The Chamber supports the city’s aim to improve performance incentives, efficiency and the quality of services provided by city government.  Further, we believe that this must be accomplished within the framework of government services that are affordable by the taxpayers of the city – both residential and business.  The Chamber stands ready to work with City officials to find and achieve these goals.

The Chamber strongly encourages the City of Peoria to streamline the development process and provide accountability within that process for all parties.

The Chamber understands that a vital, supportive business environment is critical to the health, welfare and growth of the community and our members.  To that end, the Chamber strives to help formulate and implement governmental attitudes and policies that assist, foster and encourage the growth of existing businesses and the attraction of new businesses to the area.

The Chamber strongly supports the development of the Riverfront to include the planned Regional Museum and the expansion of the Civic Center as they prove feasible and support the general principles outlined in the DPZ report.  The Chamber further supports long-term planning for the area between the urban core and the suburban development initiatives.  The Chamber also supports the planning process for the Med-Tech district.

The Chamber strongly supports appropriate efforts to strengthen the public schools in their endeavor to prepare the city’s children to be productive citizens and workers in the future years.  We further believe that public education benefits from the active involvement of all stake holders – parents, teachers, students, businesses and others.  Education must be responsive to the need for all students to achieve at their potential and relevant to career development for all students.

The Chamber strongly supports responsible use of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) as a major stimulus for the development of the urban core.  The Chamber encourages all taxing bodies to work together to create the most efficient delivery of services while remaining competitive with other cities nationally.  Further, the Chamber urges all units of government to balance carefully the need for revenues with the impact of increased taxes on business growth and prosperity.

The Chamber supports the development and maintenance of a healthy transportation system to move goods and people.  In collaboration with other area chambers, the Chamber has developed and supports a regional road agenda.  Additionally, the Chamber will work to improve the air service available to business and leisure travelers in the community. The Chamber strongly supports the use of designated transportation funds at any level of government for the intended purpose. The Chamber strongly supports the development of a comprehensive multimodal transportation plan for the Heart of Illinois Port District.  The Chamber strongly supports the ongoing maintenance of existing critical infrastructure whether that is roads, sewers, sidewalks or other critical parts of the infrastructure that support the residents and businesses within a community.

The Chamber works each year with the Illinois Chamber and other local chambers throughout the state on a specific legislative agenda that will strengthen the business climate in Illinois.

The Chamber strongly supports units of government working together to achieve economies of scale and/or increased efficiencies and effectiveness of service delivery.

The Chamber strongly supports free and open trade between countries.

The Chamber strongly supports the involvement of the business community in the electoral process.  To that end, the Chamber has formed a political action committee that will actively work to elect the best possible positive representation to local units of government.  The Progressive Peoria PAC will support candidates who support issues of importance to the business community. Further, the Chamber will encourage employees in member companies to get actively involved in the political process by working for candidates, contributing to candidates and voting in elections.

The Chamber will actively engage in the political process as a representative of the business community to improve the overall business climate.  That will manifest itself through positions on specific pieces of legislation or ordinances, get out the vote efforts, support for critical projects or candidates and other issues as deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors.

The Chamber will expect accountability in all public elected officials.  They must be honest, respectful and forthright in their dealings with each other and with the public.  They will fully disclose any conflicts of interest.