Latest news with #EastPeoriaCityCouncil
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Center Street Crossing project amended by East Peoria City Council
EAST PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — Modifications to a project that plans to bring more entertainment options to East Peoria was approved by council members during Tuesday's meeting. East Peoria City Council approved the third amendment to the Levee District Overlay plan, which includes Center Street Crossing, a mixed-use development that will extend from behind Costco, past CEFCU, ending near City Hall. Certain businesses won't be allowed at Center Street Crossing. This includes smoke shops, cannabis dispensaries, and auto shops. There are also specific rules for landscaping, down to the trees and plants allowed. Mayor John Kahl described it as a matter of 'housekeeping' from the city. 'What we're amending is things that we'd like to see in there and more importantly, businesses that the city doesn't really have a desire to see within the overlay district in itself,' he said. The Levee District Overlay Plan also includes approval of 15-foot sidewalks to accommodate more outdoor dining and even beer gardens at the Levee District. Council members also approved its lead service line replacement program policy. The $50,000 grant program will replace lead pipes in homes around the city, and eligible low-income households could qualify for up to $1,000 in financial help. It's so they are in compliance with Illinois Environmental Protection Agency standards. Grants are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The city is actively looking for federal and state grants to replenish the pot. Out of about 9,000 homes in the city, Kahl said about 270 have lead service lines. The Illinois Lead Service Line Replacement and Notification Act mandates the replacement of all lead service lines throughout the state by 2042. East Peoria identified lead service lines through a comprehensive process with resident surveys. In 1986, Congress amended the Safe Drinking Water Act to ban the use of lead pipes in new installations. Lead is a toxic metal that can damage the brain and nervous system, especially in children, leading to developmental delays, learning disabilities and behavioral problems. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
East Peoria approves $50,000 lead service line replacement grant program
EAST PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — East Peoria City Council on Tuesday approved a $50,000 grant program to replace lead pipes in homes around the city. The city's Lead Service Line Replacement Plan will give eligible low-income homeowners up to $1,000 each to comply with Illinois Environmental Protection Agency requirements. 'It's our way of saying, hey, we know that the EPA is pushing this, they're pushing us and we're going to have to be pushing you. This is our way of helping people that are in financial straits to get in line in time,' said Commissioner Michael Sutherland. Out of 9,000 homes in East Peoria, Sutherland said about 275 homes have lead water service lines. Those homes are in Richland Farms and near East Peoria Community High School at the bottom of Springfield Road. 'So in the grand scheme of things, thankfully it's small scale, but in reality, they're a public responsibility and a private responsibility. The public responsibility is the city's up to a certain point. The homeowners are then on the hook for replacing their lead service line,' said East Peoria Mayor John Kahl. Eligible low-income homeowners must live in their homes and qualify for Section 8 using East Peoria Housing Authority benchmarks. 'We know that there are people out there who can't afford to replace the water lines,' Sutherland said, adding the average cost is between $2,500 to $3,000. Grants are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Once the money is gone, it's gone. East Peoria City Council is actively looking for federal and state grants to replenish the pot. The Illinois Lead Service Line Replacement and Notification Act mandates the replacement of all lead service lines throughout the state by 2042. East Peoria identified lead service lines through a comprehensive inventory process with resident surveys. In 1986, Congress amended the Safe Drinking Water Act to ban the use of lead pipes in new installations. Lead is a toxic metal that can damage the brain and nervous system, especially in children, leading to developmental delays, learning disabilities and behavioral problems. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Some council members wish for a city engineer in East Peoria
EAST PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — The lack of a city engineer in the city of East Peoria sparked debate during Tuesday's council meeting, with Commissioner Michael Sutherland voicing his concern. 'If we're spending 70-some thousand dollars on one project, I think we can afford to hire our own engineer because that would be quite a chunk out of his working year-round for us. We need our own engineer in this town as far as I'm concerned,' he said. Sutherland pointed out that the city could save money by simply paying an engineer a yearly wage instead of paying engineer Patrick Meyer for each project, with Sutherland saying every time he has to apply for a water permit from the EPA, he needs to hire it out to an engineer. Those costs can add up, according to Sutherland, who also said Meyer is rarely in the city. Mayor John Kahl said that was untrue, and that Meyer does an 'excellent job' for East Peoria. 'If you want a better rate, then negotiate a longer-term agreement with an engineer and you'll see a better rate,' he said. Commissioner Seth Mingus said the total amount that the city will be paying Meyer is somewhere around $250,000 for the 2025 Street Maintenance Program. He agreed with Sutherland's point, saying that it could be a good move fiscally. 'From a financial standpoint, it's a quarter of a million dollars. And that's just a handful of projects,' Mingus said. The East Peoria City Council will next meet March 4. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
