The Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, in collaboration with the Chillicothe, East Peoria, Morton, Pekin and Washington Chambers, continue to work together on regional road projects that are of high importance to the business community. We have been working together on transportation issues for over 16 years.

The completion of the ring road and a northern river crossing is now our number one regional transportation priority. This priority has been accepted by a coalition of interests to include the farm community, environmental groups, local elected officials, and other business associations brought together by the area state legislators. In the City of Peoria, our number one transportation priority is the extension of Pioneer Parkway.

Your Chamber will be lobbying for these projects in the meetings with other interest groups as we feel that the completion of the beltway around the metropolitan area will strengthen the local economy, provide for greater ease of movement between our communities and serve to better connect us to each other.

While the Chamber can and will represent the interests of the business community, it is always helpful to us to have your direct support to share with the elected officials. If you agree with our number one priority infrastructure project – or any of these important projects -- please send us an email or letter voicing that support. This can be done on corporate and/or personal stationary. We would encourage you to send that same letter to your local, state and federal elected officials also. You can find their contact information in our legislative directory.

Send your letters or emails to Roberta Parks at rparks@chamber.h-p.org or 100 SW Water Street, Peoria, IL 61602.

To review the complete regional road agenda, click here. To read the testimony submitted to the Illinois Department of Transportation by the Chamber in May 2012, click here.