The City of Kankakee is looking Beyond the Bend, developing a Comprehensive Plan to guide policy decisions related to land use, community character, economic development, transportation, and infrastructure for the next 10-15 years. This plan will help shape where future housing and businesses are located, how community members access amenities, and how the community grows while preserving what matters most to residents.
We encourage everyone to get involved and help envision the future of Kankakee. Sign up for updates on the project and to learn how to get involved!
Project FAQs
The answers you were looking for! Review the FAQs below to learn more about the comprehensive plan, purpose, and process. This page may grow over the course of the project to reflect answers to questions that arise from community input. Have a question that is not here? Submit it via the contact page.
What is a comprehensive plan?
A Comprehensive Plan is a roadmap for managing change and shaping the future. It fuses findings from community outreach with data and local analysis to create a framework for proactive decision-making.
What topics will be covered in the plan?
Topics will include: land use; transportation; housing; economic development; and implementation.
How will plan priorities be determined?
Priorities are shaped by findings from: (1) public input to understand shared goals, (2) analysis of data and City conditions, and (3) experience and expertise of the planning team. Insight and input from residents, elected officials, organizations, and staff will inform the big picture and guiding principles of the Comprehensive Plan.
Who is involved in the planning process?
First and foremost, the City of Kankakee residents! This is your plan and we hope to have participation from as many residents, business owners, and organizations as possible. City staff and the Project Committee are taking the lead of the planning process, with technical assistance from our consultant, Teska Associates, Inc.
How will the plan get used?
The Adopted Plan will serve as a tool for decision makers. It often comes into play at budgeting times when deciding how to allocate City resources, and with policy decisions that shape quality of life. Both the planning process and outcome (the document itself) initiate proactive discussions to avoid reactive debates when issues arise.
How do I get involved?
Be sure you are subscribed to the project website to stay up-to-date on all Comprehensive Plan news and get notified when there are meetings, events, and draft documents for review. Start sharing ideas by visiting the comment map today!
