25-02-2025
Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce holds its 2025 state legislative luncheon
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — A luncheon was held designed to bring business leaders and state legislators together to discuss local issues.
The 2025 State Legislative Luncheon was hosted by the Peoria Chamber of Commerce from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Monday at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel.
The panel of elected officials included Senator Li Arellano Jr., Senator David Koehler, Representative Jehan Gordon-Booth, and Representative Travis Weaver
The event gave a chance for an off-the-record discussion, so people in attendance could engage with the elected officials and discuss upcoming policies, economic initiatives, and business regulations.
'This event is a crucial platform for fostering meaningful dialogue between lawmakers and business leaders,' Jessica Linder Gallo, the CEO of the Peoria Chamber of Commerce said. 'By facilitating these conversations, we ensure that the voices of Central Illinois businesses are heard and considered in the policymaking process.'
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The lawmakers took turns answering questions on pension funding, the Safe-T Act, infrastructure, debt relief, and the 2025 Illinois state budget.
'The reality is, if we don't get serious about paying down our debt, my kids will be on the hook for that. I don't want that. I want to make smart financially sound decisions today so that in 30 years I can have kids who say, why would I go to Tennessee? I live in Illinois. That's what I want to hear them say. Today, They'd be saying the opposite,' said Representative Weaver.
State Representative Jehan Gordon-Booth said the event was a great way to provide transparency about important issues.
'I'm excited to have a real conversation about the things that are most pressing to not just Illinois but most importantly, Peorians and Central Illinoisans. We were able to cover issues from infrastructure to education to taxes to safety, and really doing it in a bipartisan way at times,' she said.
Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Jessica Linder Gallo said the conversation was important to the region's economic stability.
'The biggest takeaway that I'm hearing from business owners as they're leaving is knowing that we have good partners in Springfield and in the statehouse. I think the collaboration across the aisle of our legislators here in central Illinois was showcased and their desire and willingness to help businesses and the entire region thrive.' said Gallo.
The Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce collaborated with other local chambers to strengthen the conversation.
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