Downtown Pekin

Out and About in Greater Peoria: Irish Fest, live music and a trip to the past

Camryn Cutinello

Here are 3 things to do for the weekend of Aug. 23- Aug. 25, 2023, curated by WCBU's Camryn Cutinello. You can find more coverage on our Out & About - Arts & Music page or by subscribing to WCBU's Weekend Fanfare email newsletter, which goes out every Friday.

Coffee Connection employee Vikki Barker works the espresso machine at the business on Court Street in Pekin.

Local News

Downtown Pekin has the businesses. Now it needs the people

Collin Schopp

Director of Economic Development Josh Wray says the city has big plans for downtown Pekin, though the timetables may be changing.

The Pekin Outreach Initiative plans to move its outreach center from the current downtown location on Elizabeth Street to an open space in the Salvation Army location on Derby Street.

Local News

Pekin Outreach Initiative targets June transition into new location

Joe Deacon

A Pekin nonprofit organization that assists unhoused individuals is preparing to move its downtown day shelter into a new location at the Salvation Army facility.

Sunlight shines on the exposed side of the Pekin Township office building at 420 Elizabeth Street, showing where the 418 Elizabeth side of the facility was demolished.

Local News

What’s next for Pekin Township after its building collapsed?

Joe Deacon

More than a month after a partial collapse on one side of the building, the remaining half of the Pekin Township office remains closed to the public. Township Supervisor Shannon Saal says that’s made it a challenge for them to provide the services they offer.