Selected State Reports

State Documents

■ "Property Taxes in Illinois," by A. James Heins, Illinois Government Research (Institute of Government and Public Affairs, University of Illinois, 1201 W. Nevada St., Urbana 61801), no. 51 (March 1980), 11pp.

Part I of this report suggests that two important changes have taken place in Illinois property taxes from 1940 to 1977: (1) that property tax burden as a percent of income has declined and (2) that property taxes as a percent of income tended to be higher in the poorest counties in 1940 but that the reverse was true by 1977. Part II emphasized the case in 1977. The author shows that counties relying on agriculture and manufacturing and counties with a greater school age population tended to pay higher than average property taxes; people living in urbanized or bedroom counties tended to have a below average tax burden; and people in wealthy and poor counties faced property tax burdens relatively greater than people in middle income counties.

■  Martin B. Lohmann Memoir, prepared for the Illinois Legislative Council by the Oral History Office of Sangamon State University (May 1980), 125pp.

Covering an enormous span of time, from his youth in Pekin in the 1880's all the way through his years as an alderman and finally state senator and retirement in 1953, this only slightly edited word-for-word transcript of an interview with Senator Lohmann makes for fascinating reading. The original interview was taped in the fall of 1979 by Cullom Davis, professor of history at Sangamon State University, and is the first of a proposed series of oral history interviews with members of the General Assembly. Senator Lohmann, who died shortly before this volume appeared, was best known for his achievements in the area of roads, bridges and conservation; among his acquaintances was President Harry S. Truman, of whom Lohmann said, "He was no better than anybody else and there wasn't anybody better than him. That's the way he looked at life. That's the way I did, too." In addition to a number of pictures and facsimiles of letters, the volume has a brief but useful index. The anecdotes, personal reminiscences, insights into the political process and views on a myriad of subjects should interest historians, political scientists, sociologists and ordinary citizens who would like to know a little more about their state.

■  Illinois Preservation Series, published and distributed free by the Illinois Department of Conservation, Division of Historic Sites, 405 E. Washington St., Springfield 62706.

Each issue of this new publication will provide technical assistance on one of a wide range of preservation-related topics. The first two dealt with the hazards of synthetic siding and the history, uses and restoration of stucco. Readers interested in the subject of preservation might also wish to write to the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402 for a copy of Standards for Historic Preservation Projects, published by the U.S. Department of the Interior. This 46-page booklet provides concise information on standards for the acquisition, protection, stabilization, preservation, rehabilitation, restoration and reconstruction of buildings; these standards are the basis for numerous federal funding and certification procedures.

■   State of Illinois Gasoline Conservation Plan, prepared by Office of Policy and Planning, Illinois Institute of Natural Resources, Rm. 300, 325 West Adams, Springfield 62706 (April 22, 1980), 26pp.

This plan consists of nine conservation measures; four involve ongoing efforts, and the others represent steps to be taken in emergency situations. There is no intention to implement the total plan; instead only those measures that are needed at a specific time will be carried out by a relevant agency.

■   Special Districts, Volume I, by Kent Redfield and Dawn Brown for the House Democratic Staff (April 1979), 104pp.

Illinois has more units of local government than any other state. This is a survey of the statutory power and the numbers in existence of special districts in Illinois. Such districts are created by the legislature for limited and often singular purposes. The survey divides them into seven categories: basic community services, recreation, transportation, health, sanitation, water supply, and drainage and resource conservation. The purpose, procedures, and taxing authority of each type is explained.

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■ Illinois Solar Energy Directory, Illinois Institute of Natural Resources, 325 West Adams, Rm. 300, Springfield 62706 (January 1980), 39pp.

Contains a listing of Illinois solar energy equipment manufacturers, distributors, installers, consultants, home builders, and alternative energy organizations. Discussions are included on consumer protection, tax credits and Illinois solar law.

■ Review of Legislation on Women's Issues, compiled by Kristina Johnson, Women's Advocate, Illinois House of Representatives (January 1980), 12pp.

This is the third edition of the review and contains a list of 139 bills with synopsis, sponsor and status. Of those listed, 41 passed and 5 were vetoed.

Items listed under State Documents have been received by the Documents Unit, Illinois State Library, Springfield, are are usually available from public libraries in the state through interlibrary loan./A. J.M. □

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