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State Documents

• Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about Stale Taxes, House Republican Committee Staff (June 1978), 9pp.

This brief report includes a list of state taxes and tax rates, the chapter and section of each enabling statute, the funds where the revnues are deposited, actual receipts in fiscal 1977 and the first seven months in fiscal 1978, and revenue projections by the Bureau of the Budget for the fiscal years 1978 and 1979. It also lists 34 major mandated state and local exemptions, adjustments and rebates on the property tax.

• Crime in Illinois, 1977, Department of Law Enforcement, Division of Support Services, Bureau of Identification (August 1978), !81pp.

During calendar year 1977, law enforcement agencies reported 538,840 index offenses, which include both violent crimesfmurder, forcible rape, robbery and aggravated assault) and property crimes (burglary, larceny/theft and vehicle theft). This represents a 3.9 percent decrease from 1976; violent crimes accounted for 9.36 percent of the index and property crimes accounted for 90.64 percent. Since 1972 the largest decrease in violent crimes was in the category of robbery. These and other crime statistics are contained in the 51 tables presented in this extensive report, which is divided into five sections: crime trends, crime index 1977/1976, standard metropolitan statistical areas, offense and clearance data, and law enforcement agency information. More specific agency information is available upon request from the Department of Law Enforcement, Division of Support Services, Bureau of Identification, 1035 Outer Park Drive West, Springfield, 111. 62704.

• Troublesome Federal Mandates: Implied Consent and the 55 mph Limit, House Republican Committee Staff (June 1978), 35pp.

Part one of this report discusses the key features of the implied consent law, the rights of the accused, and the relationship between alcohol and fatal accidents; it also provides enforcement statistics and proposes eight revisions in the Illinois implied consent statute. Part two discusses the penalties for violation of the 55 miles per hour speed limit and the public's attitude toward it, looks into the question of reduced fatalities, energy savings, and federal efforts to encourage compliance. The report suggests both a direct and an indirect form of confronting the federal mandate. The former might result in loss of federal aid highway dollars. Even the latter might ultimately create a sense of disrespect for the law among Illinois citizens.

• Illinois Teacher Supply and Demand 1976-1977, State Board of Education, Illinois Office of Education (winter 1977), 129pp.

The IOE regularly collects, analyzes and reports data on the supply and demand of teachers at the elementary, secondary and postsecondary levels. Recent conditions, primarily economic, have increased the importance of these data. The main purposes of this report are to analyze and document recent trends in teacher supply and demand in order to help with future decision making. Policy implications and recommendations are also included.

• The Status of School District Organization in the Slate of Illinois, by the School Organization and Facilities Section for the Illinois School Problem Commission (no date), 75pp.

As of July 1, 1976, there were 1,030 school districts in the state of Illinois compared to a total of 1,279 in July 1968. This report discusses the history of school consolidation in this state, lists laws that have been enacted by the 78th and 79th General Assemblies along with bills proposed for the 80th. The major portion of the report is devoted to 17 tables showing such things as "Coterminous Districts by County,""Elementary Districts with Less Than 100 Enrollment" and "Special Education Housing Grants for 1974-75."

• A Hearing on the Business Climate in Illinois, Illinois Economic and Fiscal Commission (March 1978), 109pp.

Testimony was given by five representatives of the business community as well as then Chicago Mayor Bilandic. All agreed that Illinois has an historically strong economy and that it provides numerous natural advantages to businesses. Nonetheless, there are problems; among those most frequently mentioned were the need for a sales tax exemption on purchases of machinery and equipment, the cost of Workmen's Compensation and Unemployment Compensation insurance, and the need for a more active state presence in helping new firms to locate in Illinois.

• Campaign Disclosure: Manual of Instructions, State Board of Elections (no date), 58pp.

This manual provides answers to numerous questions, such as, "Who to call if you have questions" and "Who is required to file?" It also discusses a treasurer's responsibilities, a recommended bookkeeping system, and the special instructions for the statement of organization and the report of campaign contributions. Over half of the report is devoted to examples of how to complete various statements, reports and schedules.

• An Illinois Environmental Issue: Water Resources and Coal Mining, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Bulletin No. 1 (no date), 16pp.

The size and location of Illinois coal deposits as well as the state's water resource conditions provide unique advantages for the mining industry. At present, the industry plans expansion of existing mines and several new mining ventures. Coal companies in the state have not maintained records of water pollution control costs and claim that compliance with regulations is too costly. Comparisons with other states show that Illinois regulations are less stringent. The state EPA encourages development of coal resources in numerous ways, and the hope is that with advance planning, environmentally sensitive areas can be identified and environmental protection built into the mining plan at reasonable costs and sometimes without adding significant additional costs.

• Report of the Subcommittee on Radioactive Waste Management of the Illinois Commission on Atomic Energy (February 1978), 15pp.

Illinois is one of the leading states in the nation in nuclear power production. At present, there are seven commercial power reactors in the state; eight more are under construction. The subcommittee looked into the development, operation, and regulation of the Sheffield Nuclear Waste Disposal Site and the General Electric Morris Operation. Both were found to be operating within the bounds of existing regulations. The subcommittee expressed a need for a national policy on radioactive waste disposal and the treatment of spent reactor fuel. It is felt that both facilities will be safe and adequate until such a policy is developed.

Other Reports

• "Modernizing County Government Without Home Rule," by James M. Banovetz, Policy Studies (Center for Governmental Studies, Northern Illinois University), vol. 3, no. 4 (summer 1978), 4pp.

Although the 1970 Constitution provides the mechanism for much needed reforms at the county government level, such reforms have in fact not taken place. This is, in large measure, because the home-rule provisions that were intended as inducements to reform have turned out to be impediments. The author suggests that a new strategy is needed that might include reorganization of county government in one of several ways, and urges the General Assembly to provide the necessary leadership in considering structural reform.

• "Illinois Municipalities: Where Have All the Voters Gone?" by Oliver Walter and Albert Karnig, Illinois Government Research (Institute of Government and Public Affairs, University of Illinois, 1201 W. Nevada St., Urbana, HI. 61801), no. 47 (November 1978), 5pp.

The percentage of eligible voters participating in municipal elections in Illinois has dropped sharply during the last three decades. This study explores some of the reasons that may account for that drop. The authors suggest that between 1930 and 1950 there was a shift away from a perceived reliance on local government toward an increased dependence on the federal government; this was accompanied by a shift in citizen interest away from the local newspaper to nationwide television. Since the 1960's there has been an increase in political apathy and distrust of government in general. It is these forces, which are beyond the powers of municipal government to control, that have made the decline in voter participation inevitable.

Items listed under State Documents have been received by the Documents Unit, Illinois State Library, Springfield, and are usually available from public libraries in the state through inter-library loan./ A.J. M.

June 1979 / Illinois Issues / 29