"Attention. House of Representatives, Ladies and Gentlemen, this House will be convened in fifteen minutes. I thank you for your cooperation. Please be on time. Thank you. Those who are not entitled to this House floor will you please retire the gallery? The House will meet in five minutes."
"The House will come to order and the Members will please be in their seats. We'll be led in prayer this morning by Reverend Shoultz."
"...We are standing before You because we recognize that You are our Father. We ask of Thee this day to refresh us with Thy Holy Spirit so that our thinking may be sensitive to Thy will. We know that there must be disagreement, but Lord teach your children that they may disagree without being disagreeable, that they may differ without being difficult. May they serve as a team pulling the affairs of the state together and working that others may know that You are with them. Bless and keep them this day pray in Thy loving care as we ask it in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. Amen."
"Thank you. Representative Boucek will lead us in the pledge today."
"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
"Roll Call for attendance. Representative Madigan, do you have any excused absences this morning?"
"Mr. Speaker, would the record show that Representative Schneider and Huff are excused because of illness?"
"The record will so indicate Take the record will you, Mr. Clerk? There being 166 Members answering the 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 82ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 8th Legislative Day Legislative Day February 25, 1981 Roll a Quorum of the House is present. Introduction and First Reading of House Bills."
"House Bill 354, Sandquist, a Bill for an Act to add Division of the Illinois Municipal Code. First Reading of the Bill. House Bill 355, Meyer, a Bill for an Act to provide for financial education assistance to parents with children of anonymous schools in this state... autonomous schools of this state. First Reading of the Bill. House Bill 356, Meyer, a Bill for an Act making appropriations of the Illinois Parent Educational Assistant Authority. First Reading of the Bill. House Bill 357, Sandquist-Bowman-Catania, a Bill for an Act in relationship to discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. First Reading of the Bill. House Bill 358, Sandquist-Bowman-Catania, a Bill for an Act relating to discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, civil rights and public combination (sic). First Reading of the Bill. House Bill 359, Sandquist-Bowman-Catania, a Bill for an Act to amend Sections of the Illinois Human Rights Act. First Reading of the Bill. House Bill 360, Sandquist-Bowman-Catania, a Bill for an Act in relationship to discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in employment. First Reading of the Bill. House 361, Sandquist-Bowman-Catania, a Bill for an Act in relationship to discrimination in the housing and basis of sexual orientation. First Reading of the Bill."
"Committee Reports."
"Representative Rigney, Chairman on Committee on Agriculture to which the following Bills were referred, action taken February 24, 1981 and reported the same back with the following recommendations: ' Do pass Consent Calender, House Bill 165'. Representative Macdonald, Chairman on Committee on Conservation and Natural Resources 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 82ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 8th Legislative Day Legislative Day February 25,1981 to which the following Bills referred, action taken February 24, 1981 and reported the same back with the following recommendations: ' Do not pass House Bill 88'. Represenative Barnes, Chairman on Committee on Health and Family Services to which the following Bills were referred, action taken February 24, 1981 and reported the same back with the following recommendations: 'Do pass House Bill 55 and 109'. 'Do not pass House Bill 84'. Representative Epton, Chairman on Committee on Insurance to which following Bills were referred, action taken February 24, 1981 and reported the same back with the following recommendations: 'Tabled in Committee House Bill 11'."
"On page two on the Calender appears House Bills, Second Reading. House Bill 2, Representative Katz. Take it out of the record, Mr. Clerk. House Bill 31, Representative Polk. House Bill 50, Representative Yourell. Would you read the Bill, Mr. Clerk?"
"House Bill 50, a Bill for an Act to amend the Election Code. Second Reading of the Bill. No Committee Amendments."
"Any Amendments from the floor?"
"No Floor Amendments."
"Third Reading. House Bill 60, Representative Bradley."
"House Bill 60, a Bill for an Act to amend the Revenue Act. Second Reading of the Bill. No Committee Amendments."
"Is Representative Bradley on the floor? Any Amendments from the floor?"
"None."
"Third Reading. The House will come to order and Members will be in their seats. We're on the Order of House Bills, Second Reading. Mr. Doorkeeper, clear the 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 82ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 8th Legislative Day Legislative Day February 25,1981 aisles would you please and all unauthorized people take them off the floor would you please? House Bill 70, Representative Jaffe. Representative Jaffe on the floor? Take it out of the record. House Bill 77, Representative Huskey. Read the Bill Mr. Clerk."
"House Bill 77, a Bill for an Act to amend the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. Second Reading of the Bill. No Committee Amendments."
"Any Amendments from the floor?"
"No Floor Amendments."
"Third Reading. House Bill 99, Representative Abramson."
"House Bill 99, a Bill for an Act to provide for appeals by the State of Illinois in certain cases. Second Reading of the Bill. No Committee Amendments."
"Any Amendments from the floor?"
"None."
"Third Reading. House Bill 103, Abramson."
"House Bill 103, a Bill for an Act to amend the Revenue Act. Second Reading of the Bill. No Committee Amendments."
"Any Amendments from the floor?"
"None."
"Third Reading. Representative Abramson, for what purpose do you arise?"
"Could we hold that on Second Reading? We're waiting for an Amendment."
"House Bill 103?"
"Yes."
"Return the Bill to the Order of Second Reading would you please? House Bill 104, Abramson."
"House Bill 104, a Bill for an Act to amend the Revenue Act. Second Reading of the Bill. No Committee 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 82ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 8th Legislative Day Legislative Day February 25,1981 Amendments."
"Amendments from the floor?"
"None."
"Third Reading. House Bill 107, Reilly."
"House Bill 107, a Bill for an Act to amend the Election Code. Amendment #1, adopted in Committee."
"Any motions filed?"
"No motions filed."
"Any further Amendments."
"No Floor Amendments."
"Representative Lechowicz, for what purpose do you arise?"
"Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House, would the Gentlemen kindly hold the Bill on Second Reading? There's a question in reference to the Amendment."
"Representative Reilly, the Gentlemen requests that you hold the Bill on Second Reading. Hold House Bill 107 on Second Reading Mr. Clerk. House Bill 112, Representative Currie."
"House Bill 112, a Bill for an Act to create the Land Resources Management Study Commission and the Ethnic Heritage Commission. Second Reading of the Bill. No Committee Amendments."
"Representative Currie on the floor? Any further Amendments?"
"None."
"Third Reading. House Bill 158. Out of the record. House Bill 173, Swanstrom."
"House Bill 173, a Bill for an Act to amend the School Code. Second Reading of the Bill. No Committee Amendments."
"Any Amendments from the floor?"
"Floor Amendment #1, Deuster, amends House Bill 173 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 82ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 8th Legislative Day Legislative Day February 25,1981 on page 1, line 1 and so forth."
"Representative Deuster."
"Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House, Amendment #1 is an Amendment that was discussed in the Committee on Elementary and Secondary Education and reflects a general consensus in that Committee of how the Bill should be changed. What Amendment #1 does, it provides that at any time the Governor pursuant to the Authority and the School Code appoints a day of fast or thanksgiving, that automatically without coming in here every time with a Bill that the number of school days of actual pupil attendance would be reduced by 1. That was an Amendment suggested by Representative Schneider in the Committee. The second substantive change that Amendment #1 makes is that it specifies clearly that Thanksgiving Day with a capital 'T' and a capital 'D' are holidays. Those are the only changes made by Amendment #1 and I would urge the adoption of Amendment #1."
"Discussion? Representative Levin."
"Would the Gentleman yield for a question?"
"The Gentleman indicates he will yield."
"Okay. Representative, with your Amendment would the President still have the authority to declare a day of Thanksgiving and would that automatically be part of the school calendar?"
"I'm glad you mentioned that. I'm sorry to say you're correct. The third substantive changes, the President is struck out and the purpose of that is so that we would avoid the kind of confusion we had in our Illinois schools with respect to the 'Hostage' Thanksgiving Day so that from now on the additional holiday would be something designated by our own Governor rather than by the President. And that way all of our local schools and our citizens could check 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 82ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 8th Legislative Day Legislative Day February 25,1981 with the Governor's Office and they would know whether or whether not we're gonna be in school on a certain day. It does strike the word 'President' so from now on it would be our Governor of the State of Illinois who would designate for us additional school holidays which would be days of fast or thanksgiving."
"Representative Hoffman."
"Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. I just want to rise to add my support to this Amendment. It is a little embarrassing for us in Illinois to have school closed while Indiana and Wisconsin were being shown on television with celebrations they had in their schools that day. This would eliminate this problem and I rise in support of this Amendment."
"Alright, the House will come to order and the Members will be in their seats. We're going to vote on an Amendment here concerning the School Code and I think you all ought to be in your seats and pay attention. Mr. Doorkeeper will you clear the floor of all unauthorized people please? The Gentleman from Winnebago, Representative Mulcahey."
"Would the Sponsor yield for a question? Representative Deuster, by now I believe we have 180 school days required in the Statues. This is correct I believe. It's right around...let's say 180 days. If the Governor or the President should declare, which is unlikely, they'll never do, 5 or 10 days of this type, does that mean that we're going to have 170 to 175 school days? All those days will be automatically reduced from the Calendar? Is this correct?"
"The question is, if our Governor at some time in the future should be unusually thankful or fastful or something and designate a lot of days of fast or thanksgiving, the 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 82ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 8th Legislative Day Legislative Day February 25,1981 answer is yes, the school year would be reduced. I hope that that's very unlikely to happen."
"Is there any further discussion? Representative Winchester."
"Thank you Mr. Speaker. Would the Gentleman yield for a question?"
"He indicates he will."
"In follow up to Representative Mulcahey's question, is there any provisions to insure that those Schools Districts will continue to receive their state aid reimbursements?"
"I'm sorry, Representative Winchester, I didn't hear you. You had some question, something about state aid."
"Well, I'm concerned that if the Governor decides that he's going to declare a holiday that some of these School Districts, because of unusual bad weather have used alot of snow days, they have no extra snow days, will they still be able to obtain state aid benefits from the state even though it's a day off? Under ordinary circumstances they don't receive state aid on a day off. Will they in this case?"
"Yes, they would."
"Thank you."
"Is there any further discussion? Representative Deuster to close on the Amendment."
"I made the Amendment very clear. I'd appreciate your affirmative vote. Thank you."
"You heard the Gentleman's motion on the Amendment. All in favor will signify by saying 'aye'. All those opposed will indicate by saying 'no'. In the opinion of the chair, the 'ayes' have it and the Amendment is adopted. Further Amendments?"
"Amendment #2, Deuster, amends House Bill 173 as 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 82ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 8th Legislative Day Legislative Day February 25,1981 amended."
"The Gentleman from Lake, Mr. Deuster."
"This Amendment is very simple. It has a technical error and I'm withdrawing it."
"Any further Amendments?"
"Floor Amendment #3, Deuster, amends House Bill 173 as amended."
"The Gentleman from Lake, Representative Deuster."
"Amendment #3 is a... it makes really...Amendment #3 makes no substantive change but it does describe the holidays in the proper way that they should be generically described. For example, we all know January 1st is New Year's Day but it says New Year's Day. We have always had November 11 in the Statutes but it didn't say Veteran's Day. This actually says Veteran's Day and it also specifies the third Thursday in November commonly called Thanksgiving Day. Another holiday, the second Monday in October some people might know what that is but we put in Columbus Day so that the Section 24-2 reads in a sensible manner the way something in the School Code ought to read and it also mentions the birthday of President Abraham Lincoln. I think that ought to be clear in the Statutes and that is all that Amendment #3 does."
"The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Jones."
"Yes, thank you Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"He indicates he will."
"I notice that you do not include January 15 which is Dr. Martin Luther King's birthday. Could you explain why it's not included?"
"Yes, Representative Jones, Dr. Martin Luther King's birthday is a commemorative holiday and under existing law is not in this Section here. If some other Member wanted to offer that, that could be done. It was my intention not 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 82ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 8th Legislative Day Legislative Day February 25, 1981 to make any substantive change in the holiday Section but simply to call the existing holidays by their common name."
"What you're saying in essence then is that his birthday is not included in the School Code."
"That's the way it is right now and if the Bill is on Second Reading you could offer an Amendment to do that if you wanted to or introduce a Bill but it was not my intention to make that change at this time."
"Would you mind holding this Amendment and including it in and make it part of the School Code?"
"Why don't we adopt this Amendment? The Bill is not mine; It is Representative Swanstrom's and I would prefer to have the Amendment and then if Mr. Swanstrom, who is the author of the Bill, wants to hold his Bill, why, he could do that for you."
"I understand but what I am saying is since we are making this necessary change how come we can't do it all at one time?"
"We could. We've got a good Amendment before us. It could be improved. Why, someone else can do that."
"Is there any further discussion? The Gentleman from Morgan, Mr. Reilly."
"Thank you Mr. Speaker. I don't want to get involved in that controversy except to ask Representative Jones if he would consider withdrawing that request. There is a time problem on this Bill in that... so that the schools can get on with planning the rest of the current year calendar. We have to tell them one way or the other within the next couple of weeks whether we are going to forgive the hostage day or not. There will be other Bills coming through the deal with school holidays and just because of that time problem. I'm not trying to put you off, Emil, but if you would withdraw that request and offer your Amendment either 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 82ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 8th Legislative Day Legislative Day February 25,1981 as a separate Bill or an Amendment to another Bill, it would help us in terms of the time problem we have."
"Representative Jones."
"Yes, I have no problem holding my request but it just seemed odd to me that since we were doing this that we did not make it all inclusive. Now this Bill will be going to the Senate and I will be making that request over in the Senate but it was odd that it was not included with all of the rest of the holidays."
"The Lady from Champaign, Representative Satterthwaite."
"May I ask a question of the Sponsor of the Amendment, please?"
"He indicates he will yield."
"Representative Deuster, do I understand that by Amendment #3 you are only deleting the first sentence in Section 24-2, not the entire Section?"
"That's correct."
"And so we leave in tact then the second paragraph of that Section which in fact does give the commemorative holidays by both date and the designation of why that holiday is a commemorative holiday. Representative Jones, if you would listen, Representative Jones. Representative Jones? I think we have the solution to your problem. The fact that Amendment #3 to this Bill does not delete the second paragraph in the Section...the second paragraph in this Section pertains to your question of commemorative holidays and as I read it it does in fact say commemorative holidays are January 15, the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and includes the other commemorative holidays. So in fact, this Statute already has what you requested."
"The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Griffin."
"I just wish to concur with, Mr. Speaker, Representative 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 82ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 8th Legislative Day Legislative Day February 25,1981 Satterthwaite's reference. I think she's accurate and I think the Amendment should pass as is."
"The Gentleman from Coles, Representative Stuffle."
"Yes, Mr. Speaker and Members, we're dealing with some fairly picky points. I think, Representative Deuster is making a good phase effort to solve a problem he has. But Don, I would point out to you that I think you're trying to fit Amendments #1 and 3 together for your purposes but #3 by way of the manner in which it is written, by deleting the first sentence, the sentence following Section 24.2 - holidays period - which appears in Amendment #1, you didn't knock out the underlined word 'Sunday' which I think you intend to keep. By way of Amendment #3 your reference to Sundays in Amendment #1 is stricken by Amendment #3. I don't think that is your intention. I think you can accomplish by Amendment #1 what you want to do except for the fact that you don't specify by name what those dates are particularly. And I would ask you to yield to a question. Did you intend to leave the word 'Sundays' in there?"
"I think 'Sundays' should be in there."
"It's not in there by way of Amendment #3. It's taken out."
"Representative Stuffle, it's not in the Code now. The drafters of Amendment #1 thought they put Sundays in there and so they're off on Sundays anyway and I think we can cure this later."
"It's in #1 but not in #3. Three takes it out."
"That's right. So it makes...3 makes no changes in the existing Statutes. But I agree. Later we should add it in."
"Representative Getty."
"I'd ask the Chair to rule whether Amendment #3 is in 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 82ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 8th Legislative Day Legislative Day February 25, 1981 proper form and call to the Chair's attention the fact that it does not indicate the Bill 'as amended' and that it does not fit I would suggest to the Chair in view of the fact that Amendment #1 has been adopted."
"Mr. Speaker, the Bill...The Amendment does say 'amend House Bill 173 as amended'. And I think the Amendment is in proper form."
"Representative Getty, would you state your point again, please?"
"Yes, the point is, I question whether Amendment #3 properly amends the Bill in view of the Amendment adopted by Amendment #1. I question whether it is improper form."
"Amendment #3 reads, 'amend House Bill 173 as amended', Representative. Do you have any further question, Representative Getty?"
"Not at this time."
"Representative Deuster to close on the Amendment."
"Mr. Speaker, Amendment #3 is very simple. It simply adds the accurate name of all the holidays as they're listed without any substantive change in the existing School Code. It puts Veteran's Day in there after November 11. It puts Columbus Day in, Independence Day, the birthday of President Abraham Lincoln, New Year's Day, and the Thursday in November commonly called Thanksgiving Day as well as writing in Christmas Day. I think it is an improvement in the way the School Code reads. It make no substantive change, just a description of the existing holidays and I would urge your support for this good Amendment. Thank you."
"The Gentleman has moved for the adoption of Amendment #3 to House Bill 173. All in favor will signify by saying 'aye', all opposed by 'no' and the 'ayes' have it and the Amendment is adopted. Are there further 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 82ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 8th Legislative Day Legislative Day February 25,1981 Amendments, Mr. Clerk?"
"No further Amendments."
"Third Reading. House Bill 192, Representative Darrow."
"House Bill 192, a Bill for an Act designating a state animal. Second Reading of the Bill. No Committee Amendments." Speaker Ryan$:M"Any further Amendments?"
"No further Amendments."
"Third Reading. Representative Macdonald."
"Is Representative Darrow on the floor?"
"Yes he is."
"I thought there was to have been an Amendment on that Bill that you just moved to Third."
"Well, there have been none filed, Representative Macdonald. Did you want to respond to that Representative Darrow?"
"Yes, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. There was some discussion in the Committee about this Bill and a proposed Amendment. I talked to a number of Committee Members and I thought they had thought that no Amendment was needed. If you want to propose an Amendment I'll be glad to take it back to Second. Otherwise, I'll go with it in this form. It doesn't matter to me."
"It's up to the Sponsor but I had understood that we were going to have that Amendment on Second Reading, so..."
"I discussed it and my feeling after that was just that... we'd just go with it this way."
"Thank you."
"If you want to propose an Amendment I'll be glad to take it back or if anyone does."
"If you feel it doesn't make any difference to me, Representative Darrow, you know it's your Bill. I have no 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 82ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 8th Legislative Day Legislative Day February 25,1981 problem with the Bill as it is but there were some that did."
"Thank you."
"House Bill 195, Darrow. Take it out of the record, Mr. Clerk. The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Abramson."
"Mr. Speaker, could we move my House Bill 104 to Third Reading before... I'd ask that we move back to Second Reading and held there."
"The Gentleman has asked leave to take House Bill 104 from the Order of Third Reading back to the Order of Second Reading. Are there any objections? Hearing none, leave is granted. The Bill is returned to Second Reading. The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Yourell, for what purpose do you arise?"
"Thank you Mr. Speaker. As the principle Sponsor of House Bill 247, I would like leave now to table that Bill."
"The Gentleman has asked leave to table House Bill 247. Are there any objections? Who was the Bill under again Representative?"
"247."
"The Gentleman has asked leave to table House Bill 247. Are there any objections? Hearing none, House Bill 247 will be tabled. Representative Jaffe, for what purpose do you arise?"
"Yes, Mr. Speaker, Representative Conti and I were not here when you called House Bill 70 so we took it out of the record. Could you call that now for Second Reading? There are no Amendments from the floor so we could advance that Bill to Third Reading."
"On page 2 of the Calendar on House Bills, Second Reading appears House Bill #70. Would you read the Bill Mr. Clerk?" 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 82ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 8th Legislative Day Legislative Day February 25,1981
"House Bill #70, a Bill for an Act to amend the Illinois Municipal Code. Second Reading of the Bill. No Committee Amendments."
"Are there any Amendments from the floor?"
"None."
"Third Reading. Introduction and First Reading of House Bills."
"House Bill 362, Schraeder, a Bill for an Act to amend Sections of the Revenue Act. First Reading of the Bill. House Bill 363, Schraeder-Stuffle, a Bill for an Act to amend Sections of the Illinois Pension Code. First Reading of the Bill. House Bill 364, Hoffman-et al, a Bill for an Act to amend Sections of an Act making appropriations of certain continuing boards and commissions. First Reading of the Bill. House Bill 365, Rigney-Swanstrom, a Bill for an Act to amend Sections of the Inheritance and Transfer Tax...Law. First Reading of the Bill. House Bill 366, Greiman-et al, a Bill for an Act concerning abuse between family and household members. First Reading of the Bill. House Bill 367, Leverenz-et al, a Bill for an Act to amend Sections of an Act relating to alcoholic liquors. First Reading of the Bill. House Bill 368, Robbins, a Bill for an Act to amend Sections of the Nursing Home Care Reform Act. First Reading of the Bill. House Bill 369, Robbins, a Bill for an Act to amend Sections of the Illinois Municipal Code. First Reading of the Bill. House 370, Flinn, a Bill for an Act in relationship to funding the Metropolitan Enforcement Groups. First Reading of the Bill. House Bill 371, Birkinbine, a Bill for an Act to repeal an Act regulating wages and labors. First Reading of the Bill. House Bill 372, Birkinbine, a Bill for an Act to repeal Sections of the Illinois Insurance Code. First Reading of the Bill. 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 82ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 8th Legislative Day Legislative Day February 25,1981 House Bill 373, Sandquist, a Bill for an Act to amend Sections of an Act relating to alcoholic liquors. First Reading fo the Bill. House Bill 374, Bradley, a Bill for an Act to amend Sections of the School Code. First Reading of the Bill. House Bill 375, Bianco-Kucharski, a Bill for an Act to amend Sections of the Illinois Vehicle Code. First Reading of the Bill. House Bill 376, Leverenz-Sandquist-Currie-Cullerton, a Bill for an Act to repeal the Urban Transportation District Act. First Reading of the Bill."
"On page 3 of the Calendar on the Order of Speaker's Table appears House Resolution #17. The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Telcser."
"Mr. Speaker and Members of the House, House Resolution #17 is a Resolution..."
"The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Madigan."
"Mr. Speaker, an Amendment has been filed to this Resolution."
"Mr. Clerk, are there any Amendments filed?"
"Amendment #1, Madigan, amends House Resolution #17 on page 1 and so forth."
"The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Madigan."
"Mr. Speaker, this Resolution deals with a question that we have treated on a few occasions already. The main question of the Resolution is whether a Committee shall be established to examine the financial condition of the Regional Transportation Authority and to recommend any appropriate changes relative to that financial condition. The Resolution itself would provide for the creation of a Committee composed of five Members. There would be... strike that, Mr. Speaker. The main...."
"...Wait just a minute Mr. Madigan. Can we have a little order in the chambers, please? The Gentleman from 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 82ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 8th Legislative Day Legislative Day February 25,1981 Cook is trying to explain his Amendment. Proceed."
"Mr. Speaker, the Resolution itself provides that there shall be a nine Member Committee. The Resolution provides that the Speaker would provide for four appointments but that these appointments would be ear-marked by the Resolution itself. House Resolution #17 would provide that the Chairman and the Minority Spokesman on the Revenue Executive Transportation and one other Committee would automatically become Members of this particular Committee and that the Speaker would make one additional appointment so that at the very beginning of this examination process we would begin with a partisan program. One political party would have a one vote advantage on the Committee over the other political party. My Amendment would provide that rather than beginning this process which is very important with a partisan approach, that we would begin with a bipartisan approach. There would be four appointments by the Speaker without ear-marking those appointments to individuals already chosen and there would be four appointments by the Minority Leader again with no ear-marking as to where those appointments would emanate. I have provided further that the Speaker shall select one of the eight appointees to be the Chairman of this Committee so that if the Speaker is concerned with the Committee not moving at a proper pace through this examination process then he can designate one of his people to be the Chairman. That person will establish the schedule for Committee hearings and will have the control of the Chair which will provide for the Committee to move along at an intelligent and reasonable pace. I feel that my Amendment to the Resolution will give us the substance of the Resolution but it will provide it in a far better form. It will eliminate partisan victory in the very 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 82ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 8th Legislative Day Legislative Day February 25,1981 beginning and all throughout the process. It will provide freedom to the appointee authority to appoint those best qualified on your side of the aisle or this side of the aisle to serve on the Committee without pre-determining in advance who shall serve on the Committee and it gives to the Speaker the ability through his selection of the Chairman to direct the flow of the work. And I would recommend and 'aye' vote on behalf of this Amendment."
"The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Telcser."
"Mr. Speaker and Members of the House, I'm sure it comes as no surprise to the Members to find that I rise in opposition to the Gentleman's motion to adopt Amendment #1 to House Resolution #17. I think all the Members have to do really is to review the debate which the Minority Leader has just engaged in and I think in fact he makes a good case for our position in the point that he has attempted to make. In the first instance, the Gentleman alludes to the question of partisanship taking place during the course of the Committee's deliberation and I, just as most Members of the House, hope and sincerely wish that partisanship would not come into play during the course of the work which this Committee will embark upon. But nevertheless, experience is a teacher whom we should pay attention to. As much as many of us have tried the question of Mass Transportation, Regional Transportation Authority and the CTA in particular have caused partisanship from time to time to surface. As I said I agree with the Minority Leader. I hope that it doesn't. However, in the event that partisanship does happen to take place during the course of the Committee's workload the Committee's activities and action and work would then be deadlocked in a four to four tie. We would then conceivably wind up with little or no work products with which we desperately need in order to address 19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 82ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 8th Legislative Day Legislative Day February 25, 1981 ourselves to the issue of Mass Transportation. If that the Gentleman indicates partisanship does not or should not come into play then what is the difference if it's five to four, four to four, or 120 to 2? If it's a non-partisan Body then the party make-up really is of no consequence. But in the event, in the event, partisanship does come into play, the Resolution as originally introduced will protect us from that eventuality. And that is why I believe it is important to have this Committee a five to four Committee. Let me also point out to the Members of the House, at least to those who do not serve on the Rules Committee, we had this very same issue come up earlier today in the Rules Committee. The question was whether or not the Speaker or Minority Leader should have the right to appoint their own Members to a Commission or be obligated to appoint the Sponsor of that Commission Bill to that Commission. Interestingly enough, the point this morning is the same point that the Minority Leader is arguing this afternoon on Resolution #17 and his Amendment to the Resolution. The Minority Leader this morning took the exact opposite point of view by saying that we don't want a leader to abuse his or her power and that the Members often know that at least the Sponsor, the Sponsor of the Commission Bill at the very least, would be appointed to the Commission. And yet here we are just a few hours later listening to the Minority Leader tell us that the leaders ought to have the prerogative and the leeway within which to make the appointment to the Commission because they will appoint the Members most qualified to serve on the Commission. So I don't doubt that the Speaker or the Minority Leader would indeed appoint those people most qualified to serve. Our position, however, is that on a manner this critical the Members of the Legislature, the House in particular, have 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 82ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 8th Legislative Day Legislative Day February 25,1981 the right to know beforehand who is going to serve on this particular Commission or this particular Committee because it has been such a volatile political issue in the past, because it has been subject matter which is so deeply, deeply important to the Members of the Assembly. So our position is that all of you should know beforehand who is going to serve on the Committee and I really can't imagine why the Minority Leader doesn't want the Members to know beforehand who will serve on this particular Committee and whether or not there would indeed be geographic balance regarding the Committee. Now the Minority Leader said that he and the Speaker would appoint people most qualified to serve on the Committee. Well, Mr. Speaker, I believe that both you and the Minority Leader have taken those qualifications into consideration when making your appointments to the Committee Chairmanship or to the Committee people who serve as spokesmen on the Minority side. Those people are the best qualified people. I am sure that the Minority Leader would not have appointed spokesmen or spokeswomen if they were not qualified and I feel the same about Speaker Ryan. What we have taken into consideration with the Resolution as introduced is that these four Committees are the major Committees who, more than likely, will be dealing with this subject or related subject matter throughout the Session and particularly when it comes to the long-term solution for Mass Transportation. So Mr. Speaker and Members of the House, it is for these reasons that I rise to oppose Amendment #1 to House Resolution #17. Let me also remind the Members that the Gentleman from Cook's Resolution, which is pretty well embodied in Amendment #1, has already been defeated in the Executive Committee. The Gentleman is taking a second shot at his idea. And it is for the reasons that I stated 21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 82ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 8th Legislative Day Legislative Day February 25,1981 during the course of my remarks that I sincerely believe that every Member of the Assembly, every Member, who is sincerely interested in arriving at a long-term rational, logical solution to the questions of Mass Transportation all over the state, not just in my city, but all over the state with equity and fairness vote 'no' on Amendment #1 to House Resolution #17."
"Is there further debate? The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Levin."
"I rise in support of Amendment #1. I think that it is fair to both sides. It's fairer than the basic Bill in the same way that Democrats should not be telling Republicans who they should be appointing to Committees and Commissions, Republicans should not be telling the Democrats who they should be putting on this particular Committee. This as I have indicated before and the feedback I've got not only from my constituents from everybody I've been talking to, this issue is probably the most important issue we will have aside from reapportionment. And we want to get the very best people, the Members who are most interested in this subject area, working on this. There's certainly more than enough work and enough questions to go around. And a Committee Chairman, frequently they've got alot of other things to do. They may not be directly affected by the proposed cuts in the fare increases and so on. There may be other Legislators particularly on the Democratic side who are more interested, who have more time and we need to adopt this Amendment so there is the opportunity to put the Members who are most interested and most qualified working on this issue."
"Is there any further discussion? The Gentleman from Cook, Mr. Madigan to close." 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS 82ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 8th Legislative Day Legislative Day February 25, 1981
"Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen, in closing, first I would like to take very serious exceptions to the remarks of the Majority Leader when he attempted to characterize me as one who says one thing in the morning and something else in the afternoon. I would simply suggest to him personally that he consult the tapes of his actions under Speaker Blair when on so many occasions he was called upon to be the hatchet man in the Chair and today and in the last year or two he posed himself as the guardian of our civil rights on the floor concerning this Resolution. Once again, once again we see another effort at exclusion. Just yesterday, I asked this Body to allow every Member to participate in a Committee of the Whole on a Bill that profoundly affects the Regional Transportation Authority. The response from the Majority Leadership was 'no', 'we do not want full participation. We want a select group of Members of the Transportation Committee only to examine this problem'. Today I say open up this selection project. Allow for younger Members who do not have enough seniority to become a Committee Chairman or a spokesmen to serve on this Committee if they have the particular expertise which is needed in this area. The response 'no', 'we want to cut this off. We don't want full participation. We've already pre-determined which clique, clique will manage this problem.' If you're in the clique then you'll serve on the Committee, or you'll serve on the special Committee, or you'll even be invited to the Bismark Hotel in Chicago for a very personal interview with the RTA and CTA officials. But if you're not in that clique then just sit in your office and let George and some of the others manage your fate and destiny from now...."
"Will you bring your remark to a close, Representative?" 23 STATE OF ILLINOIS 82ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 8th Legislative Day Legislative Day February 25,1981
"Starting to hurt isn't it? Please vote in your best interest. Vote for openness. Don't provide for a closed process. Vote 'aye' on this Amendment."
"On the question... on the Gentleman's motion... He's moved for the adoption of Amendment #1 to House Resolution #17. All in favor will signify by saying 'aye', all opposed 'no'. Representative Madigan, for what purpose do you arise?"
"I request a Roll Call Vote."
"All those in favor will signify by voting 'aye' and all those opposed will signify by voting 'no'. The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Ewell, to explain his vote."
"Mr. Speaker, very briefly I believe that we, as Members of this Body, who've always been guardians of the people, we want their right to know to be paramount. We want their right to vote on all increases and expenditures and funding by voting on all referendums. We are slipping away the first measures of liberty. Gentlemen, it is a very sacred and trusted duty which you have and if you allow it to slip away on you now it shall not come back tomorrow, next week or through the end of the Session. We are speaking of your right to be informed, your right to play on the team without having it pre-selected. And Ladies and Gentlemen, I plead with you do not allow your liberty and the liberty of all of your constituents to slip away in this slick and treacherous vote."
"The Gentleman from Marion, Representative Friedrich."
"Well, I would like to first suggest to the Minority Leader that he refer to Mr. Ryan, as 'Mr. Speaker' and not as 'George'. I think that's in violation of the rules and he should be admonished for it." 24 STATE OF ILLINOIS 82ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 8th Legislative Day Legislative Day February 25, 1981
"The point is well taken. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? The Clerk will take the record. Representative Madigan."
"I request a poll of the absentees."
"The Gentleman has requested a poll of the absentees. Mr. Clerk, will you call the absentees, please? Yes, repeat a poll of the absentees, will you, please Mr. Clerk?"
"Huff. McCourt. Schneider. And Stearney."
"On this issue there are 86 'ayes' and 86 'nos' and the motion having failed to receive a majority is hereby.. Mr. Madigan."
"Mr. Speaker, you polled the absentees?"
"Yes we did."
"And have you changed count? Has there been any change in the..."
"No, there's been no change in the count."
"I request a verification of the negative vote."
"Mr. Doorkeeper, will you clear all non-Members from the floor please? Members only on the House floor. Everybody else please leave. We're going to go to the Order of Verified Oral Roll Call. Mr. Madigan."
"Mr. Speaker, there are many Republican Members that I do not know and if you could ask each Member to raise their hand..."
"We're going to have a Verified Oral Roll Call, Mr. Madigan, not until all Members are in their seats and all non-Members are removed from the floor. Representative Conti."
"Mr. Speaker, before you start your Oral Roll Call I want to recognize in the audience the teachers group from Blue Mound City and their Representatives Michael Tate, Tim Donovan, and John Dunn above the Speaker's ..." 25 STATE OF ILLINOIS 82ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 8th Legislative Day Legislative Day February 25, 1981
"That's against the rules, Representative Conti."
"Temporary rules or the regular Rules?"
"All right. All Members will please be in their seats and the House will come to order. We're going to have an Oral Verified Roll Call at which time the Clerk will call each Member individually. You'll stand up and answer the Roll Call and vote at the same time. All Members will please be in their seats. Mr. Clerk, proceed."
"Abramson, Abramson votes 'no'. Ackerman, Ackerman votes 'no'. Alexander, Alexander votes 'aye'. Alstat, Alstat, Alstat passes. Balanoff, Balanoff votes 'aye'. Barkhausen."
"Hold on just a minute, Mr. Clerk. Representative Balanoff, would you hit your button please? Proceed."
"Barkhausen votes 'no'. Barnes, Barnes votes 'no'. Bartulis, Bartulis votes 'no'. Beatty, Beatty votes 'aye'. Bell, Bell votes 'no'. Bianco, Bianco votes 'no'. Birkinbine, Birkinbine votes 'no'. Bluthardt."
"The Gentleman from Cook, Mr. Bluthardt."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members of the House. There seems to be a misunderstanding of a commitment that I made with one of your leaders yesterday. I thought I said that I would not vote for the Amendment. He advises me that I said I would vote against it. I voted 'present'. So despite my firm belief that this Amendment would make your Resolution superior to its present condition, would remove some of the unfairness and partisanship that appears in your Resolution, I will remove the doubt in my friend's mind and I will vote 'no'."
"Proceed, Mr. Clerk."
"Bluthardt votes 'no'. Boucek, Boucek votes 'no'. Bower, Bower votes 'no'. Bowman, Bowman votes 'aye'. 26 STATE OF ILLINOIS 82ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 8th Legislative Day Legislative Day February 25, 1981 Bradley, Bradley votes 'aye'. Braun, Braun votes 'aye'. Breslin, Breslin votes 'aye'. Brummer, Brummer votes 'aye'. Bullock, Bullock votes 'aye'. Capparelli, Capparelli votes 'aye'. Carey, Carey votes 'aye'. Catania, Catania votes 'aye'. Chapman, Chapman votes 'aye'. Christensen, Christensen passes. Collins, Collins votes 'no'. Conti, Conti votes 'no'. Cullerton, Cullerton votes 'aye'. Currie, Currie votes 'aye'. Daniels, Daniels votes 'no'. Darrow, Darrow votes 'aye'. Davis, Davis votes 'no'. Deuchler, Deuchler votes 'no'. Deuster, Deuchler votes 'no', I mean Deuster votes 'no'. DiPrima, DiPrima votes 'aye'. Domico, Domico passes. Donovan, Donovan votes 'aye'. Doyle, Doyle votes 'aye'. Dunn, Jack Dunn, Jack Dunn votes 'no'. John Dunn."
"Excuse me just a minute, Mr. Clerk. Representative Jack Dunn, would you push your button? Oh you did, okay. Go ahead."
"John Dunn votes 'aye'. Ralph Dunn, Ralph Dunn votes 'no'. Ebbesen, Ebbesen passes. Epton, Epton votes 'aye'. Ewell, Ewell votes 'aye'. Ewing, Ewing votes 'no'. Farley, Farley votes 'aye'. Fawell, Fawell votes 'no'. Findley, Findley votes 'no'. Flinn, Flinn votes 'aye'. Virginia Frederick, Virginia Frederick votes 'no'. Dwight Friedrich, Dwight Friedrich votes 'no'. Garmisa, Garmisa votes 'aye'. Getty, Getty votes 'aye'. Giglio, Giglio votes 'aye'. Giorgi, Giorgi votes 'aye'. Greiman, Greiman votes 'aye'. Griffin, Griffin votes 'no'. Grossi, Grossi votes 'no'. Hallock, Hallock votes 'no'. Hallstrom, Hallstrom votes 'no'. Hanahan, Hanahan votes 'aye'. Hannig, Hannig votes 'aye'. Hastert, Hastert votes 'no'. Henry, Henry votes 'aye'. Hoffman, Hoffman votes 'aye'. Hoxsey, Hoxsey votes 'no'."
"Just a minute, Mr Clerk. Call Representative 27 STATE OF ILLINOIS 82ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 8th Legislative Day Legislative Day February 25, 1981 Hoffman, Gene Hoffman."
"Hoffman, 'no'."
"Record the Gentleman as 'no'."
"Hoffman votes 'no'. Hudson, Hudson votes 'no'. Huff, Huff passes. Huskey, Huskey votes 'no'. Jackson, Jackson votes 'no'. Jaffe, Jaffe votes 'aye'. Johnson, Johnson votes 'no'. Jones, Jones votes 'aye'. Kane, Kane votes 'aye'. Karpiel, Karpiel votes 'no'. Katz, Katz passes. Keane, Keane votes 'aye'. Jim Kelley, Jim Kelley votes 'no'. Dick Kelly, Dick Kelly votes 'aye'. Klemm, Klemm votes 'no'. Kociolko, Kociolko votes 'no'. Koehler, Koehler votes 'no'. Kornowicz, Kornowicz votes 'aye'. Kosinski, Kosinski votes 'aye'. Krska, Krska votes 'aye'. Kucharski, Kucharski votes 'no'. Kulas, Kulas votes 'aye'. Kustra, Kustra votes 'no'. Laurino, Laurino passes. Lechowicz, Lechowicz votes 'aye'. Leinenweber, Leinenweber votes 'no'. Leon, Leon votes 'aye'. Leverenz, Leverenz votes 'aye'. Levin, Levin votes 'aye'. Macdonald, Macdonald votes 'no'. Madigan, Madigan votes 'aye'. Margalus, Margalus votes 'no'. Martire, Martire votes 'no'. Matijevich, Matijevich votes 'aye'. Mautino, Mautino votes 'aye'. Mays, Mays votes 'no'. McAuliffe, McAuliffe votes 'no'. McBroom, McBroom votes 'no'. McClain, McClain votes 'aye'. McCormick, McCormick votes 'no'. McCourt, McCourt passes. McGrew, McGrew votes 'aye'. McMaster, McMaster votes 'no'. McPike, McPike votes 'aye'. Ted Meyer, Ted Meyer votes 'no'. R.J. Meyer, R.J. Meyer votes 'no'. Miller, Miller votes 'no'. Mulcahey, Mulcahey votes 'aye'. Murphy, Murphy votes 'aye'. Neff, Neff votes 'no'. Nelson, Nelson votes 'no'. Oblinger, Oblinger votes 'no'. O'Brien, O'Brien votes 'aye'. O'Connell, O'Connell votes 'aye'. Ozella, Ozella votes 'aye'. Pechous, Pechous votes 'aye'. Peters, Peters 28 STATE OF ILLINOIS 82ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 8th Legislative Day Legislative Day February 25, 1981 votes 'no'. Piel, Piel votes 'no'. Pierce, Pierce votes 'aye'. Polk, Polk votes 'no'. Pouncey, Pouncey votes 'aye'. Preston, Preston votes 'aye'. Pullen, Pullen votes 'no'. Rea, Rea votes 'aye'. Redmond, Redmond votes 'aye'. Reed, Reed votes 'no'. Reilly, Reilly votes 'no'. Rhem, Rhem votes 'aye'. Richmond, Richmond votes 'aye'. Rigney, Rigney votes 'no'. Robbins, Robbins passes, Robbins votes 'no'. Ronan, Ronan votes 'aye'. Ropp, Ropp votes 'no'. Ryan, Ryan votes 'no'. Saltsman, Saltsman votes 'aye'. Sandquist, Sandquist votes 'no'. Satterthwaite, Satterthwaite votes 'aye'. Schneider, Schneider passes. Schraeder, Schraeder votes 'aye'. Schuneman, Schuneman votes 'no'. Slape, Slape votes 'aye'. Irv Smith, Irv Smith votes 'no'. M. Smith, M. Smith votes 'aye'. Stanley, Stanley votes 'no'. Stearney, Stearney passes. Steczo, Steczo votes 'aye'. E.G. Steele, E.G. Steele votes 'no'. Stewart, Stewart votes 'aye'. C.M. Stiehl, C.M. Stiehl votes 'no'. Stuffle, Stuffle votes 'aye'. Swanstrom, Swanstrom votes 'no'. Tate, Tate votes 'no'. Telcser, Telcser votes 'no'. Terzich, Terzich votes 'aye'. Topinka, Topinka votes 'no'. Tuerk, Tuerk votes 'no'. Turner, Turner votes 'aye'. Van Duyne, Van Duyne votes 'aye'. Vinson, Vinson votes 'no'. Vitek, Vitek votes 'aye'. Watson, Watson votes 'no'. White, White votes 'aye'. Wikoff, Wikoff votes 'no'. Winchester, Winchester votes 'no'. J.J. Wolf, J.J. Wolf votes 'no'. Sam Wolf, Sam Wolf votes 'aye'. Woodyard, Woodyard votes 'no'. Younge, Younge votes 'aye'. Yourell, Yourell votes 'aye'. Zito, Zito votes 'aye'. Zwick, Zwick votes 'no'."
"Mr. Clerk, will you call the absentees, please?"
"Alstat, Alstat votes 'no'. Christensen, Christensen passes. Domico, Domico votes 'aye'. Ebbesen, Ebbesen votes 'no'. Huff, Huff passes. Katz, Katz votes 29 STATE OF ILLINOIS 82ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 8th Legislative Day Legislative Day February 25, 1981 'aye'. Laurino, Laurino votes 'aye'. McCourt, McCourt passes. Schneider, Schneider passes. Stearney, Stearney passes."
"Representative Madigan."
"Mr. Speaker, I believe that a vote just changed without any announcement by the Clerk."
"I think it was an 'aye' vote that went 'no'. We're trying to figure out who did it. Take the record. On this issue there are 87 'nos' and 85 'ayes'. Mr. Madigan."
"I request the Clerk use the official count. You're reading from the Board."
"Give us the official count, Mr. Clerk. On this question there are 87 voting 'no' and 85 voting 'yes' and the Amendment, Mr. Madigan."
"Mr. Speaker, I think it is incumbent upon you or the Clerk to explain that change that occurred. I'm not attempting to be dilatory but if we're going to use an Oral Verified Roll Call people cannot be changing the buttons after they vote."
"The Clerk's record is the same as the tote Board, Mr. Madigan, and I don't know... I can't see here on this Board where anybody's changed their vote. I can't explain it and you're welcome to come up here and look at this Board if you'd like."
"Mr. Speaker, there are many witnesses who saw 86 to 86."
"I saw that too, Representative."
"...No announced change from you or the Clerk and then suddenly the numbers change on the Board."
"I can understand that, but they're... All official record indicates that the vote is 87 'no' and 85 'yes'. The Clerk's record is the same thing. On this issue there 30 STATE OF ILLINOIS 82ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 8th Legislative Day Legislative Day February 25,1981 are 87 'no' and 85 'yes' and the Gentleman's Amendment fails. Further Amendments."
"No further Amendments."
"Representative Madigan. Representative Madigan. The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Telcser."
"Mr. Speaker and Members of the House, I believe that... I believe that we have fully discussed House Resolution #17. I think the Members are aware of the provisions of Resolution #17 and I now offer... I move the adoption of House Resolution #17."
"The Gentleman from Cook, Mr. Madigan...er... Mr. Telcser. The Gentleman from Cook, Mr. Telcser."
"Mr. Speaker and Members of the House, as I said a few moments earlier, the provision of House Resolution #17 I think are very well known to all the Members due to the debate on Amendment #1. I now offe...I move the adoption of House Resolution #17 and in doing so I sincerely hope that the required number of votes will appear on the Board pursuant to my motion and that the Committee will get to work as fast as possible to bring back to the entire Assembly, the Members of the House at the very least, all of the pertinent financial facts and figures regarding the operations and needs of the Regional Transportation Authority and perhaps all those agencies which fall under their control and their supervision. And it's for those reasons, Mr. Speaker and Members of the House, that I offer my motion."
"Is there any discussion? The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Madigan."
"Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House, I offered my Amendment to this Resolution because I thought that my Amendment would have given this House a better vehicle to begin this examination. Certainly the 31 STATE OF ILLINOIS 82ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 8th Legislative Day Legislative Day February 25, 1981 examination of RTA finances is needed. Certainly an examination will help us in the process of attempting to solve the twin problems of the Road Fund and the RTA. I do regret that the Majority Party has decided to begin this examination and to begin a consideration of this issue on a partisan basis. I regret that because I do not think that it goes well for our future consideration of this issue. I suggest to you that this Body and all of its Members would have been better served if we had moved into this examination on a bipartisan basis without partisan rancor, without partisan bickering. I do not plan to stand in opposition to the Resolution at this time. I plan to support it. But I say to you, Mr. Speaker, and to you, Mr. Majority Leader, you have just been given a small message by some of your Members. You cannot rule this House with a heavy hand. You cannot proceed through the deliberations of this House..."
"Address you comments to the motion would you, Mr. Madigan, please?"
"Yes, I will. You cannot move through the deliberation of this House on a policy of exclusion. Every Member is entitled to participate. Every Member is entitled to full and open discussions. And I suggest to you that if you continue with your policy of the leaders and an exclusion, there will be further difficulties as we attempt to solve the problems of this state."
"Is there any further discussion? The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Telcser to close."
"Mr. Speaker and Members of the House, let me first thank the Majority Leader for rising to support House Resolution #17. He indeed made a sincere, honest effort to have his Amendment adopted to House Resolution #17 thereby putting it in the posture which he, I know, sincerely felt 32 STATE OF ILLINOIS 82ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 8th Legislative Day Legislative Day February 25, 1981 was in the best interests of the problem. And for that, Mr. Minority Leader, I thank you. But let me also remind you, Sir, that the remarks which you, yourself, make during the course of floor debate and in your remarks regarding passage of House Resolution #17 are in themselves partisan remarks thereby setting the tone for the future work of this Committee and this Assembly. Everyone serving in this Legislature knows full well that you, yourself, are part and parcel of one of the most ruthless, political, partisan machines in the country and for you to stand on the floor of the House... And for you to stand on the floor of the House and make some feeble attempts to act as a statesman just isn't going to wash."
"Just a minute Mr. Telcser. Mr. Madigan, can you bring your Members under control, please? I don't recall any of that when you were speaking. To come to order, the House will come to order if you will please? Proceed, Mr. Telcser."
"I'd appreciate a favorable Roll Call."
"The Gentleman has moved for the passage of House Bill...er...House Resolution #17. All those in favor will signify by voting 'aye' and those opposed by voting 'no'. The Gentleman from Cook, Mr. Pierce."
"...Lake, Mr. Speaker, I enjoyed the last speech very much and I wonder why with that vicious, terrible, brutal machine the Gentleman endorsed its candidate for Alderman of the 44th Ward in yesterday's election and the vicious machine thanks you for endorsing its candidate."
"The Gentleman from Cook, Mr. Katz, to explain his vote."
"Yes, and, Mr. Speaker, I wonder why the Speaker in his position has even handed -presider over this Body- interrupts the Minority Leader when he engages in partisan 33 STATE OF ILLINOIS 82ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 3th Legislative Day Legislative Day February 25,1981 discussion but does not interrupt the Majority Leader when he does the same thing. How about fairness, Mr. Speaker."
"The Gentleman from Lake, Representative Deuster."
"Very briefly, Mr. Speaker, the only reason I'm explaining my vote is there's so few 'no' votes. Actually we have a very good Committee structure in the House. We have a Committee on Transportation. From my five terms of experience I don't know why we always have to create new Committees to solve any problem that pops up. There are a lot of very capable and distinguished Members of the House Transportation Committee from the RTA area as well as from downstate and I'm sure that Chairman Neff and the Transportation Committee could have done a very creditable job of dealing with this one transportation problem which is just one of many, many problems. And so I'm simply casting my 'no' vote even though I see it as a very unpopular 'no' vote and explaining my vote to suggest that this Resolution in my humble judgment, even though it has been prepared by the Leadership of my own Party, and I respect them for that, I think the Resolution is entirely unnecessary and detracts from the strength and the vitality of our normal Committee structure here in the House. And I would hope that some more people would feel likewise and would cast their votes 'no'. Thank you."
"The Lady from Cook, Representative Braun."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. For the record I accidentally pushed the button in Representative Schneider's seat. I was sitting there. So could you correct the official record?"
"Pardon."
"I accidentally pushed someone else's button. The button for Representative Schneider. I have subsequently pushed my own but that was a mistake because I was sitting in that 34 STATE OF ILLINOIS 82ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 3th Legislative Day Legislative Day February 25, 1981. seat."
"I think Representative Schneider... He was excused today."
"It was my error. I accidentally pushed it."
"The Clerk will take care of it."
"Okay, thank you."
"The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Bluthardt."
"Thank you Mr. Speaker and Members of the House. You know, I suppose I will be looked upon as being a traitor to my own Party because I haven't supported the Speaker's Resolution. I heard and I happen to agree with the Majority Leader's description of the Party from Chicago- a ruthless, partisan machine. I don't think though that we, on this side of the aisle, should practice the same practices that they do in Chicago. And I think that's what we're doing. I think it's unfortunate that one of the first major issues before this House, under the new Leadership, has to be so partisan in nature, has to be so unfair in nature. What is there about a Resolution that provides that certain Member, a certain Chair persons or Chairmen shall automatically be Members of that Commission? How is it that the Chairperson of the Executive Committee with a sign here for over a year tell RTA where to go who has similar sign or the same signs in their car is now a Member of a Commission that's going to investigate and consider the problems of the RTA? She's already made up her mind that the RTA has to go. She's opposed to it. So that's an example of what I consider the unfairness of your Resolution, Mr. Speaker. Further unfairness that I consider is the fact that you, by virtue of this Resolution, take away from the Minority Leader his rightful authority to appoint Members to a Commission. You say it 35 STATE OF ILLINOIS 82ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 8th Legislative Day Legislative Day February 25,1981 shall be the Minority Spokesman of each of these Committees that shall serve on this Commission. I think it's totally unfair, unreasonable and unnecessary and it starts this whole Session out on a very partisan foot and I oppose the Resolution for that purpose."
"Have all voted who wish? The Clerk will take the record. On this issue there are 149 'ayes', 11 'nos' and 11 voting 'present' and the Resolution is adopted. The Gentleman from Cook... Agreed Resolutions."
"House Resolution #56, Jack Dunn. House Resolution #57, McBroom-Ryan. House Resolution #58, Greiman. House Resolution #59, Braun-et al. House Resolution #60, Woodyard."
"The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Conti."
"Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House, House Resolution #56 by Jack Dunn is recognizing the Major Michael D. Healy, a retirement party. House Resolution #57 by McBroom-Ryan heralds the BEOCO facilities for qualifying for participating in a newly United States Department of Agriculture Quality Control and House Resolution #58 by Greiman bestows honor on the Hellenic Voters of America, the 'Most Distinguished Greek Americans of 1981'. I was asked to read the recipients of Bishop Iakovos- Humanitarian Service, Dr. Stanley Fistedis - Science, Dr. Angeline Caruso - Education, Ms. Evangeline Gouletas - Business and the Honorable Nicholas J. Melas in Government. And House Resolution #59 by Braun acknowledges the milestone in the political progress of the Black people in the United States by electing three Black Congressmen from a single city. House Resolution #60 by Woodyard recognizes in honoring the safe returns of the hostage, Marine Sargeant Paul Lewis, of Homer, Illinois."
"Mr. Conti has moved the adoption..." 36 STATE OF ILLINOIS 82ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 8th Legislative Day Legislative Day February 25,1981
"I move the adoption of the Resolutions."
"Mr. Conti has moved the adoption of the Agreed Resolutions. All in favor will signify by saying 'aye'. All opposed by saying 'no'. The 'ayes' have it and the Agreed Resolutions are adopted. Are there any announcements?"
"Representative McMaster wishes to vote 'aye' on Resolution #17."
"Does the Gentleman have leave? Hearing no objections, leave is granted. Any announcements? The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Telcser for the Adjournment Resolution."
"Mr. Speaker I now move that the House stand adjourned until Thursday, February 26th at 12:00 o'clock noon."
"The Gentleman has moved that House stand in adjournment until Thursday, February 26th at 12:00 o'clock noon. Representative McGrew."
"Thank you. Mr. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. We just gave permission for Representative McMaster on Resolution #17. Was that Amendment or was that the final passage?"
"That was on the Resolution on final passage."
"Okay."
"Representative Madigan?"
"Mr. Speaker, would the record...Would the Attendance Roll Call and the record relative thereto please show that Representative Christensen is excused because of the illness of his wife?"
"The record will so indicate, Mr. Madigan. The Gentleman has moved the Adjournment Resolution. All in favor will signify by saying 'aye'; All opposed 'no'. And the House now stands adjourned." 37