Kankakee, IL
Music connected to Kankakee
About Kankakee
- • Actor Nick Offerman, known for "Parks and Recreation," was born in Kankakee.
- • The iconic "Twinkie" was invented at the Continental Baking Company in Kankakee.
- • The Kankakee River provided transportation and power, spurring the city's growth.
- • Legend says Al Capone frequented a Kankakee speakeasy during Prohibition.
- • The Great Kankakee River Marsh drainage in the late 19th century altered the landscape.
- • Established in 1854, "Kankakee" possibly derives from a Potawatomi word for swamp land.
- • With about 26,000 residents, it's smaller than nearby Joliet.
- • At 620 feet, the elevation is noticeably higher than the surrounding flatlands.
- • Healthcare and social assistance are major employment sectors in Kankakee.
- • A quiet, resilient, and historically rich spirit permeates the air.
- • The Chicago Bears, a few hours north, won Super Bowl XX in dominant fashion.
- • Kankakee High School's basketball team has a rich history of state tournament appearances.