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PAGE 20 - PLAINDEALER • WEDNESDAY, JULY 23,1 f PLAINDEALER Editorial Opinion Jewelry Shopping One of the hardest shopping tasks for those who undertake it is buying jewelry-precious stones, pearls, rings, etc. Where can one go to get a fair price on first-quality jewelry? The buyer usually can't determine that, visually. Especially in resort towns and often at resort hotels, smart operators often fleece the public on quality and price. Prices can vary to the wildest degree. A single strand of seven centimeter pearls of a certain quality can cost as much as a double strand in another shop or city--of like quality! Diamonds vary so greatly in price experts are needed for advice in purchasing them. Many Americans today are wearing stones of little value for which they paid a considerable price. Perhaps it's better they don't know otherwise. For those about to buy-the best rule is to buy from long- established, home-town dealers of good character, who guarantee their merchandise, or from reputable estate dealers (who often have the best prices) of long standing. The Tax Cut There seems little doubt in Washington these days that a tax cut will be enacted before voters go to the polls Nov. 5. The political jockeying, the timing of enactment, plus the size of the reduction and who gets the most relief, are current topics of discussion. Republicans have proposed tax cuts of from twenty to thirty billion and Democrats have said, in general, that they will write a tax cut bill that will be the appropriate one. There's an interesting concurrence in this dialogue between the two parties. It's acknowledged by a surprising number of senior solons, of both parties, that U.S. business must be stimulated. That is, if U.S. productivity is to be improved-and it must be if the nation's economy is to become healthy again--there must be a faster tax write-off credit for investment in new productive facilities. There must be other encouragements. There is general agreement also of the urgent need for relief of the average taxpayer. There is heavy sentiment to offset, or reduce, sharply higher social security tax rate which goes into effect Jan. 1. Finally, there is much bipartisan sentiment in favor of tax legislation to encourage savings-perhaps by exempting some interest earned in certain forms of savings. It seems likely that the bill Democrats enact-for they are in control of Congress and will call the shots in the end-will be a bill taking into consideration^these viewpoints. There is usually strong bi-partisan support for all these steps in this election year. ------------ PLAINDEALER ^ Letter to the Editor Public Pulse (ft* Plalitdoalar Invito* *• to »m *>'• «•>'• «•<>""" •• •" o.pra*»lon •* Ifcolr vlawt on wklwli ol «anaral ii»«a»a*t in oo< community Out only II that tha »»rltar* (!«• *ifnatwra hill aM'm •"< »(("*•' Waa»fctaa. an* Individual writ* on H»o lam* >ub|o<< mora tha* onto oocfc month Wo ra*a»»a too rlflit to doloto omoto'lol which wo lomMoi llkoleyt or In ofc|o<tlonafclo tooto.) REGRETS COUNTY ACTION "Dear Editor: "Having been a member of" the 1978-1979 citizens committee exploring potential solutions to McHenry county's septage problems, I can attest to the substantial efforts of our committee in reviewing technical solutions and meeting with professionals regarding implementing a McHenry county solution. "As the committee recommended Lombardo & Associates be selected by the county to implement a septage solution, I am ap­ palled by the blatantly political actions by County board members in tabling the selection of Lombardo & Associates as the engineering firm for the septage study. The firm was clearly determined to be the most qualified by the citizens committee and the recent selection committee. "The attempt by some County board members to have a local firm chosen, over the citizens and selection committees recommendation, discredits and subverts the extensive efforts of these committees and has the appearance of political favoritism and connections. The com­ mittees were interested in obtaining the best for McHenry county. The fact that the local engineering firm would hire a Massachusetts consultant anyway, has no experience with septage management and their president's statement - basically what it comes down to is we're right here - is precisely the reasons they were not selected. Does the local firm have the right to all engineering work in the For Your Information county? Is this the type of professionalism the county wants or deserves? "It is most unfortunate that political connections appears to be more im­ portant than the quality for McHenry county citizens. It is also most distressing that in the long-run it appears that the County board is more concerned with political connections and citizen involvement doesn't seem to mean anything. "As one actively con­ cerned with the future of McHenry county and having spent so much time on this project, it is depressing to see my and other committee member's efforts ignored. "It is also depressing to observe an elected County board subvert the political process. Whatever happened to the desire and need for qualty? Whatever happened to political ethics and courage? "I hope the County board has the fortitude to put aside and denounce the unprofessional behavior of a local firm for the longer term interest of McHenry county citizens. The in­ tangible benefits of doing things right are at stake with this issue. "Imagine what us or­ dinary citizens think of a political system which in­ vites citizen participation in r e c o m m e n d i n g . a n engineering firm, has its own committee recommend the same engineering firm and then considers choosing another firm because it lives and votes in the county. I can tell you what we think ~ not very highly of elected of­ ficials charged with the public's interest. "Yours truly, "Peter M. Hellios "7720 Oak Rd. "Wonder Lake" \0 D*or friends, Ther* is much talk of developing a 'healthy' attitud* toward daath. Is a healthy attitude possible to a non-believer in Ufa after death f To tha atheist, daath must bo tha greatest per­ sonal tragedy. To them we would recommend a recent book-FROM MY WORLD TO YOURS-a young man's account of the Afterlife-published by Walker ft Co.. 720 Fifth Ave., New York. Respectfully, PETERM.JUSTEN £ . cr^py FUNERAL HOME State Legislation Code to Chart: Y-Yes, N-No, A-Abeent, P-Present HOU8E DISTRICT 32 Donald Deuster, R-Mundelein Daniel Pierce, D-Highland Park Betty Lou Reed, R-Deerfield t DISTRICT 33 Thomas Hanahan, D-McHenry Cal Skinner, R-Woodstock Richard Burnidge, R-Elgin s CO § 53 s CO g 28 S17 10 3 Ui I CO § X i 8 53 Y Y A Y A Y N Y Y Y p A Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y ' Y Y Y N Y Y Y CQ X SENATE DISTRICT 32 Karl Berning, R-Deerfield DISTRICT 33 Jack Schaffer, R-Crystal Lake 1--H-2921, Rep. Bruce Richmond, D-Murphysboro. Removes state and local sales tax on farm machinery and parts which cost over $1,000. Half the tax would be removed Sept. 1, 1980, and the rest after Sept. 1, 1981. Local taxes could be retained after a vote on the matter. Passed Senate 52-1, goes to Governor. 2--H-3173, Rep. Larry Stuffle, D-Charleston. Prohibits increasing 1980 farmland assessments county-wide more than 8 percent above 1979 levels, in counties other than Cook. Passed Senate 41-17, goes to governor. The legislature also approved a bill creating a farmland tax study committee in response to complaints that the 1975 assessment law puts an undue burden on farmers. 3 -- H - 5 3 6 , S e n a t e Agriculture, Conservation" and Energy committee. Directs that Illinois sulfur dioxide emission standards be no stricter than federal standards. Although Illinois and federal standards measure emissions dif­ ferently, experts say current Illinois standards are not actually stricter. The measure's purpose is to promote the use of Illinois high-sulfur contend coal. Passed Senate 56-0, goes to governor. Two other bills passed this session also attempt to promote Illinois coal by lowering the emissions standards. 4--S-1524, Sen. George Sangmeister, D Mokena. Requires life imprisonment without parole, or death, for anyone convicted of three Class X felonies or murder within 20 years, excluding time spent in prison. Currently, a felony com­ mitted out-of-state is not counted toward the "three time loser" provision. Passed House 122-31, goes to governor, who is expected to sign it. Mfc 5--S-1706, Sens. James Rupp, R-Decatur and John Friedland, R-South Elgin. Increases the penalty for child abuse to up to 14 years imprisonment. Parents of the child or the parent's spouse may be given at least two years probation instead. Passed House 147-3, goes to the Governor. 6--S-1559, Sen. Mark Rhoads, R-Western Springs. Raises the maximum un­ dergraduate scholarship for full-time college students from $1,800 to $1,900. Passed House 141-8, goes to the Governor. 7--H-3204, Rep. Edmund Kornowicz, D-Chicago. Increases the maximum annual income a senior citizen or public aid recipient can receive and still be eligible for circuit- breaker property tax A Y Y n s N Y Y A Y Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y s s a N ARE YOU NEW IN McHenry Ac^a? SS86SS8SSSSS Do You Know Somoona New? WE WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND A ROYAL WELCOME TO EVERY NEWCOMER TO' OUR AREA!!!!! CALL JOAN STULL 385-5418 LORRAINE M0NAHAN 385-5*75 ; X,, % mzmnm 10* YOUR AREA ROYAL WELCOME DOES IT BEST A Y Y Y P N Y Y Y N Y Y 3 3 rebates. Also provides up to $40 a year to help pay higher heating bills of these groups. Passed Senate 44-9, goes to the governor. 8--H-3153, Rep. Larry Stuffle, D-Charleston. Amended by a Senate Education committee, the bill provides that minimum teachers' salaries be an­ nually adjusted according to the average statewide in­ crease of the previous year, except in Chicago, where teachers' salaries are generally higher than elsewhere in the state. Passed Senate 33-21, goes to the governor. 9--H-3114, Rep. Glenn Schneider, D-Naperville. Adds $100 to the per pupil maximum state school aid, bringing it to $1,463. Passed Senate 55-2, goes to the governor. 10--H-2955, Reps. Zeke Giorgi, D-Rockford and Thomas Hanahan, D- McHenry. Approves the $20 million state Chrysler loan. The Senate at one point substituted a loan guarantee for the House-passed direct loan, but switched back with the argument that the direct loan gives the state more control over the transaction. Additionally, a direct loan only requires a simple majority to pass. The money is to come from state lottery revenues. Chrysler has agreed to put up 133 percent of its Belvidere, 111., plant as collateral. Passed Senate 32- 22, goes to the governor. 11--H-2822, Rep. Thaddeus Lechowicz, D-Chicago. Removes another penny from the sales tax on groceries, and completely exempts medicine and drugs from the tax, after July 1, 1980. Increases the local government share of the remaining tax. Passed Senate 40-16, goes to the governor. The governor has a choice between that tax relief and two other bills. •Bbe first of these removes taxes from drugs and medicine this year, and on groceries by category until they are completely exempt by Aug. 1, 1982. The state would reimburse local governments for their loss of local taxes. The other measure simply removes another penny from the state sales tax, the approach that Thompson has favored before. 12--H2860, Rep. Ralph Capparelli, D-Chicago. Exempts from Illinois in­ come lax interest up to $1,500 earned by senior citizens on savings accounts. Passed Senate 32-10, goes to the governor. 13--H-2892, Rep. Mary Lou S u m n e r , R - D u n l a p . Exempts from Illinois in­ come tax the first $5,000 earned on bonds, notes, mortgages, personal loans a e s s a N Y N Y N N Y Y N Y Y Y Y and on savings accounts with Illinois institutions. Passed Senate 32-11, goes to the governor. The General Assembly also sent to the governor a measure exempting the first $1,000 of interest from income taxes. 14--S-1728, Sen. Stanley Weaver, R-Urbana. Tightens state bankruptcy laws. A person who files for bankruptcy would be allowed to retain fewer personal possessions that do not have to be sold to pay creditors. Passed House 108- 58, goes to the Governor. 15--S-1710. Bill went to a conference committee of the House and Senate and emerged as a measure to remove the $30 tax on the sale of cars and trailers by non-dealers if the vehicle is over five years old. The tax, passed last year by the legislature, would remain on newer vehicles. Passed House 150-21. 16--H-1221, Rep. Ralph Dunn, R-DuQuoin. Exempts alternate energy systems such as solar from state and local sales taxes and provides that installing an alternate energy system shall not increase the assessed value of real property. Passed Senate 44- 11, goes to the governor. 17--S-1810, Sen. John Davidson, R-Springfield. Removes, by 1984, state sales tax on equipment to makegasohol. Passed House 130-14, goes to the governor. Another bill sent to the governor removes the state taxes on gasohol until June 30,1962, but phases in the full tax after July 1, 1985. 18--S-1808, Sens. Phil Rock, D-Oak Park and David Regner, R-Mt. Prospect. Bill would allow more families to qualify for Public Aid medical assistance benefits. The Federal Government would share half the cost of the increase. Failed in the House 80-68, needed 89 yes votes to pass. 19--H-426, Reps> J. David Jones, R-Springfield and Robert Terzich, D-Chicago. Doubles the state con­ tribution toward insurance coverage of state employees' dependents. Cost to the state is estimated at $4.3 million. Insurance costs to the em­ ployees are increasing because of , rate hikes granted to Blue Cross-Blue Shield and other health maintenance organizations. Passed Senate 43-13, goes to the governor. 20--H-1407, Rep. William Marovitz, D-Chicago. A conference committee proposed a version of this bill that would have allowed the state to sell $150 million in bonds for low-cost single- family mortgage loans. There would be no cost to the state and the bill was seen as a stimulant for the con­ struction industry. Federal legislation which allows the states to finance the program requires the bonds to be sold and mortgages committed this year in order to be tax-exempt. The measure passed the House 154-2, but the Senate defeated the measure 35-13. The bill was later passed without that amendment. 21--H-3250. Reworked by a Senate amendment, this bill became the vehicle for worker's compensation reform. The General Assembly agreed to freeze benefits for permanent partial disabilities for three years, at 100 percent of the state's average wage as of Jan. 1, 1981. Those benefits currently increase as the average wage increases. Under this method, surrounding states are expected to catch up to Illinois benefit levels. The bill reduces minimum awards for certain injuries. Hearing loss standards will be set for the first time. Attorney's fees are limited - a provision opposed by trial lawyers groups - and only two doctors may be con­ sulted in an effort to sub- McHENRY, ILLINOIS - 385-0063 SERVICE LINE McHENRY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 315-4300 FAMILY 5ERVICE 8 MENTAL HEALTH CLINIC 3409 W Waubegon Rood McHemy 385 6400 PARENTAL STRESS LINE OF McHENRY Meeting Place McHenry County 24 hours a day . 7 days a week CallBIS 344 3944 Parents Anonymous meetings on Wednesday. STATE CHAMBER GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS HOTIINE 217 522 5514 FEDERAL GOVERNMENT 1 GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION 202 755 8660 Hours 7:30a.m to 5:30 p.m. week days (Ever hod a problem involving the federal government ond not known where to coll? And then been given a runaround or referrals by persons who meant well but didn t know how to help? Ten specialist available at this center.) NATIONAL RUN-AWAY SWITCHBOARD Illinois Phone 800 972-6004 (For confidential conversations on problems deoling with run away children ) MOVING HOTLINE Phone800 424 9213 (Complaints about interstate moving by companies buses or trains. Sponsored by Interstate Commerce commission) CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION PHONE 800 638 2666 (For questions or complaints on products ranging from toys to ovens) * NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION Phone 800 424 9393 (Answers questions about automobile safety delects or ,wheather o particular model has ever been recoiled Valuable for those interested in buying a used cor) ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES Child Abuse Center McHenry County (312)546 2150 CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION 800 638 2666 (Operates five national lines Answers inquires about or repor­ ting on. the safety of products from kitchen appliances to children s toys.) NATIONAL SOLAR HEATING AND COOLING INFORMATION CENTER 800 523 2929 P O Box 1607 Rockville Md 20850 (Dispenses information on solar systems for heating and cooling to anyone from architects to home owners looking for o sun powered hot water system) CONSUMER PROTECTION DIVISION 312 793 3580 Chicogo ill BIRTHRIGHT Pregnant' Need Help' Counseling Service 385 2999 24 houi Answering Service YOUTH SERVICE BUREAU FOR McHENRY COUNTY 4719 W. Elm St.. McHenry Phone: 344-3240 24 hour Crisis Intervention ond Confidential Counseling foi youth and families Aie you concerend about your angiy feelinqs towaid your children' 24 hour Paientol Stiess Line 344 3944 ILLINOIS STATE CHAMBER HOTLINE Plioiif 2 1 7 5 2 2 5514 A n s w e i t o q u e s t i o n s o n g o v e r n m e n t r i -quinturns MENTAL HEALTH 1-000-892 8900 (Crisis Center Line for McHenry Co. 24-Hour Emergency number ond professional staff will answer your call. Sponsoring agency McHenry County Comprehensive Mental Health Service System. stantiate claims. The measure requires rulings on awards to be put in writing, an attempt to establish precedents for future cases. It bars benefits to workers injured in voluntary recreational activities such as softball games, and those taking part in drug or alcohol rehabilitation programs offered by . the employer. However, a.move to revise that part of the current law which awards compensation for total disability when an injury is received, even when that worker had an existing disability was blocked. The measure further requires insurance companies to give more information to the state and to employers to help set rates for worker compensation premiums. It allows employers to challenge claims paid by their insurance companies and to receive reim­ bursement for an unfairly awarded payment. The employee, however, gets to keep such a payment. The measure also allows smaller employers to pool their in­ surance programs to cut costs. Passed the House 158- 2, the Senate 57-1, but the issue will be taken up again next session. 22--S-1726, Sens. Jane Donnewald, D-Breese and Aldo DeAngelis, R-Olympia Fields. Restricts unem­ p l o y m e n t i n s u r a n c e eligibility for people who voluntarily leave their jobs. A worker would be eligible only if he leaves 1) on the advice of a doctor or to care for ill members of his family - but only if he has given written notice and suitable work is unavailable when he returns to work, 2) to accept other work where he works at least two weeks or earns at least twice his weekly benefit amount, 3) to avoid bumping another worker under union agreement, or 4) to avoid sexual harassment the employer knows about. It also tran­ sfers the responsibility for unemployment benefits to the second employer if the worker earned at least six times his weekly * benefit amount while working for him. Passed the House 107- 21, goes to the governor. 23--H-3614, Committee on S t a t e G o v e r n m e n t organization. Creates the Department of Nuclear Safety to register, license, inspect and control radiation sources, provide for the storage of radioactive waste, and control the tran­ sportation of such material in the state. The department is also to develop a state nuclear policy. An amend­ ment added a prohibition against other states im­ porting spent nuclear fuel for storage unless they agreed to accept spent fuel from Illinois. That provision is a protest against a proposed national nuclear fuel storage site at Morris, 111. The Senate approved the bill 44-12', the House ap­ proved the amendment, and it move to the governor. Clean Air Conference A regional conference on the U.S. Clean Air act will be sponsored by the Illinois State Chamber of Commerce Friday, July' 25, at the Holiday Inn Mart plaza, Chicago. The conference, co- sponsored by the U.S. and Illinois Environmental Protection agencies, will brief business people on new EPA clean air policy issues, including controlled trading, emission offsets, offset banking, bubble concept and permitting procedures, plus a general update on the status of state im­ plementation plans. Featured speakers include William Drayton, assistant administrator for planning and management, U.S. EPA, Washington; John S. Hoff­ man, project manager, emissions, offsets, banking, and trading project, U.S. EPA, Washington; and John McGuire, regional ad­ ministrator, Region V, U.S. EPA, Chicago. Business people from throughout the region -- Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, Minnesota - - are invited to attend the all- day meeting, which starts at 9:30 a.m. Registration information is available from Patti Cummings, Center for Business Management, an Illinois State Chamber af­ filiate, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago 60606 (312-372- 7373) EMI H WALSH I JACK WALSH INS. Flra Auto Farm. Lit* Rapra*antlng WfLIASLE COMPANIES 4410 W Rta 120 McHanry 30S 3300 DENNIS CONWAY AUTO I IF* Ft*t State Fan Ins. Co. 131* W. Elm Sir** McMamy tit. MS 7111 IAMES M. MclNTEE. LAWYER AVAILABLE TO PRACTICE IN: Par*at«ol ln|ury/Trial* Buslnaai Corporation* Will* /Probata DIvorco-RaalEitata Worfcmon'* Compansatlon 3434 W. Elm Straat McHanry, Illinois For appointment phono: 3SS-2440 Farm Equipment G*»org'e P. Freund, Ino Case - New Holland 4102 W. Crystal Lake Rd., McH«nry Bus. 385-0420 Res. 385 0227 DR. LCOMHO I0TTAM 303 N. Rlcnmontf *4 McHanry lr« o»«mlwa* Contact lama* Cla**a* flttad Man.. Twat. Thwr*. Frl. 4-4pm Tva* Thar*. Frl. ? latV:3*ta3:M Pfceea 30* 4111 at 3M-2M1 McHENRY COUNTY OFFICE MACHINES SALES SERVICE • RINTAIS Men.-Sat. »S:30 Friday til t:00 fl Grant St.. Cry*tai I aha PSana 4SV-IM4 If Pays To Advertise In The Plaindealer. k l R E L U RADIAL TIRES FOR ALL CARS Europa Motors, Inc 2 3 1 8 R t e 1 2 0 8 1 5 - 3 8 5 - 0 7 0 0 i 1HMI HI m • W St our quid quick-action.copy center. FINEST QUALITY COPIES MADE ON XEROX EQUIPMENT See us. also, for every kind o* Printing Needl PRINTING 3909 W. MAIN 385-7600 A TRAILERS USED HORSE t CATTLE TRAILERS DUMP FIATBEDS CAR HAULERS TRAILER HITCHES (EXPERT INSTALLATION) RUNNING BOARDS BRADEN WINCHES ADAMS ENTERPRISES 3017 W Rte 130 McHanry II B1S3BSS970