State Reports

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 interlibrary loan. Issuing agencies may have copies available. For items listed under "Other Reports," write to publisher as noted.

State Documents

• Residential Recycling: Curbside Options, Department of Energy and Natural Resources, 325 W. Adams, Rm. 300, Springfield 62704-1892 (1991), 63pp.

As increasing numbers of communities see their landfills close and are forced to face the issue of what they should do with their garbage, the option of recycling becomes more appealing. This informative and well-organized manual can help citizens and local officials begin to develop a recycling program. It contains separate sections describing recyclable materials, what a system might look like, its costs and how it might be funded, the impact of curbside collection on other collection activities, and processing and marketing recyclables.

• Right in the Middle, State Board of Education, 100 N. First, Springfield 62777- 0001 (February 1992), 17 & 33pp.

These two reports are the result of a 15-month study done by the Illinois Middle Grades Task Force, one of 27 state groups funded by the Carnegie Corporation of New York. The shorter document is a planning guide for the reform and transformation of schools serving students in the age group 10-14. The longer report is an assessment of middle-grade practices in this state. It contains the findings of a survey questionnaire that was mailed to all middle and junior high schools as well as all K-8 elementary schools in Illinois. The recommendations of the task force are also included.

• Illinois School Report Cards: Performance Profiles, 1986-1991, State Board of Education, 100 N. First, Springfield 62777- 0001 February 1992), 33pp.

This document summarizes the statewide information contained in the school report cards released over the last six years and presents trends on 17 indicators from those reports, including student demographics, ACT composite scores, nonpromotion and graduation rates, teacher characteristics and teacher salaries by district type.

Other Reports

• The Illinois Steward, Illinois Stewardship Committee, 110 Mumford Hall, 1301 W. Gregory, Urbana 61801; $10 per year.

The Illinois Steward is a new quarterly publication designed to "enhance the use and enjoyment of the resources which bless your property while ensuring they will be equally bountiful for future owners." It is printed on glossy (recycled) paper that enhances the beautiful color photographs accompanying almost every article. The premiere issue contained such titles as "Managing Your Woodlot for Wildlife," "Maximize Your Timber Dollar Sales" and "In Search of Big Trees."

• Economic Development, University of Illinois, Office of Continuing Education and Public Service, Community Information and Education Service, Suite 202, 302 E. John, Champaign 61820.

As part of its Local Government Series, the Community Information and Education Service has produced four videotapes, each focusing on a different aspect of the larger issue of economic development. "Rural Economic Development in Illinois" is 60 minutes in length and showcases the successes of six small Illinois communities. "Financing Economic Development with Available Resources," which is a 90-minute tape, describes the strategies used by four small communities to finance economic development efforts. The 90-minute tape, "Preparing for Rural Economic Development," emphasizes the importance of planning and support to achieve success. The fourth tape in the series, "Succeeding in the New Retail Environment," is one hour and 40 minutes in length and focuses on maintaining a vital and competitive retail sector in a small community. Each videotape costs $19.95.