Two downstate towns fighting over land

PEKIN -- The city of Pekin and the village of North Pekin are fighting over land the village annexed a year-and-a-half ago.

In lawsuits filed in Tazewell County Circuit Court, Pekin officials say North Pekin's annexation of 60 acres of land near Illinois Route 29 wasn't done properly. Pekin wants the land for a business park.

North Pekin Village President Barb Kaiser said the village annexed the land for its own development.

The village voted to annex the property in 2007, but the move was challenged by Pekin and the first lawsuit was filed. A second lawsuit was filed by Pekin when North Pekin voted again to annex the land with some slight changes.

Pekin attorney Burt Dancey said the lawsuits aren't being pushed to their fullest extent and said negotiations are being worked out.