Obama won't be charged for Peoria visit

PEORIA -- Mayor Jim Ardis says neither the Obama administration nor Caterpillar Inc. will be billed for public services incurred during the president's visit to Peoria to promote his economic stimulus plan.

The cost for events organized by politicians requiring the spending of public funds became an issue during last year's campaigns.

After President George W. Bush visited Peoria on July 25 to campaign for then-state Rep. Aaron Schock, questions were raised as to why $38,000 in public services were not billed to Schock's congressional campaign. Schock, now congressman form the 18th District, opted to voluntarily pay the costs in September.

Ardis said Tuesday the cost of public services during Obama's visit on Thursday will not be an issue. He said the issue last July involved a political fundraiser.