Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce / YouTube Heading into the final weeks of his tenure, outgoing Peoria Mayor Jim Ardis said Wednesday the city is showing signs of emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic, but challenges remain. Giving his final State of the City address virtually, Ardis said Peoria had a bright outlook at this time a year ago, with thriving businesses and a budget that allowed the city to put more than $1 million into reserves. Then the global health crisis struck. “We were facing huge shortfalls in nearly every category, especially hotel restaurant and amusement taxes, property taxes and corporate income taxes. This is how municipalities pay our bills,” said Ardis.