Community Word asked Jodi Hoos (pictured on right) and Christopher McCall (pictured on left) for a brief statement on their positions regarding establishment of a conviction integrity unit within the Peoria County State’s Attorney’s office. CIUs are set up to…
Real Talk | The problem with the Feminist Movement
Black and white women have always held different perspectives around the right to vote. For white women, it was a symbol of parity with their husbands and brothers. For Black women, the ballot box was a means of empowering Black…
The Watch | Politics 2020
Despite a shiny new year — new decade even! — many of us despair at the prospect of Election Year 2020. Don’t give up just yet. Ask and you may receive, even from your elected officials. For example, Jim and…
Downstate Story releases 2019 edition
Peoria’s only literary magazine for fiction, Downstate Story, just released its 2019 edition. It is now published only on the web at www.downstatestory.com. Writers in this issue include: Loren Logsdon of Eureka, IL; Marie Anderson of Western Springs, IL; Duke…
The Lion’s Den | Part II African American Education: Post Civil War
Following the end of the Civil War and the end of slavery, America faced many challenges, including the significant loss of free labor and a social stratification system thrown into turmoil. Primary among these challenges was how to address the…
Reflections From A Hindu Perspective | Detachment
My new year’s resolution for 2020 is to internalize the principle of detachment. Over the years, as we meander along the path of self-realization, attachment to people, material things, achievements and identity have been a heavy ball and chain around…
Reflections From A Baha’i | A Brief History of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was adopted by the UN General Assembly on Dec. 10, 1948, was motivated by the horrors of the Second World War. With the end of that war, and the creation of the United…
West Peoria News | New appointments, State of City address, LED lights
Longtime West Peoria Township Trustee James Flynn resigned from the town board recently due to poor health. He served his constituents well and with great concern. In December, Sue Roos was chosen to replace Mr. Flynn. Sue has been an…
Labor Roundup | January 2020
So-called “new NAFTA” moves closer to passage. The controversial U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) in Mid-December gained enough support from House Democrats and organized labor to set it up for ratification in coming weeks. The trade pact would replace the 25-year-old North…
Serendipity | Kindness and courage
Bravery isn’t present only on battlefields, although incredible examples of courage and valor happen there, and in the middle of emergencies. Other times it occurs quietly, or maybe awkwardly as someone tries putting one foot in front of the other…
Victim dies after accident last year at Journal Star
Larry Helle, 61, died Nov. 23 following nearly a year of ongoing health complications caused by a forklift accident at the Journal Star where he worked. He underwent numerous operations and treatments following the accident that resulted in amputation of…
New documentary “Seasons of Change on Henry’s Farm” forewarns of global havoc
“Alarming rate” of soil erosion and nutrient runoff
Six environmental organizations reviewed an agricultural pollution report issued by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and sounded an alarm. Illinois is more than “200 years from reaching nutrient pollution reduction goals,” the group’s report stated. The report “confirms long-held concerns…
Newspaper merger means more layoffs, less journalism, “just morally wrong”
The Journal Star will not enhance coverage of the Peoria City Council, Dunlap schools, East Peoria police or the Illinois Legislature in Springfield following the merger of Gannett and PJS owner GateHouse Media. In fact, it has been widely reported…
Coal-fired Edwards plant to close but nationwide air pollution rising
60% of Superfund sites at risk from climate change
Nearly 950 toxic Superfund sites, many lining Lake Michigan near Chicago, are in danger of inundation by rising sea levels and storm surges due to climate change, according to a recent report issued by the Government Accountability Office, a nonpartisan…
True Justice documentary: “eye opening,” “amazing”
Prof. Anthony White teaches criminal justice at Illinois Central College; he invited several of his students to write brief statements about their reaction to the documentary “True Justice: Bryan Stevenson’s Fight for Equality.” A free public screening in November was…
Views & Perspectives | December is time to be reflective and full of joy and happiness
As I write my last column for 2019, I am grateful to Clare Howard and the entire team at COMMUNITY WORD for the opportunity to sound off on issues of importance to me and I hope from time to time…
Straight Talk | What’s going on with media?
On Thursday, Nov. 7, 23-year-old Tyshan Gayton exchanged gunfire with law enforcement officials not far from the Glen Oak Learning Center and then fled to a house on Briarwood. Police rushed to the area of 2300 North Knoxville followed by…
Bill Knight | Health-care costs
Decades ago, I edited a weekly newspaper owned by a record chain whose owner was mulling over providing health-insurance coverage to full-time workers when in a matter of weeks I had to go to emergency rooms. I’d seriously injured my…