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'Includes •Initial Eye Exam or coupon apply 'Dispensing Foe ,^,.7'i? tT"1'- *B & L Soft Contact Lenses Regular $7.95 | MS-4S9-6200 owerwco Rts. 14 & 176 ' Crystal Lake, Illinois Mon. Fn. 9-9; Sat. 9 i>; Sun. 10-b The Illinois unemployment rate registered 9.2 percent in October and continued to outpace the national rate. The U.S. unemployment rate of October was 7.6 percent, up one-tenth of one percent from the previous month, while the Illinois rate climbed four-tenths of one percent during the same period. According to the November Illinois Economic Data Sheets published by the Department of Commerce and Community Affairs (DCCA), Illinois, like other manufacturing states, continues to suffer the ef­ fects of the current economic slowdown. During Oc­ tober,such Illinois plants as Admiral-Magic Chef (Galesburg), Caterpillar (Chicago), Owens Illinois (Alton), and Tee Park, Inc., /Danville) laid off hundreds of employees. Many other Illinois firms previously laid off workers earlier in the year. Illinois, a major automotive steel and component supplier and automobile assembly state, has not significantly benefited from recent in­ creases in U.S. car sales, and there are no signs it will do so in the near future. Most experts feel U.S. automotive sales will never reach the volume of previous years, and a general cutback in U.S. automobile manufacturing is expected. Some economists feel that as many as 50 percent of U.S. automotive workers now laid off will never regain jobs in that industry. The General Motors foundry in Danville announced major layoffs last week. "The present_ high unemployment rate in Illinois will probably con­ tinue about one-half-way into 1981," Wally Bierman, DCCA chief of research, said, "and will then begin to decrease only if the economy experiences several months of solid growth." < In September, the latest month for which figures are available, Decatur con­ tinued to have the highest unemployment rate (11.2 percent) of the state's eight standard metropolitan statistical areas (SMSA). Of the remaining seven SMSA's , of Bloomington, Champaign, Chicago, Rock Island- Moline, Peoria, Rockford and Springfield, Rockford tallied the second highest rate, at 10.3 percent. C h a m p a i g n , w h o s e economic base is largely non-industrial, had the state's lowest unem­ ployment figures, 5.5 per­ cent. Twenty-nine Illinois counties, chiefly in rural south central and deep southern Illinois, continued to suffer from double-digit unemployment rates in September. The hardest hit pill] county was Alexander (Cairo), the southern-most county in the state, with a rate of 17.7 percent. Seventy-seven Illinois firms with total liabilities of more than $18 million failed during the month of July, compared to 18 firms with liabilities of $4.2 million in July, 1979. Conversely, Illinois business in­ corporations in July were up 7.8 percent compared to one year ago. Total U.S. business incorporations were up 2.8 percent for the same period. "Although there is an understandable correlation between business failures and economic conditions," Bierman said, "the r e l a t i o n s h i p b e t w e e n business incorporations and economic conditions comes as a surprise to many people. The worse economic conditions get, the more firms fail, yet the more are created in many instances. Only during the months of March, April and May was the rate of Illinois business incorporations down, while the business failure rate has been significantly higher throughout 1980." Economists speculate that negative economic con­ ditions foster the creation of corporations as "economic refuges" for both individuals and businesses. August retail sales in Illinois were off by 3.5 percent compared to one year ago, and sales for the city of Chicago were off by 7.3 percent. Retail sales were up 3.5 percent nationally for the same period. However, depart­ ment store sales in August were up by 1.3, .3,2.6,2.2 and 1.5 percent respectively for D e c a t u r , P e o r i a , Springfield, Danville and Quincy. Department store sales were down by 1.0 and 6.7 in Rock Island and Rock­ ford. Department store sales were down by 2.1 percent in the central business district of Chicago, but showed a slight .5 percent gain for the entire Chicagoland area. Despite the generally unfavorable statistics, some nationwide trends bode well for industrial states such as Illinois. In September, both the U.S. industrial production index and the capacity utilization rate climbed for the second month in a row. The production index, a measure of the output of the nation's factories, was 141.3 in September, an increase of 1.5percent over the 139.8 August figure. Similarly, the capacity utilization rate, a measure of the nation's industrial activity, rose to 75.6 percent for September, an increase of .5 over the 75.0 August figure. This upward trend will have to continue over an extended period, however, before the state and nationwide unem­ ployment picture will be affected significantly. N o n - r e s i d e n t i a l c o n ­ struction starts in Illinois climbed for the second month in a row during S e p t e m b e r , a l t h o u g h residential and non-building WINS SALES AWARD-Ed ill Donna Condon, McHenry, are shown here receiving a sales excellence award from Dwayne Johnson, Northern Illinois regional manager of Growmark, Inc. - FS Services division. Condon, a feed and plant food salesman for McHenry FS, Inc., has been employed by the local cooperative for 24 years. He works out of the McHenry FS-McHenry plant. He and his wife, Donna, have six children and reside In McHenry. Only the top IS percent of the FS sales force system-wide received the award. Werner Leather Works New McHenry Business One of the city's newest businesses is Werner Custom Leather Works, located at 3318 W. Elm street. Operated by Bill Werner, the shop deals with repairing and handcrafting leather goods for the horse industry. Werner started doing leather work as an ap- starts were down. U.S. construction starts were off by 1 percent during Sep­ tember compared to one year ago. The total number of state e m p l o y e e s ( e x c l u d i n g e d u c a t i o n ) d e c l i n e d f r o m 82,001 in August to 80,489 in September, and the state payroll for those employees dropped from $110.8 million to $109.7 million. Governor James R. Thompson recently froze state hiring for a 60-day period to help counter the effects of the recession on state revenues. prentice at a saddle shop, where he made custom chaps, belts and a variety of western show equipment and operated a full scale repair department. The owner is also active training and showing horses, where he keeps abreast with changing styles and trends. Ted Frett, second right, 5012 W. Cambridge drive, McHenry, employment counselor, Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind, Is shown with personnel executives who led a Blind Service association-sponsored Interview practicum for visually impaired Job seekers. The practicum was the culminating session of a nine-week course of study led by Dale Otto of Chicago, third left, who is blind. Left to right are Thomas Schlltx, employment manager, Bankers Life and Casualty company; Ed Ehrlicher, assistant personnel manager, Nystrom division of Carnation company; Otto Frett and Robert P. Polgorskl, employment manager, Northrop corporation. Rolling Meadows. Blind Service association is a 56-year-old service organization providing assistance to blind and partially sighted people. It is located at 127 N. Dearborn street, Chicago. Subjects covered In the course were: How to research the employment Paula James of McHenfjjgL market, preparation of resume and cover letter, employment rights of handicapped |f»ople, proper I ATCONFERENCE C ~ returned recently from a four-day President's in­ vitational conference for Rawlelgh distributors, held at Freeptirt. interview techniques, and the Interview practicum. - O J S COMMONS VISION CENTER LTD. Spectacular Offer Buy Now & Save!! For A Limited Time Only •iaiWi»iiiiifiwar^"T~TTiiir^TPiTTiTOitr NOTE: To all union membtrs and th«ir families. Receive a 20% discount on all prescription eye­ wear. Union cards must be presented at beginning of initial visit* •Frames t lenses must be purchased together. *Ne ether coupons or discounts Most Prescriptions in Stock SPECIAL 20 SAVINGS 1 Save $20 on any complete pair of glasses you choose, regular prescription or prescription sunglasses. Choose from our ENTIRE selection of frames. Just bring this coupon with you when you come in to buy your glasses. Offer expires Dec. 31, 1980, so hurry and come in soon. Don't miss out. When purchased together, one coupon good for entire family. Coupon must be presented at beginning of initial visit. No other coupons or discounts opply McHENRY 4305 W. ELMST.(RTE. 120) (Across the street from Hornsby's) (•15)344-3*00 Layewey Plans Avallahls Charts Hl- Rewnd Lake Beach I West Baadee 829 E.Rollins I 120Moin tmmm Vmm CaaUr I Across from Post Office (312) 223-0020 | (312)420-7000 Coupons must net be used on purchases bsrfsre II at ^Ilowerwocd BIRD1 FEEDER SAI.K An Inexpensive Way To Get Started... v Plastic-"Adjustable Flow" Feeder Regular $4.95.... *2.50 You decide how fast the seed comes out. Domed Feeder - I Not Kxactly iih I'm lured i Put in on a string or on a post. Flowerwood - For Hard-to-Find Specialty Seeds THISTLE SEED • for gold finches, pine siskins, red poles. 10 lbs AUDUBON SUNFLOWER MEATS - for chickadees, finches, #rosbeak.s 4 Kilo-(8 lbs. 14 oz.) SUNFLOWER SEEDS - Best all 'round for attracting seed eating birds 50 lbs OYSTER SHELLS (Grit) - helps birds digest their food lOlbs •15.95 *5.49 •19.95 •2.98 PEANUT HEARTS-A real treat, and protein supplement for many birds 5 ,b* '3.98 CRACKED CORN - A >>ood all 'round feed, supplies cold weather energy 5 lbs. / »L29 SUET SEED CAKES - Special Blind Supplies Knergy *1.19 Horo find There In Business State Unemployment Rate Continues To Outpace U.S. Set Grand Opening PAGE 9 - PLA1NDEALER FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28.1980 Business Expands Everything Nice, newest women's apparel shop In McHenry, has Just opened In the relaxed atmosphere of an older home. Located on Lake street, one block north of Rt. 120, and one-half block east of the Fox river, the boutiqne has five rooms of fine labels feataring contemporary fashions in Juniors and Missy sites. Owners Norita McAndrews and her sister, Charlotte McDonough, plan their grand opening this weekend, Nov. 28 and 21, with special prices offered. Refreshments will be served. STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD Arizona Sun Western Wear recently added 780 square feet to the store at 3321 West Elm (Rt. 128) to aUow more freedom In shopping and a larger selectloa for customers. This Is Arlsona Sun's fifth holiday season serving the local shopping public. 8pecial gifts are to be offered with the opening of the remodelled store. STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD Aid Blind Job Seekers Rate Hike New rates for Illinois Bell customers are scheduled to go into effect Nov. XT, with residential single lines going up 75 cents a month for most outstate and suburban customers. The Illinois Commerce commission Friday (Nov. 14) granted Illinois Bell $159.4 million of the $211 million the company had requested in general rate increases. The commission also increased the com­ pany's rate of return from 9.4 percent to 10.9 percent. "The 5.7 percent increase in total company revenues granted will help offset part of the effect of inflation," said H. A. Latimer, Illinois Bell vice-president regulatory and financial. For Belt "However, this falls short of the 7 percent rise in revenues we told the com- amission we need to fully combat inflationary cost increases." The commission approved increases in local telephone rataa for both reeidence and business customers. The company's last general Increase In local telephone rates was Jan. 1, 1974. Examples of these in­ creases range from 10 cents a month for Chicago reaidential single lines to 75 cents a month for most suburban single line users. Business lines went up $2.96 a month. Businees trunks increased by $2 6t $3.50 monthly, depending on thq type of service. - O