Let`s play multiple choice: What`s more whimsical than practical, and is tall, somewhat round and filled with very hot air? A. The State of Illinois Center, or B., A hot air balloon? The correct answer must be C., all of the above, according to Jay Hedges, who heads the state`s Department of Commerce and Community Affairs. INC. hears that Hedges just committed the state (you know, the one that needs a tax increase so desperately) to a $4,000 rent bill from a Wheaton company for a hot air balloon that will be used for public relations and promotion purposes for the Big Blue Greenhouse in the Loop. Just why the state needs a campaign on behalf of a public building remains a mystery, but give the man credit for truth in advertising.
CHARGE-IT FEVER . . .
The biggest news from the State Democratic Party`s Unity Dinner is that state Dems have decided to go head to head with–no, not the GOP, but Diners Club and American Express. The same party that`s tried to curb credit card interest rates and require strict disclosure of fees and such announced plans to issue its own piece of plastic magic in the premier edition of state party chairman Vince Demuzio`s newsletter. No news yet on what interest rate they`ll charge, or even what bank has bought into this plan, but personal deficit spending will benefit the party. For each $100 charged, 50 cents will go to the party`s war chest. So a loyal Dem spendthrift needs to charge a mere $10,000 to kick back $50 to the party. Future plans include insurance programs and discount travel opportunities. What`s next? Discount luggage?
THE HART BEAT . . .
The nine-year itch? Gary and Lee Hart returned to Denver Tuesday after reportedly ironing out their marital problems–for at least the third time in 28 years. The former candidate confided to one of his top advisers that, after a few days alone, the Hart marriage is ”stronger than ever” and that there`s no split on the horizon.
REEL NEWS . . .
You thought salaries for sports figures and celebs couldn`t possibly get any more ridiculous, right? Sylvester Stallone will be paid $16 million for
”Rambo 3.” . . . Production has been shut down for a few days on ”Bright Lights Big City,” Michael J. Fox as a coke-snorting newsmagazine fact-checker. Joyce (”Smooth Talk”) Chopra is being replaced as director by James (”China Syndrome”) Bridges, and her husband, screenwriter Tom Cole, also got booted from the project. Filming is expected to resume next week; things are getting nervous with an impending Directors` Guild strike less than two months away. . . . Just in time for Christmas gift-giving, maybe, will be a board game based on ”Platoon.” The Baltimore company that secured the rights has announced that the game will closely follow the movie`s storyline, so you`ll be able to sit under the Christmas tree with your family and friends and frag your platoon sergeant, burn villages and commit atrocities.
MUSIC NOTES . . .
Ronnie Spector, whose ”be my little baby” line distinguishes Eddie Money`s ”Take Me Home Tonight” single, got Money to return the favor. He sings back-up on ”Who Can Sleep?,” the first single from her ”Unfinished Business” album on CBS records. Spector`s ”baby” line is such an integral part of Money`s song that he has it stored on a computer chip to replay when he performs the song live. . . . Enough is enough: A little Deep Purple goes a long way–which is why the group`s weekend show at the Horizon was canceled. Between their show here earlier this month, and their season-opening show this weekend at Alpine Valley, there just weren`t enough fans to go around. . . . Tickets go on sale Friday for a June 13 Poplar Creek concert by Johnny and the Leisure Suits, the group that enchanted thousands of Molly Hatchett fans as an opening act there several years ago.
TELE-VISIONS . . .
George C. Scott makes $100,000 an episode for his role as the Chief Executive in Fox TV`s ”Mr. President.” The guy who holds the job in real life makes $200,000 a year. . . . The Peter Principle in action: Maria Shriver, whose co-hosting talents helped send ”The CBS Morning News” down the ratings toilet, reportedly has landed a co-host post for the Sunday version of the ”Today” Show on NBC-TV.
SCOPING THE STATE . . .
— State Comptroller Roland Burris hits the road Saturday on the first of several scheduled weekend stumps to blast Gov. Jim Thompson`s proposed tax increases.
— Did you know that if you buy goods through a catalogue, you are obligated, technically, to forward sales tax to the state? Neither did the rest of us lawbreakers. Because catalogue sales are booming, national legislation is afoot to require mail-order retailers to start collecting sales tax. Thompson testifies on behalf of the bill Wednesday before the House Ways and Means Committee. Passage could net the state an estimated $90 million a year.
INC.LINGS . . .
Wednesday birthdays: Bea Arthur, 61; Stevie Wonder, 37; Peter Gabriel, 37; Ald. Roman Pucinski (41st), 68. . . . Chicago Public Library board member Pat Green and his wife, Patricia, both receive master`s degrees in public administration Sunday from the Illinois Institute of Technology.
