WVLI News Update

• Second property tax payment due this week

Now that Labor Day is passed, Kankakee County Treasurer Nick Africano wants to remind you that the second installment of your property tax bill is due this week.  Africano says you can also pay your tax bill online if you like. He adds once this year’s taxes are paid and we hit the first of next year, you can register for another way to pay your property tax bill if you like.  Africano points out that the only caveat is that there be enough money in the account to make your tax payments when they come due next year. You can contact the Treasurer’s Office if you have any questions about your tax payment or the Choices program.

• Kankakee United luncheon set for tomorrow

Kankakee United's  quarterly community luncheon will be  tomorrow at 11:30 at the Kankakee Tran Depot. Rhonda Currie says all community leaders and residents are welcome to attend the free event.  Currie says if you’re interested in attending the free lunch tomorrow to pre-register by scanning the QR code on the City of Kankakee Facebook Page or website.

• BTPD Scarecrow sign-ups start today

You can enter the Bourbonnais Township Park District’s Annual Scarecrow Contest starting today. Director of Recreation and Marketing, Cherie Smolkovich.  Smolkovich says this year’s Scarecrow Festival will be Sunday, September 21st at Perry Farm. She said there are usually over 100 scarecrows on display each year.

• Powerball jackpot tops $1.3 billion

Monday's Powerball drawing has come and gone, with no winner still of the one-point-one billion dollar jackpot.  Matching all the right numbers in the next drawing on Wednesday and taking the cash option could make one lucky winner - or winners - almost 600-million dollars richer.  The estimated jackpot is now one-point-three billion dollars.

• Monee PD warns of possible scammers

The Monee Police Department says they've been made aware of a person going door to door, saying they're a Village employee working for ComEd and they need to check the home-owner's electric meter. Monee Police say there is no such employee or program with the Village of Monee and ComEd. They say if you see this person, or someone like her you should call 9-1-1.

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• Tourism up in Kankakee County

Tourism in Kankakee County showed major returns in 2024. Nicole Gavin, Executive Director of Visit Kankakee County, breaks down the numbers for us.  According to a press release sent by Gavin, visitor spending dipped slightly last year by one half of a percent but claims that's indicative of a strong and stable tourism sector. 

• What to do around Kankakee County this weekend

There's plenty to do around Kankakee County this Labor Day holiday weekend. With a look at a few of the events, here's Nicole Gavin, Executive Director of Visit Kankakee County

• Kankakee County looks for input

The Kankakee County Planning Department has started an initiative to make roadways safer in the county. Planner Two for the county, Tyler Goodrich, says this effort starts with asking area residents and travelers to fill out a survey.  Goodrich says if you have any questions about the survey or the Comprehensive Safety Action Plan, you can contact her office at 815.937.2940 or email [email protected]

• Kankakee County Sheriff's Office warns "Don't Drink and Drive"

It's the Labor Day weekend and Kankakee County Sheriff's Department Chief Deputy Trent Bukowski reminds you not to drink and drive.  Law enforcement around the state will have stepped up patrols this holiday weekend. Last year there were 11 fatal crashes in Illinois over the Labor Day travel period.

• Kankakee Firefighters put out mattress fire

Kankakee City Firefighters were called to an apartment building in the 300 block of North Dearborn overnight. Fire Chief Brian LaRoche says the call came in about 3:15 this morning and when they got there they found a mattress on fire in one of the apartments and quickly put it out. Fire crews were on the scene for about an hour checking on medical needs of any of the residents in the apartment building's 60 units. There were no injuries reported.

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• Kankakee City Police make arrests in August 7th shooting

Kankakee City Police report a pair of arrests in connection with an incident earlier this month that sent two people to the hospital. According to reports, it was just after 11:30 in the evening on Thursday August 7th when officers were called to a report of gunfire at Crestlane Apartments. When they got there, officers say they found a large group of people outside the building and learned a woman and her nine-year-old sun had been taken to the hospital with gunshot wounds. On August 11th, City Police arrested Jazmon Hermon in connection with the shooting and Tuesday they arrested 37-year-old Antoinette Love and 39-year-old Priscilla Love on charges that included Mob Action. Antoinette Love was additionally charged with Aggravated Battery and Aggravated Assault for allegedly using a stun gun during the fight.

• City Police arrest man for threatening officer/family

Kankakee City Police report the arrest of a man after he allegedly threatened an officer and his family. According to reports, it was just before midnight Tuesday night when officers were called to the gazebo on South Schuyler Avenue for a group of people hanging around with garbage around them on the ground and tables. Reports say when officers made contact with the people, most of them agreed to leave, but one, identified as 50-year-old Emmanuel Franklin allegedly refused to leave and started making threats against the officer and his family. Franklin was arrested by City Police for threatening a public official

• Secret Food Pantry today in Bourbonnais

Another of those Secret Food Pantry mobile pop-up events is planned for today in the Village of Bourbonnais. This one runs from 11 this morning until noon at the location on Briarwood Lane. A five-dollar donation is suggested and the donation enters you into a raffle for a 50-dollar gift card. Organizers of the event suggest you show up no more than a half-hour before it begins and you follow the route outlined by Bourbonnais Police. You can get that route and more information on the Village of Bourbonnais' website or its Facebook page. 

• Illinois State Police step up patrols for the holiday

It's the start of the long holiday weekend, and for many that means taking a road trip. Illinois State Police Trooper Jayme Bufford has a few things for you to keep in mind if you're hitting the road for the holiday.  Trooper Bufford says the ISP will have increased patrols on the roadways this weekend.  Last year there were 11 fatal crashes on Illinois roadways over the Labor Day Holiday period. 

• Kankakee County State's Attorney opens new office

The Kankakee County Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting ceremony this morning at the Kankakee County States Attorney's Community Division office on North Schuyler Avenue in Downtown Kankakee. States Attorney Jim Rowe said this office is for any county resident who needs help.  Rowe added that the Community Division Office is one hundred percent covered by grants.

• Regatta starts Friday

The 2025 Kankakee River Regatta kicks off tomorrow on the Kankakee River. Mayor Chris Curtis tells us about some of the events.  Mayor Curtis says new this year is a tailgate area on the south side of the river for people to barbecue if they'd like. More info is available at kankakee river regatta dot com.

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• Crime Stoppers Tip of the Week

Kankakee City Police are looking into a pair of robberies to pizza delivery people Saturday evening. With our Crime Stoppers Tip of the Week, withKankakee County Sheriff's Department Chief Deputy, Trent Bukowski.  Tips to Crime Stoppers are anonymous and could result in a cash reward. 

• Tourism up in IL

Illinois leaders are touting record-breaking tourism revenue last year.  Governor Pritzker announced that Illinois welcomed 113-million domestic and international visitors who spent a record 48-point-five-billion-dollars in 2024.  The tourism surge also led to a new all-time high in hotel tax revenue figures in fiscal year 2025.  Chicago saw a nearly eight-percent rise in overnight visitors last year.

• Gas prices up heading into the holiday weekend

What you're going to pay at the pump is up again today. According to Triple-A the average cost for a gallon of regular no-lead gas is now three-dollars-53 cents across the Land of Lincoln, that's up four cents overnight. Gas in the Kankakee area is up slightly to 3.38 on average, meaning the price at the pump has jumped 15 cents in the last two days. Triple-A says gas is running 3.44 a gallon on average in Iroquois County, 3.38 in Ford County and 3.53 in Grundy County.

Across the State line, a gallon of gas will set you back three-dollars-23 cents a gallon on average in Newton County, 3.34 in Benton County and 3.27 in Jasper County. Triple-A says a gallon of gas is running three-dollars-35 cents on average across the Hoosier State. 

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• Powerball jackpot rolls over....again

 The Powerball jackpot rolled over again.  With no grand prize winner on Monday night, the jackpot jumps to 815-million-dollars.  The next drawing takes place Wednesday with the cash option just shy of 368-million-dollars.

• Kankakee house hit by gunfire

Just after 1:30 Monday morning, Kankakee City Police were called to the 700 block of South Wall for a report of shots fired. When they got there, officers say they found gunfire damage to a house. Reports say nobody was injured by the gun fire and officers recovered a pair of spent shell casings from the sidewalk in front of the house.

• Pizza delivery men robbed in Kankakee over the weekend

 Kankakee City Police report a pizza delivery man was robbed over the weekend. It was just before eight Saturday night when officers were called to the 900 block of East Willow by a man who said he'd been making a pizza delivery, when he was approached by a man who was wearing all black and a mask who told him to give him everything he had. The pizza delivery man said he handed over his wallet and the man ran off.

About an hour and a half later, another pizza delivery guy was robbed while making a delivery to the same address. This time, the masked man allegedly carried a machete and demanded the driver's cash. City Police are looking for suspects in the case.

• Kankakee man arrested in gun charges

 Kankakee City Police report a weekend gun arrest. According to reports, it was just after two Saturday morning when City Police were sent to the area of South Nelson and East Hickory for a report of a man carrying a rifle. When they got there, officers say they a group of men in a black SUV with another man approaching the car to get in. Officers stopped the man and searched him. That search allegedly turned up a handgun in the man's waistband. City Police arrested 22-year-old Raul J Ortega on various gun-related charges.

• Kankakee man arrested after allegedly firing shotgun

 Kankakee City Police report the arrest of a man after he allegedly fired of a shotgun in the 700 block of East Hickory over the weekend. According to reports, it was just after one Saturday afternoon when officers were called to a report of shots fired. When they got there, officers say they were told a man with a shot gun had fired off six rounds before going back into the house. Reports go on to say 25-year-old Arturo Perez-Gallegos came out of the house and officers told him to put up his hands, which he did, but then he reportedly went back into the house. A short time later Gallegos and another man came out of the house and said they'd not heard any gunshots and that they'd been remodeling the house next door. Both men were taken to the Police Department for questioning and once they got permission to search the house, officers say they found a 12 gauge shotgun inside and spent shell casings on the porch. Perez-Gallegos was arrested on several gun-related charges.

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• CSL's plasma donation cite on Rte 50 not on closure list

CSL Behring says their plasma donation center on Route 50 is not one of those scheduled to be closed by the company. Late last week it was announced Behring plans to make a 15 percent cut to its workforce and close of 22 of it's plasma donation centers in the U.S. In an email, CSL Behring representatives say the 15 percent reduction in workforce will be across their global business and won't target any one facility. The also confirmed the CSL Plasma Donation Center on Route 50 would remain open.

• Notable Night Sky News for Monday, August 25th

Let's find out what's going on overhead this week. With our Notable Night Sky News with Madeline Shepley, Astronomy Professor and Director of the Strickler Planetarium at Olivet.

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• Governor signs "Missing Persons Identification Act"

A new Illinois law will create new guidelines for missing persons investigations.  Governor Pritzker signed the Missing Persons Identification Act last week.  The bill requires law enforcement to immediately take a report when they are notified of a missing person and enter it into the Law Enforcement Agencies Data System.  The law also eliminates the practice of observing a waiting period before taking a missing persons report.  It goes into effect January 1st of next year.

• What to do around Kankakee County this weekend

Let's find out what's going on around Kankakee County this weekend.

• Students return to Olivet this weekend

If you notice more traffic in Bourbonnais this weekend, it's because it's move-in time for students at Olivet. Luke Franklin is the Executive Director of Traditional Enrollment for the University.  Franklin said enrollment at Olivet has been pretty steady following the COVID years. Classes start at the University on Wednesday. 

• Drought concerns lessen

The latest map just released Thursday by the US Drought Monitor shows significant improvement in drought conditions across the area. The map puts just over two percent of Kankakee County in the "abnormally dry" category and the rest of the county without any drought concerns at all. Pretty much all of Iroquois, Livingston and Grundy Counties are considered to be without any drought concerns, while 14 percent of Ford County is listed as in "moderate drought". Another 25 percent of Ford County is listed as "abnormally dry" and the rest of the county without any drought concerns whatsoever.

Over in Indiana, pretty much all of Newton and Jasper Counties are now without any drought concerns, while about 12 percent of Benton County is just "abnormally dry". Thursday's map includes data gathered by the US Drought Monitor through Tuesday of this week. 

• The Will County Fair continues today

The 122nd Will County Fair is going on now through Sunday in Peotone. Fair representative, Karen Dralle, has today’s events.

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This One Time in Kankakee  (Narrative Storytelling)

Kankakee Valley Community Happenings  (Businesses & Non-Profits)

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• Drought concerns lessen

The latest map just released today by the US Drought Monitor shows significant improvement in drought conditions across the area. Today's map puts just over two percent of Kankakee County in the "abnormally dry" category and the rest of the county without any drought concerns at all. Today's map places pretty much all of Iroquois, Livingston and Grundy Counties in the "no drought concern" category, while 14 percent of Ford County is listed as in "moderate drought". Another 25 percent of Ford County is listed as "abnormally dry" and the rest of the county without any drought concerns whatsoever.

Over in Indiana, pretty much all of Newton and Jasper Counties are now without any drought concerns, while about 12 percent of Benton County is just "abnormally dry". Today's map includes data gathered by the US Drought Monitor through Tuesday of this week. 

• Second installment of property taxes due Sept 4

During this morning's meeting of the Kankakee County Board's Finance Committee, County Treasurer Nick Africano gives an update on property taxes collected so far this tax season.  Property taxes can be paid at most local banks, online or in person at the Treasurers office in downtown Kankakee.

Also during this morning's meeting, the committee agreed to ask the full board for up to 250-thousand-dollars for architectural  services for the remodel of the County Courthouse. The recommendation goes to the full board for approval next month. 

• Will County Fair continues 

The 122nd Will County Fair is going on now through Sunday in Peotone. Fair representative, Karen Dralle, with today’s events.

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• Former O'Bama administration staff members call for fairer legislative maps in IL

Two bipartisan former Obama administration officials are pushing for fairer maps in Illinois' state legislative districts.   Former U.S. Commerce Secretary Bill Daley and ex-Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood are leading an effort to establish a ballot initiative in 2026 to reform the redistricting process for state legislative map-making.  The proposed constitutional amendment would establish a citizen-led committee to redraw the maps after the 2030 census.  The latest attempt to make legislative maps fairer in Illinois follows the departure of Texas Democrats who spent two weeks in suburban Chicago to avoid a vote in their state on a Republican-backed redrawing of congressional district boundaries.

• Watch out for kids, it's back to school time

It’s the first day of school for many of our local school districts. Officer Megan Lanie with the Bradley Police Department has some safety reminders for area drivers.  Remember that man children are excited to get back to school and may not look both ways before darting out into the street. 

• Will County Fair starts today

It's opening day for the Will County Fair in Peotone today. Representative for the fair, Karen Dralle, has a rundown of today's events.  

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• Powerball rolls over again

The Powerball jackpot has rolled over once again.  There was no grand prize winner on Monday night, pushing the already-massive jackpot up to an estimated 643-million dollars.  Taking the cash option on that would net you nearly 291-million bucks.  Of course striking it rich is anything but easy.  Odds of walking away with all that money are roughly one in 292-million.  The next drawing takes place Wednesday.

• Back to school bus safety reminder

It’s back to school time, and Officer Megan Lanie with the Bradley Police Department has some tips to make the school year safer. For many local districts, today is the first day of school. 

• Job fair in Momence Wednesday

A free job fair will be held in Momence tomorrow.  The First United Methodist Church is located at 111 West 4th Street in Momence. The job fair is free. All you have to do is show up with your resume. 

• Bourbonnais passes gaming cafe ordinances

A series of ordinances were passed at last night's Bourbonnais Village Board meeting regarding a pair of gaming cafes planned for the Village.  Mayor Keast said there were some changes to the liquor license ordinance for those facilities as well.  Keast added applications for future gaming cafes in the Village will be handled by the Board on a case-by-case basis.  

Also at last night's meeting the Board named Village Finance Director Tara Latz as the new Village Treasurer. Latz replaces Ron Riebe who recently passed away. 

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