The 2020 Census updated data about populations, and people may wonder what happens next. A definite result is changing local voting districts at all levels, though specifics remain unclear. A possible result is revising plans for public and private services…
Author Archive for Bill Knight
Industrial ‘neighbors’ say pollutants are controlled
by Bill Knight • • Comments Off on Industrial ‘neighbors’ say pollutants are controlled
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s new Toxic Release Inventory shows companies’ data on industrial waste last year, and of all of Peoria’s zip codes, four have businesses that say they released between 12.6 tons to six pounds. Metro Peoria has…
Bill Knight | Future of campaign finance reform in Illinois as dark as money involved
by Bill Knight • • Comments Off on Bill Knight | Future of campaign finance reform in Illinois as dark as money involved
In the spring of 1996 Kent Redfield was a 47-year-old political science professor at the University of Illinois Springfield, where he wrote a report for the Illinois Campaign Finance Project (ICPR) outlining dozens of ways to change how candidates raise…
Chiefs get pay hike, housing
by Bill Knight • • Comments Off on Chiefs get pay hike, housing
The absence or presence of justice can be found almost everywhere, from homeless shelters to legislatures to baseball diamonds. Baseball is probably far from your mind unless you’re a fan of Atlanta (whose World Series star was ex-Peoria Chiefs outfielder…
Bill Knight | A lesson from Carole King
by Bill Knight • • Comments Off on Bill Knight | A lesson from Carole King
Around the holiday season of hope, the touring show “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical” sparked warm thoughts of the award-winning singer/songwriter’s singular knack for finding hope amid loss, faith in the face of despair, and fine music and lyrics –…
Muralist rekindles towns’ past
by Bill Knight • • Comments Off on Muralist rekindles towns’ past
Scott Lindley’s life work has been about forging relationships and building community. And painting. Lindley, 52, heads up “Walldogs,” a group of artists who’ve created murals throughout Illinois, from a standalone piece chronicling Elmwood’s abolitionist past to a series of…
Bill Knight | Farewell to a fine journalist
by Bill Knight • • Comments Off on Bill Knight | Farewell to a fine journalist
Journalists don’t pursue their career for thanks. Compensation mostly is indirect, learning issues and interacting with people much more than pay. (A favorite quote about journalism-as-a-calling is from Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times columnist and novelist Anna Quindlen, who said,…
Riverfront Museum photo exhibit shows 1940s unity, diversity
by Bill Knight • • Comments Off on Riverfront Museum photo exhibit shows 1940s unity, diversity
When “Railroaders: Jack Delano’s Homefront Photography” opens at Peoria Riverfront Museum on Oct. 9, it will be a return of sorts for Delano, who visited Bradley University in 1988 as the first guest in BU’s Bunn Lectureship in Photography. Delano…
Government’s “tragedy of errors” still saved the arts
by Bill Knight • • Comments Off on Government’s “tragedy of errors” still saved the arts
The arts are vital to America, and many culture groups were hit hard during the pandemic, according to Brookings Institution which reported the sector lost $150 billion in revenue and 2.7 million jobs. Fortunately, Washington saw that helping such organizations…
Bill Knight | Trying to please everyone
by Bill Knight • • Comments Off on Bill Knight | Trying to please everyone
Even as a Democrat (technically a democratic socialist), it’s difficult to dislike Darin LaHood, akin to scolding a gifted musician’s child for being tone-deaf. But it’s frustrating. The 18th District’s Republican Congressman seems to exalt bipartisanship and express concerns for…