PEORIA, IL -- Here are my recommendations for the 2019 municipal election. Vote by April 2:
For Peoria City Council: Beth Jensen, Rita Ali, Beth Akeson – these three candidates supported Friends of Riverfront Park in the successful effort to save the park from apartments. Other incumbents did not, despite what some have claimed. This is a cumulative voting contest, so voting for one only gives that candidate 5 votes.
For Peoria Park District president: Robert Johnson. He also supported the park against the apartments. His opponent has never served on the park board, and his wife works for the park district, an unfortunate conflict of interest.
For Park District Trustee: Joyce Harant, Jackie Petty and Kyle Bright. These are experienced candidates who will protect the parks from developers and other predators.
That’s all on the ballot for the central district, but elsewhere Ernestine Jackson for Peoria District 150 School Board should be reelected. Her election last time guaranteed the resignation of the bad superintendent, who needed to go, and she is a capable board member.
You can register and early vote now, or vote on April 2 at your polling place. To register and vote at the same time: use if your address has changed or you are a new voter in Peoria. You need 2 forms of ID, one showing where you live. See the Election Commission’s website at http://peoriaelections.org/ for more information, and on early voting. Want a paper ballot? You can order a ballot-by-mail now at the website.
If anyone challenges your right to vote, ask for a provisional ballot. Don’t fall for false information on voting from robo-calls, the Internet or mail.
-- Elaine Hopkins
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