PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) -- 'We need a healthier river that grows the workforce.'

That was the rallying cry Thursday for mayors of communities that lined the Illinois River as they came together to show support for preserving and protecting the river.

The Illinois River Cities and Town initiative represents 15 municipalities, including Peoria, East Peoria, Peoria Heights, Chillicothe and Pekin. They signed a memorandum of understanding to allow joint initiatives to improve the river's health and grow the workforce.

"In 2021, river-related and dependent industries supported nearly 262,000 jobs in Illinois," said Peoria's Mayor Rita Ali, who co-chairs the group. "In a very bipartisan way, we're working together to protect, to enhance our Illinois River, our precious asset."

Next up is to deci

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