There are hundreds of thousands of Illinoisans who are millionaires, according to public and private studies, and given the economy, it’s not illogical to appeal to them for help.But some criticize the rich as detached, unfeeling or both, which seems…
Author Archive for Bill Knight
Caring for ‘the least of these’
by Bill Knight • • 0 Comments
Midway between the Census Bureau’s Sept. 16 release of poverty data and the Nov. 2 midterm elections, the Catholic Diocese of Peoria on Saturday, Oct. 9 is sponsoring a day-long institute on social justice open to all. One wonders whether…
Freedom and Tolerance
by Bill Knight • • 0 Comments
September was the month in 1789 when the nation’s first Congress proposed to state legislatures the Bill of Rights, including the First Amendment, guaranteeing freedom of religion. September also marks the end of Islam’s holy month of Ramadan, which on…
Should non-profits voluntarily pay city, county more?
by Bill Knight • • 0 Comments
Most nonprofit outfits are exempt from paying property taxes, but with budget crises at the city, county and schools, Peoria could use assistance from those nonprofits able to help. Contributing to city or county services would make a positive difference…
Cat, Ameren, ADM among Toxic 100 air polluters
by Bill Knight • • 0 Comments
A new list of the top corporate air polluters in the United States includes two companies based in Peoria and a third Illinois firm with a key operation here, according to researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. The “Toxic…
Palin annoys some conservatives, seeks GOP takeover of Tea-partiers
by Bill Knight • • 0 Comments
To a lot of people, S.P. and T.P. means “standard play” and “toilet paper” – fun with VCRs or neighborhood trees – but to those who deny that Medicare and the Veterans Administration health care are successful government programs, the…
District 150 needs business, board to clean house
by Bill Knight • • 0 Comments
As Peorians anticipate School District 150 interim superintendent Norm Durflinger’s formal recommendation to the board on changes in staffing, the thought of other changes comes to mind. If administrations in business, government or any human institution sometimes deflect criticism by…
Are Abe and Teddy still bigger than Mark and Aaron?
by Bill Knight • • 0 Comments
As the February primary approaches, one wonders whether candidates who decide to identify with a party research its platform and claims made by its current champions. For instance, GOP apologist Rush Limbaugh praised U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas as…