EAST PEORIA, Ill. — It was March 6, 2020 East Peoria Mayor John Kahl presented that year’s version of the “State of the City” address, and reported the city was in strong financial order.
Exactly one week later, on March 13, a city staff meeting was called to collaborate on what Kahl called “immediate and difficult decisions.”
As a result of this meeting, city council revised its fiscal year 2020-2021 budget to include layoffs to both full-time and part-time employees, a 15% reduction in operating expenses, a deferment on all capital expenses and wage increases, major cuts on travel and training, and a hiring freeze.
Kahl on May 1 announced a controversial phased reopening plan, which got statewide attention, including from Gov. J.B. Pritzker.
“The media treated the plan as an act of defiance,” he said during the 2021 State of the City address Friday morning at the Par-A-Dice Hotel.
“I assure you, that was not the case.
“We remained respectful, despite what some may think… I have no regrets.”
In continuing to review the unprecedented year, Kahl highlighted the fact the city maintained a balanced budget and honored all debt obligations, despite a $3.9 million revenue reduction, which included 63% reduction in riverboat gaming and over 64% worth of a loss in hotel and motel revenue.
“For citizens to understand, East Peoria has been able to keep its tax rate flat for over 20 years because of alternative revenue sources we have, and gaming is a big one,” remarked Commissioner Seth Mingus following the event.
“So, the 63% reduction in gaming revenue was a big deal for us, and we’re glad to see those revenues start to come back in, and hope we can turn the corner and get back to where we were.”
As the city puts 2020 in the rearview, Kahl focused on a number of long-term projects taking shape. Among them:
- The first three phases of a $66 million wastewater treatment upgrade have been completed. The fourth phase began May 1, then there will be a fifth phase, and the entire project is scheduled to be completed Jul. 30, 2023.
- A new fire department location, which the city hopes will be located on Centennial Dr., on grounds owned by Illinois Central College. “ICC’s been the talk of a location for 20 years. I remember when my dad [Dave Mingus] had my position as Fire Department Commissioner, there was talk of building a station at ICC, so it’s getting the property nailed down, and then getting our plans nailed down, and then it’s putting shovels in the ground,” said Seth Mingus. Two Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity grants, totaling $1.9 million, have already been secured for the project.
- A new Residence Inn hotel along Main St., scheduled to open June 17.
- The Levee Park project, which will see the green space adjacent to city hall turned into an area that can facilitate concerts and sporting events. A DCEO grant worth $500k and $400k worth of East Peoria Community Foundation contributions are covering these costs.
Additionally, it was announced the East Peoria Chamber of Commerce’s annual dinner Jul. 8 will be themed “Christmas in July.” Tim Cundiff, who plays the Folepi the toy soldier in the city’s annual Parade of Lights, will emcee.
