Mary Burress

The Pekin City Council on Monday approved the sale of about 321 acres of the Lutticken Farm property to Western Hospitality Partners for $4.5 million so it can build a data center.

Four agenda items, including the city's proposed 2025-26 fiscal year budget, went down to defeat Monday at a Pekin City Council meeting.

Epic Medical is coming to Pekin. Mayor Mary Burress and Epic Medical founder and CEO Freddie Lee signed papers that pave the way for the Singapore-based company to build a $25 million medical equipment manufacturing facility in the city's Riverway Business Park.

A proposed adult-use cannabis dispensary in downtown Pekin passed a significant milestone Monday. The Pekin City Council unanimously approved a special use for Miggy's Shop at 359 Court St., the former Classical Dance Academy.

The city was three years behind on its required budget audits when Burress was elected in 2023. Because of that predicament, the city has been on a "do not pay" list for state grants for projects.

Pekin Mayor Mayor Burress says she “cannot speak” to why her name was mentioned during a plea hearing Wednesday in Tazewell County Court.

The Pekin City Council voted 4-3 on Tuesday for the city to establish its own 1% grocery sales tax so it can recoup the $1.5 to $1.7 million annually the city would have lost because of the state grocery sales tax's elimination.

The City of Pekin recently added a utility tax and increased some service fees as it looks to correct its shaky financial standing. Despite making a campaign promise not to raise taxes or fees, Mayor Mary Burress voted in favor of these increases.

A student project honoring Tazewell County veterans will be on display at the Pekin Public Library this summer.

Pekin community leaders hope to see a new performing arts venue in Mineral Springs Park operating in time for the Marigold Festival in August.