Five years later, the name of the village was changed to East Peoria. Before the 1 9th Century ended, East Peoria changed from a rural village to a thriving industrial town as one manufacturer after another built plants on the bottom lands. The presence of both river and rail transportation stimulated industrial growth. Today, commerce and industry dominate the lowlands of East Peoria, while homes dominate the hills, high above the river. A productive and growing community, East Peoria stands at the threshold of a new millennium proud of its past and confident of its future.
Several restaurants are nearby for a quick bite to eat.
Four downtown plazas offer plenty of off-street parking and more than 50 stores. Fondulac Plaza has 25 stores, including a major food store and two fast food restaurants. Community Plaza has nine stores, along with a bank and a lumber yard. Town Centre I and Town Centre 11 are located across the street from one another. Town Centre I has a major food store, a large national video rental chain, and eight other shops.