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Listen to Beth M. Howard s commentary
Started by Phyllis Farley Rippey, a political science professor at WIU, and Judy Kohler, who was part of the Macomb Feminist Network, the “Women’s Voices” series went dormant for several years until 2015, when Janice Welsch, with the help of Heather McIlvaine, Rebekah Buchanan, and Barbara Lawhorn, brought it back.
“We need more women speaking up within Macomb and our vicinity,” urges Janice, who taught film studies, women’s studies, and cultural diversity at the college before retiring 15 years ago. “Every issue is a woman’s issue, even when we don’t get equal perspective on it. We need to build the confidence of women to take on more political positions and work with the community.”
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But Sadler added the pandemic has harmed some businesses and workers. He said America has a largely service-oriented economy, a transformation that’s been underway for decades.
“The projections are that a lot of small businesses may not make it throughout the course of the pandemic and many have already closed throughout the country,” Sadler said.
He said restaurants, coffeehouses, and movie theaters are examples of small, service-oriented businesses that have been hit especially hard as consumers have adapted to the pandemic.
“Instead of going to movies, we’re watching stuff on Netflix. And instead of going to restaurants, we’re ordering carryout.”
Tri States Public Radio tspr.org - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from tspr.org Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Rich Egger
The Macomb School District is one step closer to breaking ground for its new middle school just south of the current junior-senior high school.
.The Board of Education agreed to hire Hein Construction Company to build the school. The company, which has offices in Galesburg and Peoria, submitted the low bid of $17.8 million. Superintendent Patrick Twomey said that was the low bid by more than $1 million.
“It was more than I wanted to spend but less than I thought it would be. It’s kind of in that happy sweet spot. It’s very doable for us financially and we’re just ready to move ahead now and get dirt moving and a middle school built,” said Dr. Twomey.