[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6081279,"mediaKeyId","2942973-578bd32b3e6dbea22e55885b4eac20ce","parentId",2942973,"title","Peoria finance director reports February unaudited results; council hears pension-funding and bond timing discussion","audioSeconds",974,"startMs",2792000,"endMs",3766000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2942973-578bd32b3e6dbea22e55885b4eac20ce&start=2792&end=3766","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2942973-578bd32b3e6dbea22e55885b4eac20ce/thumbnail_2792000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6081279/Peoria/Peoria-County/Illinois/Peoria-finance-director-reports-February-unaudited-results-council-hears-pension-funding-and-bond-timing-discussion","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6081279-b77fbc40bbd8e50d7c1e547440c2baa0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176675&Signature=Xh8Egut2HKMKjSB8kj200Hc-sRnUP2tO9-AK7ou5af-1DYsjk~iHycmq-jwmzhr6aFF181gHIND8-Tfr0yBYdeMAWo~-H71QHZVaqjo8ruKn3wFQyfceMYUleNvfTPhDsVNqNLZ1DCpIxplASnILozPvTt6TjWLVEtod1gyHIBNxzT4CQeUHlUb~uAmHfZgTTW01pWZbeFVPy9UYm9-uwU7IQjwFZiGg8CugCKdwzw6g1OzTmT8AkIGcLw5tkIOn5CzJfw3PbcMU63is-IWjuzru08zWiUXEwmMLkWZBdw1cuHyXbkTEAeuVycLhe13YBZ85kPEQwAkhMsQSclRuzg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Peoria, IL","date","2025-04-10T12:21:17.593Z","article","The Peoria City Council on Tuesday received the city’s unaudited financial report for the period ended Feb. 28, 2025, and questioned staff about near-term revenue, the audit timeline, and pension-funding strategy.

Finance Director Kyle Crady told council general-fund revenues through February were about 12.6% below budget while expenditures were about 7.2% below budget for the same period. Crady said those variances are common in the first months of the fiscal year because many revenues (notably sales taxes) are reported with a lag and some revenues are accrued back to the prior year; he expected March and April reports to show revenue catching up, and he said preliminary indicators suggested the year-end result would be closer to budget.

Crady said the auditors are in the second week of field work on the 2024 audit and that, preliminarily, the city expects a general-fund shortfall of roughly $800,000 at year end — better than the $1.7 million deficit assumed during the budget process, leaving the city ahead by approximately $900,000 compared with budget assumptions.

Council members asked about the personal property replacement tax (PPRT), which Crady said has fallen since 2022 because of state adjustments and “clawbacks” of prior overpayments; the city uses PPRT mainly for police and fire pensions and some FICA costs.

On pension funding, Crady explained the city contributes at the actuarially requested amount above the statutory minimum to lower the long-term unfunded liability. He said the actuarial-versus-statutory gap was about $1.5 million this year, and the city’s 2025 budgeted pension payment was about $36 million compared with roughly $33.5 million in 2024.

Crady said the city engaged actuaries to build analytical tools to evaluate the timing for pension-obligation bonds and that market timing matters: bonds are potentially appropriate if borrowing costs are lower than the pension plan’s unfunded-liability growth, but issuing bonds carries investment and market risks. He and council members agreed municipal-bond tax-exempt status remains an open policy issue that could affect future financing options.

Council received the report on file unanimously. Staff will continue to monitor revenue and investment markets and report updated figures in upcoming monthly financial reports.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Peoria City Council Meeting April 8, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Finance Director Kyle Crady presented the unaudited financial report through Feb. 28, 2025, noting general-fund revenues lag budget early in the year, an expected FY2024 close near budget projections, and ongoing work on pension funding tools and potential pension-obligation bond timing.","taxTitle","Peoria, Peoria County, Illinois","taxId",2826,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6081284,"Peoria council approves new three‑year solid waste and recycling contract with GFL; rates start at $16.25 per month",1136,3780000,4916000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2942973-578bd32b3e6dbea22e55885b4eac20ce&start=3780&end=4916","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2942973-578bd32b3e6dbea22e55885b4eac20ce/thumbnail_3780000.jpg","/articles/6081284/Peoria/Peoria-County/Illinois/Peoria-council-approves-new-threeyear-solid-waste-and-recycling-contract-with-GFL-rates-start-at-1625-per-month","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6081284-05e7980e46ab5847c15f4585ba3d582c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176675&Signature=hcG4HC1BTIUfGK9xqSAk99F-HMxpNe7q07UZzuoOAFOAv2wawUDSnclNx8WMUegpwUx5U~CKZ0aYTLJnF0dEFGRCGYkhjXCilqVwnGkx57ot2L71Kh4k72ijxRHUG6jk4~kwy-h4f3qBspfsc9qf0DHv34ZzJoz1OYHY-1z9mQcf83AnQRUyjNfdGKMeZ~UyhVNqxd1Ishvq~YNn3Yx58-w9oxo8hj~U0GkzdS5QWEHrIM2l7wYv-AY03u9gmLJm~nQBtEwg06cjPyNOEqiyS2cBIVo5ZpKphbRZhyUZipl5fLln33qDiNJoLh35QWc86mR-ffrL~h8vvGR490vq3w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Peoria City Council on Tuesday approved a three-year agreement with GFL Environmental Inc. for residential solid waste, recycling and landscape waste collection, with two optional two‑year extensions and service metrics tied to renewal.

City staff said the contract continues weekly trash collection, biweekly recycling, 36 weeks of landscape-waste pickup, bulky item collection, and city building recycling and trash pickup. The contract includes unlimited weekly trash for one- to four-unit residences and provides collection of neighborhood waste receptacles and a set number of cleanup boxes.

The contract sets a starting household rate of $16.25 per month in year one and increases of $0.60 per household per month each of the next two years; the two extension periods would increase at $0.65 per household per month. Estimated annual collection costs were roughly $7.4 million in the first year and $8.0 million in the third year, according to the council communication.

Staff said the city will retain ownership and management responsibility for residential carts; GFL is responsible for dumpsters and commercial containers. The city added a position in public works to manage carts and will continue a citizen survey of customer satisfaction conducted by the city’s landfill and hauling consultant.

Council members and staff discussed service details including storm-debris collection, pickup in alleys, tire-dropoff capacity at the public works location, and procedures for removal of small dead animals (requiring a ticket for service). The agreement includes performance metrics the city will evaluate before exercising renewal options: a contractor minority workforce of 30% or more, recycling carts for at least 75% of residential units, a 90% customer‑satisfaction rating in a city-led survey, and fewer than 4,000 missed pickups in the evaluation period.

The manager said the garbage fund has an annualized deficit of about $4.5 million; the contract includes measures that would put roughly $650,000 a year toward shrinking that deficit. GFL representatives attended the meeting.

Council Member Riggenbach, who served on the landfill committee, called the contract a hard-won compromise that keeps the same landfill operator and preserves bulky-item and landscape-waste services residents value. The motion to approve the contract passed unanimously.","The council approved a three-year contract with GFL Environmental Inc. for residential solid waste, recycling and landscape-waste collection, including service metrics and potential extensions; the first-year household fee starts at $16.25 per month.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6081288,"Peoria council approves $625,000 city contribution to settle Heidelberg wrongful‑conviction suit; one council member objects",560,2212000,2772000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2942973-578bd32b3e6dbea22e55885b4eac20ce&start=2212&end=2772","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2942973-578bd32b3e6dbea22e55885b4eac20ce/thumbnail_2212000.jpg","/articles/6081288/Peoria/Peoria-County/Illinois/Peoria-council-approves-625000-city-contribution-to-settle-Heidelberg-wrongfulconviction-suit-one-council-member-objects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6081288-0be45a79361620daf252422a0d84e03d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176675&Signature=K11JCmf4yMeVdE5jczyevJ1W8CPsS4l985VQb5xR-ZLsZl003PQtdzLgUX14VMcy2IR2KrMBjuk5jmYMBcVNtt2shFVHbhTLKCCywFbLnfuC3FAr7zRLS479bfJ4krJIOLmd0XWoX8ZkQ-x1REzikZ~zrTTXrTHavli8DDoZQdTb7z0HHFJUl5x2FUWnyGSmEhTvfhs~ZoGNz~XeYWYKrQBI39yoPJKoQu~tSAL3CcntUp9Dn-nwRrw0WgOv45w1Pwzm5k52-TPe4QXteKit06fNtPvhtzxOqfJw6yuER890yoS25CiypGbFIDVOr0RIs6x-TfuwpbyOEgDZg-g55Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Peoria City Council on Tuesday approved a settlement in litigation stemming from the vacated conviction of Cleve Heidelberg, authorizing the city to contribute $625,000 toward a total $1.25 million resolution with Peoria County.

Corporation counsel recommended the settlement after reviewing litigation risks and recent high-dollar jury verdicts in wrongful-conviction claims. Counsel told the council the city and county had defended the case for years and that if the trial court dismissal were reversed on appeal, continued litigation could expose the city to sizable damages and significant legal costs.

City Manager and finance staff told council the city has reserved funds in the general fund legal budget for settlements and that the amount would be paid from 2024 budget allocations set aside for litigation.

Council Member Euler, who moved to approve the settlement, said he opposed settling on principle but concluded the city must mitigate financial risk to taxpayers. “I think at the end of the day, we should prevail in a case like this, but our responsibility is to protect the taxpayer and ensure that we don't end up in a situation where we have to bond money to pay a settlement like this and raise taxes to do it,” Euler said.

Council Member Grama delivered the lone no vote, criticizing the settlement and arguing the city should continue to litigate rather than pay. “We are not protecting our city or county taxpayers when we cave in to such outrageous demands,” Grama said, adding he had not seen evidence that county or city officials acted wrongfully in the original investigation or prosecution.

The motion to approve the settlement passed; the clerk recorded the motion’s passage with one recorded no vote. The council communication to members described the underlying case: Cleve Heidelberg’s 1970 conviction in a deputy’s murder was vacated in 2017; Heidelberg died in 2018 while matters continued. The litigation has proceeded through extensive motions and remains subject to appellate proceedings.

Votes at a glance: settlement in Heidelberg v. Hebser — approved; city contribution $625,000, county contribution $625,000; motion moved by Council Member Euler, seconded by Council Member Gordon Young; approved with 1 nay (Council Member Grama).","The City of Peoria will pay $625,000 toward a $1.25 million settlement in litigation arising from the vacated conviction of Cleve Heidelberg; the council approved the payment with one member voting no and citing concerns about precedent and support for law enforcement.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6081294,"Peoria Township electors approve advisory question urging equal signature requirements for independent candidates, 20-1",1067,372000,1439000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2942973-578bd32b3e6dbea22e55885b4eac20ce&start=372&end=1439","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2942973-578bd32b3e6dbea22e55885b4eac20ce/thumbnail_372000.jpg","/articles/6081294/Peoria/Peoria-County/Illinois/Peoria-Township-electors-approve-advisory-question-urging-equal-signature-requirements-for-independent-candidates-20-1","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6081294-3bdb3b02f3d9f07c722733dc92d48767/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176675&Signature=QdNqjH8I0ENtge4jm2GPv-18X3VB0ZhjifkoRPM7gaKxpCqp-fGgmnMxjEC2gw2H2iu9y1OMqfi0aajRNkyKrcANAnP3hU0c6aHs1KdCX0RJal1xDRqTP8mkPYGgFdLfRFDswRtcQ1t6zEQx8qhmv4Z84uW4qfhU6P5JTKhgspwK4f~kDHBnzpHWc1pzw313emnNlSQocR83OLx4GTzZGRwPAXd9nOQGemNasIlx1eXNP2UtT2m5yMjiHRZIUbX03mJeJEBO4NGTh4bqNq88ZEF87UoQzKKuNLjLqElQn04jPwACkrRbsQXYm3LRxsIno47jel2Rc9mhjIcKX2130Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Peoria Township electors on Tuesday voted 20 to 1 to place a nonbinding advisory question on the March ballot asking the state to require the same petition-signature thresholds for independent and new-party candidates as for major-party candidates.

The advisory question, submitted by petitioners and presented at the township’s annual meeting, asks whether the state of Illinois should “adopt fair and achievable signature requirements for independent and new party candidates, making them equal to requirements of Republican or Democratic party candidates” so as to improve ballot access.

Sheldon Shaffer, spokesperson for the petitioners, summarized the petition and its intent in a five-minute presentation before the vote. Shaffer said the current disparity in Illinois makes independent and new-party runs “unachievable” at higher offices. He cited a comparison in the Sixteenth Congressional District where, he said, a Democratic candidate needed fewer than 600 signatures while an independent or new-party candidate faced requirements exceeding 15,000 and roughly 23,000 to survive challenges.

Connie Romanis, president of the League of Women Voters of Greater Peoria, urged electors to vote yes and said the League supports uniform application of election law through the State Board of Elections. “The voters in Peoria Township should have the opportunity to be represented by a wider range of candidates to choose from when they go to the ballot box,” Romanis said.

Trustees and several electors spoke in favor of placing the advisory question on the ballot, while questions were raised about whether recent increases in signature thresholds for some municipal races resulted from redistricting rules rather than rules specifically targeting nonpartisan or independent candidates. A township official said the clerk and staff will accept written comments about the advisory referendum through March 1, 2025, and that the advisory question would appear on the March 17, 2026 ballot if placed there.

The moderator called for a standing vote; the clerk reported the final count as 20 yeas and 1 nay. The advisory question is nonbinding and would only express township electors’ preference to state lawmakers.

Votes at a glance: advisory question to place the ballot-access question on the March 2026 ballot — passed 20 yeas, 1 nay.","At the Peoria Township annual meeting electors voted 20–1 to place a nonbinding advisory question on the March ballot urging Illinois to make signature requirements for independent and new-party candidates equal to those for Republican and Democratic candidates.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Peoria finance director reports February unaudited results; council hears pension-funding and bond timing discussion

Peoria council approves new three‑year solid waste and recycling contract with GFL; rates start at $16.25 per month

Peoria council approves $625,000 city contribution to settle Heidelberg wrongful‑conviction suit; one council member objects

Peoria Township electors approve advisory question urging equal signature requirements for independent candidates, 20-1