Tim Riggenbach

 

Tim Riggenbach

 

Tim Riggenbach

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ABOUT TIM

As the Third District Councilman, Tim Riggenbach has a reputation for consensus building, collaboration and bipartisanship.  A strong advocate for streamlining and consolidating government services, he has been a consistent voice for fiscal responsibility, while ensuring that the basic city services are maintained. 

Strong neighborhoods are a priority for Tim and he regularly attends the meetings of Neighborhood Associations, Home Owner Associations and Neighborhood Watch Groups.  Tim believes “neighbors knowing neighbors is an important key in keeping our neighborhoods safe.”

Each neighborhood in Peoria is unique with its own character as well as its own challenges.  Whether it is a new stop sign at Behrends & Indiana, flashing lights for the cross walk in front of Notre Dame High School on Sheridan Road or securing new sidewalks for Nebraska Avenue and Mt Hawley Road, responding to the needs of the neighborhoods is an important part of being an effective councilman.

Tim also led the efforts that formed the East Village Growth Cell TIF in 2011 which enabled the development of the OSF Jump Trading Simulation & Education Center.  A key component of the EVGC is the housing rehabilitation program that has offered over $500,000 to the nearly 100 home owners of the East Bluff.  In addition, thanks to Tim’s leadership, this TIF also has a mechanism in place to provide funds to Peoria Public Schools for career and technical training.

With an extensive business background, Tim works as a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch in downtown Peoria.  His work history includes stints as a Small Business Lender, Mortgage Loan Officer as well as a Bank Manager.  He also spent ten years as an Interest Rate Analyst on the trading floor of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.

Born and raised in the Peoria area, Tim received his Bachelor’s Degree from Illinois State University majoring in Business Administration with an emphasis in International Business.  A graduate of East Peoria Community High School, he also attended Illinois Central College for two years before moving on to ISU.

Tim and his wife Barbara were married in July of 1995 and have lived in Peoria since 1997 where all five of their children have attended Peoria Public Schools.   

Whether it his work as Councilman, a Financial Advisor, or as a husband and father, Tim remains committed to serving the needs of others.

Working hard for Peoria, working hard for the Third District.

 

A CLOSER LOOK AT THE RIGGENBACH RECORD

The East Village Housing Rehab Program has provided over $500,000 for home improvements to nearly 100 homeowners.  Last year, for the first time, we offered the program to non-owner-occupied properties in an effort to help to improve the condition of all residential properties in the East Bluff.  This is offered through the East Village Growth Cell TIF.

Building upon the progress made by the $3 million Attorney General Grant, which spawned nearly $9 million in total investment in the East Bluff, (seven new owner-occupied homes, eight duplexes, six whole house rehabs, demolition of about 20 nuisance properties), Peoria Opportunities Foundation (POF) is now building 30 new homes in the East Bluff.  These will soon be available for rent.  As part of this incredible investment, they have formed East Bluff Partners, a group of stakeholders in the EB, committed to assisting these new residents not only with their social wellbeing but their financial security as well. (*East Bluff Partners includes POF along with area residents, First English Lutheran Church, Peoria Public Schools, Children’s Home, St Paul Baptist Church, New Beginnings Ministries, Boys & Girls Club, and Glen Oak Christian Church).

The Wisconsin Avenue Business Corridor Plan was established to support local businesses. It has  provided new ornamental, pedestrian scale lighting on Wisconsin, two new bus shelters and the street was restriped with bicycle lanes.  Nebraska Avenue, between Knoxville and Wisconsin, will see improvements this year, with reconstruction of Wisconsin itself schedule to follow in 2022-23.

Heartland Clinic has bought the Wisconsin Plaza (which includes space formerly occupied by Kroger) and there is much promise as we work closely with them for ways to repurpose that center.  Their commitment to the East Bluff is already obvious as they have donated space for the Peoria Police Department to house a Community Resource Center at the plaza.

After sitting vacant for over ten years, the redevelopment of the former Cub Food store at Midtown Plaza, (Knoxville and Nebraska), is finally a reality.  It is now a thriving medical facility owned by OSF and occupied by OSF doctors, Heartland Clinic as well as the University of Illinois College of Medicine.

Kellar Station continues to evolve at the old IDOT facility on N Knoxville.  Office space combined with retail and restaurants adds to this unique experience and adds to the character that Junction City has built upon and anchored for many years.

New businesses are critical and Natural Fiber Welding is one such locally owned and operated business right here in the Third District.  A manufacturer of plant-based alternatives to leather and plastics, a $13 million dollar investment by Ralph Lauren will allow them to add about 100 jobs in this cutting-edge industry.

Public Safety and Neighborhood stability go hand in glove.  The Residential Police officer program has shown much success in the neighborhoods and is something I have been a longtime supporter.  Peoria now has five Residential Officers.  Community based policing is also a concept that we need to encourage and embrace in our neighborhoods.  We have more Neighborhood Watch Groups and Neighborhood Associations/Home Owner Associations than before.  Engaging the churches, schools and businesses is a must if we are to offer support to the most vulnerable. 

Maximizing the impact of groups, such as the Boys & Girls Clubs, East Bluff Community Center, Dream Center Peoria which offer so much for our youth, is critical.

As part of the East Village TIF, funds are allocated to provide Peoria Public School money for Career & Technical/Vocational job training.

Working together with the Park District and Peoria County, there is now a signalized crossing on Sheridan Road to provide ‘back door’ access to Donovan Park for the residents on the west side of Sheridan. I was also pleased to work with the Hawley Hills Home Owners Association to add sidewalks along Mt Hawley Road and Giles Lane, which provides safe access not only to Kellar School, but also to the Rock Island Trail and Donovan Park.

Glen Oak Park, Peoria Zoo, and the Children’s Playhouse are stalwarts in the East Bluff.  The Park District promises more attention to the Park in the coming years.

Donovan Park has become a treasure in the heart of the city and the Third District.  We continue to work with the Park District as we look for creative ways to maximize the impact of this recreational oasis.  Recently plans have been presented to create a world class Performing Arts Center/Music Pavilion in the park.  We will watch this unfold carefully to ensure it is respectful of the variety of uses currently offered.  So that it may continue to be enjoyed by all of us who regularly use it.

Harvard Avenue underwent a $2.5mm reconstruction in 2017-18.  We were able to add a parking lane and multi-use path while respecting the natural feel of the neighborhood.

The Pavement Condition Index (PCI) has been the guiding tool for Public Works as they strive to maintain and improve our streets and sidewalk infrastructure.  Using PCI, we measure not only the physical condition of the roadway but we now also incorpate traffic counts as we prioritize projects.

  

The Riggenbach Promise

As a husband of 25 years and a father of five, I continue to have a vested interest in keeping Peoria a great place to make a home and to raise a family.  On a personal note, I am thrilled to see our daughters investing in the Peoria community.  One is a fourth-grade teacher at Trewyn, one a case worker at Family Core, and the third has been involved in the community in various ways and is a senior at Bradley.  But have no fear, we have two sons in Middle School so we still feel the pulse of PTO groups, school fundraisers, and, of course, Friday night football games.  My wife Barbara and I are particularly proud of the fact that our daughters are the product of Peoria Public Schools, Kindergarten through High School, and our sons are following those same footsteps.

I’m proud that our daughters have chosen to remain in Peoria.  And I’m also proud of so many others who have done the same.  We are lucky to have so many people throughout the city working to keep their neighborhoods safe and strong. People who are willing to help make a difference no matter how large or small.  Making a difference. That’s why I first chose to engage in public service and why I’m proud to seek another term to serve the people of the Third District.

Tim Riggenbach

Making a difference for the Third District, making a difference for you.

It is not the critic who counts,
not the man who points out how the doer of deeds could have done them better.

The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena,
the man whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood.

The credit belongs to the man who strives valiantly,
who errs, who comes up short again and again;
because there is no effort without error and shortcoming.

The credit belongs to the man who does actually strive to do the deeds, the one who knows great enthusiasms,  great devotions and who spends himself in a worthy cause.

The credit belongs to the man who at best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement,
and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly.

President Theodore Roosevelt
“Citizenship In A Republic”
April 23, 1910
Sorbonne – University of Paris