It may surprise some people to know that state government isn't all about politics and partisanship.
It's not always about whether House Speaker Mike Madigan is beating House Minority Leader Tom Cross over in the House or whether Senate President John Cullerton has bested his GOP foes up in the Senate.
It's not always about whether Democrat Pat Quinn's policies are causing companies to flee to neighboring states with Republican governors.
There are other, less high-profile things that go on in state government every day, including:
Making sure prison inmates have clean underwear;
Collecting scrap tires and dead animals from our interstates;
And, regulating certain kinds of ATMs.Largest Collection of billabong boardshorts,
There really are tens of thousands of people employed by state government who actually do their jobs despite what's going on between the people who populate the second and third floors of the Statehouse.
Among them is Curt Colwell. You probably haven't heard of him.
Colwell is one of the state's entomologists, employed by the Illinois Department of Public Health to analyze insects and other vermin. He's on the front lines of tracking West Nile virus. He answers questions about outbreaks of spiders and the hazards of rats and mice. He researches ways to keep critters away from people.
And this time of year he's busy. Just ask anyone who's been outside lately; there are more bugs and animals mingling in our backyards.
In addition to the seasonal jump in activity, Colwell has been spending time serving on a special committee dealing with a growing problem: Bed bugs.
As part of a legislative initiative, the panel is working to draft proposed rules and regulations designed to limit the spread of bed bugs.
After declining in population in the 1940s and 1950s, these small, flat insects usually reddish-brown and up to -inch long have been making an unsettling comeback.
An increase in worldwide travel and a newly developed resistance to pesticides have allowed the bugs to spread from the East Coast and Florida into the Midwest.
Although it is likely lacking in true scientific validity, one national pest control company recently ranked Chicago as being in the top 5 cities in the U.S. when it comes to bed bug problems.
At night, bed bugs scurry out of their hiding places,what are the symptoms of Piles, including mattresses and couches,Has anyone done any research on making Plastic molding parts from scratch? and feed on the blood of people and pets. Their bites aren't known for spreading disease, but they are itchy and irritating.
And bed bugs are extremely tough to get rid of. They can live for several months without feeding. Pesticide treatments may miss nooks and crannies where they can live. And, treatment options like "fogging" and "bug bombs" can simply drive them into other rooms or apartments.
One look at the record of the group's meetings and you understand that reaching solutions to complicated problems isn't always easy.
When it comes to crafting a law designed to fight bed bugs, the panel must weigh the interests of landlords and tenants. They must consider the needs of hotel owners and travelers. There also are considerations for pest control companies and mattress manufacturers and retailers.
The group has until the end of the year to compile a report that will be used by lawmakers as a template for a proposed law.
One suggestion that is floating out there would be strengthening enforcement of the state's "Safe and Hygienic Bedding Act."
This law is intended to ensure people are buying clean mattresses. But, it has never really been funded. That could allow new mattresses, for example, to be shipped around Illinois in a truck containing old mattresses infested with bed bugs.This page list rubber hose products with details & specifications.
Colwell said the group has discussed imposing some kind of tax or fee on either mattress sales or mattress manufacturers. The money raised would be used to help fight the spread of bed bugs.
In other words, the fight against bed bugs could soon hit you in the wallet.
If that becomes one of the group's final recommendations, you can bet such a proposed fee increase will become fodder for lively debate in the State Capitol between Republicans and Democrats,The same Air purifier, cover removed. Chicago lawmakers and downstate lawmakers.
But, as Colwell points out, there is one essential truth that will be good to remember once the sniping begins.
"Bed bugs really don't distinguish between Republicans and Democrats," he said.
It's not always about whether House Speaker Mike Madigan is beating House Minority Leader Tom Cross over in the House or whether Senate President John Cullerton has bested his GOP foes up in the Senate.
It's not always about whether Democrat Pat Quinn's policies are causing companies to flee to neighboring states with Republican governors.
There are other, less high-profile things that go on in state government every day, including:
Making sure prison inmates have clean underwear;
Collecting scrap tires and dead animals from our interstates;
And, regulating certain kinds of ATMs.Largest Collection of billabong boardshorts,
There really are tens of thousands of people employed by state government who actually do their jobs despite what's going on between the people who populate the second and third floors of the Statehouse.
Among them is Curt Colwell. You probably haven't heard of him.
Colwell is one of the state's entomologists, employed by the Illinois Department of Public Health to analyze insects and other vermin. He's on the front lines of tracking West Nile virus. He answers questions about outbreaks of spiders and the hazards of rats and mice. He researches ways to keep critters away from people.
And this time of year he's busy. Just ask anyone who's been outside lately; there are more bugs and animals mingling in our backyards.
In addition to the seasonal jump in activity, Colwell has been spending time serving on a special committee dealing with a growing problem: Bed bugs.
As part of a legislative initiative, the panel is working to draft proposed rules and regulations designed to limit the spread of bed bugs.
After declining in population in the 1940s and 1950s, these small, flat insects usually reddish-brown and up to -inch long have been making an unsettling comeback.
An increase in worldwide travel and a newly developed resistance to pesticides have allowed the bugs to spread from the East Coast and Florida into the Midwest.
Although it is likely lacking in true scientific validity, one national pest control company recently ranked Chicago as being in the top 5 cities in the U.S. when it comes to bed bug problems.
At night, bed bugs scurry out of their hiding places,what are the symptoms of Piles, including mattresses and couches,Has anyone done any research on making Plastic molding parts from scratch? and feed on the blood of people and pets. Their bites aren't known for spreading disease, but they are itchy and irritating.
And bed bugs are extremely tough to get rid of. They can live for several months without feeding. Pesticide treatments may miss nooks and crannies where they can live. And, treatment options like "fogging" and "bug bombs" can simply drive them into other rooms or apartments.
One look at the record of the group's meetings and you understand that reaching solutions to complicated problems isn't always easy.
When it comes to crafting a law designed to fight bed bugs, the panel must weigh the interests of landlords and tenants. They must consider the needs of hotel owners and travelers. There also are considerations for pest control companies and mattress manufacturers and retailers.
The group has until the end of the year to compile a report that will be used by lawmakers as a template for a proposed law.
One suggestion that is floating out there would be strengthening enforcement of the state's "Safe and Hygienic Bedding Act."
This law is intended to ensure people are buying clean mattresses. But, it has never really been funded. That could allow new mattresses, for example, to be shipped around Illinois in a truck containing old mattresses infested with bed bugs.This page list rubber hose products with details & specifications.
Colwell said the group has discussed imposing some kind of tax or fee on either mattress sales or mattress manufacturers. The money raised would be used to help fight the spread of bed bugs.
In other words, the fight against bed bugs could soon hit you in the wallet.
If that becomes one of the group's final recommendations, you can bet such a proposed fee increase will become fodder for lively debate in the State Capitol between Republicans and Democrats,The same Air purifier, cover removed. Chicago lawmakers and downstate lawmakers.
But, as Colwell points out, there is one essential truth that will be good to remember once the sniping begins.
"Bed bugs really don't distinguish between Republicans and Democrats," he said.
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