'In a desperate time'

Freeport, the northwestern Stephenson County seat, exemplifies the Illinois that Gov. James R. Thompson described in his State of the State message. "We are still blessed with the abundance of nature, history and our own efforts after 169 years of struggle to turn prairie into progress," Thompson said. The city best known as the site of an 1858 Lincoln-Douglas debate fits that description.

Despite its optimistic self-reliance, another Illinois quality noted by Thompson, the heavily Republican city and its surrounding area confront problems plaguing other parts of the state. Freeport educators, like others across Illinois, talk of the probable need for a tax increase to maintain education reform. Social services, mental health and business development all require more attention, too, and in some cases more money. A recent United Way survey in Freeport identified social service needs among adolescents, the poor and victims of physical abuse within the family. Allen Wenzel, chair of the United Way Board Committee, commented that state and federal sources now provide less funding for those problems. Wenzel added that the needs aren't evaporating as quickly as the resources, offering a challenge to the community and its long-standing volunteering spirit.

Perhaps part of that spirit derives from the heritage of Jane Addams, born in nearby Cedarville. A social reformer and founder of Hull House, she pioneered in areas ranging from juvenile court law to women's suffrage. Ironically, Freeport lacks the resources today to offer the care envisioned by Addams. Dan Neal, executive director of the Jane Addams Mental Health Center, notes that 35 percent of substantiated child abuse cases receive no attention because of limited funds. He adds that the affected children are "future runaways, criminal population, drug abusers and alcoholics."

In addition, Stephenson County's only public source of services, Rockford's Douglas H. Singer Mental Health Institute, and other northern Illinois hospitals temporarily discourage voluntary admissions due to lack of space. Payment for services poses another problem. Neal explains that "we don't have the numbers that urban areas have at the indigent level, but large segments of middle ground. We serve those individuals, but they have a hard time paying even sliding scale payments."

Singer now discharges patients earlier than in the past, but many return within 90 days. Neal adds that patients who are both mentally ill and alcoholic often require repeat hospitalization. To combat this, Neal says that the state "departments of Mental Health and Substance Abuse have to establish a meaningful dialogue to deal with these people."

A similarly dim picture exists for education. Financially stable for the short term, the Freeport schools and their nearly 5,000 students are doing well, but Ted Wetekamp, Freeport school superintendent, sees a deteriorating financial picture. He contends that fewer services are available due to budget restraints. In addition, state imposed tax rate limitations hurt school revenues. Freeport's unit schools (grades K-12) levy only one tax while elsewhere separate elementary and high school districts each have a levy. Wetekamp believes the state faces a major decision: "either fund education or accept less achievement." Similar concerns worry Joseph Piland, president of Highland Community College. Begun 20 years ago with equal state and local funding, the college now receives only 30 percent of its funds from the state. Although the suggestion is painful, both educators believe an income tax increase may prove necessary to keep the state ahead in education.

Once known as the Hartford of the West, home of five insurance companies, Freeport now houses only one home office, and its business economy causes concern. Cutbacks and forced early retirement at two of the town's largest employers, Micro Switch and Kelly Springfield, hurt Freeport, along with the loss of some retail sales to Rockford. The agribusiness crisis continues in the livestock dependent area. Farmers are under stress, and Bob Lane of the extension office predicts that between 25 and 30 farmers will have to decide this year whether to remain in business. Lane believes that the situation will not improve until the nation finds some way to use what it produces, but says that he remains cautiously optimistic.

Freeport hopes for changes. The Freeport Area Economic Development Foundation wants to find new industry and improve the existing businesses. Residents including Michael Lester, vice president of First National Bank of Freeport, remain optimistic about the future of business. He believes that "because of the zeal of leaders in recognizing difficulties, there will probably be some improvements; certainly we could use some." Other residents, including Jerry Stocks, marketing director at First National, believe it's time for growth. Stocks thinks that Freeport has rounded a corner in its attitude and willingness to address problems.

Freeport Mayor Mark B. McLeRoy and County Board Chairman Carl H. Witt echo that optimism despite the economic squeeze. State restraints on tax levies coupled with legal mandates trouble the officials. Witt finds the court system a "killer," and he believes "the state should finance all of the court services." The county currently pays those expenses from its general funds. A declining tax base and depleted reserve funds may force a reduction in county government services. Both men express concern over economic development, and although Witt believes no short-term answers exist, he plans to "put effort in economic development for long-range turnaround."

"The state is us," asserts Highland Community College President Piland, and with that in mind, the future in Freeport rests with energetic and optimistic people. "It's no secret that we're in a desperate time," Piland adds, but Freeport's self-reliance and sense of community pride strengthen its attack on the desperation and will help it fulfill Thompson's assertion that "Nothing is impossible for the people of Illinois."

March 1987/Illinois Issues/9