Judge Bruce Fehrenbacher on March 15 denied a motion from Peoria County filed in November to dismiss as moot a lawsuit brought Sept. 15 by Karrie Alms and County Auditor Jessica Thomas challenging the 2022 referendum abolishing the Auditor’s office.…
Author Archive for Bill Knight
Bill Knight: Prosperous nonprofits could help fill public coffers
by Bill Knight • • Comments Off on Bill Knight: Prosperous nonprofits could help fill public coffers
After another light-hearted April Fools Day and the cheery promise of April showers’ importance to May flowers, the deadline for filing federal income tax returns (April 18 this year) can be a dark day, rekindling people’s resentment about taxes generally,…
Bill Knight: Bird flu and inflation has hatched excuses to jack up egg prices
by Bill Knight • • Comments Off on Bill Knight: Bird flu and inflation has hatched excuses to jack up egg prices
Consolidating industries are apparently learning from other near-monopolies, and are using pretexts to boost prices — and profits — at the expense of consumers. An ag advocacy group, Farm Action, this winter wrote the Federal Trade Commission asserting that despite…
Pleasant Valley schools a home away from home
by Bill Knight • • Comments Off on Pleasant Valley schools a home away from home
People of a certain age may hear “Pleasant Valley” and think of the Monkees’ ’60s musical-comedy TV show, but Pleasant Valley School District 62 sees no laughing matter in meeting teaching obstacles some might feel are insurmountable (though it has…
Arts Alerts: BU Homecoming Concert at St. Mark’s, Jazz Society at Trailside; new shows at Players, Cornstock; Art Guild camp registration open, vintage hats at Historical Society
by Bill Knight • • Comments Off on Arts Alerts: BU Homecoming Concert at St. Mark’s, Jazz Society at Trailside; new shows at Players, Cornstock; Art Guild camp registration open, vintage hats at Historical Society
ART • ArtsPartners of Central Illinois on Jan. 27 announced that Dr. Mae Gilliland Wright has accepted the position of Executive Director of the organization, following Jen Gordon and Suzette Boulais. Executive Director of Big Picture Initiative, the Peoria native…
Solid pay overdue: Library employees just getting by
by Bill Knight • • Comments Off on Solid pay overdue: Library employees just getting by
More than 91% of employees at the Peoria Public Library are living “paycheck to paycheck,” according to a survey of staff this winter. What’s arguably worse for them — and maybe embarrassing for the City of Peoria and taxpayers –…
Bill Knight: Defending Democracy, citizens, never stops; up next are local races
by Bill Knight • • Comments Off on Bill Knight: Defending Democracy, citizens, never stops; up next are local races
Citizenship never stops, really. It didn’t end with voting in November, and it requires participation between now and April 4. That’s when the consolidated local election — held in the spring of odd-numbered years — will pick local representatives to…
Arts Alerts: February kicks off with Laugh for a Cause at Mission BBQ, Heartland Festival Orchestra playing West Side “Stories”
by Bill Knight • • Comments Off on Arts Alerts: February kicks off with Laugh for a Cause at Mission BBQ, Heartland Festival Orchestra playing West Side “Stories”
ART • On Feb. 9 the Fine Arts Society of Peoria will present Chicago artist Juarez Hawkins at the Peoria Riverfront Museum to lecture on David C. Driskell, who’s credited with using his work, writing and teaching to promote the…
Peoria County claims attorney Justin Penn charging too much in Auditor court proceedings
by Bill Knight • • Comments Off on Peoria County claims attorney Justin Penn charging too much in Auditor court proceedings
Attorneys representing Peoria County in Auditor Jessica Thomas’ lawsuit filed a blistering objection to her lawyer’s Dec. 7 request for $42,087.50 in fees plus $766.64 in expenses, calling it an “exorbitant demand.” “The County never agreed to such exorbitant and…
Overwhelming support: VAC helps veterans get benefits, but Peorians pay for non-residents
by Bill Knight • • Comments Off on Overwhelming support: VAC helps veterans get benefits, but Peorians pay for non-residents
Peoria County has more than 9,000 military veterans, according to the Census, and hundreds seek help with issues ranging from disability benefits to housing. The county’s Veterans Assistance Commission advocates for them while maneuvering a new federal law providing…