Kankakee council approves ordinances on surplus property, parking, animal control and land-bank transfers; levy receives first reading

KANKAKEE, Ill. — The Kankakee City Council on Dec. 1 approved multiple ordinances and a resolution and set a public hearing on the city’s proposed 2025-26 property tax levy.

Council voted unanimously on a package of items including a second-reading ordinance declaring an Environmental Services Utility (ESU) boat surplus and authorizing its sale; an ordinance establishing handicap parking at 1120 South Washington Avenue (rescinding ordinance 2024-09); an ordinance adopting county animal-control ordinances and regulations to allow an intergovernmental animal-control contract to operate in the city (effective Jan. 1 if the county approves them); and an extension of a conditional-use permit related to a banquet hall at 1060 E. Birch St. Several items were approved after motions to suspend the rules and place ordinances on final reading. All recorded final votes on those items were 13 ayes, 0 nays.

The council also approved department bills: city bills totaling $1,124,870.67 and Environmental Services Utility bills totaling $558,950.29. During the roll calls one alderman listed specific vendor check numbers to avoid potential conflicts of interest; the overall motions carried.

On land-bank matters the council authorized administration to start transfer documents for two improved properties to the county Land Bank Authority (per ordinance 2022-41). Administration said the county land bank has grant capacity (discussed as roughly $450,000–$500,000) and can use up to $70,000 per improved property for exterior and rehabilitation work, with a public proposal process and MLS listings when properties are offered for sale.

The council extended an existing six-month moratorium tied to smoke shops and related licensing through Jan. 31, 2026, saying the committee and administration need additional time to refine recommendations.

The meeting closed with department updates and member remarks. Superintendent Newton reported the recent snow event generated roughly $25,000 in overtime and used about 250 tons of salt at an estimated $19,500. Alderman Audra Johnson recounted a sewer-service response that was completed the same day a resident reported a potential leak.

Votes at a glance - Minutes (Nov. 17, 2025): approved, 13–0. - City bills ($1,124,870.67): approved, 13–0 (one alderman listed vendor checks to avoid conflict). - ESU bills ($558,950.29): approved, 13–0 (one alderman listed vendor checks to avoid conflict). - Ordinance — surplus ESU boat (second reading): approved, 13–0. - Ordinance — handicap parking at 1120 S. Washington (suspend rules/final reading): approved, 13–0. - Ordinance — extend smoke-shop moratorium to Jan. 31, 2026: approved, 13–0. - Ordinance — adopt county animal-control ordinances (to enable contract): approved on council motion; effective Jan. 1 if county approves. - Ordinance — conditional-use extension for 1060 E. Birch St. (banquet hall): approved, 13–0. - Resolution — transfer two improved parcels to Land Bank Authority (per ordinance 2022-41): approved.

What’s next The council took no final action on the city’s property tax levy at the meeting; the levy ordinance received first reading and the council set a public hearing for Dec. 15 and a second reading at that meeting. Further committee work was requested on the smoke-shop moratorium and animal-control implementation.

(Reporting in this story is based on the meeting transcript and roll-call votes recorded during the Dec. 1, 2025 council meeting.)