Kankakee County Board Increases 2025 Spending by $4.89 Million

The Kankakee County Board at its Tuesday, November 12, meeting approved a budget for 2025 of $46,999,784, an 11 percent  increase over 2024.

Spending will include $70,000 to continue an agreement with the Kankakee County Convention and Visitors Bureau for tourism promotion and $25,000 for sponsorship of the Kankakee River Regatta.

County Finance Director Mike McCarty blamed inflation for much of the higher budget numbers, which include a 10 percent increase in employee health insurance costs. McCarty also said the county’s budget in the past two years (post COVID pandemic) had the help of federal dollars in the form of American Recovery Program funds, which now are depleted.

The budget anticipates generating revenue from taxes, including $8.8 million in property tax, $6.3 million from sales tax, and $4.49 million from state income tax sharing. The county is ending 2024 with a budget surplus of $358,000.