Wind farms generated nearly 5% of Illinois’ total energy output in 2014, below the 6.75% target set in the state’s renewable portfolio standard. The lagging production puts at risk the state goal of 25% renewable energy production by 2025. Illinois adopted the renewable portfolio standard, or RPS, as part of the Illinois Power Agency Act of 2007. This followed...
Midwestern states with mandated sex-ed classes rank lower in teenage pregnancy rates By: Savannah T. Jones Out of the twelve Midwestern states, Illinois has the largest rate of teenage pregnancies with a rate of 57 percent among teenage girls. The most recent study by The Guttmacher Institute shows from 2010-2013 teenage pregnancies comprised 7,296...
BY RYAN VALENTINE The level of education an individual completes separates them from others in the real world. Being successful in our society requires some form of completed education. Data on educational attainment solves the question on what the highest grade of school or highest degree someone has received. According to census.gov, this question...
Deputy Corporation Counsel Sonni Williams spearheads new initiative
By: Savannah Jones
PEORIA–The Liquor Commission is overlooking a tax on large-packaged-alcohol sales after Deputy Corporation Counsel Sonni Williams proposed looking into the new tax at the Commission’s monthly meeting on November 2. Williams explained the Commission researched introducing a tax on case lots of alcohol several years ago but did not reach a conclusive decision. However, Williams suggested the plan could bring in $140,000 in revenue and help alleviate the city’s budget deficit.
“The tax must be reasonably related to the cost of administering licenses by the Circuit Clerk,” Williams said. “Normal and Bloomington introduced a four-percent tax on case lots but there is none in Peoria.”
Liquor Commission board member Drew Cassidy agreed Peoria is “behind the curb” in the region for taxing case lots however he raised concern that the tax would benefit major chain stores such as Wal-Mart and Kroger over smaller local bars and restaurants. Williams and Cassidy both agreed to look further into the plan over the next few weeks.
The Liquor Commission met for their monthly meeting to review license applicants and to discuss to taxes.
The Liquor Commission also discussed extending bar hours to 4 a.m. in order to attract more people to Peoria on the weekends. The Commission tabled this issue for future meetings as well. Board members approved three local restaurants recommendations to the City Council for liquor license approval.
by Tory S. Dahlhoff Peoria entrepreneurs working to launch or grow their businesses immersed themselves in a pool of local economic developers Wednesday morning with the hopes of building relationships and finding new paths to accessing capital. The Small Business and Entrepreneur Resource Expo — hosted by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity...
Year-long exhibit enhancing Peoria’s art community By: Savannah Jones On the Peoria Sculpture Walk, art isn’t only observed but interacted with and brought to life. Sponsored by the Peoria Riverfront Museum, visitors are encouraged to feel and add their own interpretation to the sculptures lining Southwest Water Street in downtown Peoria. While art lovers...
BY RYAN VALENTINE Sculpture Walk transforms Peoria’s Warehouse District PEORIA – Arts Partners of Central Illinois is currently hosting “Sculpture Walk Peoria” along Washington Street in the Warehouse District in Peoria, Ill. Sculpture Walk brings 15 large scale sculptures that were crafted by 15 artists from seven different states. Joe Richey, business head...
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By Alison Zupkus During the Bradley University lockdown on April 27, roommates Angela Paulick and Monica Velazquez texted each other to make sure they were both okay. Monica was at their St. James apartment and Angela was at the library. Angela told Monica that she had been moved into the basement while the library...
By Zach Roth Bradley University’s Exceptional Minds Mentoring Program is rebooted and, with greater demand, could expand into a bigger and better operation than it had before. Read more about this below, along with a map of autism centers and clinics and a timeline of the condition. PEORIA—Lexia Bishop probably didn’t expect to be...