Selected State Reports
State Documents
"An Evaluation of Operation Identification as Implemented in Illinois." by Hans
W. Mattick et al., University of Illinois at
Chicago Circle, Center for Research in
Criminal Justice, September 30, 1974, 240pp. plus appendices.
Operation identification, as tried in various parts of the country, involves the marking of goods with the owner's identification number both as a deterrent to crime and as an aid in identification if they are stolen. The conclusion of this extensive analysis states "Operation Identification, as implemented in Illinois, did not reduce the kinds of crime it was designed to reduce, in Illinois."
"The Illinois Property Tax System: Problem and Promise," Report of the Joint Subcommittee to Study the Property Tax to the Illinois General Assembly, January 29, 1975, 26pp. plus appendices.
The Illinois property tax system and the current problems with assessments and equalization are discussed briefly but simply and clearly in this report. In one of nine recommendations the subcommittee would remove all property tax functions from the Department of Local Government Affairs and place them in a new state property tax commission composed of three recognized property tax administrators.
"Potential Sites for Coal Conversion Facilities in Illinois," by B. M. Hoglund and J. G. Asbury for Illinois Institute for Environmental Quality, October 21, 1974, 121pp.
This study by a private consulting firm established criteria for sites for coal gasification and liquefaction plants and identified six potential sites for the location of large-scale commercial operations. The authors discuss both the technological and social factors that underlay their selection.
"Report and Recommendations," of the Subcommittee on Private Colleges and Universities, House Committee on Higher Education, to the 78th General Assembly, January 1975, 39pp.
Private institutions of higher education have been hard hit by inflation and declining enrollments. Were they all to close and their students to enroll in public colleges and universities, the cost to Illinois taxpayers would be at least $300 million annually. The subcommittee has several recommendations for action by the General Assembly to preserve the financial viability of the non-public institutions of higher learning . . . "
"Community Development Block Grants: Program Specifics and Application Guidelines for Discretionary Balance Grants," prepared by the Illinois Department of Local Government Affairs, December 1974. 68pp.
Detailed information is provided on Title I, the community development block grant program, of the 1974 Housing and Community Development Act, The booklet is specifically designed to assist communities interested in applying for discretionary balance grants,
"We Care for Kids: A Handbook for Foster Parents," prepared by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services [1974], 63pp.
This comprehensive guide for the care of foster children covers such topics as requirements of licensed foster homes; legal rights and responsibilities of foster parents; medical care, religious training, and education of foster children; information on payments to foster parents; and procedures for complaints and grievances.
"A Brief History of School Finance in Illinois: Being a Layman's Guide Through the Snares of the State Aid Formula and Other Matters." Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (August 1974), 21pp.
This explanation for the general public discusses the system of aid to elementary and secondary education since 1835 with particular attention given to state aid formulas since 1969.
"Continuing Activities of Four Agencies Denied Appropriations by the General Assembly." Auditor General's Report to the Legislative Audit Commission,' Illinois General Assembly (April 1975), 59pp.
When in June 1974 the General Assembly denied appropriations for four executive agencies (Governor's Office of Human Resources. Illinois Information Service, Office of Collective Bargaining, and Office of Special Investigations). Gov. Dan Walker continued these agencies by using funds appropriated to other state agencies. In his report the auditor general recommends means to insure that, when funds are denied, an agency cease to exist and personnel performing the agency's functions are no longer paid.
"Report and Recommendations," of the Commission on the Status of Women to the Governor and the General Assembly (February 1975), 56pp. plus appendix.
The report includes the commission's overall recommendations as well as reports and recommendations from its various committees (Legislative Action, Employment and Pensions. Policy, Education, and Rape Study) and an interim report from its Committee on Sex Discrimination in Credit. Extensive coverage is given to the Education Committee's findings on sex discrimination in education, both higher and elementary-secondary.
"Report and Recommendations," Subcommittee on Federal and State Financial Aid Programs, House Committee on Higher Education (December 1974), 22pp. plus appendices.
The subcommittee studied how state and federal aid becomes available to students who want to continue their education. It was particularly interested in the fit of federal to state programs, the mechanics of aid decision-making, and the groups reached by aid programs.
"Report" of the House Action Committee on Child Care to the 79th Illinois General Assembly (March 1975), 25pp. plus appendices.
This committee and its predecessor, the Legislative Action Team on Child Care, were created as a result of public furor over alleged irregularities in child welfare services provided by the state and particularly by the Department of Children and Family Services. The committee investigated and made recommendations on child-care and treatment facilities, guardianship of state wards, and amendment of the Juvenile Court Act.
Other
"Governance of Illinois Higher Education, 1945-74," by Boyd R. Keenan. Urbana: Institute of Government and Public
Affairs, University of Illinois (1975), 108pp.
This survey of the coordination and governance of public higher education in Illinois was written by a University of Illinois professor who has long been a student of the topic. Particular attention is given to the governance aspects of Master PlanPhase 111, the state's latest comprehensive planning document for higher education.
"Issues in Illinois Policy: Volume I (1974)," edited by Leon S. Cohen, Illinois Legislative Studies Center, Sangamon State University, Springfield, November 1974, 162pp. $2.
This first volume in a series, Issues in Illinois Policy, is a collection of seven papers researched as class projects and written at Sangamon State University. Topics include executive reorganization, welfare policy, campaign finance reform, educational finance, women and the law, coal utilization, and home rule.
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 interlibrary loan. Requests for copies should be sent to the issuing agency.
State agencies are encouraged to send significant studies to the Institute of Government and Public Affairs for inclusion in the bibliography. Address items to the Institute, 1201 W. Nevada St., Urbana, Ill. 61801.
October 1975 / Illinois Issues / 317