"The House will come to order. The House will come to order. The Members will be in their seats. The Chaplain for today will be Reverend John C. Morton, Pastor of Island Grove United Methodist Church of Berlin, Illinois. Reverend Morton is a guest of Representative Josephine Oblinger. The guests in the balcony please rise to join us in the invocation."
"Thank you. As I look out over somewhat sparsely settled seats, I am reminded of Sunday morning, only on that occasion usually the only empty seats are those down front. Let us join together in a moment of prayer. Almighty God, we are gathered here together again to serve the people of this great state. We pray for the wisdom and the grace to serve our people well. Help us to realize that our leadership can help to make this state a strong influence in a strong nation. Give us an increased sense of dignity and worth that everything we do may result in honor and in the establishment of justice and brotherhood. We are well aware that we live in troubled times. We will not solve the problems overnight, produced from years and generations of misunderstandings and injustices - both here at home and throughout our earth. But we pray that You will give us the wisdom to learn that great achievements are done by taking tiny steps that we can begin. With Your help we can make this a better state, a better nation, a better world for all of Your children. May the spirit of Your love and abiding peace be in us and remain with us forevermore. Amen."
"Will be led in the Pledge of Allegiance by Representative Ropp."
"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 83RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 87th Legislative Day November 3, 1983 Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
"Roll Call for Attendance. Let's dump this Roll Call and take another Roll Call. Roll Call for Attendance. 115 Members answering the Roll Call, a quorum is present. Representative Greiman."
"Yes, Mr. Speaker, let the record show that Representative Yourell is excused. Representative Yourell has an illness in his family. His wife was taken ill, but we got a report that she seems to be getting along fairly well and is comfortable. But he has... he will be excused. Let the record so show."
"Thank you. Representative Hastert, do you know if there are any excused absences? Representative Barnes."
"I believe Representative Ewing and Representative Harris have excused absences today."
"Thank you. Representative Greiman in the Chair."
"On the Order of Amendatory Veto Motions, on page four of the Calendar, appears Senate Bill 151. The Gentleman from Macon, Representative Tate. Out of the record. On the Order of Amendatory Veto Motions, the Gentleman from Will... appears Senate Bill 488, Mr. Van Duyne. Out of the record. 448. The Gentleman from McHenry is not here. Alright. On the Order of Amendatory Veto Motions appears Senate Bill 942. Alright. Out of the record. On the Order of Amendatory Veto Motions appears Senate Bill 1001. The Gentleman from Cook, Mr. Rhem. Out of the record. On the Order of Concurrence, on page two of the Calendar, appears House Bill 695. The Gentleman from Macon, Mr. Dunn."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. This is a Bill which would provide for the 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 83RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 87th Legislative Day November 3, 1983 subsidies for the downstate mass transit systems. This Bill previously passed the House. It was amended in the Senate, came back here for concurrence and was held by agreement until such time as the RTA Bill passed in the Senate. It's been approved by Leadership on both sides of the aisle, and I know of no one who's opposed, and I would urge a favorable vote."
"Gentleman moves that the House do concur with Senate Amendment #1 to House Bill 695. And on that, is there any discussion? Gentleman from Cook, Mr. Giglio."
"... yield? Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Indicates that he will yield."
"Representative Dunn, how much money... how much money is involved here?"
"1.6 million."
"One point six. Is that for all the transit units in the State of Illinois?"
"That's for the.. the downstate mass transit units."
"What is it... What is it... Is that some of that operating costs that..."
"This is an operating subsidy, yes, which has been in place for... for years and years. It's a subsidy much, much smaller in scope but similar, of course, to the RTA subsidy."
"How long... This will continue from what... what's been happening to the downstate transit systems, right?"
"Mr. Speaker, can we take this Bill out of the record for a moment, please?"
"Yes. Alright. This Bill will be out of the record. Alright. We'll return to a Bill that we called a minute or two ago. On the Order of Amendatory Veto Motions, on page four of the Calendar, appears Senate Bill 448. The Gentleman from Will... Out of the record. We're 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 83RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 87th Legislative Day November 3, 1983 desperate here looking for business. Yes, the Gentleman from Will, Mr. Van Duyne."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker."
"For what purpose do you seek recognition?"
"Well, you said you were desperate looking for business, and on the Calendar somewhere there's... there's a House Resolution sponsored by myself."
"Probably not that desperate, Mr. Van Duyne."
"You're not?"
"The Gentleman from Marion, Mr. Friedrich, for what purpose do you seek recognition, Sir?"
"Mr. Speaker, on a point of personal privilege."
"Proceed, Mr..."
"I... I would not impose this on the House if we were burdened with a lot of work. But I don't know how many of you heard the ceremony in Dover when the Marines were brought back and they... it was a military affair, of course, in recognition of those men who had lost their lives. But I thought the remarks by the Chaplain were really pertinent and timely, and they've been on my mind ever since. But the jest of it was when we cease to be the land of the brave, we will cease to be the land of the free. And I think that has a real message to all of us, because I think we have become a nation of people who, 'Well, let George do it,' and go on and on. And I think we need people who will stand up and so on. And that's one of the weaknesses of this country. So I just want to point out that those men have made that sacrifice. This is not, and I'm not trying to make a memorial to them at all; but, I just want to point out again if it hadn't been for a lot of brave men throughout history, we wouldn't be here today."
"Agreed Resolutions." 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 83RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 87th Legislative Day November 3, 1983
"House Resolution 564, Rea; 566, Hoffman; 569, Yourell... 564 you don't have? Pull 564. Starting over. 566, Hoffman; 569, Yourell; 570, Panayotovich; 572, Cullerton; 573, Matijevich; 574, Currie; 575, Currie; 577, Johnson; 578, Jane Barnes; 579, Giorgi; 580, Slape; 584, McMaster; 586, Jane Barnes; 587, Topinka. Senate Joint Resolution 66, Greiman; 72, Mulcahey. House Joint Resolutions 98, DiPrima; 99, DiPrima; 100, DiPrima; 101, DiPrima; 102, DiPrima; 103, DiPrima."
"On the Agreed Resolutions the Gentleman from Winnebago, Representative Giorgi."
"Mr. Speaker, Hoffman's 566 tells us about a continued school board membership of 56 years; Yourell awards as Eagle Scout with 569; and 570, Panayotovich notes a 100th anniversary of a church; Cullerton's 572 celebrates a 25th in the priesthood; Matijevich's announces a retirement; Currie heralds a Noble Prize winner; 575 by Currie lauds the accomplishment of a Gerald and Marilyn Laros; 577 by Johnson - Brummer retells the last Saturday's Illinois Illini victory; 578 by Barnes notes another longevity; Giorgi recalls a celebration in 579; 580 tells of a Hall of Fame inductee; 584 is another Eagle Scout award; 586 will be honored by Jane Barnes, talks about the glorious 'Martinique' Restaurant; 587 by Topinka tells about the 75th birthday of one of her constituents. Senate Joint Resolution by Greiman honors the American Legion Auxiliary Department with their Illinois girls state program; Mulcahey's Senate Joint 72 asks for an extension of a reporting date to January 9, 1985. And DiPrima's series of Resolutions notes the new leaders of the veterans groups throughout the country. 98 by DiPrima tells of a new auxiliary leader for the American Legion; new president of the... National President of the AMVETS in 99; he snuck one 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 83RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 87th Legislative Day November 3, 1983 in here for a 100, centenarian - House Resolution 100; 101 by DiPrima honors the great Mazzini-Verdi Club, which is known to just a few of us; 102, by Wendell - he's National Commander of the Military of the Purple Heart; and, 103, by DiPrima, has a new leader of the American Legion. I move for the adoption of all those ponderous Agreed Resolutions."
"The Gentleman from Winnebago has moved for the adoption of the Agreed House Resolutions and Senate Joint Resolutions and House Joint Resolutions. All those in favor signify by saying 'aye', those opposed 'no'. The 'ayes' have it, and the Resolutions are adopted. General Resolutions."
"House Resolution 564, Rea; and House Resolution 583, Bowman."
"Committee on Assignment. Death Resolutions."
"House Resolution 568 with respect... Rice - Shaw, with respect to the memory of Mrs. Muriel Jones; House Resolution 571, Brookins, with respect to the memory of Mildred Chapman; House Resolution 576, Younge, with respect to the memory of Mrs... Mr. Selma Walters (sic - Waters); House Resolution 581 - Madigan, with respect to the memory of George Halas, Sr.; House Resolution 585, Levin, with respect to the memory of Marcella Ringwald Volini; House Joint Resolution 104, Bullock, with respect to the memory of George Halas, Sr."
"Representative Giorgi has moved for the adoption of the Death Resolutions. All in favor signify by saying 'aye', those opposed 'no'. And the 'ayes' have it, and the Death Resolutions are adopted. For what purpose does the Gentleman from Cook, Mr. Leverenz, seek recognition?"
"Are you desperately searching around for something to 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 83RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 87th Legislative Day November 3, 1983 do yet?"
"No. I'm reasonably comfortable, Mr. Leverenz. Thank you. Alright. The House will return to Session. On the Order of Concurrence, on page two of the Calendar, appears House Bill 695. And on that, the Gentleman from Macon, Mr. Dunn."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. House Bill 695, as I indicated earlier, passed the House last Spring and was amended in the Senate and is back here on concurrence. This Bill has, as a matter of fact, been held to see what happened to the RTA subsidy. And, since that passed, the Leadership in both chambers and both sides of the aisle has indicated support for this Bill. And what this Bill will do is provide for the subsidies for the downstate mass transit system which are bus systems in most of the larger communities in downstate Illinois. It will increase the level of operating expenses subsidy from 33 1/3 percent to 40 percent. The total cost of this package is 1.6 million dollars, and I'd be happy to answer any questions and would ask for a favorable Roll Call."
"The Gentleman moves that the House concur in Senate Amendment #1 to House Bill 695. And on that, is there any discussion? The Gentleman from Cook, Mr. Leverenz."
"Gentleman yield?"
"He indicates he will."
"Could you explain the formula for this state subsidy?"
"Yes, I can."
"Would you then do that?"
"Well, I was being a little bit... It's a difficult formula to grasp, and what this means is that in each of the downstate mass transit subsidy areas, there are ten, or twelve or fourteen of them..." 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 83RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 87th Legislative Day November 3, 1983
"How many are there?"
"Well, if you take a minute, I'll... Fourteen, I guess. Two thirty-seconds of the sales tax collected in that region will be allocated for mass transit purposes, and the mass transit system within that area will be entitled to receive 40 percent of its operating costs as a subsidy if that 40 percent is less than the amount of sales tax... less than 2/32 of the sales tax collected in that area so that the... But if the 40 percent is greater than the 2/32, then the subsidy will be limited to the 2/32, and then there is yet another consideration, and that is, that any excess collected from areas where the subsidy is less than the 2/32 will be put into a larger pot. And if your operating expenses exceed 40 percent... or exceed 2/32, you may be able to recover up to the 40 percent from the larger pot if there's any money in it. And then when all that is over with, if there's any money left, it's transferred into the General Revenue Fund."
"Could you explain or give us a... your best guess, as it has been perhaps then in the last year or two, the amount or percentage of subsidy as compared to the fare box income for those..."
"I don't have those figures here. It varies from system to system; but, if you are alluding to the comparison between that and the mass transit system in the City of Chicago, I think the subsidy from the fare... Well, the subsidy from the fare box is less than it is in the Chicago area, if that's what you're after."
"The subsidy from the fare box... or the fare box income, as a percentage to the total, would then be less than it would be for the CTA operating in the City of Chicago?"
"I... I think that is correct, and it should be pointed out 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 83RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 87th Legislative Day November 3, 1983 at this point that until 1979, if I recall correctly, the... the CTA was subsidized to the tune of 3/32 of the sales tax collected in the RTA region. And that was voluntarily negotiated out by the... by those who were interested in that matter from the Chicago metropolitan area."
"Well, I'm also interested..."
"We're asking for 2/32 here."
"... in the suburban bus, as my district is all suburban, and apparently we are required to bring in 50 percent of the operating expense from the fare box. And I see that the downstate carriers do not have to do that yet. Would you give us an idea of what the fares are on the buses in Decatur? What does it cost for a ride?"
"At most places downstate it's about 50 cents."
"What is it in Decatur?"
"I think 50 cents. I don't ride the bus. I walk or ride a bicycle. So, I really don't know. And as a former city councilman, I was given a lifetime free pass to ride the bus systems and never have tried to use it."
"Do you know what the fare to ride the bus is here in the City of Springfield?"
"No, I don't, and I've never had occasion to ride the bus here in Springfield."
"Well, I found it interesting, I guess, a few weeks or months back there was a big campaign that they were going up to 50 cents. In the City of Chicago, it costs 90 cents just to get on a bus. Do you know the ridership figures for these fourteen downstate carriers? Do you have any best guess as to the total ridership for this state subsidy?"
"I don't have the total figures, but I know that it would be nothing in comparison with the figures in the 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 83RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 87th Legislative Day November 3, 1983 metropolitan area. Of course, the subsidy we're asking for is nothing in comparison to the 75 million dollars that was voted out yesterday either."
"Thank you."
"Have you concluded, Mr. Leverenz?"
"Turn me off."
"Further discussion? The Gentleman from Champaign, Mr. Johnson."
"When we're making comparisons between the systems which I think, you know, is appropriate to do, I think there's another comparison that people who think that we're being one-sided ought to... ought to make and that is, that at least in the Champaign/Urbana mass transit district - and I assume the same thing is true with other downstate districts - every owner of real estate, every homeowner not only in the twin cities, but in the entire mass transit district area has a portion of their real estate property tax bill, a specific assessment set up and specific payments made every year based on the assessment of their house to support a mass transit system. And that isn't the case in Chicago. It isn't the case in the RTA area, and I would suggest that for people who think it's too unfair one way or the other, that that's something we're doing to support our own system."
"The Gentleman from Peoria, Mr. Tuerk."
"Mr. Speaker, Members of the House, I was about to comment on what the previous Gentleman just said and that is, there is a tax on real estate. In Peoria, for example, we pay 6.6 cents per hundred for mass transit, which helps subsidize the transit district. And, of course, with what the state subsidy grants in addition to the fare box, it helps to underwrite the cost. We're still operating at a deficit. This increase will help us maintain our service 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 83RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 87th Legislative Day November 3, 1983 which is a vital service to the Peoria area, not only the city and the county, but also it crosses county lines and services Tazewell and, I believe, parts of Woodford, but I'm not sure of that. But at any rate, it is a good bargain for the people in the area in addition to the real estate tax that they pay to help underwrite the cost. This state subsidy plus the fare box is of vital concern, and I stand in support of the Bill and hope that the rest of the Members do, also."
"The Gentleman from Will, Mr. Davis."
"Yes, Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Gentleman's Bill. I think Representative Dunn and Representative Hawkinson bring you a very good concept. We're working out all the problems of upstate mass transit, downstate roads and downstate mass transit. I stand in support, and I urge my colleagues on this side of the aisle from the suburban areas and, for that matter, on the other side and from Chicago to support Representative Dunn's good Bill here and to vote 'yes' on 695."
"Gentleman from Winnebago, Mr. Giorgi."
"Mr. Speaker, I am, naturally, from Rockford, the second largest city with the second largest mass transit district. We've got the same problems on a miniature scale that the CTA and the RTA has. We've had the same problems. Our federal subsidies have been cut for the downstate mass transit districts. We're trying to keep our services constant. We're having a never-ending fight. We're trying to keep fares reasonable, and the fare box downstate runs from 20 to 50 percent of the costs of maintaining the transit districts. We're plagued with the same high fuel costs and all the other problems attending the major transit districts of Chicago. We want you to understand that this is not a giveaway. This is just our fair share 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 83RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 87th Legislative Day November 3, 1983 of trying to maintain industrial money in the downstate areas. We have to bring these people to work in the morning. They have to be... They're viable to our economy, and we need a viable mass transit district. And I urge your support of this Bill."
"Gentleman from Knox, Mr. Hawkinson. Mr. Hawkinson."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, also, rise in support of this good Bill by Representative Dunn. I'm a Chief Cosponsor of this legislation, and I won't repeat the many reasons stated by the previous speakers why we in downstate need this kind of equitable treatment. But I would urge a favorable vote by all the Members on both sides of the aisle. I believe this is just equitable treatment of the downstate transit systems. It's something that our systems certainly need in order to provide the vital service to the many people who rely on our buses to get to work and to get to the hospitals, and the doctors and the other things that they use them for."
"The Gentleman from Cook, Mr. Marzuki."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. I intend to support John Dunn on this Bill, even though it has been a long time since we in the six-county area have gotten operating funds from this General Assembly. We have what is known as a high fare box cost along with special taxes to pay for this system. I think it's very important to the economic well being of the State of Illinois to have a statewide transportation system that includes mass transit and highways. I would hope that this General Assembly will from this day forward treat all mass transit districts as equals at the fare box and with subsidy. I want to thank those people who came through for the RTA, and I certainly intend to support the downstate 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 83RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 87th Legislative Day November 3, 1983 mass transit districts in the same way."
"The Gentleman from Cook, Mr. Piel."
"I move the previous question, Mr. Speaker."
"Well, we have just a couple more. We have... You want to hold it just a minute or so? You don't want to hold it a minute or so. Alright. The Gentleman from Cook, Mr. Piel, has moved the previous question. All those in favor signify by saying 'aye', those opposed. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. So, Mr. Dunn, the Gentleman from Macon, to close."
"Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. I just would ask for a favorable Roll Call on this good Bill for all of us around downstate Illinois. It's just a little bit of help to help us keep our bus systems running in these difficult economic times, and I would certainly appreciate an 'aye' vote."
"The question is, 'Shall the House concur in Senate Amendment #1 to House Bill 695?' All those in favor signify by voting 'aye', those opposed vote 'no'. Voting is now open. Representative Van Duyne, the Gentleman from Will, to explain his vote."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It's always a pleasure to see the way you guarantee our rights on this side of the aisle when they come to the question, but..."
"Thank you for the nice compliment."
"In explanation of my vote, Mr. Speaker, I asked Representative Giorgi, I've asked Representative Dunn, and I asked the staff, and they assured me that if Will County does choose to opt out by referendum of the RTA region, that we would be ... come under the umbrella of this subsidy also. And I just wanted this to get on the record. Thank you."
"Thank you. Have all voted who wish? Have all 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 83RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 87th Legislative Day November 3, 1983 voted who wish? Mr. Clerk... Yes, Mr. Brookins, to explain his vote. One minute."
"Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just wanted to let the downstaters know that we're from Chicago... just a little bigger than they are. We don't have to demand three pints of blood to go along with them. So, we're... We're with you on this one."
"The Gentleman from Winnebago, Mr. Hallock."
"Yes, with respects to Mr. Piel, my colleague, I'd like to explain my vote. This Session we addressed mass transit for Chicago and for the RTA region. We addressed the downstate road program. We have yet to address the mass transit for downstate urban areas. This is a key element of the overall package. It's very good for my district, and I urge an 'aye' vote. Thank you very much."
"Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this Motion, there are 103 voting 'yes', 8 voting 'no', 1 voting 'present', and the House does concur in Senate Amendment #1 to House Bill 695, there being a Constitutional Majority. On the Order of Constitutional Amendments, Second Reading, on page two of the Calendar, appears House Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 2. Mr. Clerk, are there any Amendments?"
"No further Amendments."
"Third Reading. So, Mr. Clerk, read the Resolution. Let the record show that House Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 2 has been read a second time. Mr. Clerk, read it a third time."
"House Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment #2. Resolved, by the House of Representatives of the 83rd General Assembly of the State of Illinois, the Senate concurring herein, that there shall be submitted to the 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 83RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 87th Legislative Day November 3, 1983 electors of the state for adoption or rejection at the general election next occurring at least six months after the adoption of this Resolution, a proposition to amend Section 6 of Article IX of the Constitution to read as follows: Article IX. Section 6. Exemptions from property taxation. The General Assembly by law may exempt from taxation only the property of the State, units of local government and school districts and property used exclusively for veterans' organizations, agricultural and horticultural societies, and for school, patriotic, religious, cemetery and charitable purposes. The General Assembly by law may grant homestead exemptions or rent credits. Schedule. This Constitutional Amendment shall take effect upon adoption by the electors of this state. Third Reading of this Constitutional Amendment."
"The Representative from Cook, Mr. DiPrima."
"Yes, Sir, thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. House Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment #2 is exactly what the... the Calendar explains. It purposes to amend Section 6 of Article IX of the State Constitution relating to property taxation. Now just about 90 Members of this Body are Cosponsors of this piece of legislation. And what it will do after it's put on the ballot next year and should it pass... Get the colors. Get the colors. Pick up that flag. Well anyway, now, I guess we've got about 17 posts throughout the state, you know, be it AMVETS, Disabled American Veterans, Legion or VFW post, they pay a tax on their property. Well, years ago when they had the slot machines, they were able to overcome anything of that nature. Today they're all on the verge of bankruptcy, and in the little towns, I guess these posts are the main place of congregation. And so what this will do will be... remove the tax from the veteran 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 83RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 87th Legislative Day November 3, 1983 organization club rooms. And like I said, 90% of the Members of this Body are Cosponsors, and I would appreciate an affirmative vote. If there's any questions, I'll be happy to answer them. All the veteran organizations in the state, incidentally, are behind this as... 100%."
"The Gentleman from Cook has moved for the... for passage of House Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 2. And on that, is there any discussion? The Gentleman from Cook, Mr. Jaffe."
"Would the Gentleman yield for a question? Larry, we... we put this on the ballot several years back, did we not?"
"Yes. We passed it eight years ago or ten years ago, but at the time I told... it was House Joint Resolution #29, and the veterans organizations put out the literature in that fashion but see..."
"Well, but let me ask you this. We put it on the ballot last time. All the newspapers in the state really came out against it. It was defeated overwhelmingly. Why should we do it again?"
"The posts are all after me to put... get this thing passed."
"Well, I know, but, you know, it seems to me that it makes the Legislature look a little bit silly when we pass out Constitutional Amendments - all the media comes out against it - it gets defeated overwhelmingly by the public, and then we put it on the ballot again. I mean, do what you want to do, but I think it's silly for us to vote for it."
"Well, we passed it out last Session, but by the time it got to the Senate, we were five days too late. This has to pass before the six months... six months before the election."
"Further discussion? The Gentleman from Cook, Mr. Cullerton." 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 83RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 87th Legislative Day November 3, 1983
"Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. I would rise in support of the Gentleman's Amendment. I think it would be good to read to the Members of the General Assembly the current Article IX of the Constitution, Section 6, indicating exemptions from personal... from property taxation. 'The General Assembly by law may exempt from taxation only the property of the state, units of local government and school districts and property used exclusively for agricultural and horticultural societies and for school, religious, cemeteries or charitable purposes. The General Assembly by law may grant homestead exemptions or rent credits.' What this Constitutional Amendment would do would be to add veterans' organizations and patriotic purposes. I think that when you look and become aware of the fact that we now have agricultural and horticultural societies as eligible for exemption from property taxation that it is certainly appropriate that we would add veterans' organizations. The fact that the matter was on the ballot eight years ago and was defeated is of no consequence to me. The General Assembly passed the provision back then so that the voters could make their decision. The same thing would happen again now, and I think that we should support this Constitutional Amendment and let the people decide one more time. So for that reason, I rise in support and ask for an 'aye' vote."
"Further discussion? The Gentleman from Champaign, Mr. Johnson."
"Just... Just a question. I'm... I'm not trying to defeat the Bill or pass the Bill, either one.
"Gentleman indicates he'll yield for questions."
"In a fairly recent addition of the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, there's a report on, I think, a Supreme Court 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 83RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 87th Legislative Day November 3, 1983 decision having to do with various forms of exemptions - came... came out of Champaign County, somebody versus 'McKenzie' or something of that sort. And I... Does... Does this Amendment try... Constitutional Amendment seek to overcome the effect of that 'McKenzie' decision or how does that recent decision jive with Constitutional Amendment?"
"Just vote for the Bill. Don't give me that garbage. I want to see if you're a Cosponsor."
"I should know better than to ask. I've met my match. I don't even think I want you to answer the question. But I'm serious. There is a recent Illinois Supreme Court decision."
"Forget about it. Just vote for the Bill."
"Mr. Johnson, is that your response? Do you wish to... Thank you, Sir. Further discussion? The Lady from Marshall, Mrs. Koehler."
"Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. To expand upon the previous remarks of Representative Johnson and Representative DiPrima, the case coming out of Champaign County had to do with the tax exempt status of church parsonages. And the Supreme Court reaffirmed the tax exempt status of church parsonages with regard to those that are in close proximity to the churches. What I would like to ask, Representative DiPrima, is does this particular Constitutional Amendment affect churches, or church properties or church par... parsonages in any way?"
"Yes, Mr. DiPrima, you're on. Go ahead."
"No way. Incidently, you're a Cosponsor, Representative Koehler."
"Well, thank you, Representative DiPrima. I appreciate you reminding me of that, and I appreciate your answer in saying that it does not affect the church properties in any 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 83RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 87th Legislative Day November 3, 1983 way. Does it affect anything other than the veterans' organization buildings... property?"
"No."
"Thank you very much."
"The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Levin."
"Would the Gentleman yield for a question?"
"Indicates he will."
"Representative, it's my recollection that one of the stumbling blocks with the Constitutional Amendment eight years ago was that it was limited to congressionally chartered veterans' organizations. Does this Constitutional Amendment have that same limitation?"
"Right."
"So that it was not applied to the Jewish War Veterans, the Italian War Veterans and various other ethnic groups. It would only apply to the congressionally chartered. And why did you not include these other war veterans' groups? I think they're just as patriotic."
"Them other organizations ain't got that kind of money to afford a post. You know, the Legion, the V.F.W., the Disabled American Veterans and the AMVETS all have a little more money than they had in the days when they had the slot machines and they built these big buildings. But now Congressman Annunzio is getting to the point where he's having these... all these other smaller veteran organizations become recognized by the Congress, and they'll come under that banner when they're... when they pass the Congress, you know, when the legislation passes the Congress."
"What... What groups is he planning on including that are not, currently, included as congressionally chartered?"
"Well, Jesus... The '40 and 8', the Legion - that's the subsidiary of the American Legion, the Daughters of the 19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 83RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 87th Legislative Day November 3, 1983 American Revolution, I can't... I ain't got the list in front of me, but other... smaller organizations, you know."
"Well, Larry, why can't... why can't..."
"Polish American Veterans."
"Okay."
"Well, like I say, Congressman Annunzio is putting in Reso... a Resolution to make these all become recognized by the Congress."
"But why can't this... this thing be amended now to include these groups? We don't know what the Congress is going to do, and I think these other groups are just a valid and just as patriotic. And they, you know, should be included."
"No. This is the best way to go with it. Then, you know, when Congress recognizes the other lesser veteran organiza... not lesser - they're all good veteran organizations - the only thing is they're smaller ones, but I'm sure that the Congress is going to pass laws that have them recognized along with the Legion, the V.F.W. and the rest of them."
"Because that's something that bothered me before. And, you know, if it were amended to include the other groups, I could... I could certainly support it. But limited as it is right now, I, you know, I don't think it includes everybody that should be included."
"Well, right now, you know, I got to go with the time. I had... Last Session, I had it in the Senate and I was five days too late. At this time, I want to go ahead and move fast with it so I'll have it passed on in the Senate before the six month period."
"Further discussion? The Lady from DuPage, Ms. Cowlishaw."
"Mr. Speaker, would the Sponsor yield for a question?" 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 83RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 87th Legislative Day November 3, 1983
"He indicates he will."
"Representative, I want to make sure that I understand what you just said regarding the Daughters of the American Revolution. If that group owns any property within the State of Illinois, would it be exempt or possibly be exempt from property taxes should this Constitutional Amendment be adopted?"
"I've handled a lot of legislation for the Daughters of the American Revolution. As a matter of fact, in the library in Chicago, they have a special area set aside for them, and I've always watched closely over that to make sure that they don't forget the Daughters of the American Revolution."
"Perhaps my question wasn't clear."
"Well, no. At the present time..."
"Does this Constitutional Amendment apply to the Daughters of the American Revolution?"
"Not at the present."
"Thank you very much. My sisters in the DAR will be relieved."
"Further discussion? The Gentleman from Cook... The Gentleman from McLean, Mr. Ropp. I'm sorry."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Would the Sponsor yield?"
"Indicates that he will."
"Representative DiPrima, before you tell me that I'm also a hyphenated or a Cosponsor, two questions. How many posts currently under this provision throughout the State of Illinois does this cover?"
"Lots... How many organ... How many posts?"
"Yes, Sir."
"About 17."
"Seventeen. Can you give an estimated tax loss as a result of this?" 21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 83RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 87th Legislative Day November 3, 1983
"It's a paltry sum, maybe half a million, maybe a million dollars."
"Very good. Thank you."
"You're a... You're a Cosponsor. Quit asking me all them questions."
"Well, I think it's pretty good. The point is on your behalf here, it's not an awful lot of money."
"That's right."
"Thank you."
"Further discussion? The Gentleman from Cook, Mr. Vitek."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move the previous question."
"The Gentleman moves the previous question. All those in favor signify by saying 'aye', those opposed 'no'. The 'ayes' have it, and the previous question will be put. Mr. DiPrima to close."
"Well, I think we've had enough dialogue on this piece of legislation. I just want you to know that the veteran organizations are with it to a man, and this will be the last time I'll be confronting you with any veterans' legislation until next year. So let's hoist the banners and go gung ho."
"The question is, 'Shall House Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 2 pass?' All those in favor signify by voting 'aye', those opposed vote 'nay'. Representative Topinka to explain her vote. 71 votes to pass. Representative Topinka to explain your vote."
"Since I couldn't say anything during... the discussion was cut off before I could ask one question. I would like to just phrase this in such a way as I vote here, that I would like it on the record and hope that the Sponsor would maybe verify for my mind that if, for instance, a post would own a piece of investment property - let's say 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS 83RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 87th Legislative Day November 3, 1983 something like a gas station or something of this nature - and put a flag up on it, this would not necessarily justify it as a veterans' home or a veterans' property here being used for a patriotic purpose. Would that be correct?"
"Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this Amendment, there are 95 voting 'aye', 9 voting 'no', none voting 'present', and this... Mr. McCracken votes 'aye'. Yes, Mr. Brunsvold 'aye'. Ms. Didrickson 'aye'. Yes, Mr. Ryder, 'aye'. Hastert votes 'aye'. Ms. Breslin votes 'aye'. Breslin votes 'aye'. Yes. Ms. Nelson votes 'aye'. Ms. Nelson, you were voting 'no'. You'll go from 'no' to 'aye'. Is that right? Alright. Mr. Kirkland, the Gentleman from Kane, goes from 'no' to 'aye'. Have we got about everybody in? Mr. Clerk. Mr. Levin. Vote Mr. Levin 'present'. A profile in courage. Mrs. Younge. Mrs. Younge votes 'aye'. Alright. I think we're going to dump this Roll Call, Mr. Clerk. The question is, 'Shall House joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 2 pass?' All those in favor signify by voting 'aye', those opposed vote 'no'. Voting is now open. 71 votes to pass. Now, have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this Constitutional Amendment, there are 105 voting 'aye', 5 voting 'no', 2 voting 'present', and this Amendment, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Mr. DiPrima, for what purpose do you rise?"
"Well, on... on behalf of all the veteran organizations in the state, I'm deeply grateful to all of you, and I have a veterans' day speech for any of you that care to have one. If you're invited to make a speech at some veteran organization doings this November 11th, can make copies of this speech I have here. Thank you. Thank you." 23 STATE OF ILLINOIS 83RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 87th Legislative Day November 3, 1983
"On the Order of Conference Committee Reports on page three of the Calendar. Yes, for what purpose does the Gentleman from Peoria, Mr. Tuerk, arise... seek recognition?"
"Well, Mr. Speaker, Members of the House, about 15 - 20 minutes ago during the discussion on the mass transit district, I mentioned the fact that Peoria taxes its residents 6.6 cents a 100 on real estate. I was in error. I did a little research during the interim and instead of 6.6 in 1982, it was 12 cents a 100. So, I just wanted to make that part of the record, and so that the other Members of the House would know that we're helping to underride the cost of our expenses back home."
"Thank you for that information. The Gentleman from Cook, Mr. Piel, for what purpose do you seek recognition?"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A question of the Chair. We've... We're right not getting ready to start on our third Bill, and we... we hit one on Concurrence. And there was three, and we only hit one Bill. Representative Currie, Representative Nelson, didn't have a chance to have theirs heard, and then we went to Constitutional Amendments. And we only hit one out of the five on there, and now we're going to Conference Committee Reports. What are we going to do? Jump all over the Calendar all day or are we going to stick on one Order of Business?"
"Because the Chair has the right under the rules to do that, Sir."
"I realize that."
"Conference Committee Reports page three. On the Order of Conference Committee Report page three appears House Bill 320, Representative Brunsvold."
"House Bill 320, as it was first initiated, amends the 24 STATE OF ILLINOIS 83RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 87th Legislative Day November 3, 1983 School Code. It requires school boards to allow employees to review and duplicate materials in their personnel files. That Bill passed both Houses. In the Senate, it was amended with Senate Amendment #1, excuse me, Amendment #2, which is the adult education formula and that was not agreed upon at that time. And it was put into the First Conference Committee. The First Conference Committee was not, again, agreed upon. It went into Second Conference Committee, and with that, I'll yield to Representative Stuffle for the details of that Second Conference Committee."
"Mr. Stuffle."
"Mr. Speaker, Members of the House, the Conference Committee Report #2 on House Bill 320 now contains the agreed upon formula for funding adult education for this fiscal year and those fiscal years through 1990. We had disagreement as to the method of applying the formula for adult ed, frankly, between three entities: the Board of Higher Education, the Community College Board and the community school district based adult ed programs. We now have uniform agreement as to a formula that will place a new rate into the statute that applies, not only to community college adult ed but to those adult ed community based programs in the public sector through the school districts. The program would have a three-tiered formula, much what we're use to already. I won't go into all the details unless someone wants. We simply provide for a basic adult ed waiting, a vocational skill waiting and an adult secondary program waiting, and we subtract from the community college rate the amount of money that they already receive per credit hour. There's no opposition now to this formula. It will cost no more money. The money that's appropriated is far sufficient to take care of this 25 STATE OF ILLINOIS 83RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 87th Legislative Day November 3, 1983 particular formula. But what it will do is prevent the closure, the definite closure at this point, as I indicated would happen last June, of some two dozen programs in Illinois in the public sector. I would now move you that we adopt the Second Conference Committee Report that is agreed to by all parties mentioned here today, and I'd ask for your affirmative vote and be glad to answer any questions."
"The Gentleman from Vermilion has moved that we... that the House do adopt the Second Conference Committee Report to House Bill 320. And on that, is there any discussion? The Lady from DuPage, Ms. Nelson."
"Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, Members of the House. I would urge you to vote 'yes' with Representative Stuffle on this Conference Committee Report on House Bill 320. That is supported by the State Board of Education, by the Board of Higher Education and by the Community College Board."
"The Gentleman from DuPage, Mr. Hoffman. Out of the... Mr. Hoffman.."
"It's already been said."
"Ms. Pullen, you were seeking recognition? Further discussion? There being none, the question is, 'Shall the House adopt Conference Committee Report #2 to House Bill 320?' And on that, all those in favor signify by voting 'aye', those opposed vote 'no'. 71 votes required. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this Bill, there are 115 voting 'aye', none voting 'no', none voting 'present', and the House does adopt... the Second Conference Committee Report to House Bill 320. And the Bill is hereby declared passed. On the Order of Conference Committee Reports appears House Bill 1205. Well, we'll take that out of the 26 STATE OF ILLINOIS 83RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 87th Legislative Day November 3, 1983 record for a moment. Alright, we'll take that out of the record for a moment and go on. On the Order of Conference Committee Reports appears Senate Bill 25. We take that out of the record, Mr. Levin. On the Order of Conference Committee Reports appears Senate Bill 668, Mr. Hicks."
"Yes, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House, I would move to accept the... Second Conference Committee Report on Senate Bill 668. Senate Bill 668 is the Bill that affects six counties with their assessed valuation for the school districts, and it simply allows those school districts to come up and fall under the appropriation that's already in place for them."
"The Gentleman from Jefferson has moved that the House do adopt Conference Committee #2 to Senate Bill 668. And on that, is there any discussion? The Lady from DuPage, Ms. Nelson."
"Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, Members of the House. I would urge you to vote 'yes' on this Second Conference Committee Report on Senate Bill 668. Under our current school aid formula, school districts must reach a qualifying rate, and yet every year there are some very few small districts who are not able to do that. And every year we pass what is in the form of a kind of a supplemental to allow them to do this. The appropriation has already gone through, and I would urge a 'yes' vote."
"Further discussion? There being none, the question is, 'Shall the House adopt Conference Committee #2 to Senate Bill 668?' And on that, all those in favor signify by voting 'aye', those opposed vote 'no'. Voting is now open. 71 votes. Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this Bill, there are 113 voting 'aye', none voting 'no', 1 voting 'present', and the House does adopt Conference Committee Report #2 to Senate Bill 27 STATE OF ILLINOIS 83RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 87th Legislative Day November 3, 1983 668. And the Bill is hereby declared passed. Now, moving back, on the Order of Conference Committee Reports appears House Bill 1205. The Gentleman from Lee, Mr. Olson."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Would you take this out of the record for the moment please?"
"Thank you. Out of the record. On the Order of Amendatory Veto Motions on page four of the Calendar appears Senate Bill 1301. The Gentleman from Lee, Mr. Olson. Mr. DiPrima, for what purpose do you seek recognition?"
"Yes, I've got copies of that Veterans' Day speech for anybody that wants them. Thank you."
"Thank you, Mr. DiPrima. The Gentleman from Lee, Mr. Olson."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. Because of the illness in the family of Representative Yourell, I've been asked to handle Senate Bill 1301 for the Speaker. It puts us in a posture of being in an adversarial role and supportive, but we're just going to state it to you as it is. Senate Bill 1301, which is sponsored by the President of the Senate, originally provided for significantly expanded voter registration. And as the Bill came to us in the amendatory form by Governor Thompson, it has taken out the mandatory registration at Secretary of State, Public Aid and unemployment offices and has left in registration with labor units. The Governor provided a loose amendatory veto where he described a civic group but did not provide for a definition. And if you recall our conversation yesterday with the Speaker, we sought to put in place at least legislative intent which, by bipartisan agreement, we can either do through the Election Laws Commission or by legislation next year more readily define what a civic 28 STATE OF ILLINOIS 83RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 87th Legislative Day November 3, 1983 group is. So as a consequence, if we can get that into the record, we will be happy to entertain any questions on the subject."
"The Gentleman's moved to adopt... Alright. The Gentleman from Lee, Mr. Olson, has moved to accept the Governor's amendatory veto. And on that, is there any discussion? The Gentleman from Cook, Mr. Cullerton."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members of the House. In the amendatory veto, Representative, I have a question for Representative Olson. I hope..."
"The Gentleman indicates he'll yield."
"In the amendatory veto, the Governor added the term civic groups, and in an effort to... and yet he did not define civic groups. So in an effort to determine through the... legislative intent what we mean by a civic group, I wonder if you could indicate to us what you, as the Sponsor of the Bill, intend to... to mean? What is a civic group?"
"It would be our intention, Representative Cullerton, to state a specific figure membership wise, and we're thinking of the figure 5,000. And we are specifically looking to give some balance to this Bill, so that it would have an opportunity to include the League of Women Voters, the State Chamber of Commerce and its affiliates and Farm Bureau and its members. The affiliation together with the state group would give us those numbers. And by the same token, one of the expressed concerns that it would let in some knee jerk units for voter registration like the 'El Rookins' and so forth would be dealt out. So that is what our intention would be with regard to this proposal."
"Further questions, Mr. Cullerton?"
"No."
"Further discussion? The Gentleman from McLean, Mr. Ropp." 29 STATE OF ILLINOIS 83RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 87th Legislative Day November 3, 1983
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Would the Sponsor yield please?"
"He indicates he will yield for questions."
"Okay. Representative, just for further clarification of this whole concept, I'm wondering whether or not, let's say, for example, a Chamber of Commerce in a city, does this mean that on a daily basis any time during their working hours if I lived in that area I could come in and register?"
"Fine. Thank you very much. The question is, on a daily basis can you go to a Chamber of Commerce Office to register? Is that your question?"
"Yes."
"Alright. The... The intent of those people who are putting together these suggestions is that Chambers, Farm Bureaus and League of Women Voters during specified times set forth by the State Board of Elections and county clerks would have an opportunity to register."
"Well, I mean by those specifi... specified times, I'm sure that would... meaning after an election and so many days before an election. Is that the specified time you have reference to?"
"That is what our intention would be. There has nothing been written as yet."
"Okay. I'm wondering though, then, if I just walk in does this mean that a Chamber of Commerce in addition to maybe the receptionist's responsibility or maybe they'd have to hire or have a particular person on a full time basis do this, is this kind of a state mandate?"
"It's... It's not intended to be a mandate. It's intended to be permissive, and local county election authorities would have to make the appointments."
"Alright. Does this mean then there is a possibility that monies may have to be spent just to have a person on duty 30 STATE OF ILLINOIS 83RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 87th Legislative Day November 3, 1983 to register on a full time basis?"
"That is not the intention."
"I know that's not the intent, but I'm not sure that in... in all of these areas in order to provide this service someone is almost going to have to be available during the working hours to do this which is above their normal responsibility currently. Isn't that assumed to be correct?"
"Well, at... at this time Representative Ropp, we are merely placing this in the record for legislative intent. Nothing substantive has been offered and written, and what we are doing is to correct an inequity of this Bill which came out of the Senate 52 to 4 on, May 27th, with no provision for these other agencies to make registration. So, we could not give you a definitive answer."
"Okay. Thank you. Now to the Bill..."
"Proceed."
"I certainly totally support the idea that we need more people in Illinois and throughout this country to be registered to vote. It's always been my thinking, and I'm sure that of many others, that voting is a right and a privilege that all Americans and certainly all citizens in Illinois do possess. And it seemed like that at least in our area we have a very effective operation. In our county clerks office, they... they work hard. They are making available registrars almost anywhere that they want now. I think the main thrust of the whole question is, you have the right and the privilege to vote, that somewhere along the line, there has to be a responsibility that comes forth on behalf of the individual. And I think that responsibility certainly should be nothing less than at least being able to go to some place to register, rather than to have this silver spoon brought to them. And I'm 31 STATE OF ILLINOIS 83RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 87th Legislative Day November 3, 1983 going to be in opposition of this Bill, because I... I think people have and should assume a certain kind of a responsibility for the privilege and the right to vote."
"Thank you. Further discussion? There being none, Mr. Olson to close."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. I'll just reiterate a few of the things chronologically with Senate Bill 1301. It passed the Senate on May 27th, 52 to 4 vote without any provision for the other elements of the voting population of the State of Illinois to have an opportunity to register. It moved through the House here in June on a 67 to 49 vote, and we have no position on this side of the aisle relative to your acceptance of the amendatory veto or whatever your posture may be. And as a consequence, I will leave it at that."
"The question is, 'Shall the House accept the Governor's specific recommendations for change with respect to Senate Bill 1301 by the adoption of the Amendment. All those in favor signify by voting 'aye', those opposed vote 'no'. Voting is now open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this Motion, there are 76 voting 'aye', 31 voting 'no', 2 voting 'present', and this Motion, having received the Constitutional Majority, prevails. And the House does accept the Governor's specific recommendations for change regarding Senate Bill 1301 by the adoption of the Amendment. We'll go back an pick up one that was taken out of the record. On Conference Committee Reports page three of the Calendar appears Senate Bill 25. And on that, Mr. Levin."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. I move that we adopt Conference Committee Report #1 to Senate Bill 25. This is the work sharing Bill, an 32 STATE OF ILLINOIS 83RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 87th Legislative Day November 3, 1983 agreed Bill between labor and management, that passed this House originally by a 111 to 1 vote. And it's directed at the following kind of a situation where an employer has invested a substantial amount of money in training an employee and there's not enough work to keep that employee going. Right now, that employer has to make a choice. Do they fully lay off that person and lose the investment and the training or keep that person on, even though they may not have the work. This provides a third option whereby by purely voluntary agreement between labor and management, that employee can be retained on a part-time basis and receive part-time unemployment compensation. Again, it's purely voluntary. The Bill requires the establishment of separate funds, separate from the normal unemployment comp funds. There would be a fund for the cost of administration, and it would be a substantive fund. There would be direct reimbursement by the participating employers. There is a 1988 Sunset date. Last spring, this Bill was put in Conference Committee to await word from the Federal Government as to the acceptability of the plan. We have heard from the Federal Government, and what we are purposing today is... is in accordance with federal law. There were a couple of technical changes that were made from the Bill that we had in the spring. There is a delayed effective date of July 1st, 1984 to give BES the opportunity to gear up. There is a requirement now for advanced funding as well. One final point and then I'm going to yield to Representative Olson. It is the intention of the Sponsors of this Bill that every employee who participates in a work sharing program shall have previously given written consent to participate in such a program. At this point, I'd like to yield to Representative Myron Olson." 33 STATE OF ILLINOIS 83RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 87th Legislative Day November 3, 1983
"The Gentleman from Lee, Mr. Olson. Mr. Levin, the Gentleman from Cook, has yielded to you, Sir."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. Senate Bill 25 has a genesis going back to the last General Assembly when a Bill was put in to look at this issue and wound up in Interim Study. And in March of 1982, at the request of a major manufacturer in my district, we picked up the subject again. Representative Fred Tuerk, who at that time was Chairman of the Labor and Commerce Committee, appointed me as Subcommittee Chairman to hold hearings in the State of Illinois. And we subsequently did that in Chicago, Springfield and Marion. The history of work sharing is of such nature that it goes back to 1920 in Europe and particularly in Germany where it's been utilized as a tool to reduce unemployment and provide for stability in the labor market. As late as 1975 in the economic turndown in Europe, it reduced unemployment in West Germany by about 17 percent and affected roughly 775,000 people. The entire NATO area, the European common market has this in some form. Canada went with this program about a year and half ago and have subsequently refunded it. And in the United State, California, Arizona and Oregan are currently in the program with very satisfactory results. We have a major Illinois industry, Motorola, who has in Arizona 11,000 employees in the program. And they reported during this current economic turndown, it served both employer and employee particularly well. In the State of Illinois, we have two other major employers who have expressed an interest in this option should it become law. I'm speaking of Caterpillar and John Deere, both of who have invited us, if it becomes to law, to come to them and give... some explanation of what the intention. It's basic benefits to codify it very simply means to the employer, the people who 34 STATE OF ILLINOIS 83RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 87th Legislative Day November 3, 1983 hire the people, in periods of economic turndown, it permits them to retain a stable work force without having to rehire and retrain. To the employee, whether they be collective bargaining agents or whether they be noncollective bargaining people, it permits them to retain some auxiliary benefits such as health and medical, perhaps retain their pension benefits. And the best effort of this all is the fact that in California where the program has been in service for about four years, there is a reported 86% satisfaction factor. Without stressing you at length, because we talked about this early in the year, I recommend your acceptance of Senate Bill Conference Report 25 (sic - Senate Bill 25 Conference Report 1) and report to you the good news that the Bureau of Employment Security has indicated a start up cost of about 18,000 dollars on a manual program. It's strickly voluntary, as Bepresentative Levin has indicated. Does not mandate anything. We expect the program to provide significant service to the state in the months and years to come. I'll be happy to accept any questions."
"The Gentleman from Lee has moved for the adoption of Conference Committee 1 to Senate Bill 25. And on that, is there any discussion? The Lady from Cook, Ms. Pullen. Mr. Klemm. Mr. Klemm, could you move out of the way? Thank you."
"I'd... I'd like to ask a question please. I'd like to ask a question."
"The Gentleman indicates he'll yield for a question."
"Is there anything..."
"Which... Which Gentleman did you want to question?"
"Well, I guess Mr. Olson, since Mr. Levin thinks he 35 STATE OF ILLINOIS 83RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 87th Legislative Day November 3, 1983 should be handling the Bill."
"Alright. Proceed."
"Is there anything in this Conference Committee Report or in the law that it amends that would state that the part-time unemployment insurance benefitees would not add to the experience factor of the employer in assessing his rate?"
"That's taken care of, and it will not. It's taken care of in the language of the Bill."
"Could you show me where that language is? I couldn't find it."
"Okay. One second please. Would you look at Section F please, Penny? Okay, Penny, page two... page three, Section F, 'except as otherwise provided by or inconsistent with this Section all provisions of this Act and authorized regulation apply to benefits under this Section'."
"I don't have the Bill. I have the Conference Committee Report, and you're referring to a page that I can't see. 'Except as otherwise provided by or inconsistent with this Section all provisions of this Act and authorized regulations apply to benefits under this Section.' I don't see that that says that this does not add to the experience factor in assessing a rate."
"It makes it self-contained, and it's not applicable under the... I don't have the total Labor Section Code with me. But we have spent about 18 months on this subject, and we have discussed the specifics of that at our hearings in the three sites around the state. And that was specifically exempt."
"When... When this Bill was up last spring, I asked one of the business groups about this particular matter, and he said, 'You know that was agreed to to begin with, but I think you're right that it's not in the Bill.' And I have 36 STATE OF ILLINOIS 83RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 87th Legislative Day November 3, 1983
"Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this Bill, there are 111 voting 'aye', none voting 'no', 2 voting 'present', and the House does adopt Conference Committee Report #1 to Senate Bill 25. And the Bill is hereby declared passed. Mr. Van Duyne 'aye' on that. Alright. Still on the Order of Conference Committee Reports on page three appears Conference Committee... appears House Bill 1205. And on that, Mr. Olson, the Gentleman from Lee."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. In behalf of the leader Sponsor, Representative Yourell, who can't be with us today, I'm going to handle House Bill 1205. It basically provides for two things. It's to take the Executive Director of the State Board of Elections and place him under the Personnel Code. And in addition to that, the Bill in the Senate offered an Amendment which would create the post of Assistant Executive Director of the State Board also under the provisions of the Personnel Code. And that Assistant Executive Director will administer the operations in staff of the Chicago Office. What you should know that the effect of the Conference... Report includes both the House and the Senate provisions. It adds an effective immediate date, and the compensation of those two posts is to be determined and eliminate the salary range. So, I would move for the adoption of the Conference Committee Report on House Bill 1205."
"The Gentleman from Lee moves to adopt the First Conference Committee Report of House Bill 1205. And on that, is there any discussion? There being none, the question is, 'Shall the House adopt Conference Committee #1 to House Bill 1205?' On that, all those in favor signify by voting 'aye', those opposed vote 'no'. Voting is now 38 STATE OF ILLINOIS 83RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 87th Legislative Day November 3, 1983 a feeling that it's still not in the Bill. Thank you for your answer. I don't think that it is taken care of. Thank you."
"Okay. Thank you."
"Mr. Olson."
"I would just like to embellish that answer a little bit in response to Representative Pullen's... request. The entire business community in the State of Illinois have signed off on this Bill. They have been with us for the duration, and they have indicated a statisfaction with the elements of the Bill, as has the labor sector. And as a consequence, I do believe because of the thoroughness of their concerns that the issues have been resolved."
"Mr. Olson. Alright. Proceed. Further discussion? There being none, the question is, 'Shall the House adopt Conference Committee 1 to Senate Bill 25?' And on that, all those in favor signify by voting 'aye', those opposed vote 'no'. Voting is now open. 71 votes. Yes, the Gentleman from Peoria, Mr. Tuerk, to explain his vote."
"Mr. Speaker, Members of the House, I do... Well, we don't need support, but let me embellish a comment or two. The Gentleman from Lee, who was a relatively new Member of the House back two or three years ago, came to me with this idea, and as he pointed out, I appointed him the Subcommittee. He and other Members from both sides of the aisle work long and hard on this. I think we have a good Bill in place. It's worthy of your support. We, frankly, don't know whether it will be used, but at least in the... in the period of high unemployment where it could be a factor, it's... it will be in place and usable in the event that companies and the union people want to use it. I think it's a good idea, and only time will tell whether it'll be used or not." 37 STATE OF ILLINOIS 83RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 87th Legislative Day November 3, 1983 open. 71 votes. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this Bill, there are 84 voting 'aye', 23 voting 'no', 1 voting 'present', and the House does adopt the First Conference Committee Report to House Bill 1205. And the Bill is hereby declared passed. Introduction - First Reading."
"House Bill 2332, Bowman - Turner and Levin, a Bill for an Act to amend the Illinois Public Aid Code. First Reading of the Bill. House Bill 2333, Ralph Dunn, a Bill for an Act to authorize units of local government to exempt food, drugs and medical supplies from occupation and use taxes. First Reading of the Bill."
"On the Order of Constitutional Amendments Second Reading, on page two, Mr. Clerk, read House Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 8 a second time."
"House Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment #8. Whereas, the 95th Congress of the United States of America, at its Second Session, in both Houses, by Constitutional Majority of two-thirds thereof, adopted the following proposition to amend the Constitution of the United States of America. House Joint Resolution. Resolved, by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, two-thirds of each House concurring therein, that the following Article is proposed as an Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which shall be valid to all intent and purposes as part of the Constitution when ratified by the Legislatures of three-fourths of the several states within seven years from the day of its submission by the Congress. Article. Section 1. For purposes of representation in Congress, election of the President and Vice President, and Article V of this Constitution, the District constituting the seat of 39 STATE OF ILLINOIS 83RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 87th Legislative Day November 3, 1983 government of the United States shall be treated as though it were a state. Section 2. The exercise of the rights and powers conferred under this Article shall be by the people of the district constituting the seat of government, and as shall be provided by the Congress. Section 3. The 23rd Article of the Amendment to the Constitution of the United States is hereby repealed. Section 4. This Article shall be inoperative, unless it shall be ratified as an Amendment to the Constitution by the Legislatures of three-fourths of the several states within seven years from the date of its submission. Therefore, be it resolved, by the House of Representatives of the 83rd General Assembly of the State of Illinois, the Senate concurring herein, that such proposed Amendment to the Constitution of the United States be and the same is hereby ratified; and be it further resolved, that a certified copy of this Resolution be forwarded by the Secretary of State of Illinois to the Administrator of General Services of the United States, to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Congress of the United States, and to each Senator and Representative from Illinois in Congress of the United States. Second Reading of the Constitutional Amendment."
"Constitutional... House Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 8 has been read a second time. Will be held on the Order of Second Reading. Introduction of a Constitutional Amendment."
"House Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment #17, Davis. Resolved by the House of Representatives of the 83rd General Assembly of the State of Illinois, the Senate concurring herein, that the General Assembly, pursuant to the authority of Article V of the Constitution of the United States, made application to Congress of the 40 STATE OF ILLINOIS 83RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 87th Legislative Day November 3, 1983 United States for the calling of a convention for proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of the United States to require the popular election to a specific term of office, with prior nomination by partisan primary election, and all Federal Judges, including the Judges of the Supreme Court of the United States and of such inferior courts as Congress may from time to time ordain and establish, and to provide that Congress shall have power to enforce such Amendment by appropriate legislation; and be it further resolved, by... that the Constitutional Convention applied for herein shall be held for the sole purpose of considering the Constitutional Amendment described in this Resolution, and that the application to Congress made by this Resolution is contingent upon the establishment by Congress, within two years after the time two-thirds of the states have been... have made application on this issue and prior to the convening of such Convention, the rules and procedures for such a limited Convention; and be it further resolved, that copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the President of the Senate of the United States, the Secretary of the Senate of the United States, the Speaker of the House of the United States, the Clerk of the House of Representatives of the United States, to each member of the Congress from this State, and to the presiding officers of each House of the various State Legislatures, requesting that several states to also pass an identical application to the United States Congress so as to meet the constitutional requirements for application for such a Convention by two-thirds of the states. First Reading of this Constitutional Amendment."
"Committee on Assignments. Alright. The House will stand at ease for five minutes."
"Representative McPike in the Chair. If I could 41 STATE OF ILLINOIS 83RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 87th Legislative Day November 3, 1983 have your attention, the House will stand at recess until the hour of 1:30. If everybody would try to be back here on time. 1:30, the House is in recess. The House will come to order. Message from the Senate."
"Message from the Senate by Mr. Wright, Secretary. "Mr. Speaker, I am directed to inform the House of Representatives that the Senate has refused to concur with the House in adoption of their Amendment to Senate Bill 1206, action taken by the Senate November 3, 1983. Kenneth Wright, Secretary.""
"Introduction and First Reading."
"House Bill 2334, Madigan, a Bill for an Act in relation to municipal mental health and developmental disability programs and services. First Reading of the Bill. House Bill 2335, Madigan, a Bill for an Act to amend Sections of an Act in relation to fencing and operating railroads. First Reading of the Bill."
"The House will now stand in recess until the hour of 2:30. One hour we stand... stand in recess until 2:30."
"Ladies and Gentlemen of the House, it is the intention of the Chair to recess for another hour, until the hour of 3:30, but we, at this point, the Members of the Leadership are considering the various proposals that are being worked on. There is some... some of the legislation has been determined in the Senate. We're waiting for reports to come back to the House so that we can do that. We're working on the paperwork essentially and the paper shuffling essentially. Chances are we will not finish our business by 6:00 and we will be in Session after that. But we will, in any event, it is important that you all stay close by, and that we hope we will get the show on the road in about an hour from now. Thank you." 42 STATE OF ILLINOIS 83RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 87th Legislative Day November 3, 1983
"The House will come to order. If I could have your attention please. Wherever you are, we have quite a bit of unfinished business. We have Conference Committee Reports that are not drafted. We have Supplementals that are not drafted. It would appear that by the time everything is agreed to, printed and distributed, that we would be here until at least 2 a.m. Rather than do that, we think it would be best to adjourn now, come back in tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. and finish our business tomorrow. None of the Motions on the Calendar will be lost because today is not the constitutional deadline. Tomorrow midnight is the deadline. So nothing on the Calendar will be lost. The Senate is coming back in tomorrow at 9 a.m. to do the same thing that we are. Representative Matijevich."
"Does the Clerk need any time for perfunctory?"
"No."
"Mr. Speaker, I, therefore, move that we stand adjourned until 9 a.m. tomorrow morning."
"The Gentleman moves the House stands adjourned until tomorrow at the hour of 9 a.m. All those in favor say 'aye', opposed 'no'. The Motion carries, and we stand adjourned until tomorrow at the hour of 9 a.m." 43 01/25/84 STATE OF ILLINOIS 10:50 83RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DAILY TRANSCRIPTION OF DEBATE INDEX PAGE 1 NOVEMBER 03, 1983 HB-0320 CONFERENCE PAGE 24 HB-0695 CONCURRENCE PAGE 2 HB-0695 CONCURRENCE PAGE 7 HB-0695 OUT OF RECORD PAGE 3 HB-1205 CONFERENCE PAGE 38 HB-2332 FIRST READING PAGE 39 HB-2333 FIRST READING PAGE 39 HB-2334 FIRST READING PAGE 42 HB-2335 FIRST READING PAGE 42 SB-0025 CONFERENCE PAGE 32 SB-0668 CONFERENCE PAGE 27 SB-1301 VETO MESSAGE PAGE 28 *HJR-0002 SECOND READING PAGE 14 *HJR-0002 THIRD READING PAGE 14 *HJR-0008 SECOND READING PAGE 39 *HJR-0017 FIRST READING PAGE 40 SUBJECT MATTER HOUSE TO ORDER - REPRESENTATIVE MCPIKE PAGE 1 PRAYER - REVEREND JOHN C. NORTON PAGE 1 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE PAGE 1 ROLL CALL FOR ATTENDANCE PAGE 2 REPRESENTATIVE GREIMAN IN CHAIR PAGE 2 AGREED RESOLUTIONS PAGE 5 GENERAL RESOLUTIONS PAGE 6 DEATH RESOLUTIONS PAGE 6 REPRESENTATIVE MCPIKE IN CHAIR PAGE 41 RECESS PAGE 42 HOUSE RECONVENES - REPRESENTATIVE MCPIKE IN CHAIR PAGE 42 MESSAGE FROM SENATE PAGE 42 RECESS PAGE 42 HOUSE RECONVENES - REPRESENTATIVE MCPIKE IN CHAIR PAGE 43 ADJOURNMENT PAGE 43