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Kankakee City code office reports surge in permits; staff say delays mainly due to incomplete filings
Summary
Kankakee City code staff told the board they processed an unusually large volume of permits — cited roughly 1,200 in a single month — and said most reported delays were caused by incomplete contractor filings; staff said they notify applicants by phone and document calls.
Kankakee City’s code office reported an unusually large spike in permit activity and defended its turnaround practices as members raised complaints about delays.
“Only that we have been busy,” the Director said during the meeting, summarizing recent enforcement and permitting activity. Staff directed the board to packet pages listing tickets and monthly permits; staff said some adjudication occurred in court that day and that they had processed a high volume of permits — discussed by participants as roughly “1,200 in one month.”
The board pressed staff on reports that permits were taking weeks to issue. “It wasn't 3 weeks. It was 3 days,” a member said after checking with staff. The Director and other staff said delays most often stemmed from incomplete submissions or contractors who were not registered, not from internal backlog. Staff described their notification practice: when a permit is ready they call and leave a voicemail and write on the back of the permit to document the call rather than using email.
Members and staff emphasized the workload involved. “We did it in one month,” the Director said of the recent permit processing, underscoring the increased tempo compared with previous months.
Why it matters: permit volume affects turnaround times for homeowners and contractors and can shape public perceptions of the city’s responsiveness. Board members said they want clarity when residents report delays; staff asked that residents check voicemail and pickup notices since the office documents calls when permits are ready.
The meeting did not have a quorum, so the report was received for information and no formal action was taken. The Chair said staff would continue to respond to complaints and follow existing notification procedures.
