Peoria has been through a lot lately. Between the shifting political landscape and some serious safety conversations, the city feels like it's in a state of constant flux. Honestly, if you live here, you've probably noticed that the headlines are moving faster than the traffic on I-74. Today, January 13, 2026, isn't any different. There's a massive federal boost for our first responders that just hit the wires, and it's basically the shot in the arm the city’s safety infrastructure has been begging for.
Let's get right into the Peoria IL breaking news that actually matters for your Tuesday evening.
The $3 Million Reinforcement for Peoria Fire
The biggest story today is definitely coming out of the firehouse. The Peoria Fire Department just secured a massive $3.1 million federal grant. This isn't just a "nice to have" bonus; it’s a game-changer for how quickly a truck gets to your house if things go sideways.
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Chief Shawn Sollberger has been pretty vocal about the strain on his crews. Basically, this money, which comes from FEMA’s SAFER grant program (Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response), allows the city to hire 11 new full-time firefighters.
Why does that number matter?
Because it allows the department to move toward four-person truck companies. When you have four people on a rig instead of three, you’re not just safer; you’re faster.
Representative Eric Sorensen was the one to announce it, noting that the goal is to bring the total fire suppression force up to over 180 personnel. Councilman Mike Vespa also pointed out something that’ll make taxpayers happy: this should significantly cut down on the $2 million the city has been burning on overtime pay. It’s hard to stay sharp when you’re working double shifts every week, and this grant is the light at the end of that tunnel.
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Crime Updates: Sentences and New Charges
It's been a busy week at the Peoria County Courthouse. If you've been following the blotter, a few major cases just wrapped up or took a big step forward.
- The East Bluff Shooting: Jamar Whiteside-Banks, 31, is being held without bond for a home invasion that happened back in 2024. It took a while to track him down, but he was finally arrested on January 8. The case involves a setup where a victim was shot in the arm over $1,500.
- Facebook Marketplace Danger: Tobias Taylor, 25, just got slapped with a 12-year prison sentence. He robbed a guy at gunpoint for four pairs of shoes during a meetup. Honestly, it’s a reminder to always use the "Safe Exchange" zones at the police stations.
- The Lexington Hills Robbery: Anthony Morris is heading away for 8 years. He forced his way into an apartment with a gun last February. The court didn't go for the maximum 12-year sentence the state wanted, but 8 years is still a significant chunk of time.
Infrastructure and the "New" Peoria
You might’ve seen the news about the ADA Transition Plan. Peoria County is currently begging for public input on how to make the city more accessible. They’re looking at everything—sidewalks, crosswalks, the whole nine yards. You’ve got until January 31 to hop onto the county website and tell them where the sidewalks are crumbling or where a wheelchair user literally can't get across the street.
Also, for the artsy crowd, the city is looking for local creators to fill Suite 207 at City Hall. They need 2D art for the 2026-2027 season. If you’ve got a studio in Peoria, the deadline to apply is this Friday, January 16. It’s a cool way to get your work in front of the people running the city.
Pritzker, Cashless Bail, and the Local Pushback
While Governor JB Pritzker was in Bloomington today for a groundbreaking at ISU, his comments are rippling through Peoria. Our local Sheriff, Chris Watkins, has been one of the loudest voices asking the Governor to revisit the SAFE-T Act.
Watkins is worried.
He’s seeing an uptick in missed court dates and "low-level" offenders just cycling back onto the streets.
Pritzker, however, isn't budging. He stood by the podium today and called the reforms "highly effective," pointing to a general decrease in crime rates across Illinois. It’s a classic "he-said, she-said" between state leadership and local law enforcement, and Peoria is right in the crosshairs of that debate.
What’s Next: Upcoming Events to Watch
If you’re looking to get out of the house (and avoid the temperature drop the weathermen are screaming about), keep an eye on these:
- ILMEA All-State Festival: Thousands of the best student musicians in Illinois are descending on Peoria from January 29-31. Expect the downtown hotels to be packed.
- Cahokia Mounds Lecture: On January 25, Logan Pappenfort—who is a descendant of the Peoria Tribe—is giving a virtual talk on the supernatural symbolism of the Piasa. It’s free, but you’ve gotta register on the Illinois.gov site.
- Disc Golf Pro Tour: The 2026 schedule just dropped, and Peoria is once again a major stop. This city has become a weirdly huge hub for disc golf, and the economic impact from these tournaments is actually pretty significant.
Actionable Steps for Peorians
- Check your insurance: With Pritzker mentioning that homeowner’s insurance hiked 27% for some, now is the time to shop around before your next renewal.
- Safety first: If you're selling anything on Marketplace this week, don't meet at an apartment complex. Use the Peoria Police Department parking lot.
- Speak up: Go to the Peoria County website and pin your "problem spots" on the ADA interactive map before the January 31 deadline.
Peoria is changing, and while the $3 million for the fire department is a massive win, the ongoing tension over crime and infrastructure shows we’ve still got some hills to climb. Stay warm, stay safe, and keep an eye on those local council meetings—that's where the real work happens.