BRADLEY-BOURBONNAIS ROTARY CLUB

The Bradley-Bourbonnais area is a rapidly growing suburban area located less than one hour south of the City of Chicago. The Bradley-Bourbonnais area has an estimated population of more than 32,000 residents, with upwards of 500 new homes being added on an annual basis.

The Village of Bradley, once known as North Kankakee, was named after industrial entrepreneur David Bradley, whose firm manufactured one of the first steel farming plows in the 1800’s. Once an industrial community, Bradley has evolved into a residential-commercial-service based community.

The Village of Bourbonnais was settled by French Canadians in the early 1830’s. Incorporated in 1875, Bourbonnais still retains much of its French heritage, as reflected in local architecture and the names of local streets. Bourbonnais is home to Olivet Nazarene University, a Christian college of more than 4,000 students, and is also the summer home of the Chicago Bears, whose annual training camp is held on the campus of Olivet Nazarene University .