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Peoria, Illinois

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Peoria, Illinois

Flag

Location of Peoria

Coordinates: 40°43′15″N, 89°36′34″W

Country United States

State Illinois

Counties Peoria County, Illinois

Mayor Jim Ardis

Area

- City 46.6 mi² - 120.8 km²

- Land 44.4 mi² - 115.0 km²

- Water 2.2 mi² - 5.8 km²

Elevation 659 ft - 201 m

Population

- City (2000) 112,936

- Density 982.1/km²

- Metro 370,000

Time zone CST (UTC-6)

- Summer (DST) CDT (UTC-5)

Website: http://www.ci.peoria.il.us/

Peoria, Illinois, USA is the largest city on the Illinois River and the county seat of Peoria CountyGR6, Illinois, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 112,936. The Greater Peoria Metro area, including suburbs and surrounding, has a population of 370,000.

Peoria has become famous as a representation of the average American city, because of its demographics and its perceived mainstream Midwestern culture. On the Vaudeville circuit, it was said that if an act would succeed in Peoria, it would work anywhere. The question "Will it play in Peoria?" has now become a metaphor for whether something appeals to the American mainstream public, and Peoria is often used as a test market for new products, services and public policy polling.

Contents

1 Geography

2 Demographics

3 Education

4 Health and Medicine

4.1 St. Francis Medical Center

5 Sports

6 Culture

6.1 Civic Center

6.2 Renaissance Park

6.3 Museum Square

7 History

7.1 The Native Americans

7.2 The French

7.3 1778 The New Village

7.4 The War of 1812

7.5 The Americans

7.6 The Civil War Era

7.7 The early 1900s

7.8 Registered historic places

8 Media

8.1 FM Radio

8.2 AM Radio

8.3 Analog Television

8.4 Digital Television (DTV)

8.5 Print

9 Transportation

9.1 Interstate and U.S. Routes

9.2 State Routes

9.3 Rail transportation

9.4 Aviation

10 Famous connections to Peoria

10.1 People born or raised in Peoria

10.2 Well-known Peoria Businesses

10.3 Other famous Peorians

10.4 Famous events

11 See also

11.1 Points of interest

12 External links

Geography

Peoria is located at 40°43′15″N, 89°36′34″W (40.720737, -89.609421)GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 120.8 km² (46.6 mi²). 115.0 km² (44.4 mi²) of it is land and 5.8 km² (2.2 mi²) of it (4.78%) is water.

Peoria is bounded on the east by the Illinois River except for the enclave of Peoria Heights. Four bridges run directly between the city and neighboring East Peoria. On the south end of Peoria's western border are Bartonville and the newly established city of West Peoria. Local municipal plans indicate that the city intends to continue its expansion northwest, into an area unofficially considered part of Dunlap, Illinois.

Demographics

As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 112,936 people, 45,199 households, and 27,345 families residing in the city. The population density was 982.1/km² (2,543.4/mi²). There were 49,125 housing units at an average density of 427.2/km² (1,106.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 69.29% White, 24.79% African American, 0.20% Native American, 2.33% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.20% from other races, and 2.16% from other races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.51% of the population.

There were 45,199 households out of which 29.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.6% were married couples living together, 15.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.5% were non-families. 33.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.388888 and the average family size was 3.04156877.

In the city the population was spread out with 25.7% under the age of 18, 12.0% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 14.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 89.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $36,397. The per capita income for the city was $20,512. 18.8% of the population were below the poverty line.

A special census was conducted in 2004 which noted a 5,200 increase in city population, mainly in the northwest corridor. The metropolitan area has a population of 370,000 which includes parts of Peoria, Tazewell, Woodford, Stark and Marshall Counties. Suburbs and towns in this area include: East Peoria, Pekin, Morton, Washington, Peoria Heights, West Peoria, Bellevue, Creve Coeur, Germantown Hills, Marquette Heights, North Pekin, Bartonville, Tremont, Metamora and Dunlap.

Education

The Dingeldine Music Center

Bradley UniversityPeoria is served by two public K-12 school districts. Peoria Public Schools District 150 is the larger and serves the majority of the city. Dunlap Community Unit School District 323 ([1]) serves the far north and northwests part of Peoria that were mainly outside the city before the 1990s. District 323 is one of the fastest growing school districts in Central Illinois and its excellent reputation is one of the main reasons for Peoria's growth.

The Catholic Diocese of Peoria currently runs six schools in the city: five grade schools and Peoria Notre Dame High School. In addition, Concordia Lutheran School, Peoria Academy, Christ Lutheran, Peoria Christian High and several smaller private schools exist.

Bradley University, Midstate College, the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria, the Downtown and North campuses of Illinois Central College, and the Peoria campus of Robert Morris College are based in the city. Per the Princeton Review, Bradley University ranks in the Top 25 entrepreneurial campuses out of 357 schools and universities.

Health and Medicine

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The healthcare industry accounts for 25% of the Peoria's economy. The city has five major hospitals: the Midwest Affiliate of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Children's Hospital of Illinois, Methodist Medical Center of Illinois, Proctor Hospital and OSF St. Francis. In addition, the University of Illinois College of Medicine is located in the city. The hospitals are all located in a medical district adjacent to downtown at the junction of Interstate 74 and Knoxville Avenue, except for Proctor hospital. Methodist Medical Center has recently announced a $300 million expansion and modernization of their current center. This medical district serves much of central Illinois, including the Bloomington-Normal and Springfield metropolitan areas. The city and surrounding towns are also supported by Proctor Hospital(serving the north section of the city), Pekin, and Eureka Hospitals.

St. Francis Medical Center

St. Francis constructionSt. Francis Medical Center is ranked as the ninth-largest Catholic hospital in the nation and is the largest hospital in Illinois outside the Chicago area. It is the area's trauma center and largest regional hospital.

In 2006, a $245 million expansion and renovation project was announced for its Peoria campus. When completed, the renovation will provide a larger and separate entrance into a new Children's Hospital and house more adult and children facilities. This is forecast to create 850 construction jobs and 1,000 additional permanent healthcare-related jobs.

Sports

This section is a stub. You can help by expanding it.

Peoria is home to the AHL Peoria Rivermen, Class A Minor League Baseball team - Peoria Chiefs, and UIF (indoor football) - Peoria Rough Riders. The Peoria Chiefs play at the new O'Brien Field stadium in downtown Peoria. The community also enjoys collegiate basketball with the Bradley University Braves. The Peoria Prairie Dogs, an independent, unaffiliated minor league baseball team, also play in Peoria.

Culture

Peoria has been awarded the All-America City Award three times (1953, 1966, and 1989). According to Forbes, the Peoria Area is ranked #1 most affordable U.S. metroplitan area in which to live, out of the nation's 150 largest metro areas. The most recent Sperling and Sanders Best Places to Live Rankings among 400 metropolitan areas placed Peoria #51 citing "low cost of living, low cost of housing, and attractive residential areas" as the main pros to the area per the publication. In addition, Inc Magazine placed Peoria #67 on its Best Places to Live out of 393 populations centers. Forbes also recently ranked Peoria #67 out of the largest 200 metroplitan areas in its annual "Best Places for Business and Careers". Peoria was evaluated on cost of doing business, cost of living, entertainment opportunities, and income growth. Also, Peoria was ranked as a 4 Star Logistics City by Expansion Management Magazine.

The city of Peoria is home to, among others, a federal courthouse, the Peoria Civic Center (which includes Carver Arena), and the world headquarters for Caterpillar Inc. Medicine has become a major part of Peoria's economy. The USDA's National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, formerly called the USDA Northern Regional Research Lab, is where mass production of penicillin was developed.

Peoria maintains a healthy and vibrant downtown area which includes corporate, governmental, convention, educational and medical facilities. It also boasts the Peoria Civic Center, Apollo Theatre, O'Brien Field and the arts, dining and entertainment area known as the Riverfront. Downtown also maintains a permanent population living in high rise condominiums, riverfront lofts and converted office/warehouse condominiums and apartments. The new Museum Square is under construction which will house a new regional museum, planetarium, and the Caterpillar World Visitors Center adjacent to the Riverfront.

Grand View Drive, which Teddy Roosevelt is said to have called the "world's most beautiful drive" during a 1910 visit, runs through Peoria and Peoria Heights. In addition to Grand View Drive, the Peoria Park District boasts nine thousand acres (36 km²) of parks, including Glen Oak Zoo and five public golf courses. There are also several private and semi-private golf courses. The Peoria Park District was the 2001 Winner of the National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Parks and Recreation for Class II Parks.

Madison TheatreThe city maintains a symphony orchestra that is the 10th oldest in the nation. It also hosts Opera Illinois, two ballet companies - Peoria Ballet and the Illinois Ballet, Peoria Municipal Band, Peoria Area Civic Chorale, several community and professional theatres, including the 4th oldest community theatre in the nation and oldest in Illinois - Peoria Players, Central Illinois Youth Symphony, Lakeview Museum for the Arts and Sciences, Wheels o' Time Museum, The Contemporary Art Center of Peoria, The Peoria Art Guild and Galleries - host of the Annual Art Fair that is rated as one of the best professional art fairs in the nation, comedy clubs, as well as several venues for a variety of traveling shows and concerts including major Broadway touring companies. Peoria is also embarking on major renovations and expansion to Glen Oak Zoo. This will triple the size of the zoo and will have a major African safari exhibit. The zoo begins this renovation in Fall of 2006 and will be renamed Peoria Zoo and Gardens. In addition, The Peoria Playhouse - An Interactive Children's Museum, spearheaded by the Junior League of Peoria, is planned in conjunction with the zoo expansion and further enhancements to Glen Oak Park campus.

The Steamboat Classic, held every summer, is the world's largest 4 mile running race and draws international runners.

Peoria's sister cities include Friedrichshafen, Germany; Benxi, China; and Clonmel, Ireland. Peoria has also recently adopted Biloxi, Mississippi as a sister city to aid the city in recovering from the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Civic Center

Civic CenterThe Peoria Civic Center is also in the process of a $55 million revitalization and expansion to its facilities based on demand for larger conventions and entertainment venues. The original complex, which includes an arena, convention center, and theatre and completed in the early 1980's, was designed by the famed late architect Philip Johnson. The three structures are connected via an enclosed glass panel arcade for all weather protection and aesthetics.

Renaissance Park

Main article: Renaissance Park (Peoria, Illinois)

Renaissance Park is a research park originally established in May 2003 as the Peoria Medical and Technology District. It consists of nine residential neighborhoods, Bradley University, the Medical Center district, Caterpillar World Headquarters and the National Center for Agricultural Research. Currently, over $1 billion dollars of research is done in the Peoria area each year.

Museum Square

This article or section contains information about expected future buildings or structures.

It is likely to contain information of a speculative nature and the content may change as the building approaches completion.

Slated for completion in 2009, the $100+ million Museum Square is a new 6.8-acre development in downtown Peoria along the Illinois River. Planned and designed by architecture firm Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Partnership, the Square will house two separate facilities - the Peoria Riverfront Museum- The Center of Art, History, Science & Achievement and the Caterpillar Visitor Center. The 110,000-square-foot museum will feature hands-on and interactive displays, a planetarium and Imaginarium, innovative galleries and ever-changing, regionally focused exhibits on the arts, sciences, history and nature. It will highlight the region's creativity, innovations, and world-wide impact - past, present and future. Caterpillar, an international company, will maintain the 50,000-square-foot Caterpillar Visitor Center, which will showcase the history of the company and provide an enhanced understanding of its global commitment to customers, quality and its community.

History

The Native Americans

Archaeologists can trace early man in Peoria as far back as 10,000 B.C.E. Artifacts and burial mounds yield evidence of a Native American civilization that was highly organized, ritualistic and in harmony with nature. By 1650, the Illini Indians, a part of the Algonquin Nation, populated the area. The major tribes of the Illinois Confederacy were: Peoria, Kaskaskia, Michigamea, Cahokia, Tamaroa.

Peoria (through French Peouarea, from Peoria Piwarea, 'he comes carrying a pack on his back': a personal name). One of the principal tribes of the Illinois confederacy. Franquelin in his map of 1688, this locates them and the Tapouaro on a river west of the Mississippi above the mouth of Wisconsin River, probably the upper Iowa River. Early references to the Illinois, which place them on the Mississippi, although some of the tribes were on Rock and Illinois rivers, must relate to the Peoria and locate them near the mouth of the Wisconsin River. When Marquette and Joliet descended the Mississippi in 1673, they found them and the Moingwena on the west side of the Mississippi, near the mouth of a river supposed to be the Des Moines, though it may have been one farther north. When Marquette returned from the south, he found that the Peoria had removed and were near the lower end of the expansion of Illinois River, near the present Peoria. At the close of the war carried on by the Sauk and Foxes and other northern tribes against the Illinois, about 1768, the Kickapoo took possession of this village and made it their principal settlement.

About the same time, a large part of the Peoria crossed over into Missouri, where they remained, building their village on Blackwater fork, until they removed to Kansas. One band, the Utagami, living near the Illinois River, was practically exterminated, probably by the northern tribes, during the Revolutionary War. Utagami, according to Dr. William Jones, may mean the Foxes, who were known to the northern Algonquians as Utugamig, "people of the other shore." The Foxes claim to have annihilated the Peoria for the help they gave the French and other tribes in the wars against them (the Foxes). The main body of the Peoria remained on the east bank of the Illinois River until 1832, when, together with the other tribes of the old Illinois Confederacy, they sold to the United States their claims in Illinois and Missouri, and to the consolidated tribes, under the names of Peoria and Kaskaskia, was assigned a reservation on the Osage River, Kansas. In 1854, the Wea and Piankashaw united with them, and in 1868, the entire body removed to Indian Territory in Oklahoma, where they remained.

The French

1673 Father Jacques Marquette and Louis Jolliet explored the shores of Peoria. 1680 Robert Cavalier Sieur de LaSalle and Henri de Tonti constructed Fort Crevecoeur on the east bank of the Illinois River. 1691 Old Peorias Fort and Village

Tonti and Francois Daupin de LaForest built Fort St. Louis II (frequently called Fort Pimiteoui) believed to have been located at the foot of Mary and Adams Streets. The Immaculate Conception Mission was established here by Jesuit missionaries. A village grew up around the fort. This first European settlement in Illinois had trading posts, a blacksmith shop, a chapel, a winepress, and a windmill.

During the 1760s Jean Baptiste Maillet, a French-Canadian, assumed a leadership role in the village. In 1773 Maillet sold his property to Jean Baptiste Pointe du Sable[2], Peoria's most notable black settler, who later founded Chicago.

With British victory in the French & Indian War in 1763, France relinquished the Illinois Territory to Great Britain. However, the British did not effectively take immediate control and the French villagers remained. In 1778 George Rogers Clark captured the Illinois Country for Virginia, and in 1784 Virginia ceded the Territory to the United States.

1778 The New Village

General Clark appointed Maillet military commander in 1778. Maillet moved 1.5 miles south of the old village and built a fortified house. This settlement later became known as "LaVille de Maillet." It is now the site of downtown Peoria. The New Village had log houses and barns surrounded by gardens, orchards, and roaming farm animals. Carpenter, blacksmith, cobbler, carriage, and trading shops lined the narrow streets. The French villagers had also constructed a large windmill, winepress, an underground wine vault, and a gilt-lettered wilderness chapel.

The War of 1812

American forces thought the French villagers were supporting Indian skirmishes with the westward-bound pioneers. In October 1812, they massacred the inhabitants of Chief Black Partridge's village. A few weeks later, the Americans burned French Peoria to the ground, took the inhabitants captive, and transported them down river to Alton. These acts were later condemned and the French villagers were compensated for their losses by an act of the United States Congress. The Native Americans, who for centuries had enjoyed the bounty of the Pimiteoui valley, were forced to abandon it and migrate west.

The Americans

1813 American soldiers erected Fort Clark where the French village once stood — now the site of Liberty Park (Liberty Street and Water Street).

1819 Josiah Fulton, Abner Eads and five other young men came to Peoria by keelboat and horseback. They were the first American pioneers to settle here.

1825 The county was organized and the village name was officially changed from Fort Clark to Peoria. Until 1831 when Cook County was formed, Chicago was part of Peoria County.

1832 A company of local men, led by Abner Eads, fought in the Blackhawk War. In fear over possible Indian threats, Peoria residents started to rebuild Fort Clark.

1835 Peoria was incorporated as a town. Construction began on a courthouse and jail.

1845 Peoria was incorporated as a city.

The Civil War Era

The citizens of Peoria were sharply divided on the issue of slavery. Many abolition rallies were met with resistance from Southern sympathizers. The Jefferson Street home of Moses Pettengill, a wealthy local merchant, was a station on the Underground Railroad.

1854 Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas gave impassioned speeches on the courthouse steps regarding the issue of slavery. The three hour speech Lincoln gave is considered a landmark in his career and established the foundation for the principles of self-government and liberty for all people that would carry him to the White House six years later.

1861 The day the Civil War began, Peoria Mayor William Willard led a war recruitment rally for eager volunteers. Camp Lyon, where 7500 Union soldiers were trained, was established at the west gate of Glen Oak Park.

1862 Camp Peoria was organized near Adams and Mary Streets.

In all, 536 Peoria County men gave their lives for the preservation of the Union.

The early 1900s

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Besides being a prominent stop on the Vaudeville tour, Peoria was known as a wide open town of liquor, prostitution, gambling and corruption. Because of its proximity to both river transportation and access to corn for grain-alcohol, Peoria was one of the largest manufacturers of liquor in the United States. Many of the mansions that remain on High Street and Moss Avenue are a direct result of the Peoria Whiskey Baron era.

Registered historic places

Pere Marquette HotelCentral National Park Building

Cumberland Presbyterian Church (Peoria)

Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Hall

Grand View Drive

John C. Proctor Recreation Center

Judge Flanagan Residence

Judge Jacob Gale House

Madison Theatre

North Side Historic District

Peace and Harvest

Peoria City Hall

Peoria Cordage Company

Peoria Mineral Springs

Peoria Waterworks

Pere Marquette Hotel

Pettingill-Morron House

Rock Island Depot and Freight House

Springdale Cemetery

West Bluff Historic District

Media

FM Radio

88.5 WBNH, Religious Music

89.9 WCBU, Public Radio

91.5 WCIC, Christian AC (RDS)

92.3 WZPW "Power 92-3", CHR/Rhythmic (RDS)

93.3 WPBG "93.3 The Drive", Classic Hits (RDS - Artist/Title)

94.3 WPMJ "94.3 - Peoria's True Oldies Channel", Oldies

94.9 WAAG "FM 95", Country (RDS - Artist/Title)

95.5 WGLO "95-5 'GLO", Classic Rock (RDS - Artist/Title)

96.5 WRIA "98-5 Kiss FM", CHR/Pop (RDS)

97.3 WFYR "97.3 River Country", Country (RDS - Artist/Title)

98.5 WPIA "98-5 Kiss FM", CHR/Pop (RDS)

98.9 "The Edge" (Part 15), College Radio of Bradley University

99.9 WWCT "99.9 Pirate Radio", Adult Hits (RDS)

101.1 WXMP "Mix 101.1", Adult Contemporary (RDS)

101.5 WBNQ "101.5 WBNQ", CHR/Pop (RDS - Artist/Title)

102.3 WDQX "102.3 Max FM", 80's Rock (RDS - Artist/Title)

103.5 W278AE (Translates 89.1 WGLT), Blues & Jazz

103.9 W280DL, Religious

104.9 WXCL "104.9 The Wolf", Country (RDS - Artist/Title)

105.7 WIXO "105.7 The X Rocks", Active Rock (RDS - Artist/Title)

106.9 WSWT "Lite Rock 107", Adult Contemporary (RDS - Artist/Title)

107.9 WCDD "CD 107.9", Classic Hits

AM Radio

1020 WPEO, Religious

1140 WVEL, Religious

1290 WIRL, Classic Country (AM Stereo)

1350 WOAM, Standards

1470 WMBD, News/Talk (AM Stereo)

Analog Television

19 WHOI, ABC

25 WEEK-TV "News 25", NBC

31 WMBD-TV "Newschannel 31", CBS

43 WYZZ-TV "Fox 43", Fox

47 WTVP, PBS

50 W50DD, Trinity Broadcasting Network

59 WAOE "My59", MyNetworkTV

Digital Television (DTV)

28 WYZZ-DT (43.1 - High Definition) "Fox 43", Fox

30 WMBD-DT (31.1 - High Definition) "Newschannel 31", CBS

39 WAOE-DT (39.1 - Standard Definition) "My59", MyNetworkTV

40 WHOI-DT (19.1 - High Definition), ABC

40 WHOI-DT (19.2 - Standard Definition), The CW Television Network

46 WTVP-DT (47.1 - Standard Definition), PBS

46 WTVP-DT (47.2 - High Definition), PBS HD

46 WTVP-DT (47.3 - Standard Defnition), Create

56 WEEK-DT (25.1 - High Definition) "News 25", NBC

56 WEEK-DT (25.2 - Standard Definition), NBC Weather Plus

Journal Star, local daily newspaper

Peoria Times-Observer, weekly local publication

Numero, monthly entertainment guide

Peoria Magazines, includes Peoria Progress Plays, Art & Society, InterBusiness Issues, and the Peoria Woman.

Transportation

See also: Bridges in Peoria, Illinois and Peoria-to-Chicago Highway

Interstate and U.S. Routes

The city of Peoria area is served by two Interstate highways: Interstate 74, which runs from northwest to southeast through the downtown area, and Interstate 474, a southern bypass of I-74 through portions of Peoria and the suburbs of Bartonville and Creve Couer. I-74 crosses over the Illinois River via the Murray Baker Bridge, while I-474 crosses over on the Shade-Lohman Bridge. The nearest metropolitan centers accessible on I-74 are Galesburg to the west, and Bloomington-Normal to the east.

From 2004 to 2006, Interstate 74 between Interstate 474 on the west and Illinois Route 8 on the east was reconstructed as part of the Upgrade 74 project.

In addition, U.S. Route 24 runs along the bank of the Peoria side of the Illinois River, becoming a major arterial downtown as part of Adams Street and Jefferson Avenue, and then continuing southwest towards Bartonville as Washington Street. U.S. Route 150 serves as the main arterial for the northern portion of the Peoria area, becoming War Memorial Drive before heading west towards Kickapoo. Both of these routes enter from the Iron Workers Memorial Bridge; east of the bridge, U.S. 150 runs southeast to Morton, while U.S. 24 runs due east to Washington.

State Routes

The following state routes run through Peoria:

Illinois Route 6 runs along the northwestern portion of the city as an extension of I-474. It is a four-lane freeway that runs from the I-74/474 intersection northeast to Illinois Route 29 south of Chillicothe. It is marked as a north-south road.

Illinois Route 8 roughly parallels I-74 to the south. It enters Peoria from Farmington and runs southeast through the city, passing just southwest of the downtown area. Illinois 8 crosses into East Peoria via the Cedar Street Bridge with Illinois Routes 29 and 116. Illinois 8 is marked as an east-west road.

Illinois Route 29 runs with U.S. 24 through Peoria along the Illinois River from Chillicothe through downtown Peoria. It then joins Illinois 8 and 116 across the Cedar Street Bridge. Illinois 29 is marked as a north-south road, and is called Galena Road north of U.S. 150.

Illinois Route 40 enters Peoria from the north as Knoxville Avenue. It runs south through the center of the city and exits southeast over the Bob Michel Bridge. Illinois 40 is marked as a north-south road.

Illinois Route 91 briefly enters Peoria at the intersection with U.S. 150 in the far northwestern portion of the city. Traffic on Illinois 91 mainly accesses the Grand Prairie Mall, or continues to Dunlap.

Illinois Route 116 enters from the west at Bellevue. It runs directly east and crosses into East Peoria over the Cedar Street Bridge.

The planned Illinois Route 336 project will also connect Illinois 336 with I-474 between Illinois 8 and Illinois 116. Construction on the segment nearest Peoria has not started, nor has funding been allocated.

Rail transportation

Both the Union Pacific and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railways maintain trackage through the city of Peoria, crossing over the river southwest of the Cedar Street Bridge. In addition, the Toledo, Peoria and Western Railway currently has trackage in the Peoria area as part of a Galesburg-to-Lafayette, Indiana connection. Genesee and Wyoming operate the Tazewell and Peoria Railroad short line south to the Springfield area. Finally, the Iowa Interstate Railroad operates a branch line north to Bureau Junction.

Aviation

The Greater Peoria Regional Airport serves Peoria and surrounding communities. The airport is served by 5 passenger airlines (United, American, Delta, Northwest and Allegiant Air) and numerous cargo carriers. Nonstop destinations include, Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Las Vegas, Minneapolis/St. Paul and Tampa. Cargo carriers serving Peoria include FedEX, UPS and Airborne. Numerous general aviation airports are located in the tri-county region.

Famous connections to Peoria

People born or raised in Peoria

Bill Ballance - radio host

Jack Brickhouse - announcer: voice of the Chicago Cubs

Curly "Boo" Johnson - retired Harlem Globetrotter

Nancy Goodman Brinker - United States ambassador to Hungary 2001-09-06 to 2003-06-19; founder of Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation; sister of Susan G. Komen

Mark Staff Brandl - artist

John Daker - local vocalist shown on a widely-circulated Internet clip

Philip José Farmer - science fiction and fantasy author

Dan Fogelberg - musician

Betty Friedan - feminist author: notably of The Feminine Mystique

Jon Ginoli - guitarist and singer: Pansy Division

Joe Girardi - Major League Baseball catcher; former manager of the Florida Marlins

Jerry Hadley - opera tenor

Tecumseh "Teck" Holmes III - actor, rapper, former Direct Effect host, The Real World: Hawaii cast member

Tom Irwin - Steppenwolf Theatre Company actor and television actor

Dick Jauron - NFL Head Coach for the Buffalo Bills

Jim Jordan and Marian Jordan - stars of Fibber McGee and Molly on radio

Sam Kinison - comedian and actor

Susan G. Komen - namesake of Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation

Ray LaHood - U.S. Congressman from Illinois' 18th District

Tami Lane - Hollywood prosthetic makeup artist; 2005 Academy Award for Makeup winner for The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

Ralph Lawler - announcer; legendary voice of the Los Angeles Clippers

Pip Lilly - actor and comic writer Second City Comedy Troupe and Straight & Nappy

Shaun Livingston - basketball player for the Los Angeles Clippers

Camryn Manheim - actress; lived in Peoria until age 12

Carla McGhee - basketball forward: gold-medalist in basketball at the 1996 Summer Olympics

Robert H. Michel - former U.S. Congressman from Illinois' 18th District: longest serving Republican leader of the House of Representatives.

Michael Antony Pierce - Actor

Richard Pryor - comedian and actor

Andrew Rex - physicist and author

Gary Richrath- guitarist from Reo Speedwagon

Matt Savoie - figure skater: U.S. bronze medalist, member of 2006 Winter Olympics U.S. team

George D. Sax - banking entrepreneur: credited with the innovation of drive-through banking

Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen - host of The Catholic Hour on radio and Life is Worth Living on television

Dan Simmons - author of the Hyperion Cantos series and other novels

Michael Somerville - musician, songwriter

David Ogden Stiers - actor: Major Charles Emerson Winchester III on M*A*S*H

Jim Thome - baseball player for the Chicago White Sox

Aaron Schneider - film maker: recipient of the 2003 Academy Award for Live Action Short Film for Two Soldiers

Well-known Peoria Businesses

AmerenCILCO - former Central Illinois Light Company; now part of Ameren

Bergner's - department store; started in 1889 in downtown Peoria and eventually bought out Carson Pirie Scott & Co.; now part of Bon-Ton

Caterpillar Inc. (world headquarters) - bulldozer and engine manufacturer

Clifton Gunderson LLP (national headquarters) - 13th largest national accounting and consulting firm

The Junior League of Peoria - women's volunteer organization

Komatsu Mining Systems - construction equipment manufacturer

L.R. Nelson Corporation (world headquarters) - manufacturer of irrigation sprinklers

Maui Jim (world headquarters) - polarized sunglass maker

National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research - largest USDA facility; where mass production of penicillin was invented

RLI Corp. (world headquarters) - specialty insurance company

Other famous Peorians

Bloody Mess & The Skabs - punk rock band

John Coleman - meteorologist: founder of The Weather Channel; weatherman for several TV stations in Chicago and New York

Harry Harrison - "Morning Mayor of Peoria" on WPEO, disc jockey on several New York City radio stations.

Colonel Robert G. Ingersoll - popular and controversial orator and former Illinois Attorney General

Mudvayne - math metal music band

General John M. Shalikashvili - former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

Famous events

September 19, 1813 to October 21, 1813 - Peoria War

October 16, 1854 - Abraham Lincoln first publicized his stand that United States should move towards restricting and eventually eliminating slavery, a position directly against historic compromises such as the Kansas-Nebraska Act. The speech, which was possibly similar to one given in Springfield, Illinois, 12 days earlier, followed the speech of Stephen A. Douglas, who Lincoln would later debate regularly in the Lincoln-Douglas Debates of 1858.

April 3, 1967 - The trial of mass murderer Richard Speck begins at the Peoria County courthouse, after a change of venue from Chicago to ensure a fair trial.

Theodore Roosevelt named Grand View Drive, a street on the bluffs overlooking the Illinois River "the world's most beautiful drive."[citation needed] The Peoria radio station and CBS television affilitate WMBD attached the description to its callsign.