The economy isn’t an abstract and government shouldn’t “operate as a business.”Economic woes affect employers and workers, consumers and kids, retirees and almost everyone in a community, a nation – now, a world. And government doesn’t exist to mimic corporations…
Knight Watch
Commercial Border War with Indiana, Illinois still has ‘mile after magnificent mile’
by Bill Knight • • Comments Off on Commercial Border War with Indiana, Illinois still has ‘mile after magnificent mile’
A cinder-block truck stop on the south side of Interstate 74 at Pittsboro, Ind., used to serve outstanding biscuits and gravy, and I made a point of stopping there every time I drove through our neighboring state – where I…
Good Guys and Wise Men
by Bill Knight • • Comments Off on Good Guys and Wise Men
When the lingering, languid Fall finally faded, it went fast, yielding to the harsh arrival of frigid temperatures, blustery winds and suddenly obvious darkness. The days are too short. The days were too short, too, for two good guys who…
‘Waiting for Superman’ incomplete on education
by Bill Knight • • Comments Off on ‘Waiting for Superman’ incomplete on education
If hospitals didn’t provide scalpels to surgeons or if contractors prohibited plumbers from using wrenches, would we get out the pitchforks and torches to storm operating rooms and basements? That’s unclear after seeing the new documentary from Oscar-winning director David…
Thanksgiving, Stewardship and the Rich
by Bill Knight • • Comments Off on Thanksgiving, Stewardship and the Rich
There are hundreds of thousands of Illinoisans who are millionaires, according to public and private studies, and given the economy, it’s not illogical to appeal to them for help.But some criticize the rich as detached, unfeeling or both, which seems…
Caring for ‘the least of these’
by Bill Knight • • Comments Off on Caring for ‘the least of these’
Midway between the Census Bureau’s Sept. 16 release of poverty data and the Nov. 2 midterm elections, the Catholic Diocese of Peoria on Saturday, Oct. 9 is sponsoring a day-long institute on social justice open to all. One wonders whether…
Should non-profits voluntarily pay city, county more?
by Bill Knight • • Comments Off on Should non-profits voluntarily pay city, county more?
Most nonprofit outfits are exempt from paying property taxes, but with budget crises at the city, county and schools, Peoria could use assistance from those nonprofits able to help. Contributing to city or county services would make a positive difference…
Cat, Ameren, ADM among Toxic 100 air polluters
by Bill Knight • • Comments Off on Cat, Ameren, ADM among Toxic 100 air polluters
A new list of the top corporate air polluters in the United States includes two companies based in Peoria and a third Illinois firm with a key operation here, according to researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. The “Toxic…
Palin annoys some conservatives, seeks GOP takeover of Tea-partiers
by Bill Knight • • Comments Off on Palin annoys some conservatives, seeks GOP takeover of Tea-partiers
To a lot of people, S.P. and T.P. means “standard play” and “toilet paper” – fun with VCRs or neighborhood trees – but to those who deny that Medicare and the Veterans Administration health care are successful government programs, the…
District 150 needs business, board to clean house
by Bill Knight • • Comments Off on District 150 needs business, board to clean house
As Peorians anticipate School District 150 interim superintendent Norm Durflinger’s formal recommendation to the board on changes in staffing, the thought of other changes comes to mind. If administrations in business, government or any human institution sometimes deflect criticism by…