Items listed under State Reports 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. Issuing agencies may have copies available. For items listed under Other Reports, write to the publisher as noted.

Other Reports

■ Chicagoland — A Fiscal Perspective: 1978-1987, The Civic Federation, 203 N. Wabash, Chicago 60601 (June 1989), 48 pp.; $15.

The 1989 edition of this annual overview of the tax levels and debt of the major local governments in the Chicago area is divided into two main sections: property tax revenue and local government long-term liability. Within these sections numerous topics are covered, including property tax burden by class of property, TIFs (tax increment finance districts), revenue bonds outstanding and 1987 pension performance. It is worth noting that Illinois leads the nation in the number of special taxing districts and authorities, and that Cook County has the highest number of such districts in the state.

■ A Profile of Community Services for the Mentally Ill in Illinois, League of Women Voters of Illinois Education Fund, 332 S. Michigan, Chicago 60604 (1989), 42 pp; $5 plus $1.50 postage and handling.

This report is the final product of the league's two-year study of the availability of community mental health services in this state. It represents the results of over 750 interviews conducted by more than 300 league members and clearly demonstrates the need to improve the public system of care for the mentally ill. The report cites five major conclusions: There is a critical shortage of housing options; special populations of mentally ill persons are severely under-served; funding for community services for the mentally ill is at a crisis; planning is inadequate; and ignorance and stigma obstruct the delivery of services to the mentally ill.

Anna J. Merritt

November 1989 | Illinois Issues | 29