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PAGE 2 - PLAINDEALER - FRIDAY, JUNE 1 , 1884 Insights New bills may affect state drivers malViwI kafniaan Ultial kanftAiuul (a Wn«li4 Wan T ̂ ̂ It was almost dusk as we walked between the graves flowers in hand, to show that like millions everywhere, we remenibered. The early evening air had a chill, which was no doubt responsible for the fact that few others were present. Some had come earlier and there was time for many others to visit the cemetery before the Memorial Day observance. But as we looked up from arranging our own flowers, suddenly there were several people representing various age ltTVusin' &, lYIanderin BY KAF groups making their way through the burial grounds. With flags in hand, these veterans and members of their families were seeking out the graves of veterans to place their markers. One of them closest to us observed aloud, "I wonder how many years I've been doing this?" His question went unanswered but as a World War II veteran we could only believe it was often. Maybe it was just the tranquility of the period of dusk, coupled with the occasion itself, but there was an inspiration for us in the very fact that friends were doing for friends, and for strangers, something very special. They were saying "thank you" from all of us for a service performed by a relatively small percentage of our country's population. Then we wondered; What happened to all the time that has intervened, and were these veterans also wondering? What happened to World War I veterans since the Armistice was signed Nov. 11,1918? Many are no longer here to wonder. For those who are, this Memorial Day was a time to recall the part they played to make Veteran's Day a reality. And what happened for World War n vets since the Battle of the Bulge and Iwo Jima? Like their buddies of 25 years earlier, some of them still lie in hospitals. Others resumed normal lives and only oc­ casionally recall the war years. Their days in uniform are probably most vividly remembered by those called in the Korean and Vietnam con­ flicts. They, too, may wonder what happened to the in­ tervening years, but their memories have less distance to travel in capturing scenes of strife. There is a disquieting feeling about recalling wars, yet these very feelings are a strong deterrent to becoming involved in another. For older veterans there is an evident pride in having served their country when they were needed. For younger men and women, with every right to the same pride, there is mingled the memory of countrymen who confused an unpopular war with those called to fight in it, and in the process failed to recognize that their service was equally as much to be honored as those who had gone before them. What happened to time since our last war? Many good things are possible only when a country is at peace. The prayer of everyone this Memorial Day should have been that time will stretch into an endless span which will never see war again. Illinois' seven million drivers will notice significant changes in the laws that pertain to motor vehicles if the Illinois Senate approves a series of bills that recently passed the House. The most controversial of these measures is the "seat belt" law, which requires drivers and front-seat passengers to wear seat belts or face a fine of $25. The bill, HB 2800, cleared the House with just enough votes for passage, and now goes to the Senate for consideration. Lawmakers debated the issue for several minutes before taking the vote, with proponents arguing that the bill will remind people to wear their seat belts and will save 500 lives in Illinois each year. Opponents of the measure countered by saying that the measure is an un­ necessary intrusion into the private decisions of adults, that it is unenforceable, and that it could result in police harrassment of some drivers. A second, very popular bill, HB 2430, exempts all recreational vehicles and second division vehicles weighing 8,000 pounds or less from the state's twice-yearly safety inspections. Under current law, second division vehicles must be inspected, but cars are not subject to this requirement. Many people feel that these inspections are a needless in­ convenience, and that they don't do anything to promote safety. More than 800,000 people own recreational vehicles and trucks that are affected by this legislation. Handicapped drivers would no longer be required to pay parking meter fees under House Bill 2441, which has been sent to the Senate. This bill exempts handicapped persons from parking meter fees and time limits if they park in zones which allow parking for 30 minutes or more. The measure is designed to relieve han­ dicapped drivers of worries associated with reaching the parking meters to insert money, and returning to meters to renew their time. Fines for unaurthorized use of a parking place reserved for the handicapped would be increased to $50 under a separate provision of the handicapped parking bill. Fines for such unauthorized use are now set at $10 or $20. Law enforcement officers would no longer be required to meet traffic ticket quotas under provisions of House Bill 2440, which also passed the House recently. The bill addresses the concerns of many people who believe that quotas have led to unwarranted and excessive traffic citations that have been issued solely to meet an established ticket quota. Written driving exams would no longer be required of every driver who had been involved in an accident under provisions of House Bill 2913. Under current law, written exams are required of all drivers who have been involved in accidents, regar­ dless of who was at fault. This exempts those drivers who not at fault form the written exam. Lawn weed treatments are serious health hazard "Editor: "Considering that this week has been declared 'Soil Stewardship Week,' it seems timely to focus attention on a current ecological threat that is all but ignored. "Finding the lawn in need of seasonal fertilization, I ex­ plored, for the first time, the possibility of using a mixture which employed weed inhibitors-until I read the labels on the bags. "No matter what commercial brand, all carry substantially the following warnings, ^'Caution. Causes eye irritation. Avoid contact with eyes or clothing. If accidentally ingested into the eyes, get medical attention. Harmful if swallowed. Do not contaminate food or foodstuffs. Do not con­ taminate water. Do not apply near lakes or streams. Do not feed treated grass to cattle.' "Obviously, these are not in the nature of mild suggestions that the material may be harm­ ful. They are admissions and warnings by the manufacturers that the stuff is poisonous. These words come fairly close to what you might expect to see on a bottle of rat poison or cyanide. "People have been spraying and applying this material over lawns, parkways and golf courses for years. As a result, the adjoining waterways are contaminated, well water is polluted and all forms of animal life exposed to it are affected. "Are the fish disappearing from your lakes? Are there no earthworms in your grass for the robins to feed upon? When did you last see a grass snake or a land toad? But the weed-free grass looks so pretty! Just don't allow the kids to play on it. "Happily, I'm back to the old dandelion digger. My lawn's not as pretty as some up the street, but we still have the robins and a friendly toad or two. There's also a fat woodchuck that feeds on some of the weeds. And, the kids can chew on the grass without a subsequent violent upchuck. "Besides, there's nothing like a little dandelion digging to reduce the lumps on the hips and thighs and bring in that protruding paunch. A. Marrow McHenry Capitol Update: Thompson focus on business Hartigan addresses Dems Neal Hartigan, Illinois At­ torney General, will be the guest speaker at a fundraiser for the McHenry County Democratic Central Committee (MCDCC) to be held on Monday, June 11, t 1984. The fundraiser will take place at the Timbers Restaurant, from 7 p.m. until 9:30 p.m., located at Route 47 and Highway 14 in Woodstock. The tickets can be purchased from any Democratic precinct com- Cheeseman on (815) 459-1266. HIKING BOATING CAMPING Army Navy Surplus 2913 W. Rt. 120 in McHenry 344-2282 g.i. mess kits New & Used SURPLUS camo fatigues 4077th MASH PANTS *14.95 6 pkt. bush shorts 815-344-2282 MEET THE STAFF * Jim Freeman Circulation Manager In charge of the Circulation department, which makes sure your paper is delivered regularly to your door, is Jim Freeman. Jim came to The McHenry Plaindealer on April 1, and was charged with building the Circulation department from scratch. Though he has been here for two months, Jim brings a wealth of experience to the Plaindealer, having worked as district circulation manager at The Daily Sentinel, in Woodstock. Basically, he oversees the hiring of carriers and the distribution of the paper. Jim also sets up the paper routes. Born and raised in Woodstock, Jim has beenlparried for nearly 14 years and they have two children, his hobbies and interests are video ta working, drafting and swimming. Among wood- f'M Pie;. C'top "(Jew Cm Cmd On lb . --Raiiiaealer Lawmakers received a special message from Gov. Thompson detailing his new proposal for expanding Illinois businesses and heard the recomendations of the Lt. Governor's Small Business Conference during action this past week, according to state Rep. Dick Klemm, R- vaMiiUj - Thompson's proposal for expanding Illinois businesses is based on a $1.9 million ap­ propriation to the "Technology Innovation and Com­ mercialization Fund." Money from that fund would be used to link small firms with the techological expertise of Illinois universities and research centers. The plan also calls for an expansion of the Ad­ ministration's Area Enterprise Program, which has been established to help en­ trepreneurs overcome problems in starting a new business. More than 400 delegates to the Lt. Governor's statewide Small Business Conference also released their recommendations for an improved business climate, calling for workers compensation and unem­ ployment insurance reform and a right-to-work law. In other action, House members approved a hotly debated mandatory seat belt bill and three measures designed to deal with Baby Doe cases. Seat Belts (HB 2800). This bill requires drivers and front-seat passengers in motor vehicles to wear seat belts or face a $25 fine. Proponents of the measure say it will save 500 lives each year, but opponents argue that the bill represents an unnecessary ntrusion into the private ecisions of adults. The bill received just enough votes to win approval and be sent to the Senate for consideration. Baby Doe cases (HB 2908,2909,2910),. This package of bills is designed to help prevent cases in which handicapped infants are denied nourishment and medical attention. The first bill requires that children born with a life-threatening condition or developmental disability be "promptly evaluated in con­ sultation with a regional perinatal center" as approved by the Department of Public Health. The second bill, HB 2909, requires all hospitals to be af­ filiated with the State's regionalized perinatal network. And the third proposal requires the Director of the Department of Children and Family Services to appoint a perinatal coor- / dinator to evaluate medical reports of alleged neglect of any handicapped infant and to assist in the necessary referrals of such infants to the appropriate perinatal center for treatment. If an infant is being neglected, DCFS must take steps, including protective custody, to protect the child's life. In other action, the House approved the following measures: BIG BOB'S FINER MEATS <4614 W. RT. 120-McHENRY • Campaign financing (HB 2716). Establishes a system for public financing of guber­ natorial elections, to be funded by $1 voluntary income tax check-offs. The money from these check-offs would go into the Gubernatorial Election Fund, and if those funds were insufficient to fund the cam­ paigns, tax money from the General Revenue Fund would be used. The governor vetoed this proposal last year. . Minority, female businesses (HB 3063). Establishes a Minority and Female Business Enterprise Act and establishes a council to assist in the im­ plementation of a 15 percent goal for awarding state con­ tracts to companies owned by minorities and women. . Sunday car sales ( HB3117). Repeals the prohibition against Sunday sales of cars in Illinois. Rental car tax (HB 2310). Allows municipalities in Illinois to impose a 95-cent tax on car rentals which would provide funds to settle unpaid parking tickets incurred by rental car drivers. Jury selection (HB2409). Requires court clerks to record the race of potential jurors. This bill would help provide the means for determining whether prosecutors discriminate against blacks during jury selection. State scholarships (HB 2400). Provides for the award of ad­ ditional state scholarships of up to $1,000 to students who finish in the top 5 percent of their graduating classes and who plan to attend Illinois colleges. The scholarships would be based on financial need. Victims rights (HB 2630). Requires the Prisoner Review Board ̂ m ̂wrjtten notices of parole hearings to victimms when parole hearings are scheduled for teh offenders. Victims would have to request these notices. The bill also allows victims and relatives to appear and testify at the hearings. Missing persons (HB 3125). Establishes an automatic data exchange under the Department of Law Enforcement to assist law enforcement agencies in recovering missing persons. Religious observance (HB 2307). Requires employers to reasonable accommodate an employee's religious ob­ servance unless the employer proves that it places an undo hardship on the employer's business. Emergency surgery (HB 2986). Creates a state program to fund emergency ex­ perimental surgery for Illinois residents who couldn't other­ wise afford it. The money would come from a special Lottery game, and would not exceed $2 million in grants per year. Child support (HB 3068). Requires the courts to enter a child support order as a per­ centage of the parent's net in­ come, and permits the Secretary of State to disclose Social Security numbers of certain individuals to the Department of Public Aid for collection purposes. 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM ORDER NOW (815)344-5550 OPEN SUNDAY WED. THRU SAT. SUMMER BAR-B-Q HEADQUARTERS • STEAKS * CHOPS • ROASTS CUT |0 ORDER! (KM CHOICE OK KMC HINDQUARTERS OR BEEF HALVES AT GOOD mas F0t 1H08 WHO WANT IK |V»Y»TNOKYCANBHYi Avy. Wft. Ill lbs. ad Hp NO CHARGE fOR PROCESSING AT BIG Bors MBAtt SAME AS CASH % WE ACCEPT AND FOOD STAMPS SPECIAL BUY! BRATS 5 LB. BOX $159 • PER LB. 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