Officials with ASM Global, the company that manages the Peoria Civic Center, proudly announced that for the past 12 months (November, 2024 to November, 2025) the Center’s theater drew 105,000 folks and the arena another 109,000, including hockey and Bradley basketball.

Financially, it topped $8 million in adjusted gross income for the first time. That’s impressive, they said, compared to other comparable markets in the nation. And so it is.

ROGER MONROE

On the other hand, I’m still confused why ASM Global and its predecessor have failed to sell naming rights to the Civic Center or the Carver Arena. It’s been 43 years. Any way you look at it, or want to excuse the failure, the fact is the city and its Civic Center have lost millions — I mean, millions — in revenue. There have been whispers there’s a political cabal of people secretly protecting the current name of the arena. It may have been at one time, but some of those people supposedly involved have died.

What is bothersome is there’s been a total lack of transparency regarding this failure. No one on the Civic Center authority board or the City Council has explained why Bloomington, Moline and Rockford have been able to sell naming rights, but Peoria hasn’t … for 43 years. And no one has challenged ASM Global to get the job done. It’s become a joke that CEFCU, headquartered in Peoria, bought naming rights to the Illinois State University’s Redbird Arena in Normal for more than $3 million as part of a 10-year deal.

It should be noted the Peoria Civic Center has sold naming rights for its Toyota Box Office and Prairie Home Alliance Theater.

But there’s a rumor that when the Civic Center was developed, members of the City Council inked an agreement that the arena shall be named after Mayor Richard Carver forever. True or not, any agreement can be challenged in court. The arena has paid tribute to Dick Carver for his leadership.

He was well-liked. Dick appointed me to the city’s Zoning Board of Appeals and he met regularly with my father, Zack Monroe, who was Peoria Township Supervisor for 40 years after serving on the City Council for eight years. I don’t think anyone in the city’s history served in public office for 48 consecutive years like Dad did.

It would be wonderful if Caterpillar stepped forward, as it has for decades, and made an offer to name the arena Caterpillar Center. If Cat did, we could forgive the corporation for moving its headquarters to Texas.

Another suggestion is Allegiant Arena. How about The John Deere Civic Center?

WAS IT A GOOD IDEA? I’m not sure why, but members of the Peoria school board decided to parade the two finalists for the position of superintendent before the public Jan. 6 and 7. They call them Town Meetings. Current Superintendent Dr. Sharon Kherat is apparently retiring at the end of the current academic year. She chose not to seek an extension of her contract.

The finalists will not appear together, which was a smart decision, or was it? Whether having them come before the public is open to criticism. The public will have no vote. If residents are truly interested, they have to attend both meetings. What is the purpose of the meetings? What if some people strongly oppose one over the other or both?

The school board chose not to reveal the names of the finalists. Why? This decision prevents interested individuals from doing a “search” about the candidates before the meetings. Too bad they didn’t hire me as their public relations consultant. With more than 50 years experience in government and private public relations, I could’ve helped them.

MEDIA NOTES: WEEK-TV promotes a campaign that touts certain businesses which advertise on the station as “the best.” The only way they can qualify is if they pay for the promotion when they’re selected. It’s kind of disingenuous. I know because two of my marketing clients were selected a few years ago. It’s a clever promotion. I had to laugh when I saw the winner of the best gambling joint promoted as, providing “The best gambling experience.”

WMBD-TV has changed the focus of its morning news with about five minutes of opening chatter about nothing. The station’s next programming misstep is insertion of an infomercial in the middle of its newscast. Professionals would call it a serious breach of the integrity of news reporting. But, hey, it’s about making money.

A local newspaper reporter-turned-broadcaster appeared to denigrate the reputation of Dan Bongino, Deputy Director of the FBI, calling him a former podcaster and leaving it at that. Here’s what I know about Bongino. The former New York police officer and Secret Service agent for Presidents Obama and Bush, had a syndicated radio show on Cumulus Media’s Westwood One network “The Dan Bongino Show” aired on more than 300 stations and was heard in nine of the 10 largest media markets in the country. His weekly audience numbered 8.5 million and his podcasts 42 million. He has degrees from Penn State University and City University of New York. Bongino has resigned his government post to return to radio. While WMBD and WIRL, owned by the same company, features conservative broadcasters, don’t look for Dan Bongino soon. In all probability, he’ll be heard on WLS in Chicago.

OOPS: A local veteran is complaining about the proposed amphitheater coming to the Peoria riverfront. He said the 5,000-seat entertainment venue is going to be located at the site of a Veterans Memorial. The Vet knows. He recited a couple of experiences at the memorial involving family members. City officials need to clarify the location before proceeding on what could be an exciting venue for Peoria, if successful.

QUOTE OF THE MONTH: “We pray that with the birth of the New Year there will come a hope that peace will soon reign throughout the whole world. There will be less greed, bitterness and hatred, but instead a greater love for humanity will prevail,” — Unknown