Recently, the Mayor received a thoughtful letter from a lifelong Pekin resident expressing concern about the City’s purchase of the Lutticken property. The letter voiced worries about rising taxes, the pace of change, and whether Pekin is truly ready for growth. These are understandable concerns—especially from someone who has called Pekin home their entire life.

But if we’re going to change the course of our future, we must be willing to take bold steps. The opportunity before us is rare, and if we don’t act now, it may never come again.

In the letter, the resident encouraged us to slow down. While a valid perspective, today’s economic conditions and the trajectory of our city demand that we grow—and now is the right time.

When I became Interim City Manager in 2023, one of my first conversations with our Interim Finance Director was about Pekin’s untapped potential. We are centrally located, a blank canvas full of opportunity. Yet, development was flourishing in surrounding areas while Pekin stood still. Why weren’t we developing Veterans Drive as planned? How could we ease the tax burden on our residents?

The answers weren’t easy. A wise financial advisor outlined three options:

1. Raise taxes to cover the true cost of services.
2. Cut costs, which the City has already done by reducing staffing and operating with outdated equipment.
3. Grow our economy through development.

We’ve done the first two for years, stretching resources and pushing equipment far past its usable life. But to move forward, we must embrace growth.

This past budget cycle was among the most difficult the City has faced. We made tough cuts, yet we also had to begin updating essential infrastructure—like fire engines long overdue for replacement and tandem dump trucks that could pass for antiques. We reduced staffing, explored new efficiencies through technology, and raised fees on solid waste and wastewater—adjustments auditors had recommended for years.

We also implemented a utility tax. It was one of the hardest recommendations staff has ever made. It’s unpopular, and we understand that. But it was necessary—not because of wasteful spending, but due to the burdens placed on us by state mandates, inflation, and growing pension obligations. If Pekin is going to thrive, we have to be willing to make hard choices.

Despite these challenges, opportunity is knocking.

In 2023, one of the most criticized decisions was our renewed partnership with Cullinan Properties to redevelop East Court Village. Many thought it was a waste of time and money. But staff had a vision, and we listened. We renegotiated the prior agreement to better benefit the City and agreed to loan Cullinan $5 million to revitalize the area.

Today, that investment is paying off. Five Below is opening soon, with Marshalls and Ross right behind. Staff toured the site recently with our Chief Building Official and came away energized. Cullinan is doing this right—and doing right by Pekin. They’re building beyond the “big three” and working to attract even more tenants to East Court Village.

Then there’s the Lutticken property—what some skeptics call the “swamp land” or “road to nowhere.” For decades, there has been a plan to extend Veterans Drive to I-474. That vision stalled due to lack of funding and, frankly, politics. We made the bold move to purchase the land and take the public criticism that came with it.

Now, a developer has purchased more than 300 acres with plans to invest billions of dollars to build a tech park that will bring jobs and a major economic boost to our region. This single project has expanded our city’s footprint by 10%.

We’re also in discussions with a master developer interested in building much-needed housing. If you talk to local realtors, you’ll know the demand is there. We’re planning for a future that includes residential, retail, office, and commercial development along Veterans Drive. These are long-term projects—but the vision is in motion.

So, what are we doing differently?

We’re being proactive. We’re not waiting for opportunity to come to us—we’re going out and finding it. Our attorney has played a pivotal role, using their network to bring developers and investors to the table. They’ve helped us connect the dots between opportunity and execution.

We’re also investing in marketing. Some have called it a waste of money, but the truth is: we must develop a brand so that potential partners know who we are and what we offer. That work is underway. We’re also working with Retail Strategies to study our community’s potential and connect us with future investors.

That’s how Chipotle is coming to Pekin. That’s how the old KFC site will soon become a new restaurant.

And then there’s Epic Medical—our first major win. This international company could have gone to Texas, but they chose Pekin. Why? Because we were willing to act fast. Our attorney, lobbyist, and staff got it done in 30 days. That win was a turning point, and we’re going to keep building on it.

There’s more happening in Pekin than this article can cover. Our City Council agendas are packed because there is momentum. People are building homes again. When we attend conferences and trade shows, people are talking about Pekin—and in a good way.

This isn’t “City Hall propaganda,” as some suggest. This is vision. This is progress. Some people choose to look backward. Others are working to build a better future.

We are moving forward.