City of Kankakee “Beyond the Bend” Comprehensive Plan
The City of Kankakee is looking into the future, and Beyond the Bend, as it develops a Comprehensive Plan to guide policy decisions on land use, community character, economic development, transportation, and infrastructure for the next 10 to 15 years. The plan will shape where future housing and businesses locate, how residents access amenities, and how the community grows while preserving what matters most to those who live, work, visit, and play here.
Building the Plan
The Beyond the Bend Comprehensive Plan is shaped by a five-phase process:
- Assess Community Conditions – We start with a current conditions analysis of land use, housing, the local economy, transportation, and infrastructure to understand where Kankakee stands today.
- Public Engagement – Through interviews, pop-up events, visioning activities, and this project website, we’ll gather input that shapes everything that follows.
- Community Vision – Community ideas and input feed directly into a shared vision, goals, and objectives crafted with residents, business owners, and local leaders.
- Define Preliminary Plan Opportunities – We’ll explore ideas for key areas of the City, from neighborhood subareas to economic development and infrastructure needs, testing them at open houses and online before they’re finalized.
- Draft Plan and Adoption – The process wraps up with a full draft of the Comprehensive Plan, refined through public review, a formal hearing, and ultimately adoption by City Council.
Get Involved
In the coming months, residents and community members are invited to help chart Kankakee’s course through public workshops, surveys, and open houses. This plan works best when it reflects the whole community, so we encourage everyone to get involved and help shape what’s ahead for the City of Kankakee.
Stay tuned to this site for updates on upcoming events, ways to share your input, and progress on the plan as it develops.