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===Media===
===Media===
{{main|Media in metropolitan Peoria}}
Peoria is the the 150th largest [[Media market|radio market]] in the United States <ref>[http://www.arbitron.com/downloads/Fall_2007_Population_Rankings.pdf Arbitron - Fall 2007 Population Rankings]</ref> and the 117th largest TV market in the United States <ref>[http://www.nielsenmedia.com/nc/portal/site/Public/menuitem.55dc65b4a7d5adff3f65936147a062a0/?vgnextoid=bc0e47f8b5264010VgnVCM100000880a260aRCRD# Nielsen 2007-2008 DMA Ranks]</ref>.


The area is served by over 20 commercial [[radio]] stations, 3 non-commercial radio stations, 6 [[Television|TV]] stations and a daily [[newspaper]].
====Newspapers====
* [[Peoria Journal Star]] (daily) [http://www.pjstar.com]
* Times Newspapers (weekly) [http://www.peoriatimesobserver.com/]

====Analog television====
* 19 [[WHOI]], [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]
* 25 [[WEEK-TV]] "News 25", [[NBC]] [http://www.week.com]
* 31 [[WMBD-TV]] "Newschannel 31", [[CBS]]
* 43 [[WYZZ-TV]] "Fox 43", [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]]
* 47 [[WTVP]], [[Public Broadcasting Service|PBS]] [http://www.wtvp/org]
* 59 [[WAOE]] "My59", [[MyNetworkTV]]

====Digital television (DTV)====
* 28 WYZZ-DT (43.1 - [[High-definition television|High Definition]]) "Fox 43", Fox
* 40 WHOI-DT (19.1 - High Definition), ABC
* 40 WHOI-DT (19.2 - [[Standard-definition television|Standard Definition]]), [[The CW Television Network]]
* 46 WTVP-DT (47.1 - Standard Definition), PBS
* 46 WTVP-DT (47.2 - High Definition), PBS HDTV
* 46 WTVP-DT (47.3 - Standard Definition)
* 56 WEEK-DT (25.1 - High Definition) "News 25", NBC
* 56 WEEK-DT (25.2 - Standard Definition), [[NBC Weather Plus]]


===Civic Center===
===Civic Center===

Revision as of 07:03, 24 September 2007

Template:Geobox City

Peoria, Illinois (named after the Peoria tribe) is the largest city on the Illinois River and the county seat of Peoria County,Template:GR Illinois, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 112,936. The Peoria Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 369,161 in 2005.[1]

Peoria has become famous as a representation of the average American city because of its demographics and its perceived mainstream Midwestern culture. On the Vaudeville circuit, it was said that if an act would succeed in Peoria, it would work anywhere. The question "Will it play in Peoria?" has now become a metaphor for whether something appeals to the American mainstream public, and Peoria is often used as a test market for new products, services, and public policy polling.[2]

Peoria is also headquarters for Caterpillar Inc., one of the 30 companies composing the Dow Jones Industrial Average.

History

Main article: History of Peoria, Illinois

The lands that eventually would become Peoria were first settled in 1680, when French explorers René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle and Henri de Tonti constructed Fort Crevecoeur. This fort would later burn to the ground, and in 1813 Fort Clark was built. When the County of Peoria was organized in 1825, Fort Clark was officially named Peoria.

Geography

Peoria is located at 40°43′15″N 89°36′34″W / 40.72083°N 89.60944°W / 40.72083; -89.60944Invalid arguments have been passed to the {{#coordinates:}} function (40.720737, -89.609421).Template:GR

Topography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 120.8 km² (46.6 mi²). Land comprises 115.0 km² (44.4 mi²) of the area, and 5.8 km² (2.2 mi²) (4.78%) is water.

Peoria is bounded on the east by the Illinois River except for the enclave of Peoria Heights, which also borders the river. Four bridges run directly between the city and neighboring East Peoria. On the south end of Peoria's western border are Bartonville and the newly established city of West Peoria. Local municipal plans indicate that the city intends to continue its expansion northwest, into an area unofficially considered part of Dunlap, Illinois.[citation needed]

Environment

Climate

Monthly normal and record temperatures (in °F)[3]
Measurement Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Record High 70 72 86 92 93 105 104 103 100 90 81 71
Normal High 30.7 36.6 49.4 62.0 73.0 82.2 85.7 83.6 76.7 64.4 48.8 35.5
Normal Low 14.3 19.7 30.2 40.3 50.8 60.1 64.6 62.6 54.0 42.3 31.4 20.1
Record Low -25 -19 -10 14 25 39 47 41 26 19 -2 -23
Monthly normal precipitation (in inches)[3]
Measurement Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Precipitation 1.50 1.67 2.83 3.56 4.17 3.84 4.02 3.16 3.12 2.77 2.99 2.40
Snow 6.7 5.0 4.2 0.8 trace trace trace 0 trace 0.1 2.1 6.2

Cityscape

Webcams

The city of Peoria, Illinois has several webcams that display different views of the city.

One is located on the campus of Bradley University. This webcam was installed in late 2006. The most prominent feature that you can see from this webcam is Bradley Hall, also located on the Bradley University campus. View the Bradley University webcam.

Another local webcam is from WEEK-TV News-25. This webcam gives a view of the downtown area from the top of the Jefferson Building.View the WEEK webcam.

WHOI TV also has a local webcam giving a wider view of the downtown Peoria area. View the HOI 19 webcam.

The Peoria Journal Star has a webcam mounted on its building aimed mostly at the busy McClugage bridge, which carries US routes 24 and 150 over the Illinois River. You can also pan this camera so as to look around the area or even into the office windows of the Journal Star itself. View the PJStar.com bridgecam.

Culture

Template:Future building The city of Peoria is home to a United States courthouse, the Peoria Civic Center (which includes Carver Arena), and the world headquarters for Caterpillar Inc. Medicine has become a major part of Peoria's economy. In addition to three major hospitals, the USDA's National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, formerly called the USDA Northern Regional Research Lab, is located in Peoria. This lab was where mass production of penicillin was developed.[4]

Peoria's downtown area includes corporate, governmental, convention, educational, and medical facilities. It also boasts the Peoria Civic Center, Apollo Theatre, O'Brien Field and an arts, dining, and entertainment area near the riverfront. Downtown now also maintains a permanent population living in high rise condominiums, riverfront lofts, and converted office/warehouse condominiums and apartments.[citation needed]

Grandview Drive, which Teddy Roosevelt is said to have called the "world's most beautiful drive" during a 1910 visit[5], runs through Peoria and Peoria Heights. In addition to Grandview Drive, the Peoria Park District boasts 9,000 acres (36 km²) of parks, including Glen Oak Zoo and five public golf courses. There are also several private and semi-private golf courses. The Peoria Park District was the 2001 Winner of the National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Parks and Recreation for Class II Parks.[6]

Museums in Peoria include the Lakeview Museum for the Arts and Sciences and the Wheels o' Time Museum. A new Museum Square, under construction downtown, will house a new regional museum, a planetarium, and the Caterpillar World Visitors Center.[7]

The Steamboat Classic, held every summer, is the world's largest four-mile running race and draws international runners.[8]

Peoria's sister cities include Friedrichshafen, Germany; Benxi, China; and Clonmel, Ireland. Peoria has also recently adopted Biloxi, Mississippi, as a sister city to aid in its recovery from the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.[9] [10]

Performing arts

Madison Theatre

The Peoria Symphony Orchestra is the 10th oldest in the nation. Peoria is also home to Opera Illinois, the Peoria Municipal Band, the Peoria Area Civic Chorale, the Central Illinois Youth Symphony, and two ballet companies: Peoria Ballet and Illinois Ballet. Several community and professional theatres have their home in and around Peoria, including the Peoria Players, which is the fourth-oldest community theater in the nation and the oldest in Illinois.[11]

The Contemporary Art Center of Peoria, and the Peoria Art Guild and Galleries, host of the Annual Art Fair that is rated as one of the best professional art fairs in the nation [12], are in Peoria.

Comedy clubs, and several venues for a variety of traveling shows and concerts including Broadway touring companies, are located in and around Peoria.[13]

Peoria has embarked on major renovations and expansion to Peoria Zoo at Glen Oak Park. When finished, the new zoo improvements will triple the size of the zoo and will have a major African safari exhibit. Work began in the fall of 2006. In addition, The Peoria Playhouse - An Interactive Children's Museum, spearheaded by the Junior League of Peoria - is planned in conjunction with the zoo expansion and further enhancements to Glen Oak Park campus.[14]

Tourism

Registered historic places

Pere Marquette Hotel

Sports

Peoria is home to the AHL Peoria Rivermen. The current hockey team is the third team to use the name Peoria Rivermen, and they started play in October, 2005 at the Peoria Civic Center.[15] The Class A Minor League Baseball team Peoria Chiefs home venue is O'Brien Field, a stadium near downtown Peoria. This team is affiliated with the Chicago Cubs, and plays in the Midwest League.[16][17]

The Peoria Sunday Morning League is the longest running semi-pro baseball league in the Nation. It has been running for 91 years. The league boasts many former Major Leaguers such as Kirby Puckett, Mike Dunne, and Jim Thome.[citation needed]

In 1946, the Peoria Redwings were created as part of the All-American Girls Baseball League (which was officially the American Girls Baseball League after 1950). The Redwings were the 9th team of 12 to enter the league, and were in the league for 6 out of the 12 years of the league's existence. The Redwings folded after the 1951 season, and the league disbanded in 1954.[18]

Media

Main article: Media in metropolitan Peoria

Peoria is the the 150th largest radio market in the United States [19] and the 117th largest TV market in the United States [20].

The area is served by over 20 commercial radio stations, 3 non-commercial radio stations, 6 TV stations and a daily newspaper.

Civic Center

Civic Center
Main article: Peoria Civic Center

The Peoria Civic Center includes an arena, convention center, and theater, and was completed in the early 1980s, was designed by the famed late architect Philip Johnson. The three structures are connected via an enclosed glass panel arcade for all-weather protection and aesthetics.[citation needed] As of 2007, it has completed a $55 million renovation and expansion based on demand for larger conventions and entertainment venues.

Renaissance Park

Template:Future building Renaissance Park is a research park originally established in May 2003 as the Peoria Medical and Technology District. It consists of nine residential neighborhoods, Bradley University, the medical district, Caterpillar world headquarters, and the National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research. The Peoria NEXT Innovation Center opened in August 2007 andprovides both dry and wet labs, as well as conference and office space for emerging start-up compnaies. Over $1 billion in research is conducted in Peoria annually.[21]

Museum Square

Template:Future building Slated for completion in 2009, the $100+ million Museum Square is a new 6.8-acre development in downtown Peoria along the Illinois River. Planned and designed by architecture firm Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Architects, the Square will house two separate facilities - the Peoria Riverfront Museum - The Center of Art, History, Science & Achievement and the Caterpillar Visitor Center. The 110,000-square-foot museum will feature hands-on and interactive displays, a planetarium and Imaginarium, innovative galleries and ever-changing, regionally focused exhibits on the arts, sciences, history, and nature. It will highlight the region's creativity, innovations, and worldwide impact - past, present and future. Caterpillar, an international company, will maintain the 50,000-square-foot Caterpillar Visitor Center, which will showcase the history of the company.[citation needed][22]

Economy

Well-known Peoria businesses

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Peoria currently runs six schools in the city: five grade schools and Peoria Notre Dame High School. Non-denominational Peoria Christian School operates a grade school, middle school, and high school. In addition, Concordia Lutheran School, Peoria Academy, Christ Lutheran School, and several smaller private schools exist.[citation needed]

Bradley University, Midstate College, the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria, the Downtown and North campuses of Illinois Central College, and the Peoria campus of Robert Morris College are based in the city. According to the Princeton Review, Bradley University ranks in the Top 25 entrepreneurial campuses out of 357 schools and universities.[citation needed]

Awards

  • Peoria has been awarded the All-America City Award three times (1953, 1966, and 1989).
  • According to Forbes, the Peoria area is ranked the most affordable U.S. metropolitan area to live in out of the nation's 150 largest metro areas.[citation needed] Forbes also recently ranked Peoria #47 out of the largest 150 metropolitan areas in its annual "Best Places for Business and Careers." Peoria was evaluated on the cost of doing business, cost of living, entertainment opportunities, and income growth.[24]
  • In 2005, Sperling and Sanders Best Places to Live Rankings among 331 metropolitan areas placed Peoria #51, citing "low cost of living, low cost of housing, and attractive residential areas" as the main pros to the area.[citation needed][25]
  • Inc. Magazine placed Peoria #33 on its Top Cities for Doing Business in America out of 274 populations centers. [citation needed]
  • Peoria was ranked a 4 Star Logistics City by Expansion Management Magazine[26] despite the city's population decreasing continuously since the 1980s.
  • Peoria consistently ranks in the Top 10 Best Mannered Cities in America as compiled by etiquette expert Marjabelle Young Stewart.[27]

Other notable buildings

Infrastructure

Health and medicine

The health-care industry accounts for at least 25% of Peoria's economy.[citation needed] The city has three major hospitals: OSF St. Francis Medical Center, Methodist Medical Center of Illinois, Proctor Hospital. In addition, the Children's Hospital of Illinois, the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria, and the Midwest Affiliate of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital are located in the city. The hospitals are all located in a medical district around the junction of Interstate 74 and Knoxville Avenue, adjacent to downtown in the southeast of the city, except for Proctor Hospital in the geographic center of the city. Methodist Medical Center has recently announced a $300 million expansion and modernization of its current center. This "medical district", which will be economically important to the Peoria area's future growth, serves much of central Illinois from Chicago to Saint Louis, including the Bloomington-Normal, Champaign-Urbana, Danville, and Springfield-Decatur-Lincoln metropolitan areas.[citation needed] The surrounding towns are also supported by Proctor Hospital, Pekin Hospital, and Eureka Hospital.

OSF St. Francis Medical Center

St. Francis construction

OSF St. Francis Medical Center is ranked as the ninth-largest hospital in the nation and is the largest hospital in Illinois outside the Chicago or St. Louis areas. It is the central Illinois area's trauma center and the largest regional hospital in downstate Illinois.[citation needed]

In 2006, a $245 million expansion and renovation project was announced for its Peoria campus. When completed, the renovation will provide a new physician's office complex for the OSF Medical Group, larger and separate entrance into a new Children's Hospital of Illinois building, new adult and pediatric emergency and trauma facilities, and house more adult and children's facilities. This is forecast to create 850 construction jobs and 1,000 additional permanent health care related jobs.[citation needed]

Sanitary

Peoria is one of approximately 900 American cities that have combined sewer overflow systems. As of 2007, the combined sewer system in the City of Peoria is violating pollution standards: sanitary sewer overflow affects the system approximately 25 times per year, dumping raw sewage into the Illinois River each time. This violation of the federal Clean Water Act has drawn the attention of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, which has mandated that the city make improvements.[28]

Transportation

See also: Bridges in Peoria, Illinois and Peoria-to-Chicago Highway

Interstate and U.S. Routes

The Peoria area is served by two Interstate highways: Interstate 74, which runs from northwest to southeast through the downtown area, and Interstate 474, a southern bypass of I-74 through portions of Peoria and the suburbs of Bartonville and Creve Coeur. I-74 crosses over the Illinois River via the Murray Baker Bridge, while I-474 crosses via the Shade-Lohman Bridge. The nearest metropolitan centers accessible on I-74 are Galesburg to the west, and Bloomington-Normal to the east.[citation needed]

From 2004 to 2006, Interstate 74 between Interstate 474 on the west and Illinois Route 8 on the east was reconstructed as part of the Upgrade 74 project.

In addition, U.S. Route 24 runs along the bank of the Peoria side of the Illinois River, becoming a major arterial downtown as part of Adams Street and Jefferson Avenue, and then continuing southwest towards Bartonville as Washington Street, which turns into Adams Street on the south end of Peoria. U.S. Route 150 serves as the main arterial for the northern portion of the Peoria area, becoming War Memorial Drive before heading west towards Kickapoo. Both of these routes enter from the McCluggage Bridge; east of the bridge, U.S. 150 runs southeast to Morton, while U.S. 24 runs due east to Washington.[citation needed]

State Routes

The following state routes run through Peoria:

  • Illinois Route 6 runs along the northwestern portion of the city as an extension of I-474. It is a four-lane freeway that runs from the I-74/474 intersection northeast to Illinois Route 29 south of Chillicothe. It is marked as a north-south road.
  • Illinois Route 8 roughly parallels I-74 to the south. It enters Peoria from Farmington and runs southeast through the city, passing just southwest of the downtown area. Illinois 8 crosses into East Peoria via the Cedar Street Bridge with Illinois Routes 29 and 116. Illinois 8 is marked as an east-west road.
  • Illinois Route 29 runs with U.S. 24 through Peoria along the Illinois River from Chillicothe through downtown Peoria. It then joins Illinois 8 and 116 across the Cedar Street Bridge. Illinois 29 is marked as a north-south road, and is called Galena Road north of U.S. 150.
  • Illinois Route 40 enters Peoria from the north as Knoxville Avenue. It runs south through the center of the city and exits southeast over the Bob Michel Bridge. Illinois 40 is marked as a north-south road.
  • Illinois Route 91 briefly enters Peoria at the intersection with U.S. 150 in the far northwestern portion of the city. Traffic on Illinois 91 mainly accesses the Grand Prairie Mall, or continues to Dunlap.
  • Illinois Route 116 enters from the west at Bellevue. It runs directly east and crosses into East Peoria over the Cedar Street Bridge.

The planned Illinois Route 336 project will also connect Illinois 336 with I-474 between Illinois 8 and Illinois 116. Construction on the segment nearest Peoria has not started, nor has funding been allocated.

Rail transportation

Metro Peoria is served by ten common carrier railroads. Four are Class 1's: BNSF, Canadian National, Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific. The last one, Union Pacific, has a north-south oriented line which skirts the west edge of the city but a line branches off of it to enter Peoria. One Class II/Regional, Iowa Interstate, serves the city, coming out of Bureau Junction. Five Class III/Shortline railroads: Central Illinois Railroad (which operates a portion of the City-owned Peoria, Peoria Heights and Western Railroad), two Genesee and Wyoming-owned operations, Illinois & Midland Railroad (the former Chicago and Illinois Midland, comes up from Springfield) and Tazewell and Peoria Railroad (leases the Peoria and Pekin Union Railway from its owners - Canadian National, Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific), Pioneer Railcorp's Keokuk Junction Railway (which now owns the Toledo, Peoria and Western's West End from Lomax and La Harpe in Western Illinois, plus the branch from Keokuk) and finally, RailAmerica's Toledo, Peoria and Western Railway, which uses BNSF trackage to reach Galesburg and its own line to reach Logansport, Indiana.[citation needed]

Public Transportation

Public bus service is provided by the Greater Peoria Mass Transit District, which goes by the name CityLink. CityLink operates 20 bus routes that service the city, Illinois Central College and much of East Peoria, Illinois, Peoria Heights, West Peoria, and points between Peoria and Pekin, Illinois.[29] Most routes run between 7 a.m. and 6p.m. Monday through Friday with a handful of routes running as late as 1 a.m. on weekdays and 10 p.m. on Saturdays. No Sunday or major holiday service is provided.[citation needed]

Aviation

The Greater Peoria Regional Airport serves Peoria and surrounding communities. The airport is served by 5 passenger airlines (United, American, Delta, Northwest and Allegiant Air) and numerous cargo carriers. Nonstop destinations include Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Las Vegas, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Detroit, Denver, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Phoenix, and Tampa. Cargo carriers serving Peoria include FedEx, UPS and Airborne Express (now DHL).

Mount Hawley Airport, on the north end of the city, also accepts general aviation. Numerous other general aviation airports are located in the tri-county region.[citation needed]

Famous connections to Peoria

People born or raised in Peoria

Other famous Peorians

General John Shalikashvili

Famous events

See also

Points of interest

References

  1. ^ US Census Bureau population estimates for Metropolitan Statistical Areas
  2. ^ Ohlemacher, Stephen (2007-05-17). "Early Primaries Don't Reflect U.S. Prefs". FoxNews.com. Retrieved 2007-05-17.
  3. ^ a b USTravelWeather.com: Historical.Peoria Weather Data
  4. ^ ""Penicillin: Opening the Era of Antibiotics"". National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research website. 2006-04-07. Retrieved 2007-06-19.
  5. ^ url = http://www.historicpeoria.com/entry.php?eid=205&catid=2&cid=1
  6. ^ url = http://www.peoriaparks.org/
  7. ^ url= http://www.peoriamagazines.com/pp/2007/jan/development
  8. ^ ""Top International Field Expected at Steamboat Classic 4 Mile"". 2006-06-15. Retrieved 2007-06-19.
  9. ^ http://www.isbe.state.il.us/ils/foreign_languages/pdf/il_sister_cities.pdf
  10. ^ http://www.peoriamagazines.com/pp/2007/jan/culture
  11. ^ "Peoria Players History". 2007-03-19. Retrieved 2007-06-19.
  12. ^ url = http://www.peoriamagazines.com/aa/2005/sep/annual-fine-art-fair
  13. ^ http://www.peoriamagazines.com/pp/2007/jan/arts-entertainment
  14. ^ url = http://www.peoriaplayhouse.org
  15. ^ Official Site of the Peoria Rivermen. Retrieved April 15, 2007.
  16. ^ Official Site of the Peoria Chiefs. Retrieved April 15, 2007.
  17. ^ Information about Midwest League teams. Retrieved April 15, 2007.
  18. ^ All-American Girls Professional Baseball League records. Retrieved February 18, 2007.
  19. ^ Arbitron - Fall 2007 Population Rankings
  20. ^ Nielsen 2007-2008 DMA Ranks
  21. ^ url = http://www.ci.peoria.il.us/docs/Publications/Annual%20Report/COP_AnnualReport.pdf
  22. ^ url=http://www.peoriamuseumsquare.com
  23. ^ Clifton Gunderson LLP, Aministrative
  24. ^ ""Forbes Ranks Peoria No. 47 on Cost of Doing Business Index"". Economic Development Council for Central Illinois. Retrieved 2007-08-31.
  25. ^ "2005 Best Places to Live". Sperling's Best Places. Retrieved 2007-08-31.
  26. ^ "Peoria Among The Nation'S Top Logistics-Friendly Cities". Economic Development Council for Central Illinois. Retrieved 2007-08-31.
  27. ^ Glanton, Dahleen (2006-06-14). ""America's best-mannered city"" (PDF). Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2007-08-31. Retrieved 2007-08-31. Three Illinois cities — Peoria, Moline and Rock Island — have consistently made the Top 10. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  28. ^ ""Sewers, Sewage and Saving Our River"" (PDF). River City Review (Spring 2007) (PDF). City of Peoria. 2007-04-16. p. 2. Retrieved 2007-06-19.
  29. ^ "CityLink maps". Greater Peoria Mass Transit District (CityLink). 2007-05-16. Retrieved 2007-06-19.
  30. ^ Contract Air Mail Route No.2: Chicago - Peoria - Springfield - St. Louis. Includes images of Peoria-addressed and Peoria-postmarked postcards. Retrieved 2007-01-13.
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