First-term Peoria Mayor Rita Ali will run for re-election in the spring.
Ali announced her bid for a second four-year term in a news release Tuesday afternoon.
“We’ve done a lot of good things over the past 3-plus years and there’s still much more to do,” Ali said in her statement. “My work is not done, so I am requesting four more years to complete my assignment.”
No challengers for the April 1 election have entered the race yet. The official candidate filing period is Oct. 21-28. If there are more than three candidates, a primary election would be held on Feb. 25.
Ali had served as an at-large council member prior to becoming the first woman and first person of color to serve as Peoria’s mayor.
She was elected to succeed a retiring Jim Ardis in 2021, emerging from a field of seven candidates in the primary before defeating fellow council member Jim Montelongo by less than 50 votes in the consolidated election.
In her announcement, Ali stressed her desire to see the city’s new five-year strategic plan implemented and to move forward in seeking passenger rail service between Peoria and Chicago. She pointed to ongoing efforts focused on crime reduction, affordable housing, workforce development, education, infrastructure, and business growth.
“There is no need to change course at this time,” Ali said. “We must continue with the level of stability, accountability, and collaboration that we’ve seen over the past three years. It has been an honor to serve the people of Peoria in this capacity.
“I am proud of our progress, and I look forward to more time to work with my council colleagues and city staff to achieve great things. I hope the people will agree that staying the course is the best option for Peoria at this time.”
Before joining the city council, Ali served as the Vice President of Workforce and Diversity at Illinois Central College.
