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 the publisher as noted.

State Documents

• Surviving Disasters: A Citizen's Emergency Handbook, Department of Public Health, Division of Communications, 535 W. Jefferson, Springfield 62761 (March 1993), 4 pp.

In a state where floods and tornadoes are a frequent occurrence and have affected residents in rural, urban and suburban areas, a booklet such as this should probably be in every home. In addition to some general information on how to prepare for and cope with a disaster, the supplies one should have on hand, and what to do following a disaster, it has separate sections on six specific kinds of disasters: earthquakes, tornadoes, floods, winter storms, fire and nuclear power plant accidents. The final section covers evacuations — how to be prepared for them, how to respond if told to evacuate, and what to do upon returning home.

• Final Report. Advisory Task Force on Developing Markets for Recyclable Materials, Department of Energy and Natural Resources, 325 W. Room 300, Springfield 62704-1892, (February 1993).

While most government task force reports are of interest primarily to government officials and a small circle of interested outsiders, this report deals with an issue of increasing importance to a wide range of citizens. Happily, the information contained in the report is not only relevant but also well presented. The most important sections are the subcommittee reports and recommendations in five specific areas: standards, specifications, and non-government procurement; government procurement; transportation; incentives; and finance. For instance, the transportation report points out that there is no organized collective marketing program to assist small rural recyclers in Illinois and that no other state has an incentive program for transportation. It recommends the development of a recycling transportation manual, the creation of regional marketing cooperatives, and that a recycling conference dedicated to transportation be organized.

• Doorway to Jobs: A Directory of Job Training and Related Services in Illinois, Commerce and Community Affairs, 620 E. Adams, Springfield 62701 (April 1993), 148pp.

Sponsored by the Department of Commerce and Community Affairs, the Department of Public Aid, the Illinois Job Training Coordinating Council and the Department of Employment Security, this annual directory provides valuable information on programs that meet the needs of both individuals and businesses. Accompanying the clearly organized description of each program is a set of symbols that indicate the program's major participant categories (such as high school dropouts, older workers or veterans) and its major activities (on-the-job training, placement or work experience). Almost half of the directory is devoted to a list of programs (with addresses and phone numbers) in each of the state's counties, with a separate listing for the city of Chicago.

• Guide to Illinois State Parks and Programs, Department of Conservation, Office of Resource Marketing and Education, 534 S. Second, Springfield 62701-1787 (July 1993), 88 pp.

While perhaps a bit late for use in planning this summer's vacation, this very attractive guide could come in handy for those dreaming of a fall weekend in the country or the well-organized few who are already thinking about next summer. Along with a wealth of information (including photographs, maps and charts) on sportfishing and hunting, Illinois plants and animals, special events throughout the year and throughout the state, conservation programs for kids and tips for the photographer, the guide contains descriptions of the eight state parks with overnight accommodations and dining facilities as well as a list of historic sites located throughout the state. Detailed information is also provided on each of the five regions into which the guide divides the state.

• A Directory of Business-Education Partnerships in Illinois, State Board of Education, 100 N. First, Springfield 62777-0001 (November 1992), 105pp.

Businesses are playing an increasingly significant role in their local schools and school districts. Instead of providing only money and occasionally equipment, many businesses today are full partners in the education enterprise and actively involved with teachers and administrators. This directory lists the 80 partnerships nominated for the Exemplary Awards Program sponsored by the Illinois State Council on Business-Education Partnerships. In addition to listing a contact person and describing the partnership program, the structure of the partnership, type of business and type of students served is given for each program. An index also lists the programs by county for easier reference.

Other Reports

• Who will care for the People of Illinois? Family Physicians are needed in the Land of Lincoln, Illinois Academy of Family Physicians, 1101 Perimeter Dr., Suite 730, Schaumburg 60173; phone (708) 240-5522 (March 1993), 20pp.

Illinois has a shortage of comprehensive primary care physicians (that is, family physicians, general internists and general pediatricians); in addition, it suffers from an inappropriate distribution of such physicians. To correct this situation, the Illinois Academy of Family Physicians suggests that 50 percent of medical students should enter primary care training programs and 30 percent should enter family practice.

• The Illinois Public Service: Problems and Perspectives, circulated by the Illinois Association of Graduate Programs in Public Administration (1992), 157pp.; for a copy call June Kubasiak at Northern Illinois University, (815) 753-6142 (minimal charge for handling and postage).

The nine essays in this volume cover such topics as issues facing the public service in this state, patronage, the status of Latinos in public service, privatization and civil service reform. Along with an introduction by the volume's editor, Samuel K. Gove, they represent a small part of the extensive work done by the Illinois Commission on the Future of the Public Service. The commission, in turn, was an effort undertaken by the Government Assistance Project of the Chicago Community Trust to look at Illinois state government, Chicago city government, Cook County government and local government generally.

• Doing Business With Government, Management Association of Illinois, 600 S. Second, Suite 101, Springfield 62704; phone (217) 544-7438; (June 1993), 48pp., $20.

As its subtitle suggests, this is a handbook of information about government, how it works and how business leaders can work with it more effectively. It deals with many of the questions that people have about dealing with public officials, questions that may prevent them from talking with officials or raising important issues with them. Its author is a retired lobbyist for the Ford Motor Company.

Anna J. Merritt

August & September 1993/Illinois Issues/65