Sanders off to Washington

Illinois' top man in education is leaving to take the No. 2 post at the U.S. Department of Education. State school Supt. Ted Sanders, who has directed Illinois' education efforts since 1985, was tapped by President George Bush on March 10 as his choice for under secretary of education. Sanders' appointment must be confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

Sanders was seriously considered for the top spot at the federal education agency in 1985 when he opted instead for Illinois' top job in education. At that time he was serving as Nevada's superintendent of public instruction, a post he held for six years.

Bucking the current trend to flee public service for the greener salaries of the private sector, Sanders is taking a considerable cut in pay to accept the federal post. According to Sanders: "I have worked all my life in a profession that people are in not because of financial reward but because we have a deep sense of responsibility to the education of children and we like to feel that we are making a difference. More than anything else, that's why I went to Nevada, and that's also why I came to Illinois."

Replacing Sanders as interim school superintendent is State Board of Education (SBE) chief of staff C. Robert Leininger. Leininger joined the board in 1976 as assistant superintendent for governmental and community relations, and from 1979-87 he served as executive assistant to the state superintendent.

The SBE has begun an extensive nationwide search for Sanders' successor, which it hopes to name by October 1.

State and DuPont form plastic partnership

Aluminum cans can be recycled; so can glass and newspapers. But plastics have proven to be a tougher recycling nut to crack. But cracked it must be. Plastics currently comprise nearly a quarter of Illinois' discarded waste volume and are helping to clog the state's dwindling number of landfills.

The plastic recycling dilemma may have moved a step closer to resolution in March when Gov. James R. Thompson announced a plastics recycling development partnership between the state and the DuPont Company. According to the governor, the new public/private sector partnership will test the viability of reprocessing plastics into usable highway construction and maintenance products. If successful, the project will also show how plastic recycling can reduce a state's solid waste disposal problems.

Collection of the waste plastics will be up to the Illinois Department of Energy and Natural Resources (DENR), to which recycling is no stranger. As the state's lead agency for such efforts, DENR has awarded 60 recycling grants totalling $900,000 since January 1, 1987. Agency director Karen A. Witter believes that an efficient system to collect the reclaimable plastics (milk jugs and soda bottles) will soon be developed by the department.

Because federal and state regulations governing highway construction are so stringent, it was felt that this would be the perfect arena in which to test products made from recyclable plastics. DuPont will work with the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) to identify product needs and to design and test highway construction products using the reclaimed materials. Although DuPont is unwilling to disclose the nature of the actual products to be produced, the company anticipates having prototypes for IDOT to review by October 1989. According to transportation Secy. Greg Baise, "Contingent upon successful test results, DuPont will follow prescribed bidding procedures for potential direct sale of these products to the transportation industry."

Boards and commissions

A series of appointments and reappointments to Illinois boards and commissions were announced by Gov. Thompson in February. Unless otherwise noted, the appointments require Senate confirmation and pay expenses only.

• Illinois Arts Council — Richard Love of Grant Park, owner and president of R.H. Love Galleries Inc., replaced Walter Chruscinski; and Sandra M. Volid, a Chicago civic volunteer, replaced Clarence Wilson. The terms end June 30, 1991; the appointments do not require Senate confirmation. The council promotes Illinois arts and artists.
• Capital Development Board — Jewel S. Lafontant of Chicago, a senior partner with Vedder, Price, Kaufman & Kammholz, replaced Miki Cooper. Lafontant's term expires January 1, 1992. The CDB builds or otherwise provides the state's physical facilities. It also advises state and local agencies in the preparation of annual long-range capital expenditures plans.
• Chicago Transit Authority — Mickey Holzman of Northbrook, business manger for Carpenters' Local 1539, was reappointed. Salary for authority members is set and paid by the CTA. Holzman's new term expires September 1, 1995. The CTA operates the public transportation system in the Cook County metropolitan area.
• Illinois Community College Board — Harry L. Crisp II of Marion, chairman and chief executive officer of Marion's Pepsi Bottling Company, replaced Sid Campbell. The term expires June 30, 1989. The board is the coordinating agency for public community colleges in Illinois.

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• Court of Claims — Reappointed to the court were Kirk Dillard of Hinsdale, an attorney with Lord, Bissel & Brook; and Leo J. Poch of Chicago, a retired attorney. Both will serve until January 16, 1995. The part-time positions pay $31,500 annually. The court, which is administrative in nature, hears claims against the state, including those for time unjustly served in Illinois prisons and for crime victims.
• State Board of Education — Robert Carroll King of Chicago, president of Carroll Properties inc., replaced Peggy Pilas-Wood. His term expires January 21, 1991. The position pays expenses plus $50 per diem. The board is responsible for articulating educational policies and guidelines for public and private schools (preschool through grade 12) and for vocational education.
• Illinois Export Council — Stephen Neumer of Chicago, an attorney with Katten, Muchin, Zavis, Pearl & Galler, replaced Saul Caisman. The term expires May 1, 1992. The council promotes and facilitates international exports from this state.
• Illinois Export Development Authority — David J. Paulus, senior vice president of the First National Bank of Chicago, was reappointed to the authority's board of directors. Paulus' term expires January 21, 1991. The authority works to foster expanded export trade activities, is a source of funding for export development and provides financial counseling to exporters.
• Guardianship and Advocacy Commission – State Sen. Jack Schaffer (R-32, Crystal Lake) replaced Sen. Richard Luft (D-46, Pekin), and Patricia L. Taylor of Northbrook, executive director of the North Shore Senior Center, was reappointed. Both terms expire June 30, 1991. The commission, which protects the rights of the disabled, is divided into three divisions — the Legal Advocacy Service, the Human Rights Authority and the Office of the State Guardian.
• Prisoner Review Board — Reappointed to the full-time board were Herbert D. Brown of Rockford, Joseph Dakin of Springfield, Corrine Franklin of Jerseyville, Joseph J. Longo of LaGrange Park and Anne Taylor of Champaign. The terms expire January 16, 1995; members are paid $45,150 annually. The board holds hearings to grant or deny parole to eligible prisoners.
• Public Administrator, Guardian and Conservator — In Clark County, Virginia Pierce of Marshall filled an existing vacancy. Albert Lynn Van Dyke of Louisville, a teacher, replaced Jim L. Padgett in Clay County. In Henderson County, Maurice W. Green of Stronghurst replaced Glen Kern. Retiree George Koehler of Freeport replaced Doris Linker in Stephenson County. Pierce's term expires December 7, 1992. Van Dyke, Green and Koehler will serve until December 4, 1989. A public administrator/guardian/conservator handles the real or personal estate of a deceased person who has no executor until an executor is found and oversees the estate and welfare of any disabled adult in need of a guardian.
• Governor's Small Business Advisory Council — John C. Piland of Mahomet, an attorney with Heyl, Royster, Voelker & Allen, replaced David Ransberg. The position is non-salaried, does not carry a specific term and does not require Senate confirmation. The council studies the special needs of small- and medium-sized businesses and examines such concerns as financing, starting a business and controlling energy costs.
• State Community College of East St. Louis Board of Trustees — Retiree Eddie Jackson replaced John Rouse and Charles Lawrence, also retired, was reappointed. Both reside in East St. Louis and will serve through June 30, 1993. The board governs Illinois' "experimental" community college district in the East St. Louis area.

Lane announces staff changes at Department of Corrections

Michael P. Lane, director of the Illinois Department of Corrections recently announced staff appointments. Most dealt with the opening of the new Mount Sterling prison:

• The prison's new warden is William D. O'Sullivan. O'Sullivan had been the assistant warden at the Dixon Correctional Center since it opened in July 1983. He has been with the department since 1969.

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• Thomas F. Page was named assistant warden for operations at the new prison. With the department since 1976, he had been security chief at the Centralia Correctional Center since March 1986.
• Mount Sterling's assistant warden for programs is Donna Vittori. A 10-year veteran of the department, she had been chief of security at the Dwight Correctional Center since December 1986.

Lane also made three appointments at the Dixon Correction Center:

• Richard L. Dusing is the new assistant warden for operations. He has been chief of security there since October 1984. Prior to joining corrections in 1984 he served 26 years with the Dixon Police Department, the last five as chief.
• Dixon's new assistant warden for programs is Edna R. Lee. She had been supervisor of leisure time services at Dwight Correctional Center since August 1983.
• Larry Sachs was named Dixon's juvenile division assignment coordinator. He had been assistant warden for programs at the correctional center since November 1983. He joined the department in 1975.

At the Shawnee Correctional Center, Dan Sexton was appointed acting warden, effective January 3. He is temporarily replacing James H. Thieret, who is retiring after 21 years with the department.

Jewish Federation and Latino Institute to administer legalization grants

The Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago and the Latino Institute, also of Chicago, were selected by the Illinois State Board of Education to administer a new grant program aimed at helping undocumented aliens achieve permanent residency status.

Funding for the State Legalization Impact Assistance Grants is provided for in the 1986 U.S. Immigration Reform and Control Act. During fiscal year 1989, the Latino Institute and the Jewish Federation will channel $21 million in federal money to 65 community colleges, school districts and other community service providers offering English and U.S. civics programs to temporary immigrants.

The federal immigration act stipulates that undocumented aliens who have been granted temporary status must pass an Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) test or successfully complete 40 hours of an INS-certified English and U.S. civics program. One of the two requirements must be met by November 1990 in order for these individuals to be granted permanent residency status and thus start the process for U.S. citizenship.

According to the Jewish Federation and the Latino Institute, 151,000 undocumented aliens in Illinois applied for temporary status. Nearly 81,000 of these have already been granted temporary residency by INS; the figure is expected to total about 130,000 after all applications have been processed. The two major ethnic groups among the temporary immigrants are Hispanic (89 percent) and Polish (5 percent). Most are from the Chicago area (96 percent). A spokesman at the Jewish Federation said that the INS estimates that there are another 150,000-300,000 undocumented aliens in Illinois who either did not apply for or who are not qualified for temporary status.

Anyone who would like further information on the project may contact David Luna at the Latino Institute, (312) 663-3603, or Beth Robinson at the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago, (312) 444-2832.

The Judiciary

The Illinois Supreme Court recently announced the following appointments and resignations:
Cook County Circuit Court

• Appointed by Chief Judge Harry G. Comerford: Circuit Judge Thomas R. Fitzgerald of LaGrange as presiding judge of the circuit's criminal division and Circuit Judge Wayne R. Andersen of Des Plaines as supervising judge of the 1st Municipal District's traffic center.
• Resigned: Circuit Judge Richard J. Fitzgerald of South Holland, effective January 17. A judicial officer since 1964, Fitzgerald was the presiding judge of the court's criminal division for nearly 15 years and was an active member of the Illinois Judicial Conference.

1st Judicial Circuit
• Appointed by circuit judges as associate judge: Attorney Rodney A. Clutts of Cobden.

3rd Judicial Circuit
• Appointed by circuit judges as associate judge: Wood River attorney Gordon E. Maag.

4th Judicial Circuit
• Appointed by circuit judges as associate judge: Attorney Harold H. Pennock III of Centralia. Pennock also served as Marion County's public defender.
• Resigned: Circuit Judge Dennis L. Berkbigler of Effingham, effective March 13. He had been a judicial officer since 1980.

9th Judicial Circuit
• Appointed by circuit judges as associate judge: McDonough County State's Atty. John R. Clerkin of Macomb.

10th Judicial Circuit
• Appointed by circuit judges as associate judge: Robert A. Barnes of Lacon, a former circuit judge, and Peoria attorney Rebecca S. Ridell.

13th Judicial Circuit
• Appointed by circuit judges as associate judge: Attorney Howard Chris Ryan Jr. of Utica.

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17th Judicial Circuit
• Appointed by circuit judges as associate judge: Rosemary Collins of Rockford, Winnebago County public defender, and attorney Timothy R. Gill, also of Rockford.

18th Judicial Circuit
• Appointed by circuit judges as associate judge: DuPage County public defender Peter J. Dockery of Roselle.

19th Judicial Circuit
• Appointed circuit judge: Associate Judge Stephen E. Walter of Grayslake, effective January 19. Walter filled the vacancy created by the election of Lawrence Inglis to the 2nd District Appellate Court.

Chicago Supt. Byrd gets one-year contract

Citing a need to provide stability in Chicago schools, the Chicago Board of Education, in an 8-1 vote, awarded a one-year contract extension to Chicago school Supt. Manford Byrd Jr. on March 8. Terms of the new contract freeze Byrd's salary at $100,000. He could be eligible for a 10 percent bonus, however, and for payment for his unused sick and vacation time at the end of the contract period.

The new state law reforming Chicago's schools goes into effect July 1 and calls for a nationwide search to be conducted for the superintendent's post. Byrd is reportedly confident that he will be among the finalists for the post he has held since 1985 when he replaced Ruth B. Love. The same law abolishes the current board of education on July 31 and calls for a seven-member interim board to be appointed by Chicago's mayor.

Other appointments

• Mary Frances Fagan replaced Susan Mogerman as the governor's assistant press secretary on February 23. Statehouse bureau chief and assistant news director for WSSU-FM (formerly WSSR-FM), Sangamon State University's public radio station, since 1981, she has anchored broadcasts of gubernatorial addresses, legislative debates and Supreme Court arguments. Prior to her stint at WSSU-FM, Fagan worked for two years as a reporter-anchor at WQAD-TV in Moline and from 1977-79 as general assignment, beat reporter and newscast anchor for WQAU-AM in Moline and WJBC-WBNQ radio in Bloomington. Recipient of several broadcast awards, Fagan has served as vice president of the Illinois Legislative Correspondents Association and as a board member of the Illinois News Broadcasters Association. Fagan's new annual salary is $41,000.
• Peter A.M. Anderson is the new vice president for programs at Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry. Named to the post in February by museum president and director James S. Kahn, Anderson had been the senior staff adviser for developing long-range plans to revamp the museum's varied programs. He previously served as exhibits director for the Expo '86 Corporation in Vancouver, B.C., and as executive director for the British Columbia Forest Foundation. Anderson has also been an assistant geology professor at Queen's University in Kingstown, Ontario. In his new post he will be responsible for developing, coordinating and guiding the efforts of the museum's education, exhibits and science departments.
• The Chicago office of Ernst & Whinney announced on February 13 that David R. Bean is the new senior manager in the audit division. A specialist in governmental accounting and reporting, the former director of the Government Finance Officers Association's (GFOA) Technical Services Center also coauthored the 1988 edition of Governmental Accounting, Auditing

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and Financial Reporting. Bean, who worked for the Office of the Comptroller as deputy director of the state's GAAP (generally accepted accounty procedures) reporting project from 1979-83, will concentrate on public sector auditing and consulting at the state and local level. Ernst & Whinney is one of the world's largest audit, tax and business consulting firms with more than 400 offices in 78 countries.
• Mark Biel was named to the newly created post of associate director of governmental affairs for the Illinois Manufacturers' Association (IMA) by the group's president Arthur R. Gottschalk. The new post is designed to enhance the IMA's lobbying presence in Springfield. Prior to this appointment, Biel had been associate director of the Associated Employers of Illinois since 1987. Biel began his duties for the IMA on February 6.

Ethnic folk artists receive IAC fellowships

Three of the state's ethnic folk artists received Illinois Arts Council (IAC) fellowships recently for past accomplishments in their fields. They may use the awards any way they wish.

For his accomplishments in Ukrainian wood carving, Roman Panas of Park Ridge received $5,000. Panas learned his craft from his father in the Ukraine. He frequently exhibits his work in the Chicago area.

Jimmy Payne, who has taught dance in Chicago for more than 40 years to people like Bob Fosse, Lena Home and Dorothy Dandridge, received $10,000 for his work in Afro-Cuban and traditional tap dancing. His other awards include two IAC apprenticeship master awards and a choreographers fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts in 1986.

Fenton Robinson, a Springfield blues musician, received $5,000 for his musical achievements. Fenton has produced many singles and five albums, including "I Hear Some Blues Downstairs" (Alligator), which was nominated for a Grammy award in 1978.

Illinois State Fair grabs Fair of the Year award

Last year's Illinois State Fair captured Performance magazine's top award for 1988. The international talent weekly presented its "Fair of the Year'' award to state fair manager Michael Dubois during its annual awards program in February in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

The award, which was based on a readers' poll of professionals involved in concert work, was particularly gratifying for Gov. Thompson because it was "conferred on us by the professionals of the business — people who play or produce in different venues every night." The magazine congratulated Illinois fair officials for the variety of entertainment presented and for their management of the grandstand facility where performances take place.

This was only the fourth year for the "Fair of the Year" award. It has been won by the Texas State Fair twice and by the Ohio State Fair once.

Just a reminder: This year's Illinois State Fair will be August 10-20.□

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