From a press release:

At the Mayor’s State of the City Address this year, he announced the formation of the Peoria Race Relations Commission to focus on race issues in the community, and positive means to deal with them. Dr. Amir Al-Khafaji, [Chair of Civil Engineering and Construction] at Bradley University, has agreed to serve as the commission chairperson.

Persons interested in participating on this Commission are asked to send a brief resume and their reason for serving to the City Communications Director, Alma Brown at abrown@ci.peoria.il.us or City Of Peoria, 419 Fulton Street, Suite 207, Peoria, Illinois, 61602, no later than Wednesday, March 19.

Dr. Al-Khafaji intends to have the commission named by March 21. Meetings will be open to the public with community input welcome.