Peoria is more vibrant than ever!  There is always something exciting to do or see.  Whether it is taking in a show, enjoying an outdoor festival, attending a community class, or simply hanging out and enjoying Peoria's unique culture.  It is the people that make Peoria special.  Peoria has the hospitality you expect in the Midwest and the opportunity for residents to live in the heart of the city, in the country, or in the surrounding communities nearby.  Regardless of which lifestyle you choose, you will be within about 20 minutes driving time of just about everything Peoria has to offer.   As a native of the Peoria area, I have  knowledge of many aspects of the area and think it is a great place to live, work, and play!  Please feel free to explore the following resources for additional information and contact me with questions. ~Melissa

Peoria's Heritage

Peoria, Illinois, is named for the Peoria, one of the principal tribes of the Illinois confederacy who lived on this prairie land near the Illinois River when European explorers arrived in the late 1600's.  The city is regarded as the first European settlement in Illinois, established when French explorers Louis Joliet and Father Jacques Marquette canoed down the Illinois River and established Fort Pimeteoui on its western shore.

"Will it play in Peoria?"

Peoria has become famous as a representation of the average American city because of its demographics and its perceived mainstream Midwestern culture.  The famous phrase, "Will it play in Peoria?" originiated in the 1920's during Peoria's famed Vaudeville days.  On the Vaudeville circuit, it was said that if an act could succeed in Peoria, it could play anywhere.  This has become a metaphor for whether something appeals to the American mainstream public and Peoria is often used as a test market for new products, services, and public policy polling. 

Peoria is home to Fortune 100 companies, as well as, a wide range of companies making progress happen in the region.  Some of these include, Caterpillar, Inc.; Advanced Technology Services; Bradley University; G&D Integrated; Greater Peoria Regional Airport Authority; Illinois Central College; Keystone Steel & Wire; Methodist Medical Center; Morton Metalcraft Company; OSF Saint Francis Medical Center; Peoria Public Schools District 150; Proctor Hospital; XPAC.

Health and Medicine

The healthcare industry accounts for at least 25% of Peoria's economy.  The city has five major hospitals:  the Midwest Affiliate of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Children's Hospital of Illinois, Methodist Medical Center of Illinois, Proctor Hospital, and OSF St. Francis Medical Center.  In addition, the University of Illinois College of Medicine is located in the city. 

Education

Peoria is served by two public K-12 school districts:

• Peoria Public Schools District 150 is the larger and serves the majority of the city.  District 150 schools include dozens of primary and middle schools, as well as Richwoods High School, Woodruff High School, Manual High School, and Peoria High School (Central), the oldest high school in Illinois.
• Dunlap Community Unit School District 323 serves the far north and northwest parts of Peoria that were mainly outside the city before the 1990's.  District 323 is one of the fastest-growing school districts in Central Illinois, and its excellent reputation is one of the main reasons for Peoria's growth to the northwest.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Peoria currently runs six schools in the city:  five grade schools and Peoria Notre Dame High School.  Non-denominational Peoria Christian School operates a grade school, middle school, and high school.  In addition, Concordia Lutheran School, Peoria Academy, Christ Lutheran School, and several smaller private schools exist.

Bradley University, Midstate College, the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria, the Downtown and North campuses of Illinois Central College, and the Peoria campus of Robert Morris College are based in the city.

Sports

Peoria is home to the AHL Rivermen, Class A Minor Leagues Baseball team-Peoria Chiefs, and UIF (indoor football)-Peoria Rough Riders.  The community also enjoys collegiate basketball with the Bradley University Braves.  In 2006, Peoria introduced the Peoria Kings, an expansion franchise in the American Basketball Association.  Auto racing fans don't have to go far to see action at the track.  The Peoria Speedway is host to a variety of races and classes.  Motorsports fans who prefer two-wheeled competition flock to the Grand National TT Motorcycle Races, one of the nation's tops held at America's first dirt track and hosted by the Peoria Motorcycle Club.