Selected State Reports

State Documents

■ "Newspapers in the Illinois State Historical Library," Illinois Libraries, vol. 61, no. 2 (February 1979), 114pp.

Since its inception in 1959 the Historical Library's newspaper microfilm program has acquired over 55,000 reels; in addition the library receives over 300 current newspapers on a subscription basis. This volume contains a list of Illinois files by county; library holdings of Illinois, out-of-state, and foreign papers; and soldier and ordnance papers (from the Mexican War, Civil War, Spanish-American War, both world wars and the postwar period) and campaign newspapers. There is also a list of missing issues for Illinois and out-of-state papers which the library is seeking.

■ Computer Crime: Its Setting and the Need for Deterrent Legislation, by Stanley L. Sokolik for Data Information Systems Commission (April 12, 1979), 72pp.

Just as our dependence on the computer has increased in recent years, so too has computer crime grown. Although specific data on the problem are sketchy, there is a growing realization that steps need to be taken to deal with it. To date, two states have passed laws and at least two others have considered legislation on this issue. In addition, the Federal Computer Systems Protection Act is being given serious consideration. The author of this report feels that Illinois needs legislation of its own to further protect against computer crimes and explains why a specific bill (H.B. 1027) should be passed.

■ The Illinois Property Tax System, available from Department of Local Government Affairs, 303 East Monroe Street, Springfield, 62706 20pp.

This booklet is designed to provide a basic introduction to the property tax system for the average taxpayer. It begins with 10 of the questions most frequently asked by taxpayers and also includes sections on such issues as the property tax cycle and the appeals process.

■ Economic Impact Studies: The Second Year in Review, by Michael Friedman, Institute of Natural Resources, Doc. no. 79/04 (February 1979), 60pp.

Public Act 79-790, which became law in 1975, is an amendment to the Illinois Environmental Protection Act; it requires the preparation of economic analyses of all proposals presented to the Illinois Pollution Control Board. At the time of this report, 29 such analyses had been prepared, covering air, water and solid waste issues. The report summarizes these analyses, discusses some of the technical and institutional problems of administering P.A. 79-790, suggests a number of ways to overcome obstacles to economic analysis and makes some proposals for future economic assessments.

Other Reports

■     "Team Policing and Police Services: An Experiment that Works," by Peter F. Nardulli, Illinois Government Research (Institute of Government and Public Affairs, University of Illinois, 1201 W. Nevada St., Urbana, 61801), no. 48 (April 1979), 6pp.

During the past two decades police departments throughout the United States have undergone marked changes, partly in answer to rapidly changing circumstances. One innovation has been the concept of team policing which is characterized by geographic exclusivity, a community-service orientation, decentralization of authority and functions, and enhanced roles for patrolmen. This paper reports on the team policing effort undertaken by the Champaign Police Department. Begun in April 1977, it has clearly improved citizen perceptions of the police and their evaluations of police services. The major dissappointment is the fact that team policing has had no perceptible impact on the level of crime itself, although it may be too early to tell.

■    Historic Illinois. This is a new publication (the April 1979 issue is numbered vol. 1, no 6.); it is published bimonthly and distributed free of charge by the division of historic sites, Illinois Department of Conservation, 405 East Washington Street, Springfield, Ill. 62706. Each issue contains articles on buildings, towns and projects of historic interest as well as people involved in preservation work and information about funds for rehabilitation or preservation endeavors. A useful and extremely attractive newsletter.

■    Center for Urban Affairs: The First Decade, 1968-1978, Center for Urban Affairs at Northwestern University, 2040 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Ill. 60601 (available from the center).

This 10-year history of the Urban Affairs Center at Northwestern chronicles some of the changes the center has undergone, describes the many projects undertaken by faculty and students associated with the center, and discusses the academic programs and community involvement engaged in by center faculty. A complete list of past and present staff and students is included as well as all publications.

■    History of the Illinois Association of Park Districts by Marjorie M. Dickinson, 68pp. Available from IAPD, 300 East Monroe Street, Suite 206, Springfield, Ill. 62701 ($8.00).

This special commemorative publication celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Illinois Association of Park Districts was written by the association's executive director emeritus. It includes historical, legislative and general operations material as well as important details of the development of park, forest preserve and conservation districts.

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. Items listed under Other Reports may be obtained through the issuing agency or publisher. /A.J.M.

February 1980/Illinois Issues/23