>>> WELCOME TO "AT ISSUE."

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AS ALWAYS.

THE CITY OF PEORIA, LIKE MANY CITIES FACES MANY CONCERNS BROUGHT ON BY THE CORONAVIRUS.

WE'LL TALK ABOUT THAT, BUT WE'LL ALSO TALK ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY PENSIONS, TRANSPORTATION CHANGES THAT MAY BE COMING TO THE CITY OF PEORIA AND MUCH MORE FOR THE NEXT HALF HOUR WITH PATRICK URICH, WHO IS THE CITY MANAGER OF THE CITY OF PIERRE YA.

THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US.

AND RITA ALI IS THE MAYOR OF PEORIA.

I WANT TO GET TO CRIME IN A MOMENT, BUT LET'S START WITH KROOIRS.

JUST A GENERAL OVERVIEW OF HOW CORONAVIRUS HAS BEEN IMPACTING THE CITY?

>> I THINK THAT THE BIGGEST IMPACT IN 2020 WE SAW WAS A REVENUE REDUCTION.

AND THEN AS WE MOVED INTO 2021, WE SAW THAT OUR STATE ECONOMY HAS RECOVERED CONSIDERABLY.

THAT WAS POSITIVE.

FROM AN OPERATING STANDPOINT, ONE OF THE CHALLENGES WE'VE SEEN IS THAT WITH THIS LATEST WAVE OF THE OMICRON VIRUS, WE'RE STARTING TO SEE OUR NUMBERS OF EMPLOYEES THAT ARE AFFECTED HAVE COME DOWN WITH CORONAVIRUS TO BE LARGER THAN WE HAD REALLY ANTICIPATED.

AND THAT'S PUT SOME PRESSURE ON OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT AND ON OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT TO DELIVER SERVICES.

NOT ONLY BECAUSE THEY'VE -- THE POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN DOWN IN STAFFING, BUT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AS WELL HAS PUT SOME PRESSURE ON MAKING SURE WE HAVE ENOUGH STAFF TO MAN EACH OF THE MACHINES THAT WE HAVE.

IT'S A CONCERN FOR US.

WE CONTINUE TO PRESSURE OUR EMPLOYEES TO GET VACCINATED.

I'M DISAPPOINTED WITH SOME OF THE NUMBERS IN SOME DEPARTMENTS THAT ARE PRETTY LOW.

I THINK AT CITY HALL, THE NUMBERS ARE HIGH, BUT IT'S CERTAINLY SOMETHING WE HAVE TO LOOK AT.

ENCOURAGE OUR EMPLOYEES TO GET VACCINATED AND EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY AS WELL.

>> I WANT TO TALK ABOUT FIRE AND POLICE IN A MOMENT.

I WANT TO TURN TO THE MAYOR, HOW ARE YOU URGING CITIZENS.

NOT JUST EMPLOYEES, BUT CITIZENS TO SAY, GET VACCINATED.

>> I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT OUR VACCINATION RATE.

I THINK WE CAN DO A LOT BETTER THAN WE CURRENTLY ARE RIGHT NOW.

I MEAN, THE FACT THAT EMPLOYEES ARE IMPACTED AND IT IMPACTS SERVICES.

WE'RE SEEING MORE HOSPITALIZATIONS, WE'RE SEEING MORE DEATHS.

WE'RE SEEING MORE PEOPLE IN THE ICU UNITS, THAT IMPACTS OUR COMMUNITY, THE HEALTH OF OUR COMMUNITY.

WE KNOW THAT THE VACCINATIONS ARE WORKING.

BY GETTING THE VACCINATIONS, GETTING THE BOOSTER SHOTS.

WE'RE PROTECTING THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF OUR COMMUNITY.

I'M ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO GET VACCINATED.

TRYING TO PUSH OUT EDUCATION AND RATIONALE ON WHY -- IF YOU DON'T DO IT FOR YOURSELF, DO IT FOR YOUR CHILDREN, FOR YOUR FAMILY.

>> THE PEORIA COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT REPORTS LESS THAN 56% OF PEORIA COUNTY RESIDENTS ARE VACCINATED.

LET'S TURN TO FIRE AND POLICE, PATRICK.

YOU MENTIONED THE IMPACT OF CORONAVIRUS.

BUT I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

BECAUSE YOU HAVE IN THE WORKS 30 NEW OFFICERS, BUT THOSE AREN'T NEW OFFICERS IN TERMS OF ADDING TO THE FORCE.

>> CORRECT.

THESE ARE VACANT POSITIONS THAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE.

WE'VE SEEN RETIREMENTS, SEPARATIONS FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

AND IT TAKES A LONG TIME TO FILL A POLICE OFFICER'S POSITION.

YOU HAVE THE SELECTION PROCESS WHICH TAKES A NUMBER OF MONTHS.

THEN THERE'S THE ACADEMY, AND YOU SEND SOMEONE AWAY FROM THE ACADEMY, ONCE THEY COME BACK AND GRADUATE FROM THE ACADEMY, THEY HVE SEVERAL MONTHS WHERE THEY'RE WORKING WITH A FIELD TRAINING OFFICER, SO THEIR RIDING ALONG WITH ANOTHER POLICE OFFICER IN A VEHICLE AS A PARTNER DURING THAT PERIOD OF TIME TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE ABLE TO PERFORM THE JOB AS A POLICE OFFICER.

THERE'S PROBABLY NO MORE SERIOUS OBLIGATION WE GIVE ANY PUBLIC EMPLOYEE THAN WHAT WE GIVE WITH A POLICE OFFICER WITH HAVING THAT ABILITY TO USE DEADLY FORCE IF NEEDED.

THE TRAINING IS VERY LONG.

AND IT TAKES ALMOST 11 MONTHS BEFORE WE CAN GET AN OFFICER ON THE STREET ON OUR OWN.

WE HAVE 10 OFFICERS THAT HAVE JUST BEEN SWORN IN.

OVER THE COURSE OF THIS YEAR, WE'RE GOING TO FILL 20 MORE SLOTS FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT >> WITH REGARD TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, A TWO-PART QUESTION, ONE IS THE SOUTH SIDE FIREHOUSE, AND NUMBER TWO, YOU SHUT DOWN AN ENGINE COMPANY.

WHAT IS THE STATUS OF BOTH OF THOSE?

>> THE FIRE STATION IS CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

IT'S MOVING FORWARD, AND WE SHOULD HAVE AN OPENING OF THAT FIRE STATION HERE IN THE SPRING.

WE'RE CLOSE TO SEEING THAT COMPLETED.

THAT'S AT THE CORNER OF HOWETTE AND WESTERN.

WE'RE EXCITED TO SEE THAT FIRE STATION OPEN.

SECOND, WE HAVE THE CHALLENGE OF STAFFING.

WE DID REDUCE AS PART OF THE BUDGET IN 2020, ONE OF OUR FIRE COMPANIES.

THE COUNCIL MADE THE DECISION IN NOVEMBER TO RESTORE THAT POSITION ON OVERTIME.

THAT ENGINE COMPANY WAS RESTORED THROUGH UP UNTIL ABOUT THE HOLIDAY SEASON.

AND THEN WE HAD TO CLOSE IT DOWN JUST FOR BUDGETARY PURPOSES.

WE DIDN'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO RESTORE THAT POSITION.

IT'S BEEN PUT BACK IN PLACE AFTER THE FIRST OF THE YEAR, SO WE NOW HAVE THAT ADDITIONAL MACHINE ON THE STREET.

IT'S LOCATED AT THE HURLBURKE STATION, WHICH IS STATION EIGHT WE HAVE OFF MacARTHUR HIGHWAY.

WE'RE CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS OF PREPARING A SAFER GRANT.

AND THAT IS THE FEDERAL DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY FEMA, FUNDS, FIREFIGHTERS, THROUGH FEDERAL FUNDS FOR A PERIOD OF TIME.

WE'RE APPLYING FOR A GRANT THAT WE'RE HOPEFUL AND CONFIDENT WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO TELL A GOOD STORY AND GET FUNDED TO RESTORE THAT POSITION, OR THAT MACHINE PERMANENTLY.

>> AND LET'S TURN TO THE QUESTION OF CRIME, MAYOR.

CRIME IN ALMOST ALL CATEGORIES, IS DOWN IN THE CITY OF PEORIA.

EXCEPT FOR ONE BIG EXCEPTION MURDER.

A RECORD NUMBER OF MURDERS LAST YEAR, AND WE STARTED THE NEW YEAR WITH TWO MURDERS IN THE FIRST FOUR HOURS OF 2022.

YOUR CONCERNS AND IF I MAY USE THE TERM, YOUR SOLUTIONS TO GUN CRIME AND KNIFE CRIME?

>> SURE.

IT'S NOT JUST HOMICIDES THAT ARE ON THE INCREASE, IT'S SHOOTINGS, AND IT'S SHOOTINGS THAT LEAD TO THE HOMICIDES.

AND IT'S A PHENOMENON THAT'S TAKING PLACE THROUGHOUT THE NATION, THROUGHOUT THE STATE, ESPECIALLY IN URBAN AREAS, WE'RE SEEING A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN GUN VIOLENCE.

ONE REASON IS BECAUSE WE HAVE MORE ACCESS TO ILLEGAL GUNS THAN I THINK IN HISTORY.

THERE'S A LOT OF YOUNG PEOPLE GETTING AHOLD OF GUNS, PEOPLE ARE MOST RESOLVING THEIR CONFLICTS WITH FIST FIGHTS ANY MORE, WITH WORDS ANY MORE.

THEY HAVE EASY ACCESS TO GUNS, AND THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE USING.

THE SOLUTION IS A COMBINATION OF POLICE STRATEGY AS WELL AS COMMUNITY BASED STRATEGY.

WE HAVE TO LOOK AT ROOT CAUSES OF WHAT'S CAUSING THE INCREASE AND THE SPIKE.

AND GUN VIOLENCE.

THERE'S A LOT OF THEORY OUT THERE.

WE KNOW THAT CORONAVIRUS HAS NOT HELPED.

BUT HAS ONLY FURTHER IMPACTED THE SITUATION.

BUT WE'RE GOING TO USE A COMBINATION OF STRONG POLICE STRATEGY, AND YOU KNOW OUR NEW POLICE CHIEF IS USING MULTIPLE POLICE AGENCIES IN HIS STRATEGY.

HE'S USING BOTH OUR PEORIA POLICE DEPARTMENT, FEDERAL MARSHALLS, HE'S USING STATE POLICE, THERE'S SOME INVOLVEMENT OF MULTIPLE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES ATTACKING AND GOING TO WAR ON GUN VIOLENCE AND CRIME IN PEORIA.

ASIDE FROM THE POLICE STRATEGY, WE HAVE TO HAVE A COMMUNITY BASED STRATEGY.

EVIDENCE BASED APPROACHES TO ADDRESSING GUN VIOLENCE.

WE INVOLVE COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATIONS.

WE INVOLVE RESIDENTS, WE'RE TELLING RESIDENTS TO CALL.

THERE'S A NUMBER THAT YOU CALL.

IS IT 411?

>> TIP 411.

>> THAT'S TO PROVIDE TIPS.

WE HAVE TO IDENTIFY THOSE PERPETRATORS WHO ARE CAUSING THE PROBLEMS, AND WE HAVE TO GET THEM OFF THE STREETS.

I WOULD SAY THAT'S THE 1%.

THERE'S A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE CAUSING A LOT OF THE VIOLENCE THAT WE'RE EXPERIENCING AND WE HAVE TO ADDRESS AND CAPTURE THOSE INDIVIDUALS.

>> I WAS GOING TO ASK, WHEN I HAD THE POLICE CHIEF ON NOT TOO LONG AGO.

HE TALKED ABOUT HOW WITH THE SERIOUS CRIMES, THAT THE PEOPLE WHO WERE THE PERPETRATORS, IT'S SKEWING YOUNGER AND YOUNGER.

THERE'S MORE AND MORE TEENAGERS KILLING OTHER PEOPLE.

YOU TALKED ABOUT THE COMMUNITY STRATEGY.

WHAT KIND OF EFFORT IS THE CITY PUTTING FOURTH?

I KNOW IT'S NOT JUST THE CITY GOVERNMENT, BUT OTHER ORGANIZATIONS TO TRY TO EDUCATE YOUNG PEOPLE THAT GUNS ARE NOT THE FIRST SOURCE OF SOLUTION.

>> FIRST OF ALL, I WOULD SAY THERE'S A LOT OF COMMUNITY RESOURCES, IN PEORIA FROM MENTORING PROGRAMS TO AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS TO COUNSELLING AND SUPPORT.

OUR PEORIA PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND OTHER SCHOOLS ARE IMPLEMENTING NEW PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES TO HELP TO PROVIDE SUPPORT TO FAMILIES, WE NEED TO SUPPORT THE ENTIRE FAMILY.

SOMETIMES THESE FAMILIES HAVE ONE PARENT IN THE HOME AND THAT PARENT IS WORKING.

WORKING A LOT OF HOURS AND NOT ABLE TO BE HOME FOR THESE YOUNG TEENAGERS GETTING ACCESS TO CRIME OR GETTING INTO TROUBLE.

WE NEED TO PROVIDE AN EXTENDED FAMILY.

WE NEED MORE MENTORING, WE NEED MORE ADULTS WHO ARE INVOLVED IN THE LIVES OF THESE YOUNG PEOPLE.

PUTTING TOGETHER A COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGY THAT CONNECTS ALL THE DIFFERENT RESOURCES IN OUR COMMUNITY.

I CALL IT A SAFETY NETWORK, THAT CONNECTS OUR RESOURCES.

WE MEET -- I MEET WITH ABOUT 50 LEADERS IN THE COMMUNITIES EVERY TWO WEEKS, AND WE'RE LOOKING AT COMMUNITY BASED STRATEGIES FOR ADDRESSING THE PROBLEM.

PROVIDING MORE EDUCATION AND SUPPORT.

A SAFE HAVEN FOR SOME OF THE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE IN TROUBLE AND NEED TO GET AWAY.

>> SO YOU'RE TRYING TO COORDINATE THE EFFORTS OF MANY DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS?

>> YES, IT'S BEEN DONE.

WE'RE LOOKING AT PROGRAMS, THE CITY HAS SET ASIDE ABOUT 1.2 MILLION EACH YEAR FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS FOR COMMUNITY BASED, EVIDENCE BASED PROGRAMMING.

VIOLENCE PREVENTION, GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION.

THE STATE IS GOING TO ISSUE AN RFP THROUGH DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES.

THEY'VE -- THEIR COORDINATOR HAS VISITED PEORIA, MADE A PRESENTATION.

THERE'S GOING TO BE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS AVAILABLE FOR PEORIA NOT FOR PROFITS TO APPLY FOR THAT FUNDING.

IT HAS TO BE A COLLABORATION OF DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS.

WE'RE GOING TO APPLY FOR THAT FUNDING.

THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOCAL ADVISORY COUNCIL WHICH I PLAN TO SERVE ON, THAT'S GOING TO KIND OF OVER SEE THAT EFFORT.

I THINK PULLING TOGETHER ALL THESE DIFFERENT RESOURCES WITHIN THE SAFETY NETWORK.

WITHIN THE STATE, THE FEDERAL MONEY THAT WILL COME DOWN AS WELL AS THE CITY MONEY AND COORDINATING WITH OUR EDUCATION ENTITIES TO HELP SCALE UP SOME OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE, GET THEM INVOLVED IN INTERNSHIPS AND JOBS.

GET THEM ON THE RIGHT TRACK TOO KEEP THEM OUT OF TROUBLE.

SOMETIMES IT'S THAT IDLE TIME.

THEY DROP OUT OF SCHOOL AND ALL THEY'RE DOING IS HANGING OUT AND GETTING INTO TROUBLE.

>> PATRICK, WHERE IS THE CITY MONEY COMING FROM FOR THESE EFFORTS?

>> THE CITY MONEY IS COMING FROM THE CORONAVIRUS RELIEF FUNDS THAT WE RECEIVED AS PART OF THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN.

WE RECEIVED OVER $47 MILLION AND WE'RE TAKING THAT FIRST TRANCHE OF MONEY THAT WE RECEIVED.

WE TOOK 10 MILLION TOWARD OUR REVENUE SHORTFALLS FROM 2020.

THAT WAS USED LAST YEAR, IN THE BUDGET PROCESS, THE REMAINING OF THAT FIRST HALF OF THE MONEY WE RECEIVED.

WE'RE SETTING IT INTO A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT AREAS.

FIRST IN INFRA STRUCTURE.

VIOLENCE PREVENTION AS THE MAYOR MENTIONED, AND THEN WE HAVE $2.5 MILLION FOR NEIGHBORHOODS AND 2.5 MILLION FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

AND THAT'S ANNUALLY, SO WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO DO THAT OVER 2022 AND 2023.

WITH THE EARN TENT TO USE THESE DOLLARS TO BE IMPACTFUL, OVER 75% OF THESE FEDERAL DOLLARS ARE GOING TO BE SPENT IN WHAT ARE CONSIDERED TO BE THE MOST DISTRESSED AREAS OF THE CITY, WHICH IS FROM THE SOUTH.

WE'RE REALLY TRYING TO TARGET THESE DOLLARS IN THE PART OF THE CITY THAT NEEDS ASSISTANCE THE MOT.

>> 23 MILLION AND 23 MILLION?

>> WE'LL GET IT OVER TWO YEARS.

>> IT HAS TO BE SPENT BY 2024?

>> THAT'S WHEN WE HAVE TO HAVE THE FINAL DOLLARS OBLIGATED.

>> I WANT TO TURN TO DOWNTOWN ISSUES.

OR NEAR DOWNTOWN ISSUES.

>> SINCE THE 1950s, I BELIEVE.

ADAMS AND JEFFERSON HAVE BEEN ONE WAY STREETS THROUGH DOWNTOWN.

THAT'S GOING TO CHANGE.

>> WE'RE WORKING ON A PROJECT RIGHT NOW THAT ACTUALLY -- THE STATE OF ILLINOIS IS CURRENTLY REVIEWING IT, THAT WOULD CONVERT THROUGH DOWNTOWN TO BE TWO-WAY STREETS.

BASICALLY FROM I-74 TO PER SIMMON, WE'RE LOOKING AT THAT STRETCH OF THE CITY THAT WOULD CONNECT TO TWO-WAY STREETS.

WE'RE LOOKING AT ADJUSTING THE INTERSECTIONS, CHANGING SOME OF THE CURB CUTS AND EVERYTHING.

SO IT WOULD ACCOMMODATE THAT, AND REDOING THE STREET.

IT'S ABOUT AN $11 MILLION PROJECT OVERALL.

AND WE'RE WAITING TO GET THE GREEN LIGHT FROM THE STATE, AND WE'LL SEE IT STARTING SOMETIME IN THE FALL.

>> GET USED TO TWO WAY STREETS IN DOWNTOWN.

ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE COMING OUT OF A 35RKPARKING DECK.

>> LET ME TURN TO THE WAREHOUSE DISTRICT.

WE'RE SEEING PROGRESS, BUT STILL PARKING IS -- OR LACK THERE OF IS AN ISSUE.

>> SURE.

>> WHAT IS ON THE TABLE FOR IMPROVING THAT?

>> WELL, WE'RE LOOKING AT A NEW PARKING AREA.

NOT A PARKING DECK.

BUT A SIGNIFICANTLY LARGE PARKING LOT, I WOULD SAY.

IS THAT WHAT YOU WOULD CALL IT >> I WOULD CALL IT A PARKING LOT.

>> I'M EXCITED ABOUT THE PROGRESS AND THE DEVELOPMENT TAKING PLACE WITHIN THE WAREHOUSE DISTRICT.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE MORE BUSINESSES THERE, MORE HOUSING, CERTAINLY.

AND WE NEED SUPPORT FOR THE RESIDENTS THAT LIVE THERE, WHICH MEANS WE NEED MORE PARKING.

WE NEED MORE PARKING FOR THE RESTAURANTS.

THERE'S SEVERAL RESTAURANTS THAT PEOPLE FREQUENT IN THE AREA.

I'M EXCITED ABOUT THE DEVELOPMENT.

I'M EXCITED THAT PEOPLE ARE BUYING UP PROPERTY PRETTY QUICKLY IN THE WAREHOUSE DISTRICT.

AND THERE'S -- I WOULD SAY BECOMING FEWER OPPORTUNITIES THERE FOR PURCHASING PROPERTY >> AND THE CITY HAS ASKED THE STATE ON A WISH LIST FOR 9 TO $12 MILLION PER PARKING DECK IN THE WAREHOUSE DISTRICT.

>> LOOKING AT THE FIRST PHASE, THIS STUDIO SITS WHERE THE OLD UNION STATION USED TO SIT.

SO WE WOULD BE LOOKING AT RIGHT HERE ALONG THIS STRETCH RIGHT HERE, LOOKING AT ADDING PARKING BEHIND THE WAREHOUSES ON WASHINGTON STREET.

THAT WOULD BE THE PARKING LOT.

THE PARKING STRUCTURE WE'RE ASKING FOR, THE ASSISTANCE IN THE STATE WOULD BE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF WASHINGTON STREET THAT WOULD CONNECT WITH MANY OF WAREHOUSES ON ADAMS.

THAT'S REALLY KIND OF THAT HOLE IN THE DOUGHNUT AROUND EVERYTHING WE SEE RIGHT HERE.

>> THE CITY ALWAYS SUBMITS A WISH LIST TO THE LEGISLATURE.

AND TO INCLUDE IN THE WISH LIST IS ABOUT $10 MILLION TO MOVE THE POST OFFICE.

WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO DO THAT?

>> I THINK AS YOU START TO LOOK AT FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN THE WAREHOUSE DISTRICT.

AND OPEN SPACE OPPORTUNITIES IN THE WAREHOUSE DISTRICT.

THE POST OFFICE SITS ON A LITTLE MORE THAN 15 ACRES OF LAND RIGHT HERE IN DOWNTOWN PEORIA ON THE RIVERFRONT.

THE U.S.

POSTAL SERVICE IS ALWAYS WILLING TO WORK WITH COMMUNITIES THAT WANT TO RELOCATE THEIR POSTAL FACILITIES, AS LONG AS WE'RE ABLE TO CREATE A LIKE KIND LOCATION FOR THEM.

WE TALKED WITH THEM IN THE PAST, THEY WOULD BE OPEN TO SOMETHING LIKE THAT THERE'S A PROCESS WE WOULD HAVE TO FOLLOW WITH IT.

IT'S ANOTHER WISH LIST ITEM LONG TERM WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE.

IT MAY NOT BE SOMETHING THAT MATERIALIZES ANY TIME SOON.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT INFRA INFRASTRUCTURE, MAYOR.

REBUILD ILLINOIS, A SIX-YEAR PROGRAM IN THE STATE.

AND, OF COURSE, THE FEDERAL INFRASTRUCTURE MONEY.

OVERALL, WHAT IMPACT DOES THAT HAVE ON THE CITY?

>> I THINK WE'RE GOING TO SEE MORE MONEY, MORE FUNDING FOR INFRA INFRASTRUCTURE THAN WE'VE SEEN IN DECADES.

WITH THE NEW BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE ACT, THE DEAL BEING PASSED.

A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF MONEY IS GOING TO GO TO THE STATE THAT WILL TRICKLE DOWN TO MUNICIPALITIES.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR COMPETITIVE FUNDING AS WELL AS -- I WOULD SAY SOME ALLOCATIONS.

DIRECT ALLOCATIONS THAT WOULD BE MADE.

I WOULD SAY WE'RE LOOKING AT IMPROVEMENTS TO OUR ROADS, BRIDGES, OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPANDED TRANSPORTATION LIKE PASSENGER RAIL.

WE'RE HAVING SOME SIGNIFICANT MOMENTUM WITH OUR PASSENGER RAIL EFFORTS.

WE HAVE ABOUT 20 LEADERS IN THE COMMUNITY THAT I MEET WITH ON A MONTHLY BASIS.

CO-CHAIRING THAT COMMITTEE IS FORMER U.S. SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION RAY LAHOOD.

THERE'S MANY OTHER LEADERS THAT ARE WORKING WITH US, BOTH ELECTED AND NONELECTED.

WE HAVE MOMENTUM BECAUSE WE HAVE A STUDY FINANCED BY ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.

AND IT'S A FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR PASSENGER RAIL FOR PEORIA.

THERE'S AN INTEREST SURVEY THAT WILL COME OUT IN ABOUT A COUPLE WEEKS FOR NOT JUST PEA OTHERIANS, BUT ALL THOSE IN OUR REGION TO TELL US WHETHER YOU'RE INTERESTED IN PASSENGER RAIL, WHETHER YOU'D BE INTERESTED IN THE ROUTE WE HAVE SELECTED.

AND HOW MUCH WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO PAY FOR IT, AND WOULD YOU USE THIS SERVICE IF IT CAME TO PEORIA.

>> AS AN AMTRAK TRAVELER, WE WOULD WANT TO KNOW, WHAT TIMES WOULD THE TRAIN BE COMING TO CONNECT TO UNION STATION IN CHICAGO?

IS THERE A ROUTE?

>> THERE IS A ROUTE.

WE'RE STARTING TO LOOK AT THE OLD ROCK ISLAND ROUTE WHICH RAN FROM LA SALLE INTO OTTAWA, MORRIS AND PERU.

THEY'RE THE LARGEST COMMUNITIES LIKE PEORIA THAT ARE ALONG THAT ROUTE THAT WOULD BE SERVED BY THIS.

AND HOPEFULLY WE COULD ENGAGE THEIR SUPPORT AND ENGAGE THEIR EFFORTS TO SEE RAIL SERVICE COME BACK.

>> I WOULD ADD TO YOUR POINT ABOUT THE FREQUENCY.

WE'RE LOOKING FOR FASTER TRAINS.

AT LEAST 79, 80 MILES PER HOUR AT LEAST.

WE'RE ALSO LOOKING FOR FREQUENT TRAINS, AT LEAST FIVE TRAINS PER DAY.

>> LET ME TURN TO THE QUESTION OF THE ORIGINAL THOUGHT.

THERE WAS THOUGHT AT ONE TIME GOING FROM PEORIA TO NORMAL TO CONNECT SOME OF THOSE TRAINS.

THAT'S NOT ON THE LIST?

>> THAT'S OFF THE TABLE.

WE'RE NOT LOOKING AT A CONNECTION FROM HERE TO BLOOMINGTON NORMAL.

>> THE CITY COUNCIL SET ASIDE $500,000 AND IT WAS TO COME FROM THE GENERAL FUND BALANCE.

AND IT WAS FOR THE POTENTIAL DUE DILIGENCE TO BUY THE WATER COMPANY.

ON THE SURFACE, THAT SOUNDS LIKE YOU'RE GETTING READY TO LOOK AT BUYING THE WATER COMPANY.

IS THAT WHERE YOU'RE HEADED OR IS THIS JUST IN CASE?

>> THIS IS REALLY THE -- JUST IN CASE.

I WOULD SAY.

THIS IS THE FIRST STEP OF SAYING, LET'S SET ASIDE MONIES.

I THINK OVER THE LAST SEVERAL TIMES THE WATER COMPANY BUYOUT HAS COME BACK UP, THE COUNCIL HAS DISCUSSED, MAYBE WE NEED TO BE SETTING ASIDE MONEY TO DO OUR EXAMINATION OF WHETHER OR NOT THIS MAKES SENSE TO PURSUE THE PURCHASE OF THE WATER COMPANY.

AND SO COUNCILMAN OILER MADE THE MOTION TO SET ASIDE THOSE DOLLARS AND IT WAS ULTIMATELY APPROVED IN DECEMBER.

SO THAT MONEY IS SITTING IN RESERVE.

IT CAN'T BE USED FOR ANYTHING ELSE BUT THAT, IT WILL BE SITTING THERE UNTIL COUNCIL DECIDES IF THEY WANT TO GO FORWARD OR SOMETHING.

>> DO YOU HAVE A POSITION ON BUYING THE WATER COMPANY.

ARE YOU GOING TO WAIT AND SEE?

>> WELL, DEFINITELY, IT'S A WAIT AND SEE.

I DON'T CURRENTLY BELIEVE WE CAN AFFORD TO RIGHT NOW, HOWEVER, I'M NOT OPPOSED TO EXPLORING A STUDY.

WE HAVE NOT REALLY HAD THAT FULL DISCUSSION.

SO I DON'T HAVE A POSITION ON THE STUDY RIGHT NOW, BUT I DID VOTE IN SUPPORT OF RESERVING THE FUNDING IN CASE WE DECIDE TO HAVE A STUDY.

AGAIN, JUST LIKE THE MANAGER SAID, WE HAVE NOT DECIDED AS A COUNCIL TO HAVE A STUDY, FEASIBILITY STUDY TO PURCHASE THE WATER COMPANY, THAT DECISION HAS NOT BEEN MADE.

IT WAS JUST DECIDED TO RESERVE FUNDING IN THE EVENT WE MAKE THAT DECISION >> PATRICK, I WANT TO TALK ABOUT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

AND I KNOW CHRIS CEDE AT THE CDC IS MORE INVOLVED IN THIS.

YOU NEED TO INCREASE THE TAX BASE.

BUSINESS WOULD DO THAT, IT WOULD ATTRACT PEOPLE TO WORK, ET CETERA.

WHAT'S ON THE HORIZON?

>> WELL, AS FAR AS USING THE FISCAL RECOVERY FUNDS FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, WE'RE TRYING TO FOCUS THOSE IN A COUPLE DIFFERENT AREAS.

ONE IS INNOVATION.

LOOKING AT HOW WE CAN SUPPORT THE ENTITIES LIKE DISTILLERY LABS.

SECOND IS BUSINESS SUPPORT, BUSINESSES WITH THEIR INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS WHETHER TEASE FACADE IMPROVEMENTS OR INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS.

AND THIRD, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

WHAT CAN WE DO TO HELP WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

IT'S VITALLY IMPORTANT WE LOOK AT JOBS AND HOW WE CAN TRY TO INCREASE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE THAT ARE LIVING IN OUR MOST DISCRETIONED NEIGHBORHOODS.

THE SECOND PIECE, THOUGH, IS LOOKING AT WHERE WE CAN GROW.

AND ONE OF THE AREAS THAT WE THINK WE CAN REALLY GROW IS IN THE AREA ALONG PIONEER PARKWAY.

IF WE WERE ABLE TO EXTEND PIONEER PROPERTY AND OPEN UP THE GROWTH SELL AREA AROUND MEDINAH PLAINS, WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO BUILD FOR BUSINESSES THAT WE DON'T CURRENTLY THINK ABOUT.

DISTRIBUTION CENTERS, LOGISTICS.

>> WE'RE TALKING ABOUT SHOVEL READY IN THAT AREA?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THAT'S WHAT WE NEED MORE OF.

I THINK THERE'S MANY COMPANIES THAT LOOK AT PEORIA, BUT THEY HAVE REQUIREMENTS.

WE DON'T ALWAYS HAVE THOSE REQUIREMENTS.

WE DIDN'T HAVE THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE AMAZON WAREHOUSE.

THEY WANTED A CERTAIN BUILDING WITH CERTAIN HIGH CEILINGS AND WE WERE NOT ABLE TO ACCOMMODATE FOR THE FACILITY REQUIREMENTS THAT THEY HAD.

WE WANT TO POSITION OURSELVES TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THE TYPES OF FACILITIES THAT BUSINESSES WILL PUT OUT A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION.

THAT CITIES CAN RESPOND, TO AND WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO BE RESPONSIVE.

>> AND WITH THAT, THE HALF HOUR HAS ESCAPED US.

LET ME SAY THANK YOU TO PATRICK ULLRICH AND MAYOR ALI.

THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US.

NEXT WEEK, WE TALKED A LITTLE BIT ABOUT BUILD ILLINOIS AND INFRASTRUCTURE.

NEXT TIME ON AT ISSUE, THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION FOR THE STATE OF ILLINOIS WILL BE WITH US TO TALK ABOUT THOSE ISSUES.

JOIN US ON THE NEXT AT ISSUE.