Illinois

Denise Jackson Will Represent Peoria's 1st Council District

WCBU | By Tim Shelley

Published April 6, 2021 at 9:56 PM CDT

Denise Jackson defeated 1st District incumbent Denise Moore by a decisive 70% to 30% margin on Tuesday night. Jackson, a former TV news reporter, will represent the district encompassing downtown Peoria, the South Side, and the North Valley neighborhoods. Moore congratulated Jackson on her victory on Tuesday evening.

Second District Councilman Chuck Grayeb, the dean of the Peoria City Council, will remain in his seat after defeating Peter Kobak in a head-to-head contest. Grayeb won by a 54% to 46% margin.

Incumbents will also remain in the 3rd and 5th Districts. Tim Riggenbach defeated former councilmember Gale Thetford 60% to 40% in the 3rd District, while 5th District Councilman Denis Cyr beat insurance agent Ryan Hite by a 63 to 36% margin.

"I spoke to my opponent a few moments ago, and he congratulated me on my victory, just as I congratulated him on a well-run race," Cyr said in a social media post.

Andre Allen ran unopposed for the 4th District seat. He will replace Jim Montelongo in that seat on the horseshoe.

The Peoria mayoral race is still too close to call, and will likely come down to mail-in ballots dripping in over the next two weeks to determine a decisive winner.

Deputy City Clerk Stefanie Tarr will take the chief clerk's job. She's replacing former boss Beth Ball, who opted not to run for reelection. Tarr defeated Peoria Police Officer Shawn Allen by a 54 to 46% margin.

Stephen Morris, an attorney and chairman of the Peoria County Republican Central Committee, leads Brooke Petty Sommerville by just more than a percentage point in the race to replace Patrick Nichting as city treasurer.

Peoria voters also thoroughly gave a thumbs-down advisory referenda asking for their willingness for new tax levies to pay down outstanding police and fire pension liabilities, with 79% and 74% of voters saying no, respectively.

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