Public Hearing for Annual Town Meeting for Township of Peoria will be held at City Hall on Tuesday, April 13, 2021 at 6:00 PM.  This will include Town Budget, Appropriation Ordinance and Annual Meeting of Town Board of Trustees.
   The Council members approved resolution to remove access restriction to Jamestown Road for multi-family residential development on W. King James RD and N. Queen Frances Lane; road improvement project for Northmoor Rd. from Allen Rd. to University St.; denied liquor license at neighborhood grocery store at 1500 NE Jefferson - the business owner was referred to Economic Development for assistance, as well as the small business development program through Bradley University.
   After several delays, the Council passed Ordinance designating an area of urban decay and adopting tax abatement for portions of the north valley and south side of Peoria.  Councilperson John Kelly has proposed this as a means to invest in the neighborhoods and encourage building and improve land values in the area.  Taxes would be paid on value of land but not on new construction for first six years; taxes on new construction would be phased in years seven though ten.  Kelly sees this program as an opportunity to recognize and increase the property values in the area for all owners.  This measure was opposed by Council Persons Moore, Jenson and Ali.  Council Person Moore was concerned about effect on Peoria Public Schools which could be impacted by loss of tax revenue by abatement.
   Finally, the Council unanimously deferred Ordinance to approve special use General Commercial use of property at 1217 W. Glen Ave. and 4926 N. University until April 13, 2021.
 Connie Romanus, Observer

   The Peoria County Board of Election Commissioners met on March 11, with Dr. Arun Pinto absent and Marl Ketterer attending by phone. 
   The canvas for the primary election was to be signed later that day.  There was a 15.57% turnout for that election, with 40% voting early, either in person or by mail.  With a two vote difference in the election for Township Supervisor, there could be a discovery recount.  Frank Abdnour has five days from March 16, to ask for up to 25% of 88 precincts to be recounted.  If discovery shows a discrepancy, then his campaign can go to court.
   In the report of Director Tom Bride on the April 6 general election, he said that 71 ballots have been mailed to county residents and 2000 will need to be sent to city residents.  There are 306 different ballot styles in the County. 
   Staff will be setting up polling places on the Monday before the election, as they did during the primary.  This helped things go more smoothly on election day.  They have started seeing problems with the sixteen year old election machines. 
   Canvas will be held on April 21.
Irene Pritzker, Observer