The city of Peoria held a ribbon-cutting event Aug. 20 to mark the arrival and reveal of its new helicopter.
The event commemorated the debut of Peoria’s Aviation Unit and displayed the new Bell 505 helicopter. Council approved the purchase of the helicopter by a 4-2 vote, Dec. 12, 2023, with Councilmembers Denette Dunn and Brad Shafer dissenting.
- "I’ve said it before and continue to believe that this is a huge waste taxpayer dollars; the initial purchase, ongoing maintenance, pilot, equiment, communication system, training, and fuel. The mayor now wants an airpark in north Peoria.” — Natalie Gilstrap via story comment
