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Kankakee Public Library News

Kankakee Public Library, 201 E. Merchant Street, recently announced several of its upcoming programs in March. For more information on upcoming events, check out the library’s Facebook page, visit lions-online.org, or call 815-939-4564. Bingo, Books, and BP: Join others in the community on Friday, March 8, from 10 a.m. – noon, at the library, for…

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Clove Alliance Hosting Cosmic Bingo

Clove Alliance is excited to announce the return of their signature event, COSMIC BINGO, on Friday, March 22, at the Kankakee Fairgrounds Expo Center. This unique bingo night, with a cosmic twist, is for adults 18 and older! With laser and black lights, loud music, and glow sticks, this interactive bingo event promises to be…

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Dueling Pianos FUNdraiser April 13

Gather friends and join in a High Energy, All Request, Sing-Along, Clap-Along, Rock-N-Roll, Comedy Piano Show, where the audience is just as much a part of the show as the entertainers! Child Network and Ascension Saint Mary are bringing The FUN Pianos! Show back to Kankakee County on Saturday, April 13, at the Quality Inn…

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‘Battles and Triumphs: The Human Condition’ Closing Soon

Local artist Brian Marcotte is inviting the community to join him at the Kankakee County Museum, 801 S. Eighth Avenue, on March 9, from 3-5 p.m., for a closing reception and last chance to see his art show – “Battles and Triumphs: The Human Condition,” currently on display in the George Grey Barnard Exhibit. This…

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Kankakee River Valley Regatta Seeking Sponsors for Summer Event

Get ready to embark on an exhilarating journey! After a 10-plus year hiatus, the Kankakee River Valley Regatta is making its triumphant return, August 30 – September 1. The event is promising a massive gathering of more than 35,000 spectators, a sea of boating enthusiasts, passionate fans, and fearless race drivers with their dedicated teams.…

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Visit Chicago Southland Releases New Visitors Guide

The 2024 Chicago Southland Visitors Guide has been released, so it’s time to dust off those calendars, gather family, colleagues, and friends, and plan the perfect activity or getaway! “Our marketing team and community partners have done another fantastic job in putting our Visitors Guide together,” said Jim Garrett, President/CEO of Visit Chicago Southland. “Everything…

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30th Annual Irish Fest March March 1 – 2

Manhattan is getting ready to explode Friday and Saturday with the 30th annual Manhattan Irish Fest, March 1 and 2. The Irish American Society of County Will (IASCW), once again, is the official fest host, in cooperation with the Village of Manhattan. Here are the highlights: Live entertainment under the main tent Friday night, from…

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Sip Your Way Through Kankakee County!

Visit Kankakee County is excited to introduce the newest adventure awaiting exploration in the area: The Kankakee County Craft Beverage Trail. This unique experience invites locals and visitors alike to embark on a journey through 13 local establishments, each showcasing their own inventive craft beverages, ranging from meticulously crafted cocktails and espresso delights to refreshing…

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Visit Chicago Southland Unveils ‘Suds Buds’ Rewards Program for Craft Brew Lovers

Visit Chicago Southland has unveiled the “Chicago Southland Suds Buds” mobile passport program to reward those who visit any of the 14 select breweries located throughout the Chicago Southland with swag prize packages. “Every day, brewmasters across the Chicago Southland are concocting an extensive menu of craft ales, lagers, golden wheats, rich and creamy stouts,…

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JSO Presents ‘Remember’ February 24 – 25

The Joliet Symphony Orchestra (JSO) is pleased to announce the third concert series of its 2023-2024 Season with Artistic Director and Conductor Dr. Sean Paul Mills leading a program featuring works by Aaron Copland, Florence Price, Leonard Bernstein, and John Knowles Paine. Titled “Remember: A Celebration of Music ‘Made in America,’” the JSO will perform…

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Food and Drink

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Coalition of Tipped Workers, Service Operators, Local Businesses Oppose Effort to Eliminate Tip Credit

Legislation would lead to less take-home pay for workers and increased costs  for the hospitality industry and consumers. A coalition of tipped workers, service operators, and local businesses recently urged the General Assembly to reject a flawed proposal that would eliminate the tip credit. HB 5345 would fundamentally alter the way restaurants, bars, breweries, hotels,…

April Legion Fish Fry

Legion Fish Fry

At a Glance: Peotone American Legion Post 392 will host its monthly all-you-can-eat while dining in, fish fry on Saturday, April 13, from 4:30 to 6:30p.m. or until sold out. Tickets are $15 for either perch or catfish and include French fries, cole slaw, bread, and butter. Don’t forget delicious desserts, from the Legion Auxiliary,…

Lawmakers, Department of Insurance focus on Blue Cross, Springfield Clinic controversy

Survey Shows Majority of Illinois Restaurant Employees Oppose Eliminating Tip Credit

Eliminating tip credit, would lead to less take-home pay, increased costs for restaurants/consumers. SPRINGFIELD – A recent survey of tipped restaurant employees in Illinois found a strong majority agree the current tipping system works well for them and should not be changed. The survey of 281 Illinois servers, bartenders, and other tipped staff was conducted…

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WCHD Hosting Five Food Bank Mobile Markets

The Will County Health Department will host five Northern Illinois Food Bank Mobile Markets between March and July. The Mobile Markets are scheduled from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on March 21, April 18, May 16, June 14, and July 12, and will be held in the parking lot of the Will County Health Department’s main…

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Health Department Food Bank Mobile Market March 21

The Will County Health Department is hosting a Northern Illinois Food Bank Mobile Market on Thursday, March 21, from 10 to 11:30 a.m., in the health departments parking lot, 501 Ella Avenue in Joliet. Anyone needing food assistance is welcome to receive free groceries. No ID, documentation, or pre-approval is needed. Distribution is on a…

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Legion Fish Fry March 9

Area residents are invited to Peotone American Legion Post 392’s monthly all-you-can-eat fish fry on Saturday, March 9, from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m., or until sold out. Tickets are $15 for perch or catfish and include French fries, cole slaw, bread, and butter. You might also want to try a special dessert for only $2,…

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CSCVB Doubling Points in ‘Restaurant Month’

The Chicago Southland Convention and Visitors Bureau (CSCVB) is coining February as “Restaurant Month.” To celebrate, the CSCVB is doubling the points in their “Savor the Southland” mobile passport program. “Savor the Southland” rewards points for visiting local restaurants, which then earns participants with southland swag for their points. The program is free and available…

Rep. Haas presented a certificate to Frank Aprile, naming Frankie's Pizzeria her January Local Business Spotlight. –Photo submitted.

Frankie’s Pizzeria January Local Business Spotlight

For her January local business spotlight, State Rep. Jackie Haas recognized Frankie’s Pizzeria in Monee. Rep. Haas spent time touring the business and presented the owner with a certificate of appreciation for their contributions to the community. “This month, we are honored to recognize Frankie’s Pizzeria in Monee because of their incredible employees and customer…

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Legion Fish Fry February 10

Mark your calendars for Saturday, February 10, when Peotone American Legion Post 392 will host their monthly fish fry, from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m., or sold out, at 109 E. North Street in Peotone. Tickets for the all-you-can-eat perch or catfish dinner are $15 and include French fries, cole slaw, bread, and butter. You’ll also…

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Legion Fish Fry December 9

Don’t forget to stop by  Peotone American Legion Post 392, 109 E. North Street, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., for some delicious fish after a great day at Christmas in the Village. Dinners (all-you-can-it, if dining in) are $15 for either perch or catfish and include French fries, cole slaw, bread and butter, plus this…

Pictured, left to right, are: IPPA President Chad Leman; Oliva Key, from the Illinois Soybean Association; Shane Gray, from the Illinois Corn Growers Association; Brad Turasky of Turasky Meats; Dianne Handsaker, from the Illinois Association of Meat Processors; and Pam Molitoris, executive director at the Central Illinois Food Bank. –Photo submitted.

50,000 Pounds of Pork Donated to Regional Foodbanks

As part of the “Pork Power: Partnering to Fight Hunger in Illinois” campaign, the Illinois Pork Producers Association (IPPA) donated 50,000 pounds of ground pork to nine regional food banks in 2023. Recently, IPPA President Chad Leman was joined by Illinois Corn Growers Association Board Member Shane Gray and staff members from the Illinois Pork…

Will County Health Department, IDPH Remind Residents to Prevent Holiday Foodborne Illnesses

With Thanksgiving just days away, the Will County Health Department and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) remind Will County residents to take precautions this holiday season to protect everyone from foodborne Illnesses. Every year, the CDC estimates 48 million people get sick from a foodborne illness, 128,000 are hospitalized, and 3,000 pass away.…

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CSCVB Releases Fall/Winter Festivals, Events Guide

The Chicago Southland Convention and Visitors Bureau’s (CSCVB) annual Festivals and Events Guide is back with its Fall 2023/Winter 2024 edition. “Our staff and community partners have done a thorough job in putting this valuable tool together,” said Jim Garrett, President/CEO of the Chicago Southland Convention and Visitors Bureau. The CSCVB Festivals and Events Guide…

Image courtesy clearviewstock.com

Say Cheese – Cottage Cheese, That Is!

The new food trend is adding cottage cheese to your diet, but where does fad end and healthy eating begin? Cottage cheese is a good source of protein, calcium, and probiotics, but the salt content can add up quickly. When working cottage cheese into one’s diet, plan your meals and eat in moderation. Options include…

Say no to junk food - especially as you age. –Photo submitted.

Eat Deliberately this Holiday Season

November, December, and January bring bountiful holiday meals. While it’s tempting to chow down, experts are cautioning how overindulgence can make you feel mentally and physically crummy in the moment, plus open the door to long-term unhealthy eating habits. Have the right mindset… Andrew Zasada, MD, provides emergency department care at OSF HealthCare. He says…

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