Francis J. Smith Receives IMPACT Award
FRANCIS J. SMITH RECEIVES IMPACT AWARD FROM THE ECONOMIC ALLIANCE OF KANKAKEE COUNTY
The IMPACT Award by the Economic Alliance of Kankakee County was awarded to Francis J. Smith of Manteno and accepted by family members July 29, 2024 during the Denny Golf Outing fundraiser at the Kankakee Country Club in Kankakee, Illinois.
The IMPACT Award honors the accomplishments of an individual, business or organization that has propelled sustainable growth and progress within the community. Through decades of innovation, investment and service, Francis Smith (Smitty) has significantly shaped the economic landscape of the region in driving progress, attracting business, involvement in various organizations and overall dedication to Kankakee County.
“For all of his collaboration, all his cooperation, all his accomplishments, all the things he has been able to do to for Kankakee County and the area, to provide people jobs, and to be able to make this area a success we are very proud to award Smitty the IMPACT Award,” said Tim Nugent, President/CEO of the Economic Alliance of Kankakee County. “This is how work gets done, and how growth and development happen.”
“I am honored to receive this award. This is how we have always operated. You do what you can to make the community a better and stronger place to live,” said Smith. “It takes all of us, from family, friends, neighbors, businesses to make this area a success. It’s something we have been doing for a long time.”
Along with years in the banking and insurance industries, Smith has been significantly involved in development of several subdivisions across the region, and as the founder and director of Illinois Diversatech, turning the site into a manufacturing and industrial hub following the closure of the Manteno State Hospital in 1985.
“If you look at Diversatech and what it was and what it is now, it’s turning lemons into lemonade for sure,” said Illinois Senator Pat Joyce (D-Essex), and longtime friend of Smith. “It’s a real opportunity for that area and he’s been doing that for a long time.”
“Small little steps. Making progress each day towards a better Manteno, a better Kankakee County, a better Kankakee, Bradley, Bourbonnais, all the communities is what he was trying to do every day,” said Bill Smith, eldest son of Francis.
Pat Martin, former chairman of the Economic Alliance and longtime friend recalls Smith’s advice when they worked together at HomeStar Bank. “He told me the only way we are successful is if our communities are successful. That was Smitty. The community was so important to him, and the people in it.” Martin said.
Smith is a lifelong resident of the Village of Manteno and a graduate of the former St. Patrick’s High School of Kankakee, now known as Bishop McNamara Catholic School, where he remains heavily involved in all facets of fundraising. Smith graduated from the University of Notre Dame and returned to the area where he began his business career in insurance, banking and development.
Smith has served the community in various capacities including as Chairman of the Board for Manteno BancShares, the holding company for Homestar Bank. Francis has served as chairman of the Manteno Planning Commission for the Village since 2005 and the Riverside Healthcare Board of Directors since 2006. Smith has been and continues to be a strong advocate in several political campaigns in Kankakee County and throughout Illinois.
“He knows that a strong workforce drives economic prosperity. He just gets it, and he understands what we are doing at Kankakee Community College,” said Dr. Michael Boyd, President of Kankakee Community College and Chairman of the Economic Alliance of Kankakee County. “He doesn’t just understand what we are doing; though, he also gets involved in KCC’s work. Francis and Jean have been long-term friends and supporters of student success at KCC, and their involvement has already created a lasting legacy at KCC.
“He has a long legacy as a great thinker and entrepreneur, as a generous giver, and as an active member of the community as a whole,” said Phil Kambic, President of Riverside Healthcare, the largest employer in Kankakee County. “Riverside has definitely benefitted from his insights and involvement with us, as I know many other organizations have as well. I am very pleased to know he will be recognized for the significant impact he’s made.”
“He’s a regionalist, in terms of, he’s not myopic and just only being concerned about matters in Manteno, but the State, the region, the county, and as far as that goes, the Country,” said Steve Hunter, Kankakee County Board member. “If you go somewhere and meet some folks and tell them where you’re from – from Illinois, Kankakee area …. They say ‘Oh, do you know Smitty?’ Everybody knows Smitty.”
Smith and his wife, Jean, have been married for 57 years and have four children, William who resides in Chicago, Mike and Pam of Washington DC, and Kelly of Denver.
The Economic Alliance of Kankakee County is a public-private partnership that works to expand the economic base by improving the local business climate in Kankakee County. The Alliance employs a collaborative approach to support development in the strategic areas of business retention, expansion and attraction, and workforce and community development.
For more information contact Tim Nugent, President/CEO at tnugent@kankakeecountyed.org or 815.935.1177; or Angela Morrey, Vice President of Business Development at amorrey@kankakeecountyed.org or 630.800.0006.
Bill Smith (right) accepts the IMPACT Award on behalf of his father, Francis J. Smith of Manteno, from Tim Nugent (left), President / CEO of the Economic Alliance of Kankakee County.