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1 >3 PAGE 16 - PLAINDEALER - WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26,1983 PLAINDEALER"^ Editorial Opinion Medical Care Tops Aid Spending * I m An Electronic World One sees new evidence daily of the trend to a new world of electronic work and play. Many labor unions are increasingly concerned by robot-use and computerization which are putting employees out of work. »• In the secretarial world, some who retired a few years ago find they lack the word-processor or computer skills employers now seek. In the world of recreation the nation is on an electronic binge, with video games and video taping and video reception channels constantly expanding In the business world, computer technology is transforming entire industries, and individuals along with it. It's not infrequent today to find individuals whose life and thinking is adjusted to computer pote|Uial and computer terminology. One sometimes finds individuals so addicted tch?omputers that personality or family life is seriously distorted. Children today are often spending all their money on video games, and hours and hours daily or weekly on these games, as are some adults. The question is: can we maintain reason and balance while utilizing the fascinating possibilities of the computer-electronics age? Do we want our children, for one example, to become bug-eyed, nervouS- twitch candidates from sitting before video games for endless hours? Do we want our secretarial or administrative worlds to be entirely dependent on computers (and electric power)? Do we want all records, all business, store and bank accounts to be handled by computers? In this connection, mistakes pointed out by customers often are met with the frustrating answer by the clerk, or official, that "all this is handled by computers" and that "one will have to wait for correction. Brokerage houses seem to be the worst in this area, and mistakes sometimes require weeks or months to correct. In summary, the trend toward electronics is a mixed blessing. One often has the feeling it would be nice to know that humans are handling one's business affairs and accounts again, and that one could talk to another human to correct errors. The human brain doesn't stop functioning when the electricity goes off. Finally, the young generation, one would hope, will not forsake the great outdoors and what past generations have learned from good reading, physical endeavor and crafts of all kinds, etc.-but that is a real danger in our electronic world today. > The Firewood Season It's the season to burn firewood in stoves, heaters and furnaces. The question for many is where to obtain their wood, and what kind to buy. Wood is traditionally bought by the cord. A cord of properly dried hardwood equals in heating capacity (when properly burned) .130 gallons of no. 2 fuel oil. (one can price oil in his community to determine relative cost.) Wood should be cut six to 10 months before burning-for best results. Late winter and early spring are the best times to cut and store wood for fall. Wood burning has its disadvantages. It requires more storage space, is often a hauling problem. Wood fires must be regularly stoked and controlled. Tliey can be inefficient, or dangerous. They present ash removal problems. But-and this is more important in remote, rugged areas than in cities-the home using wood for heat isn't at the mercy of a power company, the weather, or a delivery truck. Students May Apply For Advisory Council Seat The Illinois state board of education's Student Advisory Council (SAC) sets May 14 as the application deadline for high school students interested in serving on the student panel next school year. The SAC, which is comprised of 13 council members and seven alter­ nates, is scheduled to have eight of its members graduate from high school this year. The student advisory panel represents a variety of socioeconomic backgrounds and regions of the state. Activities include making recom­ mendations to the board on proposed policies and programs, serving as student representatives on other Board advisory panels, and informing the board about student concerns. . One of the SAC's major activities this year was to present testimony on five educational mandates that are being reviewed by the board's staff. Also, the student group is par­ ticipating in a major policy study of State Business Conference Small business owners and managers trying to survive in an uncertain economy will find help at a day-long conference on "Stimulating Markets and Profits" Thursday, Feb. 24, in the Sheraton hotel, Naperville. The seminar is sponsored by the Illinois State Chamber of Commerce, U.S. Small Business administration and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs*. Experts from both the private and public sectors will advise small companies how to Acquire low-cost WHEW VOURE UNLOADED...HFRFS _ SOMETHING "IDGO! The cost of medical care for Illinoisans with no incomes or low incomes is now the single largest public assistance expenditure and those costs have increased 3.4 times in the last decade, Comptroller Roland W. Burris has reported. Further, Burris said, total Public Aid appropriations from the General Funds have increased by $1,669 billion or 2.4 times in the last decade, climbing from $1,183 billion in FY 1972 to $2,852 billion in FY 1982, an all-time high. The comptroller's recent monthly fiscal report focuses on cnanging patterns of public assistance in Illinois over the last decade and where major shifts in public aid spending have occurred. In another section of the report, the Illinois economic picture deals with the mystery of which signal to heed - rising unem­ ployment or dropping interest rates -- as the best clue to the economic future. The economic picture looks to a current survey of purchasing agents and managers and finds lower production, reduced employment, fewer new orders and decreased backlogs. In the regular report on the state's current fiscal health, revenues are still running $89 million less than expenditures for the first three months of FY 1983 and the average daily available balance in the General Funds in September was $96 million, deep into the "warning zone." Here are some key findings of the special report on public assistance : - Ninety percent of all public aid grant money in FY 1982 was spent on two programs - medical assistance and aid to families with dependent children - which together totaled $2.3 billion. Medical assistance payments increased 3.4 times since FY 1972, while AFDC grew 1.7 times the FY 1972 level. - General assistance for low income persons who are ineligible for federal programs reached $198 million in FY 1982, triple the $66 million spent in FY 1972, while state aid to the blind, aged, and disabled last fiscal year was $34 million, a 26 percent drop from the FY 1973 high of $133 million (because of a shift to federal sources). June, 1982, data shows that assistance was given to 30,817 recipients (6,125 aged, 299 blind, and 24,393 disabled). The average grants: $94.73 per month. - Analysis of medical assistance - the biggest single public aid grant program -• shows that hospital costs (inpatient, outpatient, and clinic services) have increased 48.5 percent in the last five years, spiraling from $567.4 million in fiscal 1978 to $842.4 million in FY 1982, an increase of $275 million. Hospital room rates soared, with inpatient care accounting for $235.1 million or about 85 percent of the $275 million increase. - A look at the highest and lowest daily costs of two hospitals identified by the Department of Public Health as having the highest and lowest rates in the state shows that the lowest daily rate was $140.61 in a rural, non- teaching hospital with no competition. The highest rate was $517.32 per day in a Chicago metropolitan hospital which is also a teaching facility. In both hospitals, rates have almost doubled since FY 1975. - An effort to contain rising medical costs was enacted during FY 1982 which reduces hospitals' cost-base rates. Further, the Department of Public Aid is decreasing expenses by requiring certain surgical procedures to be performed on an outpatient basis, limitations on dental services, denial of payment for such off-the- shelf pharmacy items as shampoo, band-aids, etc., and other restrictions. In FY 1982, hospital reimbursements totaled $842.4 million, approximately 54 percent of the department's distributive budget. Without these restraints, it is estimated that costs would have climbed to about $950 million. - Aid to Families With Dependent Children (AFDC) continues to be one of the most extensive forms of public assistance in Illinois. The number of persons receiving income assistance payments under AFDC declined from 729,575 in December, 1977, to 657,392 in December, 1979 (a drop of 72,183 persons), then increased to 715,525 persons in June, 1981 (an increase of 58,133) in part due to the recession. Cost containment efforts since then have caused the total to turn down­ ward again to 702,895 in June, 1982. Looking at the last five years, the average AFDC family of four received $5,044 in direct benefits in FY 1978 and in FY 1983 will receive an estimated $6,716 for such direct assistance as income grants, food stamps and energy assistance. In­ direct medical benefits for the same four-person family averages $2,800 annually. - Summary: Medical Assistance and AFDC grants from FY 1982 ap­ propriations reached $2,360 billion, accouting for over 83 percent of toal public aid spending from General Funds - only $127 million less than the total General Funds spending for all state agencies and all state programs in fiscal 1970. Luring New Business To Illinois education for employment. Future activities of the student group include conducting a High School Outcome survey. The survey will be designed to learn how well students are prepared for college and work after completing high school. A member of the SAC must be an incoming freshman, sophomore, junior or senior student enrolled in a public or non-public high school. The state is divided into five regions and the students are selected to represent those areas of the state. Students are chosen by the presiding Student Advisory Council through written applications and an interview process. Applications for membership on the SAC will be mailed to all high schools in Illinois. Also, students may obtain an application from the Program Planning and Development Section, Illinois State Board of Education, 100 North First Street, Springfield, 111., 62777 ( 312-782-2826.) The first month's calls will be made to the food and food products industry subsequent to an advertising sup­ plement DCCA ran in a trade publication, Food Processing, in December. Other industries targeted for 1983 include: wholesale trade, electrical machinery, com­ munications, insurance, instruments, printing, rubber and plastics, machinery, aircraft and parts, and chemicals and allied products. DCCA is conducting telephone training sessions for staff members and local volunteers. Callers will be supplied with a brochure detailing state support systems pertinent to the food industry, instruction sheets, a schedule for future calls, and in­ structions on further contact with prospective firms. Illinois Bell will ill be responsible for following ^xondtopt part of each day-long in- interesteb businesses. strucHon session. The Illinois Department of Com­ merce and Community Affairs (DCCA) has embarked this week on an extensive telephone solicitation campaign aimed at luring new business to the state. "Last year our agency contacted 2,700 targeted firms in a similar campaign from January through March. This year we are aiming for 10,000 companies," said DCCA Director Peter B. Fox. "Obviously, we need outside assistance in meeting this year's challenge and have asked community leaders throughout the state to join us in the effort." Approximately 60 communities so far have volunteered to take part in the six-month venture. Fox noted that each local group participating in the campaign will also be promoting its own region of the state since each caller will up with "As a result of last year's cam­ paign, 10 companies are now con­ sidering sites in Illinois. We consider this quite a success since if even one or two firms locate here as a result of the calls, the campaign will have more than paid for itself in terms of jobs created and the expanded local and state tax base. "We expect even better results this year because of the participating communities' interest and com­ mitment," Fox added. Answers For •» IRS Problems The Internal Revenue Service has special Problem Resolution Program (PRP) offices to assist taxpayers who have been un­ successful in solving their tax problems through normal IRS channels. The IRS has supplied the following questions and answers about PRP: Q-lt's been almost four months since I filed my tax return, and I still ddn't have my refund. I called the Internal Revenue Service a few weeks ago, but no one seems to know what happened. What can I do? A-There's a special IRS office to solve problems like yours. It's called the Problem Resolution Program (PRP) office and it's for taxpayers who have contacted the IRS at reast once, but have been unsuccessful getting their problems remedied. Q-What's so different about this office? A-PRP has the authority to cut the red tape and take care of cases promptly. Often, the problem can be resolved in five days; but when it can't, PRP will keep the taxpayer informed about the case's progress until it's resolved. Taxpayers usually get personal attention, dealing with only one persons. Q-Spe&ifically, what kind of problems does PRP handle? A-Any tax problem that has not been resolved through routine methods is a PRP problem. Most complaints involve delayed refund checks, mixed tip Social Security numbers, incorrect billings by IRS, or taxpayer errors. PRP cannot be used to appeal audit results or technical decisions, and does not handle Freedom of Information act requests and Privacy act inquiries. Q-How do I contact the Problem Resolution office? A-Contact the PRP office by calling the IRS assistance number listed in the local phone directory and asking for Problem Resolution. Remember, though, that Problem Resolution is not a substitute for regular taxpayer service. The IRS says that taxpayers should try routine methods at least once before going to the PRP office. In 1981 PRP solved about 318,000 taxpayer problems out of almost 45 million written, telephone and walk-in requests for assistance. That means most taxpayers will probably never need PRP. Cost Of Operation Of Governor's Office Up capital, secure government contracts, break into exporting and develop foreign markets, work and cope with government agencies, and find expert management counsel. Featured speaker will be Ranee Crain, president of Crain Com­ munications, Inc. and editor-in-chief of Crain's Chicago Business. He will address the luncheon session. For more information, contact Patti Cummings at the Illinois State Chamber of Commerce, 312 372-7373. Rapid Growth Florida's population of a- bout 10 million continues to increase rapidly; new resi­ dents arrive at the rate of 4,000 a week, National Geo­ graphic says. For Your In fo rmat ion Dear friends, A mature husband & wife should discuss together what kind of work she, as a widow, might do to earn ex­ tra income-discuss what might be dene with the house-discuss invest­ ments, savings, and insurance. It will make them both feel better-and draw them closer together. Respectfully, * PETER M.JIJSTEN 1 SON FUNtPAL HOME The cost of operating the office of the governor and the governor's mansion for one year climbed to $3.8 million in FY 1982, almost triple the amount spent a decade ago, Comp­ troller Roland W. Burris has reported. Burris said that total spending for the governor's executive office and the operation of the executive man­ sion increased by $2,557 million in the decade, rising from $1,287 million in fiscal 1973 to $3,844 million in FY 1982. The comptroller's regular monthly fiscal report continues its close-up looks at major government agencies with this month's special report focusing on the operational costs of the governor's executive office and his official residence. The Illinois economic picture looks at the state's hard hit agricultural from HISTORY'S SCRAPBOOK DATES AND EVENTS FROM YESTERYEARS January' 27,1976--Steve Markoff of A-Mark Coin Co., Inc., Beverely Hills, California, pays record $7,300,000 for hoard of407,000 silver dollars. January 28, 1932--Popular depression song, "Brother, Can You Spare A Dime," released. January 29, 1861--Kansas admitted to Union as 34th state. January 30,1977--Andrew Young sworn in as first black American ambassador to United Nations. January 31, 1865--General Robert E. Lee appointed commander-in-chief of all Confederate armies. February 1, 1898--Travelers Insurance Co. issues first policy to cover drive of an automobile, to Truman J. Martin of Buffalo, N.Y. industry and finds that farm crop prices for corn and soybeans have plunged 34 percent in the last two years and the value of Illinois far­ mland has dropped 20 percent in just one year. In the regular report on the state's fiscal health, day-to-day cash flow is the priority concern as the result of substantial carry-over debts from the previous fiscal year, limited revenue growth, and - a major problem - state spending for the first five months of FY 1963 being $144 million more than its income. Thp Red Cross flag honors Swit­ zerland where the organization was founded in 1863. The Swiss flag is a white crqss on a red field. WHO KNOWS 1. What is the largest bay on the U.S. eastern coast? 2. For what do the letters AFL-CIO stand? 3. Name the 17th presi­ dent. 4. Where would you fipd the Black Forest? 5. What is the nickname for Wisconsin? 6. Name the capital of Idaho. 7. Name the movie that has made the most money in 1982. 8. What is the name of Thomas Jefferson's coun­ try home? 9. What does the name mean? 10.When was the first U.S. satellite launched? Answer* to Who Knows 1. Chesapeake Bay. 2. American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations. 3. Andrew Johnson. 4. In southwest Germany. 5. Badger State. 6. Boise. 7. E.T. 8. Monticello. 9. Italian for little moun­ tain. 10.January 31, 1958. ARE YOU NEW IN The McHenry Area? Do You Know Someone New? We Would Like To Extend A Royal Welcome To Every Newcomer To Our Area !!! CALL LORRAINE MONAHAN 385-5475 t mm wficMi IVSIUSS (W °8t/ G No aTIOM iitii micim nsmiisn n ROYAL WELCOME . Know Your Area-Royal Welcome Does It Best mj ua iw uw 7 Sert>ice Profe*""" Directory JACK WALSH; ACENT EARL R. WALSH, BROKER INSURANCE I BONDS Fire. Auto. Farm, IK* bfrMMtinj RELIABLE COMPANIES S0IS W. Elm St., McHenry MS-3300 DENNIS CONWAY AUTO. LITE, FIRE State Farm Ins. Co. Nit W. Elm Street McHenry, III. MS-7111 JAMES M. MclNTEE, LAWYER AVAILABLE TO PRACTICE IN: Ptrtonal Injury/Triols Buiinesft Corporations Wl Hi/Probate Divarco-Raal Estate Workman1! Compensation 3494 W. Elm Straet. McHenry. II. For appointment phone: 305-2440 Farm Equipment George P. Freund, ; Inc. Case • New Holland 4102 W. Crystal lake Rd. McHenry Bus. 385-0420 Res. 385-0227 MCHENRY COUNTY OFFICE MACHINES SALES, SERVICE 1 RENTALS Mon.-Sat. 9-5:30 Friday til 9:00 93 Grant St., Crystal Lake Phone: 459-1226 DR. LEONARD BOTTARI 1303 Richmond Rd.-McHenry Eye* Examlned-Contoct Lenses Classes Fitted Man., Tues.. Thurs.. Fri. 4-4pm Tues., Thurs., Fri. 7-9 pm Sat. 9:30-3 pm Phone: 345-4151 or 305-2242 HcHENRY DENTAL CENTER DR. C.J. LUDFORD DR. KEVIN WE6RZYN OPEN 3 EVENINGS A WEEK UNTIL 1:30 P.M. ft SAT. 385-1360 NEW PATIENTS WELCOME JgJECATERT^OWARD^ Ii r e l l T RADIAL TIRES POR ALL CARS Europa Motors, Inc. 2318 Rt«. 120 815-385-0700 SERVICE LINE McHENRY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 395-4300 FAMILY SERVICE ft MENTAL HEALTH CENTER 4302G West Crystal Lake Rd., McHenry, II. 60050 •15-395-6400 TURNING POINT-DOMESTIC VIOLENCE STRESS LINE McHenry County 24 hours o day, 7 day* a weak Parents Anonymous mooting* on Tuesday. Call 915-344-3944 STATE CHAMBER GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS HOTLINE 217-522-5514 FEDERAL GOVERNMENT GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION 202-755-9660 Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. wook days (Evor had a problem involving tho fodoral government and not known where to call? And than been given the runoround or referrals by persons who meant well but didn't know how to help? Ten specialists available at this center.) NATIONAL RUN-AWAY SWITCHBOARD Illinois Phone: 900-972-6004 (For confidential conversations on problems dealing with run-away children.) MOVING HOTLINE Phone 900-424-9213 (Complaints about interstate moving by companies, buses or trains. Sponsored by Interstate Commerce commission.) NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION Phone 900-424-9393 (Answers questions about automobile safety defects or whether a particular model has ever been recalled. Valuable for those interested in buying a used car.) ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES 24-Hours Child Abuse Hotline TOLJL FREE: 900-252-2979 CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION 900-639-2666 (Operates five national lines. Answers inquires about or reporting on the safety of products from kitchen appliances to children's toys.) NATIONAL SOLAR HEATING AND COOLING INFORMATION CENTER 900-523-2929 P.O. Box 1607, Rockville, Md. 20950 (Dispenses information on s^lar systems for heating and cooling to anyone from architects to home owners looking for a sun-powered hot-water system.) CONSUMER PROTECTION DIVISION 312-793-3590 Chicago. III. 9IRTHRIGHT Pregnant? Need Help? Counseling Service. 395-2999. 24 hours Answering Service. YOUTH SERVICE BUREAU FOR McHENRY COUNTY 4719 W. Elm St.. McHenry Phone: 344-3240 24 hours Crisis Intervention and Confidential Coun­ seling for youth and families. ILLINOIS STATE CHAMBER HOTLINE Phone: 217-522-5514 Answer to questions on gover- ment regulations. MENTAL HEALTH 1-900-992-9900 Crisis Center Line for McHenry Co. 24-Hour Emergency number and professional staff wil answer your call. Sponsoring agency McHenry County Comprehensive Mental Health Service System. NATIONAL NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH ASSOCIATION *•- Post OHice Box 17400 Washington. D.C., 20041 Phone (703) 471-0404 McHENRY COUNTY CETA OUTREACH CENTER 666 Russel Ct. Woodstock.il. 60099 (115)339-7100 JOB TRAINING OFFERED McHENRY COUNTY ASSOCATION FOR THE RETARDED Robert G. Lambourn. Executive Director Phone: 344-1230 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (915) 455-3311 McHENRY COUNTY SENIOR CITIZENS COUNCIL 900-992-3272 Monday through Friday. 9:10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. PRAIRIE STATE LEGAL SERVICES, INC. 800-942-3940 Free legal representation in civil cases to low income persons. Landlord-tenant disputes, domestic violence or improper denial of benefits such as Social Security, Public Aid, Food Stamps. Generol Assistance ft Unem- ployment Insurance