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Allen Seeking 4th District Peoria City Council Seat

Andre Allen is running for the District 4 seat on the Peoria City Council.
Allen for Peoria
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Andre Allen is running for the District 4 seat on the Peoria City Council.

Andre Allen is making another run for a seat on the Peoria City Council.

Saying he’s “recharged and rebooted,” Allen announced his candidacy to represent the 4th District on Thursday. He said his at-large bid last April that fell just short of election showed he is capable of winning.

“After reviewing the results from that election, I realized that 27% of my votes came from the good people of District 4,” he said. “I truly stand here today and believe that God does everything for a reason. It was meant for me to represent the fine people of this district.”

Allen is looking to replace Jim Montelongo, who announced on Tuesday that he would not seek a new term but might run for mayor. Montelongo was elected to the 4th District seat in 2013 after serving four years as an at-large council member.

Allen expressed gratitude for Montelongo’s service, saying “he has left a legacy that I’m excited to potentially follow and I wish him nothing but the best in his future endeavors.”

Allen said District 4 is arguably the city’s most diverse and has opportunities for improvement.

“I want to make sure our business owners are heard and supported. They provide jobs and quality of life opportunities for our citizens,” he said. “It will be important to address our shrinking population, grow our tax base, diversify our revenue streams, continue improving our roads and beautifying our neighborhoods, and maintain a healthy police, fire and public works department.”

Noting the city’s ongoing budget crisis, Allen said higher property taxes and fees are not ideal.

“I understand that the city is at a crossroads and the current administration is doing the best they can to navigate these uncharted waters,” Allen said. “But again, we must find a way to provide tax relief for our current base.”

Allen said the pillars of his campaign platform will focus on neighborhoods and infrastructure, business development, public safety, and quality of life.

“I will be collaborative with my prospective colleagues around the horseshoe to make sure the best decisions are made possible in a manner that is improving our communities, maintain our basic services and making Peoria the best place it can be to live, work and play."

Allen, a Richwoods High School graduate, is dean of students at Methodist College and chairs the city’s Advisory Committee on Police-Community Relations.

“I want to make sure that this district continues to flourish and be a desirable location for both current and prospective residents to call home. District 4 can truly lead the way,” Allen said. “My platform will be centered around being district-focused while maintaining a city-wide perspective.”

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Joe Deacon is a reporter at WCBU.