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Illinois Helpline for rural water quality issues Rural Illinois residents seeking to protect their wells and other water resources now have a place to turn for assistance. The FarmAsyst HelpLine established by the Illinois Department of Agriculture links rural residents to regional and state water quality experts. The service is free and completely confidential. "Water quality is a big concern in rural communities that don't have a municipal water supply," Steve Frank, Bureau Chief of Land and Water Resources for the Illinois Department of Agriculture, says. "HelpLine experts can answer a wide variety of questions and arrange for follow-up assistance." Helpline topics include well maintenance, household wastewater treatment, petroleum product and pesticide handling, and small-scale livestock management. The HelpLine is funded through an education grant from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. It is an extension of Illinois FarmAsyst, an existing program coordinated by the Illinois Department of Agriculture and delivered locally by 98 county Soil and Water Conservation Districts that help rural residents identify and eliminate potential threats to their household water supplies. The toll-free, in-state FarmAsyst HelpLine phone number is (800)864-7311.
Education legislation -funding increased to $4,425 per student Although the spring 2000 Session had the earliest adjournment date recorded in this century in Illinois, the Illinois General Assembly considered many high-profile, hotly debated issues relating to education. These issues ranged from the employment of substitute teachers, the creation of a new school designation process, and the appointment of an educational inspector general to funding alternatives for school district health/life safety projects. More than $5.9 billion was appropriated to the state general fund budget for elementary and secondary education in FY2001, which is an increase of $327 million. The appropriation fully funds the state share of mandated programs and moves General State Aid to a foundation level of $4,425 per student. Funding was also increased for early childhood education, the Illinois Learning Standards, reading and mathematics, and help for schools in academic difficulty. 6 ILLINOIS COUNTRY LIVING • AUGUST 2000 Shaken Baby Syndrome can be deadly Shaken Baby Syndrome is a very serious medical condition that occurs when an infant or young child is shaken vigorously. In fact, one out of four babies who are shaken dies. Other life-long injuries can result, including brain damage, paralysis, blindness, and speech and learning disabilities. To increase awareness Prevent Child Abuse Illinois launched a statewide awareness campaign in June. "The goal of the campaign is to tell every parent, grandparent, babysitter, and other caregiver that shaking a baby can be deadly. Our material provides practical information about Shaken Baby Syndrome, why babies cry, and the safe and caring ways to help calm a baby," explains Roy Harley, Prevent Child Abuse Illinois executive director. To learn more and receive a copy of the brochure, call Prevent Child Abuse Illinois at (217) 522-1129 or visit www.childabuse-il.org.
Illinois universities receive high marks Several Illinois universities placed highly overall in the April 10 issue of U.S. News & World Report's listing of "America's Best Graduate Schools." More specifically, in their list of schools of business, the University of Chicago's accounting program was ranked number one; and Northwestern University placed in the top spot for its marketing program. In engineering, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign's civil engineering program was rated the best nationally. Source: Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs
Add insulation carefully If you're upgrading or adding insulation to your attic, it's important NOT to insulate over eave vents or on top of recessed lighting fixtures or other heat-producing equipment. Keep insulation at least three inches away from the sides of these types of fixtures. Source: Conway Corp., AR (www.conwaycorp.com)
Congressional caucus for rural America revived More than 100 members of the U.S. House of Representatives have decided to resurrect the Congressional Rural Caucus in order to help rural communities get more federal assistance for critical needs. The bipartisan group was originally set up in 1972 to promote rural interests such as health care, creation of jobs and transportation needs. The caucus has been dormant since 1995 when Congress changed the way caucuses are financed. Caucus expenses must now be paid out of lawmakers' own office funds, or lawmakers can contribute the time of their staff members. Previously, caucuses were financed and staffed by House administrative funds. Today 62 million people live in rural America, about the same number that live in inner cities, while another 15 million people live in small towns. But rural communities don't have the infrastructure needed to attract new and high-tech businesses and they don't have the resources to invest in the infrastructure. The economic problems faced by 25 percent of the country's rural population are worse than those urbanites face. Among those problems: • Rural residents earn one-third less than urban dwellers; • About 25 percent of rural hospitals operate at a loss; • About 2.1 million rural children have no health insurance; • Medicare spends less on rural beneficiaries than those who live in cities; • They get less than 10 percent of federal transportation money; • Nearly 80 percent of rural counties have no public bus service, compared with 2 percent of metropolitan counties. Former Rep. Glenn English, D-Okla., now chief executive officer of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, said Congress needs to recognize that one-size-fits-all policies for rural and urban problems simply do not work. "Rural America needs a different solution," English says. Sources: CQ Daily Monitor; The Des Moines Register; National Journal's Congress Daily
Ag-In-the-Classroom grants available Illinois Farm Bureau's Agricultural Association Ag-In-the-Classroom grants are available to promote agricultural literacy. Grants of up to $250 are available to kindergarten through eighth grade teachers. The deadline is October 15. Application information is available through county Farm Bureaus or the program office at: IFB Ag-in-the-Classroom Office 1701 Towanda Avenue Bloomington, IL 61701, (309) 557-2111. AUGUST 2000 • ILLINOIS COUNTRY LIVING 7
"How do you spell relief from high gas prices...E-85 Drivers looking for relief from high gasoline prices may need to look no further than their driveway. Thousands of motorists are already driving Flexible Fuel Vehicles which give them the option of filling their tank with cost competitive E-85 instead of gasoline. "Filling up with E-85 fuel can save people as much as 35 cents per gallon compared to midgrade gasoline," says Leon Corzine, Illinois Corn Growers Association. E-85 is a high performance, clean, renewable ethanol fuel made from Illinois corn. E-85 burns cleaner than gasoline, reduces carbon monoxide emissions, ozone formation, and also reduces carbon dioxide emissions. Those motorists who have purchased a 1998, 1999 or 2000 Chrysler, Dodge, or Plymouth minivan with the 3.3 liter V6 engine are capable of using E-85 fuel. All 2000 Ford Taurus and 1998, 1999, or 2000 Ranger Pickup Trucks equipped with the 3.0 liter V6 engine can use E-85 fuel. Model Year 1999 and later Chevrolet S-10 and GMC Sonoma Pickup Trucks with the 2.2 liter, 4 cylinder engine can also use E-85 fuel. Vehicle owners with any questions concerning whether their vehicles can use E-85, should check their owners manual. Source: Illinois Corn Growers Association
Touchstone Energy cooperatives sponsor Special Olympics Illinois Summer Games
When Tabatha Adamik climbed out of the pool at the Aquatics venue at Special Olympics Illinois State Summer Games, she was ecstatic. Even though the same strong competitor had beaten her the second year in a row in the 50 meter freestyle event, Tabatha accepted her silver medal with joy, pride and the knowledge that she had done her very best. Tabatha was one of nearly 3,600 athletes who came from all over the state for Summer Games June 16 through 18 in Bloomington-Normal. They recited the Special Olympics oath at the Opening Ceremonies: "Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt." Illinois' Touchstone Energy cooperatives were proud to be the Aquatics venue sponsor of the Special Olympics Illinois State Summer Games. "Touchstone Energy cooperatives are committed to their communities and through volunteer efforts, like the Special Olympics, we all win," says Nancy Nixon, Illinois' Touchstone Energy regional coordinator. Athletes from ages 8 to over 80 competed in seven sports. Special Olympics is a year-round program of sports training and competition for children and adults with mental retardation and closely related developmental disabilities. The benefits for athletes go beyond learning sports skills and teamwork. Athletes learn discipline, make new friends and have great social experiences like being able to stay in the University dorms at Summer Games. Volunteers - who help with every aspect of the program - are the important ingredient for the success of the program. If you know someone who would like to get involved in Special Olympics as an athlete, coach or volunteer, call (800) 394-0562.
New washer saves energy and water Maytag's Neptune washing machine looks and works differently than conventional washers, using a fraction of the water and energy to remove tough stains. By turning a standard washing machine basket on its side and discarding the agitator, the new horizontal-axis washer allows you to put more laundry in each load, use less energy and water, and get clothes cleaner, all while reducing fabric wear and tear and slashing operating costs. Agitators in conventional vertical-axis washers push and pull clothes down into water to clean them. The Neptune offers superior wash action by gently lifting clothes using specially designed drip baffles built into the wash tub to move each piece of clothing in and out of the water 35 times per minute. The small amount of water used in the wash cycle carries a high detergent concentration, which increases the cleaning ability of the washer. With the largest capacity of any residential washer on the market (up to one-third larger than competitors), Maytag's Neptune enables users to run fewer loads while handling large bulky items like sleeping bags, bedspreads, coats and rugs. The Neptune washer uses up to 40 percent less water and 65 percent less energy than a conventional washer. As a result, users can save up to $100 annually in utility bills, while conserving more water in a year than one person drinks in a lifetime. Source: Electric Power Research Institute 8 ILLINOIS COUNTRY LIVING • AUGUST 2000 |
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