Surprise hit to local agencies tucked into the budget

Surprise hit to local agencies tucked into the budget

More on the hit to the cities and this time Gov. Rauner gets the demerits for encouraging this bad idea.

State Now Charging Communities a Fee So They Can Get Their Own Money

State Now Charging Communities a Fee So They Can Get Their Own Money

Please read, the state will now be charging local municipalities a fee to get the sales tax money owed to them, a processing fee.

Childrens Playground Equipment Unavailable to Kids of Peru

I was recently told about the fact that the recently purchased equipment that the  younger children of Peru were using which was located next to the former Washington School was no longer available to the kids in town.

Drive by the equipment now which is located directly west of the parking lot.  You will see unuseable newer equipment unused because it is fenced off from use and surrounded by weeds and all kinds of residue.


Anyone know why this wasn't moved over to where the rest of the playground equipment is on the west side of the park?

I see that the northeast corner of the new park has a layer of asphalt down. I thought that was the future home corner for the new Peru swimming pool.

Anyone see a layout available to the public yet?

Four Illinois House Members Break Taxpayer Protection Pledge With Vote In Favor 32% Income Tax Hike

Four Illinois House Members Break Taxpayer Protection Pledge With Vote In Favor 32% Income Tax Hike


Will Peru lose people and business because of this tax increase? We now have over 100 properties for sale here in Peru according to Zillow, will this encourage more to leave the area?

Bruxton Analytic Company Peru is Considering Hiring Them

The cost of using the analytics company would be $50,000 a year.  The council will make the decision at a later date.  

Peru is evidently concerned about the many closures of retail occuring in the city especially in the Peru Mall. For $50,000 per year the company will research who comes to Peru and what they are looking for. This would be a 3 year deal I was told.

Help me make a list of who we currently pay to bring retail into the city. We can start with the economic director Vickery and his Oval Wacker Co. We currently have a Lobbyist in Springfield for 24,000 per year. His contract is due to be renewed in a short time. We also pay to maintain a web site for x amout of dollars. And...

Peru’s water may look like milk during hydrant flushing

Peru’s water may look like milk during hydrant flushing

If I understand this correctly all of Peru may experience "awful" water for the rest of the summer.  You will get NO warnings.  Ok our water turned to "crap" yesterday, rusty, milky and I will certainly not drink anything that looks like that. Who in the city knows when water is safe to drink?  Is Test testing this every day?  OK, so the Water Store should be doubling or tripling their business like now.  To be honest I never drink Peru water and have not for many many years but I at least want to be able to rinse my fruit and veggies in the water, well so ends that.

A new police station could be in Peru's future

A new police station could be in Peru's future

What happened to the new Illinois Valley Regional Dispatch Center at IVCC? I thought that La Salle and Peru would be dispatched out of that center?

Now we know for sure that Mayor Harl found the money tree .

An updated version is now online speaking to the cost, the Mayor said they have the funding. Location would remain in downtown Peru and no specifics given.

June 12, 2017 Peru City Council

Peru Council meets at 7 p.m. today. There is a committee of a whole meeting before hand, but it is closed session only.

Illinois Local Governments own more than 270,000 vehicles –

Illinois Local Governments own more than 270,000 vehicles –


How many times have you seen this in Peru?  Through the years this has been brought up and nothing done by our city government, especially in years past but possibly still taking place. Would you agree with this?

This Is My Country Starring the Blue Angels

Court Strikes Down Police Department Social Media Policy In Ho-Hum Non-Precedent Setting But Widely Discussed Decision - Fire Law Blog

Court Strikes Down Police Department Social Media Policy In Ho-Hum Non-Precedent Setting But Widely Discussed Decision - Fire Law Blog

Former firefighter's speech heats up Peru council (WITH VIDEO)

Former firefighter's speech heats up Peru council (WITH VIDEO)

A long time Peru resident from a family who has long served this city.  Joseph Riordan was a Peru Police Officer and 2 of Tom's brothers have been on the Peru PFD.

Volunteers wanted for Avenger fly-in and veterans salute

Volunteers wanted for Avenger fly-in and veterans salute

Best Practices in Event/Festival Planning

Best Practices in Event/Festival Planning  Ok now this gives us the "how to do" from a successful city, any ideas about what type of event Peru can host in its city and not at the airport.

What it means to be civically engaged in the age of Trump

What it means to be civically engaged in the age of Trump


Will that movement ever happen in the Illinois Valley? Recently saw that happen in La Salle where the people wanted the "drug dog" that the Mayor had said he was going to eliminate from the P.D.

I don't believe I have seen it happen at least not recently in the city of Peru because people are afraid of retribution. A little respect on both sides does help and I hope the next generation of Peru residents does not sit back and let it happen as usual.

This is a good article that was intended primarily for national level governance but it would also appy to government on any level from municipal on up to the federal level.

America, Your Malls Aren't Coming Back

America, Your Malls Aren't Coming Back

Long-time Iowa farm cartoonist fired after creating this cartoon

Long-time Iowa farm cartoonist fired after creating this cartoon

Again talking about Free Speech.

I have been frequently criticized for exercising my free speech on this blog and after reading this article, I can surmise that that free of allowing free speech is spreading.

L-P chat: Drug-testing, tale of two cities, and coffee talk

L-P chat: Drug-testing, tale of two cities, and coffee talk

Why The Chicago Area's Powerhouse Economy Can't Jumpstart Stalled Illinois

Why The Chicago Area's Powerhouse Economy Can't Jumpstart Stalled Illinois


OK whom do we believe?  Our local government which definitely does not share well with the general populace or people who like the BGA who look at a broad range of issues to give us the answer.  Frankly I was surprised at the draw that Chicago has for jobs and thus that is where our young will be going after graduating from college.

And maybe it is more than the jobs that pull the young to Chicago. It could be professional sports, entertainment, education availabilties, transportation. Cities do work to do some things for families like the proposed splashpad, but will it be enough. Are the journalists over reacting just to write a story and none of this is true?

Peru cracks down on ordinance-violating signs

Peru cracks down on ordinance-violating signs



What's the big concern, election signs were up  for about 6 weeks, and now they are gone.  It is a once every 4 years event and it will happen again and again. Peru has more important stuff on its plate, maybe it needs the residents to tell them what is really important and what is trivial.

Stores are closing at a pace that rivals the last U.S. recession

Stores are closing at a pace that rivals the last U.S. recession

Is the city of Peru preparing for this eventuality? Is it time to guard your finances for the absolute necessities?

Opinion | Time to start taking political ignorance seriously

Opinion | Time to start taking political ignorance seriouslyThis was written for the purpose of reviewing the recent national election but I  do believe it can be about any election on any level of government. Why did the county of La Salle turn blue this recent election and why did our township turn very blue?  Without getting into personalities what is going on?

Peru City Council approves $1.79 million splash pad

Peru City Council approves $1.79 million splash pad


And the rest of the story. My version would be very different.

Peru City Council approves $1.79 million splash pad

Peru City Council approves $1.79 million splash pad


True political performance by real politicians doing this on the eve of the Peru Municipal Elections. Daddy knows what is best might be the only way to phrase this. Neither the City Council, the Mayor or the Administrator ever called together the people of Peru and asked their opinion. They never asked them what they wanted and as usual assumed that they know better than you. And as far as I know they never told you how they would pay for it, other than the grant and the Happ donation.

http://www.newstrib.com/news/peru-city-council-approves-million-splash-pad/article_81679a0e-18d6-11e7-835e-9b3b9ce0c909.html