Kankakee Podcast

In this bonus episode of the Kankakee Podcast, host Jake LaMore sits down with Gina Greene, Director of Continuing Education and Business Partnerships at Kankakee Community College [https://kcc.smartcatalogiq.com/en/2024-2025/academic-catalog/continuing-education-and-business-partnerships/] (KCC). Together, they shine a light on one of Kankakee County’s best-kept secrets: the diverse programs and training opportunities offered by KCC’s Continuing Education department. Gina shares her journey from northwest Iowa to central Illinois, and how her background as an athletic trainer led her to her current role at KCC. The conversation highlights the department’s longstanding impact in the community—over 25 years of customizing educational offerings to meet the needs of local businesses and individuals alike. Whether you’re a business owner needing OSHA or CPR training, or an employee hoping to brush up on Microsoft Excel skills, Gina explains how KCC’s business partnership grants can help offset costs and make workforce development more accessible. The episode also dives into the continuing education side, covering professional development courses, personal enrichment classes, and the popular lifelong learning series designed for residents aged 50 and up. Jake and Gina discuss success stories, how to access these opportunities, and the surprising variety of classes available—even a spring planter class that “sells out” every year! If you’ve ever wondered how KCC can support you, your team, or your lifelong learning journey, this episode is packed with practical info and inspiration. Want to find out how your business—or your own curiosity—can benefit? Listen in and discover all that KCC has to offer! To learn more or get connected with KCC’s Continuing Education and Business Partnerships, visit their website, call, or email the team directly. And remember, some grant funds are available through December—reach out before they’re gone! Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2212125/open_sms] Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/KankakeePodcast]

In this episode of the Kankakee Podcast, host Jake LaMore sits down with fellow local media personality Josh Carman for a candid conversation about community, competition, and the power of storytelling. Josh—long-time radio host of WKAN’s Morning Roundtable [https://www.wkan.com/airstaff.html] and a Kankakee native—shares his journey growing up in the Herscher-Limestone area, his early fascination with movies and acting, and how he unexpectedly found his niche in radio and journalism. Jake and Josh dive into the behind-the-scenes world of local radio, reflecting on the challenges and rewards of covering local news, adapting to the quickly changing media landscape, and the camaraderie (and occasional pranks!) among Kankakee’s radio stations—even when you’re supposed to be rivals. The two also discuss the importance of breaking down barriers in the community, collaborating across organizations, and telling the stories that matter most to Kankakee. Josh opens up about his experience learning from respected mentors, his time at Olivet Nazarene University, and how he went from running the radio board to hosting his own show. The episode explores the difference between being a journalist and a talk show host, maintaining integrity in local reporting, and striking the balance between objectivity and personality on air. As leaders and residents alike debate new projects like the Kankakee Riverfront and The Grove in Bourbonnais, Josh and Jake encourage listeners to look for the positives, embrace change, and help shape a more connected, optimistic community. What was it like to go from covering city council meetings to interviewing mayors live on the air? How do you handle criticism and negativity from online “armchair quarterbacks”? And what does Josh see as the future of Kankakee County? Tune in for this thoughtful, behind-the-mic episode about media, leadership, and keeping things local. Whether you’re a lifelong resident or new to the Kankakee area, this episode is a timely reminder of why community storytelling matters—and how working together can make our hometown stronger. Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2212125/open_sms] Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/KankakeePodcast]

In this week's Kankakee Podcast News, we cover a tragic crash that claimed three lives on Cobb Blvd, and a local volunteer effort that brought together 170 people to tackle cleanup projects across Kankakee. Plus, updates on the latest developments in Bourbonnais and Manteno, including the farewell to longtime Mayor Paul Schore and the new challenges facing Manteno’s incoming leadership. Tune in for all the important stories making an impact in Kankakee County. Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2212125/open_sms] Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/KankakeePodcast]

In this episode of the Kankakee Podcast, host Jake LaMore takes listeners for a musical ride through the story of “City of New Orleans,” the legendary train song that forever tied Kankakee to the annals of Americana. With music clips from Steve Goodman, Arlo Guthrie, and Willie Nelson woven throughout, Jake explores how this folk classic was born from a real train journey, penned by Chicago native Steve Goodman as both a love letter and a eulogy to the Illinois Central Line. Jake digs into the song’s vivid imagery, straight from Goodman’s notebook, including that famous moment when “the train pulls out of Kankakee.” Along the way, he shares the song’s journey from its humble beginnings to national fame—thanks to Arlo Guthrie’s hit recording and Willie Nelson’s Grammy-winning country cover. The episode also shines a light on Goodman’s remarkable life, his all-too-brief career, and the ways he used music to capture small-town stories, heartland landscapes, and the fading glory of America’s railroads. As Jake discusses the cultural legacy of “City of New Orleans,” listeners are invited to reflect on Kankakee’s place in the song, in rail history, and in American songwriting lore. Why did Goodman’s ode to a disappearing train route resonate so deeply? How did a passing mention turn Kankakee into a piece of music history? Join Jake for a nostalgic, toe-tapping, and heartfelt episode that proves some journeys—and some songs—never truly end. Don’t forget to cue up your favorite version of “City of New Orleans” after the show, and, as always, remember to wave at the train when it passes through Kankakee! Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2212125/open_sms] Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/KankakeePodcast]

In this episode of Kankakee Podcast News, we cover exciting developments in the community, including the long-awaited dredging of the Kankakee River, a new pathway coming near Perry Farm, and the 25th anniversary celebration of the Kankakee Valley Youth Symphony Orchestra. Plus, we dive into the latest updates from Kankakee and Herscher schools, Riverside Medical Center’s latest achievement, and the potential for sidewalk dining in downtown Kankakee. Tune in for all this and more in this week’s news roundup! Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2212125/open_sms] Support the show [https://www.patreon.com/KankakeePodcast]