There are 27 payday and/or title-loan stores in Peoria, and almost all of them are south of War Memorial Drive. See for yourself:

I know, I know. It seems like there can’t possibly be that few, right? I was surprised, too. I thought we surely had over 100. And we might, too, unless something changes.

And change is just what the city council will consider at their next meeting, Tuesday, June 24. Here’s what they’re planning:

Payday Loan establishments, also known as Title Loan establishments, have proliferated within Peoria as may be seen by the attached map. Concentration of these businesses in one area appears to have an adverse effect on the neighborhoods where they are established. In order to pursue reasonable regulation of available locations for payday loan stores or establishments and/or title loan stores or establishments, it is recommended that the Council adopt a moratorium on granting zoning certificates for new establishments while the City considers reasonable regulations.

The proposed moratorium would be for 180 days. I wish it were a permanent moratorium, kind of like the death penalty moratorium in Illinois. These payday loan places are nothing but loan sharks who loan money to the poorest among us at usurious rates (cleverly labeled “fees” so as not to break any laws regulating interest rates). I think they ought to be altogether illegal. I’m glad to see the council is looking for ways to slow down and/or manage the proliferation of these places in Peoria.

I could think of no more fitting way to conclude this post than with PeoriaIllinoisan’s montage of Peoria’s payday loan stores:

Read also: www.evergreenfunders.com