An article featured in the October issue of The Community Word outlined the potential pitfalls teen drivers face and the requirements for the state’s graduated licensing system. On August 20 of this year, Governor Blagojevich signed a law that tightens the restrictions imposed on young drivers with the intention of making teenagers more responsible drivers. This new law triples the amount of time a teen is required to have a learner’s permit, imposes a stricter curfew, and requires more instructor-supervised street driving.

Statistics and studies show that teen drivers have a higher rate of accidents and traffic fatalities than any other age group. Teen drivers who are between the ages of 16 and 19 are four times more likely to cause an accident than an older and more experienced driver. More than 8,000 people are killed and 700,000 injured by teenage auto accidents each year, accounting for $40 billion in damages and medical costs. In 2005, over 6,000 young people, ages 15 to 20, died in motor vehicle crashes. In fact, automobile accidents are the leading cause of death among people 15 to 20; the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says one-third of all deaths in that age range are caused by motor vehicle accidents. Teen drivers make up 6 percent of Illinois drivers, but they account for 16 percent of all crash fatalities in the state.

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“Have Scissors, Will Travel,” should be Sharon Clark’s motto at her “Who Does Your Hair?” Beauty Salon.

Although she’s owner/operator of a full-service salon, Clark is convinced taking her hair styling talent to shut-ins and people who find it hard to get around in the winter is a new trend in beauty culture.

“I think there is a real need for it,” Clark said in a recent interview, “and I think it is an untapped market.”

CUTLINE: Sharon Clark shown at her Beauty Salon, “Who Does Your Hair.
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Dress for Success provides much more than a business suit to a needy woman seeking employment and independence. The international non-profit organization, dedicated to improving the lives of women, provides professional clothing, employment retention programs and ongoing support. Such resources help women to be self-sufficient and successful both personally and professionally. Founded in New York City in 1997, the organization now includes more than 75 affiliates. Each site is independent, volunteer-driven, and committed to fulfilling the Dress for Success mission on a local level.

CUTLINE: Left to right: Laura Clark, Program Director for Dress For Success Peoria; Joyce King, personal shopper for the organization’s suiting program; and Lois Boaz, Dress For Success Peoria Board President.

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Don’t be surprised if Peoria County officials soon announce plans to construct a new Bel-Wood Nursing Home. A recent study of the existing facility revealed the need for an estimated $12 million in updates.

Rather than spend that kind of money on changes and renovations, some in the County believe it would be fiscally wiser to build a new, modern and up-to-date nursing home.

The new building, costing an estimated $24 million, would be constructed on land near the existing Bel-Wood. The County could utilize available funding through the Public Building Commission to pay for construction. Consideration of such a proposal is in the discussion stage so the $24 million is speculative, says our source.
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When U.S. Rep. Ray LaHood announced that he wouldn’t seek re-election, some progressives wondered: Did his decision stem from the difficulty of once more legislating by collaboration and compromise without the dominance of controlling both houses of Congress (indeed, all three branches of the federal government), or the difficulty of trying to be a part of cleaning up the colossal mess the Bush administration has made in the last six years?

Further, will Democrats accept the dismissive generalization that the 18th Congressional District is a “safe” Republican stronghold, or dedicate resources to a viable candidate?
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Let’s just take a moment and talk about the birds and the bees. After all, these critters can teach us a good deal about the world. Remember, they share our need for clean air and water. You may have heard about the canary in the coal mine. Miners kept a caged bird nearby, the bird being slightly more sensitive to toxins in the air. The way it works is, when the critter kicks the bucket, get out! You could be next.

Earth’s climate is going through some pretty extreme changes and environmental indicators are all over the place. Animal and plant populations have been shifting away from their former ranges. Glaciers are retreating, permafrost is melting, and bird populations are declining at alarming rates. And now, even bees are disappearing.
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John Morris spent a day enjoying the news media reporting on the results of a campaign poll “as if it were gospel.”

Actually, I suspect that the habitually upbeat former Peoria City Council member wasn’t really all that much amused as he was annoyed. Not that he would ever admit it.

For those who missed it, State Rep. Aaron Schock released the results of an opinion poll that showed him leading the race for the Republican nomination for the seat in the 18th District U.S. House seat that will be vacated by the retiring Ray LaHood. It also showed him walloping at least one of the announced candidates for the Democratic nomination. The press release also bragged about the massive amount of money Schock spent on past campaigns.

The underlying message: ‘No one can afford to campaign against me.’

Morris isn’t buying it, he says. Read the rest of this entry »

by Dolores Klein

It is gratifying when we see very young people dedicate themselves to an important project, acting on research and study, and creatively and boldly taking action. An eighth grade student, now a graduate, Madeline Piller from Mendota, Illinois, along with her brother and school friends, acting on their research, wrote a play, took it a Washington, D.C. competition, and since then have seriously dedicated themselves to the building of a RADIUM GIRLS MONUMENT.

There are few monuments to women: we have Lydia Moss Bradley and Mother Jones in Illinois. This proposed monument to be erected on the site of the Radium Dial plant in Ottawa, as designed by Madeline, depicts a young, healthy dial painter “who is ready to take on the tragic challenges that will come her way.” Her story will be etched on the marble base. Though the monument is being seen as a gift to the city of Ottawa, I see it more of an Illinois asset, considering this to be example of strength in the face of certain death.

In 1925, Radium Dial became aware of the occupational danger of radium radiation exposure and the poisoning that would follow. These young women, who started in 1922 ingesting radium in the paint they were applying on brushes to numbers on clock faces, were never told. Instead, after being examined, they had their fears calmed. In 1934, seven women began legal battles to win financial compensation for occupationally acquired radium poisoning: debilitating bone fractures and infections, bone tumors and anemia. Small settlements did not pay their mounting bills. The company shut down, but reopened, remaining in business into the 70’s; finally being shut down by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, for improper handling of tritium.

The seven women, known as “the Society of the Living Dead” gave more than an example. They and others traveled to Argonne National Laboratory, undergoing tests for the effects on their bodies of radium radiation, being monitored for years, sometimes being studied after death. These studies were used to set safety standards for industrial exposure to radiation, which is a gift to all of us from these women.

They took on an industry, a medical community and a legal system. While suffering from debilitating fatal illness, they fought the system that recognized women to be inferior and individual workers to be less important than the industry in which they worked.

Personally, I want to be part of Madeline Piller’s project, to be there at the dedication. NO MONEY IS BEING ASKED FOR, only pledges to see if it is financially feasible to go forward and complete it. The sculptor has donated most of the time it will take to create the life-sized bronze. Call for pledge info at 681-0311.

Excuse me, but wasn’t it just Christmas? I’m a little hazy on this but I could swear we just exchanged gifts.

Seriously, am I the only one who’s trying to remember when January happened? I honestly feel like yesterday was February and while I was sleeping last night someone ripped March through July out of my calendar. And, I think I missed August.

OK, seriously. What is going on here? I know it’s not just me. I’m constantly hearing folks ask the same question – and not just those who are on the downside of the proverbial ‘hill,’ but by 25-year-olds!
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