In-person enrollment for winter heating aid opens Monday for qualifying residents of Kankakee County, with roughly $2 million earmarked locally from the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. The move arrives as households prepare for colder weather and as local program administration shifts hands.
The federally funded LIHEAP program is accepting applications at multiple sites across Kankakee County. Illinois has set aside about $240 million statewide, while the local allocation is intended to help residents cover heating costs over the winter months.
To be eligible, applicants must meet income criteria tied to the state’s median—specifically staying at or below 60% of the state median for the 30 days immediately before applying. The program also offers funding for home weatherization improvements where eligible.
Free fall clothing and household items in Kankakee: Still I Rise hosts community giveaway
Online poker teeters after massive cheating scandal: industry and players hit hard
The Will County Center for Community Concerns has been named this year’s local administrator and is operating multiple daily application sites throughout the county. Officials say a permanent Kankakee County office is being finalized for the coming months.
- Monday: 9 a.m.–3 p.m., Village of Herscher/Essex, 272 E. Second St., Herscher
- Tuesday: 9–11:30 a.m., Ralph Bailey Center, 7219 E. Chicago St., Sun River Terrace; 1–3 p.m., City of Momence, 105 W. Washington St., Momence
- Wednesday: 9–11:30 a.m., Lorenzo Smith School, 4120 S. Wheeler Road, Hopkins Park; 12:30–2:30 p.m., Pembroke Senior Center, 4019 S. Wheeler Road, Pembroke
- Thursday: 9 a.m.–3 p.m., Village of Manteno, 98 E. Second St., Manteno
- Friday: 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m., United Way of Kankakee County, 200 E. Court St., Suite 500, Kankakee
Last month the state reassigned the local LIHEAP administration to the Will County organization. For four decades the program had been run by Kankakee County Community Services Inc. State officials recently decertified that agency’s role; representatives from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity did not provide comment when asked about the change.
Residents planning to apply should confirm which documents are required at the site they plan to visit. Applicants are commonly asked to provide proof of household income, identification, and recent energy bills, though requirements can vary by location.
| Household size | Maximum monthly income |
|---|---|
| 1 person | $3,990 |
| 2 people | $5,410 |
| 3 people | $6,830 |
| 4 people | $8,250 |
Because funding levels and site hours can change, applicants should plan ahead and arrive early on the day they intend to apply. The local administrator has said additional details about a central Kankakee office and any updates to the schedule will be released soon.
This year’s funding and administrative changes matter now: timely enrollment can affect whether households secure help before winter heating bills rise, and the shift in program oversight may change how services are delivered locally.
