Garbage pickup is on regular schedule through Thursday, December 24th. Friday’s routes will be done on Saturday. The same schedule will apply to next week as well- the week of New Years.
Happy Holidays!
Peoria Heights hands out business relief grants
The Village of Peoria Heights distributed more than $78,000 in business relief checks on Dec. 18, with more assistance in the pipeline for those who have suffered losses this past year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Village Hall Holiday Hours
Village Hall will close at noon on Wednesday, December 23 for the holidays. It will reopen at 8:00am on Monday, December 28.
Village Board approves hold-the-line levy
The Peoria Heights Village Board has adopted a 2020 tax levy – payable in 2021 – of $1.06 million, fundamentally a cost-of-living increase over the previous year.
The 2.4 percent hike was unanimously approved at the Village Board meeting of Dec. 15. Village government’s portion of the levy was $521,248, while the Village library asked for $540,522.
Like many Illinois municipalities, the Heights represents a relatively small percentage of the total real estate tax bill, with sales tax revenues comprising the lion’s share of the village’s operating income. The Village’s current property tax rate is at right about 53 cents per $100 equalized assessed valuation.
The decision to hold the line on property taxes was largely a concession to the pandemic-related realities of 2020, which has not been kind to the bottom lines of many residents and businesses. Village officials have worked hard the last few years to make operations more efficient, to build budget reserves and to put the Heights in a much stronger fiscal position that would allow it to withstand economic swings and downturns of the kind 2020 has produced.
Village leaders have tried to be especially sensitive this year to businesses that have suffered losses due to state-ordered COVID mitigation efforts.
Case in point is the current business relief program the Village is administering in partnership with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, which puts up to $5,000 in the hands of local business owners for reimbursement of mortgage, lease and utility payments. As of Dec. 15, 17 businesses had been approved for more than $78,000, which the checks being distributed this very week. The application deadline has been extended until Dec. 28.
Earlier this year, the Village conducted a similar relief effort with local Business Development District funds, providing up to $1,500 for mortgage and lease assistance. Residents also were given a break on their water bills earlier in the year.
In other business, the Village Board approved the appointment of Robert Tenney to the Zoning Board of Appeals to fill the vacancy created by the departure of Tessie Bucklar.
The board also learned that about 10 applications have been received for the fire chief position, with interviews set to begin soon. The Village hopes to launch a cadet program through the local school district in an effort to boost the ranks of the volunteer department.
Finally, with the last business meeting of 2020 now in the rear view mirror, Mayor Michael Phelan extended holiday wishes to all residents, with hopes for a better 2021.
“This has been a difficult year. I personally can’t wait to get to 2021,” he said. “I encourage you all, let’s watch out for our neighbors. There are people out there in need … Stay healthy and stay safe and God bless all of you.”
Deadline extension for Commercial Expense Reimbursement Program
The Village has extended the deadline for the Peoria Heights Commercial Expense Reimbursement Grant Program! We will be accepting new applications through December 28, 2020.
To qualify, businesses must demonstrate a year-to-year loss of at least 25% of receipts for the month. Businesses can submit for an application for any number of months from March - October.
Please review page 3 of the attached application for the full requirements. If you have any questions about qualifications or required documents for the grant, please contact Village Hall.
4901 N. Prospect Rd.
Peoria Heights, IL 61616
309-686-2385
click here for application
The Winter 2021 Newsletter now is available
The Winter 2021 Village Newsletter is now available.
Get the latest news and happenings from around the village here.
12/21/20 Zoning Board Meeting Cancelled
The 12/21/2020 Zoning Board of Appeals meeting has been cancelled.
Chamber Holiday Events
The Peoria Heights Chamber of Commerce begins its holiday festival season starting Saturday, Dec. 5 with “Santa in the Heights” and continuing the following weekend with the longstanding tradition of “Chocolate in the Heights.”
Peoria Heights to administer new business relief program
Village Hall Closed To Public
For the safety and protection of our residents and staff, Village Hall will close to the public on Friday, November 20th to help fight the spread of COVID-19. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Village business will continue during this closure, and Peoria Heights staff will still be working throughout the pandemic. We encourage you to reach out to us with problems and questions by phone or email.
Administration
Licenses & permits, general inquires
309-686-2385 Ext 3
administration@peoriaheights.org
Waterworks
Water utility, public works
309-686-2375 Ext 1
Water payments may be left in our silver drop box in the parking lot, online at our website at www.peoriaheights.org, or by mail.
We’re proud to serve the community of Peoria Heights, and we appreciate your cooperation.