Train crossing over the Kankakee river by Aroma park, IL, US

American vintage postcard

Growing up, my Aunt Karen used to sing me and my cousins the song “Lydia, the Tattooed Lady”. It was written by Yip Harburg and Harold Arlen and probably most famously sung by Groucho Marx in the 1939 movie “At the Circus.” I love it! It’s very silly and a little wink-wink dirty (“Captain Spaulding exploring the Amazon” might mean something else 😂) Also, it was Jim Henson’s favorite song which is delightful to know.

Scarlett Joy Blanco, 19

Last seen in Kankakee, Illinois in 2021. She was going to Momence, Illinois.

Panoramic prairie. #franklloydwright #architecture #architecturephotography #bharleybradleyhouse #kankakee #illinois #prairiestyle #houses #interiordesign #leadedglass #flwsites #wrightsites #fllw #wrightinkankakee (at B. Harley Bradley House) https://www.instagram.com/p/CnMiScJrXrK/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Doodie Lo Battles Paranoia and the Drawbacks of Fame "Purple Nightmares"

Wielding his raspy voice like a weapon, Kankakee, IL's Doodie Lo examines life in the streets from all sides. Reflecting on a habit that nearly wrecked his life, the Only The Family rapper shares "Purple Nightmares," his new video single. Over a poignant, piano-filled instrumental by Ricky Hoodrich, Doodie Lo warns of the dangers of drinking lean–including paranoia and night terrors–and dwells on the unexpected drawbacks of fame. In the video, Doodie Lo dwells in his crib with only his woman and his medicine to keep him company, as he tries to find a better way forward.

"Purple Nightmares" is Doodie Lo's second new video of 2024, following the clip for "Role Model." Both new singles will appear on What Made Me, the OTF vulture's upcoming album and his first full-length since his breakout Big Doodie Lo. Released in 2021, Big Doodie Lo is home to “Me & Doodie Lo,” an energetic collab between King Von and Doodie (over 20 million YouTube views), in which the legendary O-Block native gives Mr. Kankakee an enthusiastic co-sign. Over the past few years, Doodie Lo has considerably grown his profile, racking up over 80 million streams to date, gaining hundreds of thousands of YouTube subscribers and Spotify Monthly Listeners, and collaborating with heavy hitters like Kodak Black, Moneybagg Yo, Pooh Shiesty, BIG30, and more.

Stay tuned for the upcoming What Made Me, coming Spring 2024 via OTF/EMPIRE.

A week before Christmas, the ICG has a GP10 and their Christmas-painted caboose on display for families at Kankakee. Tom Golden photo. December 18, 1977

KANKAKEE, ILL.

90’s Fashion, “some styles need to stay in the past…” 🥴🙄🤣😁 #90sfashion #wewereclean #kankakee #boomingsystem (at Kankakee, Illinois) https://www.instagram.com/p/CdEkHinphKV/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Disney Trading Cards in the Hard Pressed Collectibles eBay store!

B I D H E R E

Sponsored by @hardpressedcollection

I know, kids, the game of 'live in a real American city like Chicago or St. Louis, one with a rich history' has to wait.

I will not be booking a month in Chicago or St. Louis until at least summer of 2024, and probably not even then. Probably not til 2025.

There are, um, budgetary concerns since I'm apparently worth less money than the typical white American my age, which is still plenty of monies to splash around but really, you know, I'd better go get a job like everybody else does.

So it'll be budget-friendly Urbana-Champaign, Illinois for me. I'm definitely booked for Urbana in December.

My compromise with myself, since it's been a Wherever I May Roam situation in a lot of ways, is to handle locking myself into a lease by treating myself to December day-trips to Effingham and Kankakee:

Effingham, IL - Joe’s Pizza, Joe Sippers Cafe, County Museum Kankakee, IL – Rigo’s Place, B Harley Bradley, French Heritage Museum, IL Railroad Museum, County Museum

I can't decide which of the Kankakee museums is the most essential. There will probably only be time for one or two of the four.

Obviously, I'm not a very smart person and have rough ideas of what to do for work... data entry, coding, and going back to school to be a therapist are the ideas currently in mind... I know they're not great ideas or anything, but ya probably don't have better ideas for me, do ya kids? Nobody ever seems to have one.

Wherevever I May Roam has always been the only song I've liked off the whole black album by Metallica. That makes me get a bit suspicious -- almost superstitious -- about what sort of music we connect to and how it affects our lives, and how much free will we have in what songs we want to hear, even. It's a tad eerie that the song fits me like a glove, since I wrote the whole rest of the album off as a teenager and still do:

"In a recent interview, the singer of Metallica, James Hetfield, was asked about his political views. He responded by saying that he is “definitely not a Republican.” This comes as a surprise to many fans, as Hetfield has always been outspoken about his conservative views. In the past, Hetfield has been critical of the Democratic Party, calling them “the party of handouts.” He has also spoken out against feminism, saying that it “ruined” his marriage. However, he has also been critical of the Republican Party, saying that they are “the party of ‘No.’” It is unclear why Hetfield has decided to speak out against the Republican Party now. It could be in response to the recent election, or it could be that he is simply tired of being associated with a party that he doesn’t believe in. Either way, it is clear that Hetfield is not a Republican."

Not, kids, that you want to look to fuckin' Metallica, of all places, for your politics, but it is always nice to hear 'definitely not a Republican'.

Join me with learning how to use your camera with Hands on instruction...…Message me for details and schedule your class ..Photog-class.com #lauriepitonphotoclass #chicago #alsip #orlandpark #homewood #newlenox #dyer #southholland #kankakee #elkgrovevillage #lockport #plainfield #shorewood #photographyclass #photographyillinois https://www.instagram.com/p/CqGqtA1pV4S/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Amber Jenkins, 16

Last seen in Kankakee, Illinois in 2001.

Gotta love a port cochere. #franklloydwright #architecture #architecturephotography #bharleybradleyhouse #bradleyhouse #kankakee #illinois #wrightinkankakee #prairiestyle #houses #flwsites #wrightsites #fllw #portcochere (at B. Harley Bradley House) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpC_nwNLr5w/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Doodie Lo & BIG30 Share Street Stories on New Single “4 Rings”

Proudly representing Kankakee, IL, Doodie Lo has emerged as one of the hottest Midwest spitters. With a street-sharpened pen, the Only The Family rapper shares Midwest tales on his new single “4 Rings” ft. BIG30. Over poignant and haunting production, Doodie reflects on how his past has toughened him and turned him into the man he is today: “You ain’t seen what I seen / I can’t tell you what I saw / You ain’t lost what I lost / That’s what turned me to a boss.” Memphis heavyweight BIG30 adds a menacing verse, casually issuing a warning to anyone who gets in his and Doodie’s way. 

“4 Rings” arrives as Doodie Lo prepares to release What Made Me, his upcoming project. The track follows recent singles like last month’s “Role Model,” plus sizzling street anthems like “Popeyes” ft. Icewear Vezzo & Deeski, “Smurkio Flow,” “Play With My Name,” and “Daddies Baby,” which helped him make his mark in 2023. What Made Me will be Doodie’s first full-length project since his 2021 debut project Big Doodie Lo, which is home to “Me & Doodie Lo,” an energetic collab between King Von and Doodie (over 20 million YouTube views), in which the legendary O-Block native gives Mr. Kankakee an enthusiastic co-sign. Over the past few years, Doodie Lo has considerably grown his profile, racking up over 80 million streams to date, gaining hundreds of thousands of YouTube subscribers and Spotify Monthly Listeners, and collaborating with heavy hitters like Kodak Black, Moneybagg Yo, Pooh Shiesty, and more. 

Stay tuned for much more from Doodie Lo in 2024.

ICRR EMD diesel locomotive on northbound passenger train City of Miami crossing bridge. Kankakee, IL August 3, 1958