Past election results, council votes and research surveys have shown that public sentiment is overwhelmingly against a City of Peoria buyout of Illinois American Water. In addition, many business owners and community leaders oppose a water system buyout, as do Illinois American Water employees.
- 2005 Election Results—By a vote of 82% to 18%, voters overwhelmingly OPPOSED a City buyout in an advisory referendum.
- 2008/2013 Council Vote—In 2008 and 2013, the Council again considered whether to exercise the buyout option. In both years, the Council voted NOT to exercise the option.
- Today, residents continue to be against a buyout. Nine of ten Peoria residents said in a survey conducted by Public Opinion Strategies that the City has more important priorities than buying the water system.
79% agree with the statement “I OPPOSE the City spending this money because Peoria has other more important priorities than buying the water company. It’s just not smart for the city to move ahead with this when they can’t even properly fund schools, roads or even the city’s own rainy day fund.”
Area Unions Support Illinois American Water
Illinois American Water Recognized by Peoria Area Labor Management and Tri-County Construction Labor Management Councils
Mike Everett, Past President - Labor Council of West Central Illinois
Local Residents and Leaders Support Illinois American Water
SPOTLIGHT: Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me
Letter to the Editor: Far better ways to invest $400,000
Letter to the Editor: Peoria should leave water company alone
Letter to the Editor: Peoria can’t afford water company
Spotlight: Peoria should leave water company alone
Letter to the Editor: Illinois American Water has served Peoria well
Spotlight: Can Peoria really run a water company?
Rev. Elaine Gordon: Better uses for public money than buying water company
Letter to the Editor: Peoria’s water better without public ownership
A proven record of quality water service
Letter to the Editor: Too many unanswered questions on water company purchase
The true cost of a water buyout
Letter to the Editor: If city roads any indication, don’t buy water company
Letter to the Editor: Council shouldn’t be fooled by water buyout proponents
Letter to the Editor: Private water company is top-notch
Utility workers are public servants, too
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