Angela Morrey of the Economic Alliance of Kankakee delivered a lengthy presentation to the Kankakee County Board at its January 13 meeting, detailing the organization’s accomplishments and investments during the past year.
One of the projects Morrey touted was Heritage Prairie Solar’s $1.75 billion investment on the west side of the county, noting construction was underway. Other highlights include the $70 million renovation of the Bradley-Bourbonnais High School, the new Herscher Intermediate School, and several hotels, among other projects.
“These capital investments really mean this is money that’s being invested into our area, which makes for a stronger community as a whole. I like this number because it’s over the course of the past five years — we’ve had $4.3 billion of investment, which is new money coming into our area,” Morrey said.
“That is very significant for a county of our size,” she added.
Morrey took over for Tim Nugent, former Mayor of Manteno and CEO of the Economic Alliance, who left his position with the Economic Alliance after Governor J.B. Pritzker appointed him to the state’s Prisoner Review Board.
This past year, the Economic Alliance submitted 37 properties for 24 potential projects.
Morrey explained they work closely with the state and companies that may be interested in developing in the county. They don’t often get details about the company, but they do get the site requirements.
In addition to business investments in the county, Morrey detailed community developments, including the Mattel waterpark in Bradley, the Riverwalk project, along with healthcare investments with Riverside and St. Mary’s Hospitals.
With regard to the labor force, Morrey also touched on their workforce and education efforts.
“Right now, we have almost 50,000 people in our labor force, people actually working. The number below that, 58.9 percent, is our participation rate. Those are people working or actively looking for a job, and that’s age 15 and older,” Morrey said, noting they are under the national average of 62 percent.
Morrey also discussed efforts to educate young people in the community about business.
“Our goal with the Kankakee County CEO program is to get young people aware of what opportunities are here to help them get into the business mindset. We eventually want them to live and work here,” Morrey said.
She also discussed the economical cost of living, noting the dollar goes farther in Kankakee County.
At the conclusion of her presentation, District 17 Representative Steven Hunt commended Morrey for her communication and information. He also inquired about a possible tour of the Gotion facility, and the board discussed employment opportunities.
“They are very open to having community groups walk through there because their main focus now is educating the public on what they’re doing,” Morrey said.
Morrey added that Gotion has 350 employees currently but hopes to double it from what she had been told.
County Courthouse renovation
Kankakee County is continuing courthouse renovation preparations by approving additional funding for the $6 million project.
This past fall, the board authorized funding for the schematics of the project, which came in under what was budgeted.
“That was for the schematic design phase. We actually spent $120,960.23, leaving an excess of $129,039.77,” Eric Cavender said.
Cavender also expects actual costs to be lower than the estimated $151,000 budgeted for the project’s design and documentation.
“I will tell you we are not going to spend that much money, based on some modifications that are being made. Therefore, we are requesting to amend the original resolution to not exceed $300,000 to get us through this portion of the project,” Cavender explained to the board.
The Kankakee County board is tackling funding in phases rather than issuing a single lump sum for the courthouse project.
“We just don’t want a blank check,” Chairman Matthew Alexander-Hildebrand said of how they were issuing funds.
Part of the project will entail obtaining a generator for the whole building, another courtroom, a new roof, paint, carpet, tile, and other renovations.
Hunt asked whether funding could be set aside for holiday lighting, given the City of Kankakee’s commitment to providing financial resources.
Cavender reviewed the project scope and advised it could be possible if there is money remaining.
“If we have some willing partners, I’d like to see some due consideration given. I understand the priorities as well, too, and I concur with your comments,” Hunt said.
“Just so everybody knows, this does come out of the $6 million grant,” District 1 Rep. Roger Hess emphasized.
Bridges to be replaced
The board approved resolutions authorizing Alexander-Hildebrand to sign agreements for the two bridge replacements, with one over Pike Creek and one over Trim Creek.
“I want to make it known the two bridges that we’re approving today were both 100 percent funded. So, the first one was a million dollars from the feds, $250,000 grant from the state, which totaled $1,250,000. The second one was 100 percent funded, as well. The feds were $880,000 and the state was $320,000 for a total of $1.2 million. So both of them were fully funded, which is fantastic,” Alexander-Hildebrand explained.
Committee and Commission openings
As is standard, the board announced the following vacancies: One for the Kankakee County Housing Authority; two for the Farmland Assessment Review Committee; one for the Regional Planning Commission; and one for each of the following drainage districts – B.M. Lewis, Claussen Park, Manteno #3, and the combined Momence and Yellowhead #1.
Other news
The Kankakee County Board authorized an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Kankakee for animal and rabies control services.
Alexander-Hildebrand advised the board that the county offers these services to multiple municipalities.
A proclamation honoring Lou Anna Hunter, Rep. Steven Hunter’s late mother, who died at the age of 98, was read into the record.
“I was telling some of the folks that the county board is kind of like one family, you know, not Democrats, Republicans, independents, we’re just a family,” Hunter said while offering his gratitude to the board for their support.