OSF Neuroscience Clinical Service Line WELCOMES NEW CEO

Posted by on

Anthony Avellino MD cropped

 

(Peoria, IL / August 20, 2014) OSF HealthCare is pleased to welcome Anthony M. Avellino, MD, MBA as CEO of the OSF Neuroscience Clinical Service Line and the Illinois Neurological Institute (INI). Dr. Avellino began his duties with OSF August 18, 2014.

As CEO, Dr. Avellino will oversee the further development of the OSF Neuroscience Clinical Service Line, which includes 16 specialty centers. He will lead the delivery of services across all of OSF Healthcare System and its network of affiliated hospitals. Dr. Avellino will also work closely with physicians, nurses and other clinical health professionals, focusing on providing the best experience for patients.

Dr. Avellino comes to OSF HealthCare from the University of Washington (UW) where he’s been since 2003, serving most recently as the Director of UW Medicine Neurosciences Institute and Chief of Neurological Surgery at UW Medical Center where he was responsible for the overall operations, evaluation and development of the neurological surgery service including faculty recruitments. Prior to that, Dr. Avellino was the Chief of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Seattle Children’s Hospital from 2007-2009.

Dr. Avellino earned his BS from Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, in Microbiology and Biochemistry and his MD from Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, NY.  He completed the “Certificate Program in Medical Management” at the University of Washington School of Medicine Department of Health Services, and his MBA through The George Washington University School of Business in Washington, DC.  He is board certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery and the American Board of Pediatric Neurological Surgery.

Dr. Avellino replaces Dr. Patrick Elwood who retired from OSF HealthCare this past spring after 53 years, the past 13 years as INI CEO. Dr. Daniel Fassett had served as interim CEO since March.

Common Core Discussion to be held on Sept. 20th

Posted by on
Dr. Duke Pesta, Prof. of English, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh will speak on Common Core, at 1:00PM Saturday September 20, 2014. This special event will be held at the Gateway Building, 200 NE Water St. in Peoria, IL. His presentation will cover the current state of the fight on Common Core and will include the threats of the new Science and History standards.
Dr. Pesta will also discuss the efforts of individual states to eliminate Common Core. Dr. Pesta has an admirable record of 200 talks in 32 states so he brings a unique perspective to explain the ploy to manipulate the hearts and minds of our children.
This is a free event but seating is limited. It is sponsored by The Illinois Citizens for Better Education.(end)

New Event at the RiverFront!

Posted by on

Peoria, IL—August 18, 2014. The Peoria Park District is excited to announce that a new event will be introduced to the RiverFront.  In conjunction with the Illinois Valley Yacht Club, the Park District presents the Columbus Cup, a series of sailboat races, which will take place on the Illinois River along the Peoria RiverFront.

The first of this three-part series will begin on Sunday, August 24, with races starting at noon.  Residents of the greater Peoria area are invited to come to the RiverFront for the Erin Feis Irish Cultural Festival, also taking place this weekend, and to enjoy the sailboat races, organized by the IVY Club and its members.

The second race of the series is scheduled for Sunday, September 21 at noon. Peoria Oktoberfest will also be taking place that day. The third and final day of races will be Sunday, October 12 and will serve as the championship for the two previous days of sailboat races. This culmination of the Columbus Cup will also feature local entertainment and activities for spectators viewing the races from the RiverFront.

For more information about the Columbus Cup, please contact the RiverFront Events office at (309) 689-3019.

Open House/Ribbon Cutting at Verterans’ Haven on August 20th

Posted by on
Peoria:  South Side Office of Concern will be hosting an open house and ribbon cutting on Wednesday, August 20th at Veterans’ Haven, located at 711 NE Monroe Street.  The open house is from 3:30 pm until 6:00 pm, with a program from 4:30 p.m. -5:00 p.m. that will include an Color Guard, blessing of the home, ribbon cutting ceremony with the Peoria Chamber of Commerce, and remarks from State Representative Jehan Gordon-Booth, U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos, Councilman W. Eric Turner, and Michael Steward, Bureau Chief, Bureau of Basic Supports, IL Dept. of Human Services. 
Veterans’ Haven, located at 711 N. Monroe in Peoria, recently opened to serve as an Adult Living Center for homeless veterans with mental illness as they find an appropriate Permanent Supportive Housing unit in the community. 
SSOC’s primary objective is to reduce the number of homeless veterans and the number of repeat episodes of homelessness. We intend to serve 20 – 35 homeless veterans annually in these 15 units of housing and to successfully place at least 75% of them into permanent housing.
The VA serves as the primary referral source for this program, as well as maintains authorization for program eligibility. The VA has several staff dedicated to serving homeless veterans that are housed in close proximity to SSOC at the Peoria Veteran’s Outpatient Clinic. Their staff will identify and approve program eligibility and actively collaborate with SSOC staff on individual client matters, including case staffings, appropriate interventions, and on-site services and coordination.

Peoria Police Department Begins Late-Night Enforcement Crackdown

Posted by on

Steps up late-night impaired driving and safety belt enforcement

Peoria Il. – The Peoria Police Department today announced its late-night plans for the 2014 Labor Day “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” Impaired Driving Crackdown focusing on the deadliest time of day for motor vehicle fatalities.The intensified enforcement effort against the overwhelming number of late-night impaired drivers and seat belt law violators emphasizes the disproportionate number of traffic deaths occurring during late-night hours.

According to data from the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the midnight to 3 a.m. timeframe is the deadliest time on Illinois roads. The data also shows this time of day has the highest percentage of alcohol involvement and the lowest occupant restraint use.

“The numbers do not lie. To help prevent fatalities on Illinois roadways, we are stepping up our late-night enforcement efforts, making sure impaired drivers are off the road and motorists are buckled up,” said Lt. Steve Roegge. “If you drive impaired or unbuckled at night, we will find you and arrest you or give you a ticket.”

Full Lane Closures on Main St. Starts Aug. 18th

Posted by on

Starting the week of Monday, August 18, Main Street will experience full lane closures during daytime hours for the installation of the lighted crosswalks. Weather permitting, construction is expected to last approximately one day for each location. No parking will be permitted along these streets. The following tentative schedules for the full lane closures are:

  • Starting Monday, August 18, at Main Street, from Glenwood Avenue to Elmwood Avenue
  • Because of the anticipated weather conditions, these one-day closures may not occur until mid to late week.
  •  Main Street, from Bourland Avenue to University Street
  •  Bradley Avenue at University Street, from St. James Street to Moss Avenue

The installation of the lighted crosswalks will enhance the pedestrian safety and is part of the final phase of the University and Main Street reconstruction project.

Please observe the traffic signs for alternative routes and use caution when driving through construction zones. For more information, contact Scott Reeise, City Engineer at (309) 494-8800.

Public Meeting to Discuss Amtrak shuttle bus route – set for Aug. 21st

Posted by on

On Thursday, August 21, the City of Peoria will be hosting a public meeting to discuss the possible Amtrak shuttle bus route to Bloomington. Peoria City Manager Patrick Urich and Peoria Public Works Director Mike Rogers will be speaking. Results from the meeting will help determine a November-March prototype bus shuttle route to the Amtrak train station.

What: Amtrak Shuttle Bus Route

When: Thursday, August 21, 2014 from 6:00 – 7:00 pm

Where: The Gateway Building, Ballroom, Third Floor, 200 NE Water St., Peoria IL 61602

If you have any questions or comments regarding the meeting, please contact the Public Works Department at (3093) 494-8805.

Bradley University Move-in Set for August 23

Posted by on

The official move-in day at Bradley University is Saturday, August 23, which means a significant increase in traffic in the area of Main and University.  Motorists should expect delays on University Avenue between I-74 and campus especially between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday and are encouraged to use alternate routes.  

There will be some changes in traffic patterns around campus to accommodate move-in traffic.  

Please be aware of the following: 

  • There will be no parking along Bradley Avenue from University to Glenwood beginning Thursday afternoon through Saturday evening.
  • There will be no parking on the west side of the 800-900 blocks University and south side of 1300-1500 blocks Main beginning Friday evening through Saturday evening.
  • The intersections of Elmwood & Main, St. James & University, Duryea & Bradley and Bradley & Institute will be closed starting at 7 a.m. on Saturday.
  • Fredonia Avenue from Duryea to Glenwood will be closed on Sunday starting at 3 p.m. an evening block party.
  • Peoria Charter Coach buses will depart from the front of Baker Hall on Main Street at Institute the entire weekend
A map of the traffic pattern for Bradley move-in is available at http://www.bradley.edu/sites/movein/documents/MoveInMap2014.pdf.

New retail developments tied to increase in Home Rule Tax receipts in Peoria

Posted by on
Peoria, IL – August 14, 2014 – The Center for Business and Economic Research (CBER) at Bradley University’s Foster College of Business finds City of Peoria Home Rule Tax (HRT) receipts rose nearly $40 million from April 2003 to December 2013 due to increases associated with the presence of the Shoppes at Grand Prairie and related developments. 

The CBER concluded that the City of Peoria collected an additional $38.97 million in HRT sales taxes from the $2.6 billion retail sales that were added by the presence of the Grand Prairie developments during that period. 

HRT taxable retail sales in the City of Peoria were 19 percent higher than expected from other economic factors, with new sales growth associated with the presence of these new Peoria regional shopping areas.

The study finds that sales and sales tax receipts since the April 2003 opening of the Grand Prairie developments were significantly higher than would have been expected from the other variables studied.  These other factors included: Midwest price inflation; the estimated volume of online sales; seasonal variations in local purchases; general growth in area retail sales; area economic growth; the national business cycle; and changes in the local sales tax structure. 

The study evaluated the statistical impact of the Grand Prairie developments on retail purchases (excluding food, drugs and vehicles) in Peoria, and changes on City HRT sales tax receipts resulting from these purchases, controlling for other economic changes.

The six-month study tracked retail sales and sales tax receipts within the City. The study noted that HRT taxable retail sales had fallen during the five years prior to the 2003 opening of the Grand Prairie developments. These sales rose during 2003- 2007, until the effects were felt from the nation’s recession of December 2007- June 2009.   City of Peoria HRT taxable retail sales fell during the recession, with sales recovering subsequently, reaching about $15 billion in 2013.

The CBER created a statistical model to calculate the effect of the Grand Prairie retail developments on local retail sales.  “The Grand Prairie development has had a significant impact on Peoria’s retail landscape, generating new shopping opportunities and increased sales in the City, as well as new HRT sales tax receipts for the City,” says Dr. Bernard Goitein, CBER director and author of the study.  Future CBER studies may evaluate the statistical impacts of the Grand Prairie developments for City of Peoria Hotel, Restaurant and Amusement (HRA) taxes and for real estate taxes for Peoria area governments.

Looking ahead, Dr Goitein notes that online sales to consumers can be expected to continue to grow, with increased potential for impact on local HRT taxable retail sales, and the tax receipts associated with them.  A strong City of Peoria retail mix should help the City to resist HRT sales tax losses to online sales. 

Illinois Wilds Triathlon is this Weekend

Posted by on

Wildlife Prairie Park will hose annual Xterra triathlon event!

HANNA CITY, IL – Wildlife Prairie Park will host the annual Xterra event this weekend on Saturday, August 16, 2014 with the race time starting at 9:00 am with the swimming portion. The race is entails an 800 meter swim, a 15 mile bike, and a 4 mile run. Registration is open now and interested participants can find a registration link on Wildlife Prairie Park’s website (www.wildlifeprairiepark.org) under the Xterra Illinois Wilds Event.

Online registration is $68.00 for an individual and $99.00 for a relay team. Registration includes a free t-shirt, Gatorade, and lunch. T-shirts are only guaranteed for participants who register by August 1, 2014. Registration will also be available the day of the event starting at 7:00am. Race day registration fees are $78.00 per person and $114.00 per relay team. Refunds will not be granted.

Participants who are seeking overnight accommodations are encouraged to look at Wildlife Prairie Park lodging options. Lodging options range from a private cabin to train cabooses, and even cottages. Guests can call (309)676-0998 to make a lodging reservation.

Awards and door prizes will be handed out at 12:30pm, after the race concludes. Awards will be given to overall winners and to the top 2 finishers of each age group. Age groups are 14 & under, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, and 75-79. Relay awards for ages 39 & under co-ed and 40& up co-ed.

For further information, please visit www.wildlifeprairiepark.org/xterra-illinois-wilds/ ; for questions please contact Laura at illinoiswilds@live.com.

Wildlife Prairie Park is a 501c3 not for profit 2,000 acre zoological park located just 10 miles west of Peoria, IL in Hanna City. The Park’s mission encompasses conservation, education, and recreation development in this unique habitat in the Midwest.