BaseLocal

Kankakee’s Favorite Newsletter

Kankakee news, events, and recommendations delivered free every morning.

Kankakee, IL
15Events this week
4Free things to do
90New spots
101New stories

● Checked Sunday, September 13, before the 6 AM send.

This week in Kankakee

Five picks from this week's calendar. See all 15 events, day by day →

Tai Chi Tuesday

Tuesday 10:30am · St Rose Catholic Church

The Digital Divide: A Migration Story

Thursday 2pm · Kankakee County Museum

KCVSPC Monthly Meeting

Friday 9:30am · Riverside Healthcare

Fridays After 5

Friday 5pm · The Grove · Free

KVTA's Dreamgirls

Friday 7pm · Lincoln Cultural Center

New in Kankakee

Places that opened, reopened, or earned a mention this month — the ones we'd go back to.

AK Studios

Beauty

Where Kankakee gets inked: AK Studios is the kind of spot locals hit when a half-formed sketch in your Notes app needs to become real.

akstudiosgroup.com ↗

Bird Park

Parks & Outdoors

Close-to-home green escape: Bird Park is that reliable Kankakee standby when you need a riverfront stroll, kid-approved playground time, or a cool splash pad day.

kvpd.com ↗

Splash Valley Aquatic Center

Entertainment

Make a summer splash: When it’s hot, Splash Valley Aquatic Center is where Kankakee cools off with waterslide runs, big pool days, and programs that actually teach kids to love the water.

splashvalley.com ↗

Kankakee’s best businesses

Every spot worth knowing, in one place.

The restaurants, shops, and services the newsletter recommends, all in one place — every listing checked, and paid pins marked every time.

Browse Kankakee’s best →

Most read in Kankakee

The five stories Kankakee readers clicked most this month, from the daily editions.

  1. Video shows thieves smashing slot machines at Will County travel center

    A brazen smash-and-grab burglary occurred at a Will County travel center in Will County, southwest of Chicago, where five masked offenders damaged video gaming machines and stole cash before fleeing the scene.

    Full story at nbcchicago.com ↗

  2. New E-Bike law goes into effect in 2027

    New Illinois e-bike legislation, which goes into effect in 2027, requires drivers license, title, registration and insurance for e-bikes and motorcyclists, and requires them to be at least 16-years-old.

    Full story at yahoo.com ↗

  3. Kankakee Fire Department battles fire at roofing manufacturing site - Daily Dispatch

    A fire at Kankakee's IKO Roofing manufacturing plant has resulted in three smoke inhalation injuries to plant workers.

    Full story at dailydispatch.com ↗

  4. Illinois Employers Take Note: Key Employment Law Changes Taking Effect in 2027

    New legislation in Illinois will make significant changes to state employment law starting January 1, 2027, allowing employers to pay employees for time spent on jury duty for that period.

    Full story at jdsupra.com ↗

  5. Jennifer Dixon Repeats as Champion Woman Golfer at 2026 Kankakee-Iroquois County Amateur Women’s Golf Tournament

    Jennifer Dixon of Shewami Country Club won the 2026 Kankakee-Iroquois County Amateur Women’s Golf Tournament, marking her second title in two years.

    Full story at newsbug.info ↗

Explore Kankakee

The rest of what BaseLocal keeps current for the city.

Kankakee eventsAll 15 events this week, day by dayThis weekend in KankakeeThe 7 things worth your weekendFree things to do4 free events happening this weekRead the latest editionSee exactly what lands in your inboxBourbonnais3 miles away — nearby on BaseLocalJoliet30 miles away — nearby on BaseLocalTinley Park32 miles away — nearby on BaseLocalPlainfield39 miles away — nearby on BaseLocal