PEORIA – Fire Chief Tony Ardis will retire next week, after about 18 months as the top official at the Peoria Fire Department, City Hall announced Thursday.
His last day will be May 14, and he will replaced by Assistant Chief James Bachman, who also began with the department in 1994 and has risen through the ranks. He is a state-certified hazardous materials technician and a graduate of Northern Illinois University.
Departmental succession plans typically elevate the assistant chief to the position after a chief departs.
Bachman will be the city s fifth fire chief in a span of roughly six years.
Kent Tomblin retired in 2015 after a roughly eight-year stint as chief. He was succeeded by his assistant chief, Chuck Lauss, who served for just over two years until leaving in January 2018 and later becoming fire chief in Urbana. Lauss was succeeded by his assistant chief, Ed Olehy, who served in the job from February 2018 to November 2019.
Peoria, IL, USA 104.9 The Wolf
(Peoria FIre Dept.)
Ardis’ last day on the job will be May 14, according to a news release.
Ardis joined the fire department in 1994 and served as the assistant chief and division chief of operations before becoming chief in 2019.
âChief Ardis has been a passionate leader of the Peoria Fire Department, and his concern for the well-being of the citizens and the employees of the Fire Department is second to none. I wish him all the best in retirement,” said Peoria City Manager Patrick Urich.
Assistant Fire Chief James Bachman, who has also been with the department since 1994, will replace Ardis as chief.
MORTON – Not all the business news from COVID-19 pandemic-plagued 2020 was bleak.
The village of Morton received 3.8% more sales tax revenue from the state during 2020 than it did in 2019.
The exact figures, according to Village Administrator Julie Smick, were $4,436,796 in revenue in 2020 compared to $4,273,140 in 2019, an increase of $163,656. Other nearby communities, meanwhile, saw small dips in their revenue.
Business adaptability was key to keep revenue flowing
So how was this feat achieved? In large part because of never-say-die small business owners like Keely LeTourneau and Carol Davis. It s very simple. We wouldn t have survived if we stayed stagnant. We had to adapt, or fail, said LeTourneau, owner of Sucre Sweets and Socials at 321 S. First Ave.
(Peoria FIre Dept.)
Ardis’ last day on the job will be May 14, according to a news release.
Ardis joined the fire department in 1994 and served as the assistant chief and division chief of operations before becoming chief in 2019.
“Chief Ardis has been a passionate leader of the Peoria Fire Department, and his concern for the well-being of the citizens and the employees of the Fire Department is second to none. I wish him all the best in retirement,” said Peoria City Manager Patrick Urich.
Assistant Fire Chief James Bachman, who has also been with the department since 1994, will replace Ardis as chief.
Tim Shelley / Peoria Public Radio
PCCEO will receive $290,000 in South Village TIF funds to initiate the first phase of the MacArthur Highway Corridor Plan.
City council approved the funding to be used for pre-development activities such as environmental and engineering analysis, community outreach, and coordination of partners.
First district councilmember Denise Moore said PCCEO comes with a proven track record of development on Peoria’s Southside.
“They’ve already built in this city, and particularly on the Southside more than 175 houses.and once again they have stepped up to the plate to say they would lead the development of this project,” said Moore.