Eric Echevarria

Eric P Echevarria became the Peoria Police Chief as of July 30, 2021. Chief Echevarria holds a Master of Public Administration from Northern Illinois University, Bachelor of Arts from Northeastern Illinois University and an Associate of Arts from Benedictine University. He is involved with the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police, the Hispanic American Police Command Officers Association, the Puerto Rican Police Association, among others. Chief Echevarria served as a Corporal for the United States Marine Corps. He is a former Commander for the Elgin, Illinois Police Department. Chief Echevarria has extensive experience as a Resident Officer, in addition to extensive work with Major Investigations, Juvenile Investigations, Gang Unit, Drug Unit, Technical Investigations, and more. He served with the Elgin Police Department since 2001. The Chief states that “as an individual of Puerto-Rican and African American background, I know first-hand the types of injustice that certain communities feel and experience; it is this social cause that encourages me to keep pressing forward while treating everyone equally – this is one of my passions and has allowed me to build initiatives that accomplish this objective.” Chief Echevarria is a husband, father and grandfather.

Beverly Caballero

Beverly Caballero, along with her husband Ed, has been teaching Latin dancing in Peoria, Illinois since 2007. Besides the Contemporary Art Center, she has taught at the Peoria Park District, Bradley University, District 150 Schools, RiverPlex, Common Place, ICC, Nursing Homes and the Clarion Hotel. She’s performed with Ed and with various groups including SAMEBA and Bradley Salsa Club students. The Caballeros have been featured in El Numero, Prairie Living and Peoria Magazine. Beverly taught/performed at the RiverPlex Youth Explosion, Peoria Heart Ball, CASAblanca 2014 and Cultural Explosion in Bloomington. Beverly’s passion for Salsa dancing did not ignite until 2004, 20 years after she had been loving in Peoria. She heard about a Salsa class at Bradley University taught by Berfan Kochgiri. He was a college teacher/Caterpillar employee from Turkey. She took several of his classes and the rest was history. Month, Beverly and Ed teach Salsa lessons at the Contemporary Art Center. Participants learn the basics of Salsa/Merengue/Bachata and practice their skills during the socials after class. Salsa venues include Pho Noodle House, Berry Jayne Brimmer and Mackinaw Valley Vineyard. Beverly enjoys seeing newcomers picking up the steps and coming back to try to become better dancers. She shares with students that she wants it for them more than they want it for themselves. She is rooting for everyone who is interested in learning.