Why We Did This

Data centers are being proposed across Kankakee County, and in some cases decisions get made before residents have a chance to weigh in. This project asked every township, village, city, and the county itself for two things: any non-disclosure or confidentiality agreements tied to a development deal, and any records related to data center proposals, permits, zoning, incentives, or correspondence.

Requests were made under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140). Public bodies generally must respond within five business days, or ten if they properly request an extension. Where a body has not met that deadline, we follow up in writing and, if needed, can ask the Illinois Attorney General's Public Access Counselor to review the matter.

Sent & Tracking

13 requests
Government Body Sent To Date Status Response
Village of Bradley foia@bradleyil.org Jul 8 Overdue Handled through the village's outside law firm. As of July 24, the firm says the request is being processed. No records provided yet.
Bourbonnais Township bourbonnaistwp@yahoo.com Jul 8 Overdue No response since the request went out. A written follow-up citing the missed deadline has been sent directly to the Township Supervisor and Township Clerk.
Village of Herscher info@villageofherscher.com Jul 8 Overdue No response since the request went out. A written follow-up has been sent directly to the Village Clerk and Deputy Clerk.
Village of Essex villageclerk@villageofessex.com Jul 8 Overdue The village's attorney requested a short extension that has since passed without a substantive response. A follow-up is being prepared.
Village of Sun River Terrace katina.hankins@sunriverterrace.com Jul 8 In Progress Clerk Katina Hankins confirmed receipt and said a search was underway. A full response is still pending.
City of Kankakee FOIA@citykankakee-il.gov Jul 8 In Progress An extension was granted, and a further response arrived July 23. We are confirming this fully closes out the request.
Kankakee County jlanglois@k3county.net (bounced), resent to all 8 county FOIA officers Jul 8–9 Records Provided Two county offices responded with records, and a supplemental response followed later.
Village of Manteno dgesky@villageofmanteno.com Jul 8 Records Provided Village Clerk Dawn Gesky responded with records under FOIA request #26-155.
City of Momence cityhall1@cityofmomence.com Jul 8 No Records Response received: no documents meeting the request.
Village of Bonfield villageofbonfield@gmail.com Jul 8 No Records Response received: no such agreements exist.
Village of Chebanse clerk@chebanseillinois.org Jul 8 No Records Response received: no NDAs, confidentiality agreements, or data center records exist.
Village of Limestone info@limestoneil.org Jul 8 No Records Response received from the Village Clerk: no records exist for either request.
Village of Grant Park village@grantpark-il.org Jul 8 No Records Formally denied through the village's law firm: no responsive records exist.

Not Yet Sent

9 remaining
Government Body Status Notes
Village of Aroma Park Not Sent Request being finalized for delivery.
Village of Buckingham Not Sent No public email on file. Request is being prepared for mail delivery.
Village of Hopkins Park Not Sent No public email on file. Request is being prepared for mail delivery.
Village of Irwin Not Sent No public email on file. Request is being prepared for mail delivery.
Village of Reddick Not Sent No public email on file. Request is being prepared for mail delivery.
Village of St. Anne Not Sent No public email on file. Request is being prepared for mail delivery.
Village of Sammons Point Not Sent No public email on file. Request is being prepared for mail delivery.
Village of Union Hill Not Sent No public email on file. Request is being prepared for mail delivery.
Village of Bourbonnais Special Case This village already passed a moratorium on new data center proposals. A separate, more tailored records request covering that moratorium is being prepared.

Response Summary

Overdue (4)

Bradley, Bourbonnais Township, Herscher, Essex

In Progress (2)

Sun River Terrace, City of Kankakee

Records Provided (2)

Kankakee County, Manteno

No Records Found (5)

Momence, Bonfield, Chebanse, Limestone, Grant Park

Not Yet Sent (9)

Aroma Park, Buckingham, Hopkins Park, Irwin, Reddick, St. Anne, Sammons Point, Union Hill, Bourbonnais

Deadlines: Requests sent July 8, 2026 are subject to the Illinois FOIA's five-business-day response window (5 ILCS 140/3), with one five-day extension allowed if properly invoked (140/3(e)). Bodies past that window are marked overdue above.
Coverage note: Township-level zoning authority beyond Bourbonnais Township is not yet covered by this project. Other townships with zoning power may be added in a future round.
This page is updated as responses come in. Last updated July 24, 2026.