(Peoria, IL)¬¬—The intersection at Allen Road & Alta Lane is experiencing damage due to the weather. Effective immediately, this intersection will be closed. This closure will remain in effect until the extent of the damage will be evaluated and the repairs will be made.
The City of Peoria appreciates your cooperation. If you have any questions, please contact the City of Peoria Traffic Engineer, Nick Stoffer, P.E. at (309) 494-8823.
The closure is expected to last approximately two weeks, depending on weather, and re-open Monday, April 29, 2013.
Traffic will still be able to access and exit Medi Park II by Greenleaf Street. Pedestrians will be able to access the Hillcrest building from the walkway on floors 5 and 6 of Medi Park II. The circle drive for Hillcrest and the receiving drive behind the Glen Oak building will remain open during construction.
Community Groups Demand Clean Air and Water in Central Illinois after Decades of Pollution from Outdated Coal Plant
PEORIA – Today, the Sierra Club, Environmental Law and Policy Center, Natural Resources Defense Council and Respiratory Health Association filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court in Peoria against Ameren Energy Resources Company LLC and its subsidiary. The complaint cites more than 1,000 violations of the federal Clean Air Act from emissions at Ameren’s E.D. Edwards coal-fired power plant in Bartonville, Ill.
“Particle pollution can get deep down into lungs and cause respiratory and pulmonary problems, said Andrew Armstrong, Attorney at Environmental Law and Policy Center. “Opacity is one way of measuring particle pollution. Ameren has more than 1,000 opacity violations, indicating that they have poured too much of this dangerous pollution into Central Illinois communities.”
The basis for the Clean Air Act violations is data collected by Ameren at its own facilities using electronic continuous opacity monitoring systems. Ameren reports data from its monitoring systems quarterly to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA). In an effort to investigate and protect Illinois’ air, the Sierra Club, Environmental Law and Policy Center, Natural Resources Defense Council and Respiratory Health Association requested the data from IEPA, which revealed egregious violations of the Clean Air Act by exceeding opacity limits allowed in Ameren’s permit on numerous occasions between 2008 and 2013.
“It should not be a surprise to anyone that the Edwards plant is a pollution problem and Ameren is on the hook to fix it,” said Ann Alexander, senior attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council. . “Ameren has dragged their feet on making the necessary improvements for far too long. If they can afford to upgrade their equipment, then they should. If not, they shouldn’t be operating this plant. And nor should anyone else.”
Research by the Clean Air Task Force has shown that Ameren’s Edwards coal plant, mostly constructed in the 1960s, contributes to seven premature deaths, ten heart attacks and more than 100 asthma attacks each year. According to the Respiratory Health Association, hospitalization rates for asthma are highest for those under four years of age and over 65 years of age.
“People with lung disease are among those hardest hit by air pollution and the incidence of those diseases, including asthma and COPD, is still increasing.” said Brian Urbaszewski, Director of Environmental Health Programs for Respiratory Health Association. “Generating electricity shouldn’t be sickening and killing the most vulnerable among us. Illinois’ constitution states that it is the duty of each person to provide and maintain a healthful environment for the benefit of this and future generations. Coal power is not fulfilling that goal; nonpolluting energy efficiency and clean renewable power sources like wind and solar do and that’s what we as a state should prioritize.”
The lawsuit was announced in a press conference today in Peoria by the Central Illinois Healthy Community Alliance, a community group recently formed in the Peoria metro area due to concerns over local air and water pollution caused by the Edwards coal plant. The Central Illinois Healthy Community Alliance is comprised of Peoria Families Against Toxic Waste, Central Illinois Global Warming Solutions, Prairie Rivers Network and the Sierra Club Beyond Coal campaign in Illinois.
“Our community has endured decades of pollution from Ameren’s Edwards coal plant, and we are ready to leave toxic air and water in the past,” said Joyce Blumenshine, Sierra Club Heart of Illinois Group Chair and member of Central Illinois Healthy Community Alliance. “We want a healthy place for our families to grow and thrive. It is time to phase out burning coal at the Edwards coal-fired power plant. We’re ready for clean energy and efficiency to replace dependence on fossil fuels.”
“Our community deserves better than polluted air and toxic waste in our water,” said Tracy Fox, representative of Peoria Families Against Toxic Waste and member of Central Illinois Healthy Community Alliance. “After years of pollution, we are calling on all stakeholders – local leaders and regulators, Ameren, Dynegy, the plant’s workers and their unions, health care providers and their patients, environmentalists, neighborhood and community groups, churches and schools – to collaborate on a plan that ensures justice for all.
PEORIA, ILLINOIS…April 18, 2013…South Side Trust & Savings Bank, a subsidiary of Mid Illinois Bancorp, Inc., at its April 2013 Annual Shareholders Meeting, announced the promotions of Todd Lawson to Senior Vice President Loans, Brett Moehring to Vice President Finance, Tami Smith to Assistant Auditor, and Kristin Dahl to Electronic Banking Officer.
Lawson has worked in the banking industry for 27 years, serving in the Loan Department at South Side Bank for the past 22 years. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Illinois State University. Lawson is a current board member for Camp Big Sky and Community Workshop Housing Corporations.
Moehring began his banking career in 1998, and has been at South Side Bank since 2006. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Illinois State University. Moehring is a member of the Southside Business Association.
Smith has been with South Side Bank for 12 years. She has an Associate’s Degree in General Education and a Banking & Finance Certificate from Illinois Central College and is an ICBA Certified Community Bank Internal Auditor. She is in her second year at the Cannon Financial Institute of Trust Audit, Compliance and Risk Management. Smith is involved with Easter Seals, District 150 Reading Buddies, Peoria Race for the Cure, and South Side Mission Angels.
Dahl has worked in the banking industry for 11 years, serving South Side Bank for the past five years. She attended Indiana Wesleyan University, studying Business Administration.
South Side Trust & Savings Bank, a locally owned financial institution since 1922, has $686 million in assets and serves the tri-county area with 13 full service locations in Peoria, East Peoria, West Peoria, Bartonville, Chillicothe, Washington, and Pekin. South Side Bank owns Mid Illinois Insurance Services, Inc. located at 1524 W. Glen Avenue in Peoria.
ANTHONY D. BARLOW, JR., BLACK MALE, DOB 9-16-87, IS WANTED BY THE PEORIA POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR AN INCIDENT THAT OCCURRED ON 11-4-2011 WHERE A MAN WAS SHOT DURING AN ARMED ROBBERY. THE VICTIM LATER DIED AS A RESULT OF THE GUNSHOT. ONE MAN HAS BEEN ARRESTED FOR THIS CRIME AND IS CURRENTLY INCARCERATED WITH THE IDOC SERVING A LENGTHY PRISON TERM.
CONTACT CRIMESTOPPERS OR THE PEORIA POLICE DEPARTMENT IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION REGARDING THE WHEREABOUTS OF BARLOW. HE SHOULD BE CONSIDERED ARMED AND DANGEROUS.
The Peoria Area & East Peoria Chambers of Commerce joint Business After Hours today at Federal Companies has been rescheduled. We are mindful of safety considerations and with the poor weather around Greater Peoria, we have decided to cancel tonight’s event. We will reschedule.
Church Women United Peoria will sponsor May Friendship Day, an ecumenical celebration in the spirit of hospitality and prayerful action. This service will be held at Rising Sun Christian Church, 4310 W. Charter Oak Rd. in Peoria on Friday May 3, 2013 at 9:30 a.m. with brunch followed by the program.
Join us in service as we “SWING WIDE the DOORS of HOSPITALITY” and invite the sort of hospitality that overcomes injustice and is grounded in love, mercy, and compassion. One of our ongoing actions is remembering and being the custodian of the “Fellowship of the Least Coin”. A movement from more than 70 countries, founded by Shanti Solomon of India in 1956. Money collected and used for grants that will aid women and children in the areas of literacy, health, social justice, education, leadership development and disaster relief. For brunch tickets please contact Doris at 691-2451. All interested women are invited.
SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) announced his support for the Illinois Department of Transportation’s (IDOT’s) plan to spend more than $60 million on road construction projects in the Peoria area, but said the state needs to do more.
“These projects are important, but Illinois needs another comprehensive capital construction plan,” Koehler said. “Our roads, bridges and infrastructure are the backbone of our economy. If we want to invest in business, we need to invest in transportation.”
Earlier today, IDOT announced its six-year road construction plan, which includes more than $60 million for projects in Peoria, Tazewell and Fulton counties. However, Koehler believes the state needs to make further investments in Illinois’ infrastructure.
The last time Illinois passed a comprehensive capital construction plan was in 2009. Sometimes referred to as “Illinois Jobs Now!,” the program invested $31 billion in the state’s roads, bridges, schools, hospitals and other public buildings. The construction plan was desperately needed – it was the first in 10 years – and many of the projects announced by IDOT are actually funded by the 2009 law.
“We can’t go 10 years between infrastructure upgrades,” Koehler said. “Businesses and families need high-quality infrastructure to be competitive. We can’t afford to let Illinois fall behind.”
April 17, 2013 – The National Organization for Women is proud to announce its support of The Inclusive Prosperity Act, a financial transaction tax introduced today by Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minn. The Ellison bill would create a Wall Street sales tax, providing hundreds of billions of dollars in revenue every year for such critical needs as jobs, health care, education, housing assistance for low-income individuals, and expanding and improving the social safety net.
“It’s about time Wall Street started paying its fair share,” said NOW President Terry O’Neill. “The people of this country are still struggling to get by, six years after the economic downturn began. Women are disproportionately represented amongst the poor and those working for minimum wage with little to no benefits. We need a strong safety net, and who better to pay for it than the financial institutions that caused the economic crisis in the first place?”
The bill would allow the U.S. to join the rest of the world in a growing system of financial transaction taxes. The recent adoption of a similar tax by 11 European countries — a tax that will apply to U.S. traders whose payments will fund European priorities — shows the proposal has momentum and substantial international support.
NOW activists will join the Robin Hood Tax Campaign on Saturday, April 20, for a rally outside the International Monetary Fund and World Bank offices, and then a march to the White House and U.S. Treasury Department.
What: Robin Hood Tax Campaign Rally and March
When: Saturday, April 20, beginning at 12 noon
Where: Rally at Murrow Park (Pennsylvania Ave. between 18th and 19th Streets) adjacent to the International Monetary Fund and World Bank. March follows to the White House and U.S. Treasury Department
In addition to NOW, more than 140 organizations representing millions of members have endorsed passage of the Wall Street sales tax.
“The growing wealth and income gap in this nation is syphoning money away from the U.S. government and the programs it funds,” said O’Neill. “The Robin Hood Tax is an important step in returning this money to the people.”
Normal, IL – April 12, 2013 – The second annual Illinois Bike Summit will be held at the Marriott Hotel in Normal on May 15, 2013. The agenda is packed with great speakers who will discuss topics such as the state bike plan, bicycling planning 101 and how to transform your community into a bicycle friendly place. Steve Buchtel, Executive Director of Trails for Illinois, will share his passion for biking in the keynote address, Bikes Mean Business. Attendees will also learn how to overcome barriers to cycling from Jane Healy, President of the Active Transportation Alliance, and Gin Kilgore, Program Manager at the League of Illinois Bicyclists.
Last year’s inaugural summit was a success with over 120 attending, including advocates, planners, engineers and other local officials. “Last year’s Bike Summit was an amazing opportunity to learn about bicycle planning and to network with ‘bike-minded’ people. This year’s agenda promises an equally inspiring day,” said Mercy Davison, Town Planner for the Town of Normal.
Do not miss out on this great opportunity to gain remarkable knowledge and insight of the bicycling community and the current issues it faces. To view the full agenda or register for the 2013 Illinois Bike Summit visit www.normal.org/bikesummit2013.