Eastland School Board more concerned about money vs. education

Dear Editor,

I was very disappointed and angry to hear of the Eastland School Boards' decision to fire three faculty members at last Wednesdays meeting. They ruled to fire Mary VanMiddendorp (EHS English Teacher), Tammy Giedd (EHS Teachers Aide), and Teresa Green (EMS Music Teacher).

I feel that all three of these teachers are true assets to the Eastland School District and made Eastland a better place to be. I do not understand the boards decision at all. I talked to Mrs. V and Mrs. Giedd on Thursday and both told me that Mr. Hansen told them it was due to declining enrollment and financial reasons.

I called Mr. Hansen and got the high school's enrollment and financial report. The high school enrollment this year is 251 students and next year (according to him) would be 249. Another source told me that the enrollment would actually be more then 251 in the high school next year.Even if we were losing two students,why would we fire two high school teachers?

I then got the financial report and it was for right around EIGHT MILLION DOLLARS! Now if we can spend eight million in one year, why are we having financial problems? We have one of the richest districts in Illinois, but according to Mr. Hansen and our boardwe have financial problems? One thing I found outon the Eastland school website (www.eastland308.com, where you can check the "Financial Planning and Projections" info that shows Eastland has the highest rating that can be attained from the State Board of Education) was that Mr. Hansen was at one point a high school English teacher, which I found humorous as he just fired one.

Also, minutes after the boards decision to fire these teachers, the board talked about having a $3,000 mural painted in oneof the schools.

Ever sinceour new school board and superintendent have been in action, the only thing our board seems to be worried about is money, not education. Our current board no longer values the public and teachers input in decisions like they once did. One high school teacher told me on Thursday, "It's clear to me that our school board no longer values the fine art programs."

I also learned from Mr. Hansen that there would be middle school teachers moving to the high school to cover the position of Mrs. VanMiddendorp. It sounds to me like another Mr. Hillinger move, which was the "re-assignment" of one teacher to make a position for a middle school teacher (only a few know what I am talking aboutdue tothis sly school boardmove).

Also, I would like to ask the board members the last time they were actuallyin the high school, or any Eastland school for that matter, when classes were in session to observe what really goes on? I don't think any of them ever have!

Eastland taught me to be honest, trustworthy, and caring, which obviously our school board is lacking. I would liketo see a letter back from the board with honest reasons, enough with this declining enrollment andfinancial problems bull.I think it istime for a change in our school board. I would encourage everyone to vote this coming election and vote for the members that care about Eastland's education vs. money. Who knows, maybe we will even need some write-in candidates?

Sean Hammer

2006 Eastland Graduate

Child Abuse is preventable

Dear Editor,

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. What does that mean? For some of us it means NOTHING. For some of us it means H.A.T.C.H. or "HANDS AROUND THE COURTHOUSE". Some of you may have heard of this event and know what it is. Some have even attended the event in the past. It's our chance (Carroll County) to gather together to show our support for raising awareness of Child Abuse - a preventable crime. It's less than 30 minutes out of 1 day! Children are our greatest treasures and deserve a chance to grow up feeling loved, safe and secure.

The event will be outside, weather permitting @ the CC Courthouse. Teresa Maidak is this year's speaker. We will hand out information and refreshments will be served.

The Savanna Woman's Club, Lutheran Social Services, Prevent Child Abuse Illinois, Sinnissippi Centers, Riverview Center, Inc and Illinois Department of Human Services are joining together for Carroll County's 5th Annual Hands Around the Courthouse on Tuesday, April 17 from 12:00 ­ 12:30. We are asking local organizations - professional, business, religious, volunteers and educational ­ to end abuse and neglect in our County. We are asking individuals, including parents, child care providers, teachers, counselors, social workers, neighbors, friends, business owners and relatives to make a personal commitment to intervene where necessary to assure that growing up is a safe journey for all children! Please join us . . . DO IT FOR THE CHILDREN! Hope to see you at noon on April 17 at the Carroll County "Hands Around The Courthouse".

Jane Shaw

Savanna Woman's Club

Eastland music program a necessity

In a town where the visual and performing arts are cherished, it surprised me to learn of the cutbacks to the Eastland music program. Music is an elective which is part of the curriculum. The three Rs may have sufficed in 1930, but the world has changed. The basics are more than what they used to be. They have grown to include social studies, computer literacy, foreign language and the arts.

Believe it or not students don't always fit into the category of top-academic achievers or athletes. There are many students involved in the music/arts programs where music/art is "their thing." It is what gives them school spirit, pride, leadership skills, and confidence.

It is not easy performing at the music contests (which are required). Do we want our students to go unprepared? Does the community know that Eastland has placed 2nd or 3rd in the state (Sweepstakes) for at least the last four years.

As the former Music Booster President at Eastland High School I feel it is my duty to stand up for what I believe in. Can we keep the excellent music program at Eastland with one "part-time" teacher at the high school level? Probably, because Mrs. Judd can handle multiple-tasks easily: but, if you compare the area schools that are currently staffed as such, the music program suffers. Are we at Eastland ready to settle for mediocre or satisfactory?

If Mrs. Judd is gone from the high school for half a day, the music program will definitely be jeopardized. Students need practice time especially around competition and performances. Many of the students would practice during study hall and AH. Have the board members thought about that? Are they willing to sit in and help duets and quartets prepare for contest, memorize the scales and explain to them how to read the music so they play synchronized? Will the board members be able to provide the accompaniment for contest for chorus and band? With the dismissal of Teri Green, I think we probably have just lost two of our best accompanists (her and her mother Marsha Roberts).

Students often have scheduling conflicts with band/chorus and because music is important to them they chose to come in before school two days a week for chorus and two days a week for jazz band classes. No buses, they are providing their own transportation. Mrs. Judd willingly did this for students four days a week. This program is also in jeopardy with the cutbacks. If music is that important to our students it should be that important to us.

Have any of the board members sat through a music class to see the musicians pull together as a team to play/sing breathtaking beautiful music, to see the leadership abilities of the section leaders, and to see the skill level we have at Eastland and congratulate them on their achievements? I have; and it is quite an awesome experience! We have very talented students at Eastland!

When you take these things away on the local level, you are in some instances limiting the students' opportunities for the future. Some of these programs are prerequisites for enrollment in college. Who are we to take that away?

Miss Green, thank you so much for your dedication to the Eastland music program. I truly appreciate the way you inspired our students to learn music and the cultural diversity of music.

To you students who stood up for what you believe in, I am proud of you!

Barb Lessman

Former, Eastland Music Booster President

Opinions on the Eastland School Board/Eastland High School Walk-Out

I am thoroughly infuriated with the fact that teachers are being let go. Granted, I understand that there are budget requirements, and I understand that I am not a tax payer, but I can speak from the experience of being a student at the Eastland School District, that what is being done is not going to solve anything. There are many points that I would like to be addressed, so bear with me.

To begin with, cutting the English program does not help students. This limits the classes that can be offered and limits the knowledge of college bound seniors. These English classes that are being offered are expected to have already been taken in high school by most colleges. Without these classes, students are being forced to settle for a second class education, which should not be happening. The Board of Education speaks of wanting to keep students up to pace with reading, as mentioned by many of the essays written by the superintendent Mark Hansen on the high school web page. He stresses that reading and knowledge are important. By taking these English classes away, students are not reading literature that is going to be expected to be previously read by college instructors. I understand that students can take initiative to read these works, but without guidance, and someone to help interpret, in the case of some books (Frankenstein as well as others), students will not understand the importance of what they are reading.

Now, onto the part where I am going to offend someone. In the case of the employment of Ms. Green, I feel that it is absolutely unnecessary to let such a fine teacher go. Ms. Green has done wonders for the Eastland Music program and has had a major impact on the lives of many students including but not limited to myself. When Ms. Green first came to work at Eastland, I was in the 7th grade. She came following 5 years with 5 different music teachers. This is quite a task for anyone ... to try and figure out at what level of music two entire schools are at and single handedly pull them all together, teach them something, and make them sound wonderful for all the mommies and daddies. Now, this may have taken some time, but by God, she has done it. Being one of her students was a great joy for me. If it were not for her I do not believe that I would be going after the profession that I am aspiring for today...a music educator. She taught me life skills not only for singing and music but for the health of my voice and life in general. I learned more from her about health for the voice than I ever learned about health for my body in the actual health class. I learned poise, posture, self-confidence, and all the stuff about music, and how the voice works, and piano. All of these afore mentioned skills have shaped me into who I am today, and without Ms. Green, I would not be who I am today. She is a wonderful person, and a terrific teacher. I have learned so much from her andletting her go is a horrible decision. Besides, making me a better person, she helped shape the musician I am today. She taught me how to sing properly so that I would not hurt my voice, she taught me basic piano skills that I am very thankful for, and she played for most of my contest pieces that I ever performed. She was always willing to help in the name of music. As said by Martin Luther, "Music is a discipline, and a mistress of order and good manners, she makes the people milder and gentler, more moral and more reasonable." I believe this to be one hundred percent true. Without music, this world would be crazy and out of control. It has brought people together for generations and has helped people through some really rotten times. Considering the age group that Ms. Green teaches, music is vital. Junior high schools are notorious for people feeling horrible about themselves. I was one of these people. Music was my outlet. Without it, I would not be here today. I know this is rather unprofessional of me to be bringing up, but on more than one occasion, music saved my life. I am sure this is true of other people as well.

With this being said, there comes the predicament of what is to come of the Eastland K-8 choral music program. If this position is to be filled by Mrs. Judd, this would mean some great sacrifices on the part of the high school music program. This would cut the morning music programs, and music appreciation as well as time for lessons and sectionals. This would greatly disappoint me. Being a former music student, the only time I could take choir was in the morning. Jazz band is only offered in the morning. If these programs are cut, the success of the music program at Eastland is going to plummet. This program cannot afford to die, and I know that in the hearts of the band and choir students it will not.

Not only will the high school music program suffer, but every aspect of music at Eastland will suffer. When getting new teachers, especially music teachers, there has to be consistency. If a new teacher comes in, the teacher will spend an entire semester trying to gauge where all of the students are. The next semester will be spent slowly advancing in the curriculum, where if the same teacher had been employed, the entire year could have been spent furthering the musical education of the students. Music is not like any other class. There is no state standard on what needs to be done each year. This creates the difficulty thatI previously mentioned. I know from personal experience. AsI mentioned before, I had 5 music teachers in 5 years and each one of them had to start back at square one. Music teachers cannot be juggled around willy nilly. This is why it is imperitive to keep Ms. Green in the Eastland School System.

At this time I would like to point out that a lot of money (I do not know the exact figures) can be spent on uniforms for the basketball team or new bleachers for the baseball field or new bleachers for the football field or refinishing the gym floor or the sky-lights in the cafeteria of the high school that aren't needed. Understand that I do believe in the safety of people and the bleachers I am only slightly disgruntled about, but the sky-lights in the cafeteria are a waste of money. The money spent on those could have been put toward paying a teacher for another year to provide the best education possible.

Another thing that really ticks me off is the fact that sports teams get attention. When is the last time that one of Eastland's sports teams ranked second in state two years in a row? Honestly, anyone that can tell me that I will be forever grateful for the knowledge. The music program has done it. I would also like to compare numbers of people in band and choir to that of the sports teams. When, if ever, have there been 50 people on the boy's basketball team? When have there been 75 people on both the girls' and the boys' basketball teams combined? The Eastland music program has this many students involved in some way or another. This proves that music is more valued over sports by the students. It is time that the school district realized this and actually cared.

This is my opinion and I am fully aware that other people will have varying opinions, but I feel that getting rid of an English teacher and a music teacher is simply degrading the quality of education within the Eastland School System. If the school board is looking for answers to problems, they are not solving anything by doing this. They have only created a bigger problem, and if there is anything I can do to overturn this decision, one can bet that I will be there voicing my opinion on this subject until I am blue in the face. They may have made this decision, but I, as well as others, will not go down without a fight.

Kathryn Gruendler

Eastland Alumni

Eastland School Board more concerned about money vs. education

Dear Editor,

I was very disappointed and angry to hear of the Eastland School Boards' decision to fire three faculty members at last Wednesdays meeting. They ruled to fire Mary VanMiddendorp (EHS English Teacher), Tammy Giedd (EHS Teachers Aide), and Teresa Green (EMS Music Teacher).

I feel that all three of these teachers are true assets to the Eastland School District and made Eastland a better place to be. I do not understand the boards decision at all. I talked to Mrs. V and Mrs. Giedd on Thursday and both told me that Mr. Hansen told them it was due to declining enrollment and financial reasons.

I called Mr. Hansen and got the high school's enrollment and financial report. The high school enrollment this year is 251 students and next year (according to him) would be 249. Another source told me that the enrollment would actually be more then 251 in the high school next year.Even if we were losing two students,why would we fire two high school teachers?

I then got the financial report and it was for right around EIGHT MILLION DOLLARS! Now if we can spend eight million in one year, why are we having financial problems? We have one of the richest districts in Illinois, but according to Mr. Hansen and our boardwe have financial problems? One thing I found outon the Eastland school website (www.eastland308.com, where you can check the "Financial Planning and Projections" info that shows Eastland has the highest rating that can be attained from the State Board of Education) was that Mr. Hansen was at one point a high school English teacher, which I found humorous as he just fired one.

Also, minutes after the boards decision to fire these teachers, the board talked about having a $3,000 mural painted in oneof the schools.

Ever sinceour new school board and superintendent have been in action, the only thing our board seems to be worried about is money, not education. Our current board no longer values the public and teachers input in decisions like they once did. One high school teacher told me on Thursday, "It's clear to me that our school board no longer values the fine art programs."

I also learned from Mr. Hansen that there would be middle school teachers moving to the high school to cover the position of Mrs. VanMiddendorp. It sounds to me like another Mr. Hillinger move, which was the "re-assignment" of one teacher to make a position for a middle school teacher (only a few know what I am talking aboutdue tothis sly school boardmove).

Also, I would like to ask the board members the last time they were actuallyin the high school, or any Eastland school for that matter, when classes were in session to observe what really goes on? I don't think any of them ever have!

Eastland taught me to be honest, trustworthy, and caring, which obviously our school board is lacking. I would liketo see a letter back from the board with honest reasons, enough with this declining enrollment andfinancial problems bull.I think it istime for a change in our school board. I would encourage everyone to vote this coming election and vote for the members that care about Eastland's education vs. money. Who knows, maybe we will even need some write-in candidates?

Sean Hammer

2006 Eastland Graduate

Eastland Budget Reductions Explained

The Eastland Board of Education took unanimous action on Wednesday, March 21st, to reduce two (2) teaching positions, and one (1) educational support position. This is always difficult because positions are people. Please note that these were honorable dismissals that were made as part of a planned response to declining enrollments and financial projections.

Many rural districts in northwest Illinois are facing declining enrollments, and Eastland is no exception. We are in the 7th year of a projected 13-year period of declining enrollment. In 2001 our total district student population was 815. Today it is 681 (-16%) and projections indicate by 2013 it will be 550 (-33%). In 2001 the high school population was 267, today it is 232 (-13%) and by 2013 it is projected to be 185 (-31%). There is some evidence, at least in the early grades, that enrollment will rebound slightly, or at least stabilize, after this 13-year period. We are hopeful.

While enrollments declined 16%, operating costs per student have increased 49%. Financial projections presented by Superintendent Hansen suggest that growth of expenditures at this rate will result in the District adopting deficit budgets as early as 2008-09. Salaries and benefits are approximately 70% of that budget.

Given the enrollment scenario, and the financial projections, the Board has directed the Superintendent to hold the growth in next year's budget to 6% or less over this year's. As the enrollment drops, our challenge, and the challenge of future Boards of Education, will be to provide the best educational experience possible for our students while trying to remain fiscally responsible.

Since this board was seated in April of 2005, we have reduced our teaching staff by four teachers: one middle school teacher, one elementary physical education teacher, one high school English teacher, and one elementary Music teacher. In all four cases, the remaining staff members have been, and will be required, to accept changes in their responsibilities. This is part of the reassigning of duties that occurs whenever an organization gets smaller.

Regarding next year, we will schedule and share staff between buildings in a manner that will have a minimal impact on the instructional program. No program has been dropped, but because we have fewer students, we can schedule staff in a way that requires fewer teachers. The result will be small changes in the schedules of many teachers, and small changes in the curriculum available to students. Since the Board's action on Wednesday night, administrators have shared general plans with all staff members, and continue to work with the teachers to refine those plans for next year.

In an environment of declining enrollments, it is the responsibility of the School Board, the administration, and the teachers to make organizational changes work as effectively as possible. Within the parameters that are established, all employees have a professional responsibility to make it work to the best of their ability. We are fortunate at Eastland to have a very talented and dedicated staff, and that is exactly what we expect they will do.

Respectfully submitted,

The Board of Education

Eastland CUSD #308

CASA volunteers help make a difference

Dear Editor

Winter tested us this year. Snowplow drivers had several long days and nights as did electrical linemen and law enforcement officers. We are grateful that their challenging work helped us through the storms. As the snow melts, we see more branches and sticks to be picked up, another inconvenience from the storms. The task won't be difficult for most of us, but some will need help from family or friends. All of us experience the storms of nature and their effects. Storms take place within families, too; the effects of some personal storms might be recognized by the bruises on a spouse or child; distracted attention and undone schoolwork may also be clues. "Internal storm" damage in families often needs outside help for its clean up and repair.

When a family situation becomes a court case or a part of another criminal case, the presiding judge will consider the presented facts. If a determination of criminal neglect or abuse is made, the judge may assign a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) for the child or children involved. A trained CASA will visit with the child regularly, meet with parents, teachers, relatives, and other servicing agents, and then make a written report. This report will be presented to the judge along with reports from agency caseworkers. The CASA speaks up for the best interests of the child in court. It would be wonderful if all families could be helped to repair their "storm damage"; many times it does happen. Sometimes the decision is that a child will have a better life with another family.

The end of winter storms is good news. The closing of five CASA cases in Carroll and Lee Counties during the last two months is also good news. I am thankful for the advocates that volunteered their time and skills to help these children. I am also grateful for the ten volunteers who recently completed advocate training and are now ready to be assigned a case. I appreciate the many supporters of the bowl-a-thon fundraiser and the donors whose gifts help fund the costs of advocate training and supervision. As I clean up our yard this spring, I will appreciate the warmth and new growth. But I will also be aware that storms can come in the spring, too, both in nature and in families. New court cases that involve children who have been abused or neglected will be filed. Current advocates will help some of these children, but additional volunteers are always appreciated. For information on how you can help, please call the office of the CASA office (serving Carroll, Lee and Ogle Counties) at 815-288-1901.

Judy Truckenbrod - President, Board of Directors

CASA ­ 15th Judicial Circuit

Stop underage drinking

Dear Editor,

On March 12-13, 2007, the Illinois State Police completed alcohol surveys of liquor licensed businesses located in the West Carroll area (Thomson, Savanna, Mt. Carroll)

Thomson businesses included: Casey's General Store, Atherton's Phillips 66, Kyle's Tavern and Work Release Bar. Savanna businesses surveyed were: Milo & Beaver's, Cap'N Walt's, Savanna Station and Casey's. Mt. Carroll's were: Land of Oz and Shaw's Food Pride. Congratulations to all of these businesses who complied 100% with the law and who are helping to keep our youth alcohol free.

These alcohol compliance surveys are performed by the State Police as part of the Enforcing Underage Drinking Laws Project (EUDL), which is an initiative in conjunction of the Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP).

Through out the life of the project, which runs through March 2008, each business selling alcohol will be checked for compliance twice a year.

As site coordinator of the local EUDL Project I have often read that up to 35% of liquor businesses in other areas do not pass these compliance checks. I'm proud to see business owners and their employees working diligently to stay within the law, while striving to make our community a good place to raise families.

Beginning in April, the EUDL coalition will begin working with law enforcement agencies to conduct Third Party Transactions. Third party transactions attempt to catch persons of legal age who purchase alcohol for a minor.

According to the IL Youth Survey (IYS) completed in the spring of 2006, 58% of 8th graders, 70% of 10th graders and 91% of 12th graders in Carroll County said they got their alcohol from a friend, older sibling or parent. 18% of 10th graders and 28% of 12th graders in Carroll County said they gave money to a stranger to buy alcohol. These are the type of transactions we will be trying to stop. It is our goal to further reduce the availability of alcohol to minors.

If anyone has information on these types of transactions they can contact Carroll County Crime Stoppers at 815/244-STOP (7867).

If your organization would like to have an informational session on the steps to help reduce alcohol consumption by underage youth, please contact me at the Carroll County Office of Sinnissippi Centers (1122 Healthcare Drive, Mt. Carroll) at 815-244-1376.

Sincerely,

Freddie Preston,

EUDL Site Coordinator

Don't make cuts to the Eastland music program

Dear Editor,

I was disappointed to hear that the first cuts to be made, for financial reasons, were to the music program. Music benefits students in so many ways, it is a shame that our board cuts a program that benefits our children through growth and scholarship opportunities, before looking at the wasteful spending of running two separate bus lines in the afternoon.

The benefits of music are numerous. Music develops the brain in language and reasoning. It develops the left side of the brain, known to be involved with processing language. There is also a casual link between music and spatial intelligence (visualizing how things go together, as in math). Recent studies show that students who study the arts are more successful on standardized tests such as the SAT and also receive higher grades in school and more academic honors.

Music develops a respect of other cultures and encourages hard work. It also develops teamwork skills as an entire band works together to learn their part to make a beautiful piece of music come alive. On the other hand, music develops self-esteem through self-expression as a young performer steps out to perform an improvised Jazz solo, or performs at solo and ensemble contest.

Music also develops workplace skills such as communication and focus on doing rather than observing. It teachers young people to conquer fear and take risks performing in front of others. Studies also show that students who participate in band or orchestra reported the lowest lifetime and current use of all substances (alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs).

I hope the school board will rethink their cuts to such an important program and perhaps look at gas prices and consider what we could save by keeping the kindergarten through third graders an extra forty minutes and taking them home with the fourth through high school students. Not only would this benefit the children in the lower grades by offering more learning time, but also assist the parents who work and have to find daycare for an hour after school each day to cover the period between the dismissals of the younger students to arrival home of older siblings. We are able to bus the students in the mornings on one route, why not reverse the process to take them home?

"During the Gulf War, the few opportunities I had for relaxation I always listened to music and it brought me great peace of mind. I have shared my love of music throughout the world, while listening to the drums and special instruments of the Far East, Middle East, African, the Caribbean, and the Far North, and all of this started with the music appreciation course that I was taught in a third grade elementary class in Princeton, New Jersey. What a tragedy it would be if we lived in a world where music was not taught to children." ­ General H. Norman Schwarzkopf-United States Army.

Stacy Kalina, Lanark

Senate Week in Review

A view from the Illinois Senate GOP

SPRINGFIELD ­ Taxes, prison safety and electric rates were among the major topics capturing Illinois lawmakers' attention during the week of March 19-23, even as the Senate continued third-reading action, debating and passing nearly 80 bills to the House of Representatives for further consideration, according to State Sen. Todd Sieben (R-Geneseo).

Gov. Rod Blagojevich's $6 billion gross receipts sales tax hike drew criticism from three fellow constitutional officers ­ all Democrats. The latest is his running mate, Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn, who announced his opposition at a Capitol press conference, saying flatly, "That levy would be passed on to consumers, and I don't think that's the right way to go."

The tax also drew criticism from farmers, when a coalition of agriculture groups said the tax hike would hurt Illinois' largest industry and make them less competitive with other sates.

Earlier in the week, the State Comptroller and State Treasurer also said they opposed the tax increase ­ which would be the largest in the state's history.

On March 21, a bipartisan group of Illinois lawmakers called for an increase in the number of prison guards and other frontline staff in the state's prisons. A study commissioned by the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) has found that staff cutbacks at Illinois Department of Corrections facilities are resulting in poor safety and security conditions.

The Senate Environment and Energy Committee met in Peoria on March 19 for its second in a series of hearings in communities around Illinois to receive public input about the utility rate hikes. Several hundred people packed the Neighborhood House in Peoria, demanding answers about their skyrocketing electric bills.

On March 20, Ameren Illinois utility officials met with the Illinois Commerce Commission and admitted they had not notified more than 7,000 consumers that an installment payment plan had been cancelled a week ago.

On March 22, the Environment and Energy Committee amended Senate Bill 1592 ­ which would impose a one-year rate freeze on Ameren Illinois utility ­ to include Commonwealth Edison. That legislation is in position to be voted on as early as March 27.

In other energy-related matters, the Senate voted unanimously to approve legislation that would keep Illinois competitive with Texas for the FutureGen project, a $1 billion experimental power plant. Senate Bill 1704 protects Illinois from some lawsuits if problems arise with the coal-fired power plant. A decision on where the plant will be located is expected in September.

Other legislation approved by the Senate during the week of March 19-23 includes:

Acupuncture (SB 1225) ­ Tightens licensing regulations for acupuncturists and increases the fine from $5,000 to $10,000 for practicing acupuncture without a license.

Psychology (SB 1226) ­ Allows psychologists licensed in other states to practice in Illinois for up to 60 days if they are providing services to the American Red Cross in response to a disaster.

Cool Cities (SB 1242) ­ Allows local governments to seek designation from the Environmental Protection Agency as an Illinois Cool City if they approve a plan to address global warming by working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 7 percent from 1990 levels by 2012.

Mammograms (SB 1365) ­ Expands those eligible for mandatory insurance coverage for mammograms and provides new coverage for related ultrasound screening. Specifically, adds "prior personal history of breast cancer and positive genetic testing" to coverage mandate.

Drug houses (SB 1375) ­ Amends procedures to better allow the courts to prosecute out-of-state or corporate property owners whose property has become a drug house.

License plate renewal (SB 1438) ­ Increases the time period that the Secretary of State may defer the expiration of the driver's license of a member of the Armed Forces (while on active duty outside of Illinois) from 45 days to 90 days.

Energy-efficient appliances (SB 1680) ­ Creates a sales tax holiday for energy-efficient appliances, which must qualify as an Energy Star product under the program administered by the US Environmental Protection Agency.

Airport fund (SB 1460) ­Allows the Illinois Department of Transportation to create an Airport Improvement Fund to provide grants to airport authorities in the State that do not qualify for federal funding.

Discrimination (SB 1467) ­ Adds gender (currently, race, color, or national origin) to the list of characteristics for which a person cannot be discriminated against by any unit of state, county or local government in Illinois.

Internet safety (SB 1472) ­ Allows school districts to adopt a curriculum for Internet safety instruction of K-12 students.

Identity theft (SB 1487) ­ Requires the Department of Insurance to develop a consumer fact sheet on identity theft insurance to include information on what is generally covered under identity theft insurance and on how consumers may protect themselves against ID theft.

Police pensions (SB 1539) ­ Allows the surviving spouse of a retired police officer who married the officer after his/her retirement to receive a survivor's pension if they were married for at least one year prior to the officer's death.

Film tax credit (SB 1544) ­ Extends the film tax credit program that the state offers to movie-making companies to Jan. 1, 2008.

Military license plates (SB 1575) ­ Provides for the issuance of two new license plates; one to persons who have earned the Iraq Campaign Medal and the other to those who have earned the Afghanistan Campaign Medal.

Cord blood banks (SB 19) ­ Requires the Illinois Department of Public Health to develop a statewide network of umbilical cord blood banks to help provide and promote the non-controversial source of stem cells for health research.

Tinted windshields (SB 33) ­ Provides that the prohibition against tinted windshields and tinted front side windows does not apply to vehicles owned and operated, or used to transport, persons afflicted with retinitis pigmentosa, a rare, inherited disease in which the light sensitive retina of the eye slowly and progressively degenerates.

EPA complaints (SB 54) ­ Changes EPA reporting procedures to better screen false environmental complaints about farming operations.

False representation (SB 132) ­ Increases penalties for falsely representing oneself as a public officer or a public employee.

Anti-phishing (SB 137) ­ Makes it unlawful for a person, by means of a Web page, e-mail message, or other Internet use to solicit, request, or take any action to induce another person to provide identifying information by representing oneself to be a business, without the authority or approval of the business.

Cell phones (SB 140) ­ Prohibits a person younger than 19 (instead of 18) who holds an instruction permit or a graduated license from using a wireless phone while driving.

Criminal law review (SB 150) ­ Creates the Joint Criminal Law Review Commission to conduct an ongoing study, review, and evaluation of the existing criminal laws to ensure they are constitutional, consistent, appropriately located, and drafted concisely.