Peoria is a thriving, active and expanding community with people and opportunities that make living and working in Peoria very rewarding.  The city is the second largest metropolis in the state, with more than 112,000 residents in the city proper and 339,000 in the tri-county area.

Peoria is a truly unique mid-western city. It offers residents many amenities of larger cities without the negative aspects of city living. Among the attractions are 12,000 acres of parks and recreation areas.  The Illinois River and twin Peoria Lakes place boating, fishing, skiing and other outdoor activities right at its doorstep.

The center of Peoria's cultural diversity is the Peoria Civic Center, with its 12,000 seat arena, 2,000 seat theater, and 65,000 square foot exhibition hall. The community supports an acclaimed ballet company, civic opera, symphony orchestra, and numerous theater groups. Premier art exhibits are staged regularly at Lakeview Museum.  The Bradley University Braves basketball team, Peoria Chiefs professional baseball club, and Peoria Rivermen professional hockey team thrill sports enthusiasts year-round. As of 1996, the Illinois High School Basketball Championships are held in the Peoria Civic Center.

Families grow together in Peoria -- a city with stable neighborhoods and a commitment to community. Peoria has three large medical centers:  Proctor Community Hospital, Methodist Medical Center of Illinois, and Saint Francis Medical Center.  All three hospitals are full-service facilities offering medical management, surgical treatment, emergency care, medical education and therapy for all types of trauma or illness.

Peoria operates under a council / manager form of government in which the Mayor is elected to serve as an at-large member of the City Council.  The Council is comprised of five district representatives and five at-large members.  The City Manager is appointed by and reports to the City Council.  The Mayor presides at all council meetings and has full voting powers.