About

Hi, I'm Peter!

I believe in Peoria, and I’m a proud resident of the 2nd District.

I know our neighborhoods can be more prosperous, equitable, and resilient—that’s why I’m running for City Council. I’m a public servant with a passion for making government more efficient. I’ve done this by incorporating data into decision making for the City of Peoria, recruiting teachers for Peoria Public Schools, and bringing Peoria Park District programming to disinvested communities across our city. In addition, I’ve participated in the West Bluff Council and served on the boards of the Moss Bradley Residential Association and the Peoria Innovation Alliance.

Professional Background

Present: Supervisor of Community Connections, Peoria Park District
Past:

Teacher Recruiter, Peoria Public Schools District 150
Innovation Team Project Manager, City of Peoria
Community Organizer, Criminal Justice Reform Advocacy
Rideshare Driver, Uber

Community Involvement

Commissioner, Downtown Advisory Commission
Former Representative, West Bluff Council
Former Board Member, Moss Bradley Residential Association
Member, Renaissance Park Community Association
Member, Peoria Mutual Aid Network
Member, NAACP Peoria Chapter
Member, Bike Peoria Co-Op
Member, League of Women Voters of Greater Peoria
Founding Board Member, Peoria Innovation Alliance
Founding Board Member, Soulside Healing Arts

Accomplishments

Hosted 7 weeks of Zoom calls to thank local essential workers at the start of the pandemic
Supported the creation of West Bluff HomeSpace, the first youth-led neighborhood association in Peoria.
Conducted research and raised awareness on history of redlining in Peoria
Organized Help Shape West Main grassroots economic development initiative while working for the City of Peoria
Served on Peoria Public Schools Strategic Planning Team
Raised money and hosted educational sessions on cash bond reform
Started a petition and raised money to support WCBU staying in Peoria
Maintained decorative planters at W. Main & Sheridan
Created voter information website in 2017 election called PIAvotes.com that reached thousands of local voters
Organized a Data Science Fellowship for City of Peoria staff
Created new pipelines for community members and school staff to become teachers at Peoria Public Schools
Recruited over 100 teachers to teach at Peoria Public Schools
Attended Black Lives Matter protests and photographed them, shared demands of local racial justice groups and resources for White people to educate themselves on Black culture in Peoria
Advocates for public transportation and cycling
Hosted Peoria’s first Drag Brunch during last city council campaign
Organized Peoria’s first 2 civic hackathons at Civic Center in conjunction with Ignite Peoria
Ran campaign for an at-large seat on City Council in 2019 and finished 7 out of 15

Peter Kobak for Peoria’s 2nd District

Join the campaign for safety, equity, and growth in the heart of Peoria.

Peoria’s City Council Elections | April 6, 2021

Not registered to vote in the City of Peoria? Register online at ova.elections.il.gov