Dang, there’s a lot going on with our goverment bodies and municipal agencies. So let’s take a look at what’s happening out there.

Peoria County Board

The Peoria County Board met March 12 with all members present except Paul Rosenbohm.

Voting 16-1, the board approved a road use agreement with Four Creeks, LLC to use county roads should a special use be approved for future wind turbines in northwest Peoria County. Brian Elsasser was the lone vote no.

This is the first step in a multi-step process that may ultimately lead to a special use and a building permit.  Peoria County requires a road use agreement as the first step ahead of an actual special use application, zoning process, public hearing or final board approval.  The agreement, negotiated over the last eight months, spells out road control issues and provides financial assurances for repairs and maintenance.  This agreement only addresses county roads.  The four impacted townships will now jointly negotiate an agreement for township road use.  The full text of the agreement can be found peoriacounty.gov.  All three public comments were focused on this agreement with two in favor and one opposed.

In regular business, the board unanimously approved two zoning requests in Elmwood Township, construction engineering agreements for Mossville Road and Kickapoo Edwards Road/Civil Defense Road, and an appropriation for the public defender office.

Other 2026 appropriations and rollovers were approved on votes of 16-1, 14-3 and 14-3. Elsasser opposed all three; Steven Rieker and Linda Daley joined in opposing the other two.

Highlights of unanimously approved consent agenda include:

• Intergovernmental agreement with the City of Peoria for dedicated off-street parking for county employees in the Niagra parking deck.
• Two worker’s compensation claims, for $31,000 and $50,000.
• Funding for the demolition of three unsafe properties.
• The county’s federal legislative agenda for 119th Congress.
• Engineering and improve-
  ments for Riekena Road, Moss-ville Road and Radnor Road.
• Improvements to the building housing the Peoria Stark Joint Emergency Telephone System Board.
• The County’s 2026 ADA Transition Plan.

Election Commission

The Peoria County Board of Elections met March 10.

During public comments, an election judge complained about something that happened to him last month.  He suggested adding audio to the video recordings in the election office, ending nepotism, and having more transparency to scheduling judges.  An employee of the commission disputed his charges and said adding audio would impinge on the privacy of employees, who speak to each other as friends and colleagues when they are not helping the public.

Asked about two issues from last month, Executive Director Elizabeth Gannon said the sidewalk at the Peoria Township Building was repaired by the township.  The plumbing issue in the newly gained portion of the Commission’s building would be discussed in executive session.

Peoria City Council

The Peoria City Council held a special meeting Feb. 2 at City Hall to discuss a settlement with Par-A-Dice Gaming Corporation about the casino’s location.

City Manager Patrick Urich and Corporation Counsel Patrick Hayes requested the meeting because the pending redevelopment plan was scheduled to come before the Illinois Gaming Corporation on Feb. 5.

Councilman Denis Cyr was absent as Hayes reviewed the history, including the 1991 intergovernmental agreement between East Peoria and Peoria. That agreement stipulated that if land-based casinos were allowed in Illinois, a new casino would be in Peoria.

After Par-A-Dice about 10 days later revised its land-based plan to be a barge on the river, the City dropped its lawsuit. Hayes said the city of Peoria’s goal was to avoid prolonged litigation and costly legal fees.

After much discussion, the Council vote split 5-5, defeating the motion.  The ayes were Mike Vespa, Andre Allen, Bernice Gordon-Young, Denise Jackson, and Mayor Rita Ali.  Nays were Tim Riggenbach, Zach Oyler, Kiran Velpula, John Kelly and Alex Carmona.

Hayes reminded Councilors that discussion is confidential and the Council adjourned for executive session.

On Feb. 10, all members were present. Councilors approved Feb. 2 special meeting minutes, Jan. 27 meeting minutes; January expenditures and February expected expenditures for the Town of the City of Peoria.

The consent agenda passed, although items regarding Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Districts for Northwoods Mall and Adams/Liberty Project Area were pulled for discussion.

Assistant City Manager Kimberly Richardson offered an overview of both projects, along with specific situations where a TIF project might be beneficial. For example, a TIF might help develop property and infrastructure in an area which needs improvements, such as pavement.  The Warehouse District TIF is one example cited.  She said these projects do not increase taxes paid on goods or services, but do increase funding through increased assessed valuation. After lengthy discussion, both TIF projects were approved 10-1, with Carmona voting in opposition.

One citizen addressed the Council to encourage them to consider clean and sustainable energy when planning the development of the 70-acre housing development on the former site of Exposition Gardens, as well as green infrastructure, supporting jobs in this sector.

Council adjourned for closed session to address litigation.

On Feb. 24, The Peoria City Council met with all members present, except Cyr.

Councilors approved the Feb. 10 minutes, then held a public hearing on the Westlake Special Service Area. They voted unanimously to extend the Area to the year 2055 and increase the sales tax rate by .25%. A final vote was scheduled for March 10. The Consent Agenda passed unanimously.

Councilors approved proceeding with certain capital expenditures in advance of a planned bond issue.

A request for a liquor license for King Zone at 2411 N. Knoxville was deferred..

One citizen suggested demolishing Big Al’s and converting the site to a parking lot.

Council adjourned for closed session to address litigation.

Peoria Public Schools

The Peoria Public Schools Board met Jan. 26 with all members present.

Board members approved $52,245 for Follett Software school licenses for the next year. This includes Destiny Library licenses for all 29 schools, administration buildings, and Roy Ricketts Center warehouse.

They also approved a memorandum of understanding with the Peoria Federation of Teachers regarding the teacher evaluation.

On Feb. 9, the PPS board met with five members present. Lynne Costic and Larry Ivory were absent.

Board members were told the Wraparound Center that provides drive-up resources to local families distributes more than 150 boxes each week. A donation wish list for the Hand Up Food Pantry can be found at psd150.org/pantry-wish-list

Director of Curriculum Tracy Donath reviewed the Invention Convention program. Each middle school sent its top students to the convention after they spent hours identifying a problem, developing solutions, building prototypes, and evaluating how their ideas could make life better for others.

Peoria Police Chief Eric Echevarria spoke about a platform called FUSUS that allows integration with exterior cameras at schools. It provides real-time monitoring police can access during emergencies — potentially providing faster response time and better decision-making.

The memorandum of understanding about real-time video monitoring was tabled, along with the employment contract for chief financial officer/chief school business official.

Health Department

Peoria City/County Health Department Board met Feb. 23 with a quorum present.

City of Peoria Housing Coordinator Nicole Morrow discussed the Public Health Equity Fund Rental Assistance Program. It is a pilot program funded by the American Rescue Plan Act to help house families who don’t qualify for other programs by providing rental deposits and landlord bonuses. So far, 86 families have been housed successfully.

The Board approved executive meeting minutes remaining confidential, prior meeting minutes, and the personnel report.  It also held active discussion about Food Safety Ordinance fee increases which could raise high-risk restaurant license fees from $580 to $690 per year.

Dunlap District 323

Dunlap District 323 School Board met Feb. 18 with seven members present.

Superintendent Scott Dear-man reported three FOIA requests were completed. He cited Those Who Excel recipients, the high school guidance department’s successful Technical Career Fair, and the Robotics team which qualified for the World Robotics competition. He said there have been about 1,000 responses to the superintendent search survey.

Assistant Superintendent of Businesses Services Scott Adreon reported athletic facility construction is progressing well. He also presented the board with detailed descriptions of proposed critical summer projects which will cost about $1,280,570.  Most of the expense is for boiler replacement and HVAC issues.

Andrews presented 2026-2027 staffing requests, based on increased student enrollment.  That includes:

School counselor and Special Education Teacher for Hickory Grove, Special Education teacher for Wilder Waite, English/Language Arts and Math teachers for Dunlap Middle, English, Math and Social Studies teachers for Dunlap High, and one District Special Education coordinator and one Special Education administrator.

With salary recommendations for each position added, the total for new hires is $686,528.  Questions and discussion followed the presentation. President Tom Feldman asked the board to act on these proposals in March.

Dottie Strickler commended the district for a Feb. 6 mock election organized by the League of Women Voters of Greater Peoria, with help from the Peoria County Board of Elections and high school staff. A total of 164 students participated and 88 eligible students registered to vote. (Full disclosure: Strickler is the League Observer for Dunlap schools.)

Sanitary District

The Greater Peoria Sanitary District Board met Feb. 17, and GPSD management reported January monthly activities such as sewer-line maintenance were within plans, with no significant or reportable events.

In general, expenses are expected to decrease due to preventive operations and investments. The cost of electricity is the highest contributor to expenses. The planned solar project is expected to help in the long term.

January operational highlights — including billing, water shut-offs and delinquent accounts, sewer maintenance, and investments — remained on track.

Discussions are ongoing about a transition to monthly billing and expansion of electronic-payment methods to improve convenience.

Trustees approved several key projects, including:

• A $1,030,966 boiler replacement awarded to Comtech Holdings, Inc.
• A $264,149 manhole lining contract with Advanced Rehabilitation Technology
• Renewing with Beazley Excess & Surplus Insurance for pollution liability, $18,735.

NOTICE: A public hearing to discuss the budget, charges and long-term strategic plans will be held at 8:30 a.m. April 21, at the GPSD office, 2322 S. Darst.

Airport Authority

The Metropolitan Airport Authority met Feb. 25, with seven of nine commissioners present.  Absent were Eric Fehl and Stephen Roehm.

The board approved the consent agenda, which included minutes for the Jan. 28 board meeting, the Feb. 16 Marketing/Air Service Committee, and Feb. 16
Projects/Finance Committee.

Director of Airports Gene Olson noted federal authorities may want some changes in the tower and in the security system.

Director of Operations and Maintenance Randy Hurst reported more parking may be opening. The TSA pilot program went to Moline. TSA will have a table to help those needing assistance with ID so lines are not held up. The gift shop concession wants to continue the contract.

Director of Finance and Administration Steve Perrone requested approval of January financials and amendments to by-laws and personnel policies. The board approved.

Manager of Marketing & Public Relations Cheryl Bockhold-Sloan said there were 63,204 passengers in January, 2026, an increase of 11.33% over 2025. ADA digital compliance is required by April 2027.  There will be an RFP to have the website redone. The board approved the 2027 Digital marketing strategy and expenditures.

On March 2, a special meeting was held at Mt. Hawley to approve the 2027 budget, rates and charges.

— LWVGP observers attend and report on local government meetings. For more information, check out greaterpeoriail.lwv.org/logoreports