Senior Action Line: Driver's exam affected by new Illinois law MEAT SELECTION 1 CHRISTMAS JREES This column contains answers to questions that are frequently asked at Lieutenant Governor George Ryan's Senior Action Centers. Q. -1 am a 70 year old senior citizen. My driver's license expires in February of next year. I heard there was a bill in the General Assembly this Spring which affects the driver's exam for older persons. Did it become law? A. - At the present time, State law requires drivers age 69 and older to take the written, vision a n d b e h i n d - t h e - w h e e l examination every three years. Starting Jan. 1, 1984, the new law becomes effective. It makes the following changes: ...Drivers age 69 and older who have good driving records will not have to take the written test. A good record means you do not have any moving violations, and you have not been involved in an accident. ...A driver's license for these seniors will be valid for four years. For additional information, contact the Secretary of State's driver's facility in your area. You can also call 1-800-252-2904. Q. - I am on a fixed income, and find it more difficult each year to pay my utility bills. Did the Illinois General Assembly pass any legislation during its spring session to help utility consumers? A. - Several utility reform measures became law this year. Senate Bill 187 was the major piece of utility legislation. Some of the provisions of this bill include: ...Citizen Utility Board. The bill established a Citizens Utility Board to represent consumers in rate hearings before the Illinois Commerce Commission and other ratemaking agencies and courts. Membership will be voluntary, membership forms will be available at public libraries and in utility bills as soon as the board is appointed and organized. ...Construction costs. The legislation also phases out the practice (after Dec. 31,1987) of including the cost of utility construction work in the rate base before the plans are in service. ...Advertising and lobby costs. The legislation prohibits the utilities from including the costs of promotional advertising and lobby efforts in rates. ...Heating service. The Bill provides that utility service for heat may not be disconnected between December 1 and March 31 of any year, or on any day when the temperature is forecast to be below 32 degrees (Fahrenheit) for the next 24 hours. ...Deferred payments. The legislation requires utilities to assist consumers who are delinquent in their accounts by offering a deferred payment plan. Other utility legislation in cludes: ...House Bill 985, which requires public utilities to maintain a registry of customers who depend on electricity for life support equipment. ...House Bill 1155, which requires public utilities to file long term energy plans. ...Senate Bill 485, which provides remedies for a tenant when a landlord is delinquent on paying utility bills. Q - What agency can answer my questions about the new legislation and utility laws in general? A. - The Illinois Commerce Commmission has a consumer affairs division to assist persons with public utility-related questions and problems. Those offices are located at 160 North LaSalle Street, Room 1917, Chicago, 60601 (312-793-2887), and 527 East Capitol, Springfield, 62706 (217-782-2024). Both offices accept collect calls. The division has a publication about gas and electric utilities available for residents. Copies of "Your Rights and Respon sibilities as a Utility Consumer" can be obtained from either Consumer Affairs Office free of charge while supplies last. If you are receiving service from a rural electric cooperative, questions and-or complaint should first be directed to the manager of your local cooperative. The Assocation of Illinois Electric. Cooperatives, 6460 South Sixth Streeet Road, Box 3787, Springfield, 62708 (217-529-5561) can also assist. •HEIGHTS FROM A FT. to 16 FT. •LONG LASTING •FIRE RETARDANT MCHENRY [ L ^ u m b e r & hank MCPLANK. 403© WEST MAIN SI Mc HE riDY, ILLINOIS 385-4600 December 10 through December 16 Hga knows © IMJVetsy Millifm Syndicate ARIES (Mar. 21-Apr. 19): Cycie high. Others do their best to keep your nerves wired, back tired. All lay load on the willing horse who can 'I • or won't - say nay. You may have to toughen up, Ari. Week ends on note of intrigue. TA URUS (Apr. 20-May 20): Cycle high. Kind words go a long way toward mending broken fence, Taurus, so start talking. One who is willing to work extra hour and walk extra mile needs pat on back • not on fanny. As week ends, celebration begins. Join in. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Plan involving immediate future returns to drawing board. Don't stew. It's a rare plan that needs no modification. Season with enough praise and partner, mate will swallow anything. Your costliest expenditure is thyme. CANCER (June 21-July 22): Temptation strong to overspend, overextend. Slow down! Life is short and so is credit. Sagittarius the Archer takes aim before week is complete. You 're on target. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): It's a sweet and sour week akead. Don't let social arena becotmllon's den where > Im lute.off more than you can chew. Again. mind your mouth, your manners and your own businessf VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Cycle low. Love is just around the corner. So is Christmas. But scheduling your lime can turn into a real nightmare, Virgo, if you don't quit horsing around. Tabulate priorities. Then take it one step at a time. Sneezy week ends with a snort. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Domestic harmony is 01 priority this week. You may have to close your eyes, ears and mouth to accomplish this miracle. Moon enters opposing Aries (Dec. 13) and low cycle begins. Energy fades along with good intentions. Week ends weakly. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Love among the holiday lights is favored. One who hangs mistletoe plans to let it all hang out, Scorp, so you may as well hang around. Waxing Moon enters opposing Taurus (Dec. 15) and energy wanes. Don 7 fight gravity. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): You have an all- or-nothing attitude concerning love and money this week, Saj. Avoid confrontations. And don't try to be too foxy. Remember, the fox may know many tricks but the hedgehog knows one really big trick. You will understand. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Out-of-the-blue gift purchase can put you in the red if you 're not careful, Cap. Slow down on spending. Lavishness is not generosity. On last day a new door opens. Enter quietly. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Social scene shifts into high gear. Holiday obligations pile up and you buckle down. Sagittarius the Archer sends more than one pointed arrow in your general direction. Try not to quiver. PISCES (Feb. I9-Mar. 20): Cycle high as week begins. To know what is going on in your own houfe, mix with the neighbors. You 'II get an earful, an eyeful and probably a snootful. As wtek wanes, holiday mood prevails, Enjoy. WINTER VACATION » mmmd<UmmiHIITn» • SatMMWiRwtak • Cimi CiMtiy SU TttHi • ImplMH till Hwdfc CattofN/IHM CiitwW»w • MDHIN • la M*M lintel J Word of advice to house shoppers Experts say that some three million families buy homes every year in the U.S. If planning to become one of these families in the near future, here are some pointers to steer (me on the road to home-owning happiness, well-being and security. -Try to visit the home of interest during or just after a heavy rainstorm, if possible. Houses built on filled, low-lying or swampy land may have wetness problems, especially in the basement. Inspect corners for signs of dampness or decay. -Pay close attention to the access to and from street level. Can one parte in front of the house? Can suppliers of oil, lumber and the like get in easily? If the street is a dead end, does it have a turnaround at least 80 feet in diameter so that fire trucks, moving vans, etc., can maneuver? -Check on the energy efficiency of a used h home by asking the owner for copies of his heating bills. Generally speaking, the various fuels-otys, gas, electricity-are competitively pri&d In a given locale if the house has been properly designed, equipped and insulated to use them ef ficiently. Make noted of energy-related costs for each home looked at, for later comparison. Most home buyers don't realize that the title insurance they are required to buy protects their mortgage lender, not them, against possible loss due to defects in the title to the property that might be discovered later (forgeries, missing heirs, recording errors, etc.). For a modest ad ditional cost, however, one can puchase an owner's title policy at the same time and the peace of mind is well worth the one time premium cost. DONJT LET% YOOR MONEY O UP THE HIMNEY! I Folo i,1i g zi % wmm " : wmmm ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THEIR NEW EVENING HOURS WtttUi IH.MhjM.1 nfcLlMI mm-.ttin? CHRISTMAS SPECIALS •fMKTMC HON PRICE •QUICK SERVICE •QUALITY NORK •SR. CITIZEII DISCOUNT •INSURED ECONOMY DECORATING 815-455-6353 The 94% to 95% efficient Amana Energy Command™ furnace traps the heat others lose! In an ordinary furnace, you only get 62<t of heat for every dollar of gas you buy. The rest goes up the chimney. But the Energy Com mand furnace gives you 95C of heat for every dollar. With the op tional water heater it can deliver ,2-2'Vi times more hot water than ordinary water heaters! 5 year parts and labor guarantee. Start saving today! BUCH BROS. PLUMBING and! Heating, Inc. 3012 W. Rt. 120 McHenry (815)385-5300 COOLING-HEATING LOW PRICES ON PHOTO DEVELOPING qOK CHECK OUR LOW PRICES ON KODAK & FUJI FILM Jz Fast Polo 4400 W ELM McHanry Morii»t»ioc« McHfify. I MiStSO Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 9:30 am-8:30 pm 8:30 am-6:30 pm 11:30 am-8:30 pm 11:30 am-8:30 prn CLOSED 8:30 am-2:00 pm (Twice a month) We have changed our hours to make Dentistry more accessible to our patients • Especially those with both spouses working. 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