The Illinois Central Railroad Company was founded in 1851. By 1853, newly founded Kankakee was connected Chicago,  away. The first train pulled into the station on July 11, 1853.
Established in 1851, the Illinois Central Railroad Company linked Kankakee to Chicago by 1853, establishing a connection that was a specific distance away. The first train arrived at the station on July 11, 1853.