Working for Illinois Caucus

A long-sought rehabilitation of one of Peoria’s major South Side roadways will get underway in the next few weeks.

The $10 million overhaul of MacArthur Highway has been years in the making after State Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth helped secure state funding for economic development along the corridor in 2023.

“As everyone is well aware, there are many roads in Peoria that need some attention, and this was one that’s been high on our list,” said City Engineer Andrea Klopfenstein. “The city applied for an Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity [DCEO] grant and was awarded that funding, which is what is making this project possible.”

The Peoria City Council gave the improvement project a green light when it approved a contract with Rockford-based William Charles Construction as part of the consent agenda during the council’s July 8 meeting.

Klopfenstein said the road work and bicycle lane upgrades will assist the Community Development Department’s ongoing efforts to revitalize “a very important corridor” on the city’s South Side.

“We’re hoping that the road project spurs the redevelopment,” she said. “Between the infrastructure improvements and the projects that Community Development are doing, we’re hoping that brings in more economic opportunities for other businesses to come into the area.”

A key component of the measure approved by the city council is an agreement with Illinois American Water that calls for the utility company to reimburse Peoria close to $1 million for covering the initial cost to replace the water main along MacArthur as part of the road construction.

“They pay for all their water main improvements, but it helps with coordination and scheduling so that the work gets done at the same time,” said Klopfenstein. “So instead of the public being disrupted for a water-only project before and then the road project, or a new road and then the water company coming in and tearing the new road up, it’s all done together so it’s much more effective and much more efficient for everyone.”

The realignment will create a three-lane roadway — one for travel in both directions, plus a center turn lane — on MacArthur from Fourth Street, just south of the MacArthur Bridge, to the Howett Street intersection. A multi-use path will be constructed on the east side of the highway, separated from vehicle traffic by a curb.

The pavement will be upgraded and new traffic signals will be installed at the Howett, McBean Street, and John H. Gwynne Avenue intersections. A raised intersection at Hurlburt Street will feature flashing beacons for pedestrians crossing the highway to get to Martin Luther King Jr. Park.

Klopfenstein said construction is expected to begin in mid-to-late August, with a majority of the work targeted for completion by late next year. But she cautions that road work timelines are always subject to change based on weather conditions and material availability.

“Prices and supplies are still in flux, with things that are going on at the federal level with tariffs and other things,” she said. “We are seeing that impact the prices of construction materials. and it’s not all construction materials equally across the board.

“On this project in particular, the water main items were expensive, the storm sewer items were expensive, and electrical items were even more expensive than what they’ve been in the past. So, we are definitely dealing with the very volatile market as far as pricing, and then also material availability is challenging.”

Klopfenstein said the city has been fortunate so far to not have weather delays impact other key infrastructure projects such as the one-way to two-way conversion of Adams and Jefferson, improvements at University Street and Pioneer Parkway, and the rehabilitation of Moss Avenue.

She said the hope is to keep the traffic disruptions from the MacArthur project to a minimum.

“There will be lane changes and people moving one way or another as we’re tearing parts of the roadway out and replacing them,” she said. “We will allow traffic to get through, so we won’t block all cross streets. But it will impact them as we go through those intersections and make those improvements.”

An Ottawa lawmaker continues to side with the Teamsters in their strike against Republic Services.

Democrat State Representative Amy “Murri” Briel visited with striking workers in Ottawa for the second time, saying she urges Republic Services to “negotiate fairly with Teamsters to protect over 8,000 waste collection workers and their families across the county.” Briel says striking Republic workers in the La Salle region make $10 less per hour than counterparts in surrounding areas. The lawmaker says the strike is well overdue with Republic Services workers being stretched thin and underpaid.

The national strike began more than two weeks ago. Since then, many towns have seen garbage pickup delayed and no recycling and yard waste taken at all by Republic Services.

Earlier this week, Republic Services sent out a statement saying that threatening actions by the Teamsters’ are hampering negotiation efforts.

ROMEOVILLE, Ill. – State Representative Natalie Manley (D-Joliet), in her ongoing commitment to inclusive governance, launched the inaugural Neurodiversity Legislative Advisory Committee (NeuroLAC).

The monthly gathering intends to serve as a dedicated forum for individuals who identify as neurodiverse, their families, and service providers to directly engage with legislators and share their invaluable insights for future policy development.

This follows Manley’s initiative forming the Illinois Legislators Neurodiversity Caucus, which launched in April. Members from the Illinois House of Representatives and Senate joined Manley — from both sides of the aisle — to advocate and responsibly legislate for Illinoisans who are neurodiverse.

NeuroLAC is the latest addition to Manley’s established series of Legislative Advisory Committees (LACs). Under Manley’s leadership, previous LACs have shaped legislation that specifically addresses issues that were identified during the committee meetings.

Manley’s previously existing LACs include the Retirees Legislative Advisory Committee (RLAC), and the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Legislative Advisory Committee (GrandLAC). Additionally, Manley restarted her Women’s LAC, which had robust participation prior to Covid.

These committees underscore Rep. Manley’s dedication to ensuring a broad spectrum of voices inform the legislative process.

The inaugural NeuroLAC meeting, held at the Joliet Junior College Romeoville Campus saw many participants. The attendees openly shared their experiences and proposals. Distinguished guests included State Representative Dagmara Avelar (D-Romeoville) and State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood), highlighting the cross-chamber commitment to this critical initiative.

Discussions spanned a wide array of pressing issues affecting the neurodiverse community including, access to service, early childhood education, systemic gaps in care, employment and awareness.

“The Neurodiversity Legislative Advisory Committee provides a direct line for those living in a neurodiverse community to share their lived experiences and legislative ideas,” Manley said. “Their voices are powerful and essential to crafting effective, compassionate legislation. I am deeply grateful to everyone who attended and shared their insights. Their contributions are invaluable as we work to build a more inclusive Illinois.”

This direct pipeline from community input to legislative action ensures that policies are grounded in the real-world needs and experiences of the neurodiverse community.

NeuroLAC is scheduled to meet monthly on the third Tuesday of each month at the JJC Romeoville Campus, an RSVP is required to attend each meeting. To learn more about participation, please call/text Rep. Manley’s District Office at (815) 725-2741 or email at repmanley@gmail.com.

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WREX) — State Representative Maurice West gathered local leaders and organizations to announce local funding from this year’s state budget in a press conference Tuesday. 

Despite the budget being what West described as tight, and other items having to be cut, West said he fought for several local organizations to receive funding. These included places like the Family Peace Center and Northern Illinois Land Bank.

"The work that they’re doing, it goes longer and serves longer than what a fiscal year of a budget. The work that they’re doing has a lifelong impact on a lot of community members so how can we make sure that we don’t balance the budget on the backs of people who need it the most?" West said.

Another recipient was the Rockford Park District, who received a half a million dollars for park and pool upgrades, something they are grateful he put the effort into.

"Representative West knows that the Rockford Park District plays a vital role in our region. We help our region thrive. We’re an economic catalyst through all the facilities and events that the park district does. We play a significant role in the health and wellness of families, and we put kids on a pathway to success," Jay Sandine, the Executive Director of the park district said.

The funding also went to other local organizations, including the Rockford Area Habitat for Humanity and the Northwest Community Center.

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