Peoria Chronicle News Briefs

Chronicle Media
Mark Wilcockson

Mark Wilcockson

Peoria County
League of Women Voters program will look at unfunded mandates
Brian Costin, policy director for Lt. Gov. Evelyn Sanguinetti, will speak about the work of the Local Government  Consolidation and Unfunded Mandates Task Force at the League of Women Voters of Greater Peoria meeting, from 6 to  7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 1 at the Advanced Medical Transport (AMT) auditorium,  1718 N. Sterling Ave, Peoria.   

The Task Force was put together to accept and promote proposals to structurally reform state and local government. Costin will explain the objectives and resolutions that have been passed by the Task Force, and upcoming agenda items for both unfunded mandates and consolidation.

Two of the proposals that passed are: “Proposal #3: Empower Illinois citizens to consolidate or dissolve local governments via referendum” and “Proposal #6: Modernize public notice mandates” among other more controversial proposals. Questions will be taken from the audience on provided note cards and read by the moderator. Questions to Cheryl Budzinski, 253-9594.

Tri-County health initiative seeks community input
The Tri-County Community Health Collaborative, representing hospitals, clinics, public health, and the United Way, is conducting a community health needs assessment in each of the communities it serves. Through the assessment, we hope to identify the most important health issues impacting individuals and families.

One part of the assessment is a survey.  This survey was first conducted in 2013 and gave the county health departments a baseline to build on. During the survey process, new partnerships and developed innovative approaches to solving some of the most important health-related challenges our communities face. Examples include programs that focus on:

  • increased physical activity;
  • increased access to healthy fruits and vegetables;
  • mental health awareness, screening and accessibility; and
  • collaboration to reduce substance abuse issues.
  • The community is encouraged to fill out surveys to continue with the process of addressing the needs of residents in the Tri-County area.  The survey is available through the Peoria County’s web site, http://bradley.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_d44bMdtsVv0wPBP.

Workshop to focus on buy local campaign
The “Let’s Talk Shop,” a  free public workshop to discuss marketing a buy local campaign will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on  Tuesday, Nov.10 . at Illinois Central College’s North Campus. Peoria County, the City of Peoria, and partner agencies are initiating a “buy local” campaign to encourage residents of Peoria County to do their shopping within the county to help support the local economy and public services. Workshop participants will serve as a focus group to help guide decisions related to marketing the buy local campaign.

The open discussion will help determine what type of marketing or advertising would most effectively influence consumers to consistently purchase goods and services from Peoria County businesses. No marketing experience is required to participate; if you shop, you qualify. To register, call 690-6900 or visit www.icc.edu/acp; select “Know Your Community” from the workshop catalog.

Peoria
Man found dead in Peoria motel room
Peoria police are investigating the death of a Clinton man whose body was found in a Peoria motel room. Brandon T. Stoltzenbur, 24, was discovered dead in his room after staff at the Towne House Motel repeatedly attempted to contact him Sept. 19 to remind him about check out time. Drug paraphernalia was reportedly located near Stoltzenbur’s body.  He was pronounced dead at 11:07 a.m. Sept. 19, according to reports. An autopsy conducted over the weekend has not revealed the cause of death. according to reports.

River Trail Apartments plan gains city approval
On a 7-4 vote, the City Council Sept. 22 approved plans for the development of the River Trail Apartments. The council voted in favor of land use changes for the controversial project to go forward. Those changes include an extension of Water Street, north of the RiverPlex Recreation and Wellness Center,  that will serve the complex, according to reports.  The project plans to feature 143 rental apartments on city-owned parkland along the Illinois River north of the Murray Baker Bridge. There is no date set for the groundbreaking or when construction will begin, according to reports.  The council’s vote came after a lengthy debate of more than one hour and months of public comment.  

District 150 loses two administrators

Mark Wilcockson

Mark Wilcockson

The chief financial officer for School District 150 has resigned,  just after the School Board adopted its 2016 budget this week.  Mark Wilcockson tendered his  resignation effective Oct. 2, according to reports.   Wilcockson directed the district’s plan to cut its $13.6 million deficit by $5 million for next year’s operating budget. Some of that cost-cutting involved staff cut. Social studies and literacy coordinator Shameika Sykes-Salvador also turned in her resignation this week. Her resignation also is effective Oct. 2.  Sykes-Salvador joined District 150 in 2010.  These resignations are a few of the changes that have happened in the District 150 administration following the change at the top. At the end of June, Grenita Lathan abruptly resigned as superintendent, leaving the board to name Dr. Sharon Kherat as the interim leader of the district.  Kherat had previously been with District 150 for several years as a principal before accepting the position as associate superintendent in Danville.

Illinois Senate
Committee to select person  to fill LaHood’s State Senate seat
The process has begun to fill the 37th District Illinois Senate seat that was previously held by Republican Darin LaHood, who left the seat after winning the election for the 18th District Congressional seat earlier this month. Republican party leaders in the counties included within the 37th District met Sept. 21  to create a formal selection committee to be led by Henry County’s Republican leader Jan Weber, according to reports.  Those interested in being considered for the Senate seat can request an application at the website applyforsenate37.com or emailing to applyforsenate37@gmail.com. Candidates must be at least 21 years of age, a registered voter and have lived within the district for two years.  Peoria City Councilman Chuck Weaver is reportedly interested in serving in that Senate seat.

–Peoria Chronicle News Briefs–