Hmmmm. So many people have brought their concerns to local government meetings that we can’t include everything. Good for you, citizens! If something here catches your eye, complete reports by our League of Women Voters of Greater Peoria observers are available at lwvgp.org.

Peoria County Board

The Peoria County Board met Sept. 10  with all members present except Matt Windish.

In regular business, the board approved a zoning request for a land split in Elmwood Township, revised the county’s financial policies with one vote in opposition (Steven Rieker, Dist. 15), approved a $1 million contract with P.J.Hoerr for construction of the jail ring road and employee parking lot, and authorized the county’s acquisition of all tax certificates for properties on the 2025 delinquent properties parcel list at the 2026 real estate tax sale.

Some highlights of the unanimously approved consent agenda include:

• The new county comprehensive land use plan, Peoria County 200+.
• A $13,000 bequest to PCAPS.
• A $1 million intergovernmental agreement with the Illinois Department of Transportation for phase I engineering to replace the existing BNSF viaducts over IL Route 29.

Election Commission

The Peoria County Election Commission met Sept. 8.  After approval of regular expenditures, commissioners approved a $25,000 grant from the U.S. Alliance for Election Excellence.  The money will be used to help pay for a sorter for vote-by-mail envelopes.  The County Board must approve. Commissioner Matt Bartolo requested clarification from Executive Director Jessily Joseph about the nonpartisanship of the donor to avoid questions later.

Testing of the voting system was tentatively planned for Sept. 16.  State officials were to clarify if Judge Steven Kouri would remain listed.  He retired earlier this summer.

In-person election judges’ training was to begin Sept. 21, with online training beforehand.  Overseas and military ballots would be sent Sept. 18, mostly via email.  Regular vote-by-mail was to be sent Sept. 24  Envelopes were printed and accepted by the State Board of Elections.

There was discussion about the possibility of a court order complicating the vote-by-mail process.  The State’s Attorney’s office advised business as usual until it is learned otherwise.

Peoria City Council

The Peoria City Council met Aug. 11 with all members present, except for Council Member Denis Cyr.

The second public hearing was held for the proposed Peoria West Main tax increment financing (TIF) district.  City Manager Patrick Urich said councilors would vote on the TIF at a later date. Five citizens voiced concerns, including:

• Impact on local communities.
• The preference for incremental development rather than a large-scale redevelopment plan.
• The need for better coordination between the city and local taxing bodies, perhaps to consider revenue-sharing possibilities.
• Many construction projects and unmet infrastructure needs should be addressed before approving a TIF.
• A TIF could lead to gentrification. The city should take precautions to preserve the neighborhood’s vibrancy and character.

During the joint city/town meeting, the consent agenda was approved unanimously, including: a $450,000 contract to Microsurface Contractors for slurry seal; no more than $600,000 to R.A. Cullinan for the Green Leaf street resurfacing project; the low bid of $655,870 by J.C. Dillon, Inc. for concrete patching; a local match of no less than $92,582 for the Forrest Hill Avenue and Sterling Avenue intersection project, with federal funding of $833,238.

Councilors also amended the existing special use ordinance for The Shoppes at Grand Prairie to construct four apartment buildings with 84 units at the intersection of West American Prairie Drive and North Route 90.

In regular business, Police Chief Brad Dixon said two police vehicles were damaged on June 7.  Councilors unanimously approved $91,576 to purchase two Ford Explorer Interceptors and an estimated $40,000 for parts and labor.

Community and Develop-ment Director Joe Dulin addressed a request to rezone property at 2702 W. Krause from single-family residential to neighborhood commercial, with four waivers for special use apartments. He said the project is part of a broader strategy to revitalize the 61605 area through significant investments in housing and infrastructure, demolition of blighted properties, improved sidewalks, fire protection and brownfield remediation.

The proposal should provide permanent supportive housing for families experiencing homelessness, in partnership with OSF Healthcare.  This site meets funding criteria, is in a targeted revitalization area, is near schools and parks and has access to public transportation.

Phoenix Community Development Service CEO Christine Kahl said the total investment would be approximately $29 million, with $23 million specifically for construction costs.  She said the tenant selection plan would prioritize families with one child for the single bedrooms.

District 1 Councilor Denise Jackson said she appreciated continued investment in her area. She requested a formal presentation to answer questions and alleviate concerns, then moved to defer the item to Sept. 8. The motion failed after it was mentioned the project needed immediate approval to meet state deadlines.

A motion to adopt the rezoning ordinance with waivers was approved, with Jackson and At-Large Councilor John Kelly voting no.

Citizens addressed the council with concerns about code enforcement. One said he recently purchased a blighted property and had already received a notice to appear in housing court. Another said her property was considered a “nuisance property” and she had been unable to reach the out-of-town owner. A third suggested a traffic study to check the safety of flashing yellow turn lights.

Health Department

The Peoria City/County Health Department Board met Aug. 17 with a quorum present.  The Board welcomed two new members:  Dr. Tristan Mackey, a neurosurgery resident at OSF, and
Dr. Shelly Shallat, a pediatrician at Heartland Health Services.

Board members approved regular consent agenda items and authorized notice of a funding opportunity for up to $100,000 in mini-grants.  The initiative seeks community partners to direct food assistance for working families who face food insecurity but earn too much to qualify for federal benefits.  Applications opened Aug. 18, with awards expected in October.

The Board discussed the 2027 budget. A  shortfall is expected. The gap can be mitigated if the Clinical Services Department is fully staffed with nurses to generate additional fee income. The shortfall is fully covered by the reserve fund.

Housing Authority

The Peoria Housing Authority met Aug. 27 with all members present except Janice Parker. The meeting opened to a packed room.

For approximately an hour, multiple tenants from PHA properties spoke; many reside at Riverwest. These tenants detailed infestations of rats, mice, insects; mold; broken pipes and flooded floors and carpets; insufficient trash collection contributing to putrid smells and messes; overgrown grass.

One tenant suggested board members should live in the homes for a month to experience these living conditions for themselves. Multiple tenants mentioned the lack of maintenance workers and the lack of responsiveness from staff.

A representative from a contractor who did work last October said the company was never paid the nearly $30,000 it is owed. A packet was provided detailing multiple attempts for payment, with copies of invoices, emails, and letters that remained unanswered. Phones were not answered or the voicemail was full.

Acting CEO Damon Duncan said PHA serves approximately 2,800 families, with a wait list of approximately 3,000 more. He said PHA is underfunded, with obvious negative results. Operating with constant negativity, there is an increased workload from complaints and Freedom of Information Requests — which he said would be addressed, but have an operational cost. With limited resources, PHA needs to prioritize collecting rents and controlling expenses.

Peoria Public Schools

The Peoria Public Schools District 150 board met Aug. 24 with six members present, President Paris McConnell absent, and Vice President Martha Ross presiding.

Superintendent Jerry Bell provided a financial update. A tentative budget was to be posted by Aug. 28.

The board unanimously approved hiring Now CFO to provide two accountants and a controller with an expected maximum weekly cost of $11,320. Bell anticipated two months with this firm to complete two unfinished audits.

The board discussed and approved an inter-governmental agreement with the Regional Office of Education, pending legal review. A preliminary draft was shared with the board earlier in the day. A motion to table was defeated.

On Sept. 14, six members were present. McConnell was absent, and Ross presided, leading a moment of silence for the death of McConnell’s husband over the past weekend.

Bell said 29 new Freedom of Information Act requests have been submitted since the last report.

A math teacher from Annie Jo Gordon Community Learning Center asked the board to reconsider the “Algebra for all 8th graders” policy. A student and a parent also asked the board to repeal this policy, citing damage to unprepared students, English as Second Language and special education students.

Bell asked approval of $23,500 to hire a consulting firm to assist in the creation of a new strategic plan. It was unanimously deferred.

PPS approved hiring an Interim CFO, Dr. Marcus Alexander, at $800 per day and targeted for 75 days. The contract allows for a maximum of 100 days if needed. Dr. Alexander will commute from the Chicago suburbs.

Springdale Cemetery

The Springdale Cemetery Management Authority met Aug. 17 with all members present. However, there are two current vacancies — one each for Peoria County and the City of Peoria.

CliftonLarsonAllen provided an “unqualified” or “clean” audit for Springdale.

Planning will begin for two 2029 anniversaries — the 175th for the cemetery and the 100th for the mausoleum.

Discussion ensued concerning the relationship between the Springdale Historic Preservation Foundation and the Authority.  The executive director was authorized to explore an additional employee, with some responsibilities for the Foundation.

With two current vacancies, Authority members discussed the types of skills and experiences they would see as beneficial.  It was suggested links to the city and county volunteer interest forms be added to the Springdale website to promote more applicants.

Highlights of the general manager’s report include:

• Nine burials in July and 64 year-to-date. Both numbers trend slightly lower than average.
• Security mitigation continues following July thefts of copper gutters and brass markers.
• Bradley University and Peoria Women’s Club conducted a volunteer clean-up day at prominent grave sites.
• Maintenance of interior gravel roads continues.