News & Events

 Investments in the power grid continued to pay reliability dividends for ComEd customers as the electric company delivered record reliability in 2022. Since grid improvements began in 2011, overall reliability has improved more than 80 percent. In that time, ComEd has avoided more than 19 million power outages for customers, saving more than $3.3 billion in outage-related costs. In 2022, 85 percent, or nearly 3.5 million ComEd customers, experienced zero or one interruption in service.

ComEd multi-year grid and rate plans will strengthen the region’s infrastructure and  economy and increase access to the benefits of clean energy and decarbonization under the  state’s Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA). The plans also ensure that the electric grid  remains reliable and resilient for the 9 million people ComEd serves in northern Illinois as  severe weather events become more common due to climate change. 

Olivet Nazarene University is set to offer a degree in Entrepreneurship, and kicks off the program by hosting a Createur Conference & Pitch Competition on April 13-14, 2023. During the two-day conference, participants will hear alumni and other subject-matter experts share about their entrepreneurial experiences as well as career highlights from keynote speaker, Steve Green, president of Hobby Lobby and founder of the Museum of the Bible. The event will culminate with a business idea pitch competition.

With a cost of living below the national average, employment opportunities to earn a substantial income and being ranked in the top among small communities for nursing, carpentry, law enforcement and manufacturing hubs, Kankakee County is worth a second look.

Five area high schools will participate in the launch of Kankakee County CEO in August. A select group of students from Kankakee High School, Bishop McNamara High School, Momence Community High School, St. Anne Community High School and Kankakee Trinity Academy will visit local businesses, learn operations, soft skills and entrepreneurial basics as they begin their own business.

Scanlon Excavating & Concrete, Inc. based out of Kankakee in conjunction with the Illinois Department of Transportation is hosting an outreach and networking event on December 1, 2022 at Quality Inn and Suites in Bradley.

BOURBONNAIS – The Illinois Manufacturers’ Association (IMA) continued its statewide “Manufacturing Matters” tour on Thursday during an event held by the Economic Alliance of Kankakee County detailing the results of a new economic impact study measuring the industry’s significant contributions to the state and regional economy.

The Economic Alliance of Kankakee County has named Joe Franco of Kankakee as the inaugural recipient of the IMPACT Award for his commitment to the growth of sustainable development in the region.

“Manufacturing Matters” Tour to Visit Kankakee County, Highlight Industry’s Important Role in State and Regional Economy 
New Economic Study Finds Manufacturing Generates $5 billion in Economic Output in Kankakee County, Supports 8,465 Jobs

Kankakee County’s greatest strength is the ability to thrive given any situation.  Capital improvements and infrastructure projects are underway; global, national, and local shareholders have pinned Kankakee County as a place to invest, employers are expanding and hiring, and new jobs are being created.