The small town of Kouts blends quiet neighborhoods with scattered shops and services that add convenience to a rural lifestyle. The close-knit spirit that prevails in Kouts is evidenced by the slogan that visitors see upon entering the city limits: "Kouts, the Town with a heart." The surrounding Pleasant Township adds amenities, while the rolling Kankakee River serves as a scenic backdrop and a recreational site. Kouts was named after the Barnhardt Kouts family by railroad workers who dubbed it as Kouts Station. The natural disasters - including tornadoes and fires-that the small community has endured and survived over the decades has only reinforced the proud, unconquerable spirit that continues to make Kouts a warm and welcoming hometown for new residents. The "Plan for the Future" unifies schools, churches and other community organizations with civic leadership to ensure that Kouts will emerge as a model community.