The latest issue of the Heights Newsletter is now available.
Scores march in Heights for racial justice
Upwards of 150 people marched peacefully in Peoria Heights on Saturday to protest the death of George Floyd at the hands of police in Minneapolis, urging central Illinoisans to join a diverse national movement to alleviate racial injustice and work toward a better America.
Organizer Tanisha Cayson, 39, of Peoria Heights led the rally from the Peoria Heights Public Library on Glen Avenue to Village Hall and Tower Park on Prospect Road. Along the way, participants chanted “Black lives matter!” and “No justice, no peace!” Among the marchers was Peoria Heights Mayor Mike Phelan.
“I just could no longer sit back on my Facebook page, argue back and forth with people,” said Cayson, who approached Phelan and Village Administrator and Police Chief Dustin Sutton earlier this month about having the march. “It’s been a long time coming. I am so overwhelmed by the support.”
“Sometimes, we think it takes a lot of people to make change,” Phelan told the assembled crowd. “But one person can impact positively a lot of things. I want to commend Tanisha, one person who organized this entire event and pulled it off just like she said.”
Cayson’s pastor, the Rev. Tyson Parks of Peoria’s Bethel United Methodist Church, encouraged her to step up and to implement her vision.
“We have to bring back love,” Parks said later, seemingly heartened by the “sea of diversity” and the number of “bridge builders” he saw gathered in prayer, reconciliation and camaraderie at Tower Park. “I don’t want to sit up here and vilify all law enforcement because I was part of law enforcement. We need to hold one another accountable. We all are brothers and sisters … There’s one race, and that’s the human race. I need you and you need me. And together, we can make a difference.”
In addition to the mayor, Trustees Brandon Wisenburg and Diane Mariscal also were in attendance at the Tower Park event.
“The message of equality is important,” said Wisenburg, who brought his 5-year-old daughter, Olivia, along. “I don’t think we have a police brutality issue here in the Heights. I do think it exists. It’s important to take a stand against it, and for all of our rights.”
Saturday morning’s march concluded without incident or counter-protest, said Sutton. “Again, I’m just very proud of the people of Peoria Heights,” he said.
“I think we achieved our goal,” added Phelan. “As Americans, we have a right to peacefully protest, that was our expectation, and that’s what happened. I’m glad to work with everyone for peaceful change.”
Pandemic-inspired mortgage/lease grant program a ‘resounding success’
The final numbers are in on Peoria Heights’ mortgage/lease loan program to help local businesses get over the hump of the coronavirus crisis, and they show that 82 businesses received more than $110,000 in assistance, an average of more than $1,280 apiece. The maximum grant was $1,500.
Village government launched the program in early May, with an application deadline of June 5. About 40 percent of the businesses eligible for the subsidy in the Heights’ two Business Development Districts (BDD), including those in the busy commercial corridors of Prospect Road and War Memorial Drive, received the assistance. Many had been largely shuttered since mid-March with much-diminished revenue streams, even as the bills kept coming.
“From what we’ve been able to gather anecdotally, it came just in the nick of time for many,” said Village Administrator Dustin Sutton, who called the effort a “resounding success.
“We’ve received quite a few compliments from our business leaders that Village leaders were willing to step up, to be a safety net, when their situations seemed most dire,” said Sutton.
Hearth owner Hugh Higgins estimated in a recent Tower Talk broadcast that his revenues were 80 percent off and that his restaurant was “clawing and scratching to eke out a living” when both his most loyal customers and the Village stepped into the breach.
“I couldn’t be happier than being in the Heights. It’s just such a wonderful place to do business and to have a business. It’s just explosive. It’s a great community to be a part of,” said Higgins.
“We’re still here.”
The overall breakdown of businesses that received help was 55 percent service industry such as restaurants, 41 percent retail, and the rest other, said Sutton.
The Village had been prepared to spend as much as $330,000, which came out of funds generated within the two BDDs rather than out of the general operating budget. The dollars left over now go back into the designated BDD accounts, which not only means that they’re available for their original intended purpose, but that the Village could respond to another emergency, if need be, though Sutton said he hopes it doesn’t come to that.
“We hope the worst of this is behind us,” he said, “but we’re prepared, just in case.”
Heights will ‘do nothing different’ regarding restaurant reopenings, for now
The Village of Peoria Heights will maintain a status quo policy regarding the Phase 3 reopening of restaurants and other businesses, Village Administrator and Police Chief Dustin Sutton said this week.
“This last weekend was a success for the businesses, the Village and the Peoria Heights Police Department. It was seamless,” Sutton said of the May 29 partial reopening prompted by Gov. JB Pritzker’s relaxation of his statewide pandemic lockdown.
“Everybody was on their best behavior. They were respectful and courteous to everyone around them. I’m very proud of that,” said Sutton.
Nonetheless, given the current social unrest and protests over the death of George Floyd during an altercation with Minneapolis police, which have come to central Illinois, now is “not the proper time” to be closing streets for outdoor diners, despite requests to do that by restaurants and bars wishing to recoup their losses, said Sutton.
Local police have had their hands full, of late, and as such Sutton said he wouldn’t feel comfortable “putting a table and a patron out on the street.
“If we get to a point where we have a better game plan” and things settle down, “I’ll come back to you,” said Sutton.
Mayor Michael Phelan and Village Board members had high praise for the Village’s reopening rollout.
“I heard a lot of compliments about people seeing the police all over,” said Trustee Sherryl Carter. “It makes them feel safe. Kudos to our police department.
“Up and down Prospect … it was a very nice feeling to see people sitting out.”
“The visibility (of law enforcement) made a world of difference,” added Trustee Brandon Wisenburg.
No one stepped up more than Sutton, said Phelan, noting the former’s dual role as village administrator and as police chief and the double shifts he’s been working of late.
“Leadership is about setting an example.”
Forest Park Dr. closing for maintenance
Forest Park Dr will be closed for maintenance on Thursday, June 4 from 8am – 12pm (noon).
Zoning Board of Appeals will meet Monday, June 22, 2020
The Peoria Heights Zoning Board of Appeals will meet Monday, June 22, 2020 at 5:30 p.m. at Village Hall, 4901 N. Prospect Road, Peoria Heights, Illinois.
The purpose of the meeting is to consider the following requests:
1. Variance application by Emily Ault seeking a variance to permit construction of a front yard fence on the property located at 3919 North Atlantic Avenue, Peoria Heights, Illinois, 61616 (PIN No. 14-27-177-036), which property is currently zoned R-2 (Medium Density Residential District).
2. Site Plan approval application filed by KDB Group, LLC and Atrium Hotel, LLC seeking approval of a site plan for development of a hotel on the property located at 4615 North Prospect Road, Peoria Heights, Illinois, 61616 (PIN No. 14-22-331-007, 14-22-331-008, 14-22-331-009, 14-22-331-010, 14-22-331-019), which property is current zoned B-1 (Central Business District).
3. Variance application filed by KDB Group, LLC and Atrium Hotel, LLC seeking variances for building height, storefront glass requirements, decks and wall that project onto Village right-of-way, and sidewalk width, for development of a hotel on the property located at 4615 North Prospect Road, Peoria Heights, Illinois, 61616 (PIN No. 14-22-331-007, 14-22-331-008, 14-22-331-009, 14-22-331-010, 14-22-331-019), which property is current zoned B-1 (Central Business District).
THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS MEETING PREVIOUSLY SCHEDULED FOR JUNE 15, 2020 IS HEREBY CANCELLED.
Additional documents and information are available at the Village Administrator's Office in Village Hall and/or by calling 686-2385.
Ameren Illinois Offers Hardship Grants
Ameren Illinois Offers Hardship Grants to Small Businesses and Non-profit Organizations
COLLINSVILLE, IL (May 29, 2020) – Ameren Illinois announced that funding is available for small businesses and non-profits that have fallen behind on their electric bills. Under the company's COVID-19 Economic Hardship Recovery Program, one-time grants of up to $500 will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis until June 30, or until the funds are exhausted.
"This has been a challenging time for many small businesses and non-profits that have experienced economic hardship due to COVID-19," said Richard J. Mark, chairman and president of Ameren Illinois. "As these organizations begin to re-establish their operations, it's my hope that this funding will help them along the road to recovery."
To be considered, businesses must have an active, non-residential account, 50 or fewer full-time employees, and a principal office in Illinois. Eligible businesses may include, but are not limited to: small commercial enterprises, restaurants, clothing stores, hair salons, flower shops, and fitness facilities. Eligible non-profits may include, but are not limited to: schools, day cares, senior centers, religious organizations, community organizations, and charitable organizations.
Grant recipients will have the funds applied to their Ameren Illinois electric account. To apply, visit AmerenIllinois.com/Recovery or call the Ameren Illinois Business Center at 800.232.2477.
Ameren Illinois also announced several new energy efficiency offerings to help small businesses and non-profits to reduce their energy usage and save money. Eligible customers can receive a free lighting assessment, free smart thermostat, and a free energy analysis tool. Call 866.800.0747 or visit AmerenIllinoisSavings.com/Recovery.
About Ameren Illinois
Ameren Illinois delivers energy to 1.2 million electric and more than 800,000 natural gas customers in Illinois. Our mission is to power the quality of life. Our service territory covers more than 1,200 communities and 43,700 square miles. For more information, visit AmerenIllinois.com, find us on Twitter @AmerenIllinois or Facebook.com/AmerenIllinois.
Temporary Outdoor Space Performance Standards
VILLAGE OF PEORIA HEIGHTS
TEMPORARY OUTDOOR RESTAURANT
AND BAR SPACE PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
GENERAL OPERATING REQUIREMENTS
Comply with all State and Peoria County Health Department COVID-19 guidance in addition to the following:
Do not block fire lanes, hydrants, or sprinkler system connections.
Do not block handicapped parking spaces or create alternative handicapped parking accommodations.
Avoid creating conflict points between pedestrians and vehicles.
Create a visual boundary of the outdoor seating area using caution tape, snow fence, planters, etc.(if applicable)
Use temporary signs to provide direction and instructions to customers (sandwich boards, dry erase boards or signs as menus, etc.).
Do not use signs that move or create the illusion of movement (tear-drop signs, video screens, etc.).
Establish an accessible route from the public way and the outdoor eating area to the restrooms.
Tables shared among businesses must have a single point of cleaning responsibility.
Provide outdoor hand washing / sanitizing stations.
Establish appropriate spacing in waiting, ordering, and restroom areas.
Limit animals to approved service animals only.
Provide adequate outdoor trash and garbage receptacles.
No cooking, bartending, or buffets outside unless already in place.
Tents will not be permitted.
Beer gardens with open sides are permitted.
No new structures can be built.
All general nuisance (excessive noise, light, fumes, etc.) ordinance requirements remain in place.
EXPANSION ONTO PUBLIC SIDEWALKS
Cleaning and maintenance of the area is the responsibility of the bar/restaurant owner.
An accessible route of minimum 4’ wide must always be maintained.
EXPANSION ONTO PUBLIC STREETS
An update will be given to the Village Board at the June 2nd Board of Trustees Meeting.
For more information, please email administration@peoriaheights.org or call 309-686-2385 during normal
office hours. Updates will also be posted to this website.
Heights to ‘go slow,’ monitor crowds on restaurant reopening
Concerned about unmanageable crowds and the costs to taxpayers of extra police protection, the Peoria Heights Village Board was of a consensus to take a wait-and-see approach to the first weekend of partially reopening restaurants and bars before committing to special accommodations for them.
Last week, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said that with COVID-19 cases now on a downward trend in Illinois, he would be permitting outdoor dining/drinking at local restaurants and bars, which still must adhere to social distancing and face mask guidelines for employees.
In doing so, the governor also urged municipalities to be creative and flexible in helping businesses begin to recoup their losses of the last two and a half months, perhaps by closing streets or parking lots to traffic in order to provide more space to serve customers.
Peoria Heights is hardly alone in grappling with that issue, though its popular Restaurant Row, with a significant concentration of eateries in a four-block area of Prospect Road that also serves as a major artery through town, may make it a more pressing issue than in many other communities.
Trustees Sherryl Carter and Brandon Wisenburg both said they’d heard from many local business owners about making more use of the sidewalks, streets and parking lots near their establishments. Carter said she is open to accommodating them on Fridays and Saturdays over a three- or four-week period, with the Village taking a kind of St. Patrick’s Day approach. Wisenburg said he liked the idea of a food court concept.
But there were concerns, too.
“I’m all for helping our small businesses,” said Trustee Elizabeth Khazzam, but “I don’t want to create too much of a destination” akin to what recently occurred at resort areas such as the Ozarks and parts of Wisconsin, where big crowds overwhelmed local authorities, with no regard for social distancing.
“I’m just a little concerned how far we’re going to go,” concurred Trustee Jeff Goett.
Mayor Michael Phelan said he wanted to avoid another Taste of the Heights situation, where far-larger-than-expected crowds overwhelmed the vendors. “I don’t want people dining in the street if they can’t do it in a safe manner,” he said.
Carter acknowledged that pent-up demand could mean that “this weekend is going to be a madhouse everywhere.” She also noted that “the restaurants are going to have to take some ownership here, too. They can only have so many people.”
Ultimately, the Board seemed to defer to the judgment of Village Administrator Dustin Sutton.
“Maybe the first weekend, we don’t do anything” beyond this week’s installation of the popular street seats, he said. “Take a wait-and-see approach … If it does get out of hand, I can report back to you.”
In the meantime, closing Prospect and rerouting traffic on certain days remains an option, or putting Prospect on a “road diet” – one lane open in each direction, similar to the Art Fair – or making better use of low-traffic lots and sidewalks, with the cooperation of the businesses near them.
“We can craft this however the board wants,” said Sutton. “Public safety is the number one thing.” Beyond that will be the costs of putting up sufficient barricades – the early estimates were prohibitive – and adding police manpower on those evenings.
The Village Board will deal with the issue at its next meeting at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, June 2.
In other business, Mayor Phelan announced that Village Hall would be reopened to the public on Monday, June 1.
The decision comes in the wake of Fire Chief Greg Walters’ report that his department has received 22 COVID-related calls since mid-March, one of which turned out to be positive. No firefighters were exposed. Community members stepped up with donations of personal protection equipment, or PPEs such as face masks and shields.
“The overall impact has been marginal,” he said. “However, we remain ready and prepared in case there is a surge.”
On another public safety matter, Carter said she’d seen children playing in floodwaters in low-lying areas near the Illinois River. “Do not play in the water,” she warned. “That’s not safe water.”
Finally, Sutton reported that 79 checks have been cut as part of the Village’s business mortgage/rent subsidy program, with three more pending.
Village Board puts off employee pay raises
Citing the current economic uncertainty, the Peoria Heights Village Board voted to defer a cost-of-living pay hike to non-union, non-contractual employees until more current revenue data is available.
The vote was 4-2, with Trustees Brandon Wisenburg, Diane Mariscal, Sarah DeVore and Sherryl Carter in the affirmative.
The proposed increases of 3 percent would have covered just six employees, three in the police department, three at Village Hall.
Trustees Jeff Goett and Elizabeth Khazzam defended the pay hikes, saying the total cost to taxpayers – under $10,000 – and the Village’s large budget surplus from the previous fiscal year make them affordable, despite the current crisis.
“You have all done an amazing job to get us into the black … well into the black” regarding the budget, said Khazzam. “None of us have a crystal ball. But I feel like this $10,000 is money well spent.”
Mayor Michael Phelan and Village Administrator Dustin Sutton also recommended the raises, arguing that the village’s finances are routinely monitored. If the current budget trajectory changes, “we’re going to have to make some corrections.” but until that happens, if it happens, the compensation jumps are warranted, said Phelan.
“We will not be overspending this year,” promised Sutton. “It falls on me.”
“Obviously these people work hard, they deserve increases,” acknowledged Wisenburg, who nonetheless pushed for a delay until near the end of this fiscal year’s first quarter, at the end of July. Until then, “raising any expenses is not a proper thing to do.”