The Gorko interviewed several Peoria natives who gave their initial reactions to the results of the October 4th Peoria or Peoria El Paso (Peoria Just Passin’ Thru) referendum, the result of the recent city council vote to open the question for the public to settle once and for all.
THE BALLOT
The referendum ballot asked, ‘Shall the City of Peoria henceforth be known in speech and writ as the City of Peoria El Paso, chistasay the City of Peoria Just Passin’ Thru Gennumun?’
Here are some of the precious quotes:
Michael Douglas (no not that Michael Douglas), 42:
‘As everyone knows Peoria is not exactly a destination for a lot of folks, even for people who intend to go to the Midwest. Peoria Just Passin’ Thru seems more precise.’
Michael was not aware that the actual name change would be Peoria El Paso.
Shelly Swanson, 64:
‘I grew up in the Peoria area, my grandparents and great-grandparents were members of the city and neighborhood councils, and I think this is a great travesty. We don’t even SPEAK Spanish around here.’
Miguel Cabrera (no not that Miguel Cabrera), 55:
‘Dicen que no hablan español en Peoria pero mi familia, originarios de Chihuahua, México, venimos a Illinois primero en el inicio del siglo veinte, entonces es nuestra tierra más que de nadie.’
There are 7.5 thousand Spanish-speaking Latinos living in Peoria as of the 2020 census.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Artist’s rendering of the new federal highway sign directing moto traffic past Peoria El Paso by D.G.