Kankakee council hears first reading of 2025-26 property tax levy, projects lower tax rate

KANKAKEE, Ill. — City officials presented the first reading of the ordinance to levy property taxes for the fiscal year beginning May 1, 2025, at the Kankakee City Council meeting on Dec. 1.

Mayor Curtis told the council the city’s equalized assessed value (EAV) is projected to rise by roughly $35 million from last year and that the administration is proposing a tax rate cut to 3.971%. "We're reducing it to 3.971% — that is the lowest tax rate we have had since 2007," the mayor said during his presentation. The mayor said the city would increase debt-service requirements by about $178,000 but still expects to reduce the overall tax rate.

Officials noted the corporate levy is approximately $1,000,000 and described a strategy of using EAV growth and modest levy increases (about a 2.5% levy increase was referenced) to help balance the budget for the fiscal year starting May 1, 2026. The city emphasized that final action will follow required public notice and hearings.

Comptroller Rogers and city staff told members they would publish the levy as required by state statute, hold a public hearing on Dec. 15 and bring the ordinance back for second reading and possible final passage at that meeting. Mayor Curtis said the administration expects these steps to result in a balanced budget for the coming fiscal year.

No vote was taken on the levy at the Dec. 1 meeting; council members were urged to review the packet and bring questions to the budget meeting prior to the public hearing.

Next steps The council set a public hearing on the levy for Dec. 15 and scheduled a second reading and potential final vote that evening. Community members will be able to attend or submit questions at the hearing as provided by statute.

This article is based on council remarks and roll-call records published in the Dec. 1 meeting transcript.