The Center is undertaking a study aimed at analyzing how taxpayers'
dollars have been spent on DuPage County's awarding of contracts over
a ten year period beginning in 1989. The study will analyze County contracting
data to determine whether all legally required procedures and practices
were applied by the County while purchasing goods and services or whether
some level of administrative discretion was instead applied in awarding
contracts for goods and services. The study will also analyze the extent,
if any, to which campaign contributions to DuPage-based, state and local
elected officials factored into the price, timing, and number of contracts
awarded to vendors competing for County dollars. Both sets of data,
the financial records and the campaign contributions will become part
of an interactive database which will then be available on the Internet
for the public to use. The Center has compiled hundreds of pages of
records of campaign contributions made to state and local DuPage-based
elected officials for the past ten years. These records are being entered
into a database and will be correlated against the contracting information.
Unfortunately, the Center has been delayed in its attempts to obtain
the County's contracting data and as a result was forced to file a lawsuit
against the County under the Freedom of Information Act to obtain access
to the records. The Center intends to use this project to document how
the public's assets have been spent. If public assets have been spent
in an inefficient manner, then the Center will push for reforms for
eliminating or reducing waste. In the end, the Center hopes to educate
the public about laws governing the procurement process as well as how
campaign finance reform alternatives can be implemented to insure the
public's assets are not used as a discretionary source for political
paybacks.
GIVING STUDENTS A VOICE
CAC community lawyers implemented a civic program to teach principles
of democracy to Junior High students. During a four week after-school
program, Center lawyers visited Indian Trails Junior High School to
educate students about how to put democratic concepts into action and
exploring different concepts of community. Projects involved exercises
demonstrating that students have a right to voice an opinion, making
collages reflecting the different communities students belonged to,
and creating a children's bill of rights. The bill of rights activity
provided an opportunity to discuss individual responsibilities which
accompany individual rights and the impending presidential election
provided an opportunity to talk with the students about their concerns
for the future. Students concerns were issues such as freedom of speech,
health insurance, transportation, and the environment. Center lawyers
are compiling "Democracy in Action" lesson plans to help teachers facilitate
hands-on activities to teach about democracy and civics and how to use
a student's community as a "civic lab."
EVENING PROGRAMS
November: KidCare Children deserve to have health care coverage.
The Citizen Advocacy Center's Evening Program for November will focus
on Illinois' version of a national Child Health Insurance Program: KidCare.
Ms. Donna Sperlakis from the Health Education Department of DuPage County
will describe details of this pilot program funded through a grant from
the Chicago Community Trust. Children without health insurance are less
likely to receive basic rounds of immunizations, and their health needs
may be ignored until they are so serious that they require immediate
and expensive emergency care. Children who have health insurance and
access to preventive care are sick less often so they miss fewer days
of school and parents do not miss as many days of work. In DuPage County
there are an estimated 12,000 children who are uninsured and eligible
for KidCare. KidCare was created as an answer to the high number of
uninsured children and the high cost of private health insurance. KidCare
is a free or low cost health insurance program for income eligible children
through the age of 18 and pregnant women and their babies. A family
of four with an annual income of $31,568 would qualify for KidCare.
KidCare provides services such as immunizations, hospital care, dental
care, emergency room services, eye care and more. Children and pregnant
women who meet the income requirements may be eligible for one of the
following five programs that comprise KidCare:
· KidCare Assist covers children's health care with no co-pays or premiums.
· KidCare Moms & Babies covers health care for pregnant women and their
children up to one year of age with no co-pays or premiums.
· KidCare Share covers children's health care with $2 co-pays for medical
visits and prescription medicines.
· KidCare Premium covers children's health care with $5 co-pays for
medical visits and name brand prescription medicines and $3 co-pays
for generic prescription medicines. Premiums are $15 for one child,
$25 for 2 children, and $30 for 3 or more children.
· KidCare Rebate is for children who already have health insurance
that covers physician and hospital services.
This program reimburses the employee part of the monthly premium paid
for the children's health insurance. Visit the Citizen Advocacy Center
Wednesday, NOVEMBER 28, 7:30 PM to learn more about this innovative
effort to keep Illinois children healthy!
December: Midwifery The Citizen Advocacy Center's Evening Program
for December will focus on Midwifery in Illinois. Valerie Vickerman
Morris, RN and direct entry midwife from the Illinois Coalition for
Midwifery, will speak. The Illinois Coalition for Midwifery seeks to
ensure the availability of safe, licensed midwifery services to the
citizens of Illinois. The coalition supports the Certified Professional
Midwife credential as a basis for license requirements. They also promote
informed birthing choices and the Midwifery Model of Care. Through cooperation,
education and legislation, they strive to make choosing a Certified
Professional Midwife available to all families in Illinois. Valerie
Vickerman Morris and Attorney Ken Runes will discuss midwifery in Illinois,
the battle between Illinois midwives and the Illinois' Department of
Professional Responsibility, current midwifery complaints pending administrative
review, and the possibility of a 1983 suit in federal court. Join us
Thursday, DECEMBER 7, 7:00 PM at the Center.
ILLINOIS FIRST
I am currently a student enrolled in American Politics at the College
of DuPage. Service learning was an option to receive credit toward the
final grade. The Citizen Advocacy Center was the perfect approach to
participate hands-on in a civics lesson and in a non-partisan manner.
Community Lawyer, Terry Pastika, suggested an interesting research project.
She wanted information on Governor Ryan's Illinois FIRST program. Actually,
I was wondering about this topic myself. Road construction was becoming
more apparent within and around the western suburbs with signs announcing,
"Another project funded by Governor Ryan's Illinois FIRST". In my reading,
I discovered this initiative was proposed by Governor Ryan in 1999 as
an extension of Governor Thompson's, "Building Illinois," which was
a modest $2 billion program. Governor Ryan was able to achieve bi-partisan
acceptance of his $12 billion Funds for Infrastructure, Roads, Schools
and Transit (FIRST). Much discussion ensued in the Illinois General
Assembly as to how this proposal would be funded and what projects would
be selected. The source of funding debate led to many bills being signed
to increase drivers license renewals fees and liquor taxes. Schools
may get financial help if they raise a percentage of the cost of their
projects and road projects could qualify for an infusion of federal
funds as well. Illinois FIRST project selection would be based on "need"
and the improved "quality of life" attained by project completion. Project
selection runs the gamut: new classrooms for overcrowded schools to
land acquisition, a study for a third airport to bike paths and museums.
The most obvious current projects are the construction on the "Hillside
Strangler" and the Dan Ryan Expressway. As a taxpayer, I must admit
"sticker" shock at the increase to $78 for vehicle license renewal.
However, the reality of the conditions of our roads and neglect of the
infrastructure can only serve to increase maintenance costs for our
vehicles. It makes sense to promote direct results from this increase
and address our most urgent needs. It is my concern however, that projects
selected must be necessary and that money dispersed is for the common
good through the five year run of this initiative.
--Andrea Robins College of DuPage
Who's Voting (or not) in DuPage County?
For my COD political science class, I was required to do 20 hours of
community service with a community organization. I chose to work at
the Citizen Advocacy Center, and was pleasantly surprised with my assignment.
I was asked to research voter turnout in recent elections at the local
and national level. Using the Center's Internet resources I compiled
information about voter turnout in Illinois. What I found surprised
me. I discovered that since 1992, the percentage turnout of the voting
age population in Illinois has decreased by 20%, while the voting age
population has increased by almost 200,000 people. In addition, the
number of registered voters has decreased by almost 100,000. This information
was disappointing, because it demonstrates that teens are not registering
to vote when they turn eighteen. It is evidence that young people are
developing a disinterest in the political system. In 1992 there were
6,600,358 registered voters in Illinois, and 5,050,157 of them voted.
By 1998, the numbers are dramatically different: 6,493,881 registered,
and 3,394,521 voted. People who are registered to vote are not bothering
to vote. What has caused this dramatic decrease in voter turnout? I
know among my peers, there is no motivation to vote. I was taught that
in a democracy, voting was the most important step in the political
process, but if people are not voting, where is our democracy? In DuPage
County, only 27% of registered voters actually voted in the March 21,
2000 General Primary Election. Registered voters totaled 475,706, and
the number of ballots counted was 129,570. Research for voter turnout
at local elections yielded similar and lower numbers. These low election
turnouts surprised me, but also educated me on the status of Illinois
voters. I now have a cause to urge my friends and peers to vote. I hope
the November 2000 election breaks this disturbing trend.
--Ally Oloier College of DuPage
COMMUNITY ORGANIZING & TIF's
Marc Jolin and Judy Meima from the Statewide Housing Action Coalition
(SHAC) visited the Center in October to facilitate an introductory workshop
titled: Tax Increment Financing, An Organizer's Guide. "TIF is the fastest
growing urban renewal program in Illinois. It is used all over the state,
from empty fields outside small towns in Southern Illinois to the Gold
Coast in downtown Chicago." SHAC representatives discussed the basic
principles of TIF, starting with explaining what a TIF district is to
the specific criteria a municipality must meet in order to implement
a TIF district. The workshop covered topics such as how to amend TIF's
and the municipal reporting requirements. A recently formed community
group attended the workshop and asked questions ranging from how to
get neighbors' names on the interested parties registry, how many housing
units must be effected before recent legislative changes apply and how
to use the press to their advantage. SHAC representatives answered questions
posed as well as how TIF impacts housing, school districts, jobs and
taxes, and how TIFs may benefit a community. SHAC representatives distributed
several Community Organizing Guides at the workshop and also left several
copies at the Center for public use. The Guide is a comprehensive manual
explaining TIFs and community organizing strategies.
HOLIDAY CHEER PARTY All Center donors and volunteers are welcome
to attend an Open House from 5:00-9:00 p.m. at the Center on Tuesday,
December 5 for holiday cheer. Thank you for making the Center's sixth
year so productive!
Spring 2000
Second Annual Suburban Civic Fair
DEMOCRACY & ACTIVISM
Exhibitor Information If you have not yet reserved a table,
act quickly to be among the 100 + organizations able to exhibit at the
Civic Fair! In celebration of its sixth year anniversary, the Citizen
Advocacy Center invites all nonprofit, noncommercial organizations,
projects, clubs, or religious groups to come together under one roof
for a gigantic suburban civic fair. This is a chance to meet one another,
to share information, accomplishments, ongoing goals, and to introduce
your group to those who want to engage in a cause, a community. or a
matter of public concern. General Admission is free; registration for
an exhibitor table is $25 if registered before May 19, 2000 and $35
if registered after May 19, 2000. Space is limited this year so sign
up early! The cost includes a table, two chairs, a free continental
breakfast for exhibitors, and a listing of your mission statement and
contact information in the Civic Fair Directory. For exhibitor registration
information, call Eddi or Terry at (630) 833-4080. Arrive early at 8:30
AM to set up your exhibits. Bring brochures, pamphlets, sign-up materials
and event announcements as many attendees will be looking for volunteer
opportunities. All materials must be removed by 6:30 PM. In addition,
take advantage of the networking reception immediately following the
fair.
Donation Opportunities The Civic Fair is designed to be informative
and fun for attendees and participants. We plan to have a variety of
entertainment, information, children activities and all kinds of opportunities
for organizations to get their message out and for citizens to get involved
in their communities. The Fair is not a profit-making venture. The Citizen
Advocacy Center, in hosting the event, is providing tables, a continental
breakfast and materials at a subsidized cost to all participating organizations.
Any person or organization interested in making a donation towards the
Suburban Civic Fair will be acknowledged in the Civic Fair Directory
and at the Fair.
Schedule
8:30 - 10:00 Registration and Exhibitor Set Up/ Continental Breakfast
10:00 General Registration - FREE! Visit the Exhibits & Table Talk Panel
1: Affordable Housing in DuPage Panel 2: Democracy & Activism:
Building Civic Muscles 11:00- 11:15 Welcome Address Exhibits & Table
Talk 12:00 Exhibits & Table Talk Panel 3: Smart Growth: Quality
of Life in our Communities and Region Panel 4: Democracy & Cyber
Space 1:00 Exhibits & Table Talk 2:00 Guest Speaker DR. QUENTIN YOUNG
3:00 Guest Speaker & Table Talk 4:00 - 6:30 Citizen Initiative Awards
Reception. ¨ Dr. Quentin Young ¨ Over 100 Exhibits ¨ Panel Discussions
¨ Speakers Corner ¨ Concessions ¨ Free Information ¨ A Chance to Get
Involved ¨ Free Admission & Parking ¨ Children's Corner ¨ Children's
Games ¨ Fun For the Whole Family
Second Annual Suburban Civic Fair DEMOCRACY & ACTIVISM The Citizen
Advocacy Center is celebrating its sixth year anniversary of building
democracy in the 21st century by sponsoring the Second Annual Suburban
Civic Fair. The Center continues to work to strengthen the citizenry's
capacity, resources and institutions for self-governance by providing
training skills for civic activism and making government more accountable
to the people. Help us celebrate our anniversary by joining the Center
at the Civic Fair. Inside is a description of the Second Annual Suburban
Civic Fair, a festival designed to celebrate and rejuvenate civic activism.
The Citizen Advocacy Center continually strives to encourage citizens
to become involved in their communities and to increase civic energy.
The theme of the Civic Fair this year, DEMOCRACY & ACTIVISM, reflects
the mission of the Center and the purpose of the fair. Please join us
in the celebration and attend some or all of the fair events on Saturday,
June 24, from 10-4 p.m. at the College of DuPage, Building K, at Lambert
and 22nd St in Glen Ellyn, IL. Browse over 100 non-profit organizations
and listen to panel discussions on important issues concerning citizens.
Our guest speaker, Dr. Quentin Young will speak from 2-4 PM. Also, please
join us from 4-6 PM for the Center's sixth year anniversary celebration
at which we will present our annual Citizen Initiative Awards. General
admission and parking are free. From all of us at the Center, staff
and volunteers, we thank you for six years of support and your dedication
to advancing justice and deepening the quality of all of our civic lives.
Citizen Advocacy Center Guest Speaker D r. Quentin Young has
been a leader in public health policy and medical and social justice
issues. ln l998, he had the special distinction of serving as President
of the American Public Health Association and in 1997 was inducted as
a Master of the American College of Physicians. In 1980, Dr. Young founded
the Chicago based Health & Medicine Policy Research Group, of which
he is currently Chairman. Health & Medicine is a non-profit organization
created to be an advocate for the health care needs of the poor and
under-served in Chicago. Dr. Young is also the National Coordinator
of Physicians for a National Health Program (PNHP), a Chicago based
organization of over 9,000 physicians who support single payer national
health insurance. He has served as Chairman of the American College
of Physicians' Subcommittee on Human Rights and Medical Practice and
has been a member of both the Humana-Michael Reese Medical Board and
the American College of Physicians Health and Public Policy Committee.
Every Tuesday morning, Dr. Young hosts "Public Affairs" on WBEZ, Chicago
public radio. Dr. Young has chosen to limit his medical practice in
order to spend more time fighting the corporate takeover of medicine
in America. College of DuPage, Building K June 24, 2000 10:00 a.m.
Panel Discussions The civic fair is designed to encourage people
to get more involved in their communities and to refresh the faith of
those who are already committed to making a difference. While at the
fair, come listen to a dozen panelists discussing topics such as housing,
cyber space, activism and urban sprawl, all issues important to citizens
and civic life. Don't miss the opportunity to share your ideas and to
engage in civic discourse. Panel 1: Affordable Housing in DuPage
County Panelists will discuss affordable housing in DuPage County, the
future of affordable housing and improving access to affordable housing.
The following individuals and community groups will be panelists: ·
Community Housing Association of DuPage, Mr. Robert Wahlgren, Executive
Dir. · DuPage Home Ownership Center, Ms. Dru Johnston Bergman, Executive
Dir. · Habitat for Humanity, Ms. Shelia Frett-Maronta, Executive Dir.
· DuPage County Human Services, Terry Owens Panel 2: Democracy
and Activism: Building Civic Muscles Panelists will discuss community
organizing for effectiveness, advocacy techniques, and community input
as the key to sound policy. · Illinois Public Interest Research Group,
Ms. Diane Brown · Campaign for Political Reform, Ms. Cynthia Canary,
Executive Dir. · Student Activist and Citizen Advocacy Center Intern,
Mr. Will Conrad · Campaign for Better Health Care Panel 3: Smart
Growth: Quality of Life in our Communities and Region Panelists will
discuss traffic congestion, loss of open space and water and air quality
concerns in DuPage and Cook County. · Campaign for Sensible Growth,
Ms. Lois Morrison · Open Lands Project, Ms. Joyce O'Keefe · Center for
Neighborhood Technology, Ms. Jackie Grimshaw · Business and Professional
People for the Public Interest, Ms. Jo Patton Panel 4: Democracy
and Cyberspace Panelists will discuss privacy issues on the Internet,
universal access to the Internet and cyberspace censorship. The Chicago
Chapter of Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility is sponsoring
this panel.
The Citizen Initiative Award
The Citizen Initiative Award was created to recognize citizens who
act as catalysts for more citizen participation in the democratic process.
Recipients of this award have demonstrated significant and informed
civic participation in their communities and by their example have inspired
others to build democracy. To nominate a citizen or organization, please
send the nominee's name, address, phone number, fax/ E-mail and references
with phone numbers. In addition, give examples and attach documentation
as needed. Please include your name and phone number. DEADLINE is JUNE
11, 2000
CENTER NEWS !
The Center would like to welcome our newest community lawyer, Patricia
Sprindy Carrera. Ms. Carrera is the Associate Director at the Center.
Ms. Carrera received her Bachelor's in communications with honors, from
Northeastern Illinois University and Master's Degree from the Medill
School of Journalism of Northwestern University. She was graduated from
the DePaul University College of Law and is licensed to practice law
in Illinois. Ms. Carrera has taught at Robert Morris College and was
employed as Executive Director of a trade association before going into
private practice. She is involved in high school student mentoring programs
and currently serves as the Vice President and Charter Member of the
Lincoln Prairie PTSA. Stop by the Center for a cup of coffee and say
hello! The Center would also like to acknowledge the dedication and
hard work of three star Center volunteers: Jo and Ray Donaldson and
Ms. Corinne Johnson. Thank you for the numerous hours of making phone
calls, folding and stuffing our newsletters and representing the Center
at community events. Mr. and Mrs. Donaldson and Ms. Johnson are an integral
part in sending out newsletters. You are the stars of the Center! THANK
YOU! NEWSLETTER REPLY POLICY The views expressed by guest contributors
to Everyday Democracy do not necessarily represent the views of the
Center. The purpose of the guest contributors is to promote civic discourse.
The Center welcomes responses to editorials but due to newsletter space
limitations, not all responses will be published.
Summer 2000
All year long, but especially in the summer, student interns invade
the Citizen Advocacy Center! With their assistance, the Center prints
more brochures, hosts more workshops, and holds open the doors of government
to more people. Interns come to the Center from schools across the country,
including: The Public Interest Law Initiative, NAPIL, IIT-Chicago Kent
College of Law, Loyola University Law School Chicago, University of
Toledo College of Law, Benedictine University, Northern Illinois University
College of Law, John Marshall Law School, and York High School. Special
thanks to the interns and our fellow: Keith Allen, Navreet Basati, Will
Conrad, Susan Danial, Ellen Grachek, Beth LaFave, Adam Levy, Amy Naik,
Matt Richards, Tara Teesch, and Alex Wilson.
TIPS ON TIF
I participated in several projects at the Center which improved my
skills and civic awareness. First, I participated in the development
and organization of the Suburban Civic Fair. I took an active role in
developing awareness within the community by speaking with many organizations
and working with citizen groups to enhance attendance at the Fair. Next
I improved my research and writing skills by reading, analyzing, and
summarizing various statutes within the Illinois Procurement and Tax
Code. My efforts aided community lawyers in preparing for litigation
and helped me better facilitate my main project. I focused on investigating
TIFs (Tax Increment Financing) in DuPage County. A TIF is a program
which allows a municipality the discretion to freeze property tax revenues
to taxing bodies outside the TIF district so that the municipality can
develop unproductive areas with declining or stagnant property values.
The goal of a TIF is to increase the tax value for the whole community
. A properly used TIF can have a positive effect on the community. TIFs
can increase property values within an area that would otherwise not
increase, thereby creating an influx of development and tax revenue
generation. An improperly used TIF can have a devastating effect on
the surrounding area because of the lost taxes to schools, parks, libraries,
and other taxing bodies. For the term of the TIF, possibly 23 years,
taxing bodies outside the TIF district are denied the tax revenue, and
eventually the tax burden could be the responsibility of the taxpayer
if the TIF district does not materialize enough to pay off the existing
debt. Working on this project, I contacted municipalities to obtain
reports, budgets and other financial data. I analyzed two points; first,
I compared how much money was initially budgeted to TIFs how much was
spent. Second, I compared how much money was promised and whether those
promises were actually met. By analyzing these elements, I hope to determine
whether the TIF was properly implemented. This project allowed me to
expand my own knowledge of the workings of local government.
--Legal Intern, Alex Wilson, John Marshall Law School
Citizen Training
The Citizen Training Corps begins September 13th, 2000. The program
received local and national attention from news organizations, such
as Nation's Cities Weekly, radio stations in Washington and Massachusetts
and municipalities nationwide, who citied the Citizen Training Corps
program as an example of how to effectively teach civic activism. Sept.
13: Who Represents You Sept. 27: Request Public Info. Oct. 11: Basic
Research Tools Oct. 27: Open Meeting Act Nov. 15: Government Budgets
Nov. 29: Discuss all sides of an issue. Register Today! Call Terry Pastika
at CAC. (630) 833-4080.
Why is Civic Education Failing our Youth?
This summer I researched how the current standards of the Illinois
State Board of Education can be altered to propose a hands-on civic
curriculum in Illinois schools. My goal was to discover why schools
are not teaching our youth the key principles behind our democratic
government: the importance of our right to vote for a representative
government and the importance of participatory citizenship. While I
researched the current educational standards, I discovered the only
descriptive words for student achievement in civic education were: "explain,"
"identify," and "analyze." The standards never mentioned, "active participation"
or "the ability to demonstrate," which are the basis of participatory
citizenship. In elementary math classes students are not asked to explain
addition and in geometry classes students are not asked to identify
a triangle. Students are required to add and calculate the area of a
triangle satisfactorily. Why do we not require that much in our civic
education courses? It should not be enough to just identify and explain
a representative government, students must be able to demonstrate active
participation in a representative government. What better way to learn
the importance of a democratic government than by actually participating?
I have asked other public interest organizations concerned with the
quality of students' civic education to pool their resources of activities
and curriculums. This information will be analyzed to learn how organizations
in the Chicago area are proposing different civic opportunities to give
students the tools they need to actively participate in government.
--Legal Intern, Beth LaFave Loyola University Law
School Internet & FOIA In 1996
Congress passed an amendment to the Freedom of Information Act known
as EFOIA (Electronic Freedom of Information Act). Under the EFOIA Act,
the U. S. Congress recognized that government agencies increasingly
used computers to conduct agency business and to store publicly valuable
agency records and information. The Act focuses on government agencies
using computer technology to enhance public access to government records.
The EFOIA Act requires public agencies to post information on their
website in what are called "reading rooms". Currently, only Federal
agencies are required to have reading rooms online but some state and
local agencies also post information. The trend seems to be that more
agencies are making documents available on the Internet because of the
ease and cost efficiency of maintaining such a site. Illinois however,
has yet to adopt posting information online. In reading rooms, one can
access public information without having to make a formal FOIA request.
Additionally, the cost of reproduction is eliminated because of information
now available on government agency websites. Reading rooms contain records
that the public agency determines most likely to be the subject of requests
for records. The agency determines what new materials will be added
to a reading room category based upon previous requests. Even if a government
agency places a record in its reading room, a FOIA request for agency
documents through the traditional method (i.e. hardcopy), must still
be processed. In other words, an agency cannot require someone to obtain
the nformation over the Internet. This would penalize those without
access to computers. Government agencies are not relieved of their duty
to produce the documents in a "hardcopy." Although there is currently
no requirement to accept a request via the Internet, reading rooms are
a good, inexpensive place to search and request government held information.
Many federal agency websites provide specific examples of how to request
information from a specific department. Although a general FOIA request
may be sufficient, the agency's website example may provide the exact
format to meet your needs. Citizens and other news-gathering organizations
who find it difficult to obtain public government documents may find
the following list of websites helpful when starting a search of FOIA
related items as well as changes or updates to the Freedom Of Information
Act-www.ag.state.il.us/foiachange.htm (Illinois FOIA), www.foia.com
(FOIA requests help site), www.usdoj.gov/oip/foi-upd.htm (U.S. fed.
FOIA), efoia.com (EFOIA issues), www.usdoj.gov/04foia/index.html (U.S.
Fed. FOIA), foia.state.gov/other.htm (FOIA and EFOIA sites)
--High School Intern- Will Conrad Elmhurst High School
WITH FEE WAIVER AND JUSTICE FOR ALL
After my first year of law school, I was eager to put the skills I
had learned into practical application while helping to make a difference.
As a Public Interest Law Initiative Intern at the CAC, I encountered
numerous opportunities to do just that and then some. The CAC is studying
the DuPage County Procurement process, which is the government's method
of purchasing goods and services from the private sector. Procurement
can be a political tool and cause for public concern, because it provides
politicians with a potential opportunity to award lucrative government
contracts to their campaign supporters. My work focused on research
in preparation for a lawsuit against DuPage County and will aid CAC
attorneys in their upcoming litigation. I researched grounds for Federal
and Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) fee waivers based on
the "public interest" exception. I also researched electronic formatting
of records requested via the Illinois FOIA. I exercised my own civic
muscle when I filed several FOIA requests with various local governments
on behalf of the CAC. I began to develop my statutory interpretation
skills through digesting and summarizing the Illinois Local Records
Act, the Illinois Local Government Professional Services Selection Act,
and sections of Chapter 44 of the Illinois Administrative Code. In addition
to these legal research and writing projects, I had the unique opportunity
to witness community organizing in action as the CAC prepared for its
Second Annual Suburban Civic Fair. From recruiting exhibitors to appearing
on cable television to promote the event, my efforts contributed to
making the Fair a reality. Community organizing is not a class taught
in law school, so my summer at the CAC was a truly unique learning experience.
As I continue my legal education and begin to practice law, the mission
and principles I learned this summer will stay with me. Hopefully I
can and will be able to incorporate the lessons learned and begin to
replicate and expand the work of the Citizen Advocacy Center throughout
my legal career.
--Legal Intern- Ellen Grachek University of Toledo College of
Law
Intern Turned Fellow
This summer marks the third time I have volunteered at the Citizen
Advocacy Center. Every time I have worked at the Center, I have found
it encouraging that so many people are concerned with the government
and are willing to give up their time to make sure the government is
running efficiently. As a fellow this summer, I have been working with
community lawyer, Laurel O'Sullivan in connection with the Center's
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit against the DuPage County
government. The Center believes that the County wrongfully withheld
information that was requested through appropriate FOIA procedures.
Therefore, the Center brought a lawsuit in District Court to decide
the issue. As a part of this project, I have researched several legal
theories that have helped the Center respond to the County's arguments.
In my opinion, the FOIA lawsuit represents the essence of what the Center
is about. One of our main goals is to help make the government accountable
to the people. This goal is impossible to achieve if citizens are denied
access to information about their government. I am glad to have had
the opportunity to help the Center with this lawsuit. My summer has
been an enriching experience and I look forward to the next time I am
able to volunteer at the Center.
--Fellow, Keith Allen Altheimer & Gray
Gassed out?
My summer project involved researching the high gasoline prices throughout
the country, specifically the Midwest, and then presenting this subject
at a Brown Bag Lunch. I chose this topic because I was interested in
learning about what had caused the gas prices to rapidly rise, and what
action was being taken to provide consumer relief. I quickly discovered
that high gasoline prices were a result of a variety of poorly planned
occurrences, including an OPEC agreement to decrease the output of crude
oil, oil company officials failure to plan ahead to comply with EPA
regulations, and a number of pipeline problems in the Midwest. I realized
that all proposed consumer relief action, such as temporarily stripping
the gas tax, OPEC's decision to increase the output of crude oil, and
the desire to drill in the United States' own oil reserves like the
Arctic National Wildlife Reserve, were only short-term solutions to
this gasoline problem. No effort to concentrate on long-term solutions
like funding cars that require less gasoline, finding an alternate fuel
source, and working to decrease dependency on gasoline by creating better
public transportation systems were proposed. My next project is to create
an educational brochure that focuses on contract law, including buyer's
rights, canceling contracts, warranties, and charitable gifts. My summer
has improved my research and organizational skills and has also provided
me the opportunity to become more involved in my community.
--High School Intern- Amy Naik
Efficiency or Excess?
Illinois has more layers of government than any other state. CAC has
begun to analyze the many levels of government in DuPage County, specifically
counties, townships and municipalities. My goal was to begin to learn
whether taxpayer dollars are used for efficiency or excess. As part
of my project, I visited all nine townships, six municipalities, the
county office in Wheaton, and conducted interviews with officials on
all three levels of government. Though the three levels of government
perform specific tasks, it is difficult to assess if duplication occurs.
Illinois is unique because many states do not have township government.
In addition to the counties, townships and municipalities there are
park districts and local organizations that also provide a variety of
services. Are all these levels of government really necessary? If so,
how do they maintain efficiency and avoid duplication of services? Municipalities
are divided into several different departments such as code enforcement,
finance, cable T.V., engineering, and public works. Municipalities also
have several commissions, purposes: general assistance services, property
assessment, and road and bridge maintenance. I have found that in unincorporated
areas, the road division in township government duplicates the services
of the city. For example, leaf and brush pick up is provided by the
township rather than the city in unincorporated areas. The county is
divided into several departments and possesses a broad range of powers.
The county provides social services, county road maintenance, police
protection, and animal control. A debate is brewing in Du Page County
as to the responsibilities of each level of government. For example,some
citizens disagree as to which governmental entity should provide road
maintenance. Some share the opinion that public works should be centralized,
and the county should control road maintenance. Other areas of debate
concern social services. The county and townships have social services,
and municipalities sometimes offer counseling by professional caseworkers.
This question of excess or efficiency is one future interns will continue
to investigate in the coming year.
--College Intern - Adam Levy Benedictine University
Illinois Health Care
The US health care system is often represented as the best in the world
because it provides the most advanced medical care. Despite this, it
still faces serious challenges with respect to cost, access to care,
and quality of care. For these reasons, I decided to focus my work in
this area, particularly in the area of managed care reform. Managed
care attempts to provide quality health care in a cost-efficient manner.
It changes the traditional fee-for-service system, by inserting a middleman,
the managed care organization, between the physician and patient. It
is estimated that seventy-three percent of Americans who receive their
health insurance through their employers are enrolled in a managed care
organization. These organizations reduce costs by using methods such
as: capitation, risk-sharing, and payment incentives. Illinois has enacted
a Managed Care Reform and Patients' Rights Act that provides, among
other things, the right to receive detailed information about the health
care coverage an organization provides, the right to receive emergency
services when a condition is serious enough, and the right to appeal
decisions made by a managed care organization. My project will entail
comparing Illinois' act with the current practices of managed care organizations
that provide health care coverage in the state. Additionally, avenues
for future health care reform will be evaluated by looking at the national
level and at what other states are doing to ensure that citizens receive
the best possible health care.
--Legal Intern- Susan Danial Loyola University Chicago
Power to the People
My work at the Center involved researching provisions of the Illinois
Election Code. Specifically, my main project led to researching the
extent of an Illinois citizen's initiative power. This involved doing
a state to state comparison of citizen initiative power, reading transcripts
of the 1970 Illinois Constitutional Convention debates, and researching
and interpreting Illinois case law. Initiative power involves the ability
of citizens to propose questions to their fellow voters. Depending upon
the nature of the question and the extent of the initiative power, the
question proposed may become legally binding upon voter majority approval.
My research concluded that Illinois, as compared to its sister states,
has one of the most restrictive initiative powers reserved for its citizens.
Illinois citizens cannot propose state laws by initiative and their
ability to propose amendments to the Illinois Constitution is strictly
limited. A citizen initiative in Illinois may only amend structural
and procedural aspects of the Legislative Article. Numerous amendments
have failed because of the way in which these restrictions have been
applied. Only one amendment has been placed on the Illinois ballot.
Voters approved the measure. At the local level, initiative power is
less restricted. Citizens can accomplish substantive changes, such as
changing county boundaries, creating or eliminating county offices,
and consolidating, merging, or dissolving townships. State law strictly
prescribes the technical requirements relating to form and content of
petitions. The requirements vary depending upon the subject matter of
the question and are not contained in one source. With varying sources,
it can be difficult to determine what requirements apply and when. My
goals were to assist citizens in navigating through legal petition requirements
by compiling a guide to place initiatives on the ballot. The materials
will not only address what substantive changes can be accomplished through
initiatives, but will also delineate the various petition requirements
for proposing questions by initiative. I also analyzed various problems
associated with the current Illinois Supreme Court's interpretation
of the scope of initiative power. In addition, developed training materials
for the Citizen Training Corps by compiling a citizen guide for a session
entitled "Discussing All Sides of an Issue". Finally, I updated the
Center's educational brochure on Voter Initiatives. Through my work
at the Center, I have gained a greater appreciation for what it means
to be a proactive citizen. I have also gained experiences and perspectives
that law school could not impart. Working at the Center has helped me
focus on what I hope to accomplish in my legal career, and has renewed
my spirit for legal work in general.
--Legal Intern - Tara Teesch, Northern Illinois University College
of Law
Social Security
As an intern, I was responsible for facilitating evening community
programs on the privatization of Social Security and the WTO. I researched
these topics and presented a non-partisan presentation that introduced
me to the fundamental tenets of activism and public interest law. In
my study of the Social Security system, I found that both Al Gore and
George W. Bush had politicized social security to such an extreme extent
that basic concerns of prospective insolvency were nearly indecipherable.
I discovered that fixing the social security system boils down to priorities.
Some people want to privatize the system and let social security rest
in fund managers with varying abilities, while some would rather increase
the earnings cap subject to payroll taxes and use general revenue to
shore up the current system. In this highly technological era, I found
it difficult to find unfiltered information. It seemed that every source
of information was part of a conglomerate that had a political agenda
or a corporate interest to protect. Through my research, I realized
how difficult it was to decipher fact from rhetoric and truth from manipulation.
Citizens must be vigilant in finding information that is non-partisan.
Democracy depends upon participation and an informed citizenry. My research
brought to light the apathy among individuals who will be affected by
changes in social security. As citizens we cannot control how many people
engage themselves in the political process, but we can set the precedent
that our doors will always be open to those who want to become better
participants in our democracy. As long as Americans take their role
as citizens lightly, corruption and exploitation will exist. It is only
when we are capable of speaking truth to power and demanding change
that our democracy will truly be an avenue for the people, rather than
one that rails against the interests of the people.
High School Student Intern- Matt Richards, Elmhurst High School
Brown Bag
My first contact with the Citizen Advocacy Center began in the summer
of 1999, when a friend from law school was an intern with the Center.
She explained the goals and objectives of the Center and I decided to
volunteer during the school year. As an intern, I have worked on the
Brown Bag Lunch series which are held once a month for an hour at the
Center, and the community is invited to bring a lunch and express their
views on the latest topic. My first, entitled, "Children and Ritalin",
presented information on the effects of psychotropic medications on
children, with an emphasis on children with Attention Deficit Hyperactive
Disorder (ADHD). I gathered information by doing research on the Internet,
finding articles in the newspaper, and giving a survey to children's
psychiatric doctors. Some of the concerns shared by those who completed
the survey were that for various reasons, no studies have focused on
the long-term effects of psychiatric medications on children. The doctors
and authors of the articles also found that behavior modification plus
medication was the most effective treatment for children with ADHD.
The second lunch was entitled, "Gun Control: Are you for gun control
or against it?" After I gave a presentation on guns and various points
of controversy, the debate heated up. Among those who were present were
an ex-marine, a doctor, parents, the interns, and the community lawyers.
A majority of people clearly had a strong opinion on the topic, but
there were also people who were undecided. The people who advocated
no new gun control argued their viewpoints, including that it was their
right to own guns. The people who advocated against guns argued that
guns are unsafe and for safety reasons, guns should not be allowed.
The major concern of everyone present regarded children killed by guns.
This diverse group did agree that it was the parents' responsibility
to teach their children about guns and how to protect themselves around
guns. The Center continues to do Brown Bag Lunches every month on hot
topics. It is a great way for citizens of the community to get together
and discuss their views in an open forum and learn something new. I
will continue volunteering here during my third year at law school by
working on the ongoing TIF project, Center brochures, and legal intake
calls.
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