We are now a third of the way through 2025 there is a steady ebb and flow of restaurants coming and going The Peoria area has seen a handful of closings so far this year – from a well-known Here is a look at the locations which have closed Multiple Pizza Hut locations abruptly closed at the beginning of the year The locations were operated by then Pizza Hut franchisee EYM Pizza of Illinois, LLC. Amid Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, EYM Pizza, L.P. sought to reject more than 80 of its leases − including several in the Peoria area Learn more: Amid bankruptcy, Pizza Hut operator seeks to reject leases at multiple Peoria-area stores Gone Social closed its doors roughly six months after relocating to Landmark Recreation Center The establishment − which relocated from Peoria's Warehouse District − housed a bar and restaurant and shared experiences have meant the world to us," the business wrote in its announcement More: Peoria business closes roughly six months after relocating to Landmark Recreation UBQ Barbecue & Steakhouse closed its doors just over five months after opening at 118 E. Main St. in Elmwood. The establishment opened last year as a sister location to Underground Backyard BBQ in Williamsfield the closure was announced "with sadness of our heart." The Williamsfield restaurant closed its doors in late April the business said it plans to continue as a pop-up venture More: Elmwood barbecue business announces closure 'with sadness' after five months Sweet Basil Cafe closed in July 2024 after a vehicle crashed into the building the restaurant said it was working to remodel and planned to offer dinner several nights a week once it reopened the company confirmed that the location − situated in the Sheridan Village shopping center − had permanently closed More: Restaurant in Peoria shopping center has permanently closed. Here's what we know RJ’s Café closed its doors after a final day on Feb The South Pekin establishment opened in 2022 Owner Rory Klein cited rising costs and property taxes as factors which contributed to the closure “The food is great and they’re very nice people,” said Scott Plotner More: Open since 2022, a South Pekin diner has closed. Here's why Mariachi Mexican Restaurant Bar & Grill left its location at 1964 Freedom Parkway in Washington earlier this year A notice posted in the storefront window stated in part: "THE LEASE AT THIS LOCATION HAS EXPIRED AND WE HAVE HAD TO CLOSE OUR DOORS." The restaurant said it planned to search for a new space after a short vacation. Another location listed on its website − 1818 W More: This Mexican restaurant has left its Washington location. Here's what to know COFFEE CAN announced it was closing its doors to the community “This decision has been a very difficult one but we feel it's time for us to pursue new opportunities,” the business wrote in an announcement on Facebook More: Peoria-area coffee shop closes its doors, says space is for sale Wages and benefits for city employees make up roughly 42% of the city's total $288 million budget for 2025 particularly those for public safety officials Pension costs for police officers rose 7.6% while pension costs for firefighters have jumped 9.8% in 2025 compared to 2024 The pension payments made to Peoria's police officers and firefighters are often sizable making many of the city's public safety employees among the highest compensated in the city Previous reporting: 'The problem is going to be unbelievable': Looming pension payments worry Peoria officials of the 50 highest-compensated employees in Peoria 49 are part of either the Police Department or Fire Department The lone exception is City Manager Patrick Urich who is the 23rd-highest compensated employee in the city While Urich has the city's highest base salary of $220,149.91 in 2025 his pension benefits do not reach the level of Peoria's public safety employees pushing him further down the list of the city's highest-compensated employees State law requires city governments to make public the wages and salaries of all employees who are paid more than $75,000 a year The Journal Star reviews those salaries annually and publishes them so taxpayers have transparency as to where their tax dollars are being spent These are the 12 highest-compensated employees in the city of Peoria for 2025 Previous reporting in 2024: These 12 city of Peoria employees have the highest base salaries Journal Star readers were invited to choose their favorite beauty and health service providers for the 2024 Community’s Choice Awards Here are the top three hair salons in the Peoria area as voted on by participants: beauty-bar-on-prospect.square.site j-bstudio.com Previous reporting: This Peoria barbershop is expanding with a second location solasalonstudios.com More: The best real estate agents in Peoria as voted on by readers The cost of gas in the Peoria area is mostly unchanged over the past week as the calendar turned to May The fuel cost analysis website GasBuddy shows the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded at just under $3.34 — a change of less than 1 cent in the past week that average is down about $.06 from the start of April and $.43 from this time last year GasBuddy put the national average at $3.12 contradicting President Donald Trump’s claim in a Friday social media post that gas had dropped to $1.98 a gallon GasBuddy said the national average increased for the first time in nearly a month slightly more than half of the states saw gas prices rise while many others saw modest decline,” GasBuddy’s head of petroleum analysis Patrick De Haan said in the blog “We continued to see price cycling in states prone to such movements De Haan said an anticipated increase in oil production by OPEC and higher output from U.S refineries in the coming weeks could push the national average even lower in the upcoming weeks we could see an increase in gasoline supply and a national average that may soon dip below $3 per gallon,” he said GasBuddy reported the statewide average for Illinois at $3.35 — one of eight states with an average above $3.26 Pennsylvania was the only other state east of Arizona among those eight The website ranked Peoria as the 70th most expensive market out of the 456 across the country Become a WCBU sponsor The bar at Pop-Up Chicken Shop remains void of beer and other alcoholic beverages roughly 10 months after the eatery opened in Peoria’s Warehouse District newly formed business is seeking to bring liquor to the location at 800 SW Adams St. The development may come as a surprise to some because the restaurant swiftly secured site approval for the storefront last July But while site approval is an important step toward serving alcohol in Peoria it does not guarantee a license will be granted The newest attempt comes months after Mayor Rita Ali denied the establishment’s liquor license application citing the past criminal convictions of owner Aaron Francis The Journal Star obtained hundreds of emails from the city referencing Pop-Up Chicken Shop and reviewed dozens of files related to the liquor application Francis responded to emails from the Journal Star but did not agree to an interview for this story Denial based on 'recent and serious' convictionsPop-Up Chicken Shop began out of a Bloomington Veterans of Foreign Wars post in 2018. The restaurant, known for its "Illinois Hot Chicken," opened its Peoria location late last June. The space also serves burgers and various sandwiches through Francis' second concept In July 2024, the Peoria City Council unanimously voted to grant site approval for the storefront It's an important step for businesses because a liquor license cannot be granted without also receiving site approval the council considers the recommendation of the Liquor Commission and input from the community and police before voting After receiving a stamp of approval from the City Council Pop-Up Chicken Shop needed to apply for a license from the city of Peoria Chief Deputy City Clerk Trina Bonds reached out to the business’s attorney and noted that a liquor license application had not yet been received She noted that site approval would expire after six months if the business had not begun serving alcohol unless the Liquor Commission voted to extend the site approval An application was submitted shortly thereafter the Peoria Police Department conducts an investigation into the "fitness and eligibility of the applicant for the license," which includes a background check along with a recommendation on whether to approve the application must be provided to the mayor within 30 days Ali denied the establishment’s liquor license application on Dec. 27. Her denial centered on Section 3-63 (5) of the Peoria Municipal Code which dictates that a liquor license cannot be granted to someone convicted of a felony unless the mayor determines the person has been "sufficiently rehabilitated." “The record of your criminal convictions disclosed in that investigation are recent and serious,” Ali wrote in her denial letter to Francis you have not proven to be sufficiently rehabilitated to warrant the public trust as it relates to this matter “I hereby deny the application for a Class B liquor license for Popup Chicken Ali declined to comment on the specific charges related to the denial she told the Journal Star her decision was based on the more recent convictions The Peoria Police Department investigation report requested by the Journal Star through the Freedom of Information Act the liquor license application lists various cases found in McLean County Circuit Court records Francis pleaded guilty to felony possession of cannabis greater than 5,000 grams on July 24 sentenced Francis to 180 days in the McLean County Jail and ordered 36 months of probation Francis was indicted on five counts relating to cannabis and controlled substances An investigation revealed a confidential source making drug debt payments of $2,200 to Francis and purchasing just over a quarter pound − roughly 123 grams − of a substance that tested "positive for the presence of cannabis," according to McLean County records A search of Francis' residence found bags of a "green leafy substance" that tested positive for cannabis according to case files from McLean County He pleaded guilty to the felonies of delivery of cannabis 30 to 500 grams and possession of less than 15 grams of a substance with oxycodone on June 10 stayed the balance of a 180-day jail sentence and ordered 30 months' probation Peoria's liquor license application also asks whether an applicant has struggled with alcoholism or has been intoxicated during any encounters with police 'Hasn't been enough time to prove rehabilitation'The Peoria Municipal Code does not provide a set definition or standard for what it means to be rehabilitated the determination is left up to the city’s liquor commissioner Ali says she considers the applicant's history the length of time since the most recent conviction and whether there is a pattern of behavior I would say that (the charges are) similar or the same,” Ali said if an individual repeats the same offenses and continues to get similar convictions for offenses in most cases that would not be considered rehabilitated by almost any entity.” Ali said she would like to see negative behaviors avoided for around 10 to 15 years She acknowledged several years have passed since Francis was last convicted it just hasn't been enough time to prove rehabilitation.” Francis said he understood the city’s decision and was “Willing to discuss the matter in a public or private forum about how I am more than (rehabilitated).” A few days later his attorney also inquired about whether Francis could provide further evidence of his rehabilitation to the Liquor Commission or mayor Francis shared with the Journal Star a letter of recommendation Mwilambwe said Bloomington's City Clerk’s Office has worked with Pop-Up Chicken Shop for various licenses and "has nothing but good things to say about the owners." and no outstanding balances," Mwilambwe wrote the Bloomington mayor also discussed the history popularity and growth of the business in his city and beyond "Issuing the liquor license for Pop-Up Chicken Shop will not only boost revenue but will also grow consumers who will frequent their restaurant often," Mwilambwe wrote "With their great food and great atmosphere I am confident that they will be added to the list of Peoria restaurants that people will regularly go to." Ali said she met with Francis to discuss the application and denial but said her decision ultimately remained unchanged denying Pop-Up Chicken Shop's license is not meant to be unfriendly to business − which is a perception Peoria has pushed against she said it is about ensuring public trust and well-being by carefully considering all relevant information on an applicant that's to protect the public and to provide some assurance that we can expect that the owner or operator is going to abide by the law,” she said “And you know if that owner/operator has some history of not abiding by the law we have to pay attention to that and we have to grant a license according to the specific code surrounding that.” Pop-Up Chicken Shop hopes to soon have alcoholic beverages at the bar A separate business – S & A Hospitality LLC – is seeking to operate the establishment's bar “Peoria; lets try this out one more time,” Pop-Up Chicken Shop wrote in a now-deleted Facebook post on April 3 “I have kept quiet about this situation for quite sometime but alas we believe the path to pouring some amazing cocktails and beers is very close!” Pop-Up Chicken Shop said it expects the bar will be rented by “someone that has grown within the company from our VFW days” who has “decided to step up to the plate and start her own Bar & we are very excited for that growth to start.” Shayla Talley is the only manager listed for S & A Hospitality according to the Illinois Secretary of State's Office The newly formed business filed its articles of organization on March 25 According to the establishment's deleted Facebook post which is identical to the burger and sandwich concept sold at the storefront since its opening S & A Hospitality LLC must secure site approval for the storefront before a liquor license application can be considered The matter is scheduled to go before the Peoria Liquor Commission – which is slated to make a recommendation to the City Council – on May 5 This arrangement – should it be approved – would not be new to the Pop-Up Chicken Shop business model The bar at its Bloomington location also operates as a separate business owned by Brett Matthews and Robert McDermott holds the liquor license for the Bloomington bar While there are differences in liquor code from place to place many codes in the surrounding areas consider location to an extent Some neighboring cities – such as Peoria Heights and East Peoria – include limitations in their city codes on the number of liquor licenses that can be issued does differ from surrounding cities with its separate application and process for site approval All surrounding areas impose restrictions on who can be issued a license The state's liquor law dictates that a person convicted of a felony may not receive a liquor license “unless the Commission determines that such person will not be impaired by the conviction in engaging in the licensed practice This means that those with criminal convictions can be granted a liquor license at the state level Pop-Up Chicken Shop would not be able to apply for a state license without first receiving a license from Peoria Pekin and West Peoria include restrictions on those convicted of a felony multiple cities consider whether a person has been “sufficiently rehabilitated to warrant the public trust.” there were 217 licensed liquor establishments in the city of Peoria The majority of licensees are restaurants or taverns she wanted to stress that denials are not personal “With the individual – especially in a case of a denial – it feels personal “And we just have to weigh the evidence and try to follow the criteria that has been set aside to protect the public.” This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Here are the top three eye care clinics in the Peoria area as voted on by participants: illinoiseyecenter.com From the archives: Dr. Thomas Wyman marks 40 years with Illinois Eye Center bardoptical.com vcc2020.com 'Very humbled': Local businesses honored at 2024 Community's Choice Awards are compiled from information on file with Peoria Peoria: Joseph and Elsa Gianakos to Nicole Hardin West Peoria: Allenrod Properties LLC to Huston Buhs Peoria: Craig and Ilean Thompson to Acceleration Ventures LLC Dunlap: Commerce Bank to Peoria Heights Properties LLC Peoria: Taylor Cordle to Hannah Sutton and Ryan Noll West Peoria: Federal National Mortgage Association and Servicelink LLC to Krystal McGhee More: Real estate sales in Peoria, Tazewell and Woodford counties for April 26, 2025 Peoria: Micah Bouillon to Jeremiah Edwards and Hunn K Peoria: Teresa Fauth to Michal Mendoza and Maria V Peoria: Christina Constantinidou to James E Peoria: Thomas Keith and Jessie Yoskin Keith to Steven and Megan Howard Peoria: Derek and Mary Tanis to Jeannine M Chillicothe: Craig Tiezzi to Kyle and Jessica Anderson Edwards: Capstone Construction of Central Illinois LLC to John P Peoria: Peoria1 Holdings LLC to Villa Ridge LLC Pekin: Kathy and Lester Wernowsky to Isaak Dorough Parcel Numbers 12-12-20-105-001 and 12-12-20-105-002 East Peoria: Mackenzie and Matthew Dutton to Nicholas J More: Real estate sales in Peoria, Tazewell and Woodford counties for April 19, 2025 Mackinaw: Laura Lorentzen to Laura and Michael McCarthy East Peoria: Driton Ramadani to Nathan Kloter East Peoria: Cherissa and Justin Hoffman to Andrew T East Peoria: Washburn Real Estate LLC Series Flip to Jamie and Landon Hickman Minier: Brady and Melissa Cremeens to Brian and Lindsey Weihmeir Washington: Troy Kerrn to John II and Sarah Hintz Parcel Numbers 12-12-14-300-005 and 12-12-23-100-006 Pekin: GDM Properties LLC to Midwest Circle LLC More: Improper handwashing and chicken on the floor: Peoria food inspections for March 2025 Metamora: Emily Moberly and Kimberly Jurick to Jacob W East Peoria: Steven and Susan Fedash to Derek and Kayla Tipsword Metamora: Kevin and Tricia Linzenmeyer to Cody Upts More: Why traffic patterns could complicate plans for new businesses at busy Peoria intersection We have the address for the funeral home & the family on file If you're not happy with your card we'll send a replacement or refund your money Covid-19 Regional Coroner’s and Funeral Home Practice Changes \u003ca href=\"/coronavirus-notice/\"\u003eRead More\u003c/a\u003e Charley Willie (Sonny) Simmons of Peoria passed away on April 24, 2025, at 1:12 a.m. at his residence. He was born on February 20,1940 in Dyersburg, TN., to Willie and Mary Simmons. Charley later moved to Chicago, Il at the age of ten and was... View Obituary & Service Information Simmons created this Life Tributes page to make it easy to share your memories Charley Willie (Sonny) Simmons of Peoria passed awa.. Made with love by funeralOne A building that was once supposed to be the crown jewel of technological innovation in Downtown Peoria has been listed for sale at an unspecified price which sits at 211 Fulton Street in Downtown Peoria was heralded as a future hub for technology in Peoria drawing investments from both the coffers of the city and county governments Peoria-area developer Diane Cullinan built One Technology Plaza in 1999 $28 million development in which the city of Peoria kicked in $9.6 million of its own money to help build the parking garage that today is used by many employees who work at OSF HealthCare's headquarters in Downtown Peoria In 1997, the old Bergner's department store building was torn down to make room for One Technology Plaza and its seven-story More: 'Very hopeful': Peoria seeks proposals to redevelop historic downtown building, properties The building was purchased by 211 Fulton Street LLC an LLC tied to the Waukegan development company Oak Realty Group One Technology Plaza was the source of some controversy when it was built as there were those including members of the Peoria County Board and the Peoria Journal Star editorial board who questioned if the building would ever live up to its billing as a technological hub in Peoria who represents Downtown Peoria and served on the council when discussions for One Technology Plaza were taking place said he believes the building has been a success "I have a great bill of confidence that something is going to take place as it relates to the sale of the property," Grayeb said Grayeb said there have always been those in Peoria that have negative takes about developments like One Technology Plaza but he believes the building has been an important part of Downtown Peoria He said when the development was first proposed he was in favor of it "I thought it was an unmitigated success and I believe it has been a great success and it's been a well-maintained facility and I don't think they'll have a problem hopefully getting top dollar for it," Grayeb said He said there is still a need for more parking in Downtown Peoria As businesses continue to reevaluate their work from home policies nationwide locations like One Technology Plaza will become more attractive to potential buyers and investors the CEO of Peoria Downtown Development Corporation should make it an attractive option moving forward," Waible said "It's obviously located right next to OSF's headquarters It is an important building to the downtown and the energy and activity we have at its heart." Incoming Peoria city councilmember Alex Carmona who will take over Grayeb's district on May 6 said he feels the free market will best determine the right path forward for One Technology Plaza Carmona said it would be nice to see new developments such as restaurants or new technology startups move into the building but he would like to see the city not meddle in the process too much who opposed the city's purchase of the PNC building downtown said he does not want to see One Technology Plaza become a situation like that will help determine what the best fit is for the space More: Caterpillar renovating one of its Downtown Peoria office buildings. Here's what we know He won't be swimming; he's not a water person But he will be catching up on long-overdue reads and time with family Manier and his family will get a warm start to his retirement with a vacation in Destin he no longer wants to miss out on family time — and some people might feel he's run his course so it was at the point in time where I thought I think some people are going to probably say Holding the record for longest-running mayor of Washington, Manier will officially retire from his role May 5, passing the torch to mayor-elect and former Ward 1 Alderperson Lilija Stevens he missed only four meetings of the Washington City Council he traveled 100 days out of the year to do business with Caterpillar where he worked even after becoming the city's mayor in 2001 He retired from the manufacturing company in 2015 to focus on his mayoral duties But Manier has no regrets about his time leading the city through six terms two decades of developments and the deadly tornado of 2013 that destroyed homes and businesses social media is going to criticize you about everything you do made sure that if I had to vote it was on the best interest of all residents Manier shared with the Journal Star some of the moments that stand out to him and what he's thinking about as he departs office almost surreal that it's coming to an end," Manier said seven months to prepare yourself and family for what's going to be different." More: Lilija Stevens defeats Mike Brownfield to become Washington's first female mayor when Washington had just under 12,000 residents He has watched Washington grow to more than 15,000 and been at the forefront of the most pivotal moments in the city's recent history When asked to pinpoint a few that stood out, Manier did not take long to respond. Leading the city through the 2013 Washington tornado left the biggest imprint on him as both an elected official and person but the entire citizenship of the residents that got affected and those that were not affected that were able to help and the surrounding region that came together to help us," he said His wife had chosen to stay home that morning and Manier said he had no idea whether she was safe He remembers getting a phone call from his son in New York the only phone call that went through to his phone that morning "When you're born and raised in a community you look at the houses and the streets and go "'I spent the night in this house,' you know 'I used to play ball [there.]' And it's like everything just goes through your mind of 'Are they OK?'" To aid in the rebuilding process, Manier said, help came not only locally, but from Chicago and further — and even from the federal government. He got a phone call from President Obama promising assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency More: No Obama, but other officials came to see tornado devastation firsthand While the FEMA money was denied the city received $14.9 million from former Illinois Governor Pat Quinn to repair streets Manier acknowledged the city as a "bedroom community" lacking major manufacturers like Caterpillar in Peoria he said he thinks the tornado encouraged people to live fitness centers and the Washington District Library the event center has become one of the city's biggest draws "It took several years to get that accomplished Initial discussions about building the center began in 1973 he facilitated monthly meetings with the "five points," or five taxing bodies: the Washington District Library the City of Washington and the Washington Area Community Center and served as a gathering place after the 2013 tornado The goal was to get all necessary groups to collaborate on a facility that would fill many needs in the community under one roof Manier cited the project as one of his proudest developments crediting the facility as a reason for Washington's population growth over the years "I think it helped attract the residential growth we had I think people realized what kind of community we were not necessarily after the tornado but even before," he said "Our resilience and our willingness to stay and rebuild." opened up 80 acres of land for future development and gave a new pathway to residents shopping in the area A new connecting road from Nofsinger to Santa Fe Road and Dallas Road was completed in December 2024 and along with the installation of traffic signals made one of Washington's most dangerous intersections safer The Business Route 24 corridor was the culmination of years of work going back to 2009 Ten more years passed before the city receive funding from the Illinois Department of Transportation "So they talk about term limits and things — sometimes term limits are good but in local government it takes a while sometimes to get a relationship with state and federal legislators to make sure things can happen," he said The Washington City Council has had several discussions in meetings since late 2024 about establishing term limits for city council members and the mayor The council has not addressed the subject in several recent meetings Mayor-elect Stevens will not be the only person taking on a new position in the council as three new members will also be sworn in May 5 he would like to see the council address growing the city's tax base which he thinks should focus more on generating sales tax by encouraging people locally and statewide to come to Washington Manier, who prior to 2021 ran as a Republican did not vote during his time in office except to break ties between the City Council whose members encompass a range of political views and opinions Besides famous friends like Robert Lamm of the band Chicago and Kevin Cronin of REO Speedwagon Manier said he has ties across the political spectrum which he feels have benefitted the city "You start working with people regardless of what side of the aisle they're on I've got friends that are both Republicans and Democrats In terms of whether he thinks party divides will be a major problem for the next council he said a "certain few" did not care for his leadership but is hopeful having fresh blood on the council will change attitudes "I have been and always will be the best cheerleader for Washington," he said "So I'll be rooting for them from a distance I won't be telling them what to do or anything." When asked if he had spoken with Stevens to give advice or information as she takes the title of mayor Manier said Stevens had refused to meet with him without another person present throughout her six-year tenure on City Council and that he had not spoken with her about the transition of power I'll never meet with you alone.' She sent me a note about transition and I said 'There's no real reason to meet because you refused for six years now.' And she has sat there she has all the knowledge of everything that's involved right now that is about to be voted on.. so I didn't see there was any need at this point to sit down." Stevens and Manier have frequently sparred at City Council meetings, with Stevens questioning whether a conflict of interest existed between Manier and the city's proposed amphitheater project and Stevens previously stating Manier had prohibited her from asking questions to city staff Stevens said she sent an email to Manier and other city staff April 9 requesting a meeting to help her better understand what needed to be done before she took office and ensure she and Manier were on the same page She confirmed Manier replied "You have been serving for 6 years so you should hit the ground running and know the staff." "Our professional relationship has deteriorated throughout the years to the point I requested that if he and I were to have a meeting a third person be present during the meeting," Stevens stated Manier said he had also not spoken with the three new council members and if they want to reach out to me that's fine," he said you just kind of had to grow into the seat and my input really isn't going to have any effect on them If they want to talk about the history and things More: After 'circus' meeting, Washington City Council adopts 'civility' pledge While tensions within the council grew during his last term Manier said during his time in office he tried to do what was best for all of Washington when he had to vote and help city leaders stay united "I'd say for 20 years that was pretty easy to do," he said "I think a lot of people just wanted change Manier is wrapping up his final orders of business He attended a National Day of Prayer event May 1 and will see the new council and mayor sworn in during the May 5 council meeting He looks back at the tornado as helping reinforce Washington's strong sense of community bringing people closer as they helped each other get back on their feet and hosted neighborhood events in the storm's wake "Even after disaster you look back at that kind of fondly as far as how we came together," he said Manier has cleaned out his office at City Hall he simply feels grateful to have served his 24 years I would put us up against any city in the state of Illinois for sure Five Illinois cities made a list of best places to live in the United States Livability, a marketing company, annually highlights the nation's best small to mid-sized cities with affordable living costs. In partnership with Applied Geographic Solutions the company commissioned data on thousands of cities Livability curated the list based on nearly 100 data points that included local economy The company limited the study to communities of between 75,000 and 500,000 residents Here's how Illinois cities fared in the the marketing company's 2025 list of "Top 100 Best Places to Live." Naperville was the highest-rated Illinois city placing fourth nationwide behind Flower Mound The city received high marks for its school system Evanston receives high marks for sceneryLivability ranked Evanston 17th nationwide for its historic charm, intellectual life, scenic lakefront, busy downtown and affordability. The company noted that Evanston is home to several universities, including Northwestern, which Forbes magazine placed on its 2025 list of “New Ivies.” Bloomington economy is recognizedIllinois’ Bloomington placed 25th nationwide five spots behind its Minnesota counterpart The city’s tranquil setting was a key selling point Champaign known for arts and educationChampaign came in as Livability’s 80th best place to live in the U.S In addition to an education system creating job opportunities that stimulate the economy the city offers affordable housing and an active arts scene Champaign is also home to the University of Illinois which was also deemed by Forbes as one of the “New Ivies." More: Two Illinois universities considered among the 'New Ivies' by Forbes. See the list Peoria made Livability’s list for the third straight year Livability cited the city’s strong sense of community affordability and diverse recreational options DUNLAP — Davis Weeks has altered his entire approach to the game of baseball The Dunlap senior admits to being ‘slow in the box’ last season a rigorous offseason of hard work has Weeks in perpetual attack mode Weeks is more than just putting the bat on the ball More: How this two-way Dunlap baseball player landed in the Big Ten the Michigan State signee posted a .605 batting average on 26 hits with five doubles struck out just three times and stole 16 bases Dunlap coach Eric Stone hasn’t seen that type of production from a player since his days at Metamora He compares the offensive streak Weeks has been on to that of the current pro ball player Ethan Skender you're surprised,” Stone said; “I haven't seen anything like the stretch that Davis is on right now since that time He's just continued to blossom … he's been working out relentlessly he's always working on his craft whether it's on the baseball field or in a gym or swinging the bat.” Weeks is honing his craft on the mound for the Eagles who are 16-5 overall and at 6-1 are a game out of first place in the Mid-Illini Conference through Thursday He’ll be a two-way player at Michigan State meaning he’ll pitch as well as play in the field And Weeks has a secret weapon to help with his pitching “like if I miss the spot or he sees something that I need to work on He just helps a lot with my mechanics but usually that's to do my thing The former Major League pitcher and pitching coach is on the Eagles coaching staff He’s imparting his wisdom following a career that included 467 MLB pitching appearances from 1993 to 2009 for Pittsburgh “It’s a steady progression (of his development),” Shouse said Here’s the limit of what we think he can or can’t do He’s been able to take that and apply a lot of things we’ve talked about and what he’s done and what he feels.” Shouse says Weeks has always relied on his fastball that sits around 90-92 MPH and has topped out at 93 MPH who is 3-2 with 49 strikeouts and a 1.98 ERA in 28.1 innings utilizing his secondary pitches has come as a bit of a challenge to him That’s where Shouse has seen the most improvement “The changeup and breaking ball,” the Bradley baseball hall of famer said “have both been very consistent and better He’s always had a decent feel for the changeup He’s knowledgeable of the game and very good at listening and applying and trying to understand the process of what we’re trying to do … I think there’s still a little bit higher ceiling for him with the pitching part.” Weeks is looking to continue the success of last season while sharing the Mid-Illini Conference title with East Peoria Dunlap also claimed a Class 3A regional championship for the first time since 2019 “I think our potential has grown a ton,” Weeks said “I see this team going and making a deep run possibly even making it to Joliet (for the state finals) I know that's our goal and I think we can do it “We've been playing really well recently.” Adam Duvall is a Journal Star sports reporter Adam Miller has found his new and final college basketball home The Peoria native announced on social media he'll use his final year of eligibility at Gonzaga another at LSU and the last two seasons at Arizona State The former Manual basketball player has one season of eligibility remaining because his freshman season with the Fighting Illini was affected by the COVID pandemic 2.3 rebounds and 1.9 assists for the Sun Devils who finished 13-20 and lost in the opening round of the inaugural College Basketball Crown tournament He did shoot 42.9% (57-for-133) from behind the arc This was Miller's fourth time entering his name into the NCAA transfer portal He removed his named and returned to LSU in 2022 In the mid-1970s, Jim Kidder was a salesperson for Byerly Music when he received the offer that forever changed his life Byerly was no longer interested in selling band instruments and decided to sell Kidder the school band portion of the business to focus on its organ and piano businesses While it wasn't an easy task to start a business from scratch his daughter could see that her father had numerous advantages that could help get it off the ground "He knew all the band directors and educators and knew how to service them," Houlihan said "Obviously (he had) a strong belief in the importance of music education and kids having the opportunity to start in band and orchestra Thus, Kidder Music was born the business has grown from a small operation still working out of the Byerly building in downtown Peoria to a thriving shop on the northwest side of town The patriarch remained part of the business through it all even though he took a step back in recent years the business will have to keep moving forward for the next 50 years without its patriarch Jim Kidder died on April 15 at the age of 82 following a brief battle with cancer His legacy – and the business he leaves behind – is now in the hands of his daughter who has been president and CEO for the past 15 years "It was rather a shock," Houlihan said to hear of her father's death "He was still very interested in what's going on wanting to know if there were educator changes But he didn't want to learn the new computer systems More: Successful Peoria music store is celebrating 50 years in business, looking to the future Houlihan said that her father was in good health before receiving his diagnosis but a poor response to chemotherapy worsened his condition over a one-month period before his death The uncertainty made for a rough period of time for her family not knowing if Kidder would make it through "I don't know how to put it into words," Houlihan said there's treatment options and you're hopeful for that "Our industry is a small industry and everyone knows everyone else," Houlihan said emails; the love that everyone had for Jim Kidder The response from former educators was strong, with former Illinois Valley Central band director Dan Dietrich reflecting on a 45-year friendship with Kidder that began at a cookout – with brats and beer in the tradition of his home state of Wisconsin – in the fall of 1980 but the other band directors in the area because I was the new kid on the block." Dietrich and Kidder had a long-standing relationship that went through helping fifth-graders learn the ins and outs of band at Chillicothe Junior High School to a part-time position that Dietrich took at Kidder Music after his retirement from IVC fixing string instruments for everyone from beginners learning how to play the violin to Beatles cover bands with broken guitars "The neck of the guitar was broken in shipping," Dietrich said of the latter repair job "They brought it in and I got to put Paul McCartney's neck back on his guitar More: 'A good kid': Motorcyclist killed in Peoria remembered for love of riding, kind spirit Dietrich praised his friend's sense of humor his passion for music education and his loquaciousness always someone who enjoyed talking while learning something at the same time "He likes to be in conversation," Dietrich said He is more than willing to give of his time and energy of musical events and other things in their support like the work that he did with the Peoria Symphony and his work with Heartland (Festival Orchestra) and his work with good music education there isn't a music education section of your paper We have to be our own cheerleaders and folks who are communicating what we're doing that's good for kids Jim was a big cheerleader in that regard in support of music education and allowing kids in the central Illinois area to flourish in this process." the business of Kidder Music moves forward bustling with kids learning how to play an instrument and people buying sheet music to help in their personal music journey still mourning the loss of the man she loved most dearly Houlihan is still at the store servicing customers it's not quite business as usual here," Houlihan said "I had a band director call the other day who didn't know and said 'How are your mom and dad doing?' Things like that pop up but sometimes hard (with) the nice notes and memories and thank-yous for all you've done for the community or what you did for our family." Houlihan chooses to remember her father as someone who was curious about people and someone who handed down his belief in the power of music education to his children who now will carry on that legacy for years to come the belief in music education and the benefits of music making; we all believe in that but also family trips and going to the Symphony Gala or Maynard Ferguson concerts More: 'Touched all these people': Hundreds gather at Pekin vigil for two lifelong friends, football teammates In Peoria, Spudtacular has opened for business at Northwoods Mall the restaurant serves a variety of decked-out baked potatoes “Let’s show the world that potatoes are NOT side dishes anymore,” Northwoods Mall wrote in a post ahead of opening “Support your local food spot — and your tastebuds will thank you later.” Customers can also find stuffed turkey legs and wings that the restaurant describes as “award winning.” More: Central Illinois BBQ business closes with 'a heavy heart,' plans to continue as pop up Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Spudtacular/100054536136733/ Website: https://www.spudtacular-peoria.com/ Here are the Illinois High School Association pairings schedules and scores for the Peoria-area schools in the 2025 Class 1A PEORIA — The St. Louis Blues were eliminated from the NHL playoffs in a double-overtime thriller late Sunday night by the Winnipeg Jets in a small-world hockey moment Winnipeg captain Adam Lowry deflected a shot past Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington at 16:10 of the second sudden-death overtime to win Game 7 of their NHL first-round playoff series Louis' season and sent Winnipeg on to face Dallas in a second-round West matchup Lowry was born in St. Louis and is the son of former St. Louis Blues and Peoria Rivermen left wing Dave Lowry The elder Lowry played for the Blues for five seasons He played 58 games for the Peoria Rivermen in the 1988-89 season when they were the primary farm club of the Blues in the class-AAA International Hockey League Lowry scored 31 goals and added 35 assists for that Rivermen team He went to play 1,084 NHL games and launch a coaching career with Los Angeles More: Peoria Rivermen season recap: Success, frustration, awards and what's next? © 2025 BVM Sports. Best Version Media, LLC. losing 7-3 after a late game rally that started post-lightning delay The Sycamores trailed 7-0 before scoring three times in the final three innings putting the tying run on deck but failing to complete the comeback Despite a strong effort in the latter half of the game Indiana State's early struggles against Bradley's pitching proved costly leading to their defeat and loss of the series Indiana State will aim to bounce back in the series finale against Bradley tomorrow at 2 p.m seeking a win to salvage a split in the series Indiana State's slow start and missed opportunities underscored the importance of capitalizing on scoring chances earlier in the game The Sycamores must focus on starting strong to avoid being in a catch-up scenario against tougher competition The summary of the linked article was generated with the assistance of artificial intelligence technology from OpenAI We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it OK Privacy policy while Reece Clapp secured the save for Bradley finishing the game with 3.2 scoreless innings Mason Roell had a standout performance with four hits but it wasn't enough to clinch the win for Indiana State Indiana State will aim for redemption in the second game of the series against Bradley Key adjustments will be necessary to convert scoring chances into runs The loss underscores the need for Indiana State to improve their offensive execution in crucial moments Their ability to rebound and tie the series will depend on better leveraging scoring opportunities in upcoming games Tulsa police arrested three people in connection with a deadly shooting over the weekend near 56th Street North and Peoria Investigators said at least six people went into the victim's home and assaulted him was attacked in his home by a group of people that included Decorian Coleman (Washington's cousin) 16-year-old Mar'quice West and 19-year-old Contu "Tu" Everett Deputies with the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office arrested Everett on Tuesday Tulsa Police arrested Coleman and West previously police say Coleman and West returned to the house later that night and West used a rifle to shoot the victim once in the stomach Previous: 1 killed in shooting at Tulsa home Sunday night; Investigators seeking leads about suspect 16-year-old Mar'quice West and 19-year-old Contu \"Tu\" Everett Previous: 1 killed in shooting at Tulsa home Sunday night; Investigators seeking leads about suspect and general news updates from News on 6 delivered right to your inbox Gun crime is trending down in Peoria through the first four months of 2025, according to the Peoria Police Department Statistics in a year-to-date report released last week by police show 14 shooting incidents from Jan compared with 20 over the same time frame in 2024 The 14 shooting incidents have resulted in 15 gunshot victims There were 22 gunshot victims in the first four months of last year The figures also show 299 alerts from ShotSpotter and 1,099 rounds fired representing drop-offs of nearly 100 alerts and more than 550 rounds from a year ago Police said 122 weapons have been recovered so far this year The report also shows the department has received 476 submissions through its anonymous Tip411 service Mother’s Day is right around the corner – falling on May 11 The holiday gives us a chance to spend time with family and show moms just how much they mean to us Maybe you plan on thanking your mom for the impact she’s made in your life or are celebrating as a new mom there are plenty of Peoria-area restaurants ready to make it a memorable occasion if you are searching for a perfect Mother’s Day meal If your restaurant is open for Mother’s Day brunch, email details to CWaigand@gannett.com Details: Seatings for Ardor’s Mother’s Day brunch are available from 8 a.m The meal costs $45 per person and features breads with preserves and butter and dessert for the table to share Each person will be able to select an entrée The tentative menu lists entrees including: Reservations can be made online at https://www.exploretock.com/ardor-after-dark/ Dining room and patio seating is available but guests for the patio must be 21 years or older Website: https://ardorbp.com/ Details: A Mother’s Day buffet is available from 10:30 a.m The buffet costs $18.95 per person or $10.95 for children 12 and under The buffet selection will feature items such as: The restaurant’s regular menu will also be available Address: Go to the locations tab at https://avantispeoria.com/ to find various storefronts Website: https://avantispeoria.com/ Hungry for more Peoria food news? Sign up for PJStar Dining Barrack's Hospitality Group Banquet Center & CateringDetails: Mother’s Day brunch will be served from 9:45 a.m Children 3 years old or younger can dine for free a dessert table with a chocolate dipping fountain and more Reservations can be made by calling (309) 692-3990 from 9 a.m Website: https://caterinn.com/ Details: On Facebook The restaurant will be open for regular hours Website: https://bloodymarybrunchcompany.com/ Previously: Peoria brunch business opens with southern-inspired menu and the restaurant's regular menu will be available Address: The restaurant operates multiple Peoria-area storefronts. Find a nearby location at https://childerseatery.com/locations/ Website: https://childerseatery.com/ Details: Cyd’s is hosting a ticketed Mother’s Day brunch which will feature a breakfast buffet pastries and spring cocktail and mocktail menus The meal costs $54 for adults and $25 for children between 4 and 12 years old Tickets for the brunch can be purchased at https://reservations.getwisely.com/cyd-s-in-the-park The price is listed as $25 – with the cost being deducted from the final bill No refunds are available for cancellations made after 10 a.m Website: https://www.cyds.biz/ More: Peoria food inspections for March 2025 customers will find a Mother's Day lunch buffet from 11 a.m Reservations are accepted and can be made by calling (309) 692-0800 "Let us do the cooking while you make the memories," the restaurant wrote on Facebook Website: https://doubleapizza.com/ Details: Eggcellent Cafe will be open from 6:30 a.m Website: https://www.eggcellentcafe309.com/ More: Tazewell County food inspections for March Website: https://www.facebook.com/p/Gebbys-Family-Restaurant-100057205249250/ Details: A brunch buffet will be available at Herold’s Pizza Oven from 10 a.m The buffet will feature various breakfast items – including breakfast pizza – as well as regular pizza Large groups should make a reservation by calling (309) 682-3722 Website: https://heroldspizzaoven.com/ Details: The Illinois Valley Yacht and Canoe Club is hosting a Mother’s Day brunch buffet from 10:30 a.m The meal costs $21.99 for adults and $12.99 for children between 3 and 10 years old Children 2 years old and younger can dine for free Diners will find a variety of breakfast dishes and entrees Reservations are required and should be made by calling (309) 682-5419 Website: https://www.ivyclub.org/ Details: The restaurant will be open from 11 a.m Website: https://www.jalapenosmetro.com/ 'Come celebrate': Mexican restaurant prepares to open Downtown Peoria location Johnny's Italian SteakhouseDetails: At Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse guests can enjoy a Mother’s Day meal from 10 a.m $20 for kids 6 to 12 and is free for children 5 years old or younger Customers can call (309) 692-3887 to make a reservation Website: https://johnnysitaliansteakhouse.com/east-peoria/ Details: “Make your Mom Queen for the Day” Jubilee Cafe said in a recent Facebook post with a variety of meal options to choose from A breakfast menu will be available all day and the restaurant’s full menu will be served starting at 11 a.m Over two-dozen pies are available for carryout Customers can also make reservations for a family-style dinner which will feature ham Reservations can be made by calling (309) 691-7778 Website: https://www.facebook.com/jubileecafekickapoo/ The restaurant will serve its regular menu Website: https://lepeep.com/ Details: The restaurant will be open from 7:30 a.m Website: https://www.facebook.com/MikesCobblerCorner Oliver's in the HeightsDetails: At Oliver’s in the Heights a Mother’s Day brunch will be available from 9 a.m “Treat your mom (or yourself!) to a feast she deserves,” the restaurant wrote on Facebook The brunch costs $22 for adults and $13 for children Drink specials like the momtini and wonderous woman will also be available Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling (309) 681-1779 Website: https://www.oliversintheheights.com/ One WorldDetails: One World will be open from 7:30 a.m on Mother’s Day and will serve its regular menu Website: https://www.oneworld-cafe.com/ Details: Three reservation times – 10 a.m. – are available for Mother’s Day brunch at Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino $16 for kids 4 to 12 years old and is free for children 3 and under Veterans and those who are 55 or older can receive a 10% discount Customers will find menu items such as breakfast casserole Reservations can be made online at https://www.ticketweb.com/event/mothers-day-brunch-reservations-par-a-dice-hotel-casino-tickets/14276843?pl=BoydGaming or by calling (800) 547-0711 Website: https://paradice.boydgaming.com/ Shelly B's CafeDetails: Mother’s Day brunch will be available from 10 a.m The establishment is serving an “ALL YOU CAN EAT” selection for $8.95 More: Popular Quad Cities ice cream brand opening in Tazewell County Details: “Celebrate the moms in your life with style and bottomless mimosas — our gift to you!” Seasoned Little Eatery wrote on its Facebook page Mother’s Day brunch will be available from 11 a.m Mimosas will be available in various flavors Reservations can be made by calling (309) 839-2992 from 11 a.m Website: https://www.eatatsle.com/ Details: Sunset Hills Eatery is hosting a Mother’s Day brunch with seatings at 10 a.m while the brunch costs $14.99 for kids 12 and under “She gave you life — the least you can do is give her waffles,” the restaurant wrote on Facebook Reservations are required and can be made by calling (309) 347-7553 ext Website: https://www.sunsethillsgc.com/ The restaurant’s regular menu will be served all day and a brunch menu will be available until 3 p.m Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling (309) 713-2619 or at https://www.opentable.com/r/thyme-kitchen-and-craft-beer-peoria Website: http://thymepeoria.com/ 'Olympics' of BBQ: Chillicothe business 'beyond excited' about success at barbecue contest Details: Untamed Chef will be open from 11 a.m Its Mother’s Day menu features various starters Various cocktails and mocktails are also available Reservations can be made by calling (309) 231-0906 Website: https://untamedchefcooking.com/ Washington Family Restaurant will be open from 6 a.m Details: Wildlife Prairie Park is hosting two Mother’s Day brunches catered by Hy-Vee An early brunch will be hosted from 10 a.m until noon and will feature various breakfast foods The brunch costs $45 for park members 13 and older and $22 for members between 3 and 12 years old it is $50 for adults and $25 for kids 3 to 12 years old Reservations can be made by going to https://wildlifeprairiepark.org/events/mothers-day-brunch and clicking the “sign up” button Website: https://wildlifeprairiepark.org/ More: Celebrate the majesty of midwestern nature at Wildlife Prairie Park in Illinois Details: The restaurant will be open from 7 a.m Website: https://50sdinerpeoria.com/ the rival farmer almanacs have released their forecasts Both foresee hot − possibly historic − temperatures for much of the country Here's what the various farmers foresee for Illinois The Farmers' Almanac summer weather prediction for Illinois"The heat is on," says the Farmers' Almanac it will bring "unsettled to stormy conditions for most of the country." The heat will be in full effect by July "with much of the nation sweltering." The almanac adds "More long-time high temperature records may be broken this year." Severe storms may threaten the Fourth of July holiday while fair weather is predicted for Labor Day Much of the country will see near-average summer precipitation says its long-range forecast is based on a "mathematical and astronomical" formula that incorporates "sunspot activity It denies the use of computer satellite tracking equipment "Fans of the Almanac say our weather forecasts are accurate 80-85% of the time." Summer 2025 is "shaping up to be a doozy!" says the rival Old Farmer’s Almanac. Its forecast for June, July and August calls for "a scorcher of a summer." Last year, the nation saw one of the hottest summers on record dry” conditions across most of the United States Above-normal precipitation is predicted for states south of the Great Lakes − including Illinois The Old Farmer's Almanac claims 80% accuracy in its long-range predictions climatology and meteorology in its seasonal forecasts More: Two Illinois cities named among the top happiest in the US Neither of the almanacs is considered especially accurate Scientific American casts doubt on both publications' predictions And a University of Illinois study conducted in 2010, cited by Popular Mechanics in 2022 found the Old Farmer's Almanac only about 52% accurate — "essentially random chance." National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration summer forecastMeanwhile, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has released a weather outlook for June The NOAA's Climate Prediction Center foresees temperatures "leaning above" normal in Illinois with equal chances of above- or below-normal precipitation More: Forbes named the best employers in the U.S. Here are 54 from Illinois on the list As summer approaches and the weather gets warmer fundraisers and other gatherings will be happening in Peoria Here are 16 things to do in the Peoria area during May The first Riverfront Market of the 2025 season will be held from 8 a.m The market will also feature a one-of-a-kind selection of art The Morton Civic Chorus will present “Encore” at 7:30 p.m. May 22-24, and 2 p.m. May 25, at the Bertha Frank Performing Arts Center, 350 N. Illinois Ave., Morton. Proceeds will benefit the Central Illinois Memorial Kidney Fund (CIMKF). For tickets and more information, visit CIMKF.org 3. Little Feat in concertElite funk and folk musicians Little Feat will bring their "Strike Up the Band Tour" to the Prairie Home Alliance Theater at the Peoria Civic Center at 7:30 p.m. Monday, May 19. Tickets start at $50.50 and can be purchased at www.peoriaciviccenter.com 4. Peoria Symphony Orchestra presents 'Star Crossed Letters'The Peoria Symphony Orchestra will present "Spring Virtuosi" at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 16, at the Prairie Home Alliance Theater at the Peoria Civic Center. The grand finale of the concert season tells the story of the love triangle between Clara Schumann, Robert Schumann and Johannes Brahms. Tickets start at $29 and can be purchased at www.peoriaciviccenter.com The 13th Annual Mom Prom, hosted by the Inspired Foundation, will take place on Saturday, May 10, at the Par-A-Dice Hotel & Casino in East Peoria. This year's theme is "Mom Prom on Broadway" and proceeds will benefit the local Children's Community Theatre. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and dinner will begin at 7:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online at inspiredfoundation.net/momprom Two big comedy shows with Nate BargatzeGrammy nominated comedian director and producer Nate Bargatze will perform at 3 p.m Tickets start at $39.75 and can be purchased at www.peoriaciviccenter.com a hilarious production based on the worldwide bestselling series from Dav Pilkey at the Prairie Home Alliance Theater at the Peoria Civic Center Tickets start at $29.50 and can be purchased at www.peoriaciviccenter.com More: Alternative rock band will play Peoria nearly 30 years after first show here The Peoria Heights Fine Art Fair will be held from 9 a.m The show is a juried event with a top prize of $1,000 The event will also feature free kid’s activities The 2025 Komen Peoria More Than Pink Walk will take place Saturday and the opening ceremony will kick off the walk at 8 a.m The event will help raise funds to increase awareness of and fight to end cancer Shinedown in concertChart-topping powerhouse rockers Shinedown will bring their "Dance Dance Tour" the the Peoria Civic Center Arena at 7 p.m The concert will also feature special guests Tickets start at $60.50 and can be purchased at www.peoriaciviccenter.com Seether in concertPlatinum-selling rock band Seether will bring their "The Surface Seems So Far Tour" to the Prairie Home Alliance Theater at the Peoria Civic Center at 7 p.m Tickets start at $55 and can be purchased at www.peoriaciviccenter.com More: Untold secrets: Unique Titanic exhibition headed to Peoria Riverfront Museum. Here's what to know The Peoria German-American Society’s annual Maifest will be held Sunday This is a family-friendly event for all ages Entertainment throughout the day will include Alphorns Peoria Players presents 'Grease'Peoria Players will present its run of the classic musical "Grease" with performances at 7:30 p.m For more information and to purchase tickets Grammy award-winning R&B and soul artist Maxwell will bring 'The Serenade Tour" to the Peoria Civic Center Arena at 7 p.m The concert will also feature special guest Marsha Ambrosius Tickets start at $38.25 and can be purchased at www.peoriaciviccenter.com On Wednesday, February 19th, the Prep Baseball Illinois staff traveled down to Peoria, IL for the Peoria Preseason ID held at the Louisville Slugger Dome This event is a great opportunity for our staff to get a look at players from the central part of the state We are finishing up our post-event rollout with a look at who our staff deemed as the top overall prospects from the day easy mover with a high leg lift; shows explosive actions down the mound.Arm Action: RH Quick and long arm path from a ¾ slot.FB: T92 Power fastball with straight action; comes out clean 65.6 mph bat speed with 14g of rotational acceleration.Power: 96 mph max exit velocity (90 avg.); 375-foot max batted distance Explosive.Defense: Ultra athletic movements plays with rhythm.Athletic Testing: 6.97 runner in the 60-yard dash; 22.80-inch max vertical jump This article is only available to PBRPlus Subscribers If you wish to continue reading this article: