The contest for Peoria mayor has taken more turns than a Central American road race. We’ve known for weeks who’s in, while rumors circulated about others interested, but undecided. Most local political, civic, and business leaders were unimpressed with the…
Bipartisan coalition slams USDA order to cut Food Stamps to vulnerable seniors
Members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation joined in bipartisan opposition to an executive order by U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Purdue to end SNAP benefits for seniors and the disabled living in supportive living facilities. In Peoria, these SLF…
Disinformation, Gannett and PJS
The Journal Star has clearly deteriorated under GateHouse and now Gannett ownership, but a new low was reached Sunday Nov. 15 with a column on page B1 about Gov. JB Pritzker’s order restricting indoor dining in restaurants and bars. The…
Letter to the Editor | Origins of Originalism, Part 1
BY BILL FEIPEL Advocates of “Originalism,” some of whom have recently made it on to the Supreme Court, tell us the Constitution must be interpreted based on the “original understanding” of its creators “at the time it was adopted” ––…
Real Talk | Having our say
Tuesday, Nov. 3 was one of the most consequential elections for African Americans since 1876 when Democrat Rutherford Hayes was awarded the presidency in what is now called The Compromise of 1877 which ushered in the Jim Crow Era. As…
The Watch | Election Commission discusses early voting spike
God love the people who keep doing their jobs without drama and fanfare, despite the hot mess which has been 2020. And that includes most of our public officials. On Oct. 13, Peoria County Election Commission geared up for the…
Nature Rambles | Ecological Conscience
When I think back to when I first became interested in nature, the world seemed a relatively “wild” place. The nearby woods in an urban area was a place to explore. One November day, so long ago, I remember coming…
Inland Art | Terry Karpowicz
Terry Karpowicz is a builder. His sculpture is recognizable to most viewers as large-scale welded and bolted, generally mechanistic abstractions. His work has distinguished numerous public sites in Chicago and the Midwest, beginning in the late 1970s. While fond of…
Art and Justice | Rhea Edge: Her art calls for environmental justice
Art is a powerful language that can communicate through a combination of facts, emotion, conviction, beauty and degradation. Artist Rhea Edge knows how to wield all these tools. She uses her art to convey an environmental message and a moral…
Reflections From A Hindu Perspective | Happy Diwali everyone!
As you may know, Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh Peoria chapter organizes an annual Diwali food drive for our local communities in need. This year, because of restrictions and safety concerns due to COVID, we can’t personally shop and deliver items. We…
Heat Waves — In Red and Black | The No. 1 priority if Biden-Harris get one shot at major climate legislation
What might be Biden-Harris’ strategic entry into climate legislation? What is the must-win bill Biden should want delivered to the Resolute Desk? Without exception, bill No. 1 must reduce greenhouse gas emissions at least 50% by 2030. Only large, fast…
West Peoria News | Neighborhood Watch
The West Peoria Neighborhood Watch has included 20 years of watching and reporting for all West Peorians. Thanks for those years and go for another 20. Maggie Moore has been the person coordinating and guiding this watch that makes our…
Serendipity | Seven Grandchildren Greetings
Wishing each of you a very Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with joy, happy moments and knowing you are loved and cherished by many, especially your Grammie! As a child I was in love with Christmas. I understood…
Labor Roundup | December 2020
The AFL-CIO and SEIU last month complained to the UN’s International Labor Organization (ILO), charging the Trump administration with violating numerous international labor laws during the coronavirus pandemic. The complaint from the Service Employees International Union and the labor federation…
Central Illinois specialty farmers: They are “our lifeline” for food
For years, Jimmy Buckley watched government subsidies go to big corn and soybean farmers growing crops that become fuel and animal feed. Buckley grows organic fruits and vegetables for hundreds of people in central Illinois yet until this year, he…
News Analysis: Vote yes on the graduated income tax
Misleading attacks on the ballot initiative to amend the state constitution to enact a graduated income tax (“Fair Tax”) range from scare-tactic lies to exaggerations that defy logic. Some opponents say that a Fair Tax will lead to taxing retirement…
Wasim Ellahi: Everyone deserves excellent, compassionate medical care
His mantra: If someone asks for my help, that’s all I need; we provide help. Dr. Wasim Ellahi was recruited to come to Peoria more than 20 years ago, and when he died Oct. 5, he left a legacy of…
The Lion’s Den | Every Vote Counts
Over the past months, one of the main points of discussion surrounding the upcoming presidential election has been voter suppression. Or in a broader sense, actions that may be viewed as a threat to the democratic process of voting. There…
Bill Knight | “Falsehood flies”
The last time Central Illinois’ 18th Congressional District was represented by someone other than a Republican was in 1939 when James Meeks finished his third term. So it’s not crazy for the GOP to be confident, even arrogant, about the…
Straight Talk | How times have changed!
There was a time when I watched TV news and read the newspaper free of any political influence. All forms of media provided information objectively, I thought. Years ago, the Peoria Journal Transcript had a Republican column and a Democrat…
Editorial | More newsroom cuts at Journal Star
Poynter Institute for Media Studies has reported on yet another round of staff reductions in Gannett newsrooms and other departments nationwide. Gannett recently purchased the Peoria Journal Star. The paper currently has less than 10 percent of the newsroom employees…