Respected, inspirational, sincere, dedicated. Just a few of the words used by some friends and colleagues in describing popular community leader and former Peoria City Council member George Jacob.
“We had a lot to learn from the way George looked at life, and he’ll definitely be missed,” former Peoria mayor Jim Ardis said of Jacob, 61, who died Sunday at his home.
Jacob served as an at-large council representative from 2005-11 after being appointed to fill the vacancy created when Ardis became mayor.
“George and I, we were friends and we knew each other from the business side. We also became personal friends on the social side,” said Ardis. “He was just one of those really good people that he was sincere to everybody. It didn’t matter who you were, what you did, what your walk of life was.
“He had fun doing whatever he was doing, and even if it was hard work, he tried to make it fun and interactive. He was just an inspiring guy.”
Jacob, who is survived by his wife Jeannine and their five children, suffered a severe head injury in a 2010 motorcycle crash.
“He’ll certainly be remembered both for all his contributions, but also remembered for the love his wife and family showed him after his tragic accident left him debilitated,” said Peoria Riverfront Museum president and CEO John Morris, who sat next to Jacob when both were city council members.
“He was such a conscientious and just really respectful member of the city council when he served,” said Morris. “George is one of those rare people who excelled both in his business career and in his civic life and his public service.”
Current Mayor Rita Ali honored Jacob during Tuesday’s regular city council meeting, reading the complete resolution presented to him at the end of his council tenure.
“He has given freely of his time in an unselfish effort, and has demonstrated the highest ideals of public service by his dedication,” she read.
U.S. Rep Darin LaHood, R-Dunlap, acknowledged Jacob’s passing and his service to Peoria in a social media post on X.
“George was a dedicated family man, a successful and generous businessman and a steadfast community leader,” wrote LaHood.
“George cared deeply about Peoria and made our community a better place.”
Ardis said Jacob had established a well-respected business reputation prior to joining the city council.
“He had good credentials coming in, and he really brought that professional business perspective to the city council,” said Ardis. “He understood budgets, he understood what it takes to run a city. So that was great.
“I think most likely George will be remembered the most for just as his real grassroots service to the neighborhood communities. The neighborhoods are the most important foundation in our communities, and George was really in touch with those different neighborhood organizations. He listened to them, he attended their meetings, and he really went to bat for them.”
