Public policy is best formed when unencumbered by logical imprecision and emotion.… MORE
Category Archives: Opinion
WJBC Forum: The woes of flight
The recent incident with United Airlines is another stark reminder that the “friendly skies” are more of an endurance trial than a pleasure these days.… MORE
WJBC Forum: An Oscar that doesn’t shine
In the wake of videos that went viral the other day after United Airlines forcibly removed a passenger from an overbooked flight from Chicago to Louisville, United Airlines CEO Oscar Munoz sent an e-mail to airline employees putting United’s spin on the situation.… MORE
WJBC Forum: How will One Voice fare under Trump’s budget proposals?
As you listen to this, I’ll be in Washington, D.C., part of the annual Economic Development Council’s “One Voice” trip to our nation’s capitol.… MORE
WJBC Forum: Betsy DeVos
You probably heard the extensive backlash about our recently approved Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos.… MORE
WJBC Forum: Healthcare
My family is in the midst of a health crisis.… MORE
WJBC Forum: Three wishes if I were president
I wouldn’t want to be President or any cabinet member.… MORE
WJBC Forum: Words matter
By Laurie Bergner I recently spent some time with folks of a different political persuasion than mine, something most of us rarely do these days. One thing I was struck by was their assertion that “it doesn’t matter what Trump says, only what he does.” I couldn’t disagree more! Words matter. They matter a lot.…… MORE
WJBC Forum: Giving up Facebook for Lent
The season of Lent started on March 1st.… MORE
WJBC Forum: Everyone has a place in this country
Not In Our Town is holding another gathering, tonight at 6:30 p.m., at Illinois Wesleyan University’s Hansen Center on the north end of campus, opposite the Shirk Center.… MORE
Blogs
Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all
By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year. It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …
Is federal mobilization the answer?
By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city. Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…
In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans
By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…
Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life
Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University. We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk. Going to work every day for some people means…