Tourism Committee
Regular MeetingPekin, IL · March 10, 2026
Minutes
City of Pekin
PROCEEDINGS OF THE SPECIAL MEETING
OF THE TOURISM COMMITTEE OF THE CITY OF PEKIN, ILLINOIS,
HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF CITY HALL
111 S. CAPITOL ST
ON TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2026 AT 5:00 PM
Call to Order
Chairperson Matthews called the Tourism Committee Meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. in
the Pekin City Hall Conference Room.
A quorum was established.
Present: Emily Lambe; Amy McCoy; JoElle Master; Mel Matthews; Shawn Powers;
Carrie DeWitt
Absent: Cindy Galyean
Public Input
None
New Business
3.1. Sponsorship Funding Recommendation
Shawn Powers moved to approve the FY27 Sponsorship Funding in the
amount of $53,750, seconded by Emily Lambe.
The Committee discussed removing the Twisted Cat Fishing Tournament
from the budget, since they have not expressed interest in having the
tournament in Pekin this year. Amy McCoy noted that as Director of the Pekin
Area Chamber of Commerce, she is connected to the Marigold Festival and
Fireworks events, and Carrie DeWitt is also connected to Pekin Pride Soccer
and the soccer tournament.
On a voice vote, the motion passed.
Adjourn
Shawn Powers moved to adjourn the meeting at 5:18 p.m., seconded by Amy McCoy.
Motion approved by voice vote.
Agenda
City of Pekin
SPECIAL TOURISM COMMITTEE MEETING
TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2026
5:00 PM
1. Call to Order
2. Public Input
3. New Business
3.1. Sponsorship Funding Recommendation
4. Adjourn
Packet
City of Pekin
SPECIAL TOURISM COMMITTEE MEETING
TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2026
5:00 PM
1. Call to Order
2. Public Input
3. New Business
3.1. Sponsorship Funding Recommendation
4. Adjourn
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REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Agenda Date: March 10, 2026
To: Members of the Tourism Committee
From: Joshua Wray, Economic Development Director
AGENDA ITEM: Sponsorship Funding Recommendation
DESCRIPTION: A summary of event sponsorship requests and preliminary Committee discussions
is below.
Event FY26 Budget FY27 FY27 Prelim
Requested Committee
Funding Discussion
Marigold Festival 15,000 10,000 10,000
Farmers Market 5,000 5,000 5,000
Pekin Pride Soccer 5,000 10,000 5,000
Club
Disc Golf 1,5000 10,000* 2,500
Tournaments
AJGA Golf 2,250 2,250 2,250
Tournament
Pekin Holiday 5,000 5,000 5,000
Tournament
Downtown 2,500 3,500 2,500
Supercruise
Brotherton Events 1,055** 4,500 2,500
Twisted Cat Fishing 5,000 7,500*** 2,500
Tournament
Pekin Main Street 8,500 8,500 2,500
Events
Winter Wonderland did not apply 3,000 1,500
Fireworks 10,000 15,000 15,000
Total 59,750 84,250 56,250
*request includes an increase from 1 to 2 events
**FY26 funding was through a 1/3 grant
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***request was made in fall 2026 - current schedule does not show Pekin
Also, for the Committee's information, City Council held a budget workshop on February 27. In that
meeting, they provided feedback to staff that they do not want to see the full welcome sign
replacement initiative move forward. Staff believes there would be support to approve replacing one
sign in FY27, particularly the one near Pekin bridge. Council also provided feedback to move
$100,000 of the $150,000 budgeted for that project into the General Fund, leaving $50,000 in the
Tourism Fund (on top of the other discussed expenses in the fund). This additional $50,000 could
be applied to any Tourism expense if the Committee would prefer something other than a welcome
sign.
City Council would like to consider the FY27 sponsorship list at its next meeting on March 23.
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