Latest news with #RitaAli
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Peoria celebrates Juneteenth with a powerful line-up of events and gatherings
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — The City of Peoria is coming together to honor Juneteenth with a powerful lineup of events and a united voice. On Thursday, June 5, at 1:30 p.m., a Joint Press Conference was held at Peoria Freedom & Remembrance Memorial Park to officially kick off the community-wide celebrations. Hosted by the Peoria Park District in collaboration with key community partners—including the City of Peoria, Peoria's Miss Juneteenth Pageant, NAACP Peoria Branch, The YANI Collective, Southside Community Center, and the Heritage Ensemble—the press conference spotlighted the many events that make up Peoria's Juneteenth Week. Running from June 7 through June 21, Peoria's Juneteenth events will include parades, pageants, festivals, concerts, and gatherings that highlight Black excellence, resilience, and culture. These celebrations are aimed not only to entertain, but also to educate and unite the community through music, storytelling, art, and remembrance. Local leaders, including Mayor Rita Ali and Robert L. Johnson Sr., along with representatives from each organizing group, will speak at the press conference about the significance of Juneteenth and what each event contributes to the celebration. Event Highlights Include: • Peoria's Miss Juneteenth Pageant Saturday, June 7 | 3:00–6:00 PM | Carver Center A showcase of young Black women exemplifying leadership and cultural pride. • Ernestine Jackson Juneteenth Freedom Parade Saturday, June 14 | 12:00 PM | NAACP Peoria Branch Building A lively parade honoring the legacy of Black freedom fighters. • Juneteenth Fest: Black Wall Street Saturday, June 14 | 11:00 AM–6:00 PM | John H. Gwynn Jr. Park A vibrant festival celebrating Black entrepreneurship and culture. • 26th Annual Juneteenth Father's Day Choral Celebration Sunday, June 15 | 3:00–5:00 PM | ICC Performing Arts Center An uplifting musical tribute from the renowned Heritage Ensemble. • Jubilee Day: A Juneteenth Celebration Wednesday, June 19 | 1:00–9:00 PM | Glen Oak Park A full day of family-friendly fun, performances, and community gathering. • Freedom Fest 2025 Friday, June 21 | 12:00–4:00 PM | Trewyn Park A joyful celebration hosted by the Southside Community Center to close out the week. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Peoria Mayor kicks off National Skilled Nursing Care Week
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — Peoria Mayor Rita Ali kicked off National Skilled Nursing Care Week with a balloon release. Ali was at Liberty Village of Peoria nursing home to meet the nurses and community. She spoke with the facility's oldest married couple, their 102-year-old resident, and read a proclamation. She said it's important to use this week to thank those who care for the elderly. 'We're celebrating nurses and the care that they provide to the people that live here, as well as the people that live here that are really grateful to have the kind of care that they have at this facility,' said Ali. National Skilled Nursing Care Week is from May 11 through May 17. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Kelly backs out of Peoria mayoral forum due to conflict with St. Patrick's Day
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — An upcoming mayoral forum with Mayor Rita Ali and At-Large Councilman John Kelly has been canceled. The forum, which was to be recorded at the studios of WTVP-TV next week, was canceled after Kelly, citing an unspecified conflict, backed out of the March 17, said the station in a news release. Grayeb signals possible end to his mayoral hopes But when reached for comment, Kelly said he chose not to go because it was St. Patrick's Day. When asked why he committed originally, he said, 'I was going back and forth on it.' He said he would use the holiday to hit a number of places in Downtown for his campaign as well as take part in the parade. 'It's always a big day for me anyway,' he said. He did say he would consider another date but the station, in the news release, said that 'given the proximity to Election Day on April 1 and several previously scheduled events at WTVP's studio, the forum cannot be rescheduled.' Robert Parks of the League of Women Voters of Greater Peoria, which was one of the sponsors, said Kelly had 'reconfirmed his intentions to appear,' on Saturday but then, on Monday, said he would not be participating. 'It's disappointing,' she said. 'When candidates don't make time to talk to wide swaths of voters simultaneously, everyone loses.' The event was to be sponsored by WTVP, WCBU-FM, the league and NAACP Peoria Branch. Both candidates came out of the February primary and are vying for the mayoral gavel in the city's April 1 election. Ali, if she loses, will be off the council, while Kelly will retain his at-large spot as he previously won reelection for that seat on the Horseshoe. Both were previously involved in an earlier forum in January. The primary election forum can still be viewed on and YouTube and Facebook pages of all presenting sponsors. Additionally, Kelly said, there is a debate scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday at Peoria High School. And, he said, there is a candidate's forum on March 26 with the Kiwanis Club. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
'Putting the onus on us': Washington latest Peoria-area city to discuss local grocery tax
Washington is the latest city in the Peoria area to discuss instating a local grocery tax increase to replace revenue lost when the state of Illinois removes its 1% state tax starting in 2026. East Peoria Mayor John Kahl announced last week the city would institute a 1% grocery tax to cover the expected $2 million shortfall, while Pekin also instituted a similar tax on November to make up for a estimated $1.5 million loss. Peoria Mayor Rita Ali said last year the city is working on a plan to cover the possible $4 million it will lose. City officials say Washington would lose $500,000 in annual revenue if its does not institute its a local tax. In response, the Washington council shared opinions about the tax, but no vote or action was taken. 'Adverse effect': East Peoria mayor criticizes Pritzker for ending Illinois grocery tax Councilmember Brian Butler said the council should not view the move as a tax increase, but rather a shift of burden from the state to the city. 'It's simply a move from the General Assembly washing their hands of it, because that's money that came to cities anyway. Now they're putting the onus on us,' Butler said. 'The tax is in effect now. I believe we need to keep it in effect, but it takes a hard decision on our part. We look like bad guys, but we have to do the tough work sometimes, and I believe we really need to. It's no impact on anybody.' Council member Bobby Martin III said if the city is going to lower taxes, it should do it from local property taxes instead since cutting the grocery tax would benefit the large number of non-Washington residents who come to the city to shop. Other councilmembers expressed concern about city services needing to be cut, or if taxes would need to be raised to make up for the money used to help feed Washington's police pension fund that must be paid by 2040. Council member Brett Adams said avoiding tax raises is unrealistic, and he worries the city would eventually be forced to levy an even bigger tax in the next few years to collect necessary money for city projects. Washington projects: Here are the road improvements slated for Washington in 2025 'To continually say that the answer is 'Just don't raise our tax,' then start thinking about the multitude of millions of dollars worth of things that you're not going to pay for, because it's not reality,' Adams said. 'Costs continue to go up every year.' Mike McIntyre said a 1% tax is a minimal amount of money, and he would hate to see the city have to push a Home Rule Sales Tax instead to recover if the grocery tax didn't pass. Despite support from half the council, concerns about grocery costs caused hesitation for other members. John Blundy said during his time on council he's seen taxes increase, but has hardly ever seen them go down. He said the city should wait until the money is really needed, since the grocery tax can be implemented any budget cycle. Mayor Gary Manier countered if the city waits until January 2026 to reinstate the tax, it will feel like a brand-new tax to citizens after a year without it. Washington council: Mayor breaks tie on release of legal opinion about own possible conflict of interest Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker defended ending the tax during an appearance in Peoria last year, calling it an "embarrassing" and "regressive" tax. Council member Lilija Stevens, running for Mayor, argued against the tax, saying not establishing it would help lower grocery costs even if minimally. She also pointed out a city bond from 2006 supporting Five Points, set to retire in 2029, will bring in $360,000 the city could use. 'I probably might feel differently if we were a city that would be losing a couple million dollars,' she said. 'I personally do not want to create another ordinance for this tax money.' This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Washington proposes 1 percent grocery tax after end of Illinois tax
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Peoria residents stress the importance of voting on primary day
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — Feb. 25 is Consolidated Primary Election Day, with several key local government seats being contested. Peoria Mayor, the 2nd district Peoria City Council seat, and Peoria City Treasurer are a few of the races, and will see the races whittled down to two prior to the General Election in April. Incumbent mayor Rita Ali will face off against 2nd district council member Chuck Grayeb and at-large council member John Kelly. The 2nd district city council seat will be left open due to Grayeb's mayoral campaign, and Alex Carmona, Estrella Diaz, and Krista Wresinski will compete for that seat. Brooke Petty Summerville, Asya Washum, and former Peoria City Councilmember Jim Montelongo will face off against each other in the Primary for city treasurer. The Peoria Township Assessor will be between Terry Grawey and Andrew Couri and will be decided by the Primary vote due to a lack of a Democratic opponent. Incumbent Pontiac Mayor Bill Alvey is being challenged by city council member Kelly Eckhoff for the Republican nomination for the mayoral race. Voters at the polls stressed the importance of voting in local races. Tracy Prescott is a retired social studies teacher at Reservoir Gifted Academy and said voting in a local election holds more weight than voting in a national election. 'I wish there were more people coming out to vote because your voice is important in making Peoria the city that it should be,' she said. Chase Brower moved to Peoria with his family five years ago, 'I think the biggest part in helping see a city progress is taking part in these votes, getting the right leaders in place and promoting your city. So, voting is the number one thing we can do, and I say go vote or don't complain,' he said. General Election Day is April 1. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
