Candidate for an at-large seat on the Peoria City Council Anu Uddavolu says she got involved in the community as soon as she moved here, around ten years ago.
The Corporate Supply Train Contract Administrator for OSF HealthCare also spent time working as a pro bono attorney for Prairie State Legal Services, volunteered with Easter Seals, is on the advisory board for the Women’s Fund of the Community Foundation of Central Illinois, is a member of Women in Leadership of Central Illinois, and is a commissioner for the Peoria Joint Commission on Racial Justice and Equity.
“I have come to love Peoria over the last 10 years. This is my home,” said Uddavolu. “And I want to see this town grow and prosper. And I want to help with bringing more opportunities to this town.”
Uddavolu says her priorities are including the quality of life in Peoria, accelerating job growth by investing in workforce development and supporting local businesses.
“Our Peoria strengths are manufacturing, medical and technology,” she said. “We need to attract more businesses in these areas, so that they can bring in more jobs, prosperous jobs and talent to our town so that we can prosper. “
Uddavolu mentions that Peoria features ona US News and World Report listof the 25 most affordable places to live, she says affordability can’t bring in more people alone but building around it can.
“What motivates people to come here is the jobs, the quality of life, the businesses, infrastructure, everything brings people to this town,” she said. “And that's what I want to focus on.”
Uddavolu says the city council has a role to play in attracting businesses by encouraging innovative startups and developing workforce programs, steps she says would progress building a “sustainable environment for businesses to grow and thrive in our city.” Another issue Uddavolu says is crucial to Peoria’s business development: increasing population.
“We need to improve the quality of life by bringing more attractions that are sustainable with the long term goals, because that's what people look for,” she said. “They're when they move into a town. They're not just looking for jobs, they're also looking for quality of life.”
On the topic of public safety, Uddavolu believes the city council should defer to the Peoria Police Department and the Peoria City/County Health Department.
“Since they are the experts in promoting and implementing public safety, I think the City Council should collaborate with them,” she said. “And work with them on implementing the programs.”
One thing Uddavolu says she would like to see from the city council isn’t happening currently is more collaboration.
“I think we need to put our personal agendas aside and work toward the common goal of helping the people of Peoria, helping Peoria prosper,” she said. “And making decisions that are best for Peoria.”
She also says her role as a supply chain coordinator at OSF offers something to the role of a city council member. As a negotiator for products and contracts, she says she’s adept at analyzing the pros and cons of a situation.
“I will utilize similar skills when I'm looking at a policy or a service for the people of Peoria. I want to look at the whole picture.”
You can learn more about Uddavolu and her platform on her website here.
“I believe in this town. That's why I'm running for city council,” she said. “This is my home. And if we all collaborate together, I think we can make Peoria a prosperous city.”
The consolidated election is Tuesday, Apr. 4, 2023.
