The independent film “The First Rainbow Coalition” was shown by WTVP. It was also screened at ICC, sponsored by Community Word, WTVP-TV, ICC’s Department of Diversity & Community Impact and the West Central Illinois Labor Council. It was a memorable…
Editorial Page
OpEd | Proton Beam cancer treatment in Peoria at OSF
by Community Word Staff • • Comments Off on OpEd | Proton Beam cancer treatment in Peoria at OSF
OSF Saint Francis Medical Center has filed an application with the Illinois Health Department for licensing to construct and operate a comprehensive cancer center and proton beam radiation facility in Peoria. The center is expected to cost $237 million and…
Editorial | “Eating the planet to death”
by Clare Howard • • Comments Off on Editorial | “Eating the planet to death”
The most effective way to slow global climate change is with dietary changes, according to Dr. John McDougall. Changes in our diet can be more effective immediately than driving a Prius, turning off the lights, lowering the thermostat and viable…
OpEd | Earning a living should not be curtailed due to discrimination over sexual orientation
by contributor • • Comments Off on OpEd | Earning a living should not be curtailed due to discrimination over sexual orientation
The United States Supreme Court in October heard oral arguments in three cases concerning employment discrimination against gay or transgender workers. In one, a county employee in Georgia was fired after joining a gay recreational softball league for “conduct unbecoming…
Editorial | Courage or cowardice: Learning America’s true history takes courage
by Clare Howard • • Comments Off on Editorial | Courage or cowardice: Learning America’s true history takes courage
In the din and clamor over the 2020 presidential election, it’s easy to feel adrift and unable to influence the direction of our country. Maybe it’s even easy to feel a little apathetic, a little despair. But Bryan Stevenson and…
OpEd | Whistleblowers, sources and the constitution
by contributor • • Comments Off on OpEd | Whistleblowers, sources and the constitution
BY TORI WHIDDEN Throughout the United States, government agencies are unconstitutionally enforcing restrictive policies that are negatively affecting the public’s access to information. First Amendment rights allow public employees to speak about work-related matters without the permission of their superiors.…
Editorial | Kim Foxx: Diversity critical for justice and equality
by Clare Howard • • Comments Off on Editorial | Kim Foxx: Diversity critical for justice and equality
People wiped away tears as they listened to Kim Foxx deliver the keynote address at the Peoria Bar Association’s 16th Annual Diversity Lunch. Foxx is the first African American woman to serve as Cook County State’s Attorney in the 100…
OpEd | The case against Amazon’s Ring doorbell
by contributor • • Comments Off on OpEd | The case against Amazon’s Ring doorbell
BY ZACHARY GITTRICH On July 23, the Peoria City Council entered into a contract with Ring Security, owned by Amazon, to provide discounted Ring security cameras to Peoria residents. The city council shelled out $50,000 to bring the cost down.…
Editorial | Bad news for journalism in Peoria and the country
by Clare Howard • • Comments Off on Editorial | Bad news for journalism in Peoria and the country
The corporate owner of the Journal Star has agreed to a $1.5 billion acquisition of Gannett, owner of USA Today as well as 100 dailies and over 1,000 weeklies. The merger is financed with a five-year loan at 11.5 percent,…
OpEd | Public funding for religiously based organizations has no place in a liberal democracy
by contributor • • Comments Off on OpEd | Public funding for religiously based organizations has no place in a liberal democracy
BY EMILY R. GILL, Caterpillar Professor of Political Science Emerita, Bradley University In recent years, many religious individuals and organizations in the United States have displayed increasing concern about their ability to exercise their religious beliefs freely. Some of this…