Live election coverage: Do Peoria voters favor incumbents? Recent trends say they do. Journal Star staff
5:50 p.m.
Generally speaking, modern-day Peoria s city elections have favored incumbents in office. Since 2001, there have been 52 seats up for election between at-large seats and district seats (that includes two unexpired terms for at-large seats in 2017). Only five sitting council members have been defeated over that time:
In 2005: 2nd District Councilwoman Marcella Teplitz lost to Barbara Van Auken.
In 2005: 3rd District Councilwoman Gale Thetford lost to Bob Manning. (She s seeking to reclaim the seat in today s balloting.)
In 2013: 2nd District Councilwoman Barbara Van Auken lost to Chuck Grayeb.
Lilian Mura
Included on the Peoria Police Department’s welcome page of their website is language with a deeply painful and racist history. If the department wants to be a part of the nationwide demand for racial and social justice, they need to change their language and policing policies.
The department’s website details policing strategies designed to target Black and brown communities in Peoria. The website claims that “we must cease to tolerate the littering, loitering, loud music, profane language and other ‘minor’ violations of the laws and ordinances.” These “violations” have indisputably been historically used to target people of color for decades. These perceived crimes are not dangerous and are used to unjustly regulate the behavior of Black and brown citizens.
Candidates spar over police reform in District 2 Peoria City Council race
Unmute
PEORIA (WEEK) Two candidates with different views on police reform are vying to represent Peoria s 2nd District on the City Council. There is a fundamental philosophical chasm as it relates to him and me as it relates to public safety, incumbent Chuck Grayeb said.
Grayeb has served five terms on Peoria s City Council, three in an at-large seat from 1995 to 2007 and two as 2nd District Councilperson from 2013 onward.
Now a relative newcomer, Peter Kobak, is challenging him on public safety issues and police policy. Kobak missed out on an at-large seat in 2019, and he is seeking his first term on the Council.