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I' \(SK 2 - I'l.AINDKAI.KIl - FRIDAY. OCTOBER 21.1W3 News and Views \ - ** i you be estimating income tax? After the defrauders There is little doubt that apathy exists on matters that affect the general public, even those of a very personal nature. This is evident with almost every news story that breaks on TV, in action by government officials, and even at the local club level. A feeling of anger may exist but the frustration of taking on the world around us and losing has led to a shield of indifference. usin' &, anderin BY KAF Even in the matter of being defrauded, there is too often no action. The victims are troubled, they complain to their friends, but the feeling of being unable to do anything about it js growing. Perhaps it's because each of us sees so much that is wrong that we passively accept what seems to be inevitable. Hie problem will not be solved by laws alone, but those who have borne the brunt of con artists will be happy with new legislation. One new bill signed into law recentlv changes the penalty from $50,000 a person to $50,000 for each case of defrauding a consumer under the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Practice Act. The stiffer fine allows the courts to impose severe civil penalties for intentional fraud against Illinois consumers, limited only by the number of violations which occur. ° Until now, a defendant committing 20 violations of the act could be assessed a maximum of $50,000. Hie new law could result in a penalty of up to $1 million. Hie new law won't take con artists out of our midst, but it should put them on notice that' intentionally defrauding Ilinois consumers could be costly. The Illinois Department of .Revenue reminded tax* payers that the recent temporary increase in the state income tax rate could mean some persons will have to adjust their estimated tax payments. Persons who dxpect their state individual income taxes to total more than $50 above that withheld from their paychecks should be sub­ mitting estimated tax payments to the state, ac­ cording to Revenue Director J. Thomas Johnson.,. Johnson pointed out that the temporary tax increase could mean additional taxpayers would now be subject to that requirement. In addition, those persons already paying under this system may need to review their record to see if their ^payments should be in­ creased. Estimated taxes are to be submitted quarterly. Due dates ate April 15, June 15, Sept. 15 fnd January 15. The January payment is. the final installment for taxes representing income earned in 1983. The temporary tax in­ crease to 3 percent fo£ in­ dividuals means that" tax­ payers will be paying at a rate which }s 20 percent higher than the normal 2.5 percent individual income tax rate. And, Johnson noted, because two or three payments have already been submitted at the lower rate, an increase may be necessary on the final payment tp reflect the tax increase. The simplest method for calculating an increased fourth payment would be to multiply current payments by 1.8a Johnson noted. _ For example, a taxpayer who regularly is to pay $100 in estimated taxes in four installments of $25 each (based on $4,000 of income not subject to withholding) would now owe $120 under the temporary 3 percent tax rate. If the first three regular payments of $25 each had already been submitted (for a total of $75), then a fourth payment of $45 would be due in order to cover the new liability of $i20. A simplified method of calculating this fourth payment would be to multiply the regular.- payment (In this case, $25)' by 1.8. Johnson also reminded taxpayers that the total tax due from homeowners could be influenced by a new provision in the income tax act which allows taxpayers to deduct their property tax Jpayments from tneir ad* usted gross income before calculating the amount of state income taxes due. This can be taken Into account when determining the total tax liability for purposes of making estimated payments, he added. Klemm named to serve on three commissions Better, Maybe? Those who watch public television in this country- and they include the best educated and more intelligent viewer- are each year confronted with a week of begging for dollars on the air, by their public TV station or stations. These weeklong pleas for viewer dollars bring m needed money for public TV station operation. There is no question about the need or no thought that public support can be eliminated. But the method might now be changed. A hope that this week long begging marathon might be replaced with something better comes from Boston. There station WGBH raised a record sum this year ($1.2 million) with a direct mail campaign. The appeal was that if viewers would support their station in response to a mailed-out request, no on- the-air begging week would be scheduled. Viewers did. Other stations will experiment with this new system. The success of WGBH was a topic of discussion among 270 public TV fund raisers meeting in Phoenix earlier this month. Viewers would almost unaimously favor the change. State Rep. Dick Klemm (R- Crystal Lake) was recently reappointed to the Chain of Lakes-Fox River Study Commission and the Legislative Council and was appointed to the County Problems Commission by House Republican Leader Lee A. Daniels (R-Elmhurst). "Rep. Klemm will be a valuable asset to these organizations," Daniels said. "He was a county officer for many years before being elected to the House, and he comes from the Chain O'Lakes region in nothern Illinois. His experience will fit well into the work of these organizations." Klemm has served on the Chain of Lakes-Fox River Study Commission for the past three years, and was instrumental in the passage of legislation, which allows voters to create a management agency for the Fox River-Chain of Lakes Waterwav. This agency, if approved by the residents, would promote the development of these waterways, and their recreational use. "I have eqjoyed serving on the Chain O'Lakes-Fox River Study Commission, because it allows me to be closely involved with a subject that directly affects my district, "Klemm said. "We have a * fine natural recreation area in the Fox River-Chain of Lakes area, and I'm pleased that I will be able to continue to work toward its improvement. Since this water resource is so vital to our area's economy, environment, and recreation, everyone should be concerned about its protection." Klemm said that he is "equally excited" about his new appointment to the County Problems Commission. "I was a county board member for more man eight years and served two terms as board chairman, and I have worked with many county improvement organizations,"Klemm said. "I think I have a very practical understanding of the problems that county governments face today, and am pleased to be appointed to this commission.- the County Problems Commission studies existing laws and taxing powers w determine how they affect county governments function more effectively. Klemm will also be serving od the Legislative Council, $ support agency that provides research on current issues of importance to the General Assembly.. Area resident lashes out at utilities CURVE-BALL g-S-r-RHKE? AGWM! "Editor: "For the past 40, or 50, or even 60 years, the small businessman and the small homeowner has paid his utility bill month after month, year in and year out, without any subsidy, mostly on time, but he has paid it. It has beerf this steady income over these many years that has allowed the utilities to build what they have today. It is becoming increasingly clear that the utility management is conveniently cowumeriias dotw for to6in. "Many of these small popple may be faced with doing without a telephone, perhaps, even doing without adequate winter heat, but most certainly they will face enormous utility bills. Bills that will jeopardize their very existence in the home that hard work and long years of patience and frugal living earned for them. Because of this corporate arrogance, top management of the utilities are forgetting that the small home owner and the small businessman are members of this com­ munity and do indeed deserve consideration also! "Com Edison is presently running a series of TV ads extolling the tremendous savings of coal and oil, millions of gallons, tons upon tons of coal, that nuclear power is saving. But, where is this saving going? Ob­ viously, the small consumer is not benefitting from it. His bill keeps going up and up. This past summer produced the greatest consumption of electric power at the greatest prices ever in the history of Com. Edison. Only Com. Edison benefitted from this. No mention of this giant increase in their income has been made by them thus far. "And now! First, Com. Edison, and then the following week, Peoples Gas have announced the greatest price increase in their A FEW WORDS IN BODY LANGUAGE • • • the need There are those of us who feel the need to maintain the appearance and well-being of our bodies despite the sedentary routines and effort-saving conveniences in our daily lives. No one needs a case study to realize that stressful exercise is a requirement for the optimum function of the human body. Once a regular exercise program is adopted, the body responds in control of weight and proportions, relief of tension, improved posture and appearance, and even delav of the aging process. The Nautilus machines can give you that exercise program without committing you to long hours of arduous training as >n conventional moans. lb* last word McHonry Nautilus was created to provido you with tho finost Nautilus equipment in a fitness center that makes working out • a pleasurable experience. The interior design, and cleanliness furnish the combination of exercise and atmosphere that makes the McHenry Nautilus unique. We have a full staff of instructors on duty for counseling, supervision, or assistance during any phase of your program. Feel free to call on them-they're dedicated to your progress. history. Is this a coin­ cidence?. Of course not! Pending in the State Legislature is a bill to create a Citizen's Utility Board that will attempt to fight these continued large increases. But Com. Edison and PGC will do their best to set their request approved before this Citizens Board can come into existence. Oh Yea! More of that corporate arrogance. "I am suggesting that the McHenry Plaindealer take the lead in opposing these continued utility, increases V which threaten the very -existence of the small business man and the small homeowner. The Plaindealer has a long history of speaking out, and you have been doing a great service in listing the names and addresses of the various public officials. "I urge you to consider doing a series of articles explaining what recourse the small consumer may have in this unfair contest, where the utilities have all of the ex­ perts and all of the ad­ vantage. "Mr. Thompson, the governor, appoints the members of the Interstate Commerce Commission. Should we write to him? "The State Legislature controls the funds to support the ICC. Should we be writing to the state legislators? "Congress is concerned with decontrol of gas prices. Should we write to the McHenry Nautilus HEALTH & FITNESS CLUB man N 1 he Nautilus engineers were w* confronted with solving * many training objectives. a What they sought was the mncnine pfrtMt form of fxems( in the least amount of time. The eventual line of machines they designed provides the user with a workout capability that can only be described as potent. You need only perform one set of repetitions for each exercise. The entire length of a muscle is exercised. resulting in increased strength and size. Stretching of muscles gives flexibility and reduces the chance of injury. Isolation of muscle groups allows selective exercises. Particular machines permit negative movements for the greatest possible intensity. Cardiovascular ability is improved by raising the heart rate to 150 beats per minute ond keeping it there for at least ten minutes. Best of all. you can wrap up a complete workout in 30 minutes. Revolutionary, yes. Nautilus has know n that for 25 years. We invite you to come in for a complimentary guided session with a thorough explanation of Nautilus equipment and conditioning. Just phone for an appointment. 344-2202 \ Lockers, showers, sauna. Jacuzzi whirlpool, and carpeted dressing areas are all available for your comfort and relaxation. And for your convenience McHenry Nautilus is open dailv. O 804 MILL ST. •McHENRY Behind Taylor Made Coif company Headquarters (Old Mill) on Crystal Lake Black Top HOURS: MON-FRI 6 a.m. until 10 p.m. SAT 9 a.m. until 5 p'.m. SUN 9 a.m. until 3 p,m. members of Congress? "Writing to the ICC Board members seems utterly futile, since they seem always to approve what the utilities submit. "What and how can the small people of McHenry County do to bring pressure on the members of toe ICC so that consideration will be given to the small consumer? "The utilities are now talking about reducing th; cost of their services to the large manufacturing com! panies, so as to keep them; here in Illinois and preserve jobs. God knows, we need more jobs in Illinois! But, most surely, there must be another way to preserve these jobs, other than on the backs of the small home owner or small businessman. Shouldn't we all pav a fair share of the cost of preser­ ving the state? "The McHenry Plain- dealer is in an unique position to guide us in tnis struggle for fairness, and community responsibility to Ereserve the small usinessman and the small home owner. I am sure the people of McHenry ' county thusiastica^fyT°ndto your guidance in this cause which is so important to the small consumers, your readers. "J. W.Durkin "2010 N. Orchard Beach Rd. "McHenry" Your Legislators State Senator Jack Schaffer (R), 33rd. 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, 111., 60604 Phone: 312 353-5420 600 E. Monroe Room 108 Springfield, 111., 62706 Pnone: 217 492-4126 United States Senate Senate Office Bldg. 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 Pnone: 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, 111., 60014 Phone: 455-6330 2045 Stratton Bldg. Springfield, 111., 62706 Phone: 217 782-8000 Ronald Wait (R), 64th 110 E. Second St. Belvidere, HI., 61008 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, m., 60014 Phone: 459-3399