Kankakee, IL – The Citizens Advisory Board (CAB) shall serve the City of Kankakee, in its role for the Economic and Community Development Agency (ECDA), in an advisory capacity pursuant to HUD Regulations 24 CFR § 91.105, which requires the provision of citizen participation in development plans. The functions and responsibilities of the CAB shall include, but not be limited to information distribution, issue clarification, and problem solving.

 

In regards to information distribution, CAB members will assist in establishing comprehension and promote credibility for the ECDA planning process, provide CAB knowledge of the planning process into local citizen group discussions and meetings, promote better public dissemination of general information through mass circulation methods, and relating overall community needs and values, relative to planning goals and to future land use, housing needs, and transportation needs. Issue clarification and problem solving can include activities such as evaluating and proposing solutions and alternatives on major ECDA proposals, determining general citizen attitudes and response to ECDA planning and programming issues, articulating and interpreting the goals of ECDA programs through program evaluation and information dissemination, and identification of existing problem areas of general citizen concern.

 

“The Citizens Advisory Board will play a pivotal role in our agency’s Citizen Participation Plan for administering and developing our community and economic development programs,” states Executive Director, Barbi Brewer-Watson. “All of our programs benefit the residents of Kankakee and I would like to have representatives from across the City give us regular feedback on those programs.  We can better serve the City this way.”

 

The Citizens Advisory Board will be composed of 25 individuals fulfilling the following requirements – one representative from each of the seven (7) municipal wards and eighteen (18) persons from designated areas in the City as follows: one (1) from Olivet  Nazarene University Administration, one (1) from Kankakee Community College Administration, one (1) from Kankakee School District #111 Administration, one (1) local University or College student, one (1) from Health Care Industry, one (1) Kankakee School District #111 High School Student, and twelve (12) persons with disabilities, non-English speaking persons, persons receiving housing assistance, and representatives from local businesses, nonprofits, community based and faith based organizations.

 

“The City of Kankakee is a diverse community and our team works very hard to be inclusive. The Citizens Advisory Board will be a first of its kind for the City, presenting a unique opportunity for local representatives throughout the City to raise their voices to better inform policy decisions and enhance our community,” said Mayor Wells-Armstrong.

 

Applications for the Citizens Advisory Board (CAB) are available at the ECDA offices during regular business hours at 200 E. Court St., Suite 410 in Kankakee, IL and online at www.citykankakee-il.gov.

 

Kankakee Economic and Community Development (ECDA) is a local government agency whose mission is to improve the lives of Kankakee residents and enhance the economic vitality of communities through housing, economic development and community development. The ECDA administers programs that serve the neighborhoods and residents of the City of Kankakee provided by federal, state, and local funding.

 

For more information, contact ECDA at (815) 933-0506 Monday – Friday, 8:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.

 

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The City of Kankakee is dedicated to protecting, building and nurturing the community while enhancing lives. We are a historic, vibrant, and active riverfront community. We continue to transform into an extraordinary place to dream, grow, and thrive. Embracing our diversity, we strive to be progressive, inclusive, and innovative. For more information on the City of Kankakee, please visit the website at www.citykankakee-il.gov.

 

Download the Press Release - The Economic and Community Development Agency Office Opens Application for Citizens Advisory Board (CAB)