Peoria Journal Star

The Journal Star serves as the primary daily newspaper for Peoria, Illinois, and its nearby regions. Initially locally owned, it transitioned to being employee-owned before becoming part of the Copley family in 1996. In 2007, the publication was acquired by GateHouse Media, which is based in Fairport, New York.

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English

Newspaper

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#71082

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#13680

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#688

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Articles

Peoria grocery tax vote is 'purely political' says councilman, who votes 'yes' anyway

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.
'Olympics' of BBQ: Chillicothe business 'beyond excited' about success at barbecue contest

2 days ago | pjstar.com | Cassidy Waigand

SmokinGhost BBQ’s Haunted Heat sauce won first place in the specialty category with a perfect score. The Chillicothe company’s Spooky Sweet sauce earned sixth in a field of 150 mild sauces. Chillicothe business SmokinGhost BBQ recently took the top spot in the specialty sauce category of the 2025 American Royal World Series of Barbecue Sauce Contest.
Peoria could implement its own local grocery tax. Here's what to know

2 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.
To the transfer portal: Illinois football loses experienced reserve defensive back

6 days ago | pjstar.com | Dave Eminian

PEORIA — Illinois saw a second player go into the NCAA football transfer portal on Thursday, this time from the defensive side of the ball. Reserve defensive back Tyler Strain, who has one season of eligibility remaining, entered the portal. He appeared in seven games last season and made five tackles. For his career, he played 35 games and had 57 tackles, three interceptions and nine passes defensed.
Cubs World Series hero coming home to headline iconic Peoria baseball league's banquet

6 days ago | pjstar.com | Dave Eminian

PEORIA — Ben Zobrist helped the Chicago Cubs put together an historic season in 2016, and later this summer he'll help an historic baseball league celebrate the start of another campaign. Zobrist, the World Series MVP for the championship Cubs in 2016, will be the keynote speaker at the Peoria-based Sunday Morning League's banquet to launch its 110th season.
Former Bradley, Cincinnati guard emerges from basketball transfer portal with new team

6 days ago | pjstar.com | Dave Eminian

PEORIA — Former Bradley Braves guard Connor Hickman has landed with his third team in three seasons. Hickman, a sharp-shooter and strong on-ball defender, left the Cincinnati Bearcats and entered the NCAA transfer portal earlier this month, while also seeking an extra year of eligibility because of an injury last season.
Peoria Rivermen dominate All-SPHL honors for 2025. Here is who was honored

6 days ago | pjstar.com | Dave Eminian

Goaltender Colby Muise had a record-setting season, including a league-low 1.68 goals-against average and eight shutouts. Defenseman Zach Wilkie led all defensemen in points and assists. Forwards Alec Baer and Jordan Ernst were recognized for their offensive contributions, with Baer leading the league in power-play points and Ernst leading in goals. PEORIA — The Peoria Rivermen nearly swept the All-SPHL first-team honors on Thursday as the league announced its list of stars.
Illinois football legend Simeon Rice part of 2025 NFL Draft announcements

6 days ago | pjstar.com | Wes Huett

Former Illinois football player Simeon Rice will be among the NFL legends and active players to announce selections during the 2025 NFL Draft, the league announced Thursday. Rice will represent the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Day 2 of the draft in Green Bay, Wisconsin. He is among 40 players listed to announce picks, at last one for each of the 32 teams. Rice, 51, is a Chicago native who played at Mount Carmel.
Peoria's newly launched women's soccer team has a head coach. Meet him here

1 week ago | pjstar.com | Wes Huett

Peoria City's new women's soccer team has a head coach. Jonathan Hussack will lead the Peoria City women's team, bringing a decade of college coaching experience to the first-year Women's Premier Soccer League franchise. Hussak, a native of Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, has nine years of college coaching experience spanning NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II and NJCAA, including six years as a head coach. He is 19-12-3 in two seasons at Indian Hills, an NJCAA school in Iowa.
Has Lee Corso ever picked Illinois? Retirement of a college football icon

1 week ago | pjstar.com | Wes Huett

Lee Corso has become an household name in the world of college football. The 89-year-old former coach and longtime ESPN "College GameDay" co-host announced his final appearance on the show will be Aug. 30 during Week 1 of the upcoming season. ESPN also says that will be Corso's "final headgear pick," a move he pulls to close the show each week. When making picks, he dons the mascot headgear of the team he's predicting to win the game at the site of the show. Has Lee Corso picked Illinois?