The Pekin Public Library is partnering with the Pekin YWCA and the Community Foundation of Central Illinois to presents ‘Pekin Reads,” a programming series to promote reading by all ages in the community. (Photo courtesy of Pekin Public Library)

East Peoria

City Hall new location for obtaining building permits

Residents seeking building permits need to obtain them at a new location in the city. Building permits are now issued at City Hall, 100 S. Main St., in the office where residents pay water bills in person. Office hours are 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The permits previously had been at the Department of Buildings and Inspections on Commercial Drive. Buildings and Inspections Director Robert Cole said the change was made to make the process more efficient. People sometimes had difficulty finding the structure housing the Department of Buildings and Inspections, which is located behind the Public Safety Building. In addition, cross training of the staff at City Hall will result in permits being available all day, according to the city. The building permit location will change again late this year when city staff will move from the current City Hall to the new East Peoria City Hall which is presently under construction, according to the city.

Road closure during utility upgrade

The East Peoria Water Department is in the process of upgrading water utilities on Fairview Avenue. The work will occur on Fairview Avenue between Reutter Court and Fondulac Drive from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays through the end of the construction season, according to the city. During construction hours, there will be no through traffic from the top of the Fairview Avenue hill at Fondulac Drive, according to the city. This construction will not prohibit motorists from traveling on Fairview from the bottom of the hill at East Camp Street to Reutter Court. Fairview will be open for through traffic during non-construction hours. While all water service interruptions will be planned, there may be an occasional unplanned interruption. Advance notice will be given when possible. Check on the city’s web site at www.cityofeastpeoria.com.

Motorcyclist dies in crash along Route 116

A Mackinaw resident died in a Sept. 5 crash along Main Street.  Trace L. Waters, 37,  was killed around 4:45 p.m. that afternoon when the motorcycle he was riding on collided with a SUV at the intersection of Illinois Route 116 (Main Street) and the northbound ramp of Interstate 74, according to reports. Waters was pronounced dead at the scene but there was no information available about the driver of the SUV. The investigation is continuing and no more information is available as of press time.

Moms Who Care walk/run deadline approaching

The Moms Who Care 5K walk/run will be held on Saturday, Oct. 3 at the East Peoria Levee District. Check-in and registration begins at 7 a.m. with the race beginning at 8 a.m. Entry fees are $19 for those 19 and older and $15 for those 18 and under. T-shirt orders are guaranteed for those who register by Sept. 21. For more information, contact the East Peoria Chamber of Commerce at 699-6212.

Morton

Morton Estates being developed as full neighborhood

Morton Estates, a new independent living community for adults age 55 and older, is being developed in a residential neighborhood on the site of a long vacant building along Jefferson Street. The Miller-Valentine Group developers purchased the property at 935 E. Jefferson St. in June. Morton Estates will have about 60  one- and two-bedroom apartments. Renovation is expected to last more than a year at a cost of more than $12 million.   Most of the funding for the renovation work is expected to come from the Illinois Housing Development Authority through the federal Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program, according to the developer.

The building was the former location of the not-for-profit Apostolic Christian Restmor nursing home owned and operated by the Apostolic Christian Church of Morton.  The nursing home was in operation from 1978 until it relocated in 2008 to a new facility at 1500 Parkside Ave.  Village officials and neighbors had been concerned by the long-time vacancy of the property.

Pekin

Local DCFS office in danger of being closed

The Department of Child and Family Services’ Pekin office, 1 S. Capitol St.,  was recently told it would be closing.  The  agency will be moving into the Peoria office, relocating about 13 staff members by November, according to reports.  So far, there is no official word on whether any employees will be losing their jobs.  According to reports,  officers with the  American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 51 are working with state officials and DCFS to try delay the consolidation and make sure no one will be cut.   The state had announced earlier this year plans to move out of the Peking location as a cost saving measure, saying the decision could save more than $120,000.  That earlier move was postponed and local DCFS spokesperson has stated she was told the move would not happen until 2016.

Library, YWCA partner for community reading program

The Pekin Public Library, in partnership with Pekin YWCA and the Community Foundation of Central Illinois, presents Pekin Reads, a programming series designed to revitalize the role of reading in by exposing citizens to great works of literature and encouraging them to read. Pekin Reads at the Pekin Public Library will focus on “To Kill a Mockingbird”, by Harper Lee. Complimentary copies of the book are available at the Pekin Public Library, the Pekin YWCA, and CJ’s Cafe.  This book discussion leads to the highlight of the programming series, when the author Marja Mills comes to the library on Tuesday, Sept. 29, at 6:30 p.m.  Mills, who lived next door to Harper Lee and wrote a book about those experiences, will present a program in the library’s Community Room. The  Adult Book Discussion Club will meet at 2 and 6:45 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 14. The celebration will wrap up with a special performance from the Pekin Central High School speech team performing scenes from the book  at 6:45 p.m.  on Thursday, Oct. 15 at the library. For more information, call the library at 347-7111.

Tazewell County

Daytime burglaries prompt warnings from Sheriff’s Office

Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office reports some recent daytime burglaries in residential areas and wants to remind the public of several tips to deter thefts:

• Lock all doors and windows when leaving home, even if for a short period of time.
• Keep overhead garage door closed if someone is not in the garage, even if you are at home and inside or working in the yard.
• Report any suspicious activity or vehicles to the local authorities immediately and if possible get the best description of any vehicles or people without placing yourself in harm’s way.
• Keep all vehicles sitting outside of the garage locked to prevent access to remote garage door openers.
• When leaving home watch for suspicious vehicles following you out of your neighborhood. Also watch for vehicles following you and turning around and returning to your neighborhood as you leave the area.

If you see any suspicious activities, contact your local authorities: Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office (309) 346-4141, Pekin Police Department (309) 346-3132, Morton Police Department (309) 266-6666, East Peoria Police (309) 698-4700 and Washington Police (309) 444-2313.

— Tazewell County news briefs —