First Illinois River Cities and Towns Initiative (IRCTI) Annual Meeting. The IRCTI, inspired by the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative and the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative, unites over 15 Mayor-led communities along the Illinois River to strengthen the North American Freshwater Community team. Our mission is to advocate for the region’s economic, infrastructure, and environmental interests at both state and national levels, and get results. Be part of the conversation as mayors lead the way in riverfront development, resilience planning, sustainable growth, and economic revitalization. This conference is a unique opportunity to collaborate, share ideas, and shape solutions that result in action and delivery to improve Illinois Riverfront communities.

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NOTE: A link to the presenters’ (PRESENTATION) and (VIDEO) are provided below as appropriate. 

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Illinois River Cities and Towns Initiative (IRCTI) Inaugural Conference Agenda
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
The Gateway Building, 200 NE Water St., Peoria, IL

6:00 – 8:30 PM -Welcome & Opening Remarks

– Mayor Rita Ali, City of Peoria & Co-Chair, Illinois River Cities and Towns Initiative (IRCTI) –VIDEO Message

– Congressman Eric Sorensen, U.S. House of Representatives (IL-17) -Special Guest Remarks  (VIDEO)

– Colin Wellenkamp, Executive Director, Mississippi River Cities & Towns Initiative (MRCTI)

– MOU Signing Illinois River Cities and Towns Initiative (IRCTI) & Illinois River Biological Station (IRBS)
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Thursday, November 6, 2025
The Gateway Building, 200 NE Water St., Peoria, IL 
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8:30 – 9:00 AM – Mayor’s Press Conference
Join mayors and regional leaders as they share their vision and priorities for Illinois River communities in the years ahead at Riverfront at the Gateway Building, 200 NE Water St., Peoria, IL  (VIDEO)
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8:30 – 9:15 AM – Registration & Networking Breakfast
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9:15 AM – Opening Remarks

– Travis McGlasson, Chairperson, Illinois Waterway Ports Commission  (PRESENTATION)

– Mayor Rita Ali, City of Peoria
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9:30 AM – IRCTI: Origins, Vision & Progress

– Dr. Anshu Singh, Executive Director, IRCTI  (1. PRESENTATION)  (2. PRESENTATION)
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9:45 AM – Collaborating Across Watersheds: Aligning with Mississippi River
Cities and Town Initiative (MRCTI) & Great Lakes and St. Lawrance Cities
Initiative (GLSLCI) Preserving Regional Prosperity & Protecting Freshwater Resources

– Mayor Bob Gallagher, Bettendorf, IA – Lessons from MRCTI: Building Collective River Leadership

– Jack Knizhnik, Development Coordinator, GLSLCI – Economic Transformation Action Plan  (PRESENTATION)
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10:30 AM – Federal Partnerships for the Illinois River and Riverfront
Development
Introduction: Mayor John Kahl, East Peoria, IL

– Tom Heinold, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Rock Island District
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10:45 AM – Building a Sustainable Future: Monitoring, Restoration & Nature Based Solutions.  Presentations on science-based restoration and resilience efforts.
Introduction: Mayor Missey Schumacher, Village of Channahon, IL

– Jim Lamer, Illinois River Biological Station (IRBS) (PRESENTATION)

– Michelle Platz, LimnoTech – Nature-Based Engineering Solutions  (PRESENTATION)

-Jason Smith, Program Manager, USACE, Rock Island District – Brandon Road Project Update

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11:30 AM – Scaling Up Riverfront Planning: Local Models with Regional Impact.  Presentation on available grant opportunities and lessons learned from past projects that can help cities in obtaining infrastructure grants.

Introduction: Mayor Mary Burress, Pekin, IL

– Bob Brettell , Prosody Consulting  (PRESENTATION)
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12:00 PM – Lunch Service Opens
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1:00 PM – Lunchtime Spotlight: Workforce Development in Inland Waterways

Introduction: Mayor Rita Ali, Peoria, IL

– Pam Maxwell, We Work The Waterways – Emerging opportunities for skilled labor, training, and careers  (PRESENTATION)
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1:30 PM – Economic Opportunity in the Illinois River Corridor
Perspectives from local and State agencies
Moderator: Chris Setti, Greater Peoria Economic Development Council (GPEDC)

Speakers:

– Andrew Cunningham, Executive Director, Infrastructure Council, IL Chamber of Commerce

– Kyla Karten, Intersect Illinois

– Aly Grady, Deputy Director of Regional Economic Development, Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO)
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2:15 PM – Building Resilient, Sustainable Riverfronts: Insights from Corporate and Nonprofit Changemakers.

Introduction: Mayor Matt Wigginton, Peoria Heights, IL

– David Heinzmann, Veolia  (PRESENTATION)

– Joseph Sutkowi, Chief Waterfront Design Officer, Waterfront Alliance  (PRESENTATION)
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3:00 PM – Break
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3:15 PM – Building Resilient, Sustainable Riverfronts: Insights from Corporate and Nonprofit Changemakers

Introduction: Mayor Michael Hughes, Chillicothe, IL

– Katy Glynn, Opterra Energy – Bill Murchison, Geosyntec  (PRESENTATION)
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4:00 PM – Riverfront Revitalization & Resilience: Success Stories from Illinois River Communities Featuring Innovative Projects, Economic Development, and Climate-Smart Solutions Led by Local Governments

Introduction: Mayor Chris Brown, Morris, IL

– Stan Knudson, Community Affairs Director, City of Morris – “Building a Stronger Morris: The Impact of Grants on Our Community”  (PRESENTATION)

– Amy Wilson, Farnsworth Group – “Havana Sustainable Streetscape”  (PRESENTATION)

– Grace E. Mott, Director of Parks & Recreation, Havana Park District  (PRESENTATION)
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4:45 PM – Closing Session – Reflections from Mayor Robert Hasty, City of Ottawa – Announcement of 2026 Annual Meeting Host City  (VIDEO)
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Evening Program
6:00 – 8:30 PM – Reception & Networking Dinner

At Peoria Riverfront Museum Lobby 222 SW Washington St, Peoria, IL 61602