SOUTH CHICAGO SUBURBS
KANKAKEE COUNTY, IL
County Offices
189 East Court Street
Kankakee, IL 815-937-3642
www.k3county.net
Chamber of Commerce
200 East Court Street
Kankakee, IL 815-351-9068
www.kankakeecountychamber.com
The lovely Kankakee River Valley is conveniently located just 45 miles south of Chicago, linked to the metropolitan region by Interstate 57. Routes 45/52, 50 and 17 also serve residents of Kankakee County, prompting the local visitor’s bureau to adopt the slogan: “The Kankakee River Valley is easy to find and hard to leave.” Just 60 minutes away from the Loop and downtown Chicago, this vast area boasts abundant natural resources, fertile agricultural land, virtually unlimited opportunities for outdoor enjoyment and recreation, and a first-class environment for business and industry. The lion’s share of the population in Kankakee County is centralized in the closely aligned cities of Kankakee, Bradley, and Bourbonnais. In recent years, however, growth and development are increasing in the smaller outlying communities.
Services
Newcomers to Kankakee County will discover a world of educational opportunity on every academic level. In fact, a report from the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education listed Illinois among the best states for college preparation and participation as well as affordability. In addition to quality public and private schools from preschool through 12th grade, the county provides an affordable start on a four-year degree at Kankakee Community College in Kankakee. KCC’s office of Corporate and Continuing Education serves as a hub of training solutions for local businesses, and many customized programs are offered at the KCC Workforce Development Center. The college plays a vital role in the community, providing cultural and educational enrichment but also public enjoyment of many activities and special programs. Bourbonnais features the beautiful campus of the private Olivet Nazarene University, ranked among the nation’s premier Christian colleges.
State-of-the-art healthcare is anchored in Kankakee County by Riverside HealthCare and the Provena Health system of services and facilities. The flagship Provena facility is St. Mary’s Hospital, a 210-bed licensed healthcare ministry that was founded more than a century ago. Medical centers, a total wellness center, an occupational health center, and Provena Home Care are included in the comprehensive network. Kankakee is also home to Provena Heritage Village and the Provena Intergenerational Center. Riverside Medical Center provides a 336-bed regional hospital in Kankakee and is home to the Rush-Riverside Heart Center, ranked among the top five percent in the nation for advanced heart surgery. A spiritual healing garden, skilled nursing care, and senior living facilities are other supportive services on campus. The Bourbonnais campus adds the Riverside Health Fitness Center, the only medically-based wellness center in the area, and the Rush-Riverside Cancer Institute among other resources.
Lifestyle
Chicago residents have been escaping 45 minutes south to Kankakee County destinations for decades. In fact, the county welcomed throngs of weekend vacationers during Chicago’s “golden age.” Today, this beautiful rural region still welcomes visitors but also an increasing number of new residents. Recreational amenities and activities are some of the finest in the Midwest, crowned by natural features like the rolling Kankakee River and the Kankakee River State Park. More than a dozen miles of paved walking paths meander along the water’s edge in this tranquil riverside retreat, where biking, canoeing, and horseback riding join hiking as popular pastimes. Golf courses, tennis courts, acres of lush parks, sports fields and courts, picnic areas, highly developed parks and recreation departments, and unique attractions encourage an active lifestyle. Hague Quarry has been transformed from an old spring-fed mine into an inland scuba-diving destination, while Perry Farm Park draws visitors to nature areas, fishing, historic features, scenic trails, and winter cross-country skiing. Riding stables, events at the Kankakee Fairgrounds, canoe trips, farmer markets, skydiving, and the thrill of Kankakee Motor Speedway are just a few of the eclectic attractions.
Grand architecture from yesterday combines with fine museums to showcase a proud history. The Kankakee Model Railroad Club and Museum is a shrine to miniature railways, appropriately housed in a vintage train station graced by a 1947 Pullman rail car. Outstanding cultural attractions are close to home, including talented performance groups and theatre for all ages. Shopping is available at Northfield Square Mall in Bradley and several other well-developed centers and plazas, complemented by scattering of unique boutiques and shops that include antiques and fine art for hunters of collectibles. Scores of locally owned and national chain restaurants and cafes add to the charm of welcoming and friendly communities. The housing is as attractive as the countryside, offering everything from small farms and well-kept older homes to elegant estates and vibrant new subdivisions. Around every corner, Kankakee County never fails to delight—and surprise.
Bourbonnais
Municipal Offices
815-937-3570
www.villageofbourbonnais.com
Famous as the “summer home of the Chicago Bears” major league baseball team, the village of Bourbonnais is a growing community with a proud past that dates back to the 1800s. The village maintains more than 100 acres of parkland offering activities from passive to active, including basketball courts, tennis courts, picnic shelters, bike trails, and river access. One of the celebrations that draws the residents of the village together each year and attracts throngs of visitors is the annual Friendship Festival. A favorite since 1975 when it marked the centennial of the village, this extravaganza fills five days with non-stop entertainment and activities including a 90-minute grand parade. The presence of Olivet Nazarene University adds a college-town flavor to the village, crowning the area’s historic preservation with its own majestic buildings and lush campus. The university enriches the region culturally as well as intellectually.
Bradley
Municipal Offices
815-932-2125
www.bradleyil.org
“Proud of our past…focused on the future” is the chosen slogan of the progressive village of Bradley. Located approximately 60 miles south of Chicago via Interstate 57, the village has emerged as a retail hub for Kankakee County. Several large developments are anchored by the Northfield Square Mall, combining department stores with specialty shops, national retailers, restaurants, eateries, and entertainment centers. Water Tower Plaza, Bradley Square, and the Village Square Shopping Center add scores of additional shops and services. Throughout the older business districts of the village, residents and visitors delight in one-of-a-kind boutiques and hidden treasures. This growing community provides a balanced mix of industrial, commercial, and residential developments. Planners are committed to controlled growth that provides the highest possible quality of life yet preserves the friendly hometown atmosphere that gives the village an undeniable appeal.
Grant Park
Municipal Offices
815-465-6531
www.grantpark-il.org
Chamber of Commerce
815-465-6531
www.grantparkchamber.org
Residents of Grant Park find it amusing when visitors confuse their small village with Chicago’s Grant Park. This serene, friendly, and growing community in northeastern Kankakee County is just seven miles from the Indiana state border and five miles south of Will County. The trip to Chicago is approximately 50 minutes to the north. Grant Park provides a wonderful escape to country pleasures and a slower pace, crowned by small-town intimacy and simple pleasures. Founded as an agricultural center, Grant Park is slowly evolving into a charming and quaint community with a progressive attitude about business development. Historic architecture contrasts with newer construction for unique visual appeal in this village where neighbors tend to become life-long friends. Relaxing at the park, attending local events, and enjoying golf at nearby Minne Monesse Golf Course are all popular pastimes.
Kankakee
Municipal Offices
815-933-0480
www.citykankakee-il.com
Chamber of Commerce
815-351-9068
www.kankakeecountychamber.com
The county seat of Kankakee is also a major center for commerce, education, culture, and healthcare for Kankakee County residents. Blending rural and suburban influences, the city features the natural beauty of the Kankakee River as it meanders through the community to form a scenic backdrop for daily life and recreation. The Kankakee Valley Symphony Orchestra, Kankakee Valley Theatre, the Kankakee County Historical and Art Museum, the Riverview Historic District, Kankakee Community College, and impressive regional healthcare centers are a few of the unique amenities that give the city its unique vitality. Concerts in the park and Lunch on the Square add a hometown flavor, bringing friends and neighbors together frequently. The city is well-known for its grand architecture and historic preservation, crowned by the 1912 courthouse with a dome mural depicting scenes of local history and the Downtown Historic Church Walking Tour. Kankakee is also proud to be the historic home of the original “Dairy Queen” founded by Sherb Noble.
Limestone Township
Municipal Offices
815-928-7857
https://www.toi.org/township/kankakee-county-limestone-township
Chamber of Commerce
815-351-9068
www.kankakeecountychamber.com
Fast-growing Limestone Township at the edge of Kankakee expands the options for country living just minutes from urban amenities. This sleepy bedroom community offers a picturesque landscape for residential development, bordered by farmland, green space, and the scenic Kankakee River. The township covers nearly 42 square miles, providing abundant resources and land for continued development. The quarrying of limestone actually began in this area in the 1850s and played a significant role in the area’s development. Many residents of the township are relatives of the first settling families, welcoming newcomers to their tranquil agricultural and residential community. One of the advantages of living in Limestone Township is the world of nearby urban amenities in Kankakee, Bradley, and Bourbonnais.
Manteno
Municipal Offices
815-929-4800
www.villageofmanteno.com
Chamber of Commerce
815-468-6226
www.mantenochamber.com
The village of Manteno provides a small-town atmosphere with a progressive attitude, inviting commuters to return from the bustle of urban employment to the serenity of a friendly bedroom community. Local attractions include the Manteno’s Farmers Market, a cornucopia of produce, plants, homemade specialty products, and foods from area farmers. The Manteno Historical Society Museum proudly displays artifacts and memorabilia from the community’s past, accented by a one-room schoolhouse and a horse-drawn doctor’s buggy. The recreational centerpiece of the village is a challenging 18-hole golf course and learning center that includes a driving range and putting practice area. The Manteno Golf Club provides many golfing activities from men’s and women’s leagues to twilight couples events and a junior golf program. The cultural and entertainment centers in nearby cities and towns, along with the world-class amenities in Metropolitan Chicago, add to the quality of life.
Momence, St. Anne
Municipal Offices
Momence
815-472-2001
Saint Anne
815-427-6783
http://villageofstanne.com
Chamber of Commerce
815-351-9068
www.kankakeecountychamber.com
The city of Momence nestles against the banks of the Kankakee River, encouraging recreational activities like fishing, boating, and water sports. This community has an expanding economy based on agriculture and light industry and serves as a hub for residents of the surrounding townships of Momence and Ganeer. The metropolitan area that encompasses Kankakee, Bradley, and Bourbonnais is only 10 miles away, adding a world of additional attractions and amenities. Local highlights include the famous Gladiolus Festival, one of the state’s finest school systems, a charming downtown district, historic homes and museums, and excellent highway access including close proximity to Interstate 65. The quiet village of St. Anne is near Momence and Sun River Terrace, drawing newcomers to a pleasing selection of primarily well-kept older homes shaded by mature greenery. Although St. Anne is primarily a bedroom community for commuters, those who do live and work in this small village often bicycle or walk to work.
Sun River Terrace
Municipal Offices
815-937-1200
Chamber of Commerce
815-351-9068
www.kankakeecountychamber.com
Approximately five miles from the city of Momence and the village of St. Anne and about 10 miles from Kankakee, Bradley, and Bourbonnais, the village of Sun River Terrace is situated along the picturesque Kankakee River. This relative new community is located north of Route 17 and was incorporated in 1980. Each year Sun River Terrace hosts the Village Festival and a community Fall Banquet, bringing friends and neighbors together for good food and good times. One of the historical highlights of the village occurred in 1948 after the Joe Lewis and Jersey Joe Walcott boxing match. Lewis and the National Boxing Association established boxing training camps at the Sunset Hills Golf Club in Sun River Terrace, and the place where Lewis stayed during those camp days remains as a valuable landmark. Close proximity to Kankakee County cities and Metropolitan Chicago makes Sun River Terrace a wonderful choice for commuters and brings urban amenities closer to home.
