Tourists from 20 states visit Peoria Heights for Fogelberg tribute

Dozens of fans from some 20 states gathered at Forest Park Nature Center in Peoria Heights on Aug. 11 to celebrate the life and career of the late musician and Peoria native Dan Fogelberg, as well as to participate in a dedication ceremony for four large boulders placed in the park that contain inscriptions of his lyrics.

Hugh Higgins, the local restaurateur and owner of Hearth, helped organize the three-day event as a co-founder of the Fogelberg Foundation of Peoria. The weekend included a series of concerts at Peoria Riverfront Museum and was capped by the Sunday event at Forest Park.

Peoria Heights Mayor Michael Phelan spoke at the event and emphasized how appropriate it was to honor Fogelberg in the Heights, given the Village’s status as a hub for the arts, music, nature and recreation, all of which were near and dear to Fogelberg’s heart.

Fogelberg, who died in 2007 at age 56, was a best-selling artist of the 1970s and ‘80s. Central Illinois served as a backdrop for some of his best-known songs, most notably “Same Old Lang Syne” and “Leader of the Band,” a tribute to his father, Lawrence, who served as a band director at Woodruff and Pekin high schools and at Bradley University.

The boulders are placed at the entrance to the main trails on both sides of the Forest Park Visitors Center.

Congressman provides a helping hand to Peoria Heights

U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen was in Peoria Heights on Aug. 12 to present a check – or a larger-than-life facsimile, anyway -- of nearly $1 million his office helped secure for the Village for the replacement of an old water main and service lines along Illinois Route 29/Galena Road.

In a press conference at Village Hall, the first-term congressman noted that it doesn’t get any more basic as far as government services go than water infrastructure, which citizens and elected officials alike have stopped taking for grant after the experiences of Flint, Michigan and Jackson, Mississippi.

“This is one of the things in Congress that actually works,” Sorensen said. “These are things that are so important.”

Unfortunately, in small communities like Peoria Heights, keeping up with fundamental public infrastructure can be all too cost prohibitive.

“If the federal government helps with water infrastructure, it means the single mom or single dad doesn’t get an increase in their water bill,” said Sorensen.

Indeed, when Peoria Heights residents complete their income tax returns every April, many of them wonder, “Where is it going?” said Sorensen. “Here is an example.”

The money, specifically $959,752, will go a long way toward financing the $2.4 million project, which will coincide with the wholesale reconstruction of Route 29 through a state capital grant totaling nearly $70 million, said Wayne Aldrich, community development director in the Heights. The Village’s water infrastructure is more than 100 years old in places and the Village intends to continue seeking grants to help pay for its modernization, he said.

Mayor Michael Phelan noted the relationships that the Heights has been fortunate to cultivate with its elected representatives in both Washington, D.C. and Springfield and emphasized how this is a very welcome step in the direction of greater equity in the community, as this project will help guarantee a safe and reliable water supply in an older neighborhood that is deservedly getting renewed attention from the Village.

No Parking for Street Improvements

There will be No Parking, Tuesday, August 20th, from 6am to 6pm for street improvements on the following streets:

Eugenia Lane, Cord Court, Terrace Court, Terrace One Court, Terrace Two Court, Terrace Three Court, Terrace Four Court, Terrace View Lane, St. Jude Court, Riverview Court, Roosevelt Road, Poplar Lane, and Poplar Park Parking Lot.

Avoid on street parking during these hours.

Thank You