Peoria County Government

Thank you to Peoria Public Works for hosting Civic Leadership Academy 2024 on Thursday, August 29! A staple in the program, Public Works kept participants engaged with great discussion on the several ways they keep Peoria a functioning city, from snow to sewage to streets and more!

Two more County flags have been presented as part of our bicentennial celebration! Board Member Jennifer Groves Allison presented an official flag to the Village of Bartonville on Monday (August 26, 2024), followed up by Vice Chair Sharon Williams presenting one to the Village of Bellevue on Tuesday (August 27). Thank you to both of these outstanding communities for being part of our 200 years of service.

Peoria County Treasurer Nicole Bjerke would like to remind Peoria County taxpayers that the second installment of real estate taxes is due on Wednesday, September 4, 2024. Replacement copies may be printed off at http://propertytax.peoriacounty.org/.

Taxes are payable at most county banks with payment coupon only through September 4. Taxes may also be paid by mail, online, phone, or in person at the Treasurer’s office. As a reminder, Peoria City Hall is no longer a collection point for property tax payments.

Information on tax bills and online payment methods is available at https://www.peoriacounty.gov/1212/Treasurer. Questions on payment may be directed to the Peoria County Treasurer’s office at (309) 672-6065, option 5.

The Highway Department will be closing North Beall Road in Jubilee Township starting Tuesday, September 3, 2024 for culvert replacements. The closure will be between Parks School Road and Gelling Road, expected to last through September 13, conditions permitting.

Motorists are asked to avoid the area. Please contact the Highway Department at (309) 697-6400 ext. 0 with any questions.

Happy Labor Day! The Peoria County Courthouse, Veterans Assistance Commission, Election Commission, Animal Protection Services (PCAPS), Highway Department offices, and Peoria City/County Health Department offices will be closed for Labor Day on Monday, September 2, 2024.

The Monday closure will not affect open adoption hours at PCAPS this Saturday, August 31. Animal control officers can still be reached at 309-674-3131 on the holiday during normal hours.

The Peoria County Sheriff’s Office, Jail, and Juvenile Detention Center will remain staffed and functioning, but records and in-person visitation will be closed. Inmates can still be visited remotely throughout the closure, and the bonding lobby will retain normal hours as well.

During today's Peoria County Board Executive Committee meeting and a subsequent reception at the Peoria Riverfront Museum, Board Members were honored to be addressed by Chief Craig Harper of the Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma.

Chief Harper's visit is to dedicate fourteen new cases handmade by the people of the Peoria Nation, which have been installed to hold duck decoys at the Museum. This transaction is the first major business transaction in generations between Central Illinois and the Peoria Nation for whom our County is named.

County Chairperson James Dillon also presented a proclamation denoting the occasion of the visit, recognizing how Peoria County, the Peoria Riverfront Museum, and the Peoria Tribe will continue to work together as we set a course for this friendship.

The Peoria City/County Civic Leadership Academy has begun for the 2024 season! Kicking off with sessions at the Peoria County Courthouse and Peoria City Hall, participants received an overview of how local government functions before delving into specific roles in the upcoming weeks.

Exciting $3 million dollar news for the Peoria County Regional Office of Education!

ROE 48 is excited to share that we are one of the recipients of a $3 million grant aimed at advancing equity in computer science education.

Dr. Amy Smith, Director of Professional Learning Services, explains "The funding from the grant will be used to create a community of K - 12 teachers to support ongoing integration of computer science concepts across core content areas. The ultimate goal is increasing all students' access to computer science education in schools."

You can read the entire ISBE article at https://bit.ly/3WZdmim

Each day that we get closer to 200 years is another day to express our appreciation for the communities that make up Peoria County. This week, County Board Members Kelch and Hoerr presented the Kickapoo Township Board of Trustees with a county flag for their meeting space to say “thank you” to the area. As the year winds down, be on the lookout for more flags going out!

Peoria County’s Department of Sustainability & Resource Conservation has tips on how to have a sustainable school year!

At school…
-have a recycling bin decorating contest
-educate students on the importance of sustainability using the EPA website’s tools
-rely on natural light in classrooms

At home…
-encourage walking or biking to school (if living close enough)
-use reusable lunch boxes
-check for school supplies before buying more

Special delivery! Throughout this week (August 12-16, 2024), the Peoria County Election Commission has sent out Permanent Vote by Mail Application to all registered voters not already enrolled in the program. Be sure to review the information on the application carefully.

Be on the lookout for a hot pink postcard in your mailbox -- this mailing is required per Illinois statute and must be sent prior to each General Election. If you're not interested in Permanent Vote by Mail, please complete the "Opt Out" section and return.

Voters already enrolled in Permanent Vote by Mail do not need to reapply and will not have received the pink postcard.

There are two options to choose from when signing up:

(1.) You can choose to only receive ballots in elections that do not require a party designation; these are usually General Elections. As a result, you would not be mailed a ballot for a Primary Election. If you wanted to vote by mail in a Primary Election, you would need to visit the Election Commission website or call the Commission office to make the request.

(2.) Alternatively, you can choose to vote in all elections and pick which party’s ballot you would like mailed for Primary Elections. As a result, you would receive that party’s ballot during every Primary Election. Party preference can be changed on the Election Commission website.

Voters who believe they should have received an application and still have not by the week of August 19, 2024, should contact the Peoria County Election Commission at (309) 324-2300.

11:43 PM on August 15, 2024 — stay tuned to local media for updates.

A few strong to severe thunderstorms will move across portions of central Illinois late this evening and overnight. The strongest storms will be capable of damaging wind gusts to around 60mph and one inch hail.

Board Members Steve Rieker and Brian Elsasser presented the Village of Dunlap, Illinois with a Peoria County flag last night to personally thank the village for their many, many years of contributions to our history, also taking a moment to thank the trustees for their work in public service.

Last night, Peoria County Board Vice Chair Williams and Member Rosenbohm honored Limestone Township with a proclamation thanking them for being a part of our County as we approach our bicentennial. They were also presented with an official County flag for their meeting room — we appreciate you, Limestone!

The Peoria Riverfront Museum honored public servants throughout Central Illinois this morning with their annual Public Service Appreciation Day. Esteemed guests and speakers included Peoria County Chairperson James Dillon, Peoria County Regional Office of Education Superintendent Beth Crider, and Peoria County DEI Officer Andre Allen amongst several other representatives outside of County government. Guests were then invited to tour the museum to take in the arts and sciences featured.

What materials are compostable? Here’s a quick rundown from Peoria County Sustainability & Resource Conservation!

🥕peels of all uncooked vegetables and fruits

☕️ teabags, tea leaves, and coffee grounds

🥚 egg shells

🍁dead flowers, dead leaves, and lawn clippings

For more information, visit the County S&RC composting page for quick links.

Yesterday evening, August 8, the Peoria County Board covered multiple topics. Here are some highlights, with the full meeting available to view in our posted videos:
• approval of funds to purchase digital evidence software for the Public Defender’s Office
• approval of a resolution to write off the remainder of Heddington Oaks accounts that are deemed uncollectible.
• discussion and approval of Zoning Board of Appeals cases revolving around a vehicle repair business.
• acceptance of a grant for a pilot program to help low-income households gain internet service.
• discussion on moving from a self-insured model to a pooling model, and approval to join a publicly procured insurance pool to provide health insurance to employees.
• a change order to address the Jail’s on-property “ring road” construction, adding in manhole repair, additional concrete removal, and additional concrete pour thickness.

Today, the Peoria County Election Commission’s Executive Director Elizabeth Gannon joined a panel with other Central Illinois election authorities to discuss ballot integrity, poll safety, combating disinformation, and more. As Election Day grows nearer, confusion can arise regarding your rights as a voter and the process that takes place -- the panel addressed several aspects of Election Day throughout the session, answering questions from the public and the media alike. Watch the full conference on the Tazewell County Clerk & Recorder of Deeds page, and keep in touch with official election offices for voter information.

Last night, Peoria County Board Member Paul Rosenbohm proudly presented an official County flag to the Village of Kingston Mines in appreciation of the history the area shares with us as we approach our 200th Anniversary! The flag is now part of the meeting room in Kingston Mines City Hall.

Ever wondered where your recyclables end up? Check out this graphic that explains how materials are reused! Confirm what is accepted in your area.

Have a great Sunday from our Recycling & Resource Conservation Department!