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State Documents

• Outdoor Recreation in Illinois: The Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan, Illinois Department of Conservation (December 1978), full report, 254pp., summary report, 38pp.

The plan contained in these two extremely attractive documents is designed to assess the recreation needs of Illinois citizens and determine how best to meet these needs within the constraints set by the state's natural and economic resources. It sets forth the goals, policies, objectives and action programs of the state and recommends actions for other levels of government and the private sector to help achieve these goals. The plan is a guide for acquisition, development and management of land for recreation use. The full report contains numerous photographs, charts, graphs and maps.

• Slate Science, Engineering, and Technology Plan for the Illinois Executive Branch, Governor's Science and Technology Task Force (December 1978), 138pp.

In November 1977, Gov. James R. Thompson appointed a task force to identify ways by which the Illinois executive branch could improve its capacity for using scientific, engineering and technological (SET) information in its policy formulation and deeisionmaking processes. The task force concludes in this report that the slate's need for SET information is increasing, and although a great deal of valuable SET information is being produced by researchers, improvement is needed in order to match Illinois SET resources with the full range of needs of executive decisionmakers. Seven specific proposals are made. The final and major portion of the report consists of seven papers on various aspects of the issue.

• Illinois Traffic Safely Programs: Assessment of the Effect of the 55 Mile Per Hour Speed Limit on Illinois Traffic Safety, Department of Transportation, Division of Traffic Safety (September 27, 1978), 29pp.

Although national fatality rates were on the decline prior to 1970, and although there has been widespread noncompliance with the new law, experts conclude that the 55 mile per hour speed limit has in fact contributed significantly to a reduction in the number of traffic fatalities. Injury rates, however, did not drop as sharply as one might have expected. The reduced speed contributed to a reduction of accidents on the interstate system but not on the noninterstate highways. Increasing the speed limit would not onlyincrease the number of traffic fatalities but also jeopardize the state's allotment of approximately $410 million in federal aid to highway construction.

• Current and Future Employment Opportunities in New and Emerging Occupations Within Illinois, by CONSERVA for State Board of Education, Illinois Office of Education, Department of Adult, Vocational and Technical Education Research and Development Section (August 31, 1978).

Based on a review of recent studies throughout the country and recently enacted legislation in Illinois, seven occupations were identified as showing future promise. Over 450 persons in relevant organizations and businesses were contacted for job descriptions and educational needs in each occupation area. The report also describes 12 occupations that might possibly qualify as new and emerging along with numerous others which do not.

• Illinois Preservation Calendar 79, Division of Historic Sites, Illinois Department of Conservation,405 E. Washington St..Springfield, III. 62706 (free).

This handy (4" x 9") pamphlet lists museums, tours, festivals, etc. throughout the state and throughout the year. Following a brief section entitled "Year Round/Seasonal," there is a lengthier month-by-month listing. Times, dates, admission fees and addresses for additional information are also given.

• Youth in the Labor Force. Bureau of Employment Security, Department of Labor (September 1978), 30pp.

This is the first report to present an overview of young workers in the state's labor force. Since there is little data on Illinois youth, much of the analysis is based on national data. The report is divided into three sections: population and labor force participation, employment patterns of youth and youth unemployment. The three conclusions drawn are: (1) due to the declining birth rates youth unemployment will lessen somewhat in the 1980's, (2) a slack economy will certainly worsen the youth unemployment problem and (3) that manpower and training measures should be focused on those groups that are least equipped to find and hold jabs.

• Women & the Labor Force, Bureau of Employment Security, Department of Labor (September 1978), 35pp.

Women comprise slightly more than two-fifths of the civilian labor force in Illinois. From I960 to 1970 the participation rate among women increased sharply from 36 to 48 percent while the rate among men started at a relatively high figure (78%) and rose only slightly (to 80%). In 1975 the median income for men was two-and-a-half times larger than for women. Since I960 the unemployment rate for women has been substantially higher than for men. These and other statistics are available in this report which concludes: "In the coming years, the female labor force will no longer be viewed as an emerging force but as an etablished component of the national and state economies."

• Historic Preservation Grants-in-Aid Program Local Participation Manual, Department of the Interior, Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service (revised January 1979), 46pp.

The Grants Management Section of the Department of Conservation assists local sponsors in the preparation of grant applications and the administration of projects. This manual presents the criteria and procedures for such applications. Funds are available for up to 50 percent reimbursement of a total project considered to be of architectural, archaeological or historic significance.

Other Reports

• The Oakley Reservoir Mirage: A Case Study in Water Resource Decision Making, by Britta B. Harris, Institute of Government and Public Affairs and the Institute for Environmental Studies. University of Illinois (1978), 112pp.

In the period from 1937, when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers proposed a small water storage dam on the Sangamon River, until 1975, when the corps finally put Oakley on its list of inactive projects, the controversy surrounding the Oakley reservoir involved numerous groups, agencies and individuals. This study traces the history of that controversy and points out five basic errors made by the corps, as well as the impact of increasing public concern over natural resource issues.

• Ohio River Basin Energy Study Phase I: Interim Findings, by James J. Stukel and Boyd R. Keenan, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (November 1977), 158pp. (This is available to the public through the National Technical Information Service, Springfield, Va. 22161.)

ORBES. which grew out of concerns expressed by citizens in the Ohio River Basin area, is attempting to identify, analyze and evaluate the impact of industrial and energy development in the major portion of a four-slate region. This study represents the findings for the first year. It

discusses impacts on natural and developed resources, on the biological and ecological environment, and on public health, the economy and social factors. It contains numerous maps, tables and figures.

• "Winter Storms and the Record-Breaking Winter in Illinois," by Stanley A. Changnon Jr. and David Changnon, in Weatherwise, vol. 31. no. 6 (December 1978): 218-225.

In the four-month period starting November 1977, Illinois had IK storms; this was 4.5 times the average frequency and 50 percent more than the previous record set in 1911 when there were 12 storms. From this basic fact, the authors (a father and his high school aged son), expand into detailed information about snowfall patterns, duration of storms, depth of snow cover and deaths attributable to weather; finally, they also attempt an assessment of the various effects of such a winter on the state's economy, transportation and communication systems, schools and businesses.

• A Community in transition: 7/te Edgewater Community in Chicago, by.lane E. Ratclille (Center for Research in Urban Government, Loyola University), no. 16 (July 1978). 115pp. ($2.25).

In March 1978 President Carter proposed a national urban policy which raised hopes that cities and neighborhoods might he able to reverse the process of neighborhood decline. This study of [he Edgcwater community demonstrates the uniqueness of a neighborhood and its problems. It documents demographic changes and shows how changes in the physical landscape have affected the socio-economic makeup of the community. The research included extensive interviews with Edgewater citizens as well as fieldwork in the community. The completed study may prove useful to other communities in looking at their own problems and in seeking ways to deal with them.

• Government and Politics in Illinois: An Information Source Survey. by Robert B. Harmon, Vance Bibliographies. P.O. Box 229, Monticello, III. 61X56. Pubiic Administration Series: Bibliography #P 39 (July 1978). 32pp.

This guide attempts to introduce the reader to the government and politics of the slate of Illinois and to point out a variety of source materials for further information. It is divided into seven sections: slate and local government, constitutional background and development. Illinois state government legislative branch, executive branch, judicial branch politics in Illinois, local government in Illinois, reference materials, and general sources.

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 inter-library loan. Items listed under Other Reports may be obtained through the issuing agency or publisher./ A.J.M.