List of people from Kankakee, Illinois explained

The following list includes notable people who were born or have lived in Kankakee, Illinois. For a similar list organized alphabetically by last name, see the category page People from Kankakee, Illinois.

Film, television, and theater

• Jordan Black (born 1970), actor
• David Bruce (1914–1976), actor
• Bryan Dattilo (born 1971), actor
• Kristin Dattilo (born 1970), actress
• Merna Kennedy (1908–1944), actress
• Fred MacMurray (1908–1991), actor, star of more than 100 films and TV series My Three Sons
• Nancy Snyder (born 1949), actress
• Randy Spears (born 1961), actor
• Kara Zediker, actress
• Rico Ross, actor

Literature and media

• Jill De Vries (born 1953), Playboy Playmate, October 1975
• Harold Gray (1894–1968), creator of Little Orphan Annie
• Paul Hendrickson (born 1944), author

Military

• Thomas V. Draude (born 1940), decorated U.S. Marine officer
• Harry Stella (1916–1997), decorated U.S. Army colonel

Music

• Yea Big, musician^[1]
• Gregory Kunde (born 1954), operatic tenor
• Cora Decker Sargent (1868-1944), composer
• Doodie Lo, rapper
• Eric Swanson, musician ^[2]
• Munk Julious, musician https://groovefindersworld.wordpress.com/2018/04/02/corey-mccue-aka-munk-julious/ https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=/g/11ckkxnhm0&hl=en-US&q=Munk+Julious&kgs=85d4dc0dd2dc1711&shndl=17&shem=ssim&source=sh/x/kp/osrp/m5/1

Politics and law

• Benjamin W. Alpiner (1867–1946), Illinois state legislator and mayor of Kankakee^[3]
• Louis E. Beckman (1876–1946), Illinois state legislator and mayor of Kankakee^[4]
• Louis E. Beckman Jr. (1914–1992), Illinois state legislator; born in Kankakee^[5]
• John Benoit (1951–2016), California state legislator, was born in Kankakee.^[6]
• Edward McBroom (1925–1990), Illinois state legislator and businessman^[7]
• Mary K. O'Brien (born 1965), Illinois state legislator and judge, was born in Kankakee.^[8]
• Daniel H. Paddock (1852–1905), Illinois state representative and lawyer, lived in Kankakee.^[9]
• George Ryan (born 1934), 39th governor of Illinois^[10]
• Samuel H. Shapiro (1907–1987), 34th Governor of Illinois, practiced law in Kankakee and died there at age 79
• Lennington Small (1862–1936), 26th governor of Illinois^[11]
• Chastity Wells-Armstrong (born 1971/1972), first African-American to serve as mayor of Kankakee^[12]
• Hamilton K. Wheeler (August 5, 1848 – July 19, 1918) was an Illinois State Senator and U.S. Representative from Kankakee^[13]
• Herman W. Snow (1836–1914), U.S. representative, Civil War captain, lived and died in Kankakee.
• Rick Winkel (born 1956), Illinois state legislator, was born in Kankakee.^[14]
• Adam Kinzinger (born 1978), United States House member from 2011 to 2023 and Lieutenant Colonel (United States) in the Air National Guard, was born in Kankakee.^[15]

Science and art

• George Grey Barnard (1863–1938), sculptor, raised in Kankakee
• Vernon W. Hughes (1921–2003), physicist, born in Kankakee

Sports

• Rube Foster (1879–1930), baseball Hall of Famer, died in Kankakee
• Tyjuan Hagler (born 1981), NFL linebacker and Super Bowl (XLI) champion^[16]
• Scott Meents (born 1964), NBA player, born in Kankakee
• Ted Petersen (born 1955), NFL offensive lineman^[17]
• Billy Petrick (born 1984), MLB pitcher^[18]
• Tom Prince (born 1964), MLB catcher, born in Kankakee
• Joie Ray (1894–1978), three-time Olympian, bronze medalist, born in Kankakee
• Mike Russow (born 1976), UFC mixed martial artist^[19]
• Harv Schmidt (1935–2020), college basketball coach
• Jack Sikma (born 1955), Hall of Fame NBA player from 1976–91, born in Kankakee
• Jimmy Smith (born 1960), NFL running back^[20]
• Lorenzo Smith III (born 1978), Olympic bobsledder
• Bruce Vaughan (born 1956), professional golfer^[21]
• Jonathan Ward (born 1997), NFL running back
• Terry Wells (born 1963), MLB pitcher^[22]

Other

• Lemuel Milk (1820–1893), landowner, businessman, lived and died in Kankakee
• John Moisant (1868–1910), aviation pioneer, born in Kankakee

Notes and References

1. Web site: Yea Big. mtv.com. April 4, 2013.
2. Web site: Bradley musician becomes Grammy-winning songwriter. 6 April 2022.
3. 'Illinois Blue Book 2945-2946,' zbiogrphicsl zsketch of Ben. W. Alpiner, pg. 222-223
4. 'Illinois Blue Book 1945-1946,' Biographical sketch of Louis E. Beckman, pg. 222
5. 'Illinois Blue Book 1957-1958,' Biographical of Louis Beckman, pg. 284
6. 'Riverside County Supervisor John Benoit dies at 64,' The Press Enterprise, Jeff Horstman, December 26, 2016
7. 'Illinois Blue Book 1981-1982,' Biographical Sketch of Edward McBroom, pg. 155
8. http://www.ilga.gov/house/Rep.asp?MemberId=680 Illinois General Assembly-Mark K. O'Brien
9. 'Souvenir of the Legislature of the State of Illinois of 189,' J.L. Pickering-editor, Illinois State Journal Press, Springfield, Illinois: 1893, Biographical Sketch of Daniel H. Paddock, pg. 81
10. Web site: Illinois Governor George H. Ryan. National Governors Association. October 30, 2012.
11. Web site: Illinois Governor Lennington Small. National Governors Association. October 30, 2012.
12. News: Lee . Provost. Outgoing Kankakee mayor gives farewell address, won't attend final meeting . Daily Journal (Illinois). April 20, 2021 .
13. [Hamilton K. Wheeler]
14. 'Illinois Blue Book 2005-2006, Biographical Sketch of Rick Winkel, pg. 118
15. Web site: Congressman Adam Kinzinger . Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. March 4, 2023.
16. Web site: Tyjuan Hagler. Sports Illustrated. October 30, 2012.
17. Web site: Ted Petersen. Pro-Football-Reference.Com. October 30, 2012.
18. Web site: Billy Petrick Stats. Baseball Almanac . October 30, 2012.
19. Web site: Mike Russow. UFC. October 30, 2012.
20. Web site: Jimmy Smith. NFL Enterprises LLC. October 30, 2012.
21. Web site: Bruce Vaughan . PGA Tour . October 30, 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20121025235814/http://www.pgatour.com/golfers/008563/bruce-vaughan/ . October 25, 2012 .
22. Web site: Terry Wells Stats. Baseball Almanac. October 30, 2012.