Contact Information:
Jenn Gordon, WTVP CEO & President
Jenn.gordon@wtvp.org 309-645-0201
Peoria, IL – WTVP PBS, WCBU, Peoria Public Radio and part of the NPR Network, the League of Women Voters of Greater Peoria and the NAACP Peoria are proud to present the 2025 Peoria Mayoral Primary Debate on January 23. The public will have multiple opportunities to view and listen to the hour-long debate. WCBU (89.9 FM and WCBU.org) and WTVP PBS (television channel 47.1) will both broadcast the debate on January 23 at 8pm. WCBU will re-air the debate on January 24 at 6pm. Alternatively, video streaming on-demand options will be available at www.wtvp.org, through the PBS app, and on presenting partner Facebook pages and YouTube Channels following the broadcast.
The three candidates include incumbent Peoria Mayor Rita Ali, and Peoria City Council members Chuck Grayeb and John Kelly.
The debate will be recorded in advance of the broadcast at WTVP’s studio. WCBU News Director Tim Shelley and WTVP host Mark Welp will moderate.
Of the collaboration, League President Connie Romanus notes, “the League is excited to partner with the two stations as it increases the audience significantly. It is important for voters to hear directly from the candidates”.
The public is encouraged to submit their questions for the candidates through the following form: forms.illinoisstate.edu/forms/wcbu_2025_mayoral_forum
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Illinois Valley Public Telecommunications Corporation (WTVP PBS) is a nonprofit, community-owned public media source dedicated to empowering and connecting our community through quality content that educates, informs and inspires. WTVP serves as the primary PBS affiliate station for 17 counties in central Illinois, annually broadcasting over 46,000 hours of commercial-free content across five unique channels. Learn more at www.wtvp.org.
The League of Women Voters of GreaterPeoria encourages informed and active participation in government and works to influence public policy through education and advocacy. The LWV is nonpartisan and neither supports nor opposes candidates for elected office but does act on issues after member study and consensus. Any person, 16 or older, male or female, may join. Learn more at www.lwvgp.org
NAACP Peoria is a local unit of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. The mission of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate race-based discrimination. Learn more at www.peorianaacp.com
WCBU, Peoria Public Radio and part of the NPR Network, is the public radio station licensed to Bradley University and operated by Illinois State University's WGLT. WCBU serves Greater Peoria as a public service from its newsroom on the Bradley campus, providing local news plus national and international news via the NPR Network. Learn more at www.wcbu.org
