The Kankakee County Board has passed its 2026 fiscal year budget and appropriation ordinance totaling $49,459,235. Last year’s budget ended at $43,801,956.
“This was a harder budget than previous years because ARPA’s falling off, the decline in bed rentals. So, it was a partnership between all elected officials, all department heads. We all came together,” Alexander-Hilderbrand said, commenting on the difference in budget amounts.
“I’m happy to announce that at the end of this year, we should be at a $150,000 surplus, which is good news, right? We’re passing a balanced budget, which I think is even better news given all these variables this year,” he added.
Alexander-Hidlebrand explained a number of impacts to the budget, including the decrease in bed rentals, resulting in a $3.4 million reduction, as well as cost increases.
Jail bed rentals are a funding mechanism for the county; the county isn’t seeing as much with the U.S. Marshal’s focusing on ICE instead of detaining individuals at the jail. The jail cannot house ICE detainees. As a result, the sheriff’s department will see the biggest funding reduction.
“Another thing that just passed was the energy bill that caps our permitting fees at $75,000. Well, if you have a big solar farm, your permitting fee could potentially be a million and a half dollars. Well, you’re only getting $75,000, but our planning department has to send their guy out there three times a week for five years, right? So, $75,000 is not covering those costs,” he explained.
“It’s putting the burden on our taxpayers, which I think is a huge problem,” Alexander-Hildebrand added.
The budget includes $6 million for a new courthouse, which is fully funded, plus $1.5 million for river equipment, Alexander-Hildebrand explained.
“I mean you guys have really been transparent, and the department head has to be applauded for tightening belts with respect to the fiscal constraints that we are dealt with. That should be noted to the 106,000 residents of the county that they’re in good hands with you guys being at the helm of the services for the county,” Board member Steve Hunter said.
“I appreciate that. Like you always say, numbers don’t lie, and I’m a numbers guy,” Alexander-Hildebrand responded to the compliment.
The other big news of the meeting is that the Kankakee County Board is whole again after Steven Taten was appointed to fill the vacant District 21 seat left by Peggy Sue Munday, who moved out of the district. There are now no vacancies on the county board, which saw several resignations during the past year.
Taden, of Bradley, is currently a director of sales. He sought the position to gain a better understanding of the county and wants to work toward transparency, fiscal responsibility, and lowering taxes, his application stated.
With regard to county finances outside of the budget, the board approved paying claims totaling $6,949,017.20. Items from the county’s information systems and animal control departments were declared surplus.
The board updated the county code related to the Health Department Food Service Establishment Licenses and Fees, increasing fees. The last time fees were increased was in 2019.
“About every five-to-six years we revisit [the fees],” Dana James, who is one of the county health department inspectors, said. He further explained the risk categories and the fee changes.
There are three risk categories: High risk, which includes larger operations with complex food preparation; medium risk, which includes chain restaurants; and low risk, which includes places like bars.
Low risk categories will remain at $250, while medium risk will be increased to $400 from $350, and high risk will be increased from $400 to $500 annually.
The board approved accounting firm SKDO, PC, to conduct the 2025 audit, not to exceed $102,000. The new fee represents a 5.7 percent increase over last year’s audit costs.
Chairman Matthew Alexander-Hilderbrand or a designee was approved to sign for the county’s insurance policies through Alliant Insurance. The policies increased by 3.3 percent, but Alexander-Hildebrand expressed he felt that was fair, as the assessed value had increased, as well as vehicle costs.
Health Savings Account contributions for employees weren’t previously included in the health insurance policy that was passed; the county will provide a $500 contribution per employee or $1,000 for additional tiers.
Additionally, the board accepted a $487,000 grant from the Illinois Housing Development Authority’s Strong Communities program to support the rehabilitation or removal of 15 dilapidated or abandoned structures in Kankakee.
Because the county does not know the exact cost for each structure, as the current condition and disposition of each property is unknown, the board approved $5,000 per PIN for acquisition and $40,000 per PIN for demolition or $40,000 per PIN for rehabilitation. The county will work with its Landbank staff to determine the best use of the grant funds.
In other news, Jim Shopf Jr., of Momence, was appointed to the Kankakee Waterways Advisory Subcommittee as an at-large member.
Two resignations were accepted: Brian Porter resigned from his position on the Zoning Board of Appeals, and Matthew Olszewski resigned from the Kankakee Regional Land Bank Authority.
The board offered some commentary indicating they would be sorely missed.
Several openings exist among the following: Kankakee Regional Land Bank Authority, Regional Planning Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals, Will-Kankakee Regional Development Authority, GIS committee, Emergency Telephone System Board, Housing Authority, and various county drainage districts.
The county board also celebrated career milestones of Michelle Sirois, celebrating 10 years with the highway department, Megan Peters with 10 years with Animal Control, and Jeanna Cross, with 20 years with the Circuit Clerk’s office.
The board also celebrated the St. George Elementary School’s sixth through eighth grade Cross Country team’s success at IEASA 1A state finals with a proclamation honoring them.
Two individuals spoke during public comment seeking the removal of an “ICE rider” to the U.S. Marshals contract with Kankakee County, which prompted a response from State’s Attorney Jim Rowe, who was in attendance at the meeting.
“The ICE rider to the U.S. Marshals’ contract is void, and there are several provisions in those contracts that if one portion of that contract is void, the remaining portions still can remain in effect. Because of the Illinois Trust Act, local law enforcement, state law enforcement are prohibited from coordinating any activities, participating, assisting ICE in immigration enforcement,” Rowe said.
“Just to give you some confidence in our local law enforcement, our local law enforcement is not violating the Illinois Trust Act. Our county is not violating the Illinois Trust Act. And that contract does not violate the Illinois Trust Act. WTTW may think it does, but it doesn’t because of those severance provisions in there,” Rowe added.
Stephanie Irvine is a freelance reporter.