Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel went to Peoria with a message of bipartisanship but he wasn't talking just about political parties.

Emanuel spoke to about 500 people Wednesday at the Peoria Civic Center, saying Chicago and downstate Illinois need to face the fact they're geographically and economically linked. He says the traditional animosity doesn't work.

Emanuel spoke at the invitation of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. LaHood says he invited Emanuel to speak in LaHood's hometown and noted they became friends while both were in Congress.

Many in the crowd said they came to hear Emanuel out of curiosity.

Banker Lon Lyons says he appreciated the talk of working together. But he says he doesn't see much evidence of that sort of cooperation yet.