Author Archive for Community Word Staff

Heat Waves — In Red & Black: PAYS to provide water like it’s a human right

William Rau

Climate and Equity Jobs Act program helps fight the scarcity and inequality that economics creates Last month, I explored physical shortages of water and nature-based approaches to closing deficits in drinking water. A more common American problem is rapidly accelerating…

Labor Roundup: Will UAW leadership affect CAT talks? Southwest workers blame airline; strike at HarperCollins

The United Auto Workers’ current agreement with Caterpillar is scheduled to expire March 1. Likely issues include not only compensation, but attendance policies — all as the UAW international leadership could be changing and related situations such as the union’s…

Make multi-unit housing tobacco-free, says the ITFC

By JESSICA JOHNSON Illinois Tobacco-Free Communities Coordinator for Hult Center for Healthy Living Have you ever been constantly bothered by the smoke from a neighbor’s cigarette? Chances are most people have experienced the uncomfortable effect of breathing in somebody else’s…

Heat Waves in Red & Black: Earth’s fate precariously placed at glacial pace

William Rau

For many Floridians, melting polar glaciers means too much water, rising sea levels, and eventual relocation. For many Peruvians, melting Andes glaciers means torrential spring floods, summer water shortages, and rivers — major sources of drinking water — possibly running…

Labor roundup: Workers’ Rights passes in midterm elections

Illinois’ Workers’ Rights Amendment to the state constitution passed, according to the Associated Press, Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune, and other outlets verifying data on Nov. 15. The measure received 58.4% of all votes cast in the Nov. 8 midterm election,…

Labor Roundup: Teachers thankful for unity in community

Peoria teachers’ unity and community support made the difference in a settlement between the union and the Peoria Public Schools, leaders say. Bargaining started in March, and after 19 stymied negotiating sessions, a mediator was brought in. The third meeting…

Community Word Election Primer 2022

Metro Peoria’s monthly newspaper has compiled a bit of campaign information for some key races affecting central Illinois. Most media attention in campaigns for the Nov. 8 election has focused on the tops of party tickets. In Illinois, that means…