Heading into the final weeks of his tenure, outgoing Peoria Mayor Jim Ardis said Wednesday the city is showing signs of emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic, but challenges remain.
Giving his final State of the City address virtually, Ardis said Peoria had a bright outlook at this time a year ago, with thriving businesses and a budget that allowed the city to put more than $1 million into reserves. Then the global health crisis struck.
“We were facing huge shortfalls in nearly every category, especially hotel, restaurant and amusement taxes, property taxes and corporate income taxes. This is how municipalities pay our bills,” said Ardis.
“Although we did see somewhat of a recovery, our 2021 revenues are still expected to be about 12% lower than our original 2021 budget estimates. We were able to recalibrate our 2021 budgets through a combination of capital reductions, restructuring debt and making difficult operating reductions through furloughs, layoffs and early retirements. Many extremely difficult decisions were made.”
However, Ardis said growth is evident throughout the city and progress is being made in health care, business innovation, and education. He touted the city’s membership in the Illinois Innovation Network and organizations like Distillery Labs and the Peoria Bio-Made initiative with helping to start a revitalization of the local economy.
He also recognized ongoing projects by OSF HealthCare and UnityPoint Health, particularly the expected impact of OSF’s downtown On Call facility, the soon-to-open ministry headquarters, and the planned Comprehensive Cancer Center on the Saint Francis Medical Center campus.
“As critical as some may be about our community, we must do a better job at educating critics about our strengths and differentiating ourselves positively because of what we have to offer,” said Ardis, who honored the OSF cancer center development team led by Dr. James McGee and Thomas Hammerton with the Mayor’s Outstanding Community Service Award.
Still, Ardis said jump starting the economy in the Peoria area and elsewhere in the state will be “no small task.” He said growing pension obligations will overwhelm municipal budgets all around Illinois if the state legislature doesn't take action.
A state mandate requires municipal pensions to be 90% funded by 2040, and Peoria will see an $8 million increase in required pension payments in 2022.
“Mayors across the state are stressing the importance of pension reform by our state legislature,” said Ardis. “If not addressed, it will bankrupt Illinois. It's not if but when, and when is coming at us like a rocket.”
While Ardis chose not to seek a fifth term as mayor, he said Peoria still faces a challenging future and must choose its next leaders wisely.
“Keep in mind how important these positions are,” he said. “A thorough understanding of the budget, business experience, knowledge of the issues we're facing, and the ability to work collaboratively to move our city forward are critical, especially for our next mayor.”
Ardis issued a challenge to Peorians to set a turnout record in the April 6 general election, when voters will pick his successor with current council members Rita Ali and Jim Montelongo on the ballot. Ardis said Peoria’s future has “never been more reliant” on strong leadership.
“It's not a good time for on-the-job training,” he said. “Take the time to understand the candidates' abilities through experience, passion for our community's success and vision to take us to the next level.”
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