By Philip Haldiman | Peoria Independent
Twenty buildings in Peoria have been demolished and nine have been restored as part of an abatement program that started in 2016. The Peoria Medical Center is part of the program, but is in process due to bankruptcy.
Blight can lead to increased crime, infrastructure costs and environmental hazards, as well as decreased property values.
But ultimately city official say blight is a public safety issue.