Under Supreme Court Rule 39 (found in Illinois Revised Statutes, chapter 110A) the terms of associate judges expire June 30, 1975, and every fourth year thereafter. The judges in each circuit cast ballots on the associate judges seeking reappointment in their circuits. Ballots are tabulated in secret by the director of the Administrative Office of Illinois Courts, Roy 0. Gulley, who certifies the results to the chief judge of each circuit. A three-fifths vote is required for retention. This system stems from the Judicial Article of the new Constitution. This article provides for the appointment of associate judges by the circuit judges as the Supreme Court directs (Art. VI, sec. 8).

Agency initiates appeals system
The Department of Children and Family Services has initiated a system to permit its clients to appeal agency decisions, according to Director Mary Lee Leahy. The department serves children and families who have physical, emotional, or social handicaps. It provides family counseling, protection for abused and neglected children, homemaker services, day care, foster care, adoption, and help for unwed parents. It also operates four institutions to care for dependent and neglected children, three residential schools for handicapped youngsters, a rehabilitation institute and other programs for the blind, and a home for veterans and their spouses.

To appeal a decision, DCFS clients must first contact a department ombudsperson (Sharon Garber in Springfield for downstate, Reginald Patrick for Chicago). Requests for a hearing must be in writing and submitted within 30 days of the decision which the client seeks to appeal. At the hearing, a three-member panel composed of department staff and citizens, will take testimony from all persons involved. A client can represent himself or attend with a spokesman or attorney. The decision of the panel is final unless changed by the director.

Federal law requires a service appeal system in each state plan for child welfare services, but only a handful of states have complied.

Waste oil collection program
A trial program to test methods of operating a waste oil recycling center will involve three Chicago suburban communities, Des Plaines, Glen Ellyn, and Naperville. The program is a joint venture of the Office of the Illinois Energy Coordinator, Motor Oils Refining Company of Lyons, and recycling centers in the three communities. Most people who change the oil in their cars put the used oil into the sewage system where it causes treatment plants to malfunction. According to the energy office, it is now possible to completely recycle used oil into clean, high quality lubricating oil.

Hearings on conserving natural gas
The Illinois Commerce Commission has informed gas utility companies that it is initiating hearings to consider adoption of methods to eliminate non-essential uses of natural gas. Considered nonessential are: heating garages, burning furnace pilot lights in summer, decorative lighting and advertising flares, heated or cooled air doors, swimming pool Heaters, outdoor and patio heaters, and snow melting equipment.

Companies will be asked to consider initiating or continuing advertising programs which encourage elimination of nonessential uses and prohibiting new attachments involving nonessential uses. Cutting off services to customers making new gas attachments for non-essential purposes was also mentioned as a possibility.

Changing the license plate system
Secretary of State Michael J. Hewlett has appointed a task force to investigate motor vehicle licensing procedures used in other states. Under study is the possible use of multi-year or permanent plates. The use of the latter — which involves assigning plates to the car rather than the owner — would mean the end of the special-plate practice. The plan could be put into effect in 1978 at the earliest.

Ronald P. Fox, Elmhurst, president of a firm that specializes in analysis of information processing systems, heads the task force.

State employees
There were 116,037 employees in all state agencies in December 1974, an increase of 30 over November, Comptroller George W. Lindberg announced in late April. The number of employees was 4,202 more than in December 1973; however, 5,458 Cook County public aid employees were transferred to the state payroll in January 1974.

December 1974 payrolls totaled $102,281,973, an increase of 14.6 per cent over December 1973.

'Regititle' program in operation
The "Regititle" program has been put in operation by the secretary of state's motor vehicle department (see January, p. 22). The new system enables a car or truck driver to apply for a title certificate and license plate on one of two forms. This eliminates 22 forms previously used for different classes of vehicles.

How does his garden grow?
By now, Gov. Dan Walker should know whether or not he has a green thumb. In early May, the governor planted a garden on the grounds of the Executive Mansion — the first gubernatorial garden in 25 years. Plantings included radishes, lettuce, onions, potatoes and brussel sprouts with plans for corn, green peppers, squash, cucumbers and tomatoes. 

216 /Illinois Issues/July 1975