Pekin mayor

The proposed data center project in Pekin isn't dead. The legal process that would void the contract between the city and developer and result in the data center's demise still must play out.

The Pekin City Council is expected to vote on a legal end to its proposed agreement with data center developer Western Hospitality Partners at its next meeting March 23.

Pekin will no longer consider having a data center built in the community. Mayor Mary Burress made the announcement Monday in a statement she read at a city council meeting.

Pekin Mayor Mary Burress took time out from calling 2025 the city's breakout year in her "State of the City Address" to assure residents that a data center project is still in the exploratory stage.

Pekin's annexation of the majority of the 1,000-acre Lutticken property from Groveland Township left township officials with more questions than answers.

City property on Court Street that's located in one of Pekin's busiest commercial areas but is currently being used as a stormwater facility, has been sold to a developer for $100,000.

The 1,000-acre Lutticken property belongs to Pekin. Mayor Mary Burress announced Monday the city had closed earlier in the day on its $14 million purchase of the property.

The Pekin City Council on Monday approved a zoning change from B-1 Local Business to B-3 General Business requested by Kroger for its store at 1607 Broadway St. The rezoning will allow Kroger to install up to six video gaming terminals inside the store.

Jake Fletcher and Peg Phillips took their seats at the Pekin City Council table Monday. Dave Nutter returned to his seat.

Three agenda items that failed to pass a week earlier were passed Monday by the Pekin City Council during a special meeting.