Dear Peoria Voters,
As our city stands at a pivotal crossroads, we need a mayor with the vision, courage, and proven leadership to ignite positive change. Councilman John Kelly is that leader. His performance in the recent mayoral debate showcased exactly why he is the right choice for Peoria’s future: he spoke with honesty about our challenges and offered bold, practical solutions to move our city forward. John Kelly has the experience, integrity, and forward-thinking mindset to turn his words into action, and he has already demonstrated this commitment throughout his service on the City Council.
Proven Leadership and Experience
John Kelly is not a newcomer to serving Peoria – he is a dedicated public servant in his second term as an at-large City Council member, and a retired financial advisor with decades of experience in problem-solving. He has spent years working for our community’s best interests, from our neighborhoods to our downtown. In his time on the council, Kelly has established a track record as a champion for smart growth and fiscal responsibility. For instance, he spearheaded an innovative Urban Decay Tax Abatement program to encourage new homes in struggling neighborhoods – a creative solution aimed at revitalizing areas that need investment. He’s exactly the type of leader who rolls up his sleeves to find new approaches when old ways aren’t getting results. John’s background as a financial professional means he knows how to balance budgets, eliminate wasteful spending, and ensure accountability for every taxpayer dollar. Peoria needs steady, experienced leadership at the helm, and John Kelly has proven he has what it takes.
A Vision for Economic Growth and Prosperity
At the heart of John Kelly’s platform is a bold vision to reenergize Peoria’s economy. He understands that good jobs, thriving businesses, and a vibrant local economy are the foundation of a prosperous city. That’s why John has pledged to cut red tape and make Peoria truly business-friendly. As mayor, he will eliminate burdensome fees like business permit charges that hold back entrepreneurs, and streamline city processes so that starting or expanding a business in Peoria is efficient and welcoming. Kelly’s plan focuses on nurturing our local businesses – the hundreds of small companies and family enterprises that call Peoria home. By supporting our local employers and innovators, we can grow from within and create more opportunity for everyone. John also wisely prioritizes attracting new investment in a way that benefits Peoria without giving away the store. He will negotiate smartly to bring in outside employers while protecting taxpayer interests, ensuring that development deals are fair and deliver real results. Under Mayor John Kelly, Peoria will send a clear message: we are open for business and ready to grow. His vision of a bustling economy, where our children and grandchildren can find great careers right here at home, will set Peoria on a course for long-term prosperity.
Commitment to Public Safety and Strong Neighborhoods
Every Peorian deserves to feel safe in their home and community. John Kelly understands that public safety is essential to our quality of life – and he brings a balanced, forward-looking approach to keeping our city safe. He will support our brave police officers and first responders with the resources they need to combat crime effectively. At the same time, he recognizes that we must address the root causes of crime. John’s strategy to reduce crime revolves around revitalizing the city and providing opportunity. By creating jobs and hope, we steer people away from crime and towards productive futures. He has pledged to work hand-in-hand with community organizations, schools, and law enforcement on prevention programs that engage our youth and uplift our neighborhoods. Importantly, Councilman Kelly has already shown he’s willing to make tough decisions to protect our community – such as standing firm on ending unsafe tent encampments to ensure our public spaces are clean and secure, while pushing for real solutions to help those in need find shelter and recovery services. His approach to issues like homelessness is compassionate and practical: he will help those who are struggling, but also maintain public order and fiscal sense. With John Kelly as mayor, Peoria will have a leader who keeps our streets safe, our neighborhoods strong, and our approach to public safety both smart and compassionate.
Fiscal Responsibility and Accountability
John Kelly is deeply committed to responsible government spending and easing the tax burden on residents. He believes that the city budget must reflect the priorities of the people – and that means focusing on essential services, cutting waste, and not asking taxpayers for a penny more than necessary. On the City Council, John has been a vigilant guardian of your hard-earned tax dollars. He has stood against property tax increases, even when it meant standing up to the majority, because he knows Peoria families need a break. As mayor, John will continue to fight for lower taxes and efficient government. He will scrutinize every proposal that comes across his desk: if a project doesn’t deliver real value for the city, he won’t support it. Peoria can count on him to prioritize spending on things that truly matter – like public safety, infrastructure, and neighborhood improvements – while finding innovative ways to save money elsewhere. John’s financial acumen is a tremendous asset; he can dive into the numbers, find solutions to fix budget shortfalls, and plan ahead to tackle challenges like pension obligations without simply raising taxes. In an era of tight budgets, we need a mayor who will do more with every dollar and make sure City Hall lives within its means. John Kelly will be that responsible steward of our finances, giving taxpayers confidence that their money is being managed wisely.
Dedication to Community and Inclusivity
Above all, Councilman John Kelly’s campaign is fueled by his genuine love for Peoria and its people. He listens. He cares. He’s the kind of leader who will show up at your neighborhood meeting, answer your questions directly, and work with you to solve problems. John has spent decades in our community – raising his family here, volunteering, and engaging with residents from all walks of life. He knows our city’s diversity is a source of strength. Every resident of Peoria, from the North Side to the South Side, from the East Bluff to the West Bluff, will have a voice in a Kelly administration. He has pledged to run an open, transparent City Hall that welcomes input and collaboration. John is also committed to treating everyone fairly and respectfully. He has zero tolerance for discrimination, and as mayor he will ensure that everyone – regardless of background – has equal access to opportunities and city services. His approach to leadership is about unity: bringing people together to achieve common goals. Whether it’s revitalizing a business district or improving a park, John will seek out ideas and involvement from the community because he knows we accomplish more when we work together. His vision for Peoria isn’t for just one group or one area – it’s a vision of a thriving, inclusive city where every neighborhood thrives and every citizen feels they have a stake in our success.
A Vote for John Kelly is a Vote for Peoria’s Future
In this election, the choice is clear. John Kelly offers fresh ideas, strong leadership, and an unwavering commitment to the people of Peoria. He combines practical know-how with an inspiring vision of what our city can be. Under Mayor John Kelly, Peoria will be a city that grows and prospers, a city that is safe and welcoming, and a city government that you can trust to do the right thing. If you believe Peoria deserves better – if you believe we need to break free from stagnation and unleash our potential – then John Kelly is the mayor we need. He will work tirelessly every day to make Peoria better, and he won’t stop until the job is done.
Join us in supporting Councilman John Kelly for Mayor.
Let’s vote for progress, prosperity, and a brighter future for Peoria.
Together, under John’s leadership, we will build the Peoria we all know is possible – a city on the rise, with opportunity for all!
