Finally being fully staffed has proved its importance through the increase in efficiency and effectiveness. We have improved communication to residents through weekly updates on social media and live streaming Council meetings, to businesses through dedicated staff attending events and visiting stores, and to the media through proactive and positive relationships like this wonderful local newspaper. We are correcting inherited financial issues by catching up on two past-due audits, professionalizing the budget process, and adding new internal controls for spending. We have started implementing new software to make transactions with the City as easy as ordering a pizza. Overall, we have created an environment where our experts can work on their work rather than trying to do two or three jobs.

On the development front, we have seen many new businesses open or expand both downtown and in our major commercial corridors in 2023 including Whiskey Taco, La Fiesta, Panda Express, Runnings, Harbor Freight, and more. We finally crossed the goal line with Cullinan Properties on signing three new national retail leases for the old Bergner’s building. We are seeing a strong uptick of interest in the Riverway Business Park including expansions of Winpak and ICC as well as four new industrial prospects poised to bring tens of millions in investment and up to 100 new jobs in the coming years. We established two residentially-focused TIF districts, which have already incentivized four new home builds including a $2 million home.

We are also strengthening our partnerships with other government entities and community organizations through supporting Tazewell County’s development of its new justice center annex, participating in Pekin Public School’s strategic planning work, promoting the expansions of Pekin Outreach Initiative and the Center for Prevention of Abuse, and engaging with business groups like the Chamber of Commerce and Pekin Main Street.

Lastly, the City continues to invest in infrastructure by continued road, water, and sewer improvements to Court Street and Derby Street, providing land for American Water to build resiliency in the water system through the construction of a new water tower, and securing over $4 million of grant funding for initiatives like the Veteran’s Drive extension to I-474 and the new multiuse path along Stadium Drive.

There’s no way to look at our community other than to say Pekin is on the rise, so please join me in being Positive About Pekin!