Peoria Connected

Peoria school board hopefuls emphasize transparency, support Four candidates are running for two open seats on the Peoria Public Schools Board of Education, with two competing for the second district and two for the third district, all focusing on transparen…

Peoria school board hopefuls emphasize transparency, support

Pekin, high school agree to lease terms for city's bus facility The transfer of Pekin Community High School bus transportation services from the City of Pekin to District 303 is back on track.

Pekin, high school agree to lease terms for city's bus facility

Washington discusses potential kratom ban The Washington city council discussed a potential ban on kratom at a Monday meeting, citing alleged overdose deaths, but ultimately decided to wait for state regulation before taking any action.

Washington discusses potential kratom ban

Peoria Heights voters to weigh in on grocery tax question in March 17 election Peoria Heights voters will soon vote on whether to reestablish a 1% local grocery tax, which could generate up to $135,000 in revenue for the village, but Mayor Matt Wigginton believes it would pla…

Peoria Heights voters to weigh in on grocery tax question in March 17 election

Peoria High School coach faces trial for alleged sex crimes Daniel C. Ruffin, the former Peoria High School boys varsity basketball coach, faces a June 1 trial date for two cases involving indecent solicitation of a child and aggravated criminal sexual abus…

Peoria High School coach faces trial for alleged sex crimes

Big Al’s could reopen as strip parlor and concert venue Big Al’s Speakeasy would reopen as a strip joint and concert hall, according to a proposal under review by the City of Peoria.

Big Al’s could reopen as strip parlor and concert venue

Residents of Pekin celebrate as data center plans are abandoned Pekin, IL Mayor Mary Burress announced at the city council meeting that the controversial data center, which many residents were against, will no longer be coming to the city, much to the relief of…

Residents of Pekin celebrate as data center plans are abandoned

One more step needed in Pekin's decline of a data center project The Pekin City Council is expected to vote on a legal end to its proposed agreement with data center developer Western Hospitality Partners at its next meeting March 23.

One more step needed in Pekin's decline of a data center project

Pekin mayor says data center project will not move forward PEKIN, Ill. - A proposed data center project for the city of Pekin will not move forward. During Monday night'...

Pekin mayor says data center project will not move forward

West-Central Illinois Farmers Encouraged to Start LFIG Grant Applications Now Ahead of March 27 Deadline One of your neighbors posted in Neighbor News. Click through to read what they have to say. (The views expressed in this post are the author’s own.)

West-Central Illinois Farmers Encouraged to Start LFIG Grant Applications Now Ahead of March 27 Deadline

‘East to Par-A-Dice’: East Peoria mayor unveils new motto in State of the City address Mayor John Kahl of East Peoria discussed the city's development successes, proposed budget, and the Par-A-Dice Casino Hotel investment in his State of the City address.

'East to Par-A-Dice': East Peoria mayor unveils new motto in State of the City address

New training facility in Pekin aims to fill skilled labor gap Congressman Darin LaHood toured Manufacturing Maintenance Solutions in Pekin to learn about the grants the company has been awarded to help build out its new training facility for technicians.

New training facility in Pekin aims to fill skilled labor gap

Kratom overdoses rise in central Illinois, ban efforts grow Kratom overdoses rise in central Illinois, ban efforts grow

Kratom overdoses rise in central Illinois, ban efforts grow

Semi clips school bus south of Peoria’s Warehouse District, police say

Semi clips school bus south of Peoria’s Warehouse District, police say

Central Illinois schools focus on music for holistic growth Central Illinois schools focus on music for holistic growth

Central Illinois schools focus on music for holistic growth

‘There’s something different here’: Peoria principal talks about state honor Fabian Daniels, principal of Annie Jo Gordon Community Learning Center, has been named a finalist for the 2026 Golden Apple Award for Excellence In Leadership, due to her high expectations for stud…

'There's something different here': Peoria principal talks about state honor

Peoria Heights mayor explains why his village is banning kratom By Angeles Ponpa PEORIA HEIGHTS, Ill. (25 News) -Added to the list of communities banning the sale of kratom i...

Peoria Heights mayor explains why his village is banning kratom

Dr. Karen Beverlin named next Dist. 308 superintendent Thirty-six years after receiving her diploma from Washington Community High School, and four years after returning to serve as Assistant Superintendent, Dr.Karen (Aschenbrenner) Beverlin is preparing...

Dr. Karen Beverlin named next Dist. 308 superintendent

‘Nice to be back on our home territory’: New Peoria Fire Station 16 opens up The Peoria Fire Department celebrated a significant milestone on Tuesday, the opening of the new Fire Station 16 in North Peoria.

‘Nice to be back on our home territory’: New Peoria Fire Station 16 opens up

New Hope Apartments shutdown is just the beginning, warns community service group The New Hope Apartments in Peoria, Illinois closed due to federal funding changes, leaving many residents without a home and forcing them to find new places to live.

New Hope Apartments shutdown is just the beginning warns community service group

Peoria Housing Authority seeks to clarify recent leadership changes, financial mismanagement PEORIA, Ill. - The Peoria Housing Authority spent Tuesday afternoon seeking to clarify and explain recent chan...

Peoria Housing Authority seeks to clarify recent leadership changes, financial mismanagement

LIVE: Peoria Housing Authority addresses recent vacancies in mid-day press conference The Peoria Housing Authority held a press conference to discuss the termination of their Chief Financial Officer and the resignation of their former CEO, both of which were unrelated incidents and …

Peoria Housing Authority to address recent vacancies in mid-day press conference

Peoria, Normal principals up for Golden Apple Leadership Award Fabian Daniels and Angie Codron, principals from Peoria and Normal schools respectively, are among the seven finalists for the Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Leadership, which recognizes exem…

Peoria, Normal principals up for Golden Apple Leadership Award

Illinois Central College reveals finalists for president EAST PEORIA, Ill. - The three finalists vying to lead Illinois Central College have been announced. The colleg...

Illinois Central College reveals finalists for president

Data center debate hits area slate in North Pekin - The Community Word City of Pekin schedules town hall for March 24 to discuss a proposed site on 321 acres on Lutticken Farm property on the north side of Pekin, near McNaughton Park; state also logging on into complex issueRead...

Data center debate hits area slate in North Pekin - The Community Word

Hundreds of kids ponder their next move as Peoria hosts state chess tournament Over 850 students from sixth through eighth grades competed at the Peoria Civic Center for the 15th annual State Chess Tournament.

Hundreds of kids ponder their next move as Peoria hosts state chess tournament

Pekin High School student walkout lacks participants as staff outnumbers students Friday afternoon’s planned student walkout at Pekin High School failed to gain traction, with administrators and staff outnumbering the few students who showed up to the demonstration.

Pekin High School student walkout lacks participants as staff outnumbers students - 25News

Washington Community High School finds one of its own to become next superintendent Karen Beverlin will be the first woman and the first Washington graduate to lead the district.

Washington Community High School finds one of its own to become next superintendent

Peoria Heights unanimously approves ban on kratom sales The Village of Peoria Heights has unanimously approved an ordinance prohibiting the sale of kratom within village limits due to concerns about the substance’s lack of regulation and its impac…

Peoria Heights unanimously approves ban on kratom sales

Pekin gas stations can sell packaged liquor Pekin gas stations have been given the opportunity to sell sell packaged liquor. The city council voted 5-1 this week to allow gas stations to apply for the requisite liquor license.

Pekin gas stations can sell packaged liquor