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

Chillicothe

Agents seize drugs at music festival

Nearly 30 arrests were made and tens of thousands of dollars in cash and drugs were seized by undercover officers with Peoria Multi-County Narcotics Enforcement Group during the four-day Summer Camp Music Festival held over the Memorial Day weekend, according to reports.  Agents made 28 arrests for felony drug possession at the festival held in Three Sisters Park, according to reports. Both federal and state authorities reportedly said the most common drugs found were LSD, marijuana, psilocybin mushrooms and MDMA or Ecstasy.  Most of the charges are Class X felonies, carrying sentences of ranging up to 30 years or more, according to reports.

Chillicothe

Veterans memorial moves forward

The first phase of the Chillicothe Veterans Memorial Project has begun following a May 20 groundbreaking ceremony. City officials, members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 4999 and other residents gathered at Chestnut Street and Santa Fe Avenue for the groundbreaking on the project.  The memorial will reportedly include flags, benches, a brick court and statues of two soldiers.

Most of the funds needed for the project having been raised, but more money is needed to pay for the statues, which will be constructed by a native Chillicothe artist, according to reports. Total cost for the entire project are estimated to be around $280,000, according to reports. To donate and for more information, visit www.CVMP.net.

Peoria

New rules for food trucks operating downtown

The Peoria City Council gave further definition to the city’s food truck regulations May 26 by adopting an ordinance that coincides with an ordinance approved in April by the council. Food trucks may operate outside Downtown Peoria and into the neighborhoods. The ordinance covering the downtown area limits the number of licenses to operate to three food trucks, according to reports. However, the neighborhood ordinance has no limits on the number of food trucks, but they must operate in legal parking spaces, among other regulations, according to reports.  Trucks also must be parked adjacent to sidewalks, according to reports.

Peoria

District 150 officials debate funding issues

School Board members and District 150 leaders discussed at length May 26 the future of the not only the district’s ELITE program but also how that is tied to the district’s budget issues. The Elite Youth Program is aimed at helping high school students find and keep jobs and is a weekly class taught by teams of trained community and business leaders. Board members said some cuts and program changes need to happen in order to reduce the district’s deficit that could soon reach $14 million.  Some board members said cuts need to be made on funds for staff travel for professional programs and other staff reimbursements.

Peoria

Farmer’s market returns for a new season

The opening weekend of Peoria’s Farmer’s Market drew hundreds of people to the market at 200 SW Water Street lots. More than 50 vendors were on hand for the season’s first market on May 23, but that number is expected to grow throughout the summer.  Vendors must be local producers and their products made or grown in the state of Illinois, according to the market organizers. In addition to food and products booths, there will be live music performers and artists featured at each weekly market. The market will be open from 8 a.m. to noon every Saturday until September.

Peoria

Bach is back

Trinity Lutheran Church, 135 NE Randolph Ave., will host a week-long celebration of the music and art of composer Johann Sebastian Bach. The festival runs May 31 through June 7 and will feature eight concerts, free lectures, two worship services tied to the festival, and a children’s event.

For more information and a schedule of events, visit www.peoriabachfestival.org. For tickets, email peoriabachfestival@trinitypeoria.com or call (630) 676-4609.

State

Senate bill aims to help veterans with college

Democratic State Sen. Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant is sponsoring a bill that would make college more affordable for student veterans who attend Illinois colleges and universities.  HB 3692 is intended to ensure that all returning veterans utilizing a G.I. Bill program qualify for instate tuition. If signed by the governor, the legislation would take effect for the upcoming academic year.

State

Peoria rep only ‘no’ vote on concussion bill

The Illinois House has passed a bill placing regulations on when a student athlete can return to classroom and the playing field after suffering a concussion. Under the legislation, students would be required to get a doctor’s approval before returning to either the classroom or athletics, according to reports. In addition, school districts will be required to have a plan in the event a student suffers a concussion. Rep. David Leitch, R-Peoria the only House member to vote against the bill, reportedly said the bill is too costly and posed many challenges for school districts to implement.