Racism and America Earlier this year, I participated in an event called “Let’s Talk: Improving Racial and Cultural Relationships” at the Universalist Unitarian Church. The event consisted of two large group 4-hour workshops and 2-3 small group discussions around Ta-Nehesi…
Personal contacts & issues beat cash & pro-Trump campaigns. Unionists talking face-to-face about issues that matter to voters beat cascades of corporate cash and pro-Trump campaigns from right-wing candidates in November elections, said unionists, who added that being anti-Trump helped,…
What does Peoria have in common with Chicago? One thing that both share are iconic buildings by renowned Chicago architect William W. Boyington. Boyington designed many structures in the Chicago area during the later half of the 19th century, including the Old…
BY CLARE HOWARD Yet another sign of global climate change is no further away than your morning bowl of cereal. As the world continues to burn fossil fuels that release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, scientists are linking increasing levels…
BY TERRY BIBO As always, Jerry Klein appeared bemused. A young reporter, I was racing out of the Journal Star building, probably to conduct an interview. A fine arts critic, he was wandering in, probably to compose a review. The…
Illinois has 628 separate police and fire pension funds, each with administrative costs. Ohio, by contrast, has one Ohio Police and Fire Pension Fund. At a recent talk in Peoria, Sen. Daniel Biss, D-Evanston and gubernatorial candidate, said merging multiple…
FALL IS FOR FUNDRAISING As you read this column, our community will be honoring a number of extraordinary citizens who have contributed to making their communities and Central Illinois in particular an extraordinary place to live. These fundraisers honor our…
THE MISSING FLAG Gary Hall is a Vietnam veteran and a strong supporter of all veterans, especially those missing in action and prisoners of war. That’s why he’s passionate about the POW/MIA flag and its familiar black and white design.…
The prospect of a right-wing media conglomerate expanding might cause some to think, “It can’t happen here,” but there’s a local connection between Sinclair Broadcast Group’s proposed purchase of Tribune Media. Plus, legitimate concerns are similar to worrying about a…
Solutions: More women in leadership Don’t tell a feminist or a rational man that Hillary Clinton lost the election fair and square. Despite James Comey, fake news planted by Russia and other dirty tricks, Clinton won by more than 2.9…
Secular humanism: Driven by social justice and kindness Thank you for publishing “Reflections From a Secular Humanist,” by Harry Elger. His column succinctly explains secular humanism and the many reasons one would choose this enlightened worldview. Harry’s writing is clear,…
This book will scare you to death! It’s essential reading. BY ELAINE HOPKINS A recently published tiny paperback, the 126-page book “On Tyranny, Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century,” is essential reading today. The author, Timothy Snyder, a distinguished professor at…
BY HARRY ELGER What Is Religion’s Role in Government? There are 4,543 words in the Constitution — none of them are Jesus, Bible, God, or Christianity. America is not a melting pot of Christian denominations. America is not literally or…
There are two different opportunities for West Peorians to improve the lives of others during the upcoming holiday season. Non-perishable food items are desperately needed for the 30th annual Stuff-a-Bus for Friendship House to be shared with families in need. Stuff-a-Bus is hosted by…
Chris Holbrook is a printmaker by discipline and a homespun expressionist. He has formal and conceptual affiliations with the Chicago Imagist School as well as other regional artists known for idiosyncratic narratives infused with a decidedly Midwestern funk and philosophy.…
MUSIC Nov. 3: Judy Page. 8 p.m. Rhythm Kitchen. 676-9668. Nov. 3: Dexter O’Neal & Funk Yard “Live at the Five Spot.” 5:30 p.m. Contemporary Art Center. 674-6877. Nov. 4: The Estampie Trio chamber music concert. 3 p.m. Eureka College…
A world of wounds September has gone down in history for its record-breaking warmth. Locally, it has turned out to be one of the driest as well. Each month we hear we broke a record, and collectively each year seems…
Thirty years ago, I walked across Bradley University’s campus with intention and nervous haste. Having graduated from Illinois Central College (ICC) three months earlier, I was going to Bradley Hall for my first university class. At age 39, I was…
Kneeling for equality I’m often asked by eager learners who, out of respect, would like to know my intellectual stance on players kneeling during the national anthem. Growing up as a young inner city youth in Chicago and now being…
BlueGreen Alliance, Service Employees hit Trump dump of Clean Power Plan. The BlueGreen Alliance and the Service Employees are blasting Republican President Donald Trump for dumping the Obama administration’s Clean Power Plan, the comprehensive cleanup of the nation’s coal-fired electric…
