On Jan. 11, Peoria City Council members set dates to discuss redistricting of the city based on the 2020 census results.

The goal is for districts to be nearly equal in population, compact, contiguous, and respectful of geographic boundaries and shared interests. And they should preserve incumbents’ representation. Policy meetings were held in January and February. They will continue on March 1, 15, and, if necessary, March 29.

Peoria Park District Director Emily Cahill presented an overview of the $600,000 updates at Trewyn Park, which include playground, basketball court, and shelter for quality social activities.

A contract for demolition of properties was deferred pending clarification.

Peoria Police and Fire Departments offered reports with overviews of hiring, attrition and retention over the past year, as well as diversity demographics.

Council members continue to discuss concerns about potential parking, noise levels and overcrowding regarding approval of short-term rentals. Mayor Rita Ali encouraged council members to be consistent with existing policies which address saturation in neighborhoods.

Under new business, Councilman John Kelly requested a report on the 25-year-old rental registration program impact on available, quality housing.

More information about redistricting, as well as minutes and video of meetings are available at www.peoriacounty.gov.

County business

On Jan. 13, Peoria County Board amended its budget to permit purchase of a new paper ballot voting system.

Election Commission Executive Director Tom Bride offered information and fielded questions about the new system, as well as upgrades to electronic poll books and new label printers.

The consent agenda passed 17-1, including:

• A budget amendment funding two positions within county departments for two of the three employees who lost their places with the County Auditor’s office. The third employee chose not to accept another county position.
• Two grants funding specific PCAPS services, and a veterinary services contract extension.
• The Peoria City/County Landfill 2022 budget.
• Cedar Hills Drive engineering for resurfacing work.
• Dogtown Road bridge replacement.

All 10 items on the regular agenda were approved, including:

• Special use for short-term rentals (Airbnb/VRBO) on three properties on River Beach Road.
• Placement of temporary meteorological towers to record and measure wind data for up to three years in Millbrook, Princeville and Brimfield townships.
• A-2 agricultural zoning for two tracts on an island in the Illinois River adjacent to the town of Chillicothe. (The island was proposed as a barge depot in 2021; this designation ensures that that use will not be permitted).
• Replacing facilities which house county services — including the health department, coroner’s office, regional schools’ superintendent and recycling — with a health and human services campus.

The board went into Executive Session to discuss personnel.

For more information or to watch the meeting: www.peoriacounty.gov/AgendaCenter and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCrSQFNvuwc.

Election Commission

The Peoria County Board of Election Commissioners met Jan. 11, with four members in person and Mark Ketterer participating by phone.

Contract negotiations for the new voting system were almost complete.

Most of the meeting was taken up by an explanation of the new Peoria County precinct boundaries. State law requires precincts to have approximately 1,200 registered voters per precinct, which would reduce the number of precincts from 169 to 116. In addition, there can be no crossing of township lines. Chillicothe and Elmwood will see no changes.

Staff was currently working on polling places, trying to make only small adjustments. They considered parking and equipment needed at each polling place due to larger numbers of registered voters.

Proposed precinct lines can be found online at www.peoriacounty.gov.

On Jan. 14, the Board of Elections voted to approve the precinct boundaries as presented.

Lines are drawn based on registered voters, not the census. Work had to wait for State and Federal districts to be drawn before finalizing the county. Executive Director Tom Bride feels resources will be allocated better with fewer precincts. Based on projected early and mail-in ballots, approximately 50% of voters will not be at polling places on election day.

Concern was expressed by Commissioner Jeanne Williamson that there be enough equipment at the larger polling places to avoid long lines. Precincts can be subdivided in the future if that proves necessary.

League of Women Voters Greater Peoria observers attend and report on local government meetings. Check www.lwvgp.org/news/category/observer-reports-logo.