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PAGE 2 -PLAINDEALER- WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14. WM News Views Education second largest state experi Rascality turned criminal If you're over 40 you remember well that Halloween was one of the really important days in the school year. Scholars of another day may not have believed in ghosts and goblins, but they were very much aware that rascality prevailed then as it did at no other time of year. Thirty and 40 years ago they were called pranks, and probably the biggest was the outhouse that appeared with regularity each year at the intersection of Green and Elm Streets. The fact that it remained well into the morning hours attested to the lack of traffic at this now heavily travelled location. usin' &, andenn BY KAF 7 In this same era you were ^nobody as a teenager at homecoming unless you became part of the snake dance that -wound its way through city streets. The fact that all of these weary feet trudged through one particular business place was frustrating to the proprietor but could never be classified as more than mischief. More than a quarter of a century ago things began to change. The film "Blackboard Jungle" captured the aura of disorder and violence that was already beginning to become common place in some of the nation's inner city schools. Today's "blackboard jungle" stretches from small country schoolhouses to "model" suburban high schols. And while many school systems over the past 10 years have successfully reinstilled discipline - discipline some other schools systems never lost - the overall problem remains one of disturbingly large proportions. In a typical month, a National Institute of Education survey found - that about 2.4 million secondary school students had something stolen and about 282,000 students reported being attacked. On the average, 21 percent of high school students said they avoided restrooms and were afraid of being hurt or bothered at school. In one month's time 120,000 teachers had something stolen at school and 60,000 were for­ cibly robbed. Another 5,200 were physically attacked. Fear was so prevalent that 800,000 students stayed home. Certainly there is a correlation between this break­ down of order and the 20-year decline of academic achievement. It isn't easy to learn in an environment where anarchy reigns. In response to these storm warnings, tnere are signals from the nation's Capitol that a high priority is being assigned to classroom safety and order. Proposals have been made to involve the Department of Education, the Department of Justice and the National School Safety Center. At last, discipline is being treated as the No. I concern. Without it other advances in upgrading education won't have much of a chance. Spending by the State Board of Education from the General Funds for Illinois public schools totaled $1,997 billion in fiscal 1983, the second largest state spending item, comptroller Roland W. Burris has reported. In the last decade, spending for elementary and secondary education reflected the pressures of inflation with in­ creased costs, yet fewer students and teachers. But, Burris noted, a lesser per­ centage of the General Funds was devoted to the State Board of Education in fiscal 1983 than anytime in the last 10 years. With the current discussion over the funding of education, the comptroller's regular Monthly fiscal Report is a timely review of 10-year spending for elementary and secondary education in Illinois. In another part of the report, the Illinois Economic Picture studies the Illinois construction business since 1979, an industry which apparently has begun to turn around, but is still far from recovering its pre-recession vigor. In the regular report on the state's fiscal health, the General Funds balance at the end of January stood at $297 million, the highest month-end balance in over three years, with revenues for the first seven months of fiscal 1984 running 12 •percent above comparable revenues for the same period a year ago. Here are some of the key findings of the comptroller's special report on Illinois elementary and secondary education: ...The Illinois public school system is more than local grade, junior high and high schools. The system includes programs for pre-schoolers, especially those with learning disabilities, special districts for vocational and technical education, and cooperative programs for in­ mates at correctional in­ stitutions. ...Expenditures by the State Board of Education from the t General Funds in fiscal 1983, while lower than comparable spending in the three prior fiscal years, were still $1,997 billion, an increase of $778 million or 63.8 percent more than the total expended in fiscal 1974. This wag the second largest spending program from the General Funds, surpassed only by Public Aid. The percentage of total General Funds spending for public schools was 29.0 percent in fiscal 1974 and increased to a peak of 30.2 percent in fiscal 1977, 1978 and 1979 before starting a decline which resulted in a ten year low of 25.6 percent in fiscal 1983. ...The funds available for local school districts come from three sources • local taxes, General Funds appropriations and federal grants. In the last full school year (1982-1963), the total available for spending was $5,519 billion. Of this, local sources provided $2,975 billion or 53.9 percent, while state sources were $2,103 billion or 38.1 percent and federal sources were $441 million or about 8 percent of the total. The $5,519 hillioin available in fiscal 1983 was 58.6 percen or $2,099 billion hijgfi&'fhiai the total available in fiscal 1974: ...Three distinct factors-the birth rate, migration patterns and non-public school enrollment - played major roles in causing a decrease in student enrollment and certified per­ sonnel at Illinois public schools. . Over the last decade the number of pupUa decreased 444,783 or 19.2 percent, from 2,320,553 in school year 1973-74 to 1,875,770 in school year 198M3. Hie of fuU-ttaH teachers peaked at 111,622 in school year 1975-76, and had since declined by 9.1 percent to 101,489 in school year 1982-83. All other certified persodiiel also declined. ...The average ner nunil ex­ penditure of $2,983 in the 1981-82 school year was more than double the average spending of $1,424 per pupil in school year 1973-74. The average teacher salary in school year 1982-83 was $22,313, an increase of $10,539 or 89.5 percent above the average salary of $11,774 in school year 1973-74 and an increase of $4,654, or 26.4 percent above the, average salary in school year 1979-80. Comparably, the average superintendent salary was $41,162 in school year 1982- 83, an increase of 27.2 percent or $8,803 over the average salary in 1979-80. During the same time frame, principal salaries averaged an increase of 23.8, percent to $34,249. Tele-Tax available Vote special committee on ^hunger at $600,000 cost ^ WASHINGTON-Here's how area members of Congress were ^recorded on major roll call votes Feb. 20-22. IV HOUSE ' HUNGER-The House voted, 309 for and 78 against, to create a ; special committee that will try to alleviate domestic and worldwide I hunger. For the remainder of 1984, the panel is to cost taxpayers up to ! $600,000 for travel, staff and other expenses. ; Nobody doubted the need to do something about hunger. At issue ; was whether yet another congressional committee is the answer; eight House committees already deal with hunger issues. Also at issue was the growing cost and size of the House bureaucracy, which • critics say is overburdened with committees and subcommittees that achieve little because they are tripping over one another. Additionally, some skeptics saw the panel as an election-year vehicle for members who want to give the impression they are solving the hunger problem. Sponsor Tony Hall, D-Ohio, said the committees already having hunger jurisdiction "are unable to give the issue...the priority at­ tention it requires. " Opponent Dan Glickman, D-Kan.,sa'd the money would be better ! spent "going to the problem, maybe helping buy bread or provide 1 cheese...." Members voting yes wanted to establish a hunger committee. Illinois- Voting no: Philip Crane, R-12. SENATE DEATH - By a vote of 63 for and 32 against, the Senate passed and I sent to the House a bill (S 1675) that reinstates the death penalty for a ; limited number of federal offenses. ; Crimes specified in the bill are treason, espionage, an attack that ; either kills or comes close to killing a president, and murder whether committed directly or as a byproduct of another federal crime. Supporter Jesse Helms, R-N.C., said "the threat of execution has no parallel in getting the attention of the criminal element and conveying to them the inadvisability of committing a capital crime." Opponent Mark Hatfield, R-Ore., said the bill should require executions to be televised because permitting the public "to witness first hand the horror of governmentally-sanctioned murder...will lead to swift repeal of the grizzly practice." Senators voting yes favored capital punishment for certain federal crimes. Illinois-Alan Dixon, D, voted yes. Charles Percy, R, voted no. J.R. Starkey, Internal Revenue Service district director for Northern Illinois, reminds area residents with tax questions of the availability of Tele-Tax, a pre-recorded tax information service provided by the Internal Revenue Service. Tele-Tax is available on a 24 hour seven-days a week basis to taxpayers with pushbutton phones with tone activation and during working hours for those with dial phones. The service provides over 140 information tapes on tax subjects such as filing requirements, itemized deductions, tax deductions, tax credits, dependents, and ad­ justments to income. Starkey noted that a complete list of Tele-Tax topics is available in the tax package received through the mail and in Publication 910, "Taxpayer's, Guide to Information and Assistance." To use Tele-Tax, taxpayers with push button phones punch in the appropriate tape numbers to hear the tax information message he or she wants. Taxpayers without access to the tape topics and their corresponding tape numbers can hear a list of the tapes by following the recorded in­ structions. Those taxpayers with rotary (dial) telephones tell the IRS operator the number of the tape he or she wishes to hear. In Northern Illinois, Tele-Tax is available via pushbutton phones by calling Chicago (886- 9614) or the Quad Cities (326- 1720). Tele-Tax is available via rotary phones by dialing 886-6512 in Chicago. If a taxpayer calls from outside the local dialing area of any Tele-Tax number, there will be a long distance , ,.charge. OPEN DOOR x * 1 1 . >?' -/•» J k i ' i v{| h & •-? s t x v. Altayhy 1 &£ji Second session of assembly focuses on The second year session of the 83rd General Assembly, which will open for regular business after the March 20th primary, will focus mainly on the Fiscal 1985 budget and the state economy. This past January, Gov. Thompson set the stage for budget negotiations by an­ nouncing that he would not push for an extension of the tem­ porary income tax increase. That move pleased Illinois businesses, individual tax­ payers, and most lawmakers. However, as a result of the decision, state revenues will remain at about present year levels, allowing little or no room for budget increases. Lawmakers are now studing state programs to begin determining how much money should be spent in each program area. With very little new- money to be allocated, lawmakers will be establishing priorities among current state programs. Gov. Thompson has already established higher education as one of his top spending priorities, calling for a $47.5 million increase in General Revenue Fund money for higher education. That represents a 4.5 percent increase over the Fiscal 1984 budget. This new money would allow salary increases of about. 5 percent for university and community college faculties and staffs, and would provide money for increasing state scholarship awards. An ad­ ditional $10 million would go toward improving engineering and biotechnology programs. Higher education is. a priority in Srpingfield because Illinois needs quality universities and colleges to attract new business and economic development. Gov. Thompson outlined his entire budget in his March 7 budget address to a joint session of the legislature. As we discuss the budget in the months ahead, we'll have to keep in mind a central goal - reestablishing economic stability in the state. We will have to establish spending priorities for our existing programs, but we also have a responsibility to look for waste in government spending and eliminate it. The House Republican Policy Committee recently released a preliminary report on legislation com­ missions that documented budget irregularities, hard-to- justify contractual services, excessive travel expenses, inadequate oversight and ill- defined responsibilities among many of the commissions. The The budget process will be one of reassessment and tough decision-making, but a carefully drawn and conservative budget will serve all Qlinoisans by helping to encourage the economic development that will provide us with jobs. An editorial Reducing the cancer risk The American Cancer Society has listed several precautions the average citizen can take to reduce the risk of several forms of cancer. While the suggestions are good for all, they're most important for those considerably overweight. And they agree with precautionary steps suggested by the National Academy of Sciences eighteen months ago. Avoid serious obesity. Avoid excessive fat. Eat more fruits, vegetables and wholegrain foods. See that high fiber foods and vitamins A and C are in your diet. Avoid a heavy intake of smoked meat or fish and salt-cured and nitrite-cured meat or fish. Avoid a heavy alcoholic intake. Exercise, also, is helpful. But experts warn that strenuous exercise should be achieved gradually for those who have not been physically active for some time. Finally, the Society says there's not enough substantiated evidence as of now to recommend any of the current anticancer- diets, or specific foods. Nor does the society feel the case has been proven that vitamin E or selenium is a preventative. SERVICE LINE: A LISTING OF NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS COMPILED AS A PUBLIC SERVICE TO McHENRY Mr HENRY CI IAMBER OF COMMERCE 383 4300 FAMILY SERVICE fic MENTAL 1IEALTH CENTER 4302 li West Ciystal Lake Rd. McHenry, II bOObO 81 '>385-6400 TURNING POINT-DOMESTIC VIOLENCE STRESS LINE Mr.Hei rv County 24 hours a day, 7 days a week Parents Anonymous meetings on Tuesday Call 815-338-8080 FEDERAL GOVERNMENT GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION 202-755-8660 Hours / 30 a m to !j 30 p rn week days (Ever had a problem involving the federal- guvemmenr and not known where to call7 And then been given the ninaroutid. or referrals by persons who meant well but didn t know how to Jielp." Ten specialists available at this center I NATIONAL RUN-AWAY SWITCHBOARD Illinois Phone:800-972-6004 (For confidential tor /ersanons on problems dealing with run away children I MOVING HOTLINE Phonr 800-424-9213 (Complaints about interstate moving by companies buses or trams-, Spnn sored by Interstate Commerce commision I STATE CHAMBER GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS HOTLINE 217-522-5514 r;tnnjR|GHT ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES 24 Hours Child Abuse Hotline TOLL FREE: 800-252-2878 CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISION 800-638-2666 (Operates five national lines Answers inquiries about or reporting on the safety of products'from kitchen appliances tt) children's toys.l NATIONAL SOLAR HEATING AND COOLING INFORMATION CENTER 800-523-2929 PO Box 1607. Rockville, Md 20850 (Dispenses information on solar systems tor heeling and cooling to anyone from architects to home owners looking for a sun powered hot water system.) YOUTH SERVICE BUREAU FOR McHENRY COUNTY 4719 W Elm St .McHenry Phone:344-3240 24 hours Crisis Intervention and Confidential Counseling for youth and families NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION Phonr 800-424-9393 lAnswers questions aboot automobile safety'defects or whether a particolai model has ever been recalled Valuable tor those interesed in buying a used MENTAL HEALTH 1-800-892-8900 Crisis Center Line for McHenry Co 24 hour Emergency number and professional staff will answer your call Sponsoring agency McHenry County Comprehensive Mental Health Service System NATIONAL NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH ASSOCIATION •' • ' " 1 Wfrhifimnn fl C 20041 • <nn4 CONSUMER PROTECTION DIVISION 312-793-3580 Chicago, II ILLINOIS STATE CHAMBER HOTLINE Phone:217-522-5514 Answer to Questions on government reautetiOfli. McHENRY COUNTY CETA OUTREACH CENTER 666 Russel Ct, Woodstock. II60098 Phone(81^56-7100 ..,o 1 raining Offered McHENRY COUNTY ASSOCIATION FOR THE RETARDED Robe't G lambourn. Executive Director Phone:344-1230 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (815)435-3311 McHENRY COUNTY SENIOR CITIZENS COUNCIL 800-892-3272 Monday through Friday, 8 30 a m to 4:30 p m. PRAIRIE STATE LEGAL SERVICES. INC. 800-942-3940 Fiee legal representation In civil cases to low income persons. Landlord tenant disputes domestic violence or improper denial of benefits sucti as Social Security Public Aid, Food Stamps. General Assistance & Unem pluyinent Insurance SUPPORT GROUP FOR MEN WHO BATTER M e e t s e v e r y T h u r s d a y 6 7 p m For information call 338-8080 COMPASSIONATE FRIENDS WcHenr^ County Chapter iFo' beie3ved parents) Call 385-5732 If you've been told your hearing loss was so bad that you cannot wear an All-in-the ear Hearing Aid, SEE US! NUT ANY HEARING AID CENTER "EXCLUSIVE DEALER FOR OMNI HEARING SYSTEMS" 7432 HANCOCK DR.--WONDER LAKE--LETIZIA BLDG. GALL (815) 728-1009 *\