Aidan Mulcahey gets into the duct tape to finish off his homemade pencil pouch during the back-to-school craft session at the Pekin n Public Library on Aug. 18. The kids made their own pencil cases from plastic storage bags and duct tape. (Photo courtesy of
Pekin Public Library)

East Peoria

Fire Department offers CPR training classes

Early CPR is an important step in achieving a return of spontaneous blood circulation in a person in cardiac arrest. Learn the proper way to administer this life-saving technique during the East Peoria Fire Department’s free CPR training class. The training, open to non-profit groups and East Peoria residents of all ages, consists of a one- to two-hour class during the evening or possibly a weekend. Classes will occur at the Festival Building, 2200 E. Washington St., East Peoria. The training will be available on an ongoing basis. Register using the form below. Once enough people have signed up, a class will be scheduled and participants will be notified of the date and time.

City looking for engineering services for streets

The city of East Peoria is seeking statements of qualifications for engineering services for its street maintenance program. East Peoria is soliciting qualification statements for engineering services to assist the City with the maintenance of its streets. This includes, but is not limited to, evaluation of the all of East Peoria’s 130 miles of streets, design, construction testing and observation engineering services for the annual street maintenance program in compliance with Illinois Department of Transportation requirements. The funding for this street maintenance program is through Motor Fuel Taxes and other city sources.

Morton

Business Expo coming up with Pumpkin Fest

The Pumpkin Business Expo will feature booths and displays from more than 50 area businesses during the annual Pumpkin Fest. Hours for the expo are:  4 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 16; 3 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 17; 4 to 9 p.m on Friday, Sept. 18 and noon to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 19.   An estimated 50,000 guests visit the expo each year to learn about businesses, products and services, according to the.Morton Chamber of Commerce Member. Cost for a 10×10 space is $425.   Non-member cost is $725 for a 10×10 space.  Please note that nonprofit organizations must also be a member of the Morton Chamber to get the discounted rate.  This year’s theme is “Pumpkins of the Caribbean.” For more information, contact mkull@mortonillinois.org .

Pekin

City provides updates on road improvement projects

The construction of Veterans/VFW Drive has advanced to the final segment of roadway from Towerline Road to 14th Street. In order to complete the different locations of roadway in this segment, VFW road was closed to through traffic from Towerline Road to 14th Street beginning last week (Aug. 26).  The city expects it will be approximately two to three months before VFW Drive is reopened to through traffic.  The city hopes  to avoid having to detour traffic through any winter months. In conjunction with this closure, Veterans/VFW from Commercial to Towerline and from 14th Street to Fifth Street will be opened to traffic. VFW Drive from Fifth Street to IL Route 29 will remain closed pending installation of the grade crossing with the railroad.  Visit the city website at www.ci.pekin.il.us for further information and project up

Traffic signal change made at intersection

Beginning Sept. 1, the traffic signals at the intersection of Capitol Street and Court Street and the intersection of North Fourth Street and Court Street  were switched to flashing red for all directions. This will make each intersection an all-way stop. This change will be in effect for a 90-day study period. After those 90 days, the city will determine if the traffic signals should be permanently removed. Comments & concerns will be accepted in writing at: Pekin Public Works Pekin City Hall 111 S. Capitol St.

Library schedules next book discussion group for adults  

The Pekin Public Library announces the next meeting of the Adult Book Discussion Group at 2 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 14, at the library. This month’s book selection is, “Mockingbird Next Door,” by Marja Mills.  This book is one journalist’s memoir of her friendship with Harper Lee and her sister Alice, drawing on the extraordinary access they gave her to share their stories and their daily lives.  Author Marja Mills will be at the Pekin Public Library to discuss her book and her friendship with famous author Harper Lee at 6:30 p.m.  on Tuesday, Sept. 29. Her book is  available at the library.  For more information, or to register, call the library at 347-7111.

Peoria County

Former Tazewell prosecutor leaving Peoria County post

Bill Atkins, the chief of the civil division for the Peoria County State’s Attorney’s Office, is resigning effective Sept. 11. The announcement came Aug. 24 from the Office of State’s Attorney Jerry Brady. Atkins is resigning to accept a position with Johnson, Bunce & Noble, P.C., a general practice law firm located in Peoria. He will also serve as an assistant public defender.

Atkins began his career at Peoria County in January 2004. He has served as the chief of the civil division since May of that year. Prior to Peoria County, Atkins served as chief civil assistant state’s attorney in Tazewell County.

— Tazewell County news briefs —