Daily
Peoria
Saturday, January 31st, 2026
Good morning, Peoria. Here's your local news at a glance for Saturday, the 31st of January.
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ The American Theater Guild announced its 26-27 Ameren Illinois Broadway in Peoria Season at Prairie Home Alliance Theater. It kicks off with Waitress (10th Anniversary tour) Oct. 6-7, followed by Six Nov. 17-19, A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical Feb. 2-3, and The BodyGuard May 11-12 next year. WMBD
- ➤ On Jan. 30, the Peoria Riverfront Museum debuted the Promise of Liberty exhibit featuring 250 key American historical objects curated by Ken Burns (guest curator), including a 1776 edition of the Declaration of Independence and MLK Jr.'s I Have a Dream speech; the exhibit remains until Jan. 3. 25 News Now
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ The Illinois Music Education Conference will remain in Peoria through 2031 after a five-year contract was signed by local partners; the January event draws over 12,000 educators and students, generates 3,200 hotel room nights, and is expected to contribute $16.8 million in economic impact. WMBD
FINANCE NEWS
- ➤ Because a federal law that kept student loan forgiveness tax-free expired on Dec. 31, borrowers may now face tax bills up to $10,000, with changes to repayment programs planned for coming months. Lawmakers could act to decouple the state tax rule to ease this financial burden. WMBD
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ A potential government shutdown may delay Illinois tax refunds as lawmakers debate a short-term spending package to fund key agencies until September (delays similar to last shutdown could affect IRS operations), while tax submission deadlines remain unchanged. Pekin Daily Times
REAL ESTATE NEWS
- ➤ Local housing experts and officials met Friday at the Peoria Public Library to discuss how rising utility costs ($1200 to $1400 in three months) may hinder affordable housing. They also discussed relocating residents from New Hope Apartments and Habitat for Humanity’s plan to build 21 houses. 25 News Now
- ➤ Peoria leaders plan to build 200 single-family homes on the former Expo Gardens property to ease the housing shortage. The city will soon seek developers and plans to start construction in 2027 near Peoria Public Schools — offering affordable options for middle-income families. WMBD
-
Nesting Bowls Hand Building Class
1:15-3 p.m. — The Clay Den — All materials included — Create your own functional nesting bowls in this hands-on ceramic workshop.
-
Fused Glass Heart Class
6-8 p.m. — Art at the Bodega — Participants pay for materials — Create stunning heart-shaped glass art while enjoying an engaging and fun hands-on experience.
-
High ON Love: Valentine's Art Night
7-9 p.m. — Art at the Bodega — $10 entry + pottery costs — Unleash your creativity with a relaxed open-paint experience for adults this Valentine's season.
-
Sneezy Live Performance
9-11 p.m. — Kenny's Westside Pub — Enjoy music and stories from the artist Sneezy.
-
Heart and Soil Carved Planters Clay Hand Building Class
1-2:30 p.m. — The Clay Den — All materials included — Get creative by hand-building a charming planter with heart designs and even receive a plant to brighten your home.
-
Valentine's Storytime
6-7 p.m. — Fondulac District Library — Free — Celebrate love with delightful stories, songs, and treats for children and their grown-ups.
-
Galentine’s Night
6-8 p.m. — Art at the Bodega — $10 ticket — Celebrate friendship with pottery painting, champagne, and sweet treats.
-
Clay Together, Stay Together: Throwing for Two
6:30-8:00 p.m. — The Clay Den — $35 per couple — Experience a fun and creative night of sculpting with your partner while making personalized cups.
-
Valentine's Glass Blowing Experience
5:00 – 6:30 PM — Art at the Bodega — $150 per couple — Create beautiful blown glass ornaments while sipping champagne on a romantic date night.
-
Clay Together, Stay Together: Throwing for Two
2:30-4:00 p.m. — The Clay Den — All materials included — Unleash your creativity while crafting whimsical mushroom mugs in a festive Valentine’s wheel-throwing class.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
The price of greatness is responsibility.
~ Winston Churchill
About Daily Peoria
Welcome to the Daily Peoria, your community newsletter that's anything but snooze-worthy, packed with positive, impactful local news + events across the Peoria, Illinois community. If you like the Daily Peoria, support us by subscribing to our email newsletter and sharing us with your friends and family in Peoria.
Advertising Opportunities
Advertising with us will make sure you stay at the top of everyone's mind—in Peoria and across Illinois. You can learn more here. We'll work together to build a custom plan to hit your goals this year.
Alternatively, you can submit events, announcements, real estate listings, and job postings. We'll include them in our newsletter on whichever dates you like.
Community, delivered
Our hyper-local media company activates communities through daily email newsletters that curate the most positive, impactful local news + events – all for free.
Subscribe to Daily Peoria
A free Peoria community newsletter.
- Daily local news
- We curate the most positive, impactful local news + events.
- 6AM City
- A publication of 6AM City, the nation's leading local newsletter-first media network. Nominate your city.
© 6AM City Inc. 2025. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy. Terms of Service. Questions? Contact us here
Sitemap: https://dailypeoria.com/sitemap