Business View Civil & Municipal | July 2022

124 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 3, ISSUE 7 L ocated in Tazewell County, the City of Washington, Illinois is one of the best places to live in the state. The vibrant community, just 135 miles southwest of Chicago, has a population of 16,395 with a median age of just under 38 years. Comprised mostly of families and young professionals, this suburb of Peoria was founded in 1825 by William Holland, Sr., who originally worked to provide blacksmith services to the local Native Americans. In the 1920s, George Heyl put Washington on the map as the home of the infamous Hey! Pony Farm – a local supplier of Shetland ponies. Today, the city focuses on family, safety, and balancing quality of life requirements with smart financial management that keeps taxes low. With a diverse climate that ranges from hot, humid summers to frozen, snowy winters, Washington, Illinois is a great place to experience each of the four seasons. Found on US Route 24 and Illinois Route 8, this scenic city also has grade ‘A’ schools and plenty of parks and recreation in the area, making it great for families looking to put down roots. Especially when you consider that most residents take full ownership of their homes rather than renting. AT A GLANCE WASHINGTON, ILLINOIS WHAT: Desirable bedroom community of Peoria WHERE: Tazewell County, Illinois WEBSITE: www.ci.washington.il.us HINGTON, ILLINOIS The Family-Friendly City