Peoria city officials are recommending the public take extra safety precautions and look out for their neighbors in the wake of widespread violence and looting overnight, but stopped short of issuing a formal curfew order.
The Peoria City Council met in executive session on Monday afternoon to discuss public safety in the wake of civil unrest starting Sunday night into Monday morning.
Peoria Police Chief Loren Marion III and Peoria Fire Chief Tony Ardis attended the meeting, which was held remotely via Microsoft Teams due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
“We know how to confront challenges. And we’ll get through this, too. Our citizens are much stronger than those who would gain by putting innocent citizens’ safety at risk," said Peoria Mayor Jim Ardis in a statement issued following the meeting.
City officials recommend staying at home unless absolutely necessary. Extra first responders will be on the streets Monday evening.
Marion said earlier Monday a curfew order was under consideration.
Several other Illinois cities issued curfew orders Monday, including Champaign, Rock Island, and East Moline.
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