06/25/2026
Peoria just made the national list of the best small cities for recent college graduates — jumping 12 spots in one year. 🚀
That doesn’t happen by accident.
When young people in their 20s can’t find work, communities suffer. That’s why I fought for the Workforce Empowerment Initiative (statewide)— connecting adults to real job training, local employers, and pathways to careers that actually pay.
The results speak for themselves:
✅ Youth unemployment dropped from 11% to 2.3%
✅ College certification attainment up to 36%
✅ Median graduate income up nearly $5,000
And here’s the part that matters most — Peoria is affordable. Your dollar goes further here than in Chicago, Austin, or New York. You can actually build a life here.
This is what investing in people looks like. Peoria is rising — and we’re just getting started. 🙌🏾
Peoria was hailed as “the breakout story” of a 2026 analysis comparing the best cities for recent college graduates.
