SATURDAY, AUGUST 30, 2008
11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
PEKIN DRAGON’S DOME
3401 GRIFFIN DRIVE
PEKIN, IL 61554

CRUISE-IN—ENTERTAINMENT BY COOKIE BANNON—MAGICIAN GORDON SNOW PERFORMING—THE “ALL ABOUT CLOWN” TEAM DOING PUPPET SHOWS, FACE PAINTING & BALLOON TWISTING—INFLATABLES—GAMES—CONCESSIONS

VENDORS—CELEBRITY LOOK-A-LIKE CONTEST—NGW WRESTLING—RAFFLES—50/50 DRAWING & MORE

$5.00 PER FAMILY

IF YOU’D LIKE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CRUISE-IN, THE CELEBRITY LOOK-A-LIKE CONTEST—SET UP IN THE VENDOR AREA—GIVE A MONETARY DONATION OR DONATE SOMETHING FOR THE RAFFLE, PLEASE CONTACT: KATHY CAMPBELL—309-241-0732
E-MAIL: kcampbe4@amfam.com

OR

BILL REAGAN—309-241-4123
E-MAIL: breagan@dragonsdome.com

A PORTION OF THE PROCEEDS GO TO THE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL OF ILLINOIS

OSF Saint Francis Medical Center Selected Among the Nation’s Top Performance Improvement Leaders by Thomson Reuters

8/11/08 – OSF Saint Francis Medical Center was today named one of the nation’s performance improvement leaders by Thomson Reuters, the world’s leading source of intelligent information for businesses and professionals.

OSF Saint Francis and its senior management team were recognized for being one of 100 hospitals making the greatest progress in improving hospital-wide performance over five consecutive years (2002-2006). The 2007 Thomson Reuters 100 Top Hospitals®: Performance Improvement Leaders have set national benchmarks for the rate and consistency of improvement in clinical outcomes, safety, hospital efficiency, and financial stability. OSF Saint Francis and its medical staff have made major strides in increasing the quality and efficiency of services locally.

Findings from the fifth edition of the Thomson Reuters 100 Top Hospitals®: Performance Improvement Leaders study appears in the August 11, 2008, issue of Modern Healthcare magazine.

“I believe we have a highly skilled, intelligent and competent leadership/management team. This award comes from the fruits of their efforts. The managers and leaders are able to receive this award because of you. We have a strong workforce doing their jobs in a first class manner,” said Keith Steffen, president and CEO of OSF Saint Francis Medical Center.

“This study identifies superior leadership, based on the success of hospital executive teams’ long-term strategies for strengthening performance,” said Jean Chenoweth, senior vice president for performance improvement and 100 Top Hospitals programs at Thomson Reuters. “These are true ’Good to Great’ leadership teams that have focused on improving quality, efficiency, use of evidence-based medicine, and financial stability in order to better serve their patients and communities.”

The Thomson Reuters 100 Top Hospitals: Performance Improvement Leaders study analyzed acute care hospitals nationwide using detailed empirical performance data from years 2002 through 2006, including publicly available Medicare MedPAR data, Medicare cost reports, and Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) outpatient data.

The study rated hospitals on eight factors — patient mortality, medical complications, patient safety, length of stay, expenses, profitability, cash-to-debt ratio, and use of evidence-based medicine. Researchers evaluated 2,867 short-term, acute care, non-federal hospitals grouped into five categories: major teaching hospitals, other teaching hospitals, large community hospitals, medium-sized community hospitals, and small community hospitals.

About Thomson Reuters

The Healthcare business of Thomson Reuters produces insights, information, benchmarks and analysis that enable organizations to manage costs, improve performance and enhance the quality of healthcare. Thomson Reuters is the world’s leading source of intelligent information for businesses and professionals.

Additional information can be found at http://www.100tophospitals.com under the “Media” tab.

Media advisory

WHAT: For the 22nd year, Division 20 of the Illinois-Iowa Kiwanis Clubs will be donating car seats to local organizations. This year, Kiwanis is donating 96 car seats to 10 local organizations. The car seats will be distributed to the local organizations in conjunction with a car seat check held at the Pekin Fire Department.

WHEN: Thursday, August 21 from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm.

WHERE: Pekin Fire Department, 3232 Court Street, Pekin, IL 61554

Interviews Available: 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm.

Steve Matheny, Immediate Past Lieutenant Governor and Seat Chairman, Kiwanis
Judy Sunderland, Governor, I-I District, Kiwanis
Kristan Creek, Advocacy Dept. and Car Seat Technician, Children’s Hospital of Illinois
Julie Donaldson, Car Seat Technician, Tazewell County Health Department
Jayme Evans, Pekin Fire Department

Benefiting organizations include: Children’s Hospital of Illinois at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, Methodist Hospital, Proctor Hospital, Pekin Hospital, Graham Hospital of Canton, Catholic Charities, Tazewell County Health Department, Fulton County Health Department, Heart House of Eureka, Lutheran Social Services.

Division 20 Kiwanis Clubs include: Canton, Dunlap, East Peoria, Elmwood, Eureka, Hanna City-Farmington, IVC Chillicothe, Limestone, Morton, Pekin, Peoria-Downtown, Peoria Heights, South-West of Peoria, Suburban Peoria and Tremont.

CONTACT: Lauren Obalil, Children’s Hospital of Illinois Foundation, 309.566.5673 or 309.472.6755

Subject: John McDermott, Irish tenor, hosts concert to benefit the Radiation Oncology Program at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The OSF Saint Francis Foundation will host the John McDermott Concert to benefit the Radiation Oncology Program at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center.  The concert is scheduled for Saturday, September 20, 2008.  A mass at The Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception will begin the evening at 4:00 p.m. and is open to the public.  The concert will begin at 8:00 pm at the Peoria Civic Center Theater. 

John McDermott, an Irish tenor, is best known for his rendition of Danny Boy. An international recording star and household name, John is known as much for his charitable works as he is for his successful music career. John’s has always been committed to veterans’ causes. He was awarded the US Congressional Medal of Honor Society’s Bob Hope Award and made an honorary member of the War Amps of Canada because of his outstanding support. 

Proceeds from the event named “Spirit of Hope” will benefit the Radiation Oncology Program at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center for future treatment and programmatic development in cancer control as well as to purchase state of the art radiation equipment. Since opening in 1989, the Radiation Oncology Program has provided patients with important technological advances and have helped to pioneer the revolution in radiation oncology using advanced brachytherapy, robotic intracranial radiosurgery, image guided radiation therapy and body radiosurgery.

The Radiation Oncology Program continues to increase tumor control rates and dramatically reduce side effects for their patients. Expansion of services and equipment has made the program one of the largest and most comprehensive in the nation.

Tickets for the concert can be purchased at the Peoria Civic Center or at www.peoriaciviccenter.com beginning Friday, July 18.  Special ticket packages are available through the OSF Saint Francis Foundation by calling (309) 566-5666.  For additional information, visit www.spiritofhopeconcert.org 

September 13th event to feature musical acts Ralph’s World and John Sebastian of The Lovin’ Spoonful.

August 8, 2008, Peoria, IL – LiveMusicPeoria.org is presenting The Fall Music Festival at Glen Oak Park, which is an exciting and fun filled day of music to celebrate Peoria’s musical heritage and pay tribute to the legacy of Dan Fogelberg.

There will be plenty of food, drinks, activities and live music. There will be informational booths for local non-profit groups and Dan Fogelberg memorabilia will be on display.

Children’s activities provided by the Junior League of Peoria and Peoria Playhouse Jr. will begin when the doors open at 2pm. At 3pm, Disney artist Ralph’s World will perform. Ralph will be available after his set to sign autographs.

At 5pm, Lollester Rocket will take the stage, followed by the Peoria All Stars in a tribute to Dan Fogelberg with a set of favorites around 6:15. Headlining act John Sebastian, lead singer of The Lovin’ Spoonful, will take the stage at 8pm.

Leading one of the many activities at the Playhouse booth is Julie Westendorf-Walker, a certified Music Together instructor. She will lead children through a number of songs or chants and engage them with various movements and instruments.  Many of the tunes have recognizable melody and tones and rhythm patterns are emphasized. Music Together is an internationally recognized early childhood music program for families with children birth through 5 years.

Jonathan Wright of LiveMusicPeoria.org said, “We wanted to put together an event that would both pay tribute to the past, but also look to the future.  Dan Fogelberg got his start right here in the East Bluff–he used to play at the Glen Oak Amphitheater in the 70s. For that reason, we felt strongly that this was the right place to hold the event. After we booked Ralph’s World and began to think about the kids coming to the show, it only made sense that we would try to work with the Junior League, given the venue, with the future PlayHouse being so close.”

All proceeds of the concert will benefit the Cancer Center for Healthy Living as a tribute to Dan Fogelberg’s fight with prostate cancer.

You can purchase tickets on their website at http://www.livemusicpeoria.org. A percentage of the ticket price will go towards the Peoria PlayHouse. To support the Playhouse, select the codes JLPADULT for an adult tickets and JLPCHILD for a child’s ticket.

Scheduled to open when funding is secured, The Peoria PlayHouse is a hands-on, interactive children’s museum. It will be a place for children and families to dream, explore, and learn through play. It will be the first and only of its kind in our community. The children’s museum will be made up of six exhibit galleries, the components of which are all tied to Illinois Learning Standards for Early Childhood Education.

Nellie Photography’s Pics for the Playhouse to benefit the Peoria Playhouse

Promotion runs from August 1 through October 30, 2008.

August 8, 2008, Peoria, IL – A unique photo session with Nellie Photography designed to benefit the Junior League of Peoria’s Children’s Museum Project, The Peoria PlayHouse.

For $150, clients will receive a photo session at one of Peoria’s most remarkable landmarks, Glen Oak Park (the future home of The Peoria PlayHouse Children’s Museum).  Package also includes one 5×10, one 5×5, and a set of 25 custom designed Holiday Cards.  All proceeds will benefit the Peoria PlayHouse.

Donation applies to sessions booked August 1st through October 30, 2008.

Visit Nellie Photography’s site at http://nellie-photography.com for additional details and contact information.

Scheduled to open when funding is secured, The Peoria PlayHouse is a hands-on, interactive children’s museum. It will be a place for children and families to dream, explore, and learn through play. It will be the first and only of its kind in our community. The children’s museum will be made up of six exhibit galleries, the components of which are all tied to Illinois Learning Standards for Early Childhood Education.

Come learn more about the Itzy Bitzy Spider with activities at Peoria PlayHouse Junior
August 2nd activities feature spiders

The featured activities this Saturday at the Shoppes at Grand Prairie’s Peoria PlayHouse Junior will give kids the chance to learn at play while making some creepy crawly creations.

Beginning with story time at Borders Bookstore (10:30 a.m.), participating children will get to hear three spider stories.

First, children will hear “The Very Busy Spider” by Eric Carle, a colorful picture book that describes a spider’s day.

The Second story is “The Spider and the Fly.” This Caldecott Honor Book written by Mary Howitt is a cautionary poem about a fly’s encounter with a spider.

Third, “Miss Spider’s Tea Party,” by David Kirk, is a story about a lonely spider trying to have a tea party.

After reading the stories, children will have the opportunity to complete three outside activities at the Peoria PlayHouse Junior pavilion (11:00 am to 1:00 pm).  They will be invited to:

• Make a spider headband
• Examine bugs with a magnifying glass using a kit from Lakeview Museum that will allow them to get up close and personal
• Create thumbprint spiders

For more information contact: Katie Archdale at pr@peoriaplayhouse.org

“We are proud to continue to offer fun and educational activities for children that are free and easy to access,” states Jennifer Brooke, President of the Junior League of Peoria.

The Peoria PlayHouse Junior, opened in April 2003, is an exciting first step toward the array of interactive learning experiences that will be the heart and soul of the children’s museum.  Organizations such as the Glen Oak Zoo, the Peoria Park District, Girl Scouts Kickapoo Council, Peoria Public Library, The Center for Prevention of Abuse, Peoria Art Guild, and the University of Illinois Extension have joined with the Junior League to present fun, free, and educational programs at the playspace.

Scheduled to open when funding is secured, The Peoria PlayHouse is a hands-on, interactive children’s museum.  It will be a place for children and families to dream, explore, and learn through play. It will be the first and only of its kind in our community.  The children’s museum will be made up of six exhibit galleries, the components of which are all tied to Illinois Learning Standards for Early Childhood Education.

From a press release:

The Neighborhood Alliance will be hosting two items of interest during Monday’s meeting.

1. Jon Kunski of the City of Peoria will be presenting changes to the rental registration program and Inspections. These changes are being developed through collaboration among city staff in conjunction with neighborhood leaders and landlords. Additional feedback and input is being sought. Councilman Manning and Jacob have been extensively involved in this proposal.

2. There will be presentation by the Illinois Network of Charter Schools regarding the background of charter schools and to begin the exploration of the development of charter schools here in Peoria. This presentation stems from an on site visit in Chicago by Councilman Montelongo and District 150 representatives.

Date: 7/21/08
Time: Alliance meeting starts at 5:30pm, but we have some regular business to attend to. Presentations will not start most likely before 6:00pm
Location: Advanced Medical Transport 1718 N. Sterling.
Contact Person: Paul Wilkinson
The meeting is open to the public.

CITY OF PEORIA, ILLINOIS

NOTICE

CITY COUNCIL AGENDA

SPECIAL MEETING
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
6:00 PM

Dates

DATES SET:

TUESDAY, JULY 15, 2008, at 6:00 P.M.

SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING to Hold a BUDGET SESSION Regarding the 2009 CITY OF PEORIA BUDGET - To be held at City Hall, Council Chambers (Room 400), 419 Fulton Street, Peoria, Illinois.

TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2008, at 6:15 P.M.

SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING to Hold a BUDGET SESSION Regarding the 2009 CITY OF PEORIA BUDGET - To be held at City Hall, Council Chambers (Room 400), 419 Fulton Street, Peoria, Illinois.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2008, at 6:15 P.M.

SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING to Hold a BUDGET SESSION Regarding the 2009 CITY OF PEORIA BUDGET - To be held at City Hall, Council Chambers (Room 400), 419 Fulton Street, Peoria, Illinois.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2008, at 6:15 P.M.

CITY COUNCIL MEETING - REGULAR BUSINESS, Including DISCUSSION Regarding the 2009 CITY OF PEORIA BUDGET - To be held at City Hall, Council Chamber (Room 400), 419 Fulton Street, Peoria, Illinois.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2008, at 6:15 P.M.

SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING to Hold a BUDGET SESSION Regarding the 2009 CITY OF PEORIA BUDGET - To be held at City Hall, Council Chambers (Room 400), 419 Fulton Street, Peoria, Illinois.

CITY COUNCIL AGENDAS AND PROCEEDINGS ISSUED BY:
MARY L. HAYNES, MMC, OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK

CITY HALL, ROOM 401

(309) 494-8565

INTERNET ADDRESS: www.ci.peoria.il.us

(Click on Council Agenda/Minutes)

CONTINUED from PAGE 1

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2008, at 6:15 P.M.

CITY COUNCIL MEETING - REGULAR BUSINESS, Including DISCUSSION Regarding the 2009 CITY OF PEORIA BUDGET - To be held at City Hall, Council Chamber (Room 400), 419 Fulton Street, Peoria, Illinois.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2008, at 6:15 P.M.

SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING to Hold a BUDGET SESSION Regarding the 2009 CITY OF PEORIA BUDGET - To be held at City Hall, Council Chambers (Room 400), 419 Fulton Street, Peoria, Illinois.

All matters listed under CONSENT AGENDA are considered to be routine and non-controversial by the City Council and will be enacted by one motion and one roll call vote. There will not be separate discussion on these items. If discussion is desired by a Citizen or Members of the Council, the item will be removed from the Consent Agenda and discussed immediately after approval of the Consent Agenda. Citizens desiring discussion on any item listed under the CONSENT AGENDA should contact a Council Member or the City Clerk prior to the meeting and request that the item be removed for discussion.

*CITIZENS WISHING TO ADDRESS AN ITEM NOT ON THE CONSENT AGENDA SHOULD CONTACT A COUNCIL MEMBER PRIOR TO THE MEETING. OTHER PUBLIC INPUT CAN BE GIVEN UNDER CITIZENS REQUEST TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL NEAR THE END OF THE COUNCIL MEETING. COMMENTS ARE LIMITED TO FIVE MINUTES FOR EACH SPEAKER AND SPEAKERS ARE ASKED TO REFRAIN FROM DISCUSSING SUBJECTS/TOPICS RELATING TO CITY PERSONNEL AND TOPICS NOT GERMANE TO THE CITY COUNCIL’S AUTHORITY.

NOTE: THE ORDER IN WHICH AGENDA ITEMS ARE CONSIDERED MAY BE MOVED FORWARD OR DELAYED BY AT LEAST 2/3 VOTE OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT.

EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2007, THE PEORIA CITY COUNCIL WILL MEET IN REGULAR BUSINESS SESSIONS THE SECOND AND FOURTH TUESDAYS OF THE MONTH AT 6:15 P.M. AT CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS (Room 400), 419 FULTON STREET, PEORIA, ILLINOIS.

NOTICES OF ANY SPECIAL MEETING ARE POSTED AT LEAST 48 HOURS PRIOR.___________________________________

DISABILITY ACCESS STATEMENT

Council Meetings are wheelchair accessible. Individuals with hearing difficulties can request to use available FM auxiliary aids before or during the meeting by visiting the City Clerk’s Office, Room 401, City Hall Building, 419 Fulton Street, Peoria, Illinois. We would appreciate advance notice of requests to receive an Agenda in an alternate format or other types of auxiliary aids and services. Other services provided are language interpretation and document translation which can be obtained by calling the City Clerk’s Office. To contact the City Clerk’s Office, call 309-494-8565 (V). TTY users, call the Illinois Relay Center at 1-800-526-0844 (TTY) or 1-800-526-0857 (V).

SPECIAL MEETING

CITY HALL, COUNCIL CHAMBERS

6:00 P.M.

Part 1

ROLL CALL

INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

PETITIONS, REMONSTRANCES & COMMUNICATIONS

1. DISCUSSION Regarding the City of Peoria Financial Overview of 2008 Year-to-Date Projections and 2009 Preliminary Revenue Projections; Including 5-Year Projections, and Operating Budget Guidelines. No Final Action will be Taken.

Part 2

EXECUTIVE SESSION

ADJOURNMENT

Peoria, IL – With recent endorsements from the Peoria Police Union and the Peoria County Sheriff’s Union, candidate for State’s Attorney Darin LaHood is apparently the ‘choice’ of law enforcement in the November General Election. Joining the growing list of police unions backing LaHood’s candidacy is the Chillicothe Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #247, which on July 4, 2008, voted unanimously to endorse the challenger LaHood for Peoria County State’s Attorney.

“Our officers believe it is time for a change in the State’s Attorney’s office,” said Chillicothe Police Sergeant and FOP President Daniel Adcock. “The present State’s Attorney’s support of our Department has dwindled over the years and that intensely frustrates our officers. Darin LaHood’s experience as an aggressive prosecutor and his keen understanding of Peoria County indicate that he can provide the new leadership that law enforcement sorely needs. With LaHood, we can ensure that criminals are off the streets and repeat offenders won’t continue to threaten our public safety in Chillicothe.”

LaHood has sought out law enforcement county wide in his bid to unseat a 20-year incumbent stating that it is ‘frontline officers’ and ‘stewards of public safety’ who know best the inadequacies of the present State’s Attorney.

“It’s become very clear, very quickly that the rank and file police officers throughout Peoria County are virtually ignored by the State’s Attorney’s office,” said LaHood. “These individuals have committed their lives to serving and protecting their communities – and their job is not easy. But having little to no support from the State’s Attorney is a slap in the face to these men and women who put their lives on the line every day to ensure that their friends, families and neighbors are safe.”

Darin LaHood, 40, was born and raised in Peoria. He is a former Chief Terrorism and Federal Prosecutor who served four years with the U.S. Department of Justice in Las Vegas, Nevada. LaHood was also an Assistant State’s Attorney in both Tazewell and Cook counties. LaHood and his wife, Kristen, returned home to Peoria in 2005 to raise their three children: McKay, Luke, and Teddy. LaHood currently practices with the Peoria law firm of Miller, Hall, & Triggs. Darin and Kristen are active in numerous Peoria charitable and civic organizations and are members of St. Vincent de Paul Church. Visit www.DarinLaHood.com to learn more about Darin, volunteer opportunities, or to contribute to the campaign.