Author Archives: GaryStorm

Should Champaign County Create a “Public Bank” to Promote Local Economic and Community Development

Posted on 05/19/2017 by GaryStorm

Born and raised in Urbana, Gary is a retired Dean and Professor of Education and Social Justice at the University of Illinois at Springfield (UIS)   A Champaign County Public Bank could receive deposits from county-based residents, businesses, hospitals, institutions … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics | Comments Off on Should Champaign County Create a “Public Bank” to Promote Local Economic and Community Development

Important Questions Related to the Steven Salaita Case at the U of I

Posted on 11/13/2014 by GaryStorm

For university faculty, when, if ever, is speech that includes what may be perceived as vulgar, discourteous or uncivil language protected from putative action by university administrators and/or boards of trustees? Is speech which uses such language, even swear words, … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Voices of Color | Comments Off on Important Questions Related to the Steven Salaita Case at the U of I

Preparing Youth for Democracy

Posted on 03/22/2012 by GaryStorm

Preparing Youth for Democracy (edited) By Gary Storm My wife, Jamie, and I were recently invited to participate in an international conference sponsored by “Initiatives of Change” (IOC) in Panchgani, India. The conference was called “Making Democracy Real–A Dialogue”, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, Youth | Comments Off on Preparing Youth for Democracy

Progressive Voice Needs Clearer Expression Prior to the 2012 Elections

Posted on 08/23/2011 by GaryStorm

Progressive Voice Needs Clearer Expression Prior to the 2012 Elections Progressives need make a much simpler and more direct case for their positions going into the Fall 2012 elections. Tea Party advocates have managed to capture the rhetoric being used … Continue reading →

Posted in Labor/Economics, Politics | Comments Off on Progressive Voice Needs Clearer Expression Prior to the 2012 Elections

The Economic Crisis, Greed, and a New Society

Posted on 11/01/2008 by GaryStorm

The current crisis in the credit markets and its impacts on the larger economy have got me thinking about whether it is simply greed that ultimately explains current events or whether there is a need for systemic change in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Labor/Economics | Leave a comment

A Brief History of Instant Runoff Voting in Urbana Municipal Elections

Posted on 08/01/2008 by GaryStorm

IN SPRING 2007, A GROUP OF URBANA CITIZENS decided to examine the vitality of our local electoral system. The health of a democracy can be measured by the number of candidates who run for office, the number of candidates who … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment