More than 7 out of 10 of us support raising the minimum wage, but proposals to do that got lukewarm receptions by Peoria lawmakers and the GOP in general. A recent Pew Research poll showed that 71% of Americans favor…
Author Archive for Bill Knight
The Beatles on ‘Ed Sullivan’ 50 years ago musically commemorated in Peoria Feb. 9
by Bill Knight • • 0 Comments
To some, five decades back seem like ancient history: “Biblical times.” Indeed, in the winter of 1964, social media meant face-to-face conversations or maybe passing notes in class. At home, there were three main TV networks, and weekends wound down…
Vatican questionnaire not distributed to area laity
by Bill Knight • • 0 Comments
In the New Testament, Jesus says, “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches,” and “Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.” Nevertheless, it’s unclear whether Pope Francis will be able to…
Peoria Has Major Mental Health Needs: Analysis
by Bill Knight • • 0 Comments
When Virginia State Sen. Creigh Deeds was injured by his 24-year-old son Gus on Nov. 19, the attack was preceded hours before by a mental-health evaluation of the younger Deeds, who was recommended for emergency custody, an order that could…
Mental illiness: The big picture
by Bill Knight • • 0 Comments
* 20% of American adults have some form of mental illness – 45.9 million people. * 20% of that number – 9.2 million people – have some form of substance dependence or abuse.* 20% of American adults have some form…
The impact in Peoria County
by Bill Knight • • 0 Comments
* Suicides are trending upward, with annual rates above the national rate in four of the last 10 years. * Drug-related deaths overtook alcohol-related deaths over the last decade. Drug-induced deaths went from 48.3% to 63.9% while alcohol-induced deaths fell…
Predicting holiday shopping is a cynical ‘game’
by Bill Knight • • 0 Comments
When the Peoria County Board in mid-November unanimously passed a resolution supporting Small Business Saturday on Nov. 30, it rekindled an appreciation for independent retailers with local owners and workers – and the merchants who refrain from making forecasts of…
50 Years Ago This Month, Innocence Was Lost
by Bill Knight • • 0 Comments
The week before Thanksgiving in 1963, the Friday-morning weather had some fog and a little drizzle; afternoon temperatures reached the 60s. “It’s true,” I heard from a trembling freshman schoolmate in Latin class, seconds after laughing and saying how I’d…
Peoria’s Red-Baiter: ‘Throwing victims to the lions of defamation’
by Bill Knight • • 0 Comments
Caption: This editorial cartoon from 1953 showed how public opinion began to turn against HUAC when Velde targeted churches. Some sixty years ago, Peoria’s Congressman led coast-to-coast hearings on unAmerican activities, including some targeting Hollywood. Before U.S. Rep. Harold Velde…
11th Annual Peoria Film Noir Festival features ‘commie sympathizer’ Humphrey Bogart
by Bill Knight • • 0 Comments
CAPTION: Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall lead demonstrators protesting the House UnAmerican Activities Committee’s October 1947 probe of Hollywood. Also pictured are actors Paul Henreid (“Casablanca,” “Of Human Bondage”) and Richard Conte (“The Godfather,””Call Northside 777″) The 11th annual Peoria…