FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Delbert Skimerhorn
815-937-2940
Plan to Protect Public Health and Property in Kankakee County
Ready for Public Review
Kankakee, IL (May 15, 2023) -- The updated Kankakee County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan outlining projects and activities to reduce damages caused by severe weather and other natural hazards will be available for public review and comment starting May 31, 2023. The Plan, along with a summary sheet and a comment survey, will be available for review at the Kankakee County Planning Department and on the County’s website.
The comment period will remain open through June 14, 2023. Public comments received will be used to make any revisions needed before the Plan is submitted to the Illinois and Federal Emergency Management Agencies.
The Kankakee County Natural Hazards Mitigation Advisory Task Force has been conducting working meetings open to the public since May 2022. The Task Force prepared this Plan with technical assistance from state and federal agencies as well as a consultant specializing in emergency management planning.
The municipalities of Aroma Park, Bourbonnais, Bradley, Grant Park, Hopkins Park, Kankakee, Manteno, and Union Hill, as well as Kankakee Community College, Bourbonnais Fire Protection District (FPD), Manteno Community FPD, Momence FPD, Ascension St. Mary's Hospital, Riverside Medical Center, and Bourbonnais Township have participated in the planning process.
“This Plan describes how the County and the participating jurisdictions have been impacted by severe weather and other hazards and identifies specific mitigation actions that can be taken to reduce damages to people and property before events occur,” explained Delbert Skimerhorn, Kankakee County Director of Planning.
An open-house style public forum will be held at the Kankakee County Administration Building, 4th Floor County Board Room, 189 E. Court Street in Kankakee from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, May 31, 2023. Individuals can come and review the Plan at any time during the forum. Those unable to attend can still review the Plan and provide comments without participating in the public forum.