State Reports

Items listed under "State Documents" have been received by the Documents Unit, Illinois State Library, Springfield, and are usually available from public libraries through interlibrary loan. Issuing agencies may have copies available. For items listed under "Other Reports" write to the publisher.

State Documents

• 1991-92 Financial Aid to Illinois Students, State Board of Education, 100 N. First, Springfield 62777-0001 (September 1991), 145pp.

This six-chapter publication provides a wealth of information for undergraduate, graduate and vocational students seeking financial assistance to attend post-secondary institutions. Chapter I presents general information on how and where to apply for career information and scholarships. Chapter II contains a list of names and addresses of G.I. Bill-approved Illinois universities, colleges, junior colleges, extension programs, and professional and vocational schools, while Chapter IV presents statistics on enrollments and yearly costs for tuition and room and board at many of those institutions. The financial assistance programs of the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, including scholarships, grants and loans, are described in Chapter V. Chapter III contains the scholarship laws of Illinois. The last chapter contains an extensive bibliography of sources of career information on hundreds of professions, as well as a useful section on career education materials.

• Doorways to Jobs, Department of Commerce and Community Affairs, Job Training Programs Division, 620 E. Adams, Springfield 62701 (January 1992), 148pp.

Illinois has at least 49 publicly funded job training programs, so it is understandable that a person seeking information might become confused and even discouraged by the search process. This directory, a joint effort by the Illinois Job Training and Coordinating Council, the Department of Employment Security, the Department of Public Aid and the Department of Commerce and Community Affairs, describes each program and provides such information as eligibility, allowable activities, administrative provisions and the relevant state and federal legislation. In addition, a well thought-out keying system indicates which of seven participant categories are eligible (high school dropouts, employers and employees, disabled individuals, low income, older workers, the unemployed, veterans and youths) as well as the kind of program that is offered (classroom, on-the-job, placement, employer specific and work experience). Names, addresses and telephone numbers are also included.

Other Reports

• Divided Kingdom: Work, Community and the Mining Wars in the Central Illinois Coal Fields During the Great Depression, by Carl D. Oblinger, Illinois State Historical Society, Attn. Karen Fyfe, Old State Capitol, Springfield 62701 (1991), 265pp.; $11 for members, $14.78 for non-members (includes tax and postage).

The 40 interviews presented in this volume focus on a period of upheaval and violence in the mines and mining communities of Christian County and parts of Montgomery and Macoupin counties. At the time the nation was struggling through the Depression, and the United Mine Workers were trying to centralize control of the union. The personal triumphs and tragedies amidst the societal turmoil are clearly and forcefully recounted by these former miners. The book also contains a large number of photographs from the early 1900s to the mid-1930s depicting individual miners, their families, community events and scenes from deep within the mines. The author (commendably) permits us to read the speakers' words as they were spoken and provides a useful introduction in which the context of their memories is explained.

• ElderHealth Action Agenda, 30pp. ($3 plus $1.50 postage and handling) and ElderHealth Addendum, 95pp. ($7 plus $2 postage and handling), League of Women Voters of Illinois Education Fund, 332 S. Michigan, Chicago 60604.

The ElderHealth project was a joint venture between the Education Fund of the League of Women Voters of Illinois and the School of Public Health at the University of Illinois at Chicago. The resulting action agenda includes five goals: expand access, coordinate services, develop a system that reflects the diversity of the population to be served, establish services that are consistent with patient conditions and community capacity for support, and maintain high standards. The report analyzes Illinois' current system of social and health care services for the state's older adult population and offers a blueprint for changes in policy as well as practice.

The addendum includes a summary of the testimony presented at a series of six public hearings conducted around the state as well as a set of four briefing papers.

• Homelessness and Substance Use in Cook County, Survey Research Laboratory, University of Illinois, Westgate Center, 910 W. Van Buren, Chicago 60607 (September 1991), 57pp.

Based on a survey of homeless individuals as well as those at risk of becoming homeless, this study reports that less than half of those interviewed should be considered in need of treatment for alcohol and/or other drug abuse. Among those who do use alcohol and other drugs, many use them as part of a coping mechanism. In addition, the study found that substance abuse may often precipitate homelessness and that males are more likely than females to use the substances in question.

Anna J. Merritt

June 1992/Illinois Issues/29