The reformers in Peoria were proud of what felt like an unprecedented achievement and promoted themselves widely for it. A statement from a Caterpillar PR man involved with the Peorians for Council Manager so impressed the National Conference on Government (held by the National Municipal League) that Peoria was included in their annual list of All American Cities. Indeed, the sense was that if a city as wide-open as Peoria could reform, anywhere in America could be turned around.