Living, working and playing in Peoria, Illinois

The WEEK and HOI team in Peoria, Illinois is a great team to join. Peoria is just 2 hours from Chicago, and 3 hours away from St. Louis and Indianapolis. Peoria is the hometown of Caterpillar, a Fortune 100 company.

A major manufacturing, insurance and medical hub

Peoria is the longtime hometown of earth moving giant Caterpillar, a Fortune 100 company. Major insurance company State Farm calls nearby Bloomington home. Peoria is also a major medical hub in downstate Illinois, with four hospitals in the city. The St. Jude Midwest Affiliate is also based in Peoria. Oter companies calling the Peoria area home include sunglasses manufacturer Maui Jim and specialty insurance company RLI Corp.

Great school systems

Several school districts in the Peoria area are nationally ranked for their excellence. U.S. News and World Report lists high schools in nearby Tremont, Dunlap, Normal and Downs on their list of the top 100 in the state for graduation rates and college readiness. The area is also home to Bradley University, a four-year private institution, and Illinois State University, a four-year public school. Peoria is also home to medical education institutions, including the University of Illinois College of Medicine and the St. Francis Medical Center College of Nursing.

Go to the big game

Peoria is home to the Peoria Chiefs, a minor league farm team for the St. Louis Cardinals. The city is also host to the Peoria Rivermen, a hockey team in the SPHL. Nearby Bloomington hosts the Bloomington Thunder hockey team and Normal CornBelters, a baseball team in the Frontier League. Bradley University and Illinois State University are also home to major sports teams. Peoria is also within easy driving distance to the homes of the Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bears and St. Louis Cardinals.

Enjoy the great outdoors

The Peoria area boasts a magnificent riverfront. The Illinois River is a great place to jetski, sail a boat or fish. Peoria also has one of the largest parks and recreation systems in Illinois. The Peoria Park District offers numerous facilities for swimming, biking, hiking and more. The Rock Island Greenway criss-crosses across the northern part of the city. The city also has 3 public golf courses, multiple swimming pools, and the RiverPlex recreation center.

Copyright 2021 WEEK. All rights reserved.