Journal Gazette from Mattoon, Illinois • Page 7

STATENATIONWORLD FKIDAY, JUNE 7,2002 A7 nnJ-ILUiiwiO rtkiiM nt Uii NEWS IN BRIEF Letting children see grandparents is up to mom, dad: High Court SPRINGFIELD (AP) The Illinois Supreme Court said again Thursday that parents have full say in how much time grandparents spend with grandchildren. The high court affirmed an April ruling that the state's grandparent visitation law, which let grandparents sue for the right to visit their grandchildren, is unconstitutional even in cases in which one parent is dead. The ruling said single parents have full authority to make decisions about raising children and the courts have no business getting involved unless a child's health or safety is in danger. Brad Schweigert died Dec. 21, 1995.

He and his wife valena had one daughter. Nearly five years after his death, valena told his parents they could no longer see their granddaughter. Clifford and Roberta Schweigert sued for visitation. Attorney Valerie Moehle Umholtz said the Schweigerts deserved visitation because their son was dead. Local gov'ts eligible for state aid for flooding SPRINGFIELD Local governments in seven Central Illinois counties can apply for federal aid to help pay for costs associated with recent spring storms and flooding, the state announced Thursday.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved applications for disaster aid to public property from Clark, Cumberland, Douglas, Edgar, Jasper, Moultrie and Shelby counties. Macon County was not among those that can request aid. Cities, villages, township and county governments can apply for funds to pay for 75 percent of approved costs for debris removal, emergency services related to the disaster, and repairing or replacing damaged infrastructure such as roads, buildings and utilities. In addition to local governments, state agencies and certain nonprofit organizations can apply for the aid. Statewide, governmental bodies and agencies in 33 counties in Southern and Central Illinois have been deemed eligible to request the aid.

Springfield Bureau AHHCXilATKDI'KKSSl'lIOTO Ryan signs raise in tax on cigarettes Tax up to ()o cents a pack on Jul 1 BY NANCY CHESLEY Springfield Bureau SPRINGFIELD Gov George H. Ryan began assembling Thursday the pieces of a budget for the coming year when he signed into law a higher cigarette tax. Starting July 1, the tax on a pack of cigarettes will rise to 98 cents, a 69 percent increase from the current tax of 58 cents. That will make the Illinois levy the fifth highest in the nation. The higher tax is expected to pour at least $235 million into state coffers next year, but some critics contend that estimate is too high.

Lawmakers representing districts along Illinois' borders, such as state Rep. Joel Brunsvold, D-Milan, said the tax hike will drive people to do business in adjacent states. Tax rates of all the states surrounding Illinois have much lower tax rates, ranging from 3 cents a pack in Kentucky to 77 cents a pack in Wisconsin. Other bordering state per-pack rates include Iowa at 36 cents, Missouri at 17 cents, and Indiana at 15.5 cents. Brunsvold said people will buy gas, groceries and other goods when they drive across the border for cigarettes.

That will hurt not only the state but local governments, which" receive a portion of the sales tax collected by their businesses. Ryan signed the legislation without issuing a statement. The final tax figure was a compromise. The governor had proposed a 50-cent per-pack tax in his Memorial Day budget address. The cigarette tax increase is the first step in plugging an estimated $1.55 billion hole.

The Legislature also approved legislation authorizing higher gambling casino taxes and permission for the governor to borrow money. Those meas Paratroopers land in Ranville, Normandy, France on Thursday to commemorate the D-Day landing. France is holding solemn ceremonies to honor thousands of soldiers who died 58 years ago in the Allied campaign to liberate France, and eventually Europe, from Nazism. Emotional World War II veterans commemorate D-Day anniversary friends in Sainte-Mere-Eglise, the closest town to the spot where he landed as a young machine-gunner on "I love Normandy. I've kept in touch with a lot of people here," he said.

"I'm getting old myself, but I figure that as long as I can get out here, I'll doit." The first ceremony of the day took place at the famed Pegasus Bridge, the first French bridge to be liberated by Allied Forces that momentous day. Career opportunity 107-year-old fraternal life insurance organization seeking qualified sales representatives. Up to 90 advanced commissions, laptop computer, advertising allowance. Professional training at the National Headquarters, incentive trips, major medical, and retirement plan for qualifiers. Applicants must be licensed.

Prelicensing information available to nonlicensed applicants. Contact: Kevin Knierim Field Manager 406 F. Cumberland Avenue Altamont, 1L 62411 (618)483-9200 rw A 01 A Royal Neighbors of America8 ures still await his approval. Ryan also has the constitutional power to slash the spending approved by lawmakers. Contact Nancy Chesley at nancy.chesleylee.net By The Associated Press CAEN, France Scores of aging American veterans returned to Normandy on Thursday to honor the thousands of comrades who died 58 years ago in the battle that proved to be a turning point of World War II.

Strolling through cemeteries of war dead and visiting former battlefields, the veterans joined many in France in' commemorating the D-Day landing of June 6, 1944. Wreath-laying ceremonies were held across the country, especially in villages along the Normandy coast. Though it came at a terrible price, the Allies' invasion was the first breach in Hitler's Atlantic wall and led to the liberation of France and the defeat of Nazi Germany. With tourists and French school children standing by, hundreds of veterans retraced their steps along the beaches, where thousands died in a deafening hail of German machine gun and mortar fire. Veterans also visited the Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, where 9,387 U.S.

soldiers are buried, killed during World Warn. For many the memories were still painful. "It's kind of hard at the cemetery, but it's part of my life," said 78-year-old veteran Bill Tucker of Boston, who has visited the graves of six friends buried at the cemetery nearly a dozen times. "Every time I come here, I get a feeling like I'm home," said Tucker as he visited at 5:1 'That day was an utter massacre. I still wonder how I came out alive." Leon Gautier, a French commando who took part in the D-Day invasion "I will never forget it," said Wally Parr, 80, of Milwaukee, who drank champagne with other veterans in front of a statue honoring British Maj.

John Howard, whose troops the attack. "In a few minutes, we took our objective and wiped out the German garrison." About 100 Frenci and American parachutists dropped from the sky at Ranville to honor the Allied parachutists of D-Day. A similar display is set for Saturday, when up to 130 parachutists from the United States, Britain, Canada, the Czech Republic and Denmark are to descend on Sainte-Mere- A Eglise, the first French city to be liberated. About 60,000 Americans landed on the Normandy coastline during D-Day, in the first breach of Hitler's Atlantic wall. They fought alongside British and Canadian troops.

Few had any combat experience, and thousands were gunned down by German machine gun and mortar fire. According to the U.S. Army Center of Military History in Washington, D.C., there were 6,036 American casualties, including soldiers wounded and missing, during the massive invasion that began on D-Day. Allied deaths from June 6 through June 20, 1944: American, British, and Canadian, 363. There were also casualties from the other countries that participated in the invasion France, Australia, the Czech Republic, Belgium, Greece, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway and Poland.

More than 155,000 Allied troops and more than 5,000 ships made up the invasion force on D-Day. Some 2,000 Americans were killed on one of the five landing sites code-named Omaha Beach-alone. Flags of the three countries, and the French Tricolor, decorated Normandy streets Thursday. Leon Gautier, a French commando who took part in the D-Day invasion, said that even 58 years on, he can't believe he survived. "That day was an utter massacre," he said.

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