Waking up on Wednesday, I was prepared to spend the morning poring over all the results from the day before. What I didn’t anticipate was that my world would be rocked by a story from the New York Times entitled “Cesar Chavez, a Civil Rights Icon, Is Accused of Abusing Girls for Years.”

Waking up on Wednesday morning after the Illinois Primary election, I was prepared to spend the morning poring over all the results from the day before. What I didn’t anticipate was that my world would be rocked by a story from the New York Times entitled “Cesar Chavez, a Civil Rights Icon, Is Accused of Abusing Girls for Years.”

I am writing this on, March 18, 2026, to explain to my colleagues and friends my regret and utter disgust in what I now know to be the real Cesar Chavez. 

Anyone, having visited my Springfield office, will have noticed the picture on my wall (not anymore, however) of myself with Cesar Chavez at a press conference, probably around 1972 to 1973.  I would have been 23 or 24 years old. I was a staff member of the National Farm Worker Ministry, having joined while in seminary in Dayton, Ohio, and working with the UFW.

I was proud to tell people that I had worked for the farmworkers’ movement and Cesar Chavez for six years.  In fact, I met my wife, Nora, in Cleveland in 1973, where I was the director of the United Farm Workers Boycott office.  (The boycott of lettuce and grapes, was the economic tool used by Cesar to bring growers to the table to negotiate union contracts for farmworkers). After our marriage in 1976, we moved to New York City, where I took over as director of the boycott there.  While in New York, I was able to work with Fred Ross, the person who found Cesar in California in the early 1960’s and taught him and everyone else in the union about organizing. Fred was a protégé of Saul Alinsky. It was also in New York that our first daughter was born. 

In 1977, we moved to La Paz, the UFW's headquarters, where I served as the National Farm Worker Ministry director of the California Division.  Nora and I lived in a mobile home in La Paz, because we had a family at that point.  We had many friends in La Paz.  Nora became involved in community-building activities for the community and its staff members. 

We ended up leaving the farm workers in the summer of 1978, after realizing that living on $10 a week, plus room and board, was not something we wanted to do for the rest of our lives.  And so, we moved to Peoria, to work at Peoria Friendship House of Christian Service.  They wanted an ordained minister/community organizer to work on Peoria’s Near Northside neighborhood.

The New York Times article listed many of the people with whom we lived and worked. We were all devoted to Cesar and the cause of bringing justice and dignity to America’s farmworkers.  He was bigger than life to most of us.  He would break his nationally publicized fasts, which he did to bring attention to the plight of farmworkers, with notables like Bobby Kennedy, and Coretta Scott King. 

The UFW became a powerful political force, helping Jerry Brown become Governor of California and other politicos in the 1970’s. Hollywood was also no stranger to Cesar and the UFW.  I remember, during a California ballot proposition regarding farmworkers, going to rallies and seeing Kris Kristofferson and Sissy Spacek lending their support.

And so, to hear that the current leadership of the UFW was suspending all celebration activities for Cesar’s birthday on March 31st, I knew there was something to the story.  When women say they were raped and abused, we need to believe them. When I read about Dolores Huerta and the abuses that occurred to her and to the girls who were his victims, I believe it. 

This has been one of the saddest days in my memory.  My hero and idol just came crashing down off his pedestal. I don’t regret spending six years of my life working for the cause of farmworkers, because it is still important.  But I do regret having put so much faith, trust and admiration in a man who will now go down in history as a pedophile and a rapist.

PEORIA – State Senator Dave Koehler announced that the Illinois Commerce Commission has approved multiple projects to improve highway-rail safety in the Peoria Metro Area totaling over $3 million.

“This needed project will help protect and alert all Peoria residents driving across the tracks and will help prevent further railway disasters,” said Koehler (D-Peoria). “Updating our infrastructure to make it safe and simplified is one small update that impacts the well-being of all residents in the area.”

The improvements will be made at County Line Road near Bureau; Lincoln Street in Henry; Main Street, Edmund Street, Williams Street, and Western Avenue in Marshall County; at East Fairview Street and East Resthaven Road near Mossville; Detweiler Golf Road in Peoria; and at Marine Drive in Peoria.

 “These projects will prevent issues for every driver going across the tracks in our area, from tourists to locals,” Koehler said. “Illinois is finding ways to help our communities, and this is another great step to improve safety measures in Peoria.”

People can visit the Illinois Commerce Commission’s website more information on the Crossing Safety Improvement Program.

The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity has announced a second round of Tourism Attractions & Festivals Grants. This is a fantastic opportunity for communities in Central Illinois to develop and enhance tourism attractions and special events. The deadline to apply is Sept. 23.

This list includes the new round of Tourism Attractions & Festivals Grants, as well as other state and federal grants, including theSafe Streets and Roads for All program from the US Department of Transportation.

State Grants

NEW! Tourism Attractions & Festivals Grant Program

What: The Tourism Attraction and Festivals Grant program will help develop new or enhance existing tourism attractions located across the state – including but not limited to museums, state parks, historical sites, events, performances, and festivals. The funds may be utilized for capital projects, equipment, training, transportation, housing, receptions, entertainment, photography, temporary housing, and interpretive programs.  The goal of the program is to attract additional visitors and overnight stays that will bring foot traffic to communities across Illinois. 

Potential Applicants: Units of local government, nonprofits, local promotion groups, and businesses.

How Much: $15 million total. $5 million for festivals and events, and $10 million for attractions. Awards range from $15,000 to $500,000. Matching not required for nonprofits and local governments, but preference will be given to those providing matching funds. 75% match required for businesses.

Deadline: Sept. 23, 2022

Apply: Information can be found HERE.

Connect Illinois Broadband Grant Program

What:  Connect Illinois seeks to achieve ubiquitous broadband access for homes, businesses, and community anchor institutions. Applications should be classified under one of three categories: (a) Broadband Access for in unserved or underserved areas; (b) Broadband Innovation for economic development; or (c) Urban Broadband for expanded access and/or innovation in qualified Illinois cities. All Connect Illinois projects must include infrastructure expansion scalable to speeds of at least 100 Mbps download and 100 Mbps upload upon deployment. Allowable costs include network design, project planning, equipment, construction, and deployment of middle mile and/or last mile infrastructure.

Potential Applicants:  Businesses, nonprofits, cooperatives, school districts, and local governments. Proposals covering unserved and/or underserved areas are eligible for Connect Illinois grant funding.

How Much: $350 million total, maximum grant size of $10 million. Preference given for a 50% match, but it is not required for an application to be competitive.

Deadline:  Rolling through 2024, or until funds are depleted

Apply: Information can be found HERE.

Federal Grants

More can be found on DCEO’s website.

Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant Program

What:  The Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) program funds regional and local initiatives through grants to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries. Entities can apply for Action Plan Grants and Implementation Grants. These grants can be used to develop or update a comprehensive safety Action Plan; conduct planning, design, and development activities in support of an Action Plan; and carry out projects and strategies identified in an Action Plan.

Potential Applicants:  Metropolitan planning organizations, local governments, and transit agencies.

How Much: $200,000 to $50,000,000

Deadline:  Sept. 15, 2022

Apply: Information can be found HERE.

SBA Service-Disabled Veteran Entrepreneurship Training Program

What:  The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is providing funding to organizations to build capacity, market, and deliver their existing entrepreneurship programs to service-disabled veterans who aspire to be small business owners or currently own a small business.

Potential Applicants:  Non-profits, businesses, institutions of higher education. Must demonstrate a history of entrepreneurship training for veterans.

How Much: $50,000 to $150,000

Deadline:  Aug. 18, 2022

Apply: Information can be found HERE.

EDA Economic Development Research and National Technical Assistance Program

What:  Grants under these programs are designed to leverage existing regional assets and support the implementation of economic development strategies that advance new ideas and creative approaches to advance economic prosperity in distressed communities. These grants seek to promote critical, cutting-edge research and best practices with practitioners in the economic development field. They also support a small number of projects that provide technical assistance at a national scope.

Potential Applicants:  Local governments, institutions of higher education, nonprofits, individuals, or for-profit organizations.

How Much: $1.5 million

Deadline:  Rolling

Apply: Information can be found HERE.

Through the Restore Illinois plan, many resources are available to families and communities across Illinois in an effort to help the state recover from the COVID-19 crisis. Please read below to learn about ongoing recovery efforts, including support for impacted businesses, local communities and units of government, and support for local residents for workforce training and rental assistance.

Economic Recovery
Back to Business Grants
The Back to Business program will distribute grants to promote recovery for small businesses hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic. To be eligible, businesses must have had revenues below $20 million in 2019 (below $35 million for hotels) and a reduction in revenue in 2020 due to COVID-19. Priority will be given to businesses in the hardest-hit sectors, business located in Disproportionately Impacted Areas, and businesses that have not yet received COVID-related state or federal assistance. Applications opened on August 18th. Businesses looking to apply or obtain additional information, may refer to the Back to Business page of the DCEO web site.

Rebuild Downtowns & Main Streets Grants
Rebuild Downtowns & Main Streets will provide capital grants to support economic recovery in downtowns that have experienced disinvestment, particularly in communities hardest-hit by COVID-19. Private businesses, nonprofit organizations, and local units of government are eligible to apply. Applications opened on September 10th and will close on January 10th. To apply or obtain more information, see the Notice of Funding Opportunity on DCEO’s web site.

Community Navigators
The Community Navigator program leverages 100+ community partners to help small businesses connect with emergency resources during the pandemic by investing in grassroots, community-based organizations. The program meets businesses where they are, providing tools and resources to help them apply for programs and assisting them to access to additional business support services. More information, as well as a search tool to find a community navigator near you, is available at the DCEO website.

Tourism Attractions & Festivals Grants
The Tourism Attraction and Festivals Grant program will help develop new or enhance existing tourism attractions located across the state. Eligible applicants include units of local government and not-for-profit and for-profit organizations. Funds may be utilized for capital projects, equipment, training, transportation, housing, receptions, entertainment, photography, and interpretive programs. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until funds are depleted. For more information, please see the Notice of Funding Opportunity.

Local Government Support
Local CURE
Through the Local CURE program, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity has had the authority to cover costs incurred by local governments for emergency COVID-19 related expenses. Initially designed to cover eligible expenses from March 2020 through December 2020, the program has been extended to encompass expenditures through December 31, 2021. Program participants must submit reimbursement requests through https://dceocures.powerappsportals.com/. For additional information, you can review the Program Manual, visit the Local CURE Reporting Portal FAQs, or contact the Local CURE Support Team either through the Portal Help Desk or via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Non-Entitlement Units
The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 appropriated funding to States for distribution to non-entitlement units of local government. Funds can be used to cover revenue losses and the costs of responding to the COVID-19 public health emergency or to its negative economic impact. The full list of elegible municipalities and allotments can be found here. To assist local governments as they claim their allotments, the State of Illinois has established The NEU Portal. Authorized representatives from each NEU can log into the portal, request their allotment and download all the required Treasury documentation. The NEU portal will close September 30th. Per Treasury guidance, NEUs that do not claim their allotments by that time will lose their allotments, which will be distributed to other NEUs as soon as early October. Information on NEU payments can be found on DCEO’s NEU site, including the payment status of specific local governments.

Housing and Humanitarian Assistance
Rental Assistance Program
The Rental Assistance Program, offered by the Illinois Department of Human Services through local community agency partners, is intended to keep families stably housed and prevent high incidents of evictions due to COVID-19. Illinois renters may be eligible for assistance if the tenant has experienced financial hardship due to the pandemic, is behind on rent and/or is at risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability, and qualifies as low income. To apply, residents can visit https://www.illinoisrentalassistance.org/providers, find a provider nearby, and contact them. The provider will help residents determine eligibility and will help to submit an application.