The holdings of the Peoria Co. Genealogical Soc. are housed in the Peoria Public Library at the corner of Main and Monroe streets in Peoria (about 2 or 3 blocks from the courthouse). At times there are society volunteers on hand to give advice and direction. They have many old newspapers on microfilm. Also old city directories ... but I do not know years covered. There are books, yearbooks from schools, various articles, obituaries, copies of census records, etc. If they have what YOU need in the right time period, I cannot say. But with over 17,000 volumes in their collection, I hope you can find something of what you need. There were no B-M-D records in IL at that time period, as far as I know. That may help with where to go. Bill in Denver (but grew up in Peoria)