The Kankakee River runs 57 miles through Kankakee County and is one of our most precious resources. Water sports, excellent fishing and a beautiful Kankakee River State Park are available for all to enjoy, but there is a special history about why the Kankakee River played such an important part of our heritage and what Kankakee County is today…

The Potawatomi Indians lived in the area now known as the Kankakee River, which was once thought to be the upper Illinois River. The Potawatomi called this river the Theatiki. Through variations in the pronunciation of Theatiki, Kankakee evolved. Some of the meanings of Theatiki are "Wolf", "Swampy Place" and "Wonderful Land." The Kankakee River Valley's beautiful land and rich natural resources are a result of debris and minerals left by three massive glaciers that came down from Canada thousands of years ago, accounting for the beautiful area that tourists, relocators and community members now enjoy.