Images Kankakee County, IL: 2011-2012

2012 | livability.com/kankakee/il 速

Kankakee County, illinois

Hearts of Gold

Perfectly Frank Bradley House designed

by Frank Lloyd Wright

County mentors provide opportunities for local kids

All Dressed Up and Ready to Go Small towns boast big improvements

sponsored by the Kankakee Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Manteno Chamber of Commerce

Kankakee The Hilton Garden Inn and RiverStone Conference Center is located directly off of Exit 308 on I-57 in Kankakee. At Hilton Garden Inn hotels you’ll find everything you need right where you need it.

Focusing on what guests have said they need and want most while traveling, our property will offer quality accommodations, amenities, and services in a comfortable atmosphere designed for both the business and leisure traveler. Hilton Garden Inn hotels deliver the highest degree of service and cost savings without sacrificing the quality associated with the Hilton name. This is the difference between limited service hotels and the “focused-service” Hilton Garden Inn. Our focused-service is anything but limited service.

The Hilton Garden Inn – Kankakee features: •

110 beautifully appointed spacious guest rooms, including eight suites

•

Indoor pool and hot tub

•

On-site fitness center

•

Complimentary high-speed Internet in all guest rooms

•

Full service restaurant on property – The Great American Grill open daily for breakfast and dinner

•

Room service

•

HHonors benefits and rewards

•

24-hour Pavilion Pantry Convenience Mart

•

Pavilion lounge open nightly

Attached to our magnificent hotel is the Riverstone Conference Center.

Boasting 9,000 square feet of divisible meeting/banquet space, we can accommodate up to 994 guests. Full catering selections are available for breaks, breakfast, lunch, dinner and cocktails. All food served within the Riverstone Conference Center is prepared in our own fully equipped kitchen. The Riverstone Conference Center is completely state-of-the-art, and we can accommodate any special needs.

455 Riverstone Pkwy. • Kankakee, IL 60901 (815) 932-4444 • www.kankakee.gardeninn.com

2012 edition | volume 9 速

Kankakee County, Illinois

co nte nt s F e atu r e s 6 Perfectly Frank Bradley House designed

by Frank Lloyd Wright

18

10 All Dressed Up and Ready to Go Small towns boast big improvements

12 Hearts of Gold County mentors provide opportunities for local kids

d e pa r tm e nt s 4 Almanac 14 Biz Briefs 16 Chamber Report 17 Economic Profile 18 Local Flavor 20 Health & Wellness 22 Arts & Culture 24 Sports & Recreation 27 Education 28 Community Profile 29 Through the Lens

on the cover The Bradley House Photo by Jeff Adkins

12

All or part of this magazine is printed with soy ink on recycled paper containing 10% post-consumer waste.

Please recycle this magazine

l i vab i l i t y. c o m / k a n k a k e e / i l

1

®

®

K ank akee Count y, Illinois editorial project Manager mitch Kline content Director Lisa battles Proofreading Manager Raven Petty Content Coordinator Jessica Walker Staff Writer Kevin Litwin Copy Editor Jill Wyatt Contributing writers Laura Hill, Jessica Mozo, Braxton Shoop Senior Graphic Designers Laura Gallagher, Janine Maryland, Kris Sexton, Vikki Williams

Digital Edition

Graphic Designers Rachael Gerringer, Taylor nunley Senior Photographers Jeff Adkins, Brian McCord Staff Photographers Todd Bennett, Antony Boshier color imaging technician Alison Hunter Integrated Media Manager matt mcwhorter Ad Production Manager Katie Middendorf Ad Traffic Assistants Krystin Lemmon, Patricia Moisan

Hearts

Business

of Gold

KanKaKee CoUnty mentors Provide rare oPPortUnities For loCal CHildren

A holiday concert at the Bourbonnais upper Grade Center

12

Chairman Greg Thurman President/Publisher Bob Schwartzman

I

Executive Vice President Ray Langen

STORY BY JESSICA MOZO | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEFF ADKINS

f one thing can be said about the citizens of Kankakee County, it’s that they care deeply for children. Several Kankakee residents have turned their compassion for youth into unusual opportunities to help kids learn and succeed.

Band Director Jerry Luzeniecki Kankakee County mentor Jerry Luzeniecki has enriched thousands of students’ lives by bringing music into their worlds. Luzeniecki has been a band director since 1979, directing bands in Downers Grove, Momence and the Bourbonnais Elementary School District, where he has been employed since 1994.

He directs the seventh and eighth grade bands at the Upper Grade Center and the Jazz Band, and teaches fourth grade music at Shabbona Elementary School.

“Some of the most important lessons learned in the band room have nothing to do with music,” Luzeniecki says. “Bands help students develop fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, self-discipline, citizenship and teamwork skills. My students have to follow multiple-step, sequential instructions. Rhythm counting is related to fractions. Music also offers the opportunity to learn to handle frustration and develop perseverance.”

Luzeniecki jokingly refers to himself as a “proud band geek” who has developed lifelong friendships through music. He and his wife have lived in Bradley for 30 years.

“As a band director, I’ve met students who have grown up to be soldiers, doctors, educators, pilots, police officers, firefighters and musicians, as well as great moms and dads,” Luzeniecki says. “Their parents give of their time and offer kind words of encouragement. The band directors in the Kankakee area are an extended family.

We call on each other when there’s a need. It just doesn’t get much better than that.”

Kankakee County Soldiers Members of the Kankakee County Soldiers, a professional basketball team, touch the lives of Kankakee County students every week by doing programs in local schools on everything from reading and developing life skills to anti-bullying. The Soldiers have been mentoring elementary and junior high students for six years, ever since team owner Barry Bradford made youth one of the team’s top priorities.

“I grew up in inner-city Chicago, and I was one of the few who made it out and got to play professional basketball and see the world,” Bradford says. “A lot of people were there for me and stuck their necks out for me. In 2001, when Michael Jordan came back to the NBA, I had some discussions with him that made me realize the impact a person can have on someone else’s life.”

Early in his basketball career, Bradford noticed that kids he mentored would come watch his games.

“They didn’t come because I was the best player – they came because I had gone to their schools and spent time with them,” he says. “Now I want my players to have a positive influence on young people, because they are the future of our society.”

The Soldiers have worked with more than 7,000 students, and Bradford says some experiences have brought them to tears.

“When we do an anti-bullying assembly, we break the ice by giving kids raffle tickets and calling them out randomly to try to shoot three hoops in a row to win a prize,” he says. “At one school, there was a kid named Harvey who had been bullied for years. We randomly drew his number, and he came down to the court and made the first shot. All the kids started chanting his name.”

Harvey then made the second shot – and the third.

“I told him no student had ever made three in a row, and the kids started going crazy. He became hero for the day,” Bradford says. “Teachers on the sidelines were crying, and we all teared up on the bus afterward. We talk to the kids about treating each other with respect, because you never know who will grow up to be what.”

Senior V.P./Sales Todd Potter Senior V.P./Operations Casey Hester Senior V.P./Client Development Jeff Heefner Senior V.P./business Development Scott Templeton senior V.P./Agribusiness Publishing Kim HOlmberg V.P./business Development Charles Fitzgibbon V.p./External Communications Teree Caruthers V.P./Visual Content Mark Forester V.P./Content Operations Natasha Lorens

Tyjuan Hagler Foundation Football Camp Kankakee native and NFL player Tyjuan Hagler, formerly with the Indianapolis Colts, is also dedicated to helping kids succeed. In 2007, Hagler started the annual Tyjuan Hagler Foundation Football Camp to help give kids ages 6 to 18 the tools they need to become better athletes – and better people.

“All my favorite memories are of my childhood in Kankakee playing backyard football,” Hagler says.

“I started the camp because when I was a kid, I wished there was someone to mentor me. Now I have the opportunity to give back to the community I loved growing up in.”

The one-day camp happens the first Saturday in June and is free of charge. It includes sessions on the fundamentals of football, character building and safety skills, and awards and autographs with Hagler and other NFL players.

“The community helps out so much. It feels good to help the kids, and the best part is seeing the smiles on their faces,” Hagler says. “These kids are gonna be our future. And everybody wants our future in good hands.”

v.p./Travel publishing Susan Chappell V.P./Sales Herb Harper, Jarek Swekosky Controller Chris Dudley Senior Accountant Lisa Owens Accounts Payable Coordinator Maria McFarland Accounts Receivable Coordinator Diana Guzman sales support Coordinator alex marks sales support project manager sara quint system administrator daniel cantrell

For More Information

Database Manager/IT Support Chandra Bradshaw

KANKAKEE COUNTY SOLDIERS www.kcsoldiers.com

Web creative director allison davis

TYJUAN HAGLER FOUNDATION tyjuanhaglerfoundation.org

k Ank Akee Count y

LLIiVA vAB BIiLLIiT tY. y.C CO oM m//K kA AN nK kA AK kE eE e//IiLL

Web Content Manager John Hood Web project manager noy fongnaly

13

Web designer II Richard stevens Web development lead Yamel Hall Web developer i nels noseworthy Web Account Manager Lauren Eubank Photography Director Jeffrey S. Otto Creative Services Director Christina Carden

Share with a friend Easily share an interesting article, stunning photo or advertisement of your business on Facebook, Twitter or via email.

HAVE A BLOG OR WEBSITE? Embed the digital magazine in your site to add compelling, local information.

DO MORE THAN JUST READ ABOUT IT Experience the community through video and find links to other sites for additional information.

Creative Technology Analyst becca ary audience development Director deanna nelson Distribution Director Gary Smith Executive Secretary Kristy Duncan Human Resources Manager Peggy Blake Receptionist Linda Bishop

Images Kankakee County is published annually

by Journal Communications Inc. and is distributed through the Kankakee Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Manteno Chamber of Commerce and their member businesses.

For advertising information or to direct questions or comments about the magazine, contact Journal Communications Inc. at (615) 771-0080 or by email at info@jnlcom.com.

For more information, contact: Kankakee Regional Chamber of Commerce 137 E. 5000 North Rd. • Bourbonnais, IL 60914 Phone: (815) 933-7721 • Fax: (815) 933-7675 kankakee.org Manteno Chamber of Commerce 211 N. Main St. • Manteno, IL 60950-1245 Phone: (815) 468-6226 • Fax: (815) 534-5333 www.mantenochamber.com Visit Images Kankakee County online at livability.com/kankakee/il ©Copyright 2012 Journal Communications Inc., 725 Cool Springs Blvd., Suite 400, Franklin, TN 37067, (615) 771-0080. All rights reserved.

No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in whole or in part without written consent.

Member

livability.com/kankakee/il 2

Ka n k a k e e C o u n t y

The Association of Magazine Media Member

Custom Content Council

Member Kankakee Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Manteno Chamber of Commerce

What’s Online livability.com/kankakee/il

Photos & Videos See more great photos of Kankakee County in our online photo and video galleries

2012 | livability.Com/KanKaKee/il ®

KanKaKee CoUnty, illinois

Hearts oF Gold

Perfectly Frank Bradley House designed

by Frank Lloyd Wright

County mentors provide opportunities for local kids

all dressed UP and ready to Go Small towns boast big improvements

Facts Get the most up-to-date info on cost of living, top employers, schools, population demographics and more

Living here Learn the basics about local neighborhoods, schools and health care providers

sPonsored by tHe KanKaKee reGional CHamber oF CommerCe and tHe manteno CHamber oF CommerCe

Digital magazine Flip through the pages of this magazine and easily share articles using Facebook, Twitter or email. l i vab i l i t y. c o m / k a n k a k e e / i l

3

Almanac

Welcome to Kankakee County An introduction to the area’s people, places and events

Room to Pray

Waterborne Fun The Kankakee River is a major waterway extending through northeast Illinois and northwest Indiana that once served as a commercial shipping route between the Mississippi River and the Great Lakes. Today, the Kankakee River is primarily used for recreation and is open to everyone for activities such as canoeing, swimming and fishing. The 4,000-acre Kankakee River State Park is located along the northwest portion of the Kankakee River, and offers many recreational activities; among them biking, camping, hunting, horseback riding and snowmobiling. The park extends on both sides of the river offering views of scenic bluffs and woodlands.

For those who want to see the Kankakee River without the exertion of paddling a canoe, Midwest Duffy Electric Boats offers electric boat cruises from the dock of the Bradley House. These zero-emission boats (shown above) are the perfect way to traverse the Kankakee River as they offer silent operation, enabling passengers to enjoy the river’s natural beauty.

4

Ka n k a k e e C o u n t y

Olivet Nazarene University students have found peace and inspiration in the university’s chapel for more than 100 years.

Promising to continue that tradition while replacing the aged original chapel, Olivet opened a new chapel called the Betty and Kenneth Hawkins Centennial Chapel in honor of the two benefactors who primarily made the chapel possible. The chapel is currently the biggest building in Bourbonnais, with more than 3,000 seats, a massive pipe organ (shown here) and a cross that extends 100 feet above ground level to symbolize the 100-plus years during which Olivet has provided “Education with a Christian Purpose.”

On a tangential note for sports fans, Olivet is also the home of the Chicago Bears training camp.

Celebrating Corn Every year, Herscher residents celebrate an old and locally loved tradition, the Corn Bowl. The Corn Bowl is a popular homecoming event in downtown Herscher that began in 1976.

The Herscher Lion’s Club assembles this gathering, which in July 2012 will mark its 37th year. As its name suggests, the Corn Bowl centers around the Midwest’s mainstay crop. The Corn Bowl is a grand block party in which virtually everyone from the Herscher community comes together to enjoy music, companionship, pork sandwiches, bratwurst, hot dogs and, of course, the season’s first taste of fresh, roasted sweet corn.

Fun Things to Do n Have a water-filled day splashing and water sliding at Splash Valley Aquatic Park. n Explore Kankakee County Museum for its many featured exhibits.

Built to Last One of the oldest historic structures in Kankakee County is the Stone Barn (shown here), which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. Since pioneer Lemuel Milk built it in 1860, the Stone Barn has housed horses for the Kankakee fire department; was used as a car and sign paint garage; a bakery and restaurant; and, since 1976, as headquarters for the Junior League of Kankakee County. Most recently, the Stone Barn became the site of the French Heritage Museum, which preserves artifacts and information about Kankakee’s rich French historical influence.

n Become a race fan as the Kankakee Speedway brings on dirt track racing for your entertainment. n Get the family together to play with real farm animals, bike, roller blade and cross country ski at the Perry Farm Park.

Kankakee County At A Glance

Kankakee

Population (2010 estimate) Kankakee County: 113,449 1

Bourbonnais: 18,631, Bradley: 15,895, Kankakee: 27,537, Manteno: 9,204

45

50

Location Kankakee County is 60 miles south of Chicago.

Beginnings The Illinois Legislature established Kankakee County in 1853, although early settlers arrived in 1834.

For More Information Kankakee Regional Chamber of Commerce 1137 E. 5000 North Rd. Bourbonnais, IL 60914 Phone: (815) 933-7721 Fax: (815) 933-7675 www.kankakee.org

Manteno Grant Park

Essex

57

Momence

Bourbonnais Bradley 17

Herscher

Limestone

KANKAKEE

Kankakee

Aroma Park Hopkins Park St. Anne Sammons Point

What’s Online Check out photo galleries and videos of Kankakee County at livability.com/kankakee/il.

l i vab i l i t y. c o m / k a n k a k e e / i l

5

Perfectly

Frank Bradley House owned, operated

by Wright in Kankakee

6

Ka n k a k e e C o u n t y

Story By Kevin Litwin | Photography By Jeff Adkins

F

amed architect Frank Lloyd Wright designed two Kankakee homes that were both constructed in 1900 – Hickox House and the B. Harley Bradley House. In 2012, both remain showplaces next door to each other on South Harrison Avenue in the Riverview Historic District.

Hickox House is privately owned and not open to the public, but Bradley House is owned by a not-for-profit group, Wright in Kankakee, and is open for tours on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

The one-hour tour costs $15, and the home can also be rented for weddings, receptions, meetings and conferences of 100 or fewer people.

“It is a large 6,000-square-foot, seven-bedroom, four-bathroom, two-story house that gives visitors a lot to see during the one-hour tour,” says Elisabeth Dunbar, Bradley House executive director. “Both Wright houses are on the National Register of Historic Places, but Bradley House has arguably the more interesting history. It has seen its share of tragedy, misuse and intrigue over the years.”

threatened with demolition in 2001, so former Kankakee County residents Gaines and Sharon Hall bought Bradley House to restore everything,” Dunbar says.

“Gaines is an architect who restored the entire house with the use of Wright’s original blueprints from 1900. The Halls completed the renovation with the intent that the house would become

a public space, and Wright of Kankakee purchased it in 2010 for that purpose.”

Beauty and Practicality Dunbar says the house has many interesting Wright touches, including leaded glass windows with tulip patterns.

“The front of the house has distinctive peaks with 12-foot

Boarded up Twice That intrigue includes original owner Harley Bradley’s suicide – although not on the property – and the home’s use as a restaurant for 30 years. It was damaged and fell into disarray, foreclosures saw it boarded up twice, and a man who eventually purchased and worked on restoring Bradley House in the mid-1980s was kidnapped from the premises and killed.

“In addition, the carriage house that connects to the home was Elisabeth Dunbar, Bradley House executive director, in the secondfloor master suite at the Bradley House in Kankakee

l i vab i l i t y. c o m / k a n k a k e e / i l

7

8

Ka n k a k e e C o u n t y

overhanging eaves, which are beautiful as well as practical, because Wright designed them to provide shade in the hot Illinois summers,” she says. “The Bradley is also his first Prairie-style house, meaning it was built in sync with its natural surroundings.”

Wright began developing his Prairie style in the early 1890s when he was employed with a

Chicago-based architectural firm, and chose Kankakee for his first venture in that style.

“He used neutral earth-tone colors and long, horizontal lines that mimic the flat horizon of the Midwest prairie,” Dunbar says.

Tens of Thousands As the overall economy improves, Dunbar expects the Bradley House

to draw tens of thousands of visitors each year.

“Today, the house is a home museum, meeting place, event location, art and education center, and a public place that this community can be proud of and enjoy,” she says. “There is something always occurring here. Check our website, www.wrightinkankakee.org, to stay up to date.”

Areas in the Bradley House available to tour include the dining room (left); the first floor (top left); a stairwell (top right); the gift shop (bottom right), which is located in the former stables; and the kitchen (bottom left).

l i vab i l i t y. c o m / k a n k a k e e / i l

9

All Dressed Up

Ready to Go Small Kankakee County towns boast big improvements

10

Ka n k a k e e C o u n t y

Story By Laura Hill Photography By Jeff Adkins

M

any American small towns tell a sad tale of deserted Main streets and dwindling amenities. But Watseka and Manteno are turning that story upside down, becoming two of Kankakee County’s most popular destinations.

Watseka Theatre a Star In Watseka, residents and visitors are flocking to a rehabbed downtown block where they can enjoy a meal, see a concert and shop, courtesy of one couple’s vision.

Chuck Gomez, a professional musician and concert/special events producer in Chicago, nurtured a longtime dream to rehab the theater, which had closed in 1998, in his hometown. An attempt 25 years ago to buy the building fell through, but in May 2007 he and life partner Debra Liddell succeeded. Designed by famed architect Louis Skidmore, the art deco movie house needed work.

Undaunted, the couple took on the rehab and opened the following New Year’s Eve. The 300-seat Watseka Theatre has since bloomed, offering enthusiastic audiences everything from major country music and rock acts to internationally recognized comedy shows, to vaudeville and the annual Watseka Blues, BBQ and Arts Festival. A storefront, part of the building’s façade, became the Club Café serving pizza and pasta weekday evenings and gourmet dinners with accompanying live music on Friday nights.

An adjacent former town hall became an ice cream parlor, and Liddell’s artful accessories are offered at nearby Artful Endeavors.

Manteno Manicures Main Street In Manteno, several major projects are changing the face of the village.

The first two phases of 67-acre Legacy Park, a major recreation area, were completed in 2011, giving the town 11 more soccer fields, two football fields, a splash pad, baseball practice field, an amphitheater and more.

“Manteno has grown to 9,000 people in the past 10 years, and we really needed this,” says village administrator and police chief Bernie Thompson.

The park, a joint project of the village and the township of Manteno, was largely funded by $800,000 in state grants.

In spring 2012, construction will begin on a public plaza and enhanced pedestrian walkway at Main Street and First Street that will connect to a new bus transfer station across the railroad tracks on Oak Street.

A joint project of River Valley Metro and the village of Manteno, the $530,000 improvement will feature a 45-foot flagpole, benches and extensive landscaping.

Another proposed destination plaza on Main Street at Second Street could begin construction as early as 2014, Thompson says. It would contain restaurants – a new Pizza Stone restaurant has opened there already – and events such as ice skating, crafts fairs and more.

“We’ve done a lot here, too, with streetscape along Main Street,” says Thompson. “Manteno is a very nice town, and very attractive.”

Pizza Stone recently opened in Manteno. Left: The renovated Watseka Theatre holds major music acts, comedy shows, vaudeville and the annual Watseka Blues, BBQ and Arts Festival.

l i vab i l i t y. c o m / k a n k a k e e / i l

11

Hearts

Business

of Gold

Kankakee County mentors provide rare opportunities for local children

A holiday concert at the Bourbonnais Upper Grade Center

12

Ka n k a k e e C o u n t y

I

Story By Jessica Mozo | Photography By Jeff Adkins

f one thing can be said about the citizens of Kankakee County, it’s that they care deeply for children. Several Kankakee residents have turned their compassion for youth into unusual opportunities to help kids learn and succeed.

Band Director Jerry Luzeniecki Kankakee County mentor Jerry Luzeniecki has enriched thousands of students’ lives by bringing music into their worlds. Luzeniecki has been a band director since 1979, directing bands in Downers Grove, Momence and the Bourbonnais Elementary School District, where he has been employed since 1994.

He directs the seventh and eighth grade bands at the Upper Grade Center and the Jazz Band, and teaches fourth grade music at Shabbona Elementary School.

“Some of the most important lessons learned in the band room have nothing to do with music,” Luzeniecki says. “Bands help students develop fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, self-discipline, citizenship and teamwork skills. My students have to follow multiple-step, sequential instructions. Rhythm counting is related to fractions. Music also offers the opportunity to learn to handle frustration and develop perseverance.”

Luzeniecki jokingly refers to himself as a “proud band geek” who has developed lifelong friendships through music. He and his wife have lived in Bradley for 30 years.

“As a band director, I’ve met students who have grown up to be soldiers, doctors, educators, pilots, police officers, firefighters and musicians, as well as great moms and dads,” Luzeniecki says. “Their parents give of their time and offer kind words of encouragement. The band directors in the Kankakee area are an extended family.

We call on each other when there’s a need. It just doesn’t get much better than that.”

Kankakee County Soldiers Members of the Kankakee County Soldiers, a professional basketball team, touch the lives of Kankakee County students every week by doing programs in local schools on everything from reading and developing life skills to anti-bullying. The Soldiers have been mentoring elementary and junior high students for six years, ever since team owner Barry Bradford made youth one of the team’s top priorities.

“I grew up in inner-city Chicago, and I was one of the few who made it out and got to play professional basketball and see the world,” Bradford says. “A lot of people were there for me and stuck their necks out for me. In 2001, when Michael Jordan came back to the NBA, I had some discussions with him that made me realize the impact a person can have on someone else’s life.”

Early in his basketball career, Bradford noticed that kids he mentored would come watch his games.

“They didn’t come because I was the best player – they came because I had gone to their schools and spent time with them,” he says. “Now I want my players to have a positive influence on young people, because they are the future of our society.”

The Soldiers have worked with more than 7,000 students, and Bradford says some experiences have brought them to tears.

“When we do an anti-bullying assembly, we break the ice by giving kids raffle tickets and calling them out randomly to try to shoot three hoops in a row to win a prize,” he says. “At one school, there was a kid named Harvey who had been bullied for years. We randomly drew his number, and he came down to the court and made the first shot. All the kids started chanting his name.”

Harvey then made the second shot – and the third.

“I told him no student had ever made three in a row, and the kids started going crazy. He became hero for the day,” Bradford says. “Teachers on the sidelines were crying, and we all teared up on the bus afterward. We talk to the kids about treating each other with respect, because you never know who will grow up to be what.”

Tyjuan Hagler Foundation Football Camp Kankakee native and NFL player Tyjuan Hagler, formerly with the Indianapolis Colts, is also dedicated to helping kids succeed. In 2007, Hagler started the annual Tyjuan Hagler Foundation Football Camp to help give kids ages 6 to 18 the tools they need to become better athletes – and better people.

“All my favorite memories are of my childhood in Kankakee playing backyard football,” Hagler says.

“I started the camp because when I was a kid, I wished there was someone to mentor me. Now I have the opportunity to give back to the community I loved growing up in.”

The one-day camp happens the first Saturday in June and is free of charge. It includes sessions on the fundamentals of football, character building and safety skills, and awards and autographs with Hagler and other NFL players.

“The community helps out so much. It feels good to help the kids, and the best part is seeing the smiles on their faces,” Hagler says. “These kids are gonna be our future. And everybody wants our future in good hands.”

For More Information Kankakee County Soldiers www.kcsoldiers.com Tyjuan Hagler Foundation tyjuanhaglerfoundation.org

l i vab i l i t y. c o m / k a n k a k e e / i l

13

Business

Biz Briefs Businesses – both large and small – that help define Kankakee county’s economic climate

Scorecard Business At A Glance

$1.3 billion Annual Retail Sales

$11,264 Retail Sales per Capita

$28 million Annual Hotel and Food Sales

8,399 Total Number of Firms Source: U.S. Census QuickFacts

Minne Monesse Golf Club Biz: Golf course Buzz: Located near Grant Park, Minne Monesse Golf Club was established in 1926.

This privately owned and operated course offers a country club experience without the high cost, and provides a challenge for players of all levels. Minne Monesse Golf Club comprises rolling hills, water on 11 of the 18 holes, large oak trees and a clubhouse suitable for a variety of events. www.minnemonesse.com 14

Ka n k a k e e C o u n t y

Sun Chemical Biz: Ink and pigment provider Buzz: Providing ink, pigments, varnishes and coatings for a variety of industries, Sun Chemical has more than 300 locations worldwide, including an operation in Kankakee. The company creates cosmetic pigments, narrow web ink products, high-performance plastic pigments, ink for publications and screen graphics, and much more. Sun Chemical also focuses on sustainability and eco-efficiency, working to decrease its ecological impact. www.sunchemical.com Kankakee Area YMCA Biz: Fitness center Buzz: Serving residents for more than 116 years, the Kankakee Area YMCA offers an array of fitness-focused amenities including a wellness center with cardio and strength training equipment, an aerobics studio, gym, climbing wall, swimming pools and more. Members can also enjoy group fitness classes, such as yoga, Zumba and kickboxing. Child care is available before and after school. www.k3ymca.org The Daily Journal Biz: Newspaper Buzz: The Daily Journal serves the Illinois counties of Kankakee, Will, Iroquois, Ford, Grundy and Livingston, and Lake Village in Indiana. The newspaper, which has been published for 156 years, is the area’s primary source for local news, sports, information and entertainment. Owned by the Small Newspaper Group, The Daily Journal also produces a website, i57Life.com, that offers coupons, contests, dining news and more. www.daily-journal.com Cigna Corporation Biz: Health service company Buzz: Formed in 1982, Cigna Corporation is the fourth largest health insurer in the country, and serves 29 additional countries. The company offers healthcare products and services, as well as group disability, life and accident insurance, and international insurance coverage. Cigna Corporation operates an office in Bourbonnais, and serves approximately 66 million customers worldwide. www.cigna.com

“Our Business is Helping YOUR Business.”

200 E. Court St. Ste. 507 Kankakee, IL 60901

P: (815) 935-1177 F: (815) 935-1181 www.kankakeecountyed.org

l i vab i l i t y. c o m / k a n k a k e e / i l

15

Business

Chamber Report Chamber says regionalism is key to economic growth

D

avid Hinderliter says that in today’s tough economy, it is advantageous to promote the macroeconomics of a region as opposed to the microeconomics of an individual community.

“Regionalism is what it’s all about, to promote an entire region’s overall workforce, jobs, cultural diversity, transportation

advantages, technology, schools and colleges, quality of life and other assets,” says Hinderliter, president and CEO of the Kankakee Regional Chamber of Commerce. “You need to trumpet the bigger picture to attract more industry and big companies.”

Kankakee County is considered a bedroom community where

many people commute to work in other counties, as well as Chicago.

Hinderliter says Kankakee’s proximity to Chicago gives residents access to big-city amenities without having to endure the crowded streets and sprawl.

“But as far as creating positive economic development and smart growth in our own community, we can offer many positives,” Hinderliter says. “For example, health care and manufacturing are two of our main job producers, and we are conveniently located at Interstate 57 and near I-80 for companies that deal with distribution and warehousing.

Also, Kankakee County has the lowest sales tax in the state, so people in surrounding counties can shop here and save money.”

Young Professionals Andrew Ollis, vice president of government affairs for the Kankakee Chamber, says the establishment of a dynamic Kankakee Regional Young Professionals group is also helping to draw top employees to the area.

“Our KRYP group is a ready-made network for people relocating here, and is ideal for young professionals ages 21 to 39 who might not know many people in the community,” he says.

Active Philanthropy Ollis says that the group also gets involved in philanthropic endeavors.

“We collected and shipped 300 pairs of new shoes to Haiti after their earthquake in 2010,” he says.

“And to support young professionals as well as our entire business community, we make it easy for our members to communicate directly with our elected officials on any matter they choose through rivervalleyvoice.org, our advocacy website.”

– Kevin Litwin

16

Ka n k a k e e C o u n t y

economic profile Business climate From its agricultural roots to its strong manufacturing base, the Kankakee River Valley offers economic incentives such as international trade assistance, technology support and workforce development programs.

taxes

6.25%

County Sales Tax

6.25%

Total Sales Tax

income MAJOR EMPLOYERS

$21,499 Per Capita Income

Riverside HealthCare

Bachelor’s Degree

7%

Graduate Degree

Transportation Greater Kankakee Valley Airport (815) 939-1422 www.kvaa.com

$47,835

River Valley METRO Mass Transit District (815) 937-4BUS (4287) (815) 935-1403 www.rivervalleymetro.com

CSL Behring LLC

WORKFORCE

Amtrak (800) 872-7245

Kankakee Community College

75%

Shapiro Developmental Center Provena St. Mary’s Hospital Cigna Health Care

Average Annual Household Expenditure

Baker & Taylor

Olivet Nazarene University Peddinghaus Corp.

White-Collar Jobs

Sears Logistics Services Inc.

25%

Van Drunen Farms Armstrong World Industries Inc.

Blue-Collar Jobs

K-Mart Distribution Center

EDUCATION

Bunge Oils Inc. City of Kankakee Nucor Steel

11%

29%

Associate Degree

Economic Resources Kankakee Regional Chamber of Commerce (815) 933-7721 www.kankakee.org Manteno Chamber of Commerce (815) 468-6226 www.mantenochamber.com

l i vab i l i t y. c o m / k a n k a k e e / i l

17

Local Flavor

Tastes Like Kankakee restaurants serve culinary favorites with Midwestern flair

S

weet or savory, oven-baked or pan-fried, you’ll find just what your taste buds are craving in Kankakee County. The region is dotted with locally owned restaurants, each with something unusual to offer – from the irresistible cookie bouquets at Nana’s Cakery & Bake Shoppe to the priceless antiques at The Country Mansion.

Nana’s Cakery & Bake Shoppe When folks in Kankakee County need to satisfy a sweet tooth, they head for Nana’s Cakery & Bake Shoppe in Bradley. For more than 30 years, Nana’s has been the place to go for made-fromscratch cakes, cupcakes, cookies and brownies.

Special occasions also call for Nana’s confections – the bakery can whip up an impressive cookie bouquet or custom-decorated cake for any holiday, wedding or other occasion. On Fridays and Saturdays, locals flock to Nana’s for fresh-baked pastries, coffee cakes and cinnamon rolls. And during the holiday season, Nana’s offers yule logs, pies, holiday cake balls, pumpkin bars, Christmas cookies and dessert trays.

La Villetta Restaurant Also in Bradley, La Villetta Restaurant has been serving reasonably priced Italian cuisine for nearly two decades. Familyowned and -operated, La Villetta

Read more about Kankakee County’s food scene at livability.com/kankakee/il.

18

Ka n k a k e e C o u n t y

Jeff Adkins

What’s Online

The Bacon Wrapped Beef Shoulder Tender at The Country Mansion restaurant in Dwight

makes all its soups and sauces from scratch daily. One of La Villetta’s specialties (and its most popular dish) is Chicken Sicilian, sautéed chicken breast in a light parmesan breading topped with creamy red bell pepper sauce over linguini.

The menu also includes favorites such as homemade lasagna, eggplant parmesan and ravioli, and a variety of pastas, steaks and seafood.

The Country Mansion History buffs should not miss dining at The Country Mansion in Dwight. Located in an elegant 1891 home that was originally the Scott Boarding House, The Country Mansion features handcrafted oak and maple woodwork,

original fireplaces in the lounge and antiques throughout.

The menu includes homemade soups, fresh salads, panini, wraps, hand-battered and fried tiger shrimp, cedar plank-grilled salmon, filets and ribeyes, prime rib, and pork chops. Be sure to wander around The Country Mansion’s gorgeous grounds, which bloom with flowers in springtime and are equally as pretty in winter.

The Iroquois Cafe No visit to Kankakee County would be complete without stopping in the Iroquois Cafe in Iroquois. A popular dining establishment for more than 35 years, the Iroquois Cafe’s menu consists mainly of sandwiches throughout the week, with daily specials such as hot wings on Thursdays, fish on Fridays and steaks on Saturdays.

– Jessica Mozo

He’s One Talented Truck Driver Kankakee County native Tony Scruggs of Grant Park rose to national fame on season two of Fox’s competitive MasterChef game show. The 52-year-old truck driver was eliminated from the competition in June 2011 after making it to the final 16.

Scruggs’ signature dish was a pan-seared Mahi Mahi with mango salsa and paella.

His dream is to open a restaurant with his wife.

l i vab i l i t y. c o m / k a n k a k e e / i l

19

Shot in the Arm Riverside expands, Provena St. Mary’s merges

What’s Online For more insight on Kankakee County’s health and wellness offerings, head to livability.com/kankakee/il.

20

Ka n k a k e e C o u n t y

Health & Wellness

T

he prognosis is positive at Riverside Medical Center and Provena St. Mary’s Hospital, where both facilities made some important news in recent times – and continue to make news.

Riverside Medical Center This highly rated hospital was established in 1964 and serves the Kankakee region and other south suburban counties of Chicago as a not-forprofit medical facility. It has campuses in Kankakee as well as Bourbonnais, with the Bourbonnais hospital breaking ground in June 2011 on a 30,000-square-foot addition that will include an accredited sleep center.

For the past four years, Riverside Medical has been named one of the nation’s Top 100 Hospitals

by Thomson Reuters. The hospital’s spine surgery program has also been ranked No. 1 in the state of Illinois by HealthGrades, and Riverside Medical also maintains five-star ratings in areas such as cardiac care, stroke treatment, and knee and hip replacement.

Provena St. Mary’s Hospital Provena St. Mary’s in Kankakee is a 189-bed acute

care facility with a Level II emergency/trauma center.

It has an award-winning chest pain department and is one of only 16 hospitals in Illinois accredited by the Society of Chest Pain Centers. Since 2008, Provena St. Mary’s has annually received the Distinguished Hospital Award for Patient Safety from HealthGrades and is only one of 10 hospitals in Illinois to receive this distinction for four consecutive years.

Provena, Resurrection Merge Provena Health and Resurrection Health Care completed a merger in November 2011 to create the single largest Catholic health care provider in Illinois. Both Provena and Resurrection will continue to operate individually, but will both be under the direction of the new organization.

The new system includes 12 hospitals, 28 long-term care facilities and senior residential facilities, six home health-care agencies, and more than 50 primary and specialty care clinics.

It serves more than 4.5 million people who live in Kankakee, Aurora, Chicago, Danville, Elgin, Des Plaines, Joliet, Rockford, Urbana and Avilia, Ind. – Kevin Litwin

Riverview Pharmacy

is a family owned and operated business located in the Kankakee, Illinois area. We have been providing service to the local community since 1976. During this time, our friendly and knowledgeable staff has filled millions of prescriptions for both the local residents and numerous residential facilities. Our staff takes pride in doing their work accurately and quickly. Riverview Pharmacy accepts most insurance and offers low prices for the cash paying customer. The pharmacist is always available for patient consultation throughout the day if a customer has any questions concerning their prescription. ✤ Quick service (Waits under 10 minutes) ✤ Accepts most forms of insurance ✤ Low prices for cash paying customers ✤ Free local delivery upon request ✤ Weekly medication planners ✤ Patient consultation ✤ Medication lists available ✤ Yearly print-offs (for tax purposes) ✤ 24-hour answering service 475 Brown Blvd. #105 ✤ Bourbonnais, IL 60914 (815) 933-1735 ✤ (815) 933-3370 fax

www.riverviewrx.net

Let Our Family Take Care of Your Family l i vab i l i t y. c o m / k a n k a k e e / i l

21

Metro Centre Arts Gallery

photos by Jeff Adkins

An award on display at the Metro Centre Arts Gallery in Bourbonnais

22

Ka n k a k e e C o u n t y

Arts & Culture

Open Your Mind Kankakee County keeps residents well versed in art and music

K

ankakee County is eager to showcase arts and culture options. Art galleries, big names in entertainment, theaters and a rich history make Kankakee County a great place to expand your artistic mind.

Metro Centre Arts Gallery Housed in the Metro Transit Center is the Metro Centre Arts Gallery, which opened in 2009.

Headed by the Community Arts Council, the gallery’s space is available to local artists or groups who are members in good standing with the council. All participants have the option to sell their work at the gallery, and past exhibits include paintings, photography, cibachrome prints and mixed media.

studio at Kankakee Community College. Join DJs Shuffle Shoes and Sky Dobro while they play blues musicians such as Stevie Ray Vaughn, Allman Brothers Band and Fruteland Jackson, to name a few. The show is public and commercial free and airs Saturday night from 8 p.m. to midnight.

Classic Appeal Meadowview Theatre in Kankakee has been airing movies since 1967, and its interior was designed by Hans Teichert of Chicago, a renowned artist known for his unusual creations. The Paramount Theatre, which first debuted in Kankakee in 1931, has premiered such classics as Gone With the Wind and Wizard of Oz,

as well as hits such as Twilight Saga: New Moon and Avatar.

The theater has proudly kept its original art deco motif that includes a cobalt blue ceiling and intricate geometric designs in green, red, gold and silver. The Paramount is graced with five screens, and two are equipped with digital 3D capabilities.

Compelling History The Kankakee County Museum presents rotating exhibits that chronicle Kankakee County’s experiences during the 20th century. Exhibits contain significant artifacts and archival materials that are supported with period photographic images, all depicting Kankakee natives.

Know Your Jazz Jazz musician Orbert Davis grew up in Momence, and as a child he travelled to Chicago once a week for trumpet lessons. Later, he decided to stay in Chicago to receive his bachelor’s degree in trumpet performance from DePaul University in Chicago and his master’s in Jazz Pedagogy from Northwestern University.

Orbert Davis and his partner Mark Ingram own and operate Orbark Productions, which has worked with clients such as Atlantic and Capitol, CBS, MCA and the Warner Brothers record companies. Davis founded the Jazz Alive program and Chicago Jazz Philharmonic that focus on teaching life and academic skills through music and art. Davis is also an associate professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Listen Up The Friends of the Blues Radio Show is broadcast from WKCC’s

Container teChnologies Plastic Bottle Manufacturer At Ring, we have always believed our corporate responsibility goes beyond just providing quality products.

With this vision, we strive for excellence in customer relations, talented personnel and our commitment to sustainability. With a long history that predates the current trend of sustainability, Ring has always believed in a near-site/on-site business model for strategic plant locations. This drive and outward way of looking at our resources has made us a leader today in our industries for carbon footprint and sustainable business practices.

Clarence heber, Plant Manager 1825 American Way • Kankakee, IL 60901 (815) 939-7270 E-mail: clarence.heber@ringcontainer.com

www.ringcontainer.com l i vab i l i t y. c o m / k a n k a k e e / i l

23

Sports & Recreation

photo by Jeff Adkins

Nature’s Playground Kankakee residents find plenty of places to play

W

hether hitting the links at an area golf course, swimming in the local high school’s competition-grade pool or attending the area’s huge annual outdoors show, Kankakee residents find plenty of places to play.

Celebrating the Outdoors Each January, fans of outdoor sports flock to the First Church of the Nazarene to attend one of Kankakee’s best outdoors events.

The fourth annual Outward Bound Adventure Sports Show expanded

to two days and was renamed Gotcha! Outdoors Sports and Adventure Show. In addition to numerous seminars, demonstrations and vendor exhibits, the show features games and prize giveaways, live reptile exhibitions and archery target shooting.

The 2012 show featured guest speakers Hank Parker, a 2003 Bass Fishing Hall of Fame inductee and host of Hank Parker’s Outdoor Magazine, and Jimmy Sites, the award-winning national television host of Spiritual Outdoor Adventures.

Sprinting in the Water The Bradley-Bourbonnais Community High School swimming pool is the place to be for aquatic sports in Bradley.

The school’s impressive, multiuse heated swimming pool is 75 feet long and 13 feet deep. Its diving board, warm-up area and eight-lane capacity make it the perfect place for numerous water competitions, such as lap swimming, diving and water polo.

Although the pool is often available to the public for open swimming, it is the home of the Bradley-Bourbonnais Community

Above: A swim meet at Bradley-Bourbonnais Community High School in Bradley Right: Outdoor Bound Adventure Sports Show, now named Gotcha! Outdoors Sports and Adventure Show

24

Ka n k a k e e C o u n t y

Photo Courtesy of Eric Penrod

High School boys’ and girls’ varsity and junior varsity swim teams as well as the BradleyBourbonnais Swim Club team, fittingly named the “Dolphins”.

The varsity and junior varsity teams compete against area rival teams while the Dolphins participate in such events as Sprint to the End, a water-sprinting competition, and Splash Bash, a noncompetitive open swim event for children in grades 3 through 6.

Playing the Holes Golf is a major recreational activity in Kankakee, which is home to numerous courses.

The South Shore Golf Club in Momence offers a challenging course with small, bunkered greens and seven holes that contain water traps. The Manteno Golf Club course in Manteno contains tall trees as well as six water hazards. The Minne Monesse Golf Club, opened in 1926, boasts a par-72 layout, graceful rolling hills, water traps on 11 holes and grand oak trees.

The Shamrock Golf Club in St. Anne is a par-60 executive course tucked away in a wooded area with narrow fairways and daunting mature tree lines. The Oak Springs Golf Club, also in St. Anne, opened in 1969. Its course spans 6,260 yards.

The Aspen Ridge Golf Course in Bourbonnais offers more affordable rates for its 18-hole course, which extends over 5,968 yards. The Kankakee Country Club is a private establishment opened in 1916 that offers a par-70 course over 5,745 yards.

Finally, the public Kankakee Elks Country Club in St. Anne opened in 1901. Its course spans an impressive 6,430 yards.

– Braxton Shoop

l i vab i l i t y. c o m / k a n k a k e e / i l

6039-TR12260M_TGB_Livability.indd 1

25

3/22/10 11:40:09 AM

Top 10

Great Places to Ride a Bike

clayton’s Legend Park Smithfield, NC Landahl Park Blue Springs, MO Riverfront Park Salem, OR Stanky Creek bike trails Collierville, TN Kankakee River Trail Kankakee, IL Kerr Scott Trail North Wilkesboro, NC Bend Riverside Trail Bend, OR Tongue River trail Sheridan, WY

Kankakee made the list.

Top 10 Great Places to Ride a Bike

See more Top 10 lists at Livability.com.

San Angelo State Park San Angelo, TX Paseo del Bosque Albuquerque, NM

Introducing the Livability.com Top 10 Lists New lists every month | Not your average lists | Not your average website

Education

Extra Credit Students have strong academic options

M

ultiple choices are available to students who want a strong education in Kankakee County.

Kankakee Public Schools The Kankakee Public School District 111 has an enrollment of 5,500 students in grades pre-K through 12, and serves the city of Kankakee, the village of Aroma Park, and rural areas east and south of the city. Other areas of Kanakakee County, including the cities of Bradley, Manteno and Bourbonnais, are served by independant districts and boards.

There are 12 districts in the county

Kankakee Community College KCC offers more than 45 areas of study, and the majority of its 3,500 full-time students complete their two-year degrees and then transfer to four-year institutions. The college also works with area businesses to conduct specialized workforce training programs, and oversees the Kankakee Education and Employment Center, a one-stop location for adult learners, job seekers and businesses seeking qualified workers. The center offers a selection of post-secondary programs‚ including bachelor of arts degrees in criminal justice and communications, as well as master of arts degrees in education.

Governors State University Located in Chicago, and just 40 minutes from Kankakee County, is Governors State University, which offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees through 54 programs. Qualified students who attend KCC can transfer to GSU and pay the same tuition after completing the necessary credit hours.

Olivet Nazarene University In Bourbonnais‚ Olivet Nazarene University offers

For Complete Waste Removal Residential Commercial Recycling Roll-off Dumpsters Special Hauling Portable Restrooms Family Owned and Operated for Over 50 Years

(815) 932-1115 www.mydisposal.com

more than 110 undergraduate programs along with several graduate studies and continuing education options. Its motto is “Education with a Christian Purpose,” and more than 20,000 degrees have been granted to students throughout the university’s 105-year history.

Kankakee Area Career Center The career center has provided vocational and technical education to regional high school students for more than 40 years. The underlying function of KACC is to prepare students for viable career paths.

A total of 16 programs are offered at the center, including automotive repair, 3D design and computer technology.

Grundy Livingston Kankakee Workforce Board Both Kankakee Community College and Olivet Nazarene University collaborate with Grundy Livingston Kankakee Workforce Board on numerous community service projects aimed at improving the skill level of the workforce to strengthen the local economy. Its focus is to meet the needs of businesses looking for skilled workers, and meet the training, education and employment needs of individuals.

– Kevin Litwin

REED’S RENT ALL & SALES INC. (815) 939-3117 ➦ HOME OWNER ➦ CONSTRUCTION ➦ PARTY EQUIPMENT 907 N. Indiana Ave. Kankakee, IL 60901 www.reedsrentall.com

l i vab i l i t y. c o m / k a n k a k e e / i l

27

Ad Index

27 A & J D i s p osa l

17 A m e r i c a’ s B i s t r o

1 6 B u n g e N o rt h A m e r i c a

1 5 CSL B e h r i n g

1 5 Eco n o m i c A l lia n c e o f K a n kak e e Co u n t y

C 2 H i lto n Ga r d e n I n n 3 K a n kak e e Co m m u n it y Co l l eg e

1 9 K a n kak e e Co u n t y Co n v e n ti o n & V i s ito r s B u r e au

17 Ma n p ow e r

27 R e e d ’ s R e n t A l l & Sa l e s I n c .

2 3 R i n g Co n ta i n e r T ec h n o lo g i e s

C 4 R i v e r Va l l e y M e t r o

2 1 R i v e rv i e w P h a r m ac y

community profile Snapshot Located just 60 miles from Chicago, Kankakee County boasts small-town charm and big-city amenities. The region is separated from urban life by more than 30 miles of open prairie. As residents will tell you, it’s truly the best of both worlds.

Cost of Living

MARITAL STATUS:

$56,335

56%

Median Household Income

Married

$107,153

44%

Median Home Price

$739 Median Rent (for a Two-Bedroom Apartment)

Climate

Single

ETHNICITY:

79%

Mild summers and cool winters make for a pleasant year-round climate in Kankakee County.

Household Information

85 F

AGE:

12° F

Median Resident Age

Hispanic

29%

3%

°

July Average High

January Average Low

38

”

White

36 19 and Under

13% Black

5% Other

Annual Rain Fall (vs. National Average Annual Rain Fall of 37”)

46% 20-54

TRANSPORTATION

time zone

25%

3%

Central

55 and Over

Median Travel Time to Work

visit our

advertisers A&J Disposal www.kankakeesanitary.com

Hilton Garden Inn www.kankakee.gardeninn.com

America’s Bistro

Kankakee Community College www.kcc.edu

Bunge North America www.bungenorthamerica.com

28

CSL Behring www.cslbehring.com

Kankakee County Convention & Visitors Bureau www.visitkankakeecounty.com

Economic Alliance of Kankakee County www.kankakeecountyed.org

Manpower www.us.manpower.com

Ka n k a k e e C o u n t y

Reed’s Rent All & Sales Inc. www.reedsrentall.com Ring Container Technologies www.ringcontainer.com River Valley Metro www.rivervalleymetro.com Riverview Pharmacy www.riverviewrx.net

Through the Lens

Get the Story Behind the Photo Now that you’ve experienced Kankakee County through our photos, see it through the eyes of our photographers. Visit throughthelensjci.com to view our exclusive photographers’ blog documenting what all went in to capturing those perfect moments.

From Our Photo Blog: Kankakee County Located on the banks of the Kankakee River, The B. Harley Bradley House and Stable recently opened its doors to visitors as an arts and education center thanks to local not-for-profit organization, Wright in Kankakee. Designed by legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright, the house is recognized as his first prairie-style design. The house, built in 1900, has been a private residence several times over, as well as a restaurant and a law office in its century-long existence.

I got to spend several hours wandering around the house alone taking photographs for Images Kankakee County magazine. Being a photographer, I was really struck by the placement of the windows and the way the light changed the look of the house’s interior at different times of the day. And the lines created by the woodwork gave me multiple options with which to compose photos within each room.

It was like looking at a piece of artwork from the inside out, rather than the outside in, which is usually the case …

Posted by Jeff Adkins

More Online See more favorite photos and read the stories behind the shots at throughthelensjci.com. l i vab i l i t y. c o m / k a n k a k e e / i l

29