PEKIN, Ill. — Despite objections from two elected officials, the Pekin City Council has approved a budget for the next fiscal year that includes major fire department upgrades.
The council, on a 4-2 vote, approved general fund spending to exceed $39.2 million and more than $37 million in capital projects.
Council members Rick Hilst and Lloyd Orrick voted no. Hilst said the city should have placed a higher priority on street improvements, while Orrick objected to the way the city plans on spending business development district funds on projects that aren’t necessarily tied to business growth.
On March 18, 25 News reported about the fire department’s $12 million project. Pekin’s fire chief said the upgrades are necessary because of higher call volume.
A new Fire Station #4 will be located at Broadway and Ironwood, while the community will get a new Fire Station #2 on Sheridan Road, between 12th and 13th Streets. Station #3 will also be replaced, and the city is buying a new fire engine.
In addition, the city will hire another police officer and a full-time chief building official to handle inspections.
The budget takes into account Pekin receiving the remaining half of $11.1 million in American Recovery Act funds, and $20 million from the Illinois Department of Transportation to pay for Court Street improvements.
