PEORIA – Legislation allowing Peoria County to redevelop the site of the former Hanna City Work Camp for private use was signed into law today.

House Bill 4319 allows Peoria County to sell the land for private development. The property was required by law to be reserved for public use when the county obtained it from the state in 2008, or the county would have to return the property to the state.

State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) sponsored the legislation with State Representative Mike Unes (R-East Peoria), hoping it will spur some economic growth in rural Peoria County.

“This camp has sat idle for years. Allowing the private sector to come in and potentially create jobs seemed like a no-brainer,” Koehler said.

The state will receive 10 percent of the proceeds of any sale of the property. The legislation takes effect immediately.