PeoriaStory

Peoria rallies against immigrant ban, Mexico wall

PEORIA, IL -- Perhaps 150 people rallied on short notice on Jan. 29 outside the federal courthouse against Trump's ban on immigrants and refugees from the Muslin nations.  Trump reportedly has no business interests, and none of the citizens of these nations has ever committed a terrorist act against the US. 

The group also was opposed to the Mexico wall and other radical Trump initiatives.  They waived signs and chanted for two hours in 30 degree F. temperatures, with the wind chill making the cold feel even colder.

This photo speaks for itself.

The dog wore a sign calling on Trump to stop using his doghair for a wig.

The other sign reads 'First they came for the Muslims..."

The federal courthouse in Peoria is also the Peoria office of 18th District Congressman Republican Darin LaHood, who of course did not appear.  It is located in the 17th District, which is represented by Democrat Cheri Bustos.  The location is a hold-over from before the area was redistricted.

People were furious at Trump and his administration. Refugees are welcome in Peoria, some signs said. "No ban, no wall," they chanted.

I am personally furious at Trump and his agenda.  My sign read: "Impeach Trump and deport him to Russia."

I believe grounds already exists for Trump's impeachment:  the emoluments issue (money from foreign nations going to his business interests), the unconstitutional action against immigrants and refugees, even the international ban on family planning agencies (cruel and stupid, in that it will cause many deaths and probably more abortions).Then there's the discrimination against religious faiths.

If as reported the Customs Service and Boarder Control agencies are defying the ACLU's court order banning the deportations, the rule of law in the US is threatened.

An expert commentator on MSNBC said this could be the worst constitutional crisis since Nixon.  

This has all the hallmarks of a coup d'etat, with white nationalist/racist Steve Bannon now on the National Security Council, and intelligence and military experts kicked out.  Also fired: the top State Department officials who would have mitigated Trump's radical decree.

Impeach him now.  At least Pence is not nuts.

 -- Elaine Hopkins

Update Jan. 31, 2017: Others also think this is a trial run for a coup.

... the administration is testing the extent to which the DHS (and other executive agencies) can act and ignore orders from the other branches of government. This is as serious as it can possibly get: all of the arguments about whether order X or Y is unconstitutional mean nothing if elements of the government are executing them and the courts are being ignored.

Yesterday was the trial balloon for a coup d’état against the United States. It gave them useful information.

Here's the link to the entire article.

Public Comments at the Jan. 23 District 150 Board Meeting

PEORIA, IL -- Activist Sharon Crews presented an interesting and well researched report to the  Peoria School District 150 board  at its January 23 meeting. 

The written copy is attached below.

Activist Terry Knapp commented on the charter school Quest, and began with a comment on a Peoria Journal Star story regarding schedule changes. Knapp said  he called the Rock Island school district mentioned in the newspaper story only to find the district had nine weeks off in the summer, a schedule negotiated with the teachers union.  The newspaper said that district had only six weeks off, and Quest is considering that schedule.

The entire schedule was negotiated, Knapp said, and not imposed from the administration.

He also said that Quest receives $5.2 million from District 150, and asked whether that makes it a District 150 school.  At a recent meeting he noticed its administrator did not stand up when District 150 staff members were asked to stand and be recognized.

Finally Knapp questioned the results of an FBI raid on the school a few years ago. "No one ever told the public what that was all about," he said.

(It likely involved visa violations by the Quest staff when it was a Gulen-run school. Some of the staff members were from Turkey.That connection was dropped a couple of years ago.)

During a public hearing on a bond issue from a small sales tax adopted by referendum in November, Knapp asked why the district is paying a consultant to sell bonds.  He suggested the district spend the funds as they arrive instead of going into debt.

He also noted that the facility plans to use the funds do not include money for Peoria Stadium. "It's crazy to let a facility with your name on it go into disrepair," he said,

Here is a recording of the comments:

Download D150 Jan23

 -- Elaine Hopkins

Here are the comments from Sharon Crews:

I take no pleasure in presenting this data tonight.  For the first 57 days of this school year, 1,583 referrals were written at Manual. Either there were two referrals for every student or there were many repeat offenders.  Please take an honest look at this data to recognize the problems that exist in varying degrees at all schools, not just at Manual.   The consequences meted out in September did not encourage better behavior.

Four hundred and ten referrals for the 19 days of September increased to 658 referrals for the 19 days of October.  The increase of 248 indicates that what was done in September did little to lead students to change their behaviors.   For example, in September there were 86 offenses related to misuse of cell phones, etc.  That number doubled to 173 in October.   Referrals for other classroom disruptions went from 90 to 146.  Please don’t be tempted to mitigate the increase or blame teachers for writing too many referrals.  The least reported and hardest to detect offenses are bullying, gang activity, and drug use or selling, which probably take place in hallways or outside.

My conservative estimate is that every classroom disruption takes away, at least, fifteen minutes of teaching time—the time the student is disrupting the class and the time for the teacher to try to resolve the problem or to write the referral.  There were 1,398 referrals written for classroom disruptions.  That amounts to, at least, 349 hours or 70 5-hour days of lost teaching time that can never be recovered. 

There was no consequence indicated for 100 offenses, 50 of which were classroom disruptions.  That is either poor record keeping or poor policy.  Five hundred and seventy consequences for classroom disruptions were listed as office/referral rewrite.  I was told that this designation indicates a referral for a student that has had more than one offense in a day, so the referral is rewritten to encompass all offenses and a consequence is assigned to cover all the offenses. 

I will risk saying that detentions and in-school suspensions are not effective consequences.  Three hundred and sixty-six students were assigned detentions, and 178 served in-school suspensions.  I believe the 89 students whose consequence was out of school suspension might well view it as a vacation day.  Because offenders are allowed to make-up their work, time out of class is not a consequence that will change behaviors.  I believe the data will prove that.  In fact, these offenders get extra time to complete assignments.

The 89 out of school consequences were issued to only 12 students for classroom behaviors; 15 were from gym, and 62 for behaviors in hallways, the cafeteria, or outside.

The most baffling consequence is that 158 students were subjected to a consequence listed as a “conference with the student.”  Hopefully, all students sent to the office with a referral are subjected to a conference with an administrator, so how is this a consequence?

A conference with a parent was a consequence for only 36 offenders.  This least used consequence might be the most meaningful of all.

A consequence listed as “parent contact” applied to only fifteen offenders, ten of whom were out of special ed classes.  Twenty-nine lost privileges—what privileges?  It appears that the others lost nothing except learning the reality they will face in the real world—that actions have consequences. The real losers are the students who come to school ready to learn but are cheated of learning time by those who receive no meaningful consequences.  Of course, offenders, also, lose learning time. Please do all you can to turn things around to make Manual the school I remember. - 30 -

Peoria Candidate Forum on Environmental Issues

PEORIA, IL -- Candidates for Peoria mayor and at-large city council member appeared at an environmental forum on Jan. 23, sponsored by the Global Warming Solutions Group of Central Illinois.

They answered questions on issues such as recycling and solar energy (they're for it).

The most applause and the sharpest differences between them concerned the apartments in Riverfront Park.  The applause from a large audience was for those opposing the apartments. This is obviously going to be a top issue in the city elections.

Two mayoral candidates appeared, Marie Kennell and Couri Thomas.  Both oppose the apartments.  Mayor Jim Ardis didn't show up. "Mr Twittergate" has been an enthusiastic backer of the apartments. He also took campaign money from one of the developers. (See previous posts on Riverfront Park for details.)

Both of his opponents are inexperienced and have never held elective office in Peoria. They face a rough fight to unseat Ardis. That's a shame, since Ardis should be replaced on the issue of Twittergate alone.

(He had police arrest a guy who mocked him on Twitter by setting up a ridiculous fake account in his name -- an act that cost the city $500,000 in legal expenses to settle an ACLU free speech lawsuit.)

Three candidates for councilmember-at-large spoke. Rob Hanauer opposes the apartments, calling them "ill advised."  He asked, "why take up green space when you don't have to?"

But Scott Kelsey said "it's a job creator," apparently not realizing that building them elsewhere would also create jobs.

Sid Ruckriegel, who was appointed to the council last year, hedged, saying the city's application to the "IDNR" could not now be withdrawn.  Actually the application to take parkland for the apartments is with the National Park Service, and of course it could be withdrawn.

He also claimed to not have voted on the contract extension, since he was not on the council at that time. That was in error. He was not on the council when the initial deal went down, but he did vote recently to extend the contract.

Other candidates for the council-at-large seats did not appear.  They are Amr Elsamny, John Kelly, and Zack Oyler. Elsamny opposes the apartments, Kelly hedged and would not say when interviewed on the phone. He apparently supports them. Oyler's position on them is not known.

Two of the six will be elected. Several other candidate forums will take place before the election.

The primary election is Feb. 28, Early voting and voting by mail have already begun.

 -- Elaine Hopkins

Friends of Riverfront Park Feb. 12 event

PEORIA, IL -- From a news release:

Friends of Riverfront Park presents Brian Fox Ellis as Illinois Riverboat Captain Henry Detweiller, and music by Barry Cloyd in a program on Sunday, Feb. 12, from 3 to 5 pm at the GAR Hall, 416 Hamilton Blvd., Peoria.  This is a fundraiser by Friends of Riverfront Park to save the park from luxury private apartments.

Fox, a historical researcher and re-enactor, will showcase exploits from the true history of Captain Detweiller's brave riverboat piloting for Union Soldiers in the Civil War.  Then, Detweiller willed his riverfront park land to the public, part of which is now Detweiller Marina. The story will be told with vivid impersonation in historic dress.

Barry Cloyd will entertain with river songs and music. As one of Peoria’s most popular musicians, he is known for his musical talents and wonderful song writing.

Accompanying the entertainment will be winter snacks from Paparazzi restaurant and A Matter of Taste catering. A silent auction with gift certificates, art and antiques also will take place.  The event is free, but donations will be accepted and are encouraged.

Friends of Riverfront Park will give updates on the continuing effort to save Riverfront Park, including preparations for litigation if that becomes necessary. 

Riverfront Park was obtained in the 1980s by the city of Peoria for the purpose of public passive open park space, using a federal Land and Water Conservation Funds grant. Now city officials want to transfer this taxpayer-funded parkland to developers for apartments.

Friends of Riverfront Park is an Illinois not-for-profit organization run by volunteers.  All funds raised will be used to preserve and support Riverfront Park, Peoria, for public use.

See the Facebook page Friends of Riverfront Park for information on the event, and for more information on the issues regarding the park.   – 30 -  

             

Peoria Symphony plays Gershwin

PEORIA, IL -- The Peoria Symphony Orchestra's unusual January 22 Gershwin Matinee was interesting and entertaining.  It also filled the Peoria Civic Center Theater, proving that with a little show biz, classical music can fill that venue. 

The afternoon began with a one act play, Gershwin's Magic Key, performed to musical background by the orchestra. The play tells how Gershwin became a musician and composed his iconic pieces, including Rhapsody in Blue and An American in Paris.

After an intermission, the orchestra then played both pieces, which sounded fine with the full rich sounds of the orchestra.

The show biz included a costume contest for kids and adults whose roaring 20s costumes were fun, and blue glow sticks passed out to the audience.

The event was billed as "a family friendly celebration of the life of George Gershwin." It was a long two-plus hours for young kids, and should more likely have been marketed to older children and adults. Nevertheless the kids behaved, and the adults gave the event a standing ovation.

It was a pleasant afternoon, and a nice break from obsessing over the awful Trump, now in the White House.  Wonder what kind of music he will showcase, if any?

 -- Elaine Hopkins

Women's Rally Crowd at perhaps 1,000

PEORIA, IL -- Perhaps the largest political rally crowd in recent Peoria history packed the riverfront patio at the Gateway Building on Jan. 21. 

The event, the Women's March Rally, in support of women marching throughout the world for their issues and against the Trump administration, drew a crowd of perhaps 1,000 people. 

They were every age, every color, women, children and men, people in wheelchairs, people with dogs and babies, all united against the Trump agenda which would deprive people of their civil rights and liberties, their health care, their freedoms. 

Colorful handmade signs were everywhere.  The crowd was asked to post photos to #peoriarallies and #womensmarchpeoria, and to list their events on these sites as the organizing continues.

They listened to speeches from a variety of women on issues from reproductive freedom to support for the arts and Obamacare.

Here is a recording of the speeches. 

Download Jan 21 rally

It was a wildly successful event, showing the support of the thousands for the liberal agenda of freedom, tolerance, and well being for all.

But the optimism departed, when I recalled the event in 2012 where presidential candidate and right wing Republican Rick Santorum spoke to a large East Peoria crowd of Tea Party types, in a pizza restaurant parking lot, at night.

It was scary. They were mean spirited, and that attitude continues in the right wing Republicans now, willing to deprive people they don't like  of their rights, liberties, and medical care.They must not prevail!

 -- Elaine Hopkins

The Inauguration: Boycott and Strike

PEORIA, IL -- How to bear the awful Trump administration?  A compromised president (Russia), an unqualified cabinet of billionaires.  Ugh.

Wake me when it's over.  Or -- boycott Jan. 20 (no TV, no radio, no Internet sites) with the courageous members of Congress, and strike.

Striking?  Here's how: http://www.womenstrike.org/

This is a time tested tactic that works. Sign up and do it.

Then go to the Peoria rally for the Jan. 21 marchers.  See below for details.

And then: Only a Democratic Senate can save us.  We must work for that in the 2018 election, and also oust the Illinois Republican governor Rauner. 

True he's not going to the inauguration, and never endorsed Trump, but will he have the courage to do what it takes to protect Illinois from Trump?

That could mean raising taxes to keep funding Medicaid for all the poor, and subsidies for Medicare if it is cut when Obamacare is killed. (Think they'll replace it?  You're kidding yourself. They won't.)

Here's my prediction:  Trump will be out before 2017 ends, resigned to build more hotels or impeached for treason because of the Russian connection.

But Pence is as bad or worse, so we are in for a fight to keep civil rights, civil liberties, adequate medical insurance, etc.  We don't need Rauner's BS about curbing unions. We need a California-style governor who will work to protect Illinois.

Let's get to work.

 -- Elaine Hopkins

 

 

Peoria Women's March Rally Jan,. 21

PEORIA, IL -- From a news release:

Peoria Rally in Support of Women’s March 

Media Contacts:

Nora Sullivan: [email protected],  309-202-3230

Sandra Crow: [email protected]; 309-360-0980

Peoria Rally in Support of Women’s March planned in Peoria, IL, all 50 States and more than 55 Other Global Cities  

Peoria, January, 2017 - The Women’s March on Washington has inspired nearly 300 other ‘sister marches’ to take place on January 21.  All 50 states and Puerto Rico are confirmed to have at least one grassroots-led march on that day, as well as 55 global cities on six continents, from Tokyo to Sydney, Nairobi to Paris to Bogotá. 

Date:                     Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017

Time:                    11am - 12noon

Location:            Gateway Building (outside under the building archway)

                                200 NE Water St. Peoria 61602

“This is an unprecedented, organic and viral grassroots global movement that is growing everyday. More than 500,000 people have already committed to march all over the country and the world in just a matter of weeks,” said Boston-based national sister march spokeswoman Yordanos Eyoel, who became a U.S. citizen last fall. “The aggregate turnout has the potential to exceed 1 million marchers. What makes this movement even more special is that people who have never been politically active before are now mobilizing.”

The mission of the marches and rallies is to bring people together to take a stand on issues that deeply impact all of us. The Peoria Rally will seek to reaffirm the core American values of freedom and democracy for all at a time when many fear their voices will be lost, specifically related to women’s rights, immigrant rights, worker rights, reproductive rights, LGBTQIA rights, environmental rights, rights for all races, and religious freedom.

As stated by the League of Women Voters in their endorsement of the event, “ As women and defenders of our democracy, there is more that unites us than divides us. We march for voting rights. We march for health care. We march for the environment. “   The marches and rallies are bringing together people of all backgrounds, races, religions, gender identities, ages and abilities, as well as communities of immigrants. While led by women, all are welcome to attend the Peoria Rally.  The rally will have music and community members will speak about their hopes for the future. A list of speakers will be provided when all are confirmed.

“We’re excited that women across the nation and the world are organizing to stand together in solidarity. Our unity will send a strong and clear message that women and our allies will protect our rights, our health, our safety and our communities,” said Bob Bland, a co-chair of Women’s March on Washington. “These sister marches show a powerful and inclusive movement, which is just as crucial as the thousands who will travel to D.C."

For more information about the Peoria Rally please go to https://www.facebook.com/events/119862368520147, or to https://www.womensmarch.com, click on Find a Local March, and enter your Peoria area zip code.  Please RSVP so we have an idea of how many to expect.

ACA Meeting Today, Jan. 12, 3 pm

PEORIA, IL -- From a news release:

Media Alert
Contact 1: Karen Wilson (309-863-1785) [email protected] NAACP Peoria Representative
Contact 2: Gary Hall (309-369-3676) [email protected] UAW Local 974 and IARA Representative
Contact 3: Katie Jones (309-339-9211) [email protected] Progressive Peoria Representative
Contact 4: Ryan Hidden (309-265-8057) [email protected] Change Peoria Representative

(January 11, 2017. Peoria, IL) Members of the grassroots organization, Progressive Peoria, will be joined by members of the Peoria chapter of the NAACP, the UAW Local #974, the Illinois Alliance for Retired People, and Change Peoria, in order to voice support for retaining the Affordable Care Act.

Joining together in solidarity, these groups are fighting to preserve the lifesaving legislation and related healthcare coverage due to the personal impact of ACA on their lives and the lives of family members, neighbors and friends.

Gathering together on 1.12.17 at 3 pm CST at the Peoria Public Library, Downtown Branch at 110 NE Monroe, the group will present information about their personal experiences, why they are asking local elected officials to support the law and, specifically, how their lives and those of their fellow constituents will be impacted if the “repeal and run” approach is taken by opponents of the law.
----
Progressive Peoria began forming on November 8, 2016, and the group has hosted monthly educational meetings since that time. On average, approximately 60 - 75 people attend the events, held in local faith communities, libraries, and local restaurants or coffee shops. The group hosts occasional guest speakers, informing participants about the most effective means for organizing on behalf of true progressive American ideals. [email protected] is the best contact for the group, as the website is in process.

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization, founded in 1909. The mission of the NAACP is to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination. Locally, the NAACP can be found at www.peorianaacp.com.

Change Peoria is a grassroots political organization which empowers people in the metropolitan Peoria area to develop accountable, transparent, and responsible governments for all. The group backs candidates, supports issues, and educates the public. ChangePeoria is on Facebook, on Twitter @ChangePeoria, and email at [email protected].

The UAW Local 974 is a member of Region 4 of the International UAW, affiliated with the AFL/CIO, proudly representing 14,000 workers and retirees in the Peoria area and can be contacted at [email protected] or on the web at www.uawlocal974.org.

The Illinois Alliance for Retired Americans, represented by the West Central Illinois Retiree Council, is organized in support of the preservation of affordable accessible health care for all Americans. For more information the causes, events and membership of the IARA, visit www.Illinois.retiredamericans.org or find IARA on Facebook, Twitter and Youtube.  - 30 -

PEORIA, IL -- Peoria School District 150 will spend $50 million over the next five years to repair and renovate all 27 schools, with 134 projects being planned, the School Board heard at its January 9 meeting. The board plans to vote on the draft report at the Jan. 23 meeting.

But during the public comment period activist Terry Knapp noted there was no mention of Peoria Stadium in the report.  "Taxpayers will be irate if the stadium is not part of the deal," he said.

He also questioned a final financial settlement with a special education teacher fired during the Lathan administration. Ten special education teachers were fired, and "treated like pigs," Knapp said.

This is the last settlement, but how much did the litigation cost? he asked. "Lathan created this mess," and there is a shortage of special education teachers, he said.

Knapp also said that those who offer comments should be treated with respect, and not criticized.

Finally he called out "influence peddling," that led to the closure of Woodruff High School so the Quest charter school could open. Now "it's unsuccessful," he said.

"We gave it to the leaders in this community because they wanted it," he said of Quest.

Here is a recording of the comments:

Download Dist 150 Jan 9

Linda Wilson, a second grade teacher at Trewyn School asked the board to reinstate a "grow your own" teacher program. It has lapsed for want of funding.

She noted that African-American students make up more than half of the students in the schools, but see few teachers that look like them.

Community meetings to discuss improving Peoria, in light of a finding that the city is the worst place for African Americans to live in the U.S., have focused on education, she said.  A grow-your-own teacher program would offer opportunities to talented students, she said. She is a product of the previous program.

 -- Elaine Hopkins