PeoriaStory

Heartland Festival Orchestra better than ever

PEORIA -- The opening concert of the Heartland Festival Orchestra's second season, on Aug. 27, shined with brilliance.  The orchestra this season is larger, has some endowed chairs, and is playing beautifully. It's also a show in the best sense of that word.

Guest soprano Barbara Padilla sang wonderfully -- four well known opera arias and Dan Fogelberg's classic Longer, which was fabulous and done with the orchestra. Fogelberg's mother and family were in the audience.

Padilla is not only a fine operatic singer but she's lovely -- hot, really. She acted as she sang Susanna's aria from The Marriage of Figaro, Mimi's aria from La Boheme, Cio-Cio San's aria from Madam Butterfly and Tosca's aria from Tosca.

Placing these four wonderful arias on the same program was a terrific idea.

The orchestra also played Mendelssohn's Symphony No. 4 in A Major, op. 890, the Italian symphony,  and the Overture to The Marriage of Figaro, both exciting and well done.

The venue -- Five Points Center in nearby Washington, IL., is convenient, and likely attracts many people who won't cross the river to attend a concert in downtown Peoria.  The auditorium was almost full. 

There's always a video screen of the performance, giving audience members a close look at the musicians and conductor. And a punch-and-cookies reception afterward, with the musicians, for socializing.

 It's a mixture of classical music, beautifully done, in an unusual informal ambiance. A lovely evening.

 -- Elaine Hopkins

 

Dangerous coal ash

PEORIA -- Here's more information on that environmental news conference, 1 p.m. Aug. 29 at Liberty Plaza on the riverfront:

From the news release:

New Report Shows Water Contamination from Coal Ash Waste Storage

Becki Clayborn, Midwest Regional Sierra Club, will explain key findings in a new study by the Environmental Integrity Project, Earthjustice, and Sierra Club, that raises questions regarding the safety of coal ash waste sites. She will relate concerns for the Peoria area. The new study shows thirty-nine more coal combustion waste sites in twenty-one states that are contaminating surface or groundwater. The contaminants include arsenic and other heavy metals. Sierra Club urges that the federal Environmental Protect Agency enact strong new rules regarding disposal of coal ash waste and that federal oversight of these sites be approved.

The Peoria region has four coal-fired power plants with coal waste stored on site. The Havana Dynegy Midwest Generation, Inc., power plant is on the federal Environmental Protection Agency listing of the top 44 most hazardous coal combustion waste locations in the nation. This plant is 38 miles downriver from Peoria and its east coal ash waste cells are listed for a total surface area of 90 acres. A 2009 report prepared for EPA states that the inundation map for an impoundment failure has homes located immediately down gradient and there is a school within two miles. The impoundment failure floodwave would dissipate before five miles down gradient. The plant location near the Illinois River raises additional concerns.

None of the coal ash disposal areas at the E. G. Edwards Ameren power plant south of Peoria along the Illinois River are lined. Issues are that this location has a very high potential for geological vulnerability and a high level of concern for groundwater contamination.

The Duck Creek Ameren Power Plant outside of Canton has already contaminated their area groundwater with boron and is in an Illinois Environmental Protection Agency remediation program that allows the plant to siphon off boron contaminated water into the Illinois River to address the problem.

Other power plants in the area raise concerns for the thousands of tons per year of coal ash waste produced and disposed of in the vicinity and the long-term impacts on public health and groundwater resources.

Residents living near unlined coal ash ponds who rely on well water have as much as a 1 in 50 chance of getting cancer. A new report on CCW will be presented. The risk of cancer for individuals who live near unlined coal ash waste sites and who depend on well water is over 2000 times the level considered acceptable by the federal Environmental Protection Agency.

Local Heart of Illinois Group Sierra members will comment at the press conference. A “Toxic Tour” will leave at the end of the press conference to visit area locations of concern.

The federal EPA is proposing important new rules to regulate CCW and a hearing will be in Chicago September 16^th. Sierra Club is urging strong public support for federal regulation of CCW, which will remedy the inadequate requirements currently done by states and make regulations consistent across the country. The new regulations do not affect industrial uses of coal ash that utilize the waste for concrete blocks, wallboard, and other manufacturing purposes. -30-

Environmental events

PEORIA -- Two environmental events deserve support.  One involves the problem of coal ash, and the other is about crud in the waters of the Illinois River watershed. 

Sunday, Aug. 29, 1 p.m.  Press Conference  at Liberty Plaza at the Peoria Riverfront, located near the river edge at the corner of Liberty & Water Streets, downtown Peoria

From the news release: The Peoria region has four power plants with toxic Coal Combustion Waste (CCW). Residents living near unlined coal ash ponds who rely on well water have as much as a 1 in 50 chance of getting cancer. A new report on CCW will be presented. The federal EPA is proposing important new rules to regulate CCW and a hearing will be in Chicago September 16.   

Becki Clayborn, Midwest Sierra Club Field Representative, to Speak at Press Conference

New Report Issued August 26^th on Coal Ash Waste Hazards

Toxic Tour to Visit Area Sites

Becki Clayburn, Midwest Sierra Staff, will present a new report on coal ash hazards at the press conference. The risk of cancer for individuals who live near unlined coal ash waste sites and who depend on well water is over 2000 times the level considered acceptable by the federal Environmental Protection Agency.

Peoria Area coal-fired power plants are the E.G. Edwards plant at Bartonville; the Duck Creek Plant outside of Canton; the Powerton Plant south of Pekin, and the Havanna Power Plant.

The Dynegy Midwest Generation, Inc., Havanna Power Plant, 38 miles downriver from Peoria, east coal ash site is on the federal Environmental Protection Agency list of the top 44 most dangerous coal ash waste impoundments in the nation.

The east coal ash waste cells at Havana are listed for a total surface area of 90 acres. A 2009 report prepared for EPA states that the inundation map for an impoundment failure has homes located immediately down gradient and there is a school within two miles. The impoundment failure floodwave would dissipate before five miles down gradient.

Coal ash slurry can travel with great force as evidenced in the Kingston, Tennessee, December, 2008, disaster. Clean-up of this disaster is costing billions of dollars.

Strong federal regulations are needed to require improved safety and management of coal combustion waste to protect public health and water resources.

A one hour “Toxic Tour” will be held after the press conference to view the proximity of power plants to the Illinois River and homes in the immediate area.

Sierra Club is urging strong public support for federal regulation of CCW, which will remedy the inadequate requirements currently done by states and make regulations consistent across the country.

Thursday, Sept. 2:  Public Meeting. 2 p.m. Peoria Public Library, Lakeview Branch, 1137 W. Lake, Peoria, sponsored by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency's Bureau of Water.

And:  at 6 p.m. in Princeton City Hall, City Council Chambers, 2 South Main Street, Princeton, IL. 

From the news release:  The purpose of these meetings is to provide an opportunity for

the public to receive information and comment on the draft Total

Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) concerning impairments to the Illinois

River and tributaries in the Illinois River watershed. The potential

causes of impairment for the river segments are fecal coliform,

manganese and total dissolved solids. Two lakes (DePue and

Senachwine) will also be included and impairments include

phosphorus, dissolved oxygen, and total suspended solids.

This TMDL Stage 1 report includes watershed characterization and

data analysis. It presents data compiled from various sources in the

watershed.

The IEPA implements the TMDL program in accordance with Section

303(d) of the federal Clean Water Act. A TMDL is the sum of the

allowable amounts of a single pollutant (phosphorus, metals, etc.)

that a waterbody can receive from all contributing sources and still

meet water quality standards or designated uses.

Stakeholders and participants will also be asked for input and ideas

to be applied to the TMDL report. An additional public meeting will be

held in the future to discuss the next stage of TMDL development.

The draft stage one report for the Illinois River (Peoria Area)

watershed will be available on-line at www.epa.state.il.us/publicnotices.

A hard copy of the draft report will also be available by

request from the Illinois EPA. Questions about the TMDL should be

directed to Amy Walkenbach (see contact information below).

Closure of the Meeting Record

The meeting record will close as of midnight, October 2, 2010.

Written comments need not be notarized but must be postmarked

before midnight and mailed to:

Amy Walkenbach, Supervisor

Watershed Management Planning Unit, Bureau of Water

Illinois Environmental Protection Agency

1021 North Grand Avenue East

P. O. Box 19276

Springfield, IL 62794-9276

Phone 217-782-3362

TDD (Hearing impaired) 217-782-9143

E-mail: [email protected]

Fax: 217-785-1225 -30-

__._,_.___

This week in Peoria...

PEORIA -- No need to stay home and be bored with TV. Here's a list of interesting events this week:

Wed., Aug 25: First of several Democrats Meet & Greet events, for 18th Congressional Democrats. 6:30- 9 p.m., Kelleher's Irish Pub and Eatery, 619 SW Water St., Peoria.  Also on Sept. 8 and 22, Oct. 13 and 27. It's for everyone:  "people with new ideas, progressives, independents, environmentalists, organized labor," according to the flier.

Thus., Aug. 26: State Rep. Jehan Gordon is sponsoring a 90th Anniversary of Women's Suffrage Celebration, 6-8 p.m., Upper Bradley Park, West Main and Park Road, Peoria.  Stacey Robertson of Bradley University is the speaker.

Friday, Aug. 27:  Songs from the Heart, the Heartland Festival Orchestra, David Commanday artistic director/conductor, a classical music concert with guest soprano Barbara Padilla,  7:30 p.m., Five Points in Washington, IL. These concerts are a great bargain, always first class. Get tickets on line.

Sat. Aug. 28: Peoria's chapter of the National Organization for Women presents Women's Equality Day brunch and panel discussion.  It's at 10:30 a.m. - noon at Lakeview Branch Library in Peoria. Free, but bring a goody to share.

Sat Aug. 28: Lynn Scott Pearson, candidate for reelection to Peoria County Board District 3, is holding a 'meet the candidate' picnic, noon to 3 p.m. at Morton Square Park in Peoria. Hot dogs, chips, drinks and icy pops for kids. Free.

District 150 School Board: the public comments, Aug. 23

PEORIA -- Here are highlights from the public comments for the Peoria District 150 School Board at its Aug. 23 meeting:

Sharon Crews: Pointed out to the board that its own policies are not followed. Its dress code policy is contradictory, she said, since a dress code, requiring uniforms, is portrayed as a plus for grade and middle school students, but threatened as punishment for high school students who violate the high school dress code.

Terry Knapp: Told the board that District 150 has lost its top athletes from Woodruff High School, which the board closed.  Ten have moved to Pekin, two to East Peoria, and others somehow got out of going to Peoria Central and are going to Richwoods.  Peoria Central's enrollment is lower than expected, he said. The district also lost 225 students to the charter school, which gets the state aid for those students, he said.  The district's 2003 strategic plan calls for smaller classes, but sizes are increasing, he said. Teachers are supposed to have exit interviews, but that's not taking place, he said. And the $7 million budget deficit would not be there, he said, if the district had gotten rid of the Edison Schools. Knapp has been advocating that for years.

Bob Darling: Pointed out that the announcements made at the beginning of the meeting are pointless since the board doesn't allow its meeting to be broadcast live, and the delayed broadcast will take place after the events occur.  He also said the district is supposed to get $4 million in federal stimulus funds, but has not said how the money will be used. He urged administrators to hire more teachers and aides, especially for smaller classes in K-3. 

Crews will email her comments to be posted here later.  Here's an audio of the comments:

D150 Aug 23

-- Elaine Hopkins

Here is Sharon Crews's report to the board: 

In my opinion, most district policies do not have a clear “end game” or the policies are not taken to their logical conclusion.

For instance, the new dress code policy doesn’t seem to go beyond Infraction #4.  Repeat offenders do not disobey rules by accident—they disobey on purpose.  It’s part of the game to see how long it will take for the adults to end the game.

   

I believe that for some students the same series of events will occur every grading period—4 infractions, uniforms maybe for a day or two, and then having to be sent home over and over because the uniform isn’t worn.   Does expulsion ever become the punishment for continually violating the dress code?  If expulsion is not a very clear cut, inevitable result, then the dress code will suffer the same fate as it has for years now—it won’t be followed.

The more serious problem is that the “end game” for all discipline and attendance policies is very fuzzy and open to all manner of exceptions.  Some  cynics will say that many of these offending students want to be expelled.  I don’t believe that.  I believe that they know that you don’t want to expel them, so the game goes on and on and on.  Consequently, chaos ensues because some students love to play this game.  Someday adults must learn to call their bluff.

Some policies are written just to scare students—and no administrator has any intention of following the policies except in extreme cases.

My handout shows what happens when rules aren’t followed.  The 2009 summer school policy that I FOIA-ed has been the policy for many years—it states that 3 tardies  equal one absence and that there are no excused absences.

Over 360  students followed the rules in 2009.  My handout shows the attendance records of the 37 students who did not follow the rules.  Those highlighted in yellow received the penalty for not following the rules—they were dropped.  The 13 highlighted in blue did not follow the rules either, but they weren’t dropped.

The truth is that the rule that three tardies make an absence was not followed in any case.  When rules aren’t followed, unfairness happens. 

Notice the records of students #5-11.  All of them had the equivalent of 3 absences and 1 tardy.  Two were dropped, but 5 were not dropped.

Of students #12, 13, and 14—all had the equivalent of 3 absences and 2 tardies.  Two were dropped and one was not.  I believe in the case of #12, that was the only time an excused absence actually counted as an absence.

Notice  #15 through 20—all had the equivalent of 4 absences.  Three were dropped and three were not.

For students #21-24—all had the equivalent of 4 absences and 1 tardy.  One was dropped and three were not.

For  #26 and 27: both had five absences (no tardies at all).  One was dropped; the other was not.  There are some excused absences recorded for both—but remember the rules say there are no excused absences.

Other rules may have been ignored—there was no record of more than one tardy per day—a fairly regular occurrence in summer school when students get two breaks to go to the vending machines.  Also, I don’t know how many minutes were considered a tardy instead of an absence.

This inequity of consequences happens all the time during the regular year—on an even greater scale.  The rules are not followed to the letter.  To achieve fairness and credibility, rules should be followed or changed.

If the rules were followed, there would be many more expulsions per year than there are.  Again, District 150 needs an alternative school—an alternative to expulsion and/or ignoring the rules.

Back to the dress code—why are students allowed 4 infractions?  The majority of students won’t have even one—why give in to the few?  Also, the penalty for Infraction #4 has now labeled uniforms as punishment—last year uniforms for younger kids were presented as a positive.  Which is it, a punishment or a positive?

-30-

Here's the exhibit: Final Exhibit B - 2009 Summer School - Students Absent Over Three Days.xls

Schock talk

PEORIA -- Here's a very insightful post from Burt Raabe:

I went out to Toulon on Saturday (Aug. 14) to see Aaron Schock preach to the choir at a small town restaurant.  He seems to have lost weight since the last time I saw him. 

He gave about a half hour talk of the work he has been doing in Washington, fighting the evil Democrats and looking out for the people in his district, or so he says.  The audience was made up of about 20 local people, most of whom were seniors.

Then he took questions.  There were the usual Republican/Fox news concerns about immigration, taxes, health care.  It is sad to see people who are comfortable, safe, and on Medicare so concerned that no one else share that condition.

Congressman Schock is a highly skilled politician.  He can take a question and start with what sounds like a non partisan explanation and carefully lead his train of thought into Republican talking points.

He does not challenge the fear mongered assertions of his constituents.  Rather, he sort of gives a wink at them.  At one point, a man asked what was going to be doing about immigrants, claiming that they use “our” health services, schools, and don’t pay for anything.  Schock smiled and said he shared the frustration and went into a rather esoteric discussion of immigration legislation and what Mexican immigration law was like (I could not understand how that is relevant) but somehow ended with the image of a foreigner walking across the Rio Grande with a bomb strapped to their chest.  It seems like a terrorist would wait until they got into the US to build and strap on a bomb, but I digress.

I used to think Schock would be the next Roy Cohn, but seeing him in more intimate settings,  I see a resemblance more to Matt Hale.  His elderly, fearful, confused followers project their desire to understand onto him and he responds by reframing what they want to hear into a seemingly reasonable argument. 

Driving out to Toulon, I saw many pumpkin fields.  Almost all canning workers are Mexican -  American, almost all are native born from Texas who work here seasonally, although a few might be here illegally.   I thought of this when the man asked about immigration.  Of course Schock went with the fear.     -30-

Investigation as propaganda

PEORIA -- Here's a terrific post from Burt Raabe:

I attended the performance of the Illinois Joint Investigatory Panel on Early Release which was held in Peoria at ICC North and originally consisted of only Republican members.  They declared their purpose to be to resolve unanswered questions about the “details and community impact" of Gov. Pat Quinn’s MGT Push and early release programs.

Because the panel was exclusively Republican, it was basically a bash Quinn political stunt.  They called on relatives of victims who told compelling stories of family members who had been murdered.  Sheriffs McCoy and Huston also testified.  These witnesses made the point that many people come out of prison as bad or worse than they came in and they can be dangerous.

Also testifying was a lawyer from Uptown Legal Services, a volunteer teacher from Joliet, and myself.  I have been volunteering with John Howard Association this year visiting prisons in Illinois.

David Koehler, Jehan Gordon, and Mike Smith were in the audience and were invited to join the panel which worked to dampen the purely partisan tone.  However, the temptation to turn the session into a political battle was too much for Dennis Reboletti (R – Elmhurst), and Jim Durkin (R – Countryside). 

The prisons in Illinois are woefully overcrowded and underfunded.  Several were built in the 19^th century.  Medical services, educational, vocational, and counseling programs have been cut to the bone or eliminated entirely.  The solution is not to look at the last and most superficial symptom of the problem, but to inquire into the sources of the issue. -30- 

District 150 and academic standards

PEORIA -- The surprise firing of Peoria School District 150 treasurer/comptroller Pam Schau at the Aug. 9 school board meeting overshadowed other events.

But Sharon Crews presented more eye-opening research to the board during the public comment section of the meeting.  She writes her comments in advance, to read them to the board. Here they are:  

I may have erred a few weeks ago when I suggested that District 150 should raise the graduation requirements from 18 credits to a higher number—a suggestion  I based on Manual High School data. 

I have since learned more about Manual’s Advisory Period that is held during lunch hours and probably lasts for ½ hour (I am not certain about the exact number of minutes). 

Manual students are enrolled in an advisory period for all 8 semesters of their high school years.  What I found most astounding is that ½ credit is given for this glorified homeroom for each semester.

Students earn 4 credits (one for each year).  That means that 4 of the 18 required credits are given for these advisory classes.

Not only do students receive credit for these advisory periods, the grades

are averaged in to calculate the students’ grade points.   Talk about inflating grades that are already inflated!

With regard to the Manual grades for last year’s seniors:  Of the 204 Advisory grades for both semesters 154 were As, 41 were Bs, 7 were Cs and 2 were Ds.

At the last meeting when I gave you data showing that 62 percent of the senior grades were As or Bs, the advisory grades were not included.  Therefore, the percentage of high grades is much higher that 62 percent.

In my FOIA (request) I asked this question:  “Did the District 150 board approve credit for the Advisory Period.  Also, I asked for the date when the board approved this course—if they did.

I received the following response, “Already approved in the Welcome to High School Handbook :  counted as an elective course.” 

My when question was answered with this statement, “Minutes of all board meetings are available for public review.” 

Tonight if you are given an opportunity to speak to this issue, I would like you to provide some insight into the answer I received. 

• Are all new courses approved by this method?
  
•  Does each school have its own handbook—therefore, are you asked to approve more than one handbook? 
  
• When reading handbooks for approval, are you aware that you are approving all new courses that might be listed in the handbook?  
• Do you ever get a chance to view the content of new courses or do you just approve titles?
  
•  What is the course content for the Advisory Period and is there a different set of activities for each grade level?  I did believe that each and every new course offered in District 150 had to come to a vote.  Please enlighten us.
  
•    Most importantly, did you vote to give credit for this advisory period?

   After I had already written these comments, I had an unexpected but welcome visit with Sharon Kherat and Taunya Jenkins while we were spending an extremely pleasant evening at the showing of Jonathan Romain’s art work.

In the course of our conversation,   I told them that I would be discussing the advisory period tonight.  During our discussion they offered reasons why they feel the advisory period is beneficial.

Tonight I see no point in bringing up all the pros and cons of having such a class.   Personally my con list would be much longer than my pro list.  My guess is that most teachers and students would agree with me.  However, Manual principals have generally been enamored with the concept of homeroom.

However, tonight my main purpose is to question giving credit for these sessions.

Taunya’s rationale for giving grades and credit is that students will generally not participate in advisory period activities if they do not receive a grade.    I totally agree.  However, I still do not believe the Manual diploma should be cheapened by giving 4 of the required 18 credits for these advisory periods.

For one thing—it’s unfair; other district high schools do not give credit for homeroom.  Secondly, I believe District 150 should concentrate on raising academic standards and, thus, the reputation of the district. -30-

 

Disabled woman fired on anniversary of Disabilities Act

PEORIA -- On the 20th anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act, Vickie Elston, a disabled American, was fired from her job of three decades with the Community Workshop and Training Center, a Peoria agency whose mission is to help the disabled.

Vickie, 57, was fired for allegedly making a racial slur against a co-worker at the agency.  She denies making the slur.

The Workshop  is a sheltered workshop where the disabled are employed at piecework rates packing parts for area businesses, and where they and other workers, some sent by the courts, do other work for sub-minimum wages or the minimum wage.  There’s no union for the workers, of course.  They are at the mercy of the managers.

An agency manager, Jim Simpkins, said Vickie had made racial slurs against blacks and other ethnic groups previously and been warned not to do it again. That’s not connected with her disability, he said testing has shown.

“She will not discontinue racial comments,” he said. “It’s not only blacks, its Lebanese,” he said. “We have to weigh benefits to other consumers (workshop clients) over Vickie’s benefits.” 

Vickie suffers from seizure disorders and has glaucoma so severe that she cannot read the paperwork furnished to her by the agency. She also has trouble standing for long periods of time. Nevertheless she’s a good worker, according to Simkins.

Vickie said she never made the slur, and that a black woman who dislikes her and has actually threatened her a few times made the complaint after misunderstanding what Vickie said to her.   This woman has a prison record, according to paperwork furnished to Vicki, but workshop managers chose to believe her instead of Vickie. Why?

Vickie is legally disabled but she has a strong sense of justice, and has filed complaints against the workshop with the Illinois Human Rights Authority for financial irregularities in the way the disabled are paid, and even for not heating the building adequately in the winter.

So did the workshop take the opportunity to get rid of a whistleblower? 

And why would her co-worker accuse her of making the slur, and dislike her?

Vickie said it’s because she is a good, fast worker, packing parts as required, while others loaf.  They don’t like her for being an efficient worker, she said.  

Managers dislike her because she questions what goes on, she believes.  Vickie said that when she asks about her work, which must be tallied to compute her pay, she’s told it’s none of her business. 

The person she asks also swears at her, she said, but is not disciplined.

“The way they cuss you out when you ask a question, they get by with it,” she said.

Vickie lives on her disability income, and the extra money she makes at the workshop is precious to her, she said. 

She also needs the workshop for a sense of community, she said, and wonders what she will do with her long days without a place to go.  She doesn’t want to sit around idle, she said, but her disabilities make finding other employment almost impossible.

She doesn’t own a car or computer because of her limited vision and income.

When the incident occurred on July 8, Vickie was sent home but told she was only temporarily suspended.  Then she got the call saying she was fired.

The workshop has a grievance and appeals process, but the procedure is weak. 

A counselor, employed at the workshop, acts as a neutral advocate, Simpkins said. 

After a meeting with the managers, under the grievance process, no minds were changed. Vickie was officially discharged.

On Aug. 4, she met with the workshop’s human rights committee, the final step in the grievance procedure, and took me along to observe. 

She knew only one person, a manager, on the committee and the others were not introduced to us.

She had no opportunity to confront her accusers. Without a lawyer to protect her and demand due process, she was on her own.

She and I went in to speak to the committee for 15 minutes -- a time limit not announced in advance -- and the workshop advocate asked Vickie to tell her story, which she did as best she could. 

The advocate who ran the meeting would not allow me to record it, but did allow me to speak, where I was able to bring up the issue of retaliation -- a term Vickie was not familiar with. 

I also pointed out that Vickie denies making the slur, an issue Vickie did not make clear during her monologue to the committee.

That was it.  We were ushered out of the room.

Simpkins was called into the meeting next, after we left. Whether other witnesses against Vickie also spoke we don’t know, because we left the building and I drove her to her residence.  She had no opportunity to challenge their assertions.

The next day, the advocate called to say Vickie was still fired.

She can appeal to the Human Rights Authority, through the Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission.   

Meanwhile it mailed Vicki a report from the grievance she had filed months ago.  She is unable to read the nine page document, but it states that some of her complaints were upheld and others denied. 

For background, it states that Illinois law requires that workers be discharged from this type of workshop only if there is maladaptive behavior that totals more than 5 percent of a day, or if the behavior puts the client or others in serious danger.  Neither situation applies to Vicki, but she was fired anyway.

Meanwhile Vicki also has received a form from the Human Rights agency to fill out, which she also cannot read, much less complete.

It cites a federal court case, Cooper v. Salazar, which orders the Illinois Human Rights Department to stop “relying on credibility determinations made without affording the rights of confrontation and cross-examination.”

That’s exactly what Vicki did NOT receive during the final hearing at the workshop. 

Vicki is not optimistic about the Human Rights agency, and said its staff members typically take the side of the workshop against her.

She also wonders whether she should try to go back to the workshop, though she needs the money and the community.

“They mistreat the handicapped. Nobody wants to believe a word you say.  Others are scared to back me up. No one will believe me,” she said, in tears at the hearing. “It’s discrimination against the white handicapped.  They suspend me but not anyone else.”

In an earlier phone conversation Simpkins emphatically denied that, and said Vicki has anger issues. “It’s a sad situation,” he added.

  -- Elaine Hopkins

Interesting film event Aug. 13

PEORIA -- The Reel to Real Focus on Film group presents  Eight Below at 7 p.m. on Friday, August 13 at the ICC North Auditorium.  Directions to the auditorium are below.

Eight Below is the story of how a sled dog team of huskies works together to survive a harsh winter in Antarctica when they are left behind. 

Theresa Mariani will moderate the discussion following the film.  Theresa is a sociology professor at Bradley University and also works as canine behavioral consultant and trainer.  At home, she is the leader of a pack of five huskies.  She will bring one of her huskies to the film and also discuss what goes into training huskies.

The social hour following the film includes ice cream from Spotted Cow.

Directions
ICC North, Arbor Auditorium, 5407 North University

From I-74 University exit or From War Memorial
Go North on University, Go Straight

Pass through the stoplight at Glen Avenue (corner with Starbuck’s, Schnuck’s and Chili’s)

You will see a sign for ICC North on the left
Turn LEFT and drive toward the campus

Turn RIGHT when you get to the T at Arbor Hall

To Park  ... Go around to the right and park in Parking Lot # 8
The Auditorium is on the 2^nd Floor