City Council is debating points of the city’s regulations of food-truck and food-cart licenses. Photo / Elise Zwicky

Peoria County news briefs

Peoria

City review rules over food-truck licenses

The City Council is debating points of the city’s regulations of food-truck and food-cart licenses. One of the main issues is whether to tie license renewal to sales verification, according to reports. The required sales verification would come in the form of dated cash-register or numbered receipts. In addition to sales verification, the council discussed May 12 developing design regulations for the food trucks, according to reports. The council is bringing the Downtown Advisory Commission into the process for input on the issue.  Several food trucks and food carts operate daily outside the Peoria County Courthouse.

Chillicothe

City wants an amphitheater

The city and civic groups reportedly would like to see a new amphitheater at one of the local parks that could be used for various performances and entertainment purposes. Funds most likely would have to come from private donations and community organizations, according to reports. One organization, The Chillicothe Rotary Club, has expressed an interest to raise money for an amphitheater.  The Rotary has already funded a study that includes architect renderings. The City Council has reviewed six different designs and has instructed staff to look further into the options including cost estimates.  Simpson and Danner parks are the two locations being considered for the amphitheater, according to reports.

Chillicothe

New pet ordinance under discussion

The City Council’s Public Safety Committee is discussing more regulations regarding the ownership of multiple pets and is reported to be looking to neighboring communities for ideas on enforcement.  The goal is to move the city’s pet regulations toward what other towns are doing. Presently, Chillicothe requires households with four or more animals older than four months old to have a multiple pet license, Peoria’s ordinance is similar, according to reports. City officials are debating whether that number of pets should be lowered to a minimum of three, as it is in Peoria Heights.

Chillicothe

Schools to see administrative changes

The City School District will implement an administrative restructuring plan that was presented at the May 18 board meeting. Under the plan, the district may soon reinstate the position of assistant superintendent, according to reports. That post was part of many administrative and staff cuts made over a four-year period that resulted in millions in cost reductions for the district, according to reports. The School Board did vote to adopt the restructuring plan.

Elmwood

Plans being finalized for Strawberry Festival

The city event organizers are getting the final plans together for the 27th annual Elmwood Strawberry Festival, which will be 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 6 in Central Park downtown. More than 70 crafters and vendors will be on hand along with various acts performing all day, beginning at 10:30 a.m. Festivities begin with the pancake breakfast from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the Elmwood Fire Department. Other features include the juried car show, pony rides, face painting and food. For more information, visit http://www.elmwoodil.com.

Peoria County

Board hires new county administrator.

Scott Sorrel is the new administrator for Peoria County following unanimous approval from the County Board on May 13. Sorrel had already been employed by the county for 13 years, most recently as the assistant administrator to Lori Curtis Luther, who left in April for a new position out of state. Sorrel’s annual salary will be $125,000, in addition to other benefits for education and transportation costs, according to reports. He had been making $97,000 a year.

Peoria

City places restrictions on video gambling

Businesses looking to set up new video gambling as part of their operations now have to meet requirements on revenue derived from food and beverages. Applicants will have to show that a minimum of 80 percent of their revenue came from food and drink in the two years prior, according to reports. Upon meeting those standards and receiving a gambling license, the business must show 60 percent of its revenue derived from food and drink sales, according to reports.  Fraternal and veterans organizations that already have a video-gambling license will not be required to meet the new standards, according to reports.

Peoria

Park District to hold summer youth rally

The Peoria Park District will be kicking off summer with the Streets Belong to Me Summer Youth Rally from noon to 5 p.m. on Friday, May 29 at the Proctor Center at 309 South DuSable St.  An afternoon of fun activities are planned as the city’s youth will be asked to pledge, promise, and prove they will not participate in violent actions or be involved in illegal actions.  The event is free. For more information, call Jonelle McCloud at (309) 673-9183.