Phil Luciano, Journal Star

Phil Luciano

Journal Star

Peoria, IL, United States

Contact Phil

Discover and connect with journalists and influencers around the world, save time on email research, monitor the news, and more.

Start free trial

Recent:
  • Unknown
Past:
  • Journal Star
  • SJ-R Breaking News
  • The Pantagraph
  • The News Leader
  • The Progress-Index
  • Galesburg.com
  • Rochester D and C
  • Daily Herald
  • FayObserver.com
  • New Bern Sun Journal
  • and more…

Past articles by Phil:

33 years, 33 columns: A look back at Phil Luciano's top picks from his career

The columns evoke emotions ranging from glad to sad to mad to otherwise. Here are Phil Luciano's favorites, one from each year. → Read More

After thousands of columns over 33 years, columnist says farewell to the

Beginning in 1989, Phil Luciano's column appeared countless times in the Peoria Journal Star. With this one, he says thank you and goodbye. → Read More

Harman Highway? Harmon Highway? It depends on how you look at this Peoria County road

The state says "Harman," the county says "Harmon," and signs say both. Why there's a dispute — and why Airport Road's name is also sometimes wrong. → Read More

Peoria as Illinois' biggest city? And Chicago in Wisconsin? Here's how it almost happened

Nathaniel Pope was an opportunist who forever changed Illinois and the nation. How he managed to change the state's northern border. → Read More

What have we learned in 2021 about COVID vaccines? Peoria doctor answers

Studies show COVID-19 boosters help against coronavirus variants. A Peoria doctor candidly answers questions about pandemic. → Read More

'She was my rock': Amid COVID-19 and fatal crash, Illinois family struggles forward

Joy Hattan is remembered as someone who "would do anything for anybody.” Dennis Hattan now faces the prospect of raising a pre-teen alone. → Read More

These two WMBD-TV reporters will have new roles at the station — one as anchor

Darronte Matthews has been named the new weekend anchor. Also, Sheridan Hurtig has been named news reporter for the newscasts. → Read More

This Peoria-based sports league is the oldest of its type nationally. How to check stats

Almost 50 players in the Peoria Sunday Morning League have gone on to play Major League Baseball. → Read More

Was the real killer convicted in Starved Rock murders? New HBO documentary investigates

Chester Weger, released last year after nearly 60 years in prison, hopes DNA testing will get his conviction vacated. → Read More

A famous Richard Pryor movie was added to a prestigious list — 42 years after its release

The National Film Registry added two movies with Peoria ties to its list: "Richard Pryor: Live in Concert" and "The Murder of Fred Hampton." → Read More

This is what Dan Fogelberg's 'old lover' recalls about their youthful romance in Peoria

The romance between Dan Fogelberg and Jill Gruelich was wistfully memorialized in song after a chance run-in in Peoria on Christmas Eve 1975. → Read More

An annoying traffic light seems wrong to a Peoria motorist. Her question gets it fixed

Prompted by Ask Phil, the city of Peoria found a traffic light malfunction at War Memorial Drive and North Grand Boulevard that needed to be fixed. → Read More

Ask Phil: Distillery with sketchy past among businesses preceding Alexander's Steakhouse

An Italian restaurant immediately preceded Alexander's Steakhouse, but it previously had life as a distillery and a warehouse. → Read More

Thieves target holiday tips meant for Peoria-area trash collectors. How to avoid it

It's not uncommon for gratuities for garbage, recycling collectors to go missing. Here's the best way to make sure it gets to the intended recipients. → Read More

'The water was on fire': 100-year-old Macomb native survived Pearl Harbor, one of few left

Macomb native Sterling Cale made Hawaii his home after the attacks, and volunteered at the USS Arizona Memorial. → Read More

If you have questions about the Peoria area, Ask Phil. He knows how to get answers

Our new series at the Peoria Journal Star is called Ask Phil. Email Phil Luciano your questions about the Tri-County Area, and he will answer them. → Read More

'I'm just trying to survive': Income hurt by COVID-19, handyman seeks Christmas Fund aid

The 64-year-old Peorian is working, but jobs are drying up for handymen. He's seeking holiday help from the Journal Star Christmas Fund. → Read More

The wait is over: Raber Packing Co. announces reopening at new West Peoria site after fire

Reopening at Raber Packing Co. comes more than three years after fire at original site. The new facility almost triples the former Raber footprint. → Read More

For the first time in years, this Peoria mom is grateful for stable home for Thanksgiving

"It's going to be a great Thanksgiving," says Carissa Clemens ahead of the first holiday in five years in which she's had stable housing. → Read More

A Peoria woman's son was murdered last year. Now she's raising his grandchildren

Andre Leathers had been raising four of his grandchildren, whom his mother is now adopting after he was murdered last year. → Read More