Peoria will vote for new local leadership on April 6th, and Sierra Club is proud to endorse Rita Ali, Denise Jackson, Andre Allen as the bold leaders Peoria needs at this crucial time.
We need leaders who will stand up for our planet and put people over polluters. These Sierra Club endorsed leaders are committed to prioritizing the environment across the city operations and initiatives.
Councilwoman Ali has previously been endorsed twice by Sierra Club and we are proud to do so again in her bid to become Peoria's next Mayor. As a leader in the Central Illinois Solar Workforce Pipeline Training Program, she has worked to expand solar while helping environmental justice communities. As a previous Peoria Park board member, she has fought for green spaces and worked to stop hazardous waste from polluting our communities. In her position on the council she has spearheaded the creation of the Joint Commission on Racial Justice and Equity, which includes an environmental justice sub-committee. Her vision is that Peoria should work to become a Smart City. This focus aims to expand opportunity and address climate change here in Peoria.
Denise Jackson, City Council District 1
Denise Jackson is a first time candidate whom we are proud to endorse this year in her run for Peoria City Council District 1. Peoria's 1st District is a prime example of the need to address environmental justice and she hopes to lead that effort. As a member of Southside community United for Change Ms. Jackson has volunteered in coordinating and participating in the Great American Cleanup. In her position as President of the New Town Neighborhood Association, she oversaw annual cleanups twice a year, during the last of which they removed over 1000 dumped tires. From her experience in communities outside of Peoria she believes the city must do more to find ways to address climate change and pollution issues we face.
Andre Allen, City Council District 4
We were proud to endorse Andre Allen in his last run for Peoria at-large City Council, and are happy to endorse him again in his run for Peoria City Council District 4. Andre sees a path forward for Peoria to address climate change and expand job opportunities. Developing renewables and green spaces would reduce Peoria's carbon footprint and increase the health and beauty of our city. Peoria has for far too long neglected its environmental obligations and that has real detrimental effects on communities. Under the city's new agreement with the EPA regarding Peoria's CSO problem, he sees now as the time to put this city on the right path.