Pekin residents who want to learn about Illinois American Water's proposed purchase of the city's wastewater system can do so Thursday.
The utility company will hold an informational open house from 5-7 p.m. at Pekin City Hall, with representatives from several company departments available for one-on-one discussions in the city council chambers and lobby.
Residents even can bring in their IAW water bills and get an estimate of what their wastewater charges would look like if the sale is made.
Pekin City Manager John Dossey emphasized at this week's council meeting that the city is not involved in the open house; the event is not a special council meeting and it will not be televised.
"It is not a city-sponsored event," he said. "It's an open house for people to come in and have conversations. We're gathering information about the sale, too, getting our questions answered, so we can decide if the sale is the right thing to do or not."
In a postcard mailed to Pekin residents, Illinois American Water says the open house will give Pekin wastewater customers an opportunity "to learn more about the future of the city's wastewater system and the short- and long-term benefits of the proposed sale of the city's system."
In addition to billing, sewer backup response, low-income assistance, capital improvements and lead service line replacements are among the other topics that can be discussed at the open house.
If the wastewater system sale is approved by the city, IAW would acquire the city's two treatment plants, sanitary lines and combined sewer lines.
Award nominations 'a big deal'
Pekin officials attended the Illinois Real Estate Journal Awards banquet last week in Rosemont because the city was nominated in two categories: Redevelopment – Suburban [for East Court Village] and City/County of the Year.
Pekin didn't win either award. Joliet was the winner in the latter category, beating out Elk Grove Village, Hoffman Estates, Oswego and Romeoville in addition to Pekin.
Despite not returning with the awards, Dossey said the trip north was worthwhile for Pekin.
"Just being nominated was a big deal and there were many networking opportunities for us there," he said at the council meeting.
"Developers know about Pekin because of recognitions like this. People say there's nothing happening in Pekin. That's simply not true."
'It's dead, it's dead, it's dead'
Mayor Pro-Tem Peg Phillips had a message at the meeting for Pekin residents regarding the data center that was proposed for the city.
"For those who are still wondering about the data center, it's dead, it's dead, it's dead," she said. "Nobody on this council wants it to happen."
Time capsule items
City officials and staff provided several additional updates:
- Items for a time capsule that will be opened in 50 years need to be brought soon to City Hall. The capsule will be sealed around July 4.
- Contractors working on the Court Street rehabilitation project have promised to make traffic flow as best as possible during the July 4 fireworks show at Pekin Community High School and Marigold Festival at Mineral Springs Park in September.
- Demolition of the south towers at Carle Health Pekin Hospital, part of an estimated $8 million renovation project, is expected to begin Aug. 1.
- The Illinois Department of Transportation has been informed about the loss of green turn arrows at the intersection of Margaret and 5th streets.
- Ninety-six gallon recycling bins are still being delivered to residents who ordered them.
- An audit of the 2023-24 city budget will be presented to council June 22. An audit of the 2024-25 city budget is about 25% completed.
- An e-waste recycling collection event held by the city and Tazewell County Health Department earlier this month brought in nearly 5,500 pounds of e-waste from 118 registrants.
A presentation on a "downtown apartment development opportunity" did not take place at the meeting. It isn't known when the presentation will be rescheduled.
