theebrettbrooks

Mayor Ali Statement on the Early Morning Activities of Sunday, September 28, 2025

What happened early Sunday morning in downtown Peoria was not only unacceptable, but it was also an attack on public safety and the values of our community. After the shooting of one of our residents, officers rushed to save the young man’s life but were met with aggression and interference from members of a crowd. Instead of giving officers the space they needed to render medical aid and secure the scene for paramedics to provide treatment, individuals chose to swarm and attack them, resulting in delays for paramedics to assist the victim.

Let me be absolutely clear: this behavior will not be tolerated in our city. Interfering with police and emergency response efforts endangers lives and undermines the safety of everyone present. I have debriefed the situation with police chief Echevarria, and I’ve reviewed the complete footage from the Peoria Police Department. It clearly shows that while officers were attempting to provide lifesaving aid, their efforts were obstructed by the crowd. As a result, six arrests have occurred. Moving forward, I expect for our community to allow the men and women of the Peoria Police Department and other public safety workers to do their job.

According to records from the Emergency Communications Center, paramedics with the Peoria Fire Department were on scene at 4:45:53, less than two minutes after being dispatched, but were unable to get to the patient for approximately 6 minutes.

While the gunshot victim lay on the ground, six minutes passed before medical aid could be administered. No one in our community should ever have to wait for assistance because people are obstructing first responders.

Every business in Peoria has the right to operate safely, and every resident and visitor deserves to enjoy our city without fear. To those who choose to gather in the early morning hours in public spaces to drink alcohol, do drugs, carry weapons, and conduct other illegal activities, this will not be tolerated. Peoria Police will interrupt these activities.

I have directed the Police Department and Legal Department to develop an ordinance that specifically prohibits these gatherings and to present that for consideration by the City Council at its next regular meeting on October 14, 2025.

Public safety is not negotiable. We will not allow the reckless actions of a few to endanger the lives of us all. Let us all work together to assure civility and peaceful social interaction.

How cool

**PEORIA CASTING CALL**

CASTING CALL - Adventures with Tori

PROJECT TYPE - Short Film, Non Union

PROJECT SYNOPSIS - Looking for five African Americans adults ages 25 to mid 30’s to play roles in the film.

PRODUCTION DATES - Tentative dates July 22nd-24th

PRODUCTION LOCATION - Peoria, Illinois

TEAM MEMBER DETAILS - Brett Brooks, Director & Cinematographer; Jovon Winters, Producer.

CHARACTER BREAKDOWNS:

JAKE REYNOLDS - Late 20’s to mid 30’s, African American male. Jake is a young energetic teacher with a passion for history and teaching elementary kids. He is growing wearing at his job because of one unruly student named Tori. Jake is happily married to Emily.

EMILY REYNOLDS- Late 20’s to mid 30’s, African American female. Emily is compassionate and reassuring. She is a great cook and a good ear for Jake. Plays the voice of reason character for Jake. She is hesitant to become a step-mother but quickly leans into the role for the sake of Tori.

MRS. THOMPSON - 40’s’-50’s, African-American female. Tori’s grandmother. She is Tori’s main care taker and a church-going woman so she doesn’t like to hold on to secrets. She is watching Tori while Tori’s mom is out on tour.

DOCTOR - Atleast 30, any ethnicity, any gender. Doctor is in one scene and is giving the paternity results. Comforting and reassuring.

EMMA - Late 20’s to mid 30’s, African American female. Tori’s mother. A musician who is a good mother to Tori but also wants to follow her music dreams.

SUBMISSION DEADLINES - Due 07/07/2024 by 11:59pm.

SUBMISSION DETAILS - Virtual Auditions

Please send your headshot, short resume, and links to reels, if possible to [email protected]. Put which role you are interested in the subject line. You will receive a script for the film with further details on submitting your audition.

Sign up!!

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