and an alternative that would move recycling to three city‑owned centralized sites; proposals are due Dec. 2 and the council will consider a recommendation at the Dec. 15 meeting. Contract currently in place expires Dec. 31.
Kankakee City officials on Nov. 17 unveiled a new request for proposals to rework the city’s garbage, yard waste and recycling contract, including an option that would eliminate curbside recycling and instead provide three city‑owned, camera‑monitored recycling drop‑off sites.
City Manager (unidentified) told the Environmental Services Utility Board that the RFP asks vendors for two service models: the status quo — weekly garbage pickup with every‑other‑week curbside recycling — and an alternative that would require residents to bring recyclables to three centralized city sites. “We are trying to seek out what we consider the best options for the City Of Kankakee for everybody,” the City Manager said during the presentation.
Why it matters: the city’s current collection contract expires Dec. 31, 2025. Staff said changing how recycling is handled could affect costs and resident experience; the RFP seeks proposals that include financial protections for the city (bonds or letters of credit), quarterly reporting, and provisions for repairs to streets or curbs damaged by haulers.
Key details: The RFP was posted last week and includes the two options and additional protections. A pre‑proposal meeting is scheduled the week of the notice, proposals are due Tuesday, Dec. 2 at 10:00 a.m., and staff plan to review submissions and bring a recommended contract to the full city council at its Dec. 15 meeting. The administration is seeking a five‑year contract term in the RFP.
Council members asked how the alternative would affect residents and enforcement. Alderman Johnson asked, “If on the December 15 if the council doesn't approve it, doesn't our current contract end at the end of the year?” The City Manager replied that staff would seek to work with the current vendor if council did not approve a replacement contract on Dec. 15.
Staff emphasized the challenges in current recycling markets and contamination of recyclable materials and asked vendors to propose education and auditing approaches. The RFP requires quarterly reporting on service and complaint metrics, and includes language to hold haulers responsible for damage to curbs or streets; staff said those repairs could be funded from a vendor bond or letter of credit.
Next steps: Vendors’ proposals are due Dec. 2; staff will review and present a recommended contract at the Dec. 15 council meeting. If council does not act on the 15th, staff said they would attempt to negotiate with the incumbent provider to avoid service interruption when the existing contract expires Dec. 31.
