Selected State Reports

State Documents

■ The Illinois Tax Rate & Levy Manual, Department of Commerce and Community Affairs, 222 S. College, Springfield 62706 (December 1979), 63pp.

The purpose of the manual is to help local officials of non-home rule units of government realize available sources of revenue. Tax levies available only to the Chicago Park District, Chicago School District and the Chicago Sanitary District are not included.

■ Opportunities in State Government: Illinois legislative and Executive Commissions, Boards and Committees to Which Public Appointments are Made (February 1980): available from Rep. Harold A. Katz, 2119 Stratton Bldg., Springfield 62706.

This publication, nicknamed the "Goodie Book," lists 53 legislative and 249 executive commissions, boards and committees, with phone numbers, number of public appointments, appointing authority, term of appointment and compensation of members. It also provides fiscal year 1979 appropriations for the legislative commissions listed. A copy of the book was sent to each public library in the state.

■ Report and Interim Recommendations, Commission for Economic Development, 222 S. College, Springfield 62706 (March 30, 1980), 58pp.

This is the second even-year report by the commission. It covers four major areas: statutory revisions (as in the field of workers' compensation and unemployment insurance), international business (emphasis on agriculture, investments and exports), new and expanded programs (covering such areas as railroads and tourism), and potential community and neighborhood re-vitalization programs (such as job training and youth unemployment). Other issues will be reviewed in the coming year and included in the January 1981 report.

■ Trails in Illinois Guide, Department of Conservation (1979), 115pp.

Trails on both Department of Conservation and nondepartment lands are included in this guide. Specific categories covered are: bicycle, canoe, cross-country ski, equestrian, handicapped, hiking, interpretive, motorcycle and O.R.V., multiple use, snowmobile, walk-in camping and backpacking.

Other Reports

■ The 1980 Ready Reference in Unemployment Insurance, updated source material published by the Illinois State Chamber of Commerce, available for $3.50 plus 6% tax from Patti Cummings, Center for Business Management, 20 N. Wacker, Chicago 60606.

The book explains the latest unemployment insurance law revisions, regulations, forms and other information to aid employers in minimizing these taxes.

■ Guide to Smoke-Free Eating, published by Illinois Interagency Council on Smoking and Disease and available free from any local Lung or Heart Association and the Cancer Society.

This booklet lists in alphabetical order by community those restaurants in Illinois that have smoke-free areas.

■ "Black Politics in Chicago: The Quest for Leadership, 1939-1979," by William J. Grimshaw for Urban Insights Series (No. 4, February 1980), 40pp. Available from Center for Urban Policy, Loyola University of Chicago, 820 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago 60611. ($2.50)

Contrary to conventional wisdom, black voters in Chicago are neither apathetic nor unquestioning supporters of the Democratic machine. The author points out that throughout the years blacks have shown considerable sophistication, have voted for Republicans as well as Democrats, and since the 1960's have given strong support to independents.

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.

November 1980/Illinois Issues/11