EAST PEORIA, Ill. – East Peoria’s mayor says the city is in a great and strong position going into 2025.
“We continue to grow, a lot of it too is not just new growth, but maintaining what you have,” mayor John Kahl said.
Kahl delivered that message in a positive “State of the City” address Friday morning at the Par-A-Dice Hotel.
The mayor says one of the highlights of the past year was maintaining and growing businesses in the city. One of those is the development of the Hampton Inn at the Riverfront at the former Granite City Brewery site, which Kahl says will break ground in April. He says the city is looking to keep the current Hampton Inn near the Par-A-Dice open in some capacity.
Kahl also mentioned businesses such as Best Buy, Five Below, and Boot Barn opening in the city this year. He also announced during the speech that Prairie Farms will build a new facility near Iron Mountain on Pinecrest Drive.
After the rebuilding of Springfield Road last year, Kahl says this year’s focus will be on residential streets. He says $3 million has been budgeted for residential street work in 2025.
“I don’t blame folks for wanting to see more and more funds allocated for residential streets,” Kahl said. “It’s the one thing that touches their everyday life. They pay taxes, and in their mind, they should have a quality street.”
Kahl says other road work projects planned for this year include Pinecrest Drive and the intersection of Camp and Riverside.
The mayor says the city is in a good financial position, with a 2.2% increase in revenues this past year for an estimated total of $71.6 million. Expenses are around $94 million, but that includes $20 million in bond debt covered by a loan to construct the city’s new police station.
Kahl did raise concerns about the one source of revenue going away. He says the city council is planning to vote on implementing a 1% local grocery tax in 2025, to cover for the state eliminating its 1% grocery tax. Kahl estimates that the city could lose more than $2 million without the tax.
Other highlights Kahl touched upon in his speech include:
- East Peoria’s fire and police are fully staffed, with a new K9 dog soon to join the force. The police staff has 51 personnel, and the fire department has 49 personnel. An additional School Resource Officer at East Peoria Community High School has also been added.
- City leaders plan to work on a comprehensive plan this year, with a focus on future growth and developing senior living facilities. Kahl says a new zoning category for senior living facilities is expected to be created.
- After the creation of East Peoria’s new branding last year, the city has budgeted $125,000 for new signage this year.
- Residents are expected to start moving into the Blutowne Apartments in the Levee District this summer, with full capacity expected to move in by next year. Brienzo’s is one of the restaurants moving into the same area, with another restaurant to be announced.
- Center Street Crossing was announced by Kahl, which will be between the CEFCU and Costco locations. Kahl envisions the area as a mixed use area, with the ability to host community events, such as live music.
Kahl ended his State of the City address by briefly touching on the Par-A-Dice casino. He did not take a stance on it, saying previous communication with Peoria Mayor Rita Ali was all he intended to say.
The future location of the casino has been a hot topic as Boyd looks to build a new casino, and Peoria leaders invoke the 1991 agreement between the two cities, citing that a new land-based casino would be in Peoria.
Kahl did say the city would support Boyd no matter what happens.
“We value all members of our business community. The reason why we thrive today, we’re there to support you,” Kahl said. “We’re not there to tell you what to do, how to do your job, where you have to be, that’s your decision to make. I’ll respect that decision, we’ll support you.”
The Illinois Gaming Board requested last March that any plans by Boyd for a casino project development be submitted by March of next year.
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