Viewpoint | Why wait until a funeral to reconnect with family and friends

It is unfortunate that unexpected family reunions come at the loss of a respected loved one. Mollette encourages readers to spend meaningful time with loved ones while they are still here to share stories and smiles.

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by Glenn Mollette
Guest Columnist

May is a busy month with Mother’s Day, graduations and Memorial Day weekend activities. Hopefully these occasions have presented or are presenting you with opportunities to connect with friends and family.

Glenn Mollette

Too often our connection time with people is at the funeral home. Back in the old days, social family gatherings were more popular. Families would gather to visit. Today, our communication with others is a social media post or a text message at best. The days of people driving a few hours to just visit with others may be over, for some.

People still see others at the funeral home. I have spoken at a few funerals over the years and the crowds are not as large as they used to be. However, people still drop by to express their condolences.

Often, you will find people socializing with each other at funeral home visitations. They will be huddled in different corners of the funeral home catching up with people they haven’t seen in a long time. Or, they are in the coffee room sharing jokes, enjoying food and having a good time. The grieving spouse or close family members are in the chapel grieving but throughout the funeral home, it’s family and friend reunion time.

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I think it is wonderful for people to gather, visit, laugh, eat and have a grand time.

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Several years ago, I spoke at the funeral of a dear man. He was in an open casket in the hallway of the church. No one seemed to pay any attention to him. He was dead. It wasn’t like he could engage with anyone. Yet, it seemed weird to me that while it was his funeral visitation, it did not seem to be about him. The occasion did lend itself to people gathering to visit, laugh and have a good time. The children weren’t laughing or visiting very much as they were obviously grieving.

I think it is wonderful for people to gather, visit, laugh, eat and have a grand time. This is good for us all, but why don’t we do it while we are alive? The dead person is not able to enjoy the fried chicken and banana pudding. Of course, the deceased is no longer present. If this is you, why not have the fried chicken and pudding while you are alive? We should try to have our family and friend gatherings while we are alive and can participate. You won’t know who is at your funeral nor will you care. It really won’t matter. Will those who gather, if they do gather, really be a comfort to the family that is left behind? Maybe they will. Maybe they won’t.

The point of all this is that dead noses smell no roses. They don’t savor the food or enjoy the laughter of those who are gathering. Thus, why don’t we try to visit and have a good time with each other while we are alive?

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About the author ~

Glen Mollett is the author of 13 books including Uncommom Sense, the Spiritual Chocolate series, Grandpa's Store, Minister's Guidebook insights from a fellow minister. His column is published weekly in over 600 publications in all 50 states.

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TAGS: importance of family gatherings, funeral home reflections, reconnecting with loved ones, Glenn Mollette opinion column, spending time with family

Viewpoint | The world keeps calling it a ceasefire while bombs still fall on Gaza

This opinion piece questions the legitimacy of calling the situation in Gaza a ceasefire while airstrikes and civilian deaths continue. The article argues that language surrounding the conflict has obscured the reality faced by families living under ongoing bombardment.

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by Yumna Zahid Ali
Guest Commentator

A ceasefire means the firing ceases.

That is not a sponsored conclusion or a political position. That is, in American English, British English, Australian English, Canadian English, Irish English, Nigerian English, and every other English spoken in every other corner of this earth, the literal definition of the word. So someone needs to explain, clearly and without the usual diplomatic fog, how Gaza is still being bombed while this so-called truce is in place.

Ceasefire? More like cease-for-an-hour. Because that is all it has ever amounted to: a pause in the coverage, not a pause in the coffins.

Say that again. A pause in the coverage, not a pause in the coffins.

And as that so-called pause is being celebrated, hospitals are being bombed while negotiators shake hands in air-conditioned rooms. Entire families are being wiped off the civil registry while spokespeople read prepared statements about their commitment to peace. Neighborhoods that had names, that had bakeries and schools and people who knew each other, are being reduced to grey powder while the international community expresses its deep and apparently bottomless concern. That concern has never once stopped a single airstrike. Not one. And yet they keep offering it, as if concern is a substitute for action, as if words spoken into a microphone have ever pulled anyone out of the concrete.

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When you call a bombing campaign a ceasefire, you are not just being inaccurate. You are providing cover.

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The dead in Gaza do not care about your press releases. They do not care about your ties or your flags or your solemn faces at the podium. They weep over one outcome and one outcome only: whether the bombs stop. THE BOMBS DID NOT STOP. So everything else, the agreements, the statements, the carefully worded communiqués, the handshakes in front of flags, all of it was a hoax. A spotlight-ready, well-funded, internationally-endorsed hoax. And you are not supposed to applaud a hoax that ends with children dying. You are supposed to ask why it keeps getting cheered on.

Honestly, this is not a ceasefire, and you need to stop letting them call it that. Because the moment you accept their language, you have already accepted their version of reality, and their version of reality is engineered precisely to make you feel like something is being done when nothing is being done. Words matter. When you call a bombing campaign a ceasefire, you are not just being inaccurate. You are providing cover. You are handing the people responsible a shield made out of language, and they will use it, and they have been using it, and people have been dying underneath it.

Look at the logic and follow it all the way to the end. If a ceasefire agreement exists and strikes are still happening, then one of two things must be true. Either the people responsible for enforcing it are completely powerless, or they are fully aware and have simply chosen not to stop it. There is no third option. There is no innocent explanation hiding somewhere in the fine print. Both possibilities are a catastrophic indictment of every government, every institution, and every leader who stood in front of a camera and told the world that this agreement meant something. Pick whichever one you believe. Both of them mean Gaza was abandoned willfully, with criminal awareness.

The people of Gaza are not living through a diplomatic complication. They are living through an active bombardment that is being conducted underneath the legal and moral cover of a ceasefire that was never real. A mother in Gaza tonight is not thinking about the negotiation timeline or the political complexities of the region. She is trying to keep her children alive through another round of airstrikes that are happening during an agreement the entire world signed off on and then apparently forgot about by morning.

At some point, this stops being a failure of the process and becomes a defended feature of it. Failures get corrected. Things that keep happening over and over again, in the same way, with the same outcomes and the same silence from the same powerful countries, are not failures anymore. They are decisions. Well-fed, well-protected, and well-compensated decisions made by people who will never pay the toll they trigger.

Gaza is not a negotiating paragraph in a treaty. The people there are not abstractions in a geopolitical equation. They are human beings who were told the bombs would stop and then had to watch the bombs not stop. And the very least the rest of the world can do, the absolute minimum, is refuse to call this a ceasefire when it so visibly, so grotesquely, so inarguably is not one. Because if we cannot even get the words right, we were never serious about getting anything else right either.

About the author ~

Yumna Zahid Ali is a writer and educator who spends her free time reading, analyzing literature, and exploring cultural and intellectual debates. When she’s not writing for global audiences, she enjoys reflecting on societal issues and using her voice to challenge inequities, especially those affecting women. She also loves diving into history, believing that remembering the past is an act of defiance and a way to hold power accountable.

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TAGS: Gaza ceasefire debate, ongoing bombings in Gaza, Middle East conflict opinion, international response to Gaza, humanitarian crisis commentary

Champaign Singles League returns for third season

Set to return June 1 for its third season, the Champaign Singles League offers flexible scheduling, multiple skill divisions, and a pathway to USTA district tennis competition. The league continues to grow for players looking for competitive and need an adaptable schedule.

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by Clark Brooks
Sentinel Sports

CHAMPAIGN - Flexible scheduling, competitive matches and a pathway to district-level play have helped the Champaign Singles League grow into one of the area’s popular summer tennis opportunities as organizers prepare for the league’s third season beginning June 1.

The USTA-run summer league is open to both male and female players, and participants are not required to hold a USTA membership to join. Registration remains open ahead of the season, which runs through Aug. 31.

League commissioner Bret Schrama said the format continues to attract players looking for organized competition without the rigid scheduling often associated with traditional leagues.

“The players set up a date, time and location individually,” Schrama said. “They can opt for shortened match format if they don't have a lot of time or if the weather is really hot.”

The league offers men’s and women’s divisions at the 3.0, 3.5 and 4.0 skill levels. The registration fee is $29 per player, and the top two finishers at each level will earn invitations to the USTA Mid-South District playoffs scheduled for September.

While results do not count toward a player’s NTRP rating, scores are entered into the World Tennis Number system.

Last summer, the men’s 3.0 division featured 20 players and was divided into two groups.

“It was broken into two groups,” Schrama said. “So with 10 in a group, each player had nine matches to play.”

The league’s women’s division also returns after completing its inaugural season in 2025. Schrama said organizers are still working to schedule the delayed women’s playoffs from last season.

“We are still planning to hold their playoffs this year sometime soon,” Schrama said. “No dates worked for their group or the Peoria group. Only those two cities are currently participating in the ladies’ league.”

Several local players advanced to district competition last year after finishing atop their respective divisions. In the men’s 3.0 division, Dhruve Ashar and Yannick Kluch earned district berths. Matteo Martinelli and Thomas Wilson advanced from the 3.5 division, while Lorenzo Vergari and Vinod Ramakrishnan represented Champaign in the 4.0 division.

Schrama said players continue to appreciate the league’s affordability, organization and opportunity to compete beyond the local level.

Travis Davis, a longtime USTA player, said the singles format provides a unique test for competitors.

“Playing singles is a great challenge to yourself and it is fun to compete with others,” Davis said. “This league helps challenge your game and lets you meet new opponents.”

Players interested in joining the summer league can contact Schrama at 317-333-3559 or by email at bret@midwest.usta.com.

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TAGS: Champaign tennis league, USTA singles competition Illinois, summer tennis Champaign, district playoff qualification tennis, local sports leagues Illinois

How businesses can improve risk management and build long-term stability

Businesses across Illinois continue to face economic uncertainty, workforce challenges, and evolving regulations that can impact daily operations. Experts say firms that adopt stronger risk management strategies can improve stability, strengthen employee confidence, and better prepare for future disruptions.

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by Casey Cartwright
Contributing Writer

Across Illinois communities, businesses continue to balance the pursuit of growth with environments shaped by uncertainty, evolving regulations, and shifting workforce expectations. From small service providers to larger regional employers, firms must navigate risks that extend beyond internal decision-making and into broader economic and social conditions.

These realities make it increasingly important for business leaders to adopt a more deliberate and structured approach to identifying and managing potential challenges before they escalate. Companies that embrace risk management strategies often discover that these efforts lead to more stable operations, improved employee confidence, and greater trust within their communities.

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Photo: TIMO/PEXELS

For some business, bad weather can sometimes disrupt operations, forcing the business and its employees to suffer financially from the loss of income.

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Recognize Your Local Risk Factors

Every business operates within a distinct local environment where regional conditions, infrastructure, and economic trends shape daily operations and long-term planning decisions in meaningful ways. In Illinois, factors such as seasonal weather patterns, transportation networks, and labor availability can introduce variables that directly affect productivity and safety. Taking the time to understand these influences allows firms to anticipate potential disruptions rather than simply reacting to them after the fact.

Leaders who actively evaluate their surroundings often gain a clearer understanding of how external conditions intersect with their internal processes. This can help them uncover vulnerabilities that may otherwise go unnoticed.

For example, they may examine how supply chain delays could impact customer commitments or how workforce shortages could affect service delivery. By identifying these connections early, businesses can begin to develop targeted responses that reduce risk exposure.

Establish Clear Internal Policies

Another way to enhance your firm’s risk management is to establish clear, comprehensive internal policies that set expectations for safety, compliance, and operational conduct across all levels of the organization. When employees understand their roles and responsibilities, they can contribute more effectively to a stable and predictable work environment. This clarity reduces the likelihood of misunderstandings that can lead to preventable incidents.

Consistency across departments also plays a critical role in reinforcing these policies, as uniform standards help create a cohesive operational structure that minimizes variability in how employees perform tasks. When all teams adhere to the same guidelines, the organization benefits from greater predictability and control. This alignment ultimately strengthens the firm’s ability to manage risk effectively.

Assess Your Financial Vulnerabilities

Financial risk represents a critical dimension of overall risk management, encompassing both predictable expenses and unexpected events that can disrupt a firm’s stability. Businesses that take a comprehensive approach to evaluating their financial exposure can better navigate challenges without compromising their long-term goals. This process involves examining everything from operational costs to potential liabilities.

For example, companies with fleets should examine how accidents can affect commercial automobile premiums. In addition to insurance, contingency planning provides an added layer of protection by preparing businesses for scenarios that existing policies may not fully cover.

Establishing financial reserves and identifying alternative resources allows organizations to maintain operations during periods of disruption. This preparation contributes to greater resilience and confidence in the face of uncertainty.

Use Data To Identify Trends

The growing availability of data has transformed how businesses approach risk management, offering new opportunities to identify patterns and make more informed, evidence-based decisions rather than relying on assumptions. By tracking incidents, operational disruptions, and performance metrics, companies can gain a clearer understanding of where risks are most likely to occur. This insight enables more targeted interventions.

Analyzing trends over time allows organizations to move beyond reactive responses and address the underlying causes of recurring issues, leading to more sustainable improvements. For example, identifying patterns in workplace incidents may reveal specific conditions or behaviors that require attention. Addressing these root causes reduces the likelihood of future occurrences.

Strengthen Your Communication Channels

Effective communication is a cornerstone of successful risk management, ensuring that information flows freely among employees, managers, and leadership to support timely decision-making. When individuals feel comfortable sharing concerns or observations, organizations are better positioned to address potential risks before they develop into serious issues. This openness fosters a culture of collaboration.

Leadership plays a significant role in shaping communication practices by setting expectations for transparency and responsiveness in daily operations. Managers who actively encourage dialogue and listen to employee feedback create an environment where they can address concerns constructively. This approach helps build trust within the organization.

Engage Local and Industry Resources

Businesses do not operate in isolation, and many benefit from engaging with local organizations and industry groups that offer guidance, resources, and support related to risk management. Chambers of commerce, trade associations, and public agencies often provide valuable information that can help firms navigate complex challenges. These connections expand access to expertise.

Collaboration within the business community allows organizations to share experiences and learn from one another, creating opportunities for collective problem-solving that benefits the broader region. By participating in these networks, firms can gain insights into best practices and emerging trends. This shared knowledge strengthens overall resilience.

Prepare for Regulatory Shifts

Regulatory requirements continue to evolve across industries, reflecting changes in public policy, safety standards, and economic priorities that can significantly impact how businesses operate. Companies that remain attentive to these developments are better equipped to maintain compliance and avoid disruptions. However, this vigilance requires ongoing effort.

Proactive preparation involves reviewing existing policies and procedures in anticipation of new regulations, allowing businesses to make adjustments before changes take effect. This approach reduces the likelihood of last-minute challenges and demonstrates a commitment to responsible operations. It also helps build credibility with regulators and stakeholders.

Invest in Employee Training

Employee training represents a fundamental component of effective risk management, as well-informed workers are better equipped to recognize and respond to potential hazards in their daily activities. Regular training sessions reinforce key principles related to safety, compliance, and best practices. This ongoing education supports consistency.

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Pavel Danilyuk/PEXELS

Risk management is not a one-time effort but an ongoing process. Employee training represents a fundamental component of effective risk management. Regular workplace seminars help mitigate losses due to poor employee training and enhances production.

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Your training programs should evolve alongside the business by incorporating new technologies, updating procedures, and educating workers about emerging risks that may affect your operations. By keeping content relevant and engaging, organizations ensure that employees remain attentive and prepared. This adaptability enhances the effectiveness of training efforts.

Review and Improve Your Strategies Continuously

Risk management is not a one-time effort but an ongoing process that requires regular evaluation and adjustment to remain effective in a changing environment. Businesses that commit to continuous improvement are more likely to identify weaknesses and address them before they lead to significant problems. This proactive mindset supports resilience.

Tracking performance indicators, such as incident rates, financial outcomes, and employee feedback, provides valuable insight into how well current strategies are working. These metrics allow organizations to measure progress and identify areas for refinement. Data-driven adjustments lead to more effective outcomes.

Enhancing a firm’s approach to risk management requires a thoughtful combination of planning, communication, and continuous learning that extends beyond individual policies and into the organization's broader culture. Businesses that invest in these efforts reduce their exposure to potential challenges and create environments where employees and stakeholders feel more secure. This stability will strengthen your operations and allow you to experience more reliable outcomes.

Casey Cartwright is a passionate copyeditor highly motivated to provide compelling SEO content in the digital marketing space. Her expertise includes a vast range of industries from highly technical, consumer, and lifestyle-based, with an emphasis on attention to detail and readability.

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TAGS: Illinois business risk management, improving workplace safety strategies, financial planning for businesses, reducing operational risk exposure, employee training and compliance

Ackerman, Ploense and Wells advance out Catlin sectional to state

Three local athletes earned trips to the IHSA Girls Track and Field State Finals during sectional competition Wednesday night in Catlin. Oakwood’s Taylor Wells qualified in two events, while Armstrong’s Ashlyn Ackerman and Heritage’s Bre Ploense also advanced.

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CATLIN - Three area athletes extended their seasons Wednesday night at the IHSA Class 1A Catlin Sectional, earning trips to the IHSA Girls Track & Field State Finals scheduled for Thursday in Charleston.

Armstrong senior Ashlyn Ackerman advanced in the high jump, while Heritage junior Bre Ploense and Oakwood sophomore Taylor Wells each qualified in running events during competition hosted by Salt Fork.

Oakwood finished tied for 10th place in the team standings with Armstrong and Georgetown-Ridge Farm-Chrisman at 24 points. Heritage placed 13th with 18 points.

Bismarck-Henning captured the sectional championship with 118 points. Paxton-Buckley-Loda finished second at 72 points, while Clifton Central took third with 71.

Ackerman secured her return to state competition in the high jump, continuing her senior campaign for Armstrong.

Ploense punched her ticket to Charleston after placing third in the 200-meter dash with a qualifying time of 26.83 seconds. The Heritage sprinter will look to advance into next Saturday’s championship finals.

Wells qualified for state in two events for Oakwood. She earned an automatic berth in the 800-meter run after finishing second in 2 minutes, 24.38 seconds. Wells later added another state qualification by taking third in the 1,600-meter run to secure a second appearance in Thursday’s preliminary races.

The IHSA Girls Track & Field State Finals begin Thursday at Eastern Illinois University.

Here is a list of area athletes and their results, competing at the Catlin Sectional.

100M Dash
4. Bre Ploense, Heritage - 13.13
8. Leanne Snow, Oakwood - 13.46
14. Evie Johnson, Oakwood - 13.94
21. Laurilei Pierce, Salt Fork - 14.72
22. Willa Tatman, Heritage - 14.89

200M Dash
2. Brycie Hird, Salt Fork - 26.47
3. Bre Ploense, Heritage - 26.83
15. Leanne Snow, Oakwood - 28.95

21. Sloan Hoyt, Oakwood - 30.89
25. Aleyah Carley, Armstrong - 33.61

400M Run
11. Olivia Cravens, Oakwood - 1:08.46
14. Cala Reifsteck, Armstrong - 1:09.62
24. Willa Tatman, Heritage - 1:14.93
26. Kimber Sands, Heritage - 1:17.95

800M Run
2. Taylor Wells, Oakwood - 2:24.38
13. Emily Lancaster, Oakwood - 2:50.75
17. Aubrey Self, Armstrong - 2:58.80
19. Kimber Sands, Heritage - 3:17.87
24. Miley Pierce, Salt Fork - 3:50.37

1600M Run
3. Taylor Wells, Oakwood - 5:27.75
9. Amber Betzwiser, Oakwood - 6:24.40
11. ra Jones, Heritage - 6:33.08
12. Addyson Tholl, Armstrong - 6:33.33
13. Kayla Wernigk, Armstrong - 6:34.87

3200M Run
4. Addyson Tholl, Armstrong - 13:37.11
6. Emily Lancaster, Oakwood - 13:41.04
7. Amber Betzwiser, Oakwood - 13:42.85
8. Kayla Wernigk, Armstrong - 13:55.21
10. Kira Jones, Heritage - 14:55.15

100M Hurdles
16. Aleyah Carley, Armstrong - 20.63

300M Hurdles
14. Aleyah Carley, Armstrong - 1:03.14

4x100 RELAY
8. Oakwood - 57.71
(Evie Johnson, Kenzie Marcotte, Sloan Hoyt, Leanne Snow)

4x200 RELAY
6. Oakwood - 2:01.04
(Evie Johnson, Kenzie Marcotte, Sloan Hoyt, Leanne Snow)

4x400 RELAY
10. Armstrong - 5:33.70
(Aubrey Self, Kayla Wernigk, Cala Reifsteck, Addyson Tholl)

4x800 RELAY
4. Armstrong - 11:32.85
(Aubrey Self, Kayla Wernigk, Cala Reifsteck, Addyson Tholl)

5. Heritage - 12:33.95
(Kimber Sands, Kiara Jones, Willa Tatman, Reaghan Stierwalt)

SHOT PUT
6. Kalyn Miller, Heritage - 10.24
18. Mady Nicoson, Oakwood - 8.48
19. Emma Koontz, Oakwood - 8.42
20. Adisyn McCarty, Armstrong - 8.28
24. Erika Bonilla, Heritage - 6.89

DISCUS
6. Adisyn McCarty, Armstrong - 29.71
8. Aleyah Carley, Armstrong - 29.31
11. Mady Nicoson, Oakwood - 26.76
17. Kalyn Miller, Heritage - 24.21
27. Erika Bonilla, Heritage - 20.40

HIGH JUMP
3. Ashlyn Ackerman, Armstrong - 1.52
7. Chesney Franzen, Armstrong - 1.37
10. Sloan Hoyt, Oakwood - J 1.37
11. Kenzie Marcotte, Oakwood - 1.32

LONG JUMP
14. Chesney Franzen, Armstrong - 4.05
14. Willa Tatman, Heritage - 4.05

TRIPLE JUMP
7. Chesney Franzen, Armstrong - 9.17

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TAGS: IHSA Class 1A Catlin Sectional results, area athletes qualify for state track, Oakwood Taylor Wells state finals, Heritage Bre Ploense track results, Armstrong Ashlyn Ackerman high jump

Commentary | Black-majority districts face elimination in new Southern redistricting maps

New redistricting maps across several Southern states are drawing criticism from voting rights advocates who say they weaken Black political representation. The changes follow a recent Supreme Court ruling affecting the Voting Rights Act.

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Photo: Marion S. Trikosko/Library of Congress/Unsplash

by Jordan Liz
OtherWords

On May 8, the Republican-controlled legislature of Tennessee passed new redistricting maps that divide Memphis’s 63 percent Black population across three white-majority districts. This eliminates the state’s sole Black-majority district.

Republicans in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Georgia are similarly pushing redistricting maps that would decimate their majority-Black districts.

These moves come on the heels of the Supreme Court’s controversial decision in Louisiana v. Callais, which effectively killed Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. This was the latest in a decades-long effort by the Supreme Court to dismantle the law, reversing a signature accomplishment of the Civil Rights Movement.

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... people, regardless of race, vote for those they believe understand their problems and work to solve them.

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This systematic assault against the voting power of Black people is a deliberate attempt to deny them political representation and silence their voices.

Tennessee was admitted to the Union in 1796 but didn’t elect its first Black congressperson, Representative Harold Ford Sr. from Memphis, until 1974 — nearly 10 years after the passage of the Voting Rights Act. That Memphis-based district is the very one now being dismantled.

Without the Voting Rights Act and the racial gerrymandering it was designed to oppose, Ford may not have been elected.

Not because Black people only vote for candidates of color. It’s because people, regardless of race, vote for those they believe understand their problems and work to solve them. While we vote as individuals, the social, political, and economic challenges we face are deeply interwoven with the communities in which we live.

Black people are twice as likely as whites to face food insecurity and more likely to live in “food deserts.” This reality is inextricably tied to the continuing influence of slavery and Jim Crow.

This includes: “redlining,” whereby mortgages and insurance were denied to people in minority-majority neighborhoods; “racial covenants” that prohibited people of color from renting, buying, or occupying specific property; and segregation, which concentrated poverty and restricted social mobility.

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It is a government designed by the politicians for the politicians.

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These policies functioned for decades to keep Black communities underserved, underinvested, and underdeveloped. They are the foundation of the racial wealth gap that persists today. According to the National Community Reinvestment Coalition, in 2022 the median white household held $284,310 — more than six times the $44,100 held by the median Black household.

The racial wealth gap limits access to education, healthcare, and opportunities as well as food. Larger grocery stores are less willing to open stores in poor areas because they consider them less profitable. This is known as “supermarket redlining”and disproportionately impacts communities of color.

The fact of the matter is that, despite progress on these issues, people of color continue to be impacted by racism, colorism, Islamophobia, and xenophobia in ways that white people are not. Politicians pretending these problems no longer exist will only serve to widen racial inequalities.

Yet this is precisely what will occur if Republicans succeed in splitting the Black vote across multiple white-majority districts.

Right now, the Democrats are largely focused on counter-gerrymandering the Republicans in other states. This may help them win seats, but it won’t help the Black communities across the South that are being disenfranchised.

These political games must end. President John Adams once wrote that the House of Representatives “should be in miniature, an exact portrait of the people at large. It should think, feel, reason, and act like them.”

Gerrymandering, however, inverts this equation. Instead of the House reflecting the people, it reflects the will of the politicians who carve up districts to gain political power. It is a government designed by the politicians for the politicians.

We must put an end to racist and partisan gerrymandering. We must restore the Voting Rights Act. And ultimately, we must ensure that Black communities have the political representation they’ve earned via their blood, sweat, and tears.

Anything less is a betrayal of their struggle as well as the ideals of America’s Founders.

Jordan Liz is an Associate Professor of Philosophy at San José State University. He specializes in issues of race, immigration, and the politics of belonging. This op-ed was distributed by OtherWords.org.

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TAGS: voting rights Southern states redistricting maps, Black majority district elimination Tennessee, Supreme Court Voting Rights Act Section 2, racial gerrymandering and representation, Southern congressional district changes analysis

The Sentinel On This Day | May 15

Editor's choice ~

SJO grad and spiritual runner Jolee Paden, appointed director of operations post

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

ST. JOSEPH - Jolee Paden, who graduated from St. Joseph-Ogden High School in 2012, recently accepted a new role that will take her to the other side of the planet. Her new title and role as Director of Operations for Southeast Asia FCA will take her to Malaysia in a leadership role that offers an extraordinary opportunity to experience other cultures and promote the Christian organization's mission of leading "every coach and athlete into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and His church."

Read the article . . .

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Sentinel Article Archive for May 15

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TAGS: CDC issued new guidelines for schools, St. Joseph-Ogden baseball shuts out Mt. Zion, A bunch of tips to maintaining wood pallets, Illinois to launch incentive tuition program for college students

Viewpoint | Republicans defend White House ballroom plan amid security claims

A proposed White House ballroom expansion is being defended by Republicans as a security measure, but critics argue the justification masks a costly luxury project. The debate has sparked broader questions about priorities, spending, and political messaging.

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by Van Abbott
Guest Contributor

Republicans now expect Americans to believe the greatest threat to presidential security is insufficient ballroom space at the White House.

That claim insults common sense from the first syllable to the last.

President Trump spends enormous amounts of time at golf resorts, private clubs, fundraisers, and sprawling luxury properties where security teams must defend open terrain, moving crowds, tree lines, beaches, roads, kitchens, docks, guests, staff, and endless unpredictable variables. Yet Republicans now insist the republic itself hinges on constructing a taxpayer-funded ceremonial palace in Washington.

Apparently the assassins lurk near the appetizer table.

Senators Lindsey Graham, Katie Britt, and Eric Schmitt push the argument with almost comic determination. They insist a massive White House ballroom will reduce risk because presidents can host events on secure grounds instead of traveling elsewhere. Trump echoes the sales pitch, portraying the ballroom as a fortress disguised as a banquet hall.

The logic collapses instantly.

If the White House is safest, why does Trump constantly leave it? If security is paramount, why normalize exposure on golf courses while demanding public money for chandeliers and gala space? If this project is indispensable, why did previous presidents survive without a taxpayer-funded palace wing?

Because this is not about security.

It is about spectacle.

Republicans understand the power of the word “security.” The moment they invoke it, scrutiny softens, questions fade, wallets open. Security justifies everything. Security excuses everything. Security sanctifies everything.

That is the lie.

The proposal itself ballooned from a supposedly donor-funded improvement into a sprawling luxury complex whose total cost could approach a billion dollars once infrastructure, renovations, and security modifications are fully counted. The price grows, the promises shrink, the excuses multiply.

First came the ballroom. Then came the “enhancements.” Then came the “necessary security infrastructure.” Washington always speaks softly before it reaches for the taxpayer’s wallet.

And Republicans expect Americans to swallow all of it while lecturing working families about fiscal discipline.

They preach austerity to workers, restraint to retirees, sacrifice to families. Then they sprint toward taxpayer-funded opulence the instant Trump wants a grander stage.

The hypocrisy does not merely drip. It floods.

A party that once howled about deficits now treats public money like confetti at a coronation. Citizens are told the nation cannot afford expanded healthcare, affordable housing, modern infrastructure, stronger retirement protections, or struggling public schools. Scarcity always governs ordinary Americans. Abundance always appears for the powerful.

Not for schools.

Not for hospitals.

Not for citizens.

For a ballroom.

The symbolism could not be clearer if Republicans installed a gold throne beneath the chandelier.

They are not constructing a security project. They are constructing a monument. A monument to excess. A monument to ego. A monument to the transformation of conservatism from a philosophy of restraint into a personality cult draped in velvet and gold.

The ballroom Itself becomes an almost perfect metaphor for modern Republican politics. Ornate on the surface, hollow underneath. Loud, glittering, theatrical, expensive. A political Versailles where image matters more than principle and loyalty matters more than truth.

They wrap luxury in patriotism. They wrap vanity in fear. They wrap indulgence in the flag.

And still the contradictions pile higher than the marble columns they want taxpayers to finance.

Assassins do not hide in White House banquet halls waiting beside the shrimp cocktail. Threats emerge during travel, motorcades, public appearances, outdoor recreation, and unscripted movement through unsecured environments. Every security professional understands this. Republicans understand it too. That is precisely why the ballroom argument feels so cynical. They are not selling protection. They are selling prestige wrapped in patriotic packaging, a palace marketed as policy, excess repainted as emergency.

And that is what makes the ballroom lie so revealing. Republicans now demand that Americans confuse luxury with leadership, extravagance with patriotism, and a presidential palace with national security.

The ballroom Is not protection. It is propaganda wrapped in gold leaf.

About the author ~
Van Abbott is a long time resident of Alaska and California. He has held financial management positions in government and private organizations in California, Kansas, and Alaska. He is retired and writes Op-Eds as a hobby. He served in the Peace Corps in the late sixties. You can find more of his commentaries and comments on life in America on Substack.

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TAGS: White House ballroom controversy, Republican security argument criticism, Trump White House spending debate, political symbolism luxury government spending, Capitol political opinion analysis

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State launches incentive program to recruit young engineers amid workforce shortage

Illinois transportation officials are launching a student loan repayment program to attract and retain new engineers amid a nationwide workforce shortage. The initiative offers up to $60,000 in repayment assistance over four years for eligible employees.

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Photo: ThisisEngineering/Unsplash

The Rebuild Illinois program along with other workforce initiatives, including internships and apprenticeship partnerships with private industry, will repay up to $60,000 in student loans for selected engineers through a new IDOT pilot program aimed at young engineering talent.

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by Aidan Klineman
Medill Illinois News Bureau / Capitol News Illinois

SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Department of Transportation announced this week it will soon repay up to $60,000 in student loans for eligible employees over four years as part of an initiative to lure recently graduated engineers in an increasingly competitive job market.

The Higher Education Student Loan Repayment Assistance for Engineers Pilot Program will reimburse 50 Illinois-educated engineers up to $15,000 annually after four years of service at the agency. IDOT hopes to incentivize young talent to remain in the state and the field, citing data from the American Council of Engineering Companies that shows a national shortfall of approximately 20,000 engineers per year due to retirements or departures from the field.

“At a time when workforce challenges continue to impact the engineering industry and public sector alike, this initiative will help attract and retain the next generation of transportation professionals needed to deliver critical infrastructure projects across Illinois,” Kevin Artl, president and CEO of ACEC Illinois, said in a statement announcing the initiative.

The student loan repayment program is the latest effort by Gov. JB Pritzker and the state to spur economic growth by retaining young talent. In February, the Illinois Retail Merchants Association launched an apprenticeship program for emerging Illinois retailers, and late last month, Pritzker announced public and private partnerships with computing giant IBM that will bring 500 apprenticeships to the company’s new innovation hub located in Chicago’s quantum park.

The program is funded by IDOT, with funds allocated as part of the Pritzker administration’s ongoing Rebuild Illinois efforts and paid out as bonuses. Rebuild Illinois has made significant investments in Illinois infrastructure projects since fiscal year 2020.

Massive infrastructure investments augment engineering needs

State-employed engineers are needed to support the Rebuild Illinois infrastructure program, passed in the first year of the Pritzker administration in 2019 and continued since then. The latest six-year plan calls for investing $50.6 billion in infrastructure, including $32.5 billion for transportation projects exclusively: the construction and maintenance of roads, bridges, public transit, freight and passenger rail, aeronautic facilities and ports.

This is not the first time IDOT has targeted young engineering talent. Last year, the agency implemented an “Intern to Hire” program meant to attract college students to civil engineering internships with the department by providing direct pathways to full-time employment.

The need to fill engineering positions at IDOT is also driven, in part, by federal legislation encouraging new projects. In 2021, President Joe Biden signed the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which allocated over $17 billion to Illinois public works projects over five years. “We have more projects than ever at IDOT right now, thanks to the capital program and funding at the federal level,” Guy Tridgell, director of communications for IDOT, said. “And we need engineers to do that work.”

According to IDOT data, the state has invested over $24 billion in Illinois highway projects through Rebuild Illinois since the 2020 fiscal year. The state hopes young engineers will take advantage of these new jobs incentives and meet the demand for continued infrastructure investment.

Public sector recruitment for the long term

In addition to helping accomplish what Rebuild Illinois set out to do, Tridgell hopes the student loan repayment incentives will inspire young engineers to pursue long-term careers in public service.

“We’re aggressively taking a look at a variety of strategies to get young engineers, in particular, to come and work for the state,” Tridgell said. “It’s a good career — you learn a lot about the profession and you can make a real difference in your community.”

Sen. Ram Villivalam, D-Chicago, initially sponsored legislation calling for the program. He said he hoped the incentives would encourage students to pursue engineering careers with reduced financial pressure.

“We know that access to higher education is challenging,” Villivalam told Capitol News Illinois. “So making sure that young students and folks looking at different career opportunities understand that there are tools available to them to make it more affordable, make it more accessible to pursue a career in engineering.”

Republican Leader proposes scholarships amid delay

In addition to the Pritzker administration's IDOT loan repayment program, Republicans are also working to assist the creation of new engineers for the state.

Senate Republican Leader John Curran, R-Downers Grove, is a lead sponsor of Senate Bill 3855, which would create scholarship and living stipend incentives for engineering students attending Illinois public universities at the front end of their higher education careers. Curran supports the student loan repayments in addition to his own proposal, but noted that the repayments have been delayed.

“I’m glad they’re moving forward with it. It’s well past time,” Curran told Capitol News Illinois. “We are behind on capital.”

Similar to the student repayment plan, Curran’s scholarship bill requires eligible students to commit to working for IDOT for at least three years. He argues that scholarships would unlock more opportunities for students and help assuage financial concerns that arise from college decisions sooner.

“It is a way to help not only lock them in early, but also a pathway to pay for school,” Curran said. “It’s a win-win.”

Curran’s bill was assigned to committee and is currently awaiting a hearing, with a deadline of Friday.

Aidan Klineman is an undergraduate student in journalism with Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, Media and Integrated Marketing Communications, and is a fellow in its Medill Illinois News Bureau working in partnership with Capitol News Illinois.

Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service that distributes state government coverage to hundreds of news outlets statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation.

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TAGS: Illinois engineering student loan program, IDOT workforce recruitment initiative, Rebuild Illinois infrastructure funding jobs, engineering shortage Illinois public sector, state loan repayment engineering incentive

Food safety certification course planned in Danville, Gilman and Champaign

Food service workers and aspiring culinary professionals can earn food safety certification through upcoming University of Illinois Extension training sessions in Danville, Gilman and Champaign. The one-day course prepares participants for the nationally accredited certification exam.

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by Sentinel News Service
Sentinel News Service

CHAMPAIGN — Food service workers, managers and aspiring culinary professionals can sharpen their kitchen safety knowledge this year through a certified food safety training course offered by the University of Illinois Extension.

The one-day Certified Food Protection Manager Course will be offered at three locations across east-central Illinois, including Danville, Gilman and Champaign. The course is open to adults and youth ages 15 and older and is designed to meet Illinois Department of Public Health requirements while preparing participants for the accredited American National Standards Institute exam.

Participants will receive instruction on key food safety practices based on the FDA Food Code. Topics covered include food contamination prevention, employee health and hygiene, safe food handling procedures, cleaning and sanitizing methods and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point, or HACCP, principles.

Each training session runs from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and attendees must complete the full day of instruction to qualify for the certification exam.

Training dates and locations include:

• June 1 at the Vermilion County Extension Office, 3164 N. Vermilion St., Danville
• July 27 at the Ford-Iroquois Counties Extension Office, 1380 S. Crescent St., Gilman
• Dec. 1 at the Champaign County Farm Bureau Auditorium, 801 N. Country Fair Drive, Champaign

The registration fee is $100 for adults and $60 for youth participants. The cost includes educational materials, the certification exam and lunch.

Because seating is limited, advance registration is required.

Additional information and registration details are available at go.illinois.edu/CFPM-CFIV.

Those needing reasonable accommodations to participate may contact Rachel Mannen at rmannen@illinois.edu.

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TAGS: Illinois food safety certification course, University of Illinois Extension training, Certified Food Protection Manager class, food service safety training Illinois, HACCP certification course east central Illinois