Politics and Government

Second District Councilman Chuck Grayeb says he wants to serve on the Peoria City Council another four years.

An attempt to reverse the planned budget-related cuts of two Peoria Fire Department engines fell short Tuesday night, after the City Council unanimously agreed to issue $4 million in working cash bonds to keep the Peoria Civic Center afloat.

Rockford attorney David Black is running as the Illinois Green Party's candidate for U.S. Senate.

Illinois Supreme Court Justice Thomas Kilbride is asking voters to retain him for another 10-year term in November. The results of that race could have an impact on the partisan lean of the state's highest court for years to come.

Andre Allen is making another run for a seat on the Peoria City Council.

East Peoria City Council members spent most of their meeting Tuesday night explaining the additional fees on water and sewer bills to concerned residents.

Peoria 4th District Councilman Jim Montelongo said he's not running for another term next year, but he is eyeing a potential mayoral run.

Montelongo was elected to his current seat in 2013. Before that, he served four years as an at-large councilman.

"Two, four-year terms in one position should be plenty for anyone in public office to get things done. Now is the time to move up or move out of the way. So, it is time to pass the baton on to someone new to keep all the great things moving forward," Montelongo said.

You know it's getting close to election season crunch time when candidates start popping up on your local airwaves.

Illinois Supreme Court Justice Thomas Kilbride wants to serve on the state's high court for another 10 years.

Facing escalating obligations to police and fire pensions, Peoria city leaders want residents to give direction on a course of action.

Peter Kobak has decided to take another shot at joining the Peoria City Council.

Despite recent sorting machine removals in Peoria and elsewhere, U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos, D-Moline, said she's confident the Post Office can handle large numbers of mail-in ballots in November.

The president of the Peoria Firefighter's Union said the multiple rounds of cuts to the fire department in recent years are putting the city at risk.

One week after voting down a plan to borrow $10 million and decommission two fire engines to balance Peoria’s budget, a divided City Council has approved the proposal.

At-Large Peoria City Councilwoman Rita Ali is running for mayor.

A Peoria Police Officer says he's running to become the next city clerk.

After more than two hours of discussion, the Peoria City Council narrowly voted down borrowing $10 million and decommissioning two fire engines to balance a city budget decimated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Pekin Police Department might potentially purchase body cameras for its officers as part of a larger technology upgrade.

Former Peoria Republican congressman Ray LaHood confirmed Monday he is endorsing Democratic nominee Joe Biden in November’s presidential election.

At 93 years of age, Hettie Beers is Tazewell County's newest election judge.

As the number of COVID-19 cases trends upwards in Illinois, state officials want to see better enforcement of mask-wearing and other public health guidance.

The average daily number of new COVID-19 cases in the state is up 31% compared to two weeks ago. The seven-day positivity rate stands at 4.1%.

Dr. Ngozi Ezike, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, says a new emergency rule — announced Friday — aims to increase compliance with the state’s mask mandate.

She says research shows face coverings reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Former Peoria TV reporter Denise Jackson is running for the 1st District City Council seat.

Each of the Tri-County health departments reported record single-day increases in new COVID-19 cases Wednesday.

An attendee of the Aug. 1 special Peoria Heights Village Board meeting to discuss the future of its fire department tested has positive for COVID-19.

Village Administrator Dennis Sutton said the person diagnosed was wearing a mask and social distancing. That person is now quarantining All attending the Saturday meeting were informed, Sutton said.

If you've voted in a recent election, you may have received a vote-by-mail application in the mail recently.

Couri Thomas is once again making a run for Peoria mayor.

West Central Illinois is just a few days away from implementing new COVID-19 restrictions if trends don't begin to reverse.

The public will have its chance to weigh in on the Peoria Park District's ongoing discussion on whether or not the Christopher Columbus statue should be removed from Laura Bradley Park on the West Bluff.

Peoria Mayor Jim Ardis said Tuesday the city is still waiting on federal assistance to help address its budget shortfall from the COVID-19 pandemic, while at-large council member John Kelly said he doubts a real estate tax intended to help close the deficit would pass.