Peoria Mayor-elect Rita Ali says she wants communities to be able to continue advocating for their needs as the redistricting process continues. She asked legislators not to dilute people s voices or votes.
Peoria s mayor-elect is asking for communities with common interests not to be split up in the redistricting process.
Rita Ali emphasized the area s diversity and strong leadership as she spoke to state senators in a virtual hearing on redistricting for Peoria, Tazewell, and McLean counties. She said she doesn t want the area s people of color to be left behind. We have to continue to give voice to these communities that have these gaps in terms of resources, said Ali. Those inequities have to be addressed.
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Peoria mayoral candidate Jim Montelongo filed a discovery recount request with the Peoria County Election Commission on Monday afternoon, shortly before the statutory deadline.
On final count, Montelongo came just 43 votes short of claiming victory over Rita Ali in the closely-contested race to succeed outgoing Mayor Jim Ardis.
Montelongo previously forecasted his move for a discovery recount in an April 20 press release.
The recount could be used as part of a later court action to formally contest the election results if Montelongo chooses to go that route. The candidate has alleged the election commission mishandled mail-in ballots arriving after April 6, but the election commission defends its practices.
Rita Ali's lead over Jim Montelongo grew to 35 votes in the latest tally of mail-in ballots, which are set to determine who becomes Peoria's next mayor.
Jim Montelongo (L) and Rita Ali (R)
UPDATED 10 A.M. WEDNESDAY | With 100% of the vote in, At-Large City Councilwoman Rita Ali and current 4th District Councilman Jim Montelongo are the two Peoria mayoral candidates advancing to appear on the April 6 general election ballot.
Ali led the whole way as primary results came in Tuesday night, earning a solid 38% of the vote among a field of five candidates on the ballot and another three write-ins. We re very excited. Citizens are engaged, and we ve built a very strong, diverse coalition, and it s based upon progress, and new vision and change, Ali said. And people are excited. And I m very excited.