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r £AQKlr PLAl^DEALER - FRIDAY, MAY 4, 1»S4 1 News and ™ Views Capitol Update: Hazardous waste study needed Workfare's uncertain future It was probably more than a year ago that we checked with Supervisor Albert Adams to see just how well the program of Workfare was working in McHenry Township. "It's working well/' was the message we received. He feels it's still working today. Workfare is an innovation of very recent years in which able bodied persons who need help from township government for the necesiities of life are required to compensate for this help by performing some type of community service. M usin' &, anderin BY KAF How do the people most concerned feel about it? Adams says the 50 who are now on Workfare are satisfied with the arrangement and willing to do the work It is likely that some of them are even happy about the program for in spite of a feeling that everyone wants to take but not give, this is not so. There are many out there whose self esteem gets a boost by the op­ portunity to at least partially pay their way. In an uncertain economy and a fast-changing business world, it isn't uncommon to suddenly find there is no job to go to, or skills that fit the need. These are the people for wnlgn Workfare was intended, usually on a temporary basis, But lest we think everyone is happy with the opportunity to work for the needs supplied, let us set the record straight. Presently there are 50 in the Workfare program in McHenry Township. From six to eight individuals are interviewed daily. Balancing the proud people who are paying their way are 10 to 15 for whom assistance is cancelled each month because they failed to show for the job. According to Adams, some seekers of assistance find that other work is preferable if they can't get their necessities provided without strings at­ tached. In a year's time, Adams noted, about 1,000 cases are processed and there are ap­ proximately 200 active cases in the same amount of time. The work can be performed only as a community service for non-profit groups. It includes such activities as snow removal, grass cutting and park main­ tenance. Taking advantage of the work, and thus freeing governmental employees for other activity, are the City of McHenry and the Villages ,of Lake moor and McCullom Lake. Adams said the program in Illinois at this time is only at the township level. The • state's answer to need is public aid, with no need to answer for the help received. This is a situation President Reajjdfri hopes to change through proposed new Workfare legislation which would require 21 million food stamp recipients to perform community service for their benefits. This proposal would dispose of a current law allowing states the option of setting work requirements on food stamp users. The proposal promises to have no effect on truly poor recipients. However, it has early opposition from those who suggest that instead, at least in highly industrialized states with high unemployment, there is a greater need for retraining so people can get jobs. With an estimate of benefits totaling almost $1 billion given out last year to recipients who were not entitled to them, it would appear there are also arguments that some reform is needed. Before anyone raises his blood pressure over the controversy we remind that there is little likelihood of anything being done in 1984, regardless of its merits. Unpopular proposals have a way of hiding under the rug in an election year and our legislators aren't going to go looking for them. House study committees affrowd measures last week dealing with the sales tax on restaurant food, truck safety tests, seat belts, computers in schools and municipal primaries, according to State Rep. Dick Klemm - (R-Crystal Lake). < In ether action, legislators received a special message from Gov. Thompson calling for an expansion of Illinois' hazardous waste research program. He is proposing that the Department of Energy and Natural Resources expand its hazardous waste research program and implement new programs to assist industries, citizens and communities in dealing with toxic substances. His message also proposes that the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency test hun­ dreds of chemicals commonly found in surroundings to determine their effects on human health and the en­ vironment. In seperate actions the Democrats on the newer Bote Committee defeated two im­ portant proposals, sponeored by Republicans, for apparently partisan reasons. One hill, sponsored by a downstate Republican, weald have altered the public transit funding formula to allow downstate transit systems to obtain added federal funding at no cost to Illinois taxpayers. A second bill, sponsored by three Republican lawmakers, called for an advisory referendum on substituting state income taxes for property taxes in the financing of schools. During even-numbered years of the General Assembly, all legislation must be approved by the Rules Committee before being assigned to a study committee. Approval by the Rules Committee is generally routine. * Because the Rules Committee is only now finishing its con­ sideration of bills, standing committees will face an unusually heavy work load. 4 was the Boose for cwnittN* con­ sideration of all legislation other ̂ than spending bills. v , The legislation that was ap­ proved by House study eom- mittes and sent to the fall House for ' includes the Sales tax on. restaurant food (HB 2518). Phases out the state sales tax on restaurant and cany-out food by one percent each year beginning in Jan. 1, 1985. Truck safety tests (HB 15) Safety tests for small, non­ commercial trucks would no longer be required under this legislation. Seat belts (HB 2800) Requires most drivers and front seat passengers to wear seat belts or face fines of up to $25. School computers (HB 2504). Allows businesses a state in­ come tax credit for 25 percent of the cost Df any computer equipment they donate to school** Municipal primaries (HB 2483) Allows municipalities with established political parties to hold primaries, and requires them to. reimburse their county governments for the cost of the primaries. Free pamphlet available on grave markers for veterans HEAVY I COULD use A Wf, Klemm calls for elected superintendent of schools State Rep. Dick Klemm (R- Crystal Lake) has introduced legislation calling for the election of the state superin­ tendent of schools, "to provide voters with a chosen spokesperson for education at the state level." "The superintendent is currently appointed by the State Board of Education, and the voters have no elected official who can speak for and address their concerns at the state level regarding education," Klemm said. "With an elected superintendent, voters would be able to choose the education platform that they prefer from the positions of the candidates. And the person elected to the superintendent's position would have a political base and mandate that could be used to A new, free pamphlet describing the Veterans Ad­ ministration program for marking the graves of veterans buried in national and private cemeteries is available by writing the nearest VA office. "The Veterans Headstone and Marker Program was developed by VA's Department of Memorial Affairs' Monument Service to meet the increasing demand for information about the program. Last year, more than 210,000 headstones or markers were shipped to mark the graves of veterans in private cemeteries and approximately 45,000 went to national cemeteries for the graves of veterans and their dependents. Men and women veterans of wartime and peacetime service who were discharged from active military service under conditions other than dishonorable are eligible for the benefit, and in certain cir­ cumstances, veterans ' dependents may be eligible. improve education in Illinois." Klemm explained that the superintendent was an elected position until 1970, when policymakers decided to create an appointed State Board of Education from which r$ superintendent would be elec­ ted. . "That move was designed to take the politics out of education," Klemm said, "I do agree with the good things that the Board has done, and have nothing against the present superintendent. But I think the state would be better served if we had an .elected spokesperson for. education." Under Klemm's proposal, House Joint Resolution - Con­ stitutional Amendment 25, the board would continue to be appointed by the governor. McHENRY 1/7H W ELM ST m (JO?? BERKSHIRE • WHITE # NIGHTS r.lqiant Nostalgia HeJs and Accessories I 38V* U ' / f t wM- q A-'.'J- !. '// / /77>v.V\r 579" Value Queen Size M5995 ' Without Bedding •VICTORIA 1.MA Surround yourself wl»h the enchantrr.oi.t ol while iron • Romantic styling accented bv delicate scroll work 1 ne fantasy of white iron Other Sizes Also Available Sola ends May 51 Browsers Always Welcome I FAMILY RESTAURANTS 4228 W. Elm Mchenry 144-0022 •90 LAKFAVE. WOODSTOCK (SIS) 334-0404 DAIIV 9 TO t:30, MON * Ml 9 TO 9, CLOSED SUNDAY Your Legislators State Senator Jack Schaffer (R), 32nd. 56 N. Williams St. Crystal Lake, 111., 60014 Phone: 455-0309 Springfield Phone: 217 782-6525 U.S. Senators Alan J. Dixon (R) 230 S. Dearborn Room 3960 Chicago, HI., 60604 Phone: 312 353-5420 600 E. Monroe --, Room 106 IB., 62706 217 492-4126 United States Senate Swmtp Office Bids. Washington, D.C., 20510 Charles H. Percy (R) 230 S. Dearborn. Room 3892 Chicago, HI., 60604 Phone: 312 353-4952 600 E. Monroe Room 117 Springfield, HI., 62706 Phone: 217 492-4442 United States Senate Senate Office Bldg. Washington, D.C., 20510 State Representatives Dick Klemm (R), 63rd. 3 W. Crystal Lake Ave. Crystal Lake, 01., 60014 Phone: 455-6330 0-2 Stratton Bldg. Springfield, 111., 62706 Phone: 217.782-8000, l t J ^ Ronald Wait (R), 64th -110 E. Second St. Belvidere, HI., 61006 U.S. Representative Philip M. Crane (R), 12th 1450 New Wilke Rd. Mount Prospect, HI., 60005 Phone: 312 394-0790 House of Representatives House Office Bldg. Washington, D.C. 20515 McHenry County Office 56 N. William Street Crystal Lake, HI., 60014 Phone: 459-3399 MEET THE STAFF * Pam Arwine Advertising Representative Advertising is a very necessary part of the newspaper business and one of the people you'll meet when you have an ad is Pam Arwine. Pam is there to help business and public advertisers with all their advertising needs. With The McHenry Plaindealer for about three years, Pam's duties include advertising sales display sales, writing, design and layout of ads. In her spare time, Pam eitfoys writing children's stories and one has been published. She also plays racquetball and swims. Pam and her 10-yearold daughter, Jennifer are residents of Bayview Beach subdivision, outside of Crystal Lake. ' K yiitt Crk Cmd On lb . . RaiiKJealer-'