Helping veteran and other service members find ways to connect to benefits is one of the services provided by the reference staff. Thanks to Executive Order 13426 (issued in March 2007) this previously somewhat confusing and laborious task got a whole lot easier. Order 13426 established the President's Commission on Care for America's Returning Wounded Warriors,…
News from the Research Desk - Page 14 of 16
Photographs from the Field Museum
Chicago's Field Museum is known for its notable specimens numbering over 24 million. Did you know that the museum also has tens of thousands of photographs in its collection? Many of them are available on their online photo archive. The photos include scenes from the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893 and historic photos from Africa, Peru,…
Identity Theft
In 2012, approximately 16.6 million individuals (or 7% of the population) over the age or 16 were victims of identity theft in the United States according to a report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The increasing number of security breaches occurring just in the past few months has made it imperative that consumers take precautions…
Beware Tax Phone Scam
Con artists pretending to be IRS agents call unsuspecting taxpayers and tell them they owe money and must pay using a prepaid debit card or wire transfer. Those refusing to pay are threatened with arrest, deportation (many of the targeted victims were immigrants) or loss of a business or driver's license. Estimates that at least 20,000…
Primary Care Doctors
Achoo! This time of year, colds and flu knock many of us off our feet. And while many seasonal illnesses are only treatable with rest and chicken soup, sometimes a call to the doctor is in order. The most important way to ensure you get high-quality health care when you need it is to establish…
Choosing Wisely: American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM)
Choosing Wisely is a composite of U.S. specialty societies which represent more than 500,000 physicians. They worked to develop lists of "Five Things Physicians and Patients Should Question" in recognition of the importance of physician and patient conversations to improve care and eliminate unnecessary tests and procedures. Here are practical treatment guidelines, and suggested patient/advocate questions…
Civil War Images from The New York Times
The American Civil War occurred 150 years ago yet images of its battles remain provocative. They remind us of what war is really like and how its wounds can resonate for decades. The New York Times has created a video of still photos which are available in their historical archives.
Need Volunteers for your Business?
HandsOn Suburban Chicago has opportunities for businesses to post openings for volunteer help. This long-standing organization has a portal for employee volunteerism and nonprofit connections. Need to fulfill hours for court-appointed service? Scan hundreds of openings to meet requirements in time. In transition while job searching and want to volunteer in your field of interest?…
Salary Surveys
Want to know what others in your field may be earning? There is always salary.com, but there is also some specific detail available thru the Bureau of Labor Statistics. BLS Wage Data provides occupation, compensation, industry, geographic, and other demographic figures which can be very helpful in setting and negotiating salaries.
Cook County Property Tax Portal
The Cook County Property Tax Portal is the result of collaboration among the elected officials who take part in the property tax system. The portal consolidates information and delivers Cook County taxpayers a one-stop customer service website. Information is gathered from data provided by both the Cook County Treasurer and the Cook County Assessor.…
