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• - • - • \ • . \ Page 2-PLAl.NDEALKR-HEHALI). FRIDAY, JANUARY 11,1985 / Opinion/Politics prognosticators are at it again; but here's one you can bank on THE prognosticators are at it again. Hardly had the old year told us it was weary of society and was calling it quits, than the seers wqre making all kinds of predictions. At the same time, sofoe of the most honest among th^m were admitting to dismal failures in their guesses for 1964. put does that stop them from trying to prove they're experts again? Not on your life. We can accept their theories on what soap opera star will become bigger in 1985; most of us could do the samer And we (jan even swallow predictions on toe outcome of next summer's baseball teams even though we know their guess isn't much better than our own. BUT WHEN economists talk, most of us listen. That's jour money they're talking about. If you listen to more than one, you can bet the word is con­ fusing. For every one of them who predicts a strong 1985, there is another who comes right back with the word that the first prediction was made through rose-colored glasses. Therefore, we must select from among them and our own choice is the editor of a financial weekly who is bullish America. This is no male Pollyanna because he hasn't always been in that corner. What's more, he has a good record for being right. NOT EVERYONE stops to listen to Bob Bleiberg as they do for E.F. Hutton, but maybe they should. Back in 1983, he was telling his IM usin' &, anderin BY KAF on quarter milEon subscribers that business had nowhere to go but down. This was the same time that others were predicting the recession was coming to an end. What did it do? It was down right through the end of November of that year. Just before the change, Bleiberg went against con­ vention in a front-page editorial and climbed out on a limb with a follow-up commentary with the striking headline, "Let the Good Times Roll...." Again, he called it right. NOW HE'S OUT on a limb again, predicting that everything is in place for a period of sustained economic growth that will likely cause economic historians to someday refer to our times as the "Amazing Eighties." Speaking recently at a national leadership conference sponsored by the prestigious Shavano Institute, he offered a number of reasons for his op­ timism. One of these was that changes in tax policy have led to a record number of new business starts and first-time public stock of­ ferings by small firms. He calls these "the highest-powered dollars around," because small businesses generate most of the breakthroughs in U.S. technology and create far and away the bulk of new job op­ portunities. HE ALSO points to the fact that despite all the scare talk, Americans are growing healthier and living longer. Since 1900, the lifespan of the average American has in­ creased from 46 years to 74.5, in striking contrast to the Soviet Union, where the lifespan has been dropping. TYiis is the kind of news we need to start a new year. Our hope is the Mr. Bleiberg's track record over several decades has equal success in 1985. WHO'S THXT6UY BBH WP YOU? "'-J- V- '7. ?* • * - i - '»-^v Multitude of new laws became effective at dawn of new, year More than 70 measures af­ fecting such areas as tax evasion, hazardous waste and crime victims' rights went into effect Jan. 1, according to state Rep. Dick Klemm, R-Crystal Ligt. Klemm said two of the bills give crime victims more input into the trials of criminals. A "hill of rights" established by SB 1725 will enable victims or their families to make oral "ijnpact statements" to the court during sentencing proceedings. The measure also allows victims more access to information about the con­ tinuing investigation and cpurt proceedings in their cases. Another bill, SB 1793, gives felony crime victims the op­ portunity to make a statement at; sentencing and parole hearings to explain the impact the crime had on them. Under this measure, courts are required to determine if restitution is appropriate in all criminal cases. Five hazardous waste bills, also taking effect Jan. 1 are as follows: Low Interest bonds (HB 3039). Encourages the development of alternatives to landfilling hazardous waste by prohibiting thfe use of state bond funds to subsidize establishment of such landfills. Under' the En­ vironmental Facilities Act, about $130 million in low-interest bqnds have been used in recent years. 'Attorney's fees (SB 1950). Btnpowers the court to award attorney's fees and costs, in­ cluding expenses of expeits and testing, to the state's attorney or attorney general in en­ vironmental cases in which the state prevails. By requiring the defendant to pay attorney fees aOd costs, the law encourages prompt resolution of cases. . Hazardous Material Advisory B$ard (HB 3043). Expands board membership to 20 per­ sons. The law also providesjoiia committee to develop and recommend standard training courses for police, firemen and other hazardous matenal emergency response personnel. Well Inspections (SB 1725). Requires the Environmental Protection Agency to provide free annual testing of water from private wells within one- half mile of either a hazardous waste disposal facility or a sanitary landfill. The test will be conducted at the request of a well owner, Groundwater Protection (HB 3139). Creates a three-part groundwater protection program: 1) comprehensive study of groundwater quality, 2) statewide groundwater monitoring program, and 3) formation of a groundwater protection plan beginning Jijh. 1, 1986. ifc Some other important legislation includes: / \ Half Price Plates (HB 27511. Senior citizens who qualify fOT circuit breaker property tax benefits will receive a 50 percent discount on license plates. Qualifying seniors can register one vehicle at half the regular fee. Vanity plates do not apply. Child Seat Belts (HB 2883). Allows insurance companies to offer discounts on automobile liability insurance policies to policy owners who have child passenger restraints. Under previous law, insurance com­ panies could not offer rebates to policyholders. Also, insurance companies may now give discounts on child safety seats, which are required under a 1983 law. Tax fevasion (HB 3069). This is part of the Stop Tax Evasion Program (STEP). Among other things, the bill requires retailers to obtain .a certificate of registration before selling personal property at retail in Illinois. The measure also clarifies bad check penalties by stating that a person is guilty of deceptive practice if he pays his tax bill with a check that he knows will bounce. New adoption law allows parents, children to meet Adopted children and their natural parents who want to meet one another will have an easier time doing so under a new state law, according to state Rep. Dick Klemm, R-Crystal Lake. The new law, effective Jan. 1, establishes a registry within the Department of Public Health that allows mutually consenting adoptees and their natural parents to exchange information about each other's identity and location. Under the measure, natural parents and adoptees over 21 may fil^V disclosure consent forms, as Van 18- through 20- year-olds who have the per­ mission of their adoptive parents. No information Will be forwarded by the department unless both parties have agreed to the exchange. Under the previous law, mutually consenting adults who could not justify their reasons ^or wanting to explore their roots were sometimes denied their request, Klemm said. The new law allows those who want to meet the opportunity to do so, while ensuring no invasion of privacy. The law provides that either the natural parent or the adopted child can change their minds and withdraw (or rein­ state) consent forms. Parents and children can contact the department to see if -a consent form has been filed by the other party. The department charges $40 to each registrant. There is no charge for with­ drawal. 'B& ML •gm $22 ! UfJU; < t ^ ' % N«» v4; V- ' S / •<rv. ye* WHO CAN PROTECT YOUR DODGE V AND YOUR GARAGE? CHUCK LEWAND0WSKI 1212N. GREEN ST. MCHENRY, IL . 385-2304 *Your American Family insurance agent has 'affordable coverage for all your family in «surance needs. Insure your car. home, fata •ily, and business under one root Your Amer Jican Family agent gives you a Personal In 4$urance Review, so you can count on cover *age that's right for you. You get security and 'convenience, too. YOU'VE GOT A FRIEND AT AMERICAN FAMILY. ft ERICAN FAMILY r v l S U R A N C E WTO HEALTH UFE Plaindealer HERALD (USPS 335-200) Established 1875 3812 West Elm Street Phone 815-385-0170 Circulation 385-0178 McHenry, Illinois 60050 Published Every Wednesday & , Friday at McHenry, llliqois Second Class Postage PAID at McHenry, Illinois by SHAW FREE PRESS NEWSPAPER GROUP POSTMASTER Send address changes to McHenry Plaindealer 3812 W. Elm St., McHenry, Illinois 60050 Subscribers are requested to provide immediate notice of change of address to 'he McHenry Plaindealer, 3812 W. Elm St., McHenry, III. 60050. A deduction of one month from the expiration of a subscription will be made where a change of address is provided through the Post Office department. Thomas C. Miller-Publisher Donna Santi-Editor /rl toarb Winning /htospaprr WINTER BLAHS? WE HAVE A QUICK CURE, ...LOWERED RATES! Now thru February, McHenry State Bank has lowered its Consumer Installment Loan Rates! That's right LOWEREDI Now you have no excuse for letting those O'l Winter Blahs stop you from buying the items you want and need most. All Installment Loan Rates have been lowered significantly so why wait? For example NEW AUTO LOANS NAVE BEEN REDUCED TO AS LOW AS 10.50%! Remember, whatever youf needs may be yye have a loan for you. For additional rate information and terms come see Phil Oeffhng, Keith Leathers or Linda Wigman today at the Gerald J. Carey Building or phone 385-1040. MEMBER NATIONAL NEWSPAPER ASSOCIATION SUBSCRIPTION RATES In McHenry County By Carrier 50 Week 1 Year by Mail S19.£p Outside McHenry County 1 Year by Mail $27.00 A FULL SERVICE BANK ) McHENRY STATE BANK I LENDER Memeber FDIC