Community

Debunking the Community College Myth

by Dr. Sheila Quirk-Bailey, Illinois Central College

Community colleges are no longer “the backup plan,” but a smart investment in your educational goals.

River Charms Revealed

The inaugural Bridge-to-Bridge River Drive festival will take across four Illinois River communities this fall.

2021 Local Legends

Portraits by David Vernon
Interviews conducted by Jonathan Wright and Mae Gilliland Wright

Their legacies are legendary, their impact profound. By sharing their stories, we hope to inspire the rest of us who are living out our own legacies, each and every day.

Preston Jackson

An internationally renowned artist and performer, he confronts social issues boldly and directly, connecting the hard truths of American history to its present and future, anchored by the common thread of humanity.

Esther Cohen

Growing up on the East Coast, she learned the value of community service and the importance of art and culture at a very young age. These lessons stayed with her for life—and she applied them here in Peoria.

Best of Peoria 2021

Each year, Peoria Magazine presents the people, places and things that make our region the best place to live, work and play… according to our readers.