Peoria Mayor Rita Ali

Peoria has launched a new mentoring program in the midst of ongoing concerns about violence in the city.

Mayor Rita Ali says she believes the late-summer spike in violence is part of a phenomenon happening across the country, and that Peoria is a safe city. In this month's regular conversation with WCBU, Ali talks about responding to the recent surge of violent crime, and why Peoria is seeing a wave of incidents in late summer.

Peoria Police Chief Eric Echevarria shared new details at a news conference Thursday afternoon on the three separate shooting incidents across the city between Wednesday night and Thursday morning.

The Peoria community is reeling after a Wednesday night shooting in the 2200 block of West Marquette Avenue that injured six people, including two who are in critical condition.

Peoria Mayor Rita Ali says she doesn't have any problems with how programs were selected for the second round of violence prevention funding through the city, but she’s open to taking a closer look at the process.

A grant program using some of the city's American Rescue Plan Act money will assist businesses pursuing technological advancements in agriculture, medicine and biology.

A partnership between Bradley University's Peoria Next Innovation Center and the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center aims to help new businesses get off the ground by offsetting some operating expenses.

In their latest monthly conversation, Peoria Mayor Rita Ali talks with WCBU reporter Joe Deacon about the city's financial standing and how it can sustain momentum while continuing to cover necessary expenses.

In this month's conversation with WCBU reporter Joe Deacon, Peoria Mayor Rita Ali discusses the strategic planning process, a proposal aimed at reducing juvenile crime, launching a role model and mentorship program, and the city’s option to purchase the water distribution service.

The June meeting of the Peoria Safety Network outlined final preparations for turning planning into action.