Special hearings sparked citizen comments … interest which could be focused on wonky budgets at a couple of multi-million-dollar public bodies, as well.

Also, beware allegedly flushable wipes. When they aren’t, you’re flushing taxpayer dollars down the toilet.

The Peoria County Board Peoria County Boardmet Oct. 8  with all members present except Matt Windish, Brian Elsasser, Steve Rieker and Dan Kelch.

The late Sharon Kennedy, a long-time board member and former chair, was remembered in a moment of silence.

In regular business, the board approved a zoning request for a land split in Elmwood Township. Highlights of the unanimously approved consent agenda include:

• Intergovernmental agreements with Macon and Tazewell Counties to house detainees at the Juvenile Detention Center for $300 per diem.
• A $113,000 grant for two CAT simulators for a program to reduce recidivism.
• A $30,000 bequest to PCAPS for capital needs.
• An amended Circuit Clerk fee schedule.
• $25,000 grant to the Election Commission for secure ballot management.
• A $775,000 federal lead hazard reduction grant.
• A total of $601,000 for bridge replacements on Voorhees and Radnor roads.

Chairman James Dillon commended the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) and county staff for their dedication to the lengthy wind farm public hearing process.

On Oct. 14, the ZBA concluded special hearings on the proposed Four Creeks Wind Project with six members in attendance and one member absent due to a conflict.

The nearly eight-hour final hearing day included concluding arguments from Four Creeks attorney Seth Uphoff; the attorney representing 34 opposing landowners, Richard Porter; the attorney representing opposing landowner, Cross Creek Farms Brimfield LLC, Janaki Nair; and members of the public.

At the conclusion, the ZBA voted 4-2 to deny recommending approval to the full county board. The ZBA did unanimously approve special conditions should the full county board choose to approve the project.

Please see Page 2 for more information on the process.

Housing Authority

The Peoria Housing Authority met Sept. 24 with all members present except Robert Culp.

During the public comment period, several tenants mentioned issues in their homes and lack of responsiveness from PHA despite multiple requests and despite the passage of more than 60 days. Complaints included mold, water leaks and unreturned phone calls.

Henry Nelson, a consultant who is retired from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), has been helping with an audit and recovery plan. He explained the deficient audit for fiscal year 2024. In short, PHA received a zero on the financial portion because the auditor issued a disclaimer of opinion and documents were missing. This placed PHA in the “troubled” category, with a required recovery plan due to HUD by Oct. 3.

The consent agenda and resolutions were approved without discussion. The resolution regarding a CEO employment contract was not addressed.

Vice Chair Larry Ivory commended staff for working hard despite being short-handed. Treasurer Briggett Carter-Meachem said no vendors are owed more than $10,000 and PHA was working on the next audit.

Authority members met in closed session to discuss personnel and litigation matters.

Peoria Park District

The Peoria Park District Board met Sept. 23 with all members present except Trustee Mark Slover, who attended electronically.

The following were approved:

• Junior League of Peoria three-year lease agreement
• 22 Veteran Artists Lease Agreement.
• RiverPlex/YMCA joint membership agreement.
• Fox and Rte. 91 parcel and Meinen Field resolution — reversion of title to PPD
• Authorization to complete exchange and execute documents to transfer those properties.
• Revised pre-travel authorization for Trustees to attend the 2026 National Recreation and Park Association Conference in Philadelphia
• Playhouse Naming Opportunity.

Peoria City Council

Peoria City Council met on Aug. 25 with members Denis Cyr and Denise Jackson absent.

On recommendation of the Liquor Commission, the Council denied applications for liquor licenses at 4245 N. Knoxville and 2312 N. Knoxville.

Under unfinished business, the Council approved redevelopment agreement with Peoria Opportunities Foundation  and MacArthur Senior Flats to correct errors in original agreement.  Councilor Tim Riggenbach abstained.

The Council went into executive session to discuss pending litigation and closed meeting minutes. The regular meeting was adjourned at 6:27 p.m.

Peoria Public Schools

The Peoria Public Schools/District 150 board met Sept. 28 with all members present.

Superintendent Jerry Bell reviewed the final 2027 fiscal year budget, reporting a balanced budget with a $5.3 million surplus across all nine funds.

Members asked about potential budget shortfalls that may not be fully represented in the mention of a previous budget surplus. Concern was expressed that without completed audits for the previous two years, the budget revenue surplus could be in error. The board voted to certify the budget. Andres Diaz voted against; all others were in favor.

Former board member Lynn Costic was recognized for her 14 years of service and prior military service. She was awarded a Crystal Community Award.

Board members approved an inter-governmental agreement with the  Regional Office of Education, through February 2027, related to ELITE’s prior approved memorandum of understanding. It is expected PPS will be operating its own Safe School as a replacement of the ELITE Game Changers program.

On a 4-3 vote, the board approved $32,500 to hire a consulting service for the district’s new five-year strategic plan. Paris McConnell, Gregory Wilson, Sarah Howard, and Martha Ross voted in favor; Diaz, Brenda Wilson and Christina Rose voted against.

Sanitary District

The Greater Peoria Sanitary District met on Sept. 11, and trustees were told GPSD updated its billing system and website in August. The upgrade is designed to streamline billing, make statements easier to understand, and expand online service options for customers.

Key improvements include:

• E-statements and paperless billing, with access to billing history and related features.
• Expanded payment options.
• Maintaining the free ACH “EZ Pay” option.
• More detailed explanations of billing components.
• Ability for property owners to add tenants for e-statements.

Water shutoffs will be deferred until December as the new portals are rolled out.

The District currently reports 13 construction projects with active contracts and 11 additional projects in various stages of design. October bids were to be solicited for the Aeration Gallery Pipe Replacement and the Annual Repair Contract. Projects approved include Sewer Lining Project 18 and Sewer Rehabilitation Cleaning and Inspection Project 12.

For July 2026, one overflow in the District-owned sewer system was reported to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, and one backup occurred within the District’s service area. Year-to-date, the District has recorded seven overflows and 10 backups.

A major contributor to these incidents is the improper disposal of “flushable” wipes, which clog pipes, as well as intentional manhole tampering and garbage dumping.

Financial status and chemical testing remain within expected budget and operational limits.

— League of Women Voters of Greater Peoria observers attend and report on local government meetings. This is an edited version of the work they do as volunteers. Check out their full reports at greaterpeoriail.lwv.org/logoreports