By Bonnie Cox The monarch butterfly, state of Illinois insect, is in danger of extinction. Their population is down by 90 percent in the overwintering grounds of Mexico. Some believe the monarch will share the history of the passenger pigeon.…
Opinion
My Freedom to Grow Food
by Community Word Staff • • Comments Off on My Freedom to Grow Food
By Anne Patterson This spring, I will walk out my door and become even more vigilant about what is happening on my small bio-diverse farm. I’m a little nervous about this upcoming growing year. Normally, I am not. Why can’t…
Illinois women & access to abortion: Determined by federal law, personal bank account or someone else’s religion?
by Clare Howard • • Comments Off on Illinois women & access to abortion: Determined by federal law, personal bank account or someone else’s religion?
Gov. Bruce Rauner has not definitively confirmed or denied he is prochoice. His first state-of-the-state address focused on lots of choices but not choice to have an abortion. Rauner is a millionaire pragmatist. Money has meaning to him. The “burdensome”…
Garbage: A mirror reflecting who we are
by Clare Howard • • Comments Off on Garbage: A mirror reflecting who we are
There was a lot of enthusiasm several years ago about a music video produced by the Young Professionals Organization of Greater Peoria that tried to secure Peoria’s bid for 2013 All American City by organizing hundreds of 20- and 30-year…
Digital sign: Allowed in historic, residential district?
by Clare Howard • • Comments Off on Digital sign: Allowed in historic, residential district?
The short answer is yes. The long answer involves violation of trust. Frank Abdnour secured city approval and installed an electronic sign for his restaurant, The Spotted Cow, 718 W. Glen Ave. The sign is up, running and looks…
FOOD – To Celebrate the Holidays, Express Values and Demand Justice
by Clare Howard • • Comments Off on FOOD – To Celebrate the Holidays, Express Values and Demand Justice
If you were disappointed with the November election, vote again with your holiday meal. Regardless of whether meat or plant-based protein is the centerpiece of your holiday dinner, your choice can proclaim your values and fight injustice. When your holiday…
Why Unionize Home Health Care Workers? Illinois Lost Recently in the Supreme Court
by Clare Howard • • Comments Off on Why Unionize Home Health Care Workers? Illinois Lost Recently in the Supreme Court
If you don’t have elderly parents who rely on home health care, don’t have home care yourself or you’re not a union organizer, why should you care about unionizing home health care workers? Care because this issue is at the…
Vote as if tomorrow matters
by Dale Goodner • • Comments Off on Vote as if tomorrow matters
A couple weeks ago I was whining to friends about how I used to vote for candidates from both parties. In politics, talk is cheap, so I look for those who have a positive voting record in support of clean…
How to advertise and subscribe
by Community Word Staff • • Comments Off on How to advertise and subscribe
Subscribe to Community Word Subscriptions to Community Word are available for $20 a year. Send check to: Community Word, 400 NE Jefferson St. #400, Peoria, IL 61603. Advertise In Community Word Community Word is published monthly and reaches about 17,000 readers…
Why raise the minimum wage?
by Clare Howard • • Comments Off on Why raise the minimum wage?
Raise it to stimulate the economy. Raise it for economic justice. Raise it to tell Springfield and Washington you want public policy based on honest analysis, not partisan brinkmanship. Raise it to tell WalMart you’re tired of subsiding its profits.…