PEKIN, Ill. – The Pekin City Council Monday discussed at length Tazewell County plans to build an annex to the county’s Justice Center.
At issue was the vacating of the land the county wants to build the annex on, along Elizabeth Street, between Capital and Third.
“I think it’s ironic that the one block we want to close is the least-traveled, and will be the least inconvenienced,” said John Abel, council member. “We have traffic counts on every street in Pekin. But, of all the streets downtown, this is the least-traveled, and it will be the least inconvenienced. It’s a no-brainer.”
City officials say it will provide a modern location for court proceedings, while almost eliminating some aggravation associated with transporting prisoners.
The vote was five to two in favor of the land needed being vacated. But there was some controversy about the city council changing rules mid-stream.
Until Tuesday night, three-quarters of council members needed to approve a street vacation. Now, just a simple majority is needed for approval.
“What is being proposed tonight is just a sneaky tactic by the City to manipulate the outcome of a city council vote, in order to get the end result that the city is looking for,” said Rick Hilst, council member. “It’s unethical, in my opinion.”
Hilst was one of the two council members voting against the proposed vacation Monday night (Lloyd Orrick was the other), and in November when he claims it came up the first time.
Pekin Mayor Mary Burress says there’s nothing sneaky about it – after all, it was put on the agenda.
Comments