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P«g«' 2 t>l MM>KM KH-HKH Al l) * EDNKSPA) . J4M AR\ 9.1985 Opinion/Politics Issues take shape in Assembly I?",.™ l'J11 "J!'Ls2f^. • A w • nnunrpd an Internal Rpvenue natural Bas. electricil The 83rd General Assembly hasn't officially ended, but the issues for the next two-year legislative session, the 84th General Assembly, are already beginning to take shape. Several groups have outlined plans for the £oming year, studies have been commissioned on critical issues and initiatives in other states may prompt similar measures for Illinois. As early as last summer there were predictions that education would "the" issue of 1985. Gov. Thompson set the stage when he' linked increases in education funding to education reform. Former State Supt. of Public Instruction Michael Bakalis organized the Illinois Project for School Reform, using local .committees to conduct a grassroots study of school problems. Also, the special legislative committee on the Improvement of Elementary and Secondary Education conducted a series of hearings statewide on school problems and funding. While specific plans differ, most, groups studying the problem have echoed the governor by recommending increased state funding ^or education and higher pay &r teachers, but linking those in­ creases to reform.® Most plans include some form of com­ petency testing, which could prove to be a major stumbling block if teachers unions refuse soften their approach to such General Assembly/held off on strict price controls to give the hospital industry a chance to bring costs /under control voluntarily. Bjat, if costs keep ^rising there could be a push for more state regulation. On a related issue, a doctors organization will seek changes in malpractice insurance practices. A legislative package that severely " limited malpractice awards, attorney fees and liability failed last year. The doctors have scaled back some of their changes and hope they'll have better luck this time around. Springfield REPORT Rising health costs remain a critical issue. Last year, the Your Legislators State Senator A Jack Schaffer (R), 32nd. 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., 6Q604 Phone: 312 353-5420 600 E. Monroe * Room 108 Springfield. 111., 62706 Phone: 217 492-4126 United States Senate Senate Office Bldg. < Washington. D C., 20510 Charles H. Percy (Ri 230 S Dearborn Room 3892 Chicago. 111.. 60604 Phone: 312 353-4952 600 E. Monroe Room 117 Springfield, 111 . 62706 ) Phone: 217 492-4442 United States Senate Senate Office Bldg Washington. D.C., 20510 State Representatives Dick Klemm (R), 63rd/ 3 W. Crystal L»ake Ave. Crystal Lake. 111., 60014 Phone: 455-6330 0-2 Stratton Bldg. Springfield, 111.. 62706 Phone: 217 782-8000 Ronald Wait (R). 64th 110 E. Second St. Belvidere, 111., 61008 U.S. Representative Philip M. Crane <R), 12th 1450 New Wilke Rd. Mount Prospect. 111.. 60005 Phone: 312 394-0790 House of Representatives House Office Bldg. Washington. D C. 20515 McHenry County Office 56 N. William Street Crystal Lake. 111., 60014 Phone: 459-3399 / Get a headstart in your new town. Don't waste time wondering about a fast way to get your beanngs Call me. I m with WELCOME WAGON When you've just moved you re pressed for time And the gifts, community and business information I bring will save your family time and money Let me hear from you soon „ NANCY LAZAR I 344-3966 Anscofdisc CAMERA ns( o FUJI DISC FILM 131) E«p I I2»5 HR 10-01 FLIP-FLASH DISC C AMIR A t Our imaUes: mosi coupon disc cameia Budget £Meas"ig economy pret J •Single, titok* sNitlr bull or ctK'ltes jhultr and ih»i »d«nces Mfl Oat Kir to: ntf. (Xlu'f fi>p iiasi to- torn iKiu<es up i» if" »i IIIMITED QUANTITIES! •Has twiici hr ciose ut has' pcfu'ci •3 lumeni f/4 I?Smml(ns •Comes with wiai j|r»c •He*' need; M'teiei •flacked b> Anico lull 3 »*a- Mat amy Foto DRIVE JN FILM & PROCESSING ll A 1 4400 W tLM McHtNnv MARKET PLACE JsUlJ McHfNRY. ll M5-M50 -- • ••M ' HOl,RS MONDAY FRIDAY 9 .15 7 00 . SATURDAY g 15 3 00 to enable Illinois banks to invest in out-of-state^ institutions and vice-versa. Expect opposition from smaller community banks, afraid of being swallowed up or driven out of business by the big banks. Complicating the issue is the entry of "non-banks" into the market. Federal deregulation has made it easier and more profitable for other financial institutions to offer services and investment op­ portunities that once were the exclusive domain of banks. The large banks say their highly regulated industry can't com pete a against the less tightly regulated non-banks. Finally, some lawmakers looking to examples of other kSAAA U titly yv /© are n states and may consider a "happy hodr" ban. Such a proposal would prevent bars from offering discounts on drinks during selected hours. Proponents of the ban say two- for-one drink specials and other late afternoon discounts only encourage people to consume a lot of alcohol in a short period, thus putting more drunken drivers on the road during the afternoon rush hour. TTiese are by no means all the issues expected to come up (luring the coming months, but they do give a sample of the ariety of proposals lawmakers can expect to confront wEltti the new legislative session^ begins this month. Gov. James Thompson an­ nounced an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) decision which could mean $32 million in savings to state taxpayers who itemize their deductions. Under the ruling, Illinois taxpayers will be able to deduct public utility taxes along with the regular sales tax deductions already allowed by the federal government. iHnize deductions • 'We argued that the taxes on natural gas, electricity and telephone service should be deductible because they are similar to the general sales tax and ire imposed at an identical five percent rate," Thompson said. IRS statistics indicate that 37 percent' of the people - filing ral tax returns from Illinois Give your savings reak during Dollar Days Of course, rising utility costs will continue to be a big issue. Legislators may look at cutting or freezing state utility taxes and the perennial issue of an elected commerce commission will a again surface. We'll also be watching the recently-formed Citizens Utility Board (CUB) to see how effective it is. Another utility issue will be telephone regulation. The break­ up of the Bell system completely changed the way we regulate telephone rates and we're,,still -irting things out. Illinois' major banks have also announced they'll seek some form of interstate banking State general fund balance is above the "warning level" The available balance in the state's general funds at the end of November was $334 million, $254 million above the end-of- month balance of November one year ago. Through November, the month-end balance had remained above the $200 million fiscal "warning zone" for 12 consecutive months. Total revenues from all sources to the general funds in five months of fiscal 1985 were $4,065 billion, $454 million or 12.6 percent above comparable revenues for the same period one year ago. Revenues from state sources increased by $336 million while federal sources increased by $118 million. Sales tax receipts were up $323 million; federal sources were up $118 million; transfers In up $104 million; Internships available to residents The Illinois Legislative Research unit and Sangamon State University area seeking applicants for the Illinois Staff Intern program, according to state Rep. Richard Klemm, R- Crystal Lake. * \ There are 19 full-time positions available for 1985-86. Interns serve from Oct. 1 to Aug. 15 antTteceive graduate credit from Sangamon State University. In addition to the credit, each intern receives a $1,000 per month stipend. "This is an excellent op­ portunity for young people who have an interest in state government to contribute not only their talents, but to learn and earn at the same time," Klemm said. The deadline for all ap­ plications a and materials is March 1. For applications and more information, contact Klemm's office, 3 W. Crystal Lake Ave., Crystal Lake, or phone 455-6330. The office is open from 9 a.m. to noon, Monday through Friday. investment income was up $23 million; corporation franchise tax was down $19 million; Inheritance taxes were down $36 million and short term borrowing was down $50 million. Total general funds ex­ penditures in five months of fiscal 1985 were $3,948 billion, $307 million or 8.4 percent above comparable revenues in five months of fiscal 1984. Public aid grants went up $150 million; operations spending went up $132 million; transfers out went up $63 million; all other grants went up $23 million; refunds spending went up $17 million and common school fund spending went down $91 million. SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL MERCHANTS DURING CITY WIDE DOLLAR DAYS. Shop McHenry during Dollar Days January 10,11 & 12 and put the money you save to work in one of our convenient savings plans. McHENRY STATE BANK • Serving McHenry Since 1906" Member FDIC 3371 3 DAYS-JAN. 10,11 & 12 BIG REDUCTIONS ON REMAINING rALL AND WINTER MERCHANDISE SLACKS SKIRTS „ SAVE 25% SAVE 25% NIGHTWEAR SAVE 30% GLOVES/HATS/SCARVES *3.00 OFF PURSES Vz PRICE 1 - l BLOUSES REG. '20.00 $14°° REG. *44.00. *3080 DRESSES REG.'37.00 HOW J259D REG'84 00 NOW *58'° SWEATERS & TURTIENECKS REG. M3°° NOW *9" REG.'52- NOW'3380 JiSL 1216 N. GREEN ST. McHENRY M-F 9-5:30 SAT 9-5 McHENRY MARKET PLACE 385-4100 spurgeons OPEN SUNDAYS 10 TO 5 THURS--FRI--SAT--SUM JAN. J.0-13,1985 % ORIGINAL PRICE CLEARANCE OF FALL & WINTER MERCHANDISE MENS BOYS Shirtsr Papis Jackets Sweaters Coordinates Jackets Pants Shirts PJ's Garanimals GIRLS Garanimals Heclthtex Pants Tops Dresses Jackets » Sleepwear LADIES Blouses Skirts . Maternity Sleepwear Coats Tops Slacks Dresses Coordinates Sweaters Handbags Jewelry Jeans INFANTS Garanimals Healthtex Pants ToP| Jackets CASH & CHARGE SALES ONLY - ALL MDSE. PRICED AS MARKED /