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 e-Newsletter
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An economic consultant is recommending the Illinois River Valley Council of Governments merge with other area bodies. Peoria Public Radio’s Alex Rusciano reports some members of IRVCOG want the group to expand its role: Consultant Frank Knott is recommending streamlining IRVCOG’s function with the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission to boost efficiency. Currently IVGOC is an unofficial, unincorporated group of area mayors, township and county officials. Peoria Mayor Jim Ardis says he supports completely changing IRVCOG’s role: “The significance of the COG and what we’re doing had probably grown itself to a point where we should be a more independent group,” Ardis says. color:#222222"> “We should administer ourselves and not be administered under the umbrella of Tri-County Planning and I think that is where we will eventually drive this to a point where the COG is a stand-alone, responsible for our own functions.” Some of those new functions could include joint equipment purchasing programs and financial services programs that underwrite bonds for its members. But that would mean members would have to start funding a group that’s currently staffed by the Planning Commission. Frank Knott also recommended restructuring the heartland Partnership and Central Illinois Economic Development Council. |
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