By Jason Beck, Mayor of Peoria
As we close out another incredible year in Peoria and usher in the new, I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and holiday season.
With community engagement as the cornerstone of our efforts, I am proud that we’ve continued to build a stronger, more resilient, and future-focused Peoria.
Reflecting on 2024, we’ve seen significant progress in our key priority areas: economic development, water security, and public safety—all issues most important to our local communities.
To support smart growth, we’ve remained committed to creating the optimal environment that attracts high-quality development and amenities. This past year, we’ve been able to celebrate the results of those efforts. In October, we celebrated the grand opening of the brand-new P83 Dining District. North Italia and Blanco Cocina + Cantina have already seen massive success, and Postino’s is set to open shortly to complete the trio. We are making significant strides in revitalizing Peoria’s Historic Downtown, progressing on the Jefferson House, Caldwell’s BBQ, and finalizing the vision for City Hall’s front lawn. As a council, our vision for economic development emphasizes job creation and driving future revenues–two pursuits I am excited to continue to build on as the new year unfolds.
Our commitment to water security remains unwavering. Peoria’s 10-year water security strategy plans for approximately $737 million to support water initiatives. This includes the recent expansion at our water reclamation facilities, the seven-mile extension of reclaimed pipe in the northern part of our city, and the drilling of new wells. Future plans for advanced water purification and Peoria’s Large Water User Ordinance discussion will collectively support our 100-year designation of Assured Water Supply. These measures ensure that our city remains resilient in the face of growing demands.
As a city, ensuring the safety of our residents is critical. This year, we launched “Peoria Air One,” which supports the region’s public safety efforts with quick search and rescue operations and fire suppression services, especially in our rural areas. The Real Time Crime Center, set to go live shortly, will enhance our capabilities with video surveillance, body cameras, and drone cameras to assist during emergencies. Additionally, we will break ground on a four-bay fire station and police substation in northwest Peoria in Fiscal Year 2025-2026, further bolstering our public safety infrastructure.
I am grateful for what we have already achieved together and inspired by what the future holds. Let’s continue on our journey to make Peoria an even better place for our communities. I want to thank all Peoria residents for their ongoing support and continued commitment to our city.
