Senior & Community Services

SPEAKERS BUREAU TOPICAL LISTING

SPEAKERS BUREAU

The Secretary of State Speakers Bureau coordinates presentations for community groups, schools, businesses and other organizations throughout the state on the various programs administered by the office. These presentations are offered free.

If your organization would like to receive further information on a Secretary of State presentation or wants to schedule a speaker for your event, you may call 800-252-2904 (voice/TTY), 217-782-8629 (fax) or write to the Speakers Bureau Coordinator, 324 West Monroe, Springfield, Illinois 62756.

The following topics can be covered by our Speakers Bureau staff:

WHAT DOES THE ILLINOIS SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE DO?

An overview of the nation's largest and most diversified Secretary of State office. The program highlights duties and responsibilities of the office, including: keeper of the great seal, libraries, state archives, securities, literacy, mandatory vehicle insurance, driver's licenses and IDs, vehicle titles and license plates, and traffic safety.

OVERVIEW OF SENIOR CITIZEN PROGRAMS

This presentation explains the services provided by the Secretary of State that specifically impacts senior citizens.

Illinois State Library Talking Book and Braille Service

The Illinois State Library, a division of the office of Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White, provides a free mail order public library service for Illinois residents who are permanently or temporarily unable to read standard print material.

In conjunction with the Library of Congress/National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, the Illinois State Library Talking Book and Braille Service provides books on tape, playback machines, braille books, magazines and descriptive videos. Patrons may also utilize two companion newspaper services: the Illinois Radio Information Service and the Illinois Newsline Network for the Blind. Later this year, a new program will be launched for senior citizens called "Take a Talking Book".

Sub-regional Talking Book Centers serving the blind and physically handicapped are located in Coal Valley, Quincy, Carterville, Pekin, Geneva and Chicago.

Staff from the Illinois State Library Talking Book and Braille Service and the six Talking Book Centers are available to speak with community groups about services. For additional information, please contact Sharon Ruda at 1-800-665-5576, option 5 or at sruda@ilsos.net.

TRAFFIC SAFETY PRESENTATIONS

THINK SMART - BE SAFE

This presentation offers tips on how to be alert, plan ahead, be visible, attract attention and handle situations that occur when leaving the house, walking to and from the car and while driving.

ROAD RAGE

This program provides information on how to protect yourself from becoming a statistic of road rage and offers tips on ways to reduce your stress level while driving.

SOME CALL HER OLD GLORY

A video tribute to the American Flag. (24 minutes)

HISTORY OF THE ILLINOIS FLAG

This program explains the history and evolution of the Illinois flag and its interrelationship with the Great Seal of Illinois.

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM SECURITIES FRAUD

Securities fraud threatens people of all ages, incomes and walks of life. The best protection against securities fraud is by being an informed and knowledgeable investor. Our staff presents a video on various types of securities fraud, such as pyramid schemes and guaranteed investments.

PROGRAMS OF INTEREST FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

This program outlines the services and publications available through the Office of the Secretary of State for persons with disabilities. Services include Disabled Identification Cards, disability awareness presentations, parking program for persons with disabilities, license plate fee reduction (Circuit Breaker), etc.

PROGRAMS AND SERVICES AVAILABLE TO VETERANS

The program outlines the various Secretary of State services available to veterans, including military license plates recognizing service to our country.

GENEALOGY RESEARCH

The Illinois State Archives, under the Secretary of State, and its Illinois Regional Archives Depositories (IRAD) can assist genealogical researchers. Resources and services are explained.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE: A FINANCIAL AND SALES OVERVIEW

This program provides an overview of revenue collections from the previous year for Secretary of State services and describes how this revenue impacts the state budget. A breakdown is provided of the number of license plates, vehicle stickers, driver's licenses, corporation filings and other services that generated revenue.

ILLINOIS LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY ACT AND BUSINESS CORPORATION ACT

Department of Business Services personnel explain the limited liability company, an exciting form of business entity that provides limited liability, tax benefits and flexibility in the operations. The department also presents a program explaining corporations and how to form them.

OPERATION STRAIGHT I.D.

Operation Straight I.D. is a presentation in which law enforcement personnel and local businesses are taught to spot fraudulent identification.

ORGAN DONOR PUBLIC AWARENESS PROGRAM

The Secretary of State's office provides information about organ donation, the critical shortage of donated organs and how to become a potential organ donor. A 7-minute video promotes public awareness and encourages viewers to become organ donors.

DUI AWARENESS (adult and/or teenage programs available)

This program explains the effects that alcohol has on driving ability. It also examines facts and fallacies about alcohol consumption; DUI statistics; arrest procedures, and field sobriety and chemical testing.

PROCEDURES TO OBTAIN DRIVING PRIVILEGES AFTER A DUI

This presentation describes the Secretary of State's administrative hearing process, the role of the alcohol/drug evaluator and treatment provider, and the criteria used in determining whether or not driving privileges should be reinstated.

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF AGAINST AUTO THEFT AND ODOMETER ROLLBACKS

This presentation explains how to request an investigation of a suspected odometer rollback; how to determine if there is a rollback; how to check for a rollback prior to the purchase of a vehicle, and what civil and criminal remedies are available upon proof of purchasing a rollback vehicle. The auto theft presentation offers tips on how to prevent a car from being stolen, new methods of protection, and remedies available if a stolen vehicle is purchased. An auto theft video presentation is available upon request.

PROMOTING YOUR EVENT WITH SPECIAL EVENT LICENSE PLATES

This presentation explains the Special Event License Plate Program, which offers Illinois groups the opportunity to issue - at their own expense - specially designed license plates to publicize an event. Special event plates are displayed.

LICENSE PLATE CATEGORIES

This presentation covers the variety of license plate categories offered by the Secretary of State, including vanity and personalized plates, Breast Cancer Awareness, Environmental, Prevent Violence and Military.

VEHICLE OWNERSHIP-CERTIFICATE OF OWNERSHIP

This presentation explains the history, evolution and enhancements of Certificate of Ownership. Topics include security measures in design production as well as safeguards to vehicle owners. A display includes samples from the program's inception to the present.

THE ILLINOIS LITERACY EFFORT

The Secretary of State's Literacy Office funds and assists community, workplace and family literacy programs that offer instruction in basic reading, writing and math skills and English as a second language to address the needs of four million adults who read below a ninth grade level. The office promotes volunteer recruitment, supports a hotline for potential literacy students and tutors, and coordinates statewide resources and training.

HOW TO USE THE ILLINOIS STATE LIBRARY AND THE INFORMATION NETWORK

The program of resource sharing in Illinois, known as "ILLINET", is available to all types of libraries in the state. Membership in ILLINET comes with membership in one of the state's 12 library systems. The primary programs are interlibrary loan, reciprocal borrowing and statewide automation projects.

HOW TO REQUEST GRANTS FOR LOCAL LIBRARY SERVICES

Grants available for local libraries include public library and school library per capita grants and construction grants, Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grants and other library grants.

THE ILLINOIS GOVERNMENTAL ETHIC ACT

The Index Department is the filing agency for statements of economic interest. This program explains filing requirements, late fees and penalties that may be assessed.

AUDIOVISUAL PROGRAMS

The office's Traffic Safety Film and Video Library (TSFVL) distributes audiovisual programs. For more information on the TSFVL program or to receive a film and video catalog, write: TSFVL, Communications Department, 319 N. Klein, Springfield, Illinois 62702.

If your organization would like to receive further information on a Secretary of State presentation or wants to schedule a speaker for your event, you may call 800-252-2904 (voice/TTY) or write to the Speakers Bureau Coordinator, 324 West Monroe, Springfield, Illinois 62756.