PeoriaStory

Medicare for all on Feb. 9

PEORIA, IL. --  From a news release:

Medicare for All organizing begins Feb. 9

-- By Bill Knight

The National Nurses United labor union is spearheading a coast-to-coast effort in support of Medicare for All, and in Peoria, several progressive groups and individuals will meet in a “Barnstorming” meeting to organize local actions. 

The Peoria Chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America are hosting with the Black Justice Project, Peoria Area Green Party, Indivisible Peoria, NAACP Peoria Chapter and Change Peoria co-sponsoring this event.

Organizations and people in favor of improving Medicare and expanding it will meet at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9 in the Auditorium of the Peoria Public Library’s Main branch on Monroe at Main Streets downtown, to plan events that could include canvassing and phone banking.

“It’s time to talk about where we are going and how we are going to get there,” said Bonnie Castillo, executive director of National Nurses United. “We cannot simply rely on the electoral process.”

• Much of the focus is on supporting the Democratic-majority House of Representatives’ HR 676, which would improve existing Medicare features and expand the popular program to include everyone.

The Feb. 9 Barnstorm will build on current support:

• 12 incumbent House Democrats have already co-sponsored Medicare for All legislation and 48 freshmen lawmakers campaigned on enacting Medicare for All (M4A);
• M4A is popular (a Reuters poll showed it’s supported by 84.5 percent of Democrats and 51.9 percent of Republicans;
• M4A is cost-effective (a University of Massachusetts study says it would SAVE Americans $5.1 trillion over 10 years, and even a study by the libertarian Mercatus Center (affiliated with the conservative Koch Brothers) conceded that its implementation could result in total health spending that’s $303 billion LOWER in 2031 than current projections). - 30 -

 

Journalists under fire

PEORIA, IL --  From a news release:

Two compelling documentaries and two journalists who have lived similar stories  will explore “Journalism Under Fire,” a program on the dangerous conditions facing journalists in the United States and around the world.

“Journalism Under Fire” begins at 2 p.m. Sunday, February 24, at the Peoria Riverfront Museum.

Sponsored by the Peoria Area World Affairs Council (PAWAC), “Journalism Under Fire” will feature a discussion with journalists experienced in covering conflict and two films about the personal risks facing members of the media in the world’s hottest locations.

“Journalists on the Frontline” – a 25-minute documentary -- highlights journalists who have died covering the most dangerous places in the world.  The video examines the dangers journalists face in Syria, Mexico and Sudan. Last year, 54 journalists were killed; the previous year 47 were murdered just for doing their jobs, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.

“Fixers” – a nine-minute film -- looks at the people behind life-threatening news stories – the cameraman; the producer; the driver; and the fixer, the local person on the ground who secures a critical interview, gets access to the vital location, and understands when a situation is rife with local complexity.

Following the screenings, the discussion will include Jenni Monet, an award-winning journalist who faced personal danger covering the Dakota Access Pipeline; and Kristin McHugh, who covered several global crises for the Stanley Foundation.  Chris Kaergard, associate editor of the Peoria Journal Star, will serve as the panel moderator.

Monet, a newscaster, reporter and investigative journalist, was arrested, detained and strip-searched during her Dakota Access Pipeline coverage, even though she had press credentials that clearly identified her. A graduate of the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism, Monet’s reporting has appeared in the Los Angeles Times, The Guardian, The Center for Investigative Reporting, PBS NewsHour and Al Jazeera. She is currently investigating the extreme rate of violence and sexual assault perpetrated against Native American women.

McHugh has reported from five continents, winning several awards for her coverage about Russia, children in war zones, the United Nations relevance, and the rise of Arab media. She recently served as PAWAC executive director and is currently reporting for WCBU, Bradley University’s public radio station.

Kaergard covers local and state politics, and has worked on the Journal Star opinion page. He is an adjunct professor at Bradley and advisor to the school newspaper.

Tickets for this event will be $7 for general admission and $5 for museum members, PAWAC members, students and seniors. Tickets can be purchased at the door or through the PRM website at https://cart.peoriariverfrontmuseum.org/performance.aspx?pid=36718

The Peoria Area World Affairs Council is a community-based volunteer organization that brings the world to Central Illinois by holding a variety of forums on international history, culture and current events. Along with expert speakers, PAWAC offers guided travel opportunities, book club meetings and public discussion forums. In an era of increasing communication and globalization, the organization provides an interactive and engaging international perspective to our local community. The Peoria Area World Affairs Council held its first conference in 1970. PAWAC is affiliated with the World Affairs Councils of America. – 30 -

"Oh wow," school restructuring proposed

PEORIA, IL -- When activist Terry Knapp stood to comment at the Jan. 28 Peoria School District 150 meeting, at first all he could say was "Oh, wow!"

That's because school administrators had just revealed a plan to restructure south Peoria schools, to make Harrison a K-4 school. Trewyn a middle school with grades 5-8, and Manual High School a high school with grades 9 - 12. It now includes grades 7-8 and is called an 'academy.'

That hasn't worked well, administrators said, and students need a 'middle school experience.' The 7th and 8th grades at Manual are "struggling." In addition, resources can be better directed to academics in the schools, such as requiring all children to read at grade levels, they said.

Board member Dan Walther noted that no teachers or parents have been consulted on the changes.  Their input is needed, he said, a point echoed by teacher Kim Thomas who also commented during the public comment period.

"Teachers know what's best for kids," she said, adding she "had no idea" the changes were being proposed. The school district has "no transparency," she added.

Knapp generally favored the changes, but he said Manual needs more students to have viable sports and music programs, while Peoria High School is overcrowded. Manual might turn into a "ghost town," he said.

Previous (school) boards made bad decisions," Knapp said.  That resulted in teacher turnover at Manual, so that experienced teachers left, and first and second year teachers now are in the majority at the school, he said.

I watched the board meeting via streaming on the board website, and it worked.

 -- Elaine Hopkins

Here's the Journal Star's story on the school changes.

Tasting India

PEORIA, IL -- From a news release, this looks like fun:

Taste of India Coming to ICC Peoria Campus 

The Central Illinois community is invited to celebrate the rich cultures and cuisines of India at “Taste of India: Celebrating Cultures and Cuisines.”  A collaboration between the Peoria Area World Affairs Council (PAWAC), the Illinois Central College (ICC) Culinary Institute, and the ICC International Education Program, Taste of India features a unique dinner, food preparation, and a brief address about educational opportunities for women in India.

A social hour with an introduction to spices, dress and accents of India, and tours of the Culinary Institute, begins at 5 p.m. on February 28.  Dinner follows at 6 p.m.  The cultural event will be held at the Culinary Institute in Dogwood Hall on the ICC Peoria campus.

“Taste of India: Celebrating Cultures and Cuisines” features a three-course meal prepared by students and staff of the Culinary Institute.  Diners will receive copies of Indian recipes and learn cooking techniques by watching the expert chefs create food throughout the evening. 

Dr. Vijayalakshmi Varadarajan, ICC physical sciences professor, will give a brief presentation on the educational opportunities for women in India, particularly in the STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) fields. 

Tickets are $35 for Peoria Area World Affairs Council members, students, and ICC faculty and staff; $40 for the general public.  The menu features traditional vegetarian dishes.  Online purchasing information is available via www.pawac.org.  Seating is limited. 

The schedule for this unique cultural evening follows:

5 p.m. to 6 p.m. – Opening Reception / Introduction to Spices, Dress and Languages / Culinary Institute Tours

6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. – Dinner and Exclusive Viewing of Meal Preparation

7:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. – Post-Dinner Presentation by Dr. Vijayalakshmi Varadarajan

All proceeds from “Taste of India: Celebrating Cultures and Cuisines” benefit ICC’s Culinary Institute, ICC international education programs, and the Peoria Area World Affairs Council’s education programs.

The Peoria Area World Affairs Council promotes a better understanding of world affairs among members, students, and the community through public programs in Central Illinois. PAWAC is nonprofit and nonpartisan. For additional information, contact the Peoria Area World Affairs Council at 309-677-2454 or email [email protected]. Information is also available via www.pawac.org.   

- 30 -

 

Robert Johnson for Park Board President

PEORIA, IL -- Park Board member Robert Johnson announced his candidacy for Park Board president on Jan. 22, outdoors in freezing weather.

That didn't bother Johnson, who is tall, strong and vigorous. He spoke briefly and said several times that he strongly opposes selling any park district land. He has been a park district trustee since 1997, serving as board vice president, chair of the finance committee and on other posts. 

He stood strongly against the proposed apartments in Riverfront Park. I endorse him wholeheartedly.

The election is April 2, and includes Peoria, Peoria Heights, West Peoria and parts of Dunlap. 

 -- Elaine Hopkins

$$$ for the Supt., and criticism

PEORIA, IL -- The Peoria District 150 School Board on January 14 awarded Superintendent Sharon Desmoulin-Kherat a 10-year contract worth $1.3 million after public comments at the board meeting aired concerns about her leadership.

Here is the story in the Peoria Journal Star.

Here is a recording of the public comments.

Download PSD 150 Jan. 14

Criticism began with activist Sharon Crews, who has analyzed grades and graduation records from the high schools. Her report is posted below, and says that the totals don't add up.  "How do students make up (failed) classes without summer school?" she asked. 

Critic Terry Knapp wondered why swimming is no longer taught in P.E. classes when the high schools have swimming pools, some filled with water. "It makes no sense," he said.

Teacher Kim Thomas questioned what the administration has done to solve discipline problems. "We need an alternative school, K-12," she said.

Peoria Federation of Teachers head Jeff Atkins-Dutro questioned why student outcomes are "meager" even though everyone is working hard.

Critic Mary Beth Cunningham said 70 percent of the teachers recently voted thah  the district is headed in the wrong direction."I've seen nepotism at its finest," she added, of district hiring. 

Board members acknowledged the problems, and promised to look at them, including swimming lessons. "Discipline affects everything else,"said Ernestine Jackson."We've got to get a handle on that issue."

 -- Elaine Hopkins

Here is the report from Sharon Crews:

Last Thursday I received a conference phone call from Tom Welch, Shannon Marlin, and Sharon Kherat. I believe the purpose of the call was to find out why I was questioning the use of the number 17 instead of a grade for students who were in a class until the end of the semester.

Both Marlin and Kherat seemed to insist that the only reason for a 17 was to indicate a transfer from one class to another or a withdrawal from the school. In other words, we have made no progress since my initial questioning of this issue on November 13, 2018.

Since then I have passed out considerable data that questions the use of the number 17. All responses to date have been less than informative. In this recent phone call, I detected that, especially Marlin and Kherat, were questioning the accuracy of the data I have compiled.

I stated that it doesn’t make sense to question my compilations since the information comes directly from the data I was given. I asked if they had copies of the data that I was given and if they had compared my compilations to their data. My hearing aids fail me at times, but I believe their answer was “No.”

Shouldn’t I have expected that comparison to be made before this phone call was made and long before January 10? At some point in the call they found the data for Peoria High. I directed them to the Peoria High data for 2^nd semester for ID #84598 at the bottom of page 1—which presents a perfect example as to why I am questioning the data.

I have recently received another explanation for the use of the number 17, but I haven’t fully comprehended it yet. At one point I believe, Dr. Kherat assured me that the students whose grades were recorded as a 17 instead of a grade really did receive a grade.

Since I received no such data, am I supposed to be satisfied with this reassurance? I believe the main purpose of the phone call was probably to respond to Dr. Bob’s request at the last board meeting to provide me with an answer to my questions. I trust you will allow me now to present the public comments that I prepared for tonight to explain the new data I have given you and to be sure you understand my questions about the data.

Earlier, Dr. Kherat emailed this explanation for the use of the number 17 instead of a grade: “Once a student is assigned to a particular course and attends one day, the student will show in a teacher’s gradebook for that course. If the student transfers to a different section of the course or changes to a different course, the student will show in the teacher’s gradebook, but will be grayed out from the day the student transfers and an asterisk automatically fills in for the rest of the semester. At the end of the semester, all students who started in a particular teacher’s class will show as a 'W' on state reporting. A 'W' does not hurt the school or the student, as it just shows that there was a change in the student’s schedule and no grade was obtained.”

Looking at my handout, you will see that the data in blue is what Kherat explained. I didn’t use this transfer data in my compilations because it is irrelevant—tonight I am using examples including this data. Kherat’s explanation completely ignores the relevant data in Line 2.   Note that in the first example a Manual student enrolled in AP English Language on 8/16/17 and transferred on 8/29/17 to the same course (a different hour or teacher) on 8/30/17 and finished the course on 12/21/17—I believe the grade should be an F (or maybe an A, B, C, or D), not a 17 for withdrawal—the last day of a semester is hopefully too late for withdrawals—and hopefully there is a policy.

Kherat’s earlier explanation also stated that “a “W” does not hurt the school or the student as it just shows that there was a change to the student’s schedule.” However, 'Ws' at the end of the semester do hurt the school and the student; they just don’t hurt the GPA. All those required English classes must be made up—256 F’s at Manual and 451 at Peoria High and 208 'Ws' at Manual and 332 at Peoria High. (That data was on previous handouts). I have never heard a satisfactory explanation as to how students make up all these courses without summer school. Changes to the curriculum will not help the students who have failed required courses in the past and probably not in the future either.

I recently realized that I had received all of Peoria High’s first semester 2017-18 grades in response to my January 17, 2018, FOIA request. Thus, I was able to see that the January data about Peoria High’s 1^st semester English grades was significantly different from the data that I received in response to my August 22, 2018, request for the same data.

First, the grades from the January data were the usual As, Bs, Cs, Ds, and F’s, but the August data listed grades as 2, 5, 8, 11, 13, and 17, evidently, to meet state requirements. Why weren’t the January grades coded with these numbers? When and by whom were the teacher grades changed to this state mandated code? Were all grades at all schools changed? When and by whom were the 17’s added—certainly not by teachers?

Pages 2-12 of my handout show how the January Peoria High English IV grades differ from the August grades. All I could do is count the number of A’s, B’s, etc., since the fake ID’s for the January and August data weren’t the same.-30-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Candidate Forum

PEORIA, IL -- From a news release:

Peoria City Council At-Large Candidates Forum Sponsored by Peoria NAACP and Heart of Illinois Group Sierra Club

Date: Wednesday, January 16^th,   6 p.m. (to end at 8 p.m.)

Location: The Carver Community Center 710 West Percy Baker Jr. Ave., Peoria

Peoria NAACP and Heart of Illinois Group Sierra Club are sponsoring a Forum for Peoria City Council At-Large Candidates, Wednesday, 

January 16^th, at 6 PM at the Carver Community Center, 710 West Percy Baker Jr. Ave., Peoria.  

 

This forum focuses on environment, health and justice issues for the city.  NAACP President Rev. Marvin Hightower will be moderating. 

Questions will be taken from the audience. The public is invited to attend.

 

Environment matters: global climate change is causing more frequent extreme weather events from severe rains or snows to drought

and wildfires. Peoria faces major concerns regarding our combined sewer overflow. Some question how long it has taken for action on

our raw sewage going into the Illinois River, making us all part of the Dead Zone in the Gulf of Mexico.

 

Peoria citizens with the least resources who live in our oldest neighborhoods face risks from lead water pipes and lead paint.  Air quality for Peoria has higher caustic sulfur dioxide levels and more health harming particulate levels than it should. The Forum will include ‘lightening round’ questions and longer answers for a variety of response opportunities from the candidates. The forum is free and refreshments will be available.

 

Women's March/Rally RESCHEDULED

PEORIA, IL -- From a news release: 

The Third Annual Women’s Rally and March will take place at 11 am on Sat., March 9 outside at the Gateway Building in downtown Peoria, IL. (It has been rescheduled because of a bad weather forecast for Sat. Jan. 19.)

This organizers of the march stated: "This is a local march, organized by a coalition of women and allies across the central Illinois region. We come to this event and this movement with an understanding of and an appreciation for the perspectives and experiences that have shaped us collectively as well as individually. Our movement is made richer by our differences of culture, race, ethnicity, religion, orientation, and more.  As a grassroots effort, this day is a celebration of what unites us as women.  On this day we stand in solidarity in our shared value for social justice."

The event will begin with music by Sarah Marie Dillard, followed at 11 AM with a welcome by Sherry Cannon a song, "King of Anything"  by Dillard, Mega Maroney,  & Emilele.  

The keynote speaker with be Illinois Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth (D-Peoria.).  

Other speakers will include:

• Chama St. Louis - Civil Rights/Poverty and Women

• Katie Jones/Moms Against Gun Violence - Safety

• Catalina Zavala - Immigration

• Nicole Livsey - LGBTQ Civil Rights

• Tracy Meints Fox - Environmental Issues

• Rhamat N'allah - Health Care

• Music, "Glory"  by Ciara Parks and DeShawn Brown
  

• Sherry Cannon will present closing remarks.

Here is information on the speakers:

Chama St. Louis is the Central Illinois Coalition Organizer for the Peoria People’s Project. She’s the founder of the Black Justice Project and the Communications Director for Change Peoria. She owns Euphoria Aerial & Dance Academy in Peoria. She spent 12 years at the Illinois Black Chamber of Commerce and was the Marketing & Public Relations Director. She was the youngest president of the Peoria Black Chamber of Commerce at age 26 and the youngest Chairwoman of the same organization at age 28. She is currently the co-chair of the Illinois Black Chamber of Commerce’s sports and entertainment committee with Harry Lennix, actor on NBC’s Blacklist. She is also Chama is the assistant director and entertainment director of the Central Illinois Black Expo. Chama has worked as a political consultant to various campaigns across Illinois, she was the spokeswoman for the successful re-election campaign of the Honorable Dorothy Brown, Cook County Clerk of the Circuit Court. She is an elected Peoria County Democratic precinct committeewoman for West Peoria, and on the board of directors of the East Bluff Community Center. She has been featured in national news publications such as In These Times and US News and World Report.  

Nicole Livsey is President of Peoria Proud and  a Community Support Counselor for the Southside Office of Concern.  She also serves as a board member for the Illinois Valley Fuller Center and Hand Up Peoria, is a Commissioner for the City of Peoria Fair Employment Housing Commission, is Co-Chair of the United Presbyterian Church Mission Committee, and Steering Committee and mentor for the Coming Together to Get Ahead Program. 

State Representative JehanGordon-Booth, (D-Peoria), was elected in 2008,  the first African-American from Central Illinois elected to the Illinois General Assembly. While she also was one of the youngest state representatives ever elected, and wasted no time making her mark for her constituents in the 92nd  District. Her top issues include economic inclusion, injustices, women and children, education and mass incarceration policies. She helped pass the Neighborhood Safety Act, the most comprehensive, and expansive criminal justice reform bill to ever pass in Illinois. The bill reduced over 1,000 mandatory sentence minimums; created sentencing credits to reduce the Illinois Department of Corrections headcount by double digits; created trauma recovery centers in communities devastated by crime and violence; and give judges sentencing discretion.  Representative Gordon-Booth hosts yearly Expungement Summits to help hundreds of her constituents get a fresh start and a new opportunity for a greater life by connecting them with lawyers who seal their records which often hold them back from employment. She is widely respected for her ability to develop strategies for successful passage of legislation; her bipartisan approach to complex issues, and her unwillingness to accept the word ‘NO.’

Tracy Fox is active with a number of environmental groups including the Central Illinois Healthy Community Alliance, Global Warming Solutions Group of Central Illinois, Illinois People’s Action and the Sierra Club Heart of Illinois Group. She represents the Central Illinois environmental community in the Clean Jobs Coalition, a statewide group that helped draft and pass the Future Energy Jobs Act which is responsible for solar projects here and around the state.

Dr. Rahmat Na’Allah, MD,MPH:  Physician, mother, immigrant and public health advocate.Passionate about health equity, universal health and increased reproductive health care access for all.

Catalina Zavala is a Program Manager at Friendship House and has been working with immigrants for 40 years, the last 24 at Friendship House in Peoria's north end.  She has helped individuals and families through the legal process for citizenship, work visas, financial issues, social support, and a variety of other problems.  = 30 =

 

The radio station and the Bradley public relations administrators: the interview

PEORIA, IL -- Marilyn Copp and I were invited to meet with two Bradley University officials on Jan. 7 to get their take on what’s happening with WCBU, Bradley’s NPR station.

We met with Renee Charles, University Spokesperson & Executive Director of PR,  and Zach Gorman,  Chief  Information Officer - Information Resources and Technology.

Gorman said he is the person negotiating with ISU’s NPR station WGLT to create a “partnership” with WCBU, to save money.

How much money? The radio station basically costs Bradley U. about $300,000 a year, Gorman said. It needs expensive new equipment soon. The administration has decided that the station’s costs mean Bradley’s operation of the station is “not sustainable,” he said, and money can be saved with a partnership with WGLT.

The negotiations with WGLT are not done, he said. The only time line he mentioned was to complete the deal by next fall when the station office in Jobst Hall will be demolished along with the building.

Under the plan, WGLT will operate the station using its infrastructure, and WCBU will save money, Gorman said.  Both stressed that the identity ‘Peoria Public Radio’ will stay the same, and the frequencies on the dial will stay the same.

But they also acknowledged that “things will change.”  What will change?  They could not say since the negotiations are not done yet.

Asked what items must stay the same, they changed the subject. Will the program director, a key figure who decides what is to be broadcast, be from WCBU or WGLT? They didn’t know.

“WCBU is not leaving Peoria,” Gorman said. “Our intention is local news and coverage. The intent is to enhance the programming.”

Will local employees continue on at the station under WGLT management? “We don’t know who will be retained,” Charles said. 

The two insisted that Bradley U. president Gary Roberts likes WCBU. “He is a listener and a donor.  So is his wife,” He doesn’t want to see it vanish.”

“We are not getting rid of the station,” Gorman said.

“The intent is to maintain separate identities and local coverage,” Charles said.  Asked how they would save money if they kept local coverage, they said the savings would come from shared infrastructure.

Partnerships have become a national trend, they said.

Gorman said the trustees of the two universities likely don’t need to approve the final agreement between the two stations. The Bradley Trustees also “don’t want to see (the station) go away.”

The broadcasts for the visually impaired and handicapped will also continue, they said.

“We’re not getting rid of public radio in Peoria,” Charles said. But “some change is inevitable,” she added.  

The key to these plans is that agreement. Once it is made final, it will be a public document through ISU, a public university.

But here’s a thought – why is WGLT interested in being WCBU’s partner? What’s in it for them?

And why not allow WCBU to run a campaign to raise money for new equipment if that’s the expense causing the partnership.  

It’s clear that Bradley has decided to pursue this to save money, but not that much money in the long run. Odd.

So here’s a plan: A committee is being formed to formulate non-negotiable issues, to meet with President Roberts, and to demand that the agreement be made public and approved by Trustees of both Bradley and ISU. 

Bradley owes this to its listeners who have contributed millions over the years to the station.  Stay tuned.

-- Elaine Hopkins 

 

Leadership talk -- good idea!

PEORIA, IL -- This looks interesting:

PAWAC Program to Explore National, Global Leadership Crisis

The head of one of the most authoritative public policy institutes in Illinois will speak about the leadership crisis in the state, the nation and across the globe when he addresses a meeting of the Peoria Area World Affairs Council.

John Shaw, director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University, will speak January 31 on “The Leadership Crisis in Illinois, America and the World.”

A Peoria native and successful author, Shaw will appear at the Bradley University Student Center Ballroom at 7 p.m. Thursday, January 31.

Shaw will address the failure of leaders -- statewide, nationally and worldwide – to face the most significant problems of our time, and how that failure threatens a peaceful and prosperous future for our greater community and our world.

Shaw has analyzed political leadership throughout his distinguished career. His most recent book – “Rising Star, Setting Sun: Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy and the Presidential Transition That Changed America” -- explores the transfer of power that ushered in a generational change in American politics. It is his fifth book.

He became director of the Paul Simon Institute in January after serving as a politics and economics reporter, columnist and analyst for various media organizations over more than 20 years. Shaw is a political science graduate of Knox College in Galesburg, and he earned a master’s degree in history from the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia.

The well-respected Paul Simon Institute was founded 20 years ago by the long-time U.S. senator, congressman, state legislator, presidential candidate and Southern Illinois newspaper publisher. The institute is a bipartisan public service center with a broad-ranging mission to study and act on significant and controversial issues that impact the region, state, nation and world.

The Peoria Area World Affairs Council is a community-based volunteer organization that brings the world to Central Illinois by holding a variety of forums on international history, culture and current events. Along with expert speakers, PAWAC offers guided travel opportunities, book club meetings and public discussion forums. In an era of increasing communication and globalization, the organization provides an interactive and engaging international perspective to our local community. The Peoria Area World Affairs Council held its first conference in 1970. PAWAC is affiliated with the World Affairs Councils of America.

Shaw’s remarks are open to the public as is a dinner preceding the speech. Cost is $35 for PAWAC members and students, and $40 for others. To attend the presentation only the cost is $5 for PAWAC members and $10 for non-members. Students are free.