Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: What kind of homes — and prices — are coming to Expo Gardens?
Spotted on the Peoria calendar: City Offices Closed in Observance of Labor Day
Cheers Peoria! We're back, helping you stay up to date with what's happening. Let's take on the day together! ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- What kind of homes — and prices — are coming to Expo Gardens?
- Peoria crash turns into gunfire: what police say happened next
- What's next in the costly Riverview Plaza high-rise court fight?
Today's riddle: Where do math teachers go on vacation? 🤔 (Answer below!)
From our Partner
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- Saturday: A strong afternoon t-storm, with a high of 92 and low of 68 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
- Sunday: Variable clouds; not as hot, temps: high: 85, low: 62.
- Monday: Partly sunny, with a high of 84 and low of 65 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. What remains at Expo Gardens? Peoria moves toward new housing (chillicothetimesbulletin.com) — Peoria's Expo Gardens site is now largely cleared, with only the Opera House and main building still standing as the city courts developers for a roughly 200-home subdivision. Officials say future houses will likely be priced at $300,000 and up, with mixed-use commercial frontage and a three- to seven-year buildout that could quickly reshape this central Peoria neighborhood. 
2. Two Peoria men arrested after gunfire follows car crash (centralillinoisproud.com) — Peoria police arrested two local men after a Thursday evening crash on West Warwick Drive allegedly led one driver to rear-end another car and the other man to fire multiple shots at the vehicle. No injuries were reported, but officers found a car with gun and crash damage near West Creighton Terrace and North Big Hollow Road before jailing both suspects.
3. Appeal dismissed in fight over shuttered Downtown Peoria high rise (pjstar.com) — A major legal setback means the fight over the shuttered Riverview Plaza high-rise will stay in Peoria County Circuit Court, where the city is seeking over $2 million in fines. A key hearing is set for Oct. 15 to decide whether those penalties will be enforced after alleged code violations and unapproved basement living spaces in the closed downtown building.
4. Average administrator salary was 96.1% higher than teacher salary in Peoria Heights Community Unit School District 325 in 2024-25 (peoriastandard.com) — In nearby Peoria Heights Community Unit School District 325, administrators averaged $107,419 in 2024-25, nearly double the $54,771 average teacher salary, according to state data. The report also notes statewide trends in rising pay, improving teacher vacancy numbers, and how Peoria Heights fits into the broader Illinois picture.
5. Illinois high school football: Peoria-area highlights, scores, everything to know from IHSA Week 3 (pjstar.com) — High school football fans around Peoria get a full Week 3 rundown, from Metamora's big Mid-Illini showdown at Dunlap to Dee-Mack's 75th-anniversary throwback night honoring its 1951 team. The Journal Star pulls together schedules, rankings, picks, and features on standout Peoria-area players and programs in one place.
📸 Around Peoria
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🗓 Upcoming Events in Peoria
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
- City Offices Closed in Observance of Labor Day →
Peoria, IL Calendar Peoria, IL 61602 - Housing Commission Meeting →
Peoria, IL Calendar, 419 Fulton Street, Suite 110, Peoria
11:00 am - One Stop Shop In-Person Meeting →
Peoria, IL Calendar, 201 SW Adams Street, Peoria
1:30 pm - Liquor Commission Meeting →
Peoria, IL Calendar, 419 Fulton Street, Suite 404, Peoria
3:30 pm - Election Commission Meeting →
Peoria, IL Calendar, 4422 N. Brandywine Dr., Ste. 1, Peoria
2:00 pm - Mayor's Advisory Committee for Citizens with Disabilities Meeting →
Peoria, IL Calendar, City Hall 419 Fulton St., Room 404, Peoria
4:00 pm - Mayor's Advisory Committee for Citizens with Disabilities →
Peoria, IL Calendar, 419 Fulton Street City Hall, Room 404, Peoria
4:00 pm - City Council/Town Board of Trustees Regular Meeting →
Peoria, IL Calendar, City Hall Council Chambers 419 Fulton St., Room 400, Peoria
6:00 pm - Advisory Committee On Police-Community Relations →
Peoria, IL Calendar, Twin Towers Building Ste 420, 456 Fulton Street, Peoria
6:00 pm - Peoria Municipal Band Commission Meeting →
Peoria, IL Calendar, Bradley Univ. Dingeldine Music Ctr. 1417 W. Barker Ave., Lower Level, Peoria
8:00 am - Zoning Board of Appeals →
Peoria, IL Calendar, 419 Fulton Street Room 400 (Council Chambers), Peoria
1:00 pm - Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting →
Peoria, IL Calendar, City Hall Council Chambers 419 Fulton St., Room 400, Peoria
1:00 pm
Monday September 7
Tuesday September 8
Wednesday September 9
Thursday September 10
📣 Peoria Shout Outs!
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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Spoon River Valley teacher Jennifer Burdette earns national honor for rural education —Reggie Cooke Read on Patch
- Skimmer dragonfly in my garden by sunroom.
It's amazing how close small creatures let me get to photograph them. Dragonflies eat mosquitoes, midges, small flies, butterflies, moths, bees,… (Nextdoor Sunset Hills) - Reminder: Food Pantries Open Fridays
FRIDAY Bradley Epworth United Methodist Church 1316 Columbia Terr., Peoria 309-673-1330 Food pantry open 1st Friday of the month from 8-10am … (Nextdoor Bournedale)
- MyJobsCorner posted a job opening for Warehouse Team Member Jobs: Hiring Immediately! Full Time / Part Time - $18-$36/Hr in Peoria. Apply here.
- Government Jobs posted a job opening for Legal Secretary 26-25 in Peoria. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Peoria here.
Ok Peoria! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Times Square (Thank you Jean K. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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