Elections are coming. Contracts are being signed. Major projects are underway. Take a look at what your governmental representatives are doing — which now includes coverage of Peoria schools.

Peoria County Board

The Peoria County Board met Dec. 11 with all members present except Eden Blair, Brandy Bryant and Paul Rosenbohm.

Very little action occurred in regular business. The board approved an amendment addressing a litigated point concerning building permits. The change clarifies that the county cannot limit the number of building permits and send such requests to the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Highlights of the unanimously approved consent agenda:

• PCAPS donations for $2,000 and $2,500, and a $250,000 bequest from Dr. Michael Ihlenfeldt for capital projects.
• A $12,000 Illinois Arts Council Creative Projects grant for the Juvenile Detention Center.
• Road and culvert projects on Mossville, Truitt and Akron Roads.
• Agreements with Tyler Technologies for a cloud solution for improved cybersecurity, disaster recovery and Americans with Disabilities Act compliance for the County Clerk’s Recorder of Deeds software, and a CloudGavel warrant system that will be shared with the City of Peoria which will cover 50% of the three-year contract cost.
• $1,457,150 annual premium for 2026 Risk Management excess insurance.
• An agreement with Beck Oil Company to improve Kickapoo Edwards Road and Civil Defense Road for access to a proposed gas station and truck stop.
• A $43,990 three-year lease agreement with Richard E. Shane to farm 132.5 acres of county-owned farmland.

Peoria City Council

Members of the City Council met Nov. 18 with a quorum present; Councilperson Kiran Velpula was absent.

Assistant City Manager Kim-berly Richardson discussed the proposed Adams/Liberty Tax Increment Financing District as part of a public hearing. No members of the public spoke.

An ordinance amending Chapter 21 Parks and Public Grounds was passed. Assistant City Attorney Mas Perkins offered guidelines for regulating filming at parks, public areas and events. Similar processes are used by Rockford and Champaign to support film production. Illinois has tax credits to align with this.

Finance Director Kyle Cratty said revenues were slightly below budget, based on timing of state grant reimbursement, but overall finances are on track. Cratty discussed Hospitality TIF in response to concern from Councilperson Denis Cyr.

Council members entered executive session for collective bargaining, litigation, and minutes review.

On Dec. 9, Councilors held a regular meeting with quorum present. They released Exposition Gardens Inc. from remaining uncollectible debt for approximately $480,000; approved a two-year extension on Joint Commission on Racial Justice and Equity; and approved a $7,500-a-month contract with Government Consulting Solutions to lobby for the city in Springfield.

Other actions:

• Approved agreement with Hengst Foundation to donate and construct an $11-million amphitheater on the riverfront.
• Approved an $1,574,210-intergovernmental agreement with the sanitary district for outfall pipe repairs, plus contingencies.
• Received/filed Richardson’s strategic plan presentation.
• Extended Westlake Special Service Area, resulting in an increase in Special Service Area Tax Rate of 1%.

On Jan. 13, councilors met with a quorum present. Consent agenda was approved without discussion, including approval of motor-fuel taxes for improvements at intersection of Forrest Hill and Sterling.

In regular business, a collective bargaining agreement was approved with Firefighters Local 50.  Residency requirement changed from living in City from 10 years to 5 years with pay reduction of 2% if move in years 1-5 and extended distance from 25 to 20 miles.  Councilpersons Zach Oyler and Alex Carmona voted no.  Discussion involved reasons individuals would want to live outside city, as well as spending in another town vs. Peoria.

Approved resolution declaring abandoned personal property as surplus at former Exposition Gardens to include buildings and equipment.

Council heard concerns about the ICE shooting in Minnesota and what Peoria city and county officials are planning to keep residents safe if ICE appears here, especially involving schools.  The individuals who addressed the Council were Hind Abi-Akar, Estrella Diaz, Darcy Cadey, and Sarah Woods.

Council members adjourned for Executive Session.

Peoria Public Schools District 150 Board

Five members were present for the regular PPS board meeting Oct. 27. President Gregory Wilson and member Lynne Costic were absent.

Highlights of the unanimously approved agenda include:

• Approval of $173,650 to purchase eight CEIA OpenGate AI Detection Systems to use at Manual, Peoria, Richwoods High Schools.
• An intergovernmental agreement with park district to transfer property at Central Park Pool to the school district.

A report was given by Dr. Walter Milton, CEO of Heart International Educational Services, regarding the superintendent search. There have been around 400 hits and around
10 applications submitted.

Dr. Nicole Couri-Malson discussed the Amazing Shake program. It is a competition that teaches students manners, discipline, respect, and professionalism.

On Nov. 10, the PPS Board of Education met with five members present. Absent were Lynne Costic and Paris McConnell. Highlights include:

• Angela O’Bryant of the University of Illinois College of Medicine discussed the mini-medical school program available to District 150 students in 5th and 6th grades. It exposes kids to healthcare careers and is taught by medical students for three hours once a month.
• Andrea Parker, Director of Hult Center for Healthy Living, gave an update on Carle In-School Health Clinics. The clinics at Trewyn Middle School and Manual, Peoria, and Richwoods high schools are intended to keep students in school and healthy.

On Nov. 24 the PPS Board met with all seven members present. Highlights of consent agenda items approved:

• Adoption of the Illinois 2030 Strategic Plan. Superintendent Dr. Sharon Desmoulin-Kherat said the plan strengthens student achievement, innovation, and operational excellence.
• Approved calendars for 2026-2027 and 2027-2028, which include two-week intercessions for fall and spring.

Willis provided the financial report, saying at that time, the audit was in progress with no completion date set yet.

Election Commission

All were present on Jan. 13 for the Peoria County Election Commission monthly meeting.

Federal Companies was awarded the contract to deliver and return voting equipment for both the primary and general elections in 2026.

Executive Director Elizabeth Gannon is creating primary ballots, slated to be done by the Jan. 28 public test.

Election judge training starts Feb. 2, both online and in-person.  Overseas mailing starts Jan. 30; Early voting and vote-by-mail begin Feb. 5.

Those who vote by mail need to be made aware of changes made by the Post Office that will affect when envelopes are date-stamped.  Votes can no longer be dropped in a mailbox on election day and be guaranteed to be date stamped that day.  An insert is being planned to outline various options: mailing several days early, going into a post office to have a clerk hand-stamp the ballot or using a drop box.

Mail-in voters can sign up for Ballot Trax to follow their ballot and receive a reminder if they haven’t sent it in yet.

The primary will be held on March 17.  There will be advisory referenda for Peoria Heights and Peoria Township.

Dunlap District 323

Seven members were present for Dunlap’s school board meeting on Dec. 17.

The board voted unanimously to open and close the 2025 tax levy public hearing.

Superintendent Dr. Scott Dearman said athletic center construction is at the “steel in the air” stage. The Wilder Waite facilities committee reports bids have come in at $2.5 million.

Following up on questions about the tax levy, Dearman explained the proposal saves $650,000 total. Board member Theresa Holshouser asked for more clarification about principal and interest. Chief Financial Officer Mike McKenzie will address her questions at the next meeting.

Board approved paying $5,687,950 in bills, the out-of-state baseball tournament 2026 in Tennessee, and the 2026-27 course selection guide.

There  was considerable discussion about the student fees policy revision and the new proposed schedule of fees. As of Dec. 19, the district has a total of $142,722 of unpaid fees. There were several questions about fees for participation in sports and other extracurricular activities. Revision of fee collection policy was approved. A change in student fee schedule did not pass. A motion to keep the current fee schedule passed.

The board approved the 2025 tax rate of $4.43446 and levy of $50,781,700 and IASB Professional Services Contract for Superintendent Search.

Airport Authority

The Metropolitan Airport Authority of Peoria meeting was called to order on Dec. 15 with eight of nine commissioners present. Absent was Karen Jensen. Board approved the Nov. 17 minutes.

Work at the terminal entrance is completed. There is illegal parking by some customs employees; tickets are authorized. Parking had to be rented at Thanksgiving.

Board approved two change orders for construction of the control tower and a three-month hangar lease at Mt. Hawley.

Director of Operations and Maintenance Randy Hurst noted the work required to clear the runways of the wet, heavy snow. At one point, one of the runways was closed.

Director of Finance and Administration Steve Perrone reported on the November financial statements, which were approved along with vouchers payable and the tax levy ordinance

Sanitary District

On Dec. 11, the Greater Peoria Sanitary District Board reported cash flow remains stable. Year-to-date, the District is tracking on revenues and expenses, with all variances falling within normal range. Operating revenue and expenses are slightly less than budget; non-operating revenue above budget.

Compared to this time last year, total assets increased by approximately $1.5 million, accounts payable are approximately $900,000 less and total liabilities decreased by approximately $4 million. It is noteworthy that the largest movements were in accounts payable, arbitrage liability, and bonds payable.

Residential billing accounts increased slightly, while major industrial accounts decreased.

GPSD will conduct a special assessment of the new housing area at Alta and Wilhelm roads.

GPSD proposed working with Phillips, Salmi, and Associates (PSA) for the fiscal 2026 audit. The $26,400 cost is consistent with counterparts across the state.

Board Trustees approved:

• A $1,107,042 bid by GA Rich and Sons for Aeration Gallery Pipe Replacement Project 4.
• A $450,280 agreement with Illinois Oil Marketing Equipment, Inc. for above-ground fuel storage tanks.
• Ordinance 669 requiring employment of trained local workers on certain public works projects. This replaces current Ordinance 579.
• Solar power purchase agreement to support power needs of GPSD facilities/operations.
• Procurement/bids for items such as concrete pad, ferric chloride tank, electrical, mechanical, fiber/PLC.

LWVGP observers attend and report on local government meetings. For more information, check lwvgp.org/