Kankakee

Kankakee is a city in Chicagoland, the county seat of Kankakee County.

Understand
The Kankakee metropolitan area has a population of about 120,000.

The major industries of the Kankakee area are health care, higher education, manufacturing, and retail trade. The area is the regional retail market center for the Far Southern Chicago suburbs, with a strong reputation as a City of Restaurants serving Interstate Highway 57 travelers, from Interstate Highway 57 Exit 308, Interstate Highway 57 Exit 312, Interstate Highway 57 Exit 315, and Interstate Highway 57 Exit 322. Suburban Bradley is the retail hub serving Interstate Highway 57 Exit 315.

The Kankakee Area has a hot summer, cold-to-mild winter climate, typical of the interior Midwest region of the United States of America.

By train
Kankakee is served by the Illinois Central Railroad, a Canadian National Railway subsidiary, which provides Amtrak passenger service to Kankakee Depot and freight service. The Amtrak Station ID is KKI. In addition, one can use the University Park Metra Station, approximately 18 miles north, on Governor's Highway (Route 50). This station is operated by the Regional Transportation Authority, and facilitates travel to the city of Chicago, terminating at the Randolph Street Subway.

is located at 199 S E Ave.

By bus
Kankakee is served by Greyhound Bus Lines.

By car
Kankakee is on Interstate Highway 57, from South to North served by Exits 308, 312, and 315; United States Highway 45; United States Highway 52; Illinois State Highway 17; Illinois State Highway 50; Illinois State Highway 113; and Illinois State Highway 115.

By bus
Kankakee is served by the River Valley Metro Transit District. However, the arrival times are terrible, often showing up hours behind schedule. Avoid taking the bus if you can.

Eat
With its reputation as a City of Restaurants, this area has a greater share of restaurants, and of fine restaurants, per capita than its population would suggest. The restaurants are throughout the city and the adjacent suburban villages. A trip to the nearby city of Momence can also reward the traveler looking for fine dining.

Drink


Many bars are in less-than-ideal neighborhoods, so keep that in mind when looking for a drink.

Learn
Kankakee is the home of Olivet Nazarene University, in the suburban village of Bourbonnais, and Kankakee Community College.

Stay healthy
The area is served by Ascension St. Mary's Hospital, 500 West Court Street, and the Riverside Medical Center, 350 North Wall Street.

Go next
The nearest town is Manteno, population about 6,000, also in Kankakee County. Kankakee's suburbs include the Villages of Aroma Park, Bradley, Bourbonnais, Momence, Limestone and Sun River Terrace. Other nearby Villages include Herscher, Grant Park, Hopkins Park, Bonfield, Union Hill, and St. Anne, all in Kankakee County. Chebanse is in Kankakee County and neighboring Iroquois County, Clifton is in Iroquois County, as is Gilman; and Reddick is in Kankakee County and neighboring Livingston County.