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Kulas, Henry and Preston named to House seats

Three new Chicago Democrats took their seats in the Illinois House, filling vacancies created by the resignations in April of Reps. Michael L. Nardulli, Walter Shumpert and Michael I. Brady. Nardulli and Shumpert were elected to the Chicago City Council, and Brady accepted the job of administrative assistant to Chicago Mayor Jane Byrne.

Rep. Myron J. Kulas of the 19th Legislative District was named to replace Nardulli, and Rep. William C. Henry of the 21st District replaced Shumpert. They were sworn in on April 18. Rep. Lee S. Preston, who replaced Brady in the 11th District, was sworn in April 26. The appointments were made by the Democratic ward committee-men of the respective districts.

Rep. Kulas, who was born in the Ukraine, came to the U.S. in 1949 from a Displaced Persons Camp in Germany. For a short time he and his family lived on a farm in George, then moved to Chicago where his father, a carpenter, could find work. A graduate of Loyola University, Chicago, Kulas has been financial officer of the Savings Security Savings and Loan for the last 10 years. He is active in the 26th Ward organization and the Ukrainian community. He plans to run for election in 1980. Regarding his legislative priorities, he said, "I'll be watching for anything that affects my constituents. For me, this job is a challenge, considering that I wasn't born in the area." Commenting on Mayor Byrne's victory, Kulas said, "I think, on the whole, for the good of the city she'll work with the regular Democratic organization, and it will work out in the end."

Rep. Henry grew up in Lawndale, part of the district he now represents. "I'm a product of the ghetto, poor schools and restricted employment," Henry said. Conditions in his district are his first priority, especially in Lawndale, Garfield and South Austin which are "in terrible economic and social condition," he said. He wants to work on housing and employment and is also backing H.B. 182, sponsored by Rep. Carol Braun (D., Chicago), which would give public aid recipients a 7 percent cost-of-living hike in benefits. A graduate of Malcolm X Community College, Chicago, Henry attended LaSalle University, Chicago, and is deputy chief in charge of courtroom operations in the Office of the Cook County Sheriff. Like Kulas, Henry plans to run for election next year.

Henry didn't back Jane Byrne in the primary, but he "went all the way for her" in the election. "I think she'll be great for Chicago," he said. "I think she opened avenues to people who have been bypassed, and that includes me and my community."

Rep. Preston, an attorney, was legal counsel and administrative assistant to former Lt. Gov. Neil Hartigan. Before that, Preston was a prosecutor for the city of Chicago. He is a graduate of the University of Illinois and DePaul College of Law.

Unable to say if he'll run for election next year, Preston said he wants "to do the best I can now." Three areas Preston plans to concentrate on are: assist primary and secondary education as well as junior colleges; help maintain and increase assistance to senior citizens; and find a viable way to deal with the problem of housing.

Preston said Byrne's victory "took me by surprise, but not shock." Preston added that the new mayor is stepping off with the right foot with the appointment of Preston's predecessor, Michael Brady.

Appointments

Reappointed to the State Board of Elections by the governor effective in April were the vice chairman, Theresa M. Petrone, Chicago, who is active in civic and charitable work and worked in three campaigns of the late Mayor Richard J. Daley; and members: Joshua Johnson, Springfield, retired special assistant to the superintendent of the Office of Education and former professional baseball player in the Negro National and Negro American leagues; J. Phil Gilbert, Carbondale, formerly assistant city attorney of Carbondale, now in the private practice of law; John J. Lanigan, Palos Hills, executive vice president and chief executive officer of Olympic Savings and Loan Association, Berwyn. A former state senator, Lanigan was state savings and loan commissioner from 1971 to 1973.

The appointments require Senate confirmation. Annual salary of the vice chairman is $20,000; members receive $15,000 a year.

Edward W. Gjertsen, Palatine, as trustee of the Metropolitan Sanitary District of Greater Chicago by the governor effective in April. Gjertsen's term expires November 4, 1980. He filled the vacancy created when Jerry Cosentino resigned after being elected state treasurer. Gjertsen is president and chief executive officer of a Chicago space planning and design firm. The appointment does not require Senate confirmation. The annual salary is $20,000.

Former state Sen. John B. Roe (R., Rochelle) as chief justice of the Illinois Court of Claims by the governor effective in April for a term ending in January 1985. The. appointment required Senate confirmation. Roe is an attorney and represented the 35th District in the Senate from 1973 to 1979. He replaced Harry F. Polos, Chicago.

The Court of Claims hears all monetary claims against the state except those involving workmen's compensation or workmen's occupational disease. An executive agency, it also administers the Crime Victims Compensation Act and programs to compensate the next of kin of state law enforcement officers and military personnel who died while performing their duties.

Mabry T. Roby, Chicago, was named director of the new Department of Equal Opportunity by the governor effective in April. The appointment required Senate confirmation. The department, which oversees the state's affirmative action program, began operations in January under P.A. 80-1455. Roby had served in a similar capacity as the state's equal opportunity officer in the Department of Personnel since August 1977. He said he is asking for some expansion of staff, but is keeping his requests at a minimum because of pending legislation backed by the governor which would merge the Fair Employment Practices Commission, the Human Relations Commission and the Department of Equal Opportunity undera new Department of Human Rights.

Dr. Byron J. Francis, Springfield, was named acting director of the Department of Public Health, by Gov. James R. Thompson effective April 13, but he will serve only until a permanent director can be named to replace Dr. Paul Q. Peterson who resigned in February. Francis has been chief of the department's division of disease control since 1972. The department has been the subject of state and federal audits and of hearings by the House Appropriations II Committee because of alleged mishandling

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of federal funds. Changes in the state Finance Act may be proposed to keep better track of federal funds.

Reappointed by the governor effective in April were: James R. Washburn, Morris, as director of the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA), and George E. Bailey, Springfield, as assistant director. Former state Rep. Washburn (R., Morris) served five terms in the Illinois House and was House minority leader from 1975-1977. He was named DVA director by Thompson in 1977. Bailey has been assistant director since September 1978.

Other reappointments included William J. Schilling, Chicago, as assistant director of the Department of Financial Institutions, a post he has held since September 1978; and David V. Hardwick, Rochester, as assistant director of the Department of Personnel. He was named to the post by Thompson in 1977.

Jim Voss, Springfield, as deputy comptroller for operations, by Comptroller Roland Burris effective May 1. Voss replaces Jim Norris who agreed to stay on from the Bakalis days until a new deputy was recruited. As an employee of Xerox Corporation, Voss handled the Illinois account. Prior to that he was deputy director for the Department of Revenue and budget analyst for the Bureau of the Budget.

Vito Bianco, Chicago, as a temporary Senate Democratic staffer, by Senate President Philip Rock (D., Chicago) effective March 15. Bianco, who was deputy comptroller of planning and policy under Michael J. Bakalis, is preparing reports on the 1980 census that will affect the reapportionment of legislative districts and on alternative dates for the March primary in Illinois.

James P. Pitz, Springfield, as director of policy and planning, Department of Transportation, by DOT Secretary John Kramer effective April 1. Pitz moved up from deputy director of the office when former director Harvey Haack resigned to become deputy secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. The office is reponsible for the development of transportation plans and multi-year construction programs for highways, public transporation, railroads and airports.

William O. Gillespie, Joliet, as assistant director of the Department of Corrections or its juvenile division, by the governor effective in April. The position had been vacant for several years and required Senate confirmation. Previously, Gillespie was superintendent of the Illinois Youth Center at Joliet. He has worked in both private and public social service agencies. Replacing Gillespie at the Illinois Youth Center is Charles Metcalfe, Batavia. Metcalfe was clinical services supervisor at the center.

In addition, Russ Mitchell, Springfield, was named public information officer for the Department of Corrections in March by Director Gayle M. Franzen. Mitchell was previously a reporter for the Southern Illinoisan in Carbondale and covered both the federal and the state prisons. He replaced the late Robert Colby of Springfield.

Jay Miller, Chicago, as executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) in Illinois, by the state's ACLU board of directors effective in November. Miller returned to a position he left in 1971 after working for the northern California ACLU, as a lobbyist in Washington and for the Energy Development Campaign in New York City. He replaced David Hamlin who resigned after four years as director in Illinois to write.

Farley Peters, Springfield, as legal advocate for the Legislative Support Center effective March 1. Peters replaced Julie Hamos who became legislative director for AFSCME. Serving five legal assistance programs in Illinois, the Legislative Support Center provides legislative and administrative services in behalf of clients to effect policies of state government. Peters will assist in the promotion of legislation in such areas as housing, consumer affairs, education, domestic violence and employment. She was formerly downstate organizer for Michael J. Bakalis and a lobbyist for the Illinois Women's Lobby.

Therese Sheehy, Springfield, as editor of legislative publications for the Illinois State Chamber of Commerce effective in March. Sheehy was research assistant for Senate minority staff, a correspondent for the Governor's Office and a staff writer at Illinois Issues.

Resignations

John B. Claar, Urbana, as director of the Cooperative Extension Service at the University of Illinois effective Dec. 20, 1979. Claar will continue as associate vice president for public service of the U of I and will do national work for extension service. The service is part of the land grant university system responsible for carrying out programs in agriculture, home economics, youth work and community resource development. A search committee is expected to make a replacement selection in the fall.

Deaths

Former state Rep. Louis F. Bottino, Wilmington, in Carle Memorial Hospital, Urbana, April 5. Bottino represented the 37th District from 1957-1961 and was also a delegate to the 1970 Illinois Constitutional Convention. An educator for almost 50 years, he most recently served as chairman of the Department of Continuing Educational Lewis University, Lockport.

June 1979 / Illinois Issues / 31

Honors

For his legislative work in behalf of public education in the Abe Lincoln Region, Rep. Gerald Bradley (IX, Bloomington) was named the first recipient of a Presidential Award from the Abe Lincoln Division of the Illinois Association of School Administrators. Bradley pledged to continue his work for all school children by bringing equality to the school funding process in Illinois.

The Illinois Women's Political Caucus honored 21 state legislators in Chicago April 21 for their efforts in behalf of women. The caucus is a multipartisan organization dedicated to getting more women into government at all levels.

A special ERA award went to Rep. Giddy E. Dyer (R., Hinsdale) for long and continuing efforts to pass the proposed U.S. Equal Rights Amendment.

Recipients of Susan B. Anthony Awards for legislative leadership in women's issues were: Sens. Arthur L. Herman (D., Chicago) and Howard W. Carroll (D., Chicago); Reps. Susan Catania (R., Chicago); Eugenia Chapman (D., Arlington Heights); Aaron Jaffe (D., Skokie); James McPike (D., Alton); and former Reps. Richard O. Hart (D., Benton); James M. Houlihan (D., Chicago) and Ellis B. Levin (D., Chicago).

Receiving special certificates of recognition were: Sens. Earlean Collins (D., Chicago), Richard H. Newhouse (D., Chicago), Dawn Clark Netsch (D., Chicago); and Reps. Woods Bowman (D., Chicago), Alan J. Greiman(D., Chicago), Richard A. Mugalian (D., Palatine), Daniel P. O'Brien (D., Chicago), Helen Satterthwaite (D., Champaign), J. Glenn Schneider (D., Wheaton), Terry A. Steczo (D., Tinley Park) and former Rep. Jesse D. Madison (D., Chicago).

Stan Koziara, Mount Vernon, was named Illinois Small Businessman of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration. Jack Smith, Illinois district director of the SBA, presented the award to Koziara April 4 at the State Chamber's legislative conference in Springfield. Koziara operates a tire business in Mount Vernon and is also chairman of the State Chamber's Small Business Council. He will now compete for national honors.

Indictments

Atty. Gen. William J. Scott, a candidate for the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate, was indicted by a federal grand jury April 9 on five counts of federal income tax evasion.

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