Peoria, IL, USA 104.9 The Wolf
Jeremy Scott/1470-100.3 WMBD
PEORIA, Ill. After the Peoria City Council
decided two Saturdays ago it would name Dr. Kiran Velpula to fill the at-large seat vacated when Dr. Rita Ali became mayor, the seat Tuesday night officially became occupied.
After Velpula was sworn in by City Clerk Stefanie Tarr, he gave a quick speech.
“I’m very excited and happy to be here today, and to be selected for the at-large position,” he said. “I feel extremely responsible and accountable.
“I wanted to extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to all the council members seated here, and Mayor Dr. Rita Ali, and special thanks to City Manager [Patrick Urich], City Clerk [Tarr], and staff for helping my incoming. I wanted to take time to thank my parents, my wife, my son, my siblings, my family, my relatives, and to all my very good friends for believing in me.
PEORIA History was made Tuesday night as the first woman and the first Black person was sworn in as Peoria s mayor.
Rita Ali beamed broadly as the oath of office was administered to her by newly elected City Clerk Stefanie Tarr, who then handed her the gavel while the room erupted in applause. I would be remiss if I did not mention the historic meaning of today. The city has elected its first woman after 185 years, Ali said, before noting she was also the first Black person to wield the mayor s gavel.
Her election, she hoped, would break down barriers and prejudices.
PEORIA In two weeks, the city of Peoria could make history by having the first city-run land bank in the state.
The council had the first reading Tuesday of a measure that will create the land bank that would manage the vacant, abandoned and tax-delinquent properties within the city limits.
Council members could give final approval to the measure at their next regular business meeting on May 11.
They initially had been asked to approve the measure Tuesday after a single night of discussion. However, multiple members wanted more community input and a public meeting is expected next week, though a date has not yet been set.
Originally published on April 6, 2021 11:35 pm
Denise Jackson defeated 1st District incumbent Denise Moore by a decisive 70% to 30% margin on Tuesday night.
Jackson, a former TV news reporter, will represent the district encompassing downtown Peoria, the South Side, and the North Valley neighborhoods. Moore congratulated Jackson on her victory on Tuesday evening.
Second District Councilman Chuck Grayeb, the dean of the Peoria City Council, will remain in his seat after defeating Peter Kobak in a head-to-head contest. Grayeb won by a 54% to 46% margin.
Incumbents will also remain in the 3rd and 5th Districts. Tim Riggenbach defeated former councilmember Gale Thetford 60% to 40% in the 3rd District, while 5th District Councilman Denis Cyr beat insurance agent Ryan Hite by a 63 to 36% margin.