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Council tables proposed police‑code rewrite after questions about residency and command‑staff rules
Summary
The council postponed action on an ordinance to amend Chapter 27 (police code), citing concerns about residency language and command‑staff promotion rules; motion to table passed 10–2 to allow more review.
The Kankakee City Council on July 6 voted to table a proposed ordinance to update Chapter 27 of the municipal code, which would modernize policing language and adjust eligibility rules for command‑level promotion.
Mayor Christopher Curtis explained the rewrite cleans up language dating to the 1960s and noted a significant change under consideration: expanding the pool for command positions beyond lieutenants to include sergeants to reduce promotion bottlenecks given a reduced number of lieutenants. Several council members and legal advisers raised questions about residency provisions and details of the promotion language.
Alderman (who moved the motion) said they wanted a clearer understanding of process and impacts before finalizing the ordinance; another council member seconded. The motion to table carried 10 ayes and 2 nays. The mayor said the ordinance will be brought back after staff and legal review to address the concerns raised.
What’s next: staff will provide clarifications on residency language and promotion procedures; the ordinance will return to council after that review.
