Jake Fletcher and Peg Phillips took their seats at the Pekin City Council table Monday. Dave Nutter returned to his seat.
Fletcher and Phillips were elected and Nutter was re-elected April 1. They were sworn in Monday by Mayor Mary Burress, who inherited the swearing in duties following the April 28 death of former City Clerk Sue McMillan.
Before the newly elected and re-elected council members went to work, departing council members Lloyd Orrick and Chris Onken were honored.
Among the gifts they received from the city were "Orrick Way" and "Onken Drive" street signs, and city challenge coins.
"We didn't always vote the same way, but I know you did whatever you thought was best for the city," Burress said to Orrick, who served on the council for 24 years in his second stint after taking a six-year break.
Altogether, Orrick served for more than 30 years.
"I always tried to do the right thing for the residents," Orrick said.
Council member Rick Hilst and Nutter each said they appreciate the multiple lengthy phone conversations they had with Orrick during the six years they've each been on the council.
Nutter referenced to Orrick as "the professor."
Council member John Abel said Orrick's phone won't stop ringing with calls from council members even though he's no longer on the council.
Onken served on the council for 1 1/2 years after being appointed by Burress to fill a vacancy. He ran but lost in the April 1 election.
"I appreciated your common sense approach to decisions," Abel said to Onken. "I hope you'll run again for the council in two years."
Hilst congratulated the new council members and said even though he often disagrees with council decisions, "I respect everyone who sits up here."
Fletcher abstained on the only meeting agenda item that did not pass unanimously.
The item was to approve city sponsorships for annual community events during the city's 2025-26 fiscal year, which began May 1.
Fletcher said he abstained because he didn't feel he was informed enough about the events and sponsorships and didn't have enough time to gather input from residents.
"I know Pekin residents love a lot of these events, but I feel a couple cater to special interests," he said.
Here's a list of the events and the amount of the sponsorships, which total $59,750. That's $4,000 less than what was budgeted for the city's 2024-25 fiscal year, $5,362 less than what was actually expended in that fiscal year, and with the addition of two events.
- Marigold Festival: $15,000.
- Fourth of July fireworks: $10,000.
- Pekin Insurance Holiday Tournament: $5,000.
- Farmers Market: $5,000.
- Pekin Pride Soccer Club (for the Tony Fulk Memorial Classic): $5,000.
- Twisted Cat Outdoors fishing tournament: $5,000.
- Taste of Pekin: $4,500.
- May Day Market: $4,000.
- Downtown Super Cruise: $2,500.
- American Junior Golf Association Junior Open tournament: $2,250.
- Ledgestone Open disc golf tournament: $1,500.
The three events identified by Fletcher as catering to special interests are the AJGA and Ledgestone Open tournaments, and the Twisted Cat fishing tournament.
The vote for the sponsorships was 6-0, with Fletcher's abstention.
American Water will reimburse Pekin $1.8 million for water main replacement
These items were approved unanimously Monday by the council:
- A reimbursement agreement with Illinois American Water, which will pay the city $1.8 million for the replacement of the water main under Court Street from approximately 10th Street to Stadium Drive as part of the city's Court Street rehabilitation project. Illinois American Water will be responsible for service connections from the water main to customers.
- The receipt of a $90,916 grant from Tazewell County to help pay for the city's recycling program. The annual grant is about $30,000 more than what was received last year.
- An annual contract with DACRA Tech of Itasca for $34,726 so the Pekin Police Department can continue to use the company's adjudication system software. The software aids in the issuance and adjudication of traffic and city ordinance violations, and the administrative adjudication legal process. Police Chief Seth Ranney said his department has used the DACRA software for several years and it has performed well.
- The purchase of components and software to detach the police department from the regular city network per the requirements of the FBI's Criminal Justice Information Services Division. Quotes were kept confidential for security reasons.
Sara Lavin was re-appointed to a two-year term on the Pekin Police Pension Board. Her re-appointment by Burress did not require council approval.
Town halls coming to Pekin
Burress said Monday she'll continue to hold "Coffee with the Mayor" sessions, and town halls are planned.
Also in the works, Burress said, is a public meeting with Neil Anderson and Sally Turner, state senators who represent Pekin in Springfield.
Burress advised residents to check the city's website for details.
Pekin City Council lineup
Here's the lineup of the new Pekin City Council:
- Mayor: Mary Burress (term expires in 2027).
- Council member John Abel (term expires in 2027).
- Council member Rick Hilst (term expires in 2027).
- Council member Karen Hohimer (term expires in 2027).
- Council member Jake Fletcher (elected April 1; term expires in 2029).
- Council member Dave Nutter (re-elected April 1; term expires in 2029).
- Council member Peg Phillips (elected April 1; term expires in 2029).
