JJ Bullock

1 day ago | pjstar.com | JJ Bullock

The Peoria City Council unanimously approved a 1% local grocery tax to offset the loss of a soon-to-expire state tax. Councilmember Zach Oyler voted in favor to enable a reconsideration of the tax at a later meeting. Several councilmembers expressed support for the tax, citing the need to maintain essential city services. The tax will help fill a $5 million budget gap created by the elimination of the state grocery tax.

3 days ago | pjstar.com | JJ Bullock

The Peoria City Council will vote on instituting a citywide grocery tax on Tuesday following months of speculation that a local could be coming in response to Gov. JB Pritzker removing the 1% state tax on groceries. Pritzker and the Illinois General Assembly moved last year to eliminate a 1% statewide tax on groceries that funneled money back to cities such as Peoria. Pritzker labeled the tax as "embarrassing" and "regressive" and celebrated its end.

5 days ago | yahoo.com | JJ Bullock

A popular northwest coffee chain could be coming to the Peoria area. Dutch Bros Coffee is seeking to build a standalone shop in Peoria at the intersection of University Street and War Memorial Drive, according to city councilmember Chuck Grayeb. The coffee shop will require a special-use permit from the city of Peoria, Grayeb said. The company will go before the Peoria Planning and Zoning Commission on May 1.

1 week ago | pjstar.com | JJ Bullock

Political newcomer Alex Carmona and incumbent Peoria city councilman Andre Allen have won their races in the city's 2nd and 4th Districts, respectively, according to the official election results released by the Peoria County Election Commission on Tuesday night. Election results become official in Peoria two weeks after the April 1 election to allow for officials to count any straggling mail-in ballots that are postmarked by election day.

1 week ago | pjstar.com | JJ Bullock

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency said there should be "no concerns for residents or businesses" in the Peoria area after a vandalism incident at a local landfill led to thousands of gallons of runoff reaching creeks and drainage areas. No process water or leachate is believed to have been leaked from the landfill, 4249 W. Southport Road, as a result of valves being opened by a suspect or suspects in the incident, the IEPA told the Journal Star.