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🌱 How a 1,000-acre annexation could reshape Pekin’s park funding
Good morning Pekin! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- How a 1,000-acre annexation could reshape Pekin’s park funding
- How a new $8 million plan will reshape Pekin Hospital
- See how Pekin softball fared in Tuesday’s packed prep schedule
Today's riddle: What did the inventor of the knock-knock joke win? 🤔 (Answer below!)
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- Friday: Becoming windier and warm, with a high of 82 and low of 45 degrees.
- Saturday: Turning sunny; windy, cooler, temps: high: 56, low: 38.
- Sunday: Breezy in the morning; sunny, with a high of 59 and low of 38 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Pekin votes unanimously to annex Lutticken Property to Park District (wmbdradio.com) — Pekin’s city council has unanimously annexed the 1,000-acre Lutticken Property into the Pekin Park District, setting up future tax revenue from any commercial or residential development there. City and park leaders stress the land remains city-owned and won’t automatically become a park, but future homeowners in new subdivisions would pay additional park district taxes to support operations and nearby parks. 
2. Carle Health commits $8 million to Pekin Hospital updates. Here's the plan (pjstar.com) — Pekin residents can expect an $8 million upgrade to Pekin Hospital, including a new cafeteria, infrastructure improvements, and more green space. Carle Health says the project, already underway, will modernize facilities while preserving local care, with most work finished by mid-2027.
3. Prep sports recap for April 14, 2026 (centralillinoisproud.com) — Pekin High’s softball team was among Tuesday’s winners in a busy night of regional prep action. A late RBI lifted Dunlap over East Peoria in a top Mid-Illini showdown, while other area teams, including Washington, Metamora, Morton, and Normal Community, also picked up key softball, baseball, and soccer victories.
4. Carole L. Meyer (lincolndailynews.com) — Family and friends in Washington are mourning the passing of 81-year-old Carole L. Meyer, remembered for her years greeting customers at local grocery stores and her love of animals. Those wishing to honor her are invited to give memorials to T.A.P.S. in Pekin instead of sending flowers.
📸 Around Pekin
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🗓
Upcoming Events in
Pekin
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
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Tech Tuesday
Pekin Public Library , 301 South Fourth Street , Pekin
9:15 am -
2026 Annual Meeting & Reception
Avanti's Event Center , 3401 Griffin Drive , Pekin
4:30 pm
Tuesday April 21
📣 Pekin Shout Outs!
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🗓 Events Nearby
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Police Pension Board of Trustees Meeting
East Peoria, IL Calendar , 401 W Washington Street , East Peoria
8:30 am -
IVCHS JV Baseball @ Tremont
Tremont High School , 400 W Pearl St , Tremont
4:30 pm -
FS Baseball
Tremont High School Tremont, IL 61568
4:30 pm -
Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? Trivia Night
Barrack's Hospitality Group Banquet Center & Catering , 1224 W Pioneer Pkwy , Peoria
5:45 pm -
Mamma Mia! - Night 2
Pekin Community High School , 1903 Court St , Pekin
6:30 pm -
BJJ & CATCH WRESTLING ILLINOIS SEMINAR!
Hollis Park Recreation Center , 10107 S Vine St , Mapleton
12:00 pm -
Fire & Police Commission Meeting
East Peoria, IL Calendar , 305 Springfield Road , East Peoria
10:00 am -
Track & Field Meet (5th - 8th) @ Peoria Heights
Peoria Heights High School , 508 E Glen Ave , Peoria Heights
4:15 pm -
Rankin School District 98 TR C JH Home OPEN (Multiple Teams)
Rankin School District 98 Pekin, IL 61554
4:30 pm -
Beautification Commission Meeting
East Peoria, IL Calendar , 1 EastSide Drive , East Peoria
5:30 pm
Friday April 17
Saturday April 18
Monday April 20
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Wendy's posted a job opening for Shift Manager in Pekin. Apply here.
- Aramark Corp. posted a job opening for Food Service Worker - Pekin Community HS in Pekin. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Pekin here.
Ok Pekin! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: The NO-BELL prize (Thank you Gina M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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