At a time of Roman occupation and social unrest, when honor, shame, lineage, and strict religious law governed daily life, Jesus ascended a hillside in Galilee, sat down, and delivered a teaching that redefined power itself. The Sermon on the Mount was not simply a religious teaching; it offered a redefinition of power in a world where peace was maintained by threat and order was guaranteed through force. Alongside imperial rule, one of the primary mechanisms of social contro

For those who do not know what I’m about, let me introduce myself… My name is Annika O’Melia. I grew up in Rock Island, Illinois. I attended Eugene Field Elementary School, Washington Junior High School, and Rock Island High School. My fondest memories of high school are playing basketball with my teammates and falling in love with my husband. Technically, my first job was at Circa ’21 when I was in sixth grade, playing the Pepper/Duffy swing in Annie . In high school, I work

(City-Only Costs and Returns, 10-Year Perspective) Purpose This policy brief examines the return on investment (ROI to the City of Rock Island) from two comparable potential public policy choices: Subsidizing Sunset Marina , a recreational amenity serving approximately 200 boats . Investing in rapid housing stabilization  for approximately 200 people  experiencing homelessness. This brief is not an argument against Sunset Marina. The marina is a beautiful, distinctive riverfr

January 10, 2025 By Annika O’Melia annika@rockislandline.com (updated to say Illinois Attorney General's Office, not State's Attorney's Office) An Illinois Attorney General's Office letter urging Rock Island to rescind its Social Service License Ordinance is forthcoming, according to Illinois State Representative Gregg Johnson. A source with direct knowledge of the matter, who requested anonymity, said Johnson informed Rock Island city leaders—including Mayor Ashley Harris an