PEORIA, Ill. – (25News) – Positive aspects of the city’s economic development took center stage over crime, and other issues in Mayor Rita Ali’s State of the City address.
She delivered her remarks to a crowd of Greater Peoria Chamber of Commerce members. The address was a ticket-only event sponsored by local businesses, members paid $65 per ticket.
Ali compared the city to the Luthy Botanical Gardens, saying the city is blooming and ready for growth.
“The flowers are blooming and we are ready for growth and prosperity,” Ali said.
The headline announcement was two approved 9% tax credit funding opportunities for housing in Peoria. One would add $15 million multi-family housing near St Ann’s Church. It would add 50 houses.
Another would add a $24 million permanent housing development for homeless adults and families at the old Methodist College campus, in partnership with the Phoenix project.
As for crime, it received a brief mention in the speech, focusing on the decrease in certain crimes in 2022 compared to 2021. So far this year, some crimes are up compared to 2022. Ali seemed hopeful those numbers would even out.
“I’m hoping we’re still going to trend positively in those areas,” Ali said. “There’s been some recent incidents where automatic weapons produce more shots. That’s going to increase our shooting incidents.”
She noted in her speech that “chronic offenders” are getting put away for good. As for the juveniles that have been identified as repeatedly committing car thefts, she said that requires a community effort to stop those crimes.
Much of the address focused on Peoria’s development. She touted the progress made in the city’s healthcare, small business, and manufacturing, as well as the 12% revenue increase in 2022. The surplus was put toward the public safety pension fund.
“We think based on the growth we’re going to anticipate in pension obligations, this will easily cover the next three years,” City manager Patrick Urich said. Beyond that timeline, the options are raising taxes or cutting expenses.
Urich believes drawing in businesses, manufacturers and jobs will fill that possible funding need.
Ali said in her address there were plenty of opportunities for that growth, such as industrial-zoned areas in the city that are being looked at for employers. She also hinted at talks with electric vehicle manufacturers in drawing them to Peoria.
