"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 the Reverend Alan Nathan, Pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Fairview Heights, Illinois. Reverend Nathan is a guest of Representative Ron Stephens. Will the guests in the balcony please rise and join us in the invocation?"
"In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Dear Lord God, our Heavenly Father, we come before You this day giving to You all praise and all glory. You are the God who has created this world and given it to us to subdue and conquer. You have entrusted this world into our hands and asked us to care for it and for all those creatures that You have given into our care. And one of the ways in which we accomplish this is through Your duly elected officials. Oh, Lord, bless our Governor. Bless our state. Bless and guide all Members of this House so that peace and love for concord may always guide us. Direct all in Your pass so the general welfare of all may be promoted that we may bring out the best in each person and give to each the opportunity to fulfill his potential and that as a people, we may go forward. Oh, Lord, we know that without You nothing will come of our labors, but that with You nothing is impossible. Bless us and be with us as we strive to do Your will in this world. Where we fail, where we are less than understanding and when we become impatient, oh, Lord, forgive and renew us like an eagle so that we may once again rise and pick up the challenges You have placed before us. In the name of Jesus, we offer this our prayer. Amen."
"Be led in the Pledge of Allegiance by 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 84th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 8th Legislative Day February 27, 1985 Representative Ropp."
"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 Greiman."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like the record to show that Representatives Braun and Panayotovich have been excused today."
"The record will show... so indicate. Representative Piel."
"Yes, Mr. Speaker, would the record show that at the present time we have no excused absences?"
"Fine. Take the Roll. Mr. Clerk, take the Roll. 115 Members answering the Roll Call, a quorum is present. Page two of the Calendar, Speaker's Table, appears SJR 10. Mr. Clerk."
"Senate Joint Resolution #10, offered by Representative Greiman. Be it resolved by the Senate of the 84th General Assembly of the State of Illinois, the House of Representatives concurring herein, that when the two Houses shall convene in Joint Session in the chamber of the House of Representatives on Wednesday, February 27, 1985, at 12:30 o'clock p.m. at the request of His Excellency Governor, James R. Thompson, adopted by the Senate, February 20, 1985."
"Representative Greiman moves for the adoption of SJR 10. All those in favor signify by saying 'aye', opposed 'no'. The 'ayes' have it, and the Resolution is adopted. The House will stand at ease for 10 minutes. The House will come to order. Introduction and First Reading."
"House Bill 333, offered by Representative Giorgi, 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 84th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 8th Legislative Day February 27, 1985 a Bill for an Act to amend the Unified Code of Corrections. First Reading of the Bill. House Bill 334, Brunsvold, a Bill for an Act to amend the Illinois Enterprise Zone Act. First Reading of the Bill. House Bill 335, Ewing, a Bill for an Act to amend the Illinois Vehicle Code. First Reading of the Bill. House Bill 336, Ewing, a Bill for an Act to amend the Soil and Water Conservation District Act. First Reading of the Bill. House Bill 337, Ewing, a Bill for an Act to amend Sections of the Agriculture Areas Conservation and Protection Act. First Reading of the Bill. House Bill 338, Stern and Olson, a Bill for an Act to amend the Election Code. First Reading of the Bill. House Bill 339, Zwick - Currie and Braun, a Bill for an Act to amend the Wildlife Code. First Reading of the Bill. House Bill 340, Barnes, a Bill for an Act to amend the Illinois Vehicle Code. First Reading of the Bill. House Bill 341, Wojcik, a Bill for an Act to amend the Revenue Act. First Reading of the Bill. House Bill 342, Madigan - Berrios and Soliz, a Bill for an Act making an appropriation to the Capital Development Board. First Reading of the Bill. House Bill 343, Breslin and Johnson, a Bill for an Act to amend an Act to provide for representation and indemnification in certain civil lawsuits. First Reading of the Bill. House Bill 344, W. Peterson, a Bill for an Act to amend the Illinois Municipal Code. First Reading of the Bill. House Bill 345, Shaw, a Bill for an Act to amend the Illinois Pension Code. First Reading of the Bill. House Bill 346, Shaw, a Bill for an Act to amend the Illinois Human Rights Act. First Reading of the Bill. House Bill 347, Hawkinson and Stephens, a Bill for an Act to amend the Pharmacy Practice Act. First Reading of the Bill. House Bill 348, W. Peterson - Virginia Frederick and Churchill, a Bill for an Act to 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 84th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 8th Legislative Day February 27, 1985 amend the School Code. First Reading of the Bill. House Bill 349, Klemm, a Bill for an Act to amend the Unemployment Insurance Act. First Reading of the Bill. House Bill 350, Rea - Hannig and White, a Bill for an Act to amend the Illinois Income Tax Act. First Reading of the Bill. House Bill 351, Oblinger, a Bill for an Act to amend the School Code. First Reading of the Bill. House Bill 352, Oblinger, a Bill for an Act to amend the Illinois Pension Code. First Reading of the Bill. House Bill 353, Preston and Johnson, a Bill for an Act in relation to local criminal correction system. First Reading of the Bill. House Bill 354, Steczo and Hartke, a Bill for an Act to amend the Criminal Code. First Reading of the Bill. House Bill 355, Saltsman and McAuliffe, a Bill for an Act to amend certain Acts in relation to group health insurance. First Reading of the Bill. House Bill 356, Brunsvold, a Bill for an Act to create the Aledo Community Center Authority. First Reading of the Bill. House Bill 357, Saltsman, a Bill for an Act to amend Sections of the Illinois Pension Code. First Reading of the Bill. House Bill 358, DeJaegher and Homer, a Bill for an Act in relation to the imposition of fees and charges for certain services offered by financial institutions. First Reading of the Bill. House Bill 359, Homer, a Bill for an Act to amend Sections of the Motor Fuel Tax Law. First Reading of the Bill. House Bill 360, Homer, a Bill for an Act to amend Sections of the Illinois Public Aid Code and the Criminal Code. First Reading of the Bill. House Bill 361, Saltsman, a Bill for an Act to amend Sections of the Illinois Pension Code. First Reading of the Bill. House Bill 362, Wolf and Churchill, a Bill for an Act making an appropriation to the Department of Revenue for the Office of Appraisals. First Reading of the Bill. House Bill 363, 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 84th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 8th Legislative Day February 27, 1985 Satterthwaite, a Bill for an Act to amend the Illinois Pension Code. First Reading of the Bill. House Bill 364, Johnson - Hawkinson - Stern - Cullerton and Countryman, a Bill for an Act in relation to the support and maintenance and amending certain Acts herein named. First Reading of the Bill. House Bill 365, Kulas - Ronan - Giglio and Mautino, a Bill for an Act to exempt hearing aids from certain taxation. First Reading of the Bill. Further introductions. House Bill 366, Satterthwaite, a Bill for an Act to amend Sections of the State Property Control Act. First Reading of the Bill. House Bill 367, Levin, a Bill for an Act to amend Sections of an Act providing for a lien for non-profit hospitals and hospitals maintained and operated entirely by a county. First Reading of the Bill. House Bill 368, Cullerton, a Bill for an Act to amend the Probate Act. First Reading of the Bill. House Bill 369, DeJaegher - Hannig and Pangle, a Bill for an Act to exempt Illinois residents who are former prisoners of war from admission and camping fees in certain public parks. First Reading of the Bill. House Bill 370, Barnes and Hastert, a Bill for an Act making certain appropriations and amending certain Acts herein named. First Reading of the Bill. House Bill 371, Hannig and Rea, a Bill for an Act to amend Sections of the Illinois Pension Code. First Reading of the Bill. Further introductions. House Bill 372, McGann - et al, a Bill for an Act to amend Sections of the Illinois Pension Code. First Reading of the Bill. House Bill 373, McGann, a Bill for an Act to amend Sections of the Chicago Policemen's Article of the Pension Code. First Reading of the Bill. House Bill 374, McGann, a Bill for an Act to amend Sections of the Illinois Pension Code. First Reading of the Bill. House Bill 375, Hicks, a Bill for an Act to amend Sections of the School Code. First Reading of the 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 84th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 8th Legislative Day February 27, 1985 Bill. Further introductions. House Bill 376, Cullerton, a Bill for an Act to amend Sections of the Unified Code of Corrections. First Reading of the Bill. House Bill 377, Cullerton, a Bill for an Act relating to exemptions from jury service and amending certain Acts herein named. First Reading of the Bill. House Bill 378, Cullerton, a Bill for an Act to amend Sections of the Code of Civil Procedure. First Reading of the Bill. House Bill 379, Frederick - et al, a Bill for an Act to amend the Illinois Vehicle Code. First Reading of the Bill. House Bill 380, Greiman, a Bill for an Act relating to searches of students attending public schools. First Reading of the Bill."
"Speaker Madigan in the Chair."
"Ladies and Gentlemen, could I have your attention? Would the Members please be seated? Would unauthorized personnel please leave the floor? Would the Members please be seated? Would Representatives Zwick and McCracken go to their seats. Mr. Laurino, would you sit down? Mr. Saltsman, could you take Mr. Luft somewhere else? If the Members would please be in their chairs, the unauthorized personnel would please leave the floor. The Chair recognizes the Doorkeeper. Mr. Doorkeeper."
"Mr. Speaker, the Honorable President Rock and Members of the Senate are at the door and seek admission to the chamber."
"Mr. Doorkeeper, please admit the Honorable Senators. As designated in Senate Joint Resolution #10, the hour of 12:30 p.m. having arrived, the Joint Session of the 84th General Assembly will now come to order. Will the Members of the House and our esteemed guests from the Senate please take their seats? Mr. Clerk, is a quorum of the House present?"
"A quorum of the House is present." 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 84th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 8th Legislative Day February 27, 1985
"Mr. President, is a quorum of the Senate present in this chamber?"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A quorum of the Senate is present."
"There being a quorum of the House and a quorum of the Senate in attendance, this Joint Session is convened. The Chair would like to recognize the presence of certain dignitaries in the audience. First, the Lieutenant Governor of the State of Illinois, the Honorable George Ryan; the Secretary of State, Mr. James Edgar; the Superintendent of Public Instruction, Mr. Ted Sanders; the Auditor General, Mr. Robert Cronson; and the former Superintendent of Public Instruction and the former Comptroller of Illinois, Mr. Michael Bakalis; a Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Ben Miller, Justice Miller. The Chair recognizes the Majority Leader, Mr. McPike."
"Thank you. Would the Clerk read the Resolution?"
"Mr. Clerk, read Joint Session Resolution #2."
"Joint Session Resolution #2. Resolved that a Committee of ten be appointed, five from the House by the Speaker of the House and five from the Senate by the Committee on Committees of the Senate to wait upon His Excellency, Governor James R. Thompson, and invite him to address the General Assembly."
"The Gentleman moves for the adoption of the Resolution. All those in favor signify by saying 'aye', all those opposed say 'nay'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. The Resolution is adopted. Pursuant to the Resolution the following are appointed as a Committee to escort the Chief Executive. The appointments from the House are Representative Satterthwaite, Representative Mulcahey, Representative White, Representative Cowlishaw, Representative Oblinger. And the 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 84th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 8th Legislative Day February 27, 1985 appointments from the Senate would be Senator Berman, Senator Collins, Senator Kelly, Senator Maitland and Senator Rigney. Will the Committee of Escort please convene at the rear of the chamber and await His Excellency, the Governor? Would the Committee of Escort please retire to the rear of the chamber? Mr. Doorkeeper."
"Mr. Speaker, the Honorable Governor of the State of Illinois, James Thompson, and his party wish to be admitted to this chamber."
"Admit the Honorable Governor."
"Mr. Speaker, Mr. President, Leaders and Members of the 84th General Assembly, my fellow constitutional officers and my fellow citizens. Just three weeks ago I appeared before you to deliver my State of the State Address which called for a 2.3 billion dollar renewal of our state's infrastructure. Next week I will appear before you to discuss the human services necessary to protect our people in my Budget Address. Today, I discuss the subject of education. Never before in the history of this state has a Governor appeared before a Legislature three times in Special Joint Session within a month. And I am grateful to your Leadership and to your Membership for this extraordinary hospitality. I said last month that 2.3 billion dollars was necessary over the next five years to renew and strengthen the underpinnings of our economy; our highways and our bridges, our waste water treatment plants, our educational facilities, our housing stock, our libraries, our energy stocks and our environment. The alternative is to watch our state and the economic hopes of more than eleven and a half million people slide quickly and quietly into the backwater. But now the other side of the coin. The strongest and most efficient infrastructure we can construct will be of little use in advancing and 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 84th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 8th Legislative Day February 27, 1985 diversifying the economy of Illinois, if we are not at the same time willing to reform elementary and secondary education in this state and find the means to pay for it. Several months ago I visited with top officials of the largest industrial site location in the United States. I told them that you and I would, in this Session, embark on an ambitious program to rebuild and diversify our economy for this and future generations of Illinois. I asked them to tell me the single most important factor of the next decade which businessmen would take into account in deciding where to locate a plant or a commercial facility. The answer came in one word and it came quickly. Education. These were not professors in an academic hall. These were men whose vocabulary is more constructed of the cost of workers' compensation, unemployment compensation, tax burden, tax equity, transportation, regulation, business incentives, energy, housing and quality of life. And all of these were and are important, but the single most important issue that will affect job location in the next decade, they said, is education; its availability, its diversity, its quality and cost. There is not a single Member of this Assembly who has not sat, business, labor, and educational representatives in his or her district, and pledged every effort to persuade those invested with job location authority to bring those jobs to the people that you represent. Most of the Members of this Assembly have done so for Saturn, and you have done so for a hundred member plant and everything in between. And that goes double for the Governor. But you cannot succeed, I cannot succeed and our people will not be fully and productively employed unless we are willing to make that commitment to education and to make it now at this Session of the General Assembly. I will say it as plainly as I know how. If this 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 84th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 8th Legislative Day February 27, 1985 General Assembly enacts 'Build Illinois' and the education reform and financing programs I will propose today, it will send the single most powerful signal to the business community of the world that in Illinois we are ready, willing and able to do business. On the other hand, if we do not move quickly to renew the physical and intellectual infrastructures of Illinois, we can recall the ambassadors to Saturn, we can close up the shop of economic development and turn out the light on the hopes of eleven and a half million Illinoisans. Never has the relationship between education and economic development been more clear. Never has the necessity to make schools work been more imperative. Other states, states with fewer advantages and fewer resources, are on the march. Unless we act and act quickly, the jobs of the next decade will march through, around and out of Illinois. What must we do? First, the atmosphere of our schools must allow students to learn and teachers to teach. In too many of our schools today, especially in the intercity of metropolitan regions, gang violence and the fear of crime in and around the schools spread a blanket of terror which suffocates learning. Crimes against children are horrible enough, but crimes against children and those who teach them are the perversion of a system which seeks to bring a better tomorrow to the lives of the next generation of Illinois. Gangs must be rooted out, violence, robbery, sexual assault, theft and extortion ended, and drugs eradicated. While the primary responsibility is that of local law enforcement, there is an appropriate role for state law enforcement as well. I propose that the Department of Alcohol and Substance Abuse plan and deliver new substance abuse programs to the 57 educational service regions of Illinois and that we spend $4,000,000 by 1987 to do it. I 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 84th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 8th Legislative Day February 27, 1985 propose that the Department of Law Enforcement offer technical and intelligence assistant on a statewide basis to schools and local law enforcement agencies, and that we organize and fund the Gang Crime Unit in the Division of Criminal Investigation to do it. I propose that we fight harder to eradicate the stain of narcotics from our schools and that we lower the age threshold in our criminal sentencing laws to do it. I propose that we take the troublemakers out of our schools so that well-behaved children have a chance to learn in a decent atmosphere. I will establish a statewide system of alternative schools for those with serious discipline problems, and I would spend $13,000,000 in the next year to do it. Second, we need to ensure that our schools are operating in an efficient manner and that we are appropriately using the dollars that we now commit and are prepared to commit to education in Illinois. We have more than one thousand school districts. Only two states of the nation, both larger in population and geographical area, have more. We should be putting money into teaching and learning, not bureaucracy. I propose that we step up our efforts to encourage school consolidation in Illinois, and I would spend $1,000,000 in planning money next year and allow consolidated districts to keep their former permissive tax rates to do it. Third, learning begins with teaching. The plain fact is that the best students cannot learn from poor teachers. The best of our college students ought to be entering the ranks of teaching today, but they are not. Our teachers ought to be earning salaries that fairly compete with those of equally important professions in our society, but they are not. The best of our teachers ought to be earning the highest salaries, but they are not. Teachers ought to be able to advance in their profession as 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 84th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 8th Legislative Day February 27, 1985 they excel, rather than be forced into administration to earn fair compensation, but they cannot. In Illinois today we ask teachers to begin their careers at a median salary level, which is only $75 a week over the current federal poverty level, in order to train our children to find jobs that will pay them much more. An extraordinary indictment of our values system. I propose that we increase the statewide minimum teachers' salary to $15,000 by next year and that we spend $10,000,000 next year to do it. I propose that teachers in Illinois be paid based upon performance. In every state in which educational reforms and improved teacher compensation programs have been enacted, the Legislature has insisted upon some method of performance review and assessment for teachers. While merit pay or career ladder plans are not without difficulty or controversy, they are essential. Every other part of our society pays for what it gets, and teaching cannot be an exception. Two principles are key: local control and a combination of peer and supervisor review. While the state should set guidelines, local school districts should construct career ladder methods of compensation and teachers, as well as supervisors, should be part of the evaluation process. It is long past time in Illinois that we, on a statewide basis, encourage the best of our teachers to remain and grow in that noble profession and that we spend $80,000,000 over the next two years to do it. Our efforts to ensure that we attract the best to the teaching profession and keep them there will go for naught, however, if we do not have some means to ensure that those to whom we entrust the lives of our children are competent to assume that task. I propose that we require candidates for the teacher's certificate to pass a written examination in English proficiency and subject matter competency. 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 84th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 8th Legislative Day February 27, 1985 Lawyers to whom we entrust our civil, constitutional and human rights, and doctors to whom we entrust our physical and mental well-being are tested in similar fashion. We should demand no less of those to whom we entrust the future of Illinois' economy and the civilizing influence of education. Fourth, we must substantially upgrade the curriculum of elementary and secondary education in Illinois. What we teach and learn is as important as how we teach and learn. If you travel the State of Illinois today, you will find that one out of six citizens cannot use a telephone book or fill out a job application because they are functionally illiterate. They cannot read, one out of six of your neighbors. That is a disgrace for a state which aspires to be in the top rank of our country's economic and intellectual achievements. An educational system which boast of the most advanced engineering education in the world but leaves one out of six unable to read ought to be indicted. For more than a million Illinois citizens, the safety net of education is painted on the concrete. I propose that we begin strenuous efforts to eradicate illiteracy from Illinois and that we spend $44,000,000 next year to do it. Within a few short years, Illinois will become the world leader in super computing. We now compete for the construction of the super conducting supercollider to help scientists investigate the very core of matter and of our universe. We tell the world that we are ready, willing and able to compete for the jobs of tomorrow, but the instruction that we offer in mathematics and science in elementary and secondary education is woefully short and we are, therefore, woefully shortsighted. I propose that we upgrade our efforts by planning and developing a math and science academy in the high tech corridors of the Fox River Valley, an academy of 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 84th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 8th Legislative Day February 27, 1985 life sciences in the corridors of the bio-technology center of Chicago and an agriculture and agri-business academy in downstate Illinois. I propose that we upgrade the instructional materials and equipment in mathematics and science statewide and renew our vocational education and training and equipment statewide, and that we spend $27,000,000 next year in general education in 'Build Illinois' funds to do it. Fifth, we must begin the formal education of our children at the earliest possible time in their lives. A strong early childhood education program is the surest way to break the chains of poverty, avoid the traps of academic failure; teenage pregnancy, delinquency, unemployment, drug abuse and chronic dependency on welfare from generation to generation. If Sesame Street can teach our children, then schools and teachers can do as well or better. Children who receive preschool education between the ages of 3 and 5 are more likely to get better grades, have fewer absences, need less special education to finish high school and hold a job than those who do not. I propose that we begin project 'Train', a preschool program for transition and independence and that we spend $13,000,000 next year to do it. Finally, for the children who learn, the teachers who teach and the taxpayers who pay, the schools of our state and their students must be held publicly accountable. I propose that on a statewide basis we begin testing proficiency in reading in the 1985-86 school year, adding proficiency in mathematics in the next year and proficiency in language arts and science in subsequent years. Courtesy graduations and social promotions must end. Parents and taxpayers must be assured that the schools they trust and support are as accountable as their students. I propose the development of a school report card to accompany the pupil report card by which we 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 84th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 8th Legislative Day February 27, 1985 now measure pupil achievement. If schools must and are able to grade students, then parents and taxpayers must and must be able to grade schools. How will we pay for all of this? If this General Assembly will enact and the educational establishment of this state will accept and implement agreed upon school reforms, I am prepared next week in the Budget Address to recommend the largest single dollar increase for elementary and secondary education in the history of the State of Illinois. I am ready to propose that this General Assembly appropriate for next year in general and 'Build Illinois' funds $330,000,000 over the fiscal 1985 regular appropriations enacted last June. I propose that we spend $137,000,000 next year to pay for the reforms that I have suggested and that we appropriate $193,000,000 in addition in new state aid next year through the state aid formula in the categorical grant reimbursement program. Where will this money come from? For the reasons that I indicated in my 'Build Illinois' program, I do not think it is either necessary or wise to consider or enact general increases in the sales or income taxes of this state. I believe that natural revenue growth in combination with two tax changes will get the job done. First, the law which imposes the tax on the transmission of messages in this state is inequitable. The law currently taxes local telephone calls within Illinois, but exempts long distance telephone calls. There is no reason for the distinction. Extension of the current tax on local calls to long distance calls will raise about $61,000,000 in Fiscal '86 or $80,000,000 in the first full year. Second, the Congress of the United States under current law has cut the federal excise tax on cigarettes from sixteen cents to eight cents beginning October 1, 1985. That is the law. The Congress did so in the expectation that the states 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 84th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 8th Legislative Day February 27, 1985 would pick up that eight cents to help pay for the ongoing transfer of former federal responsibilities to the state, including education. In Washington this week, the Governors were assured by the administration that it has no intention of asking Congress to back track on this transfer of tax opportunity to the states and will impose... it will oppose reimposition of the federal eight cents. Some will say that this is a quick and easy turn to sin taxes. No moral judgments are involved here. Excise taxes, of which the tobacco tax is one, are as old or older than this country and this tax has been part of our General Revenue Fund for more than 40 years. The issue is simply, if the Congress drops the eight cents as the law now says they will do, will we pick it up as they intended, as they transfer power, responsibility and authority to the states, which most of us have been asking for for a long, long time. Both of these tax changes will help pay the cost of needed school reform. They can be widely and thinly spread through our economy, and their enactment will not injure our state's strong business climate. To those of you in this chamber and among our citizens at large who have taken leadership roles in school reform and financing, I say thank you. Your efforts have helped me form the basis of my own beliefs, which I now suggest to you for enactment into law. But our efforts must be ongoing. Neither the words and ideas and programs which have come before, nor mine, are necessarily the best or the last. But by July 1st, the initial debate, at least, must stop and action must be had. Failure of this Assembly to act, and act now, tells the world that we, in Illinois, are not serious about new jobs for this state and for our people. I, for one, am not prepared to deliver that message. To those who believe that the programs I have suggested are wrong or do not go 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 84th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 8th Legislative Day February 27, 1985 far enough, I say develop yours, present them and fight for their passage. Leadership consists of more than criticism or disagreement. It requires specific and worthwhile proposals, capable of legislative enactment. To those who believe that these proposals and similar ones already advanced by others have merit but disagree with the method of funding, I say tell me. Tell all of us your revenue proposals. Submit them and fight for their passage. I will support any reasonable tax effort which is light in burden, equitable in nature and does not injure the business climate of this state. But criticism without alternatives that work is not leadership. Words without dollars are not enough. And the people of Illinois know it. They wait now for your proposals. They wait now for your action. We, all of us, owe much to many. To the Leaders and Members of this General Assembly who have labored in the fields of school reform and financing for a long, long time, to the Members of the legislative and public educational commissions of this state, to the Bakalis Commission, to the members of the staff of the Board of Education for their leadership, to the new Superintendent of Education, Ted Sanders, whose skills in leadership are already at work in this state, to the teachers and their associations, to the school administrators and their associations, to parents and professors, to the public and the press, to the examples of other states, now is the time to combine our knowledge, our ideas, our creativity, our wealth, our advantages, our hard work, our skills and our guts to keep the promise that we make to our children and our grandchildren each time that we, whether from this rostrum or others across the state, invoke the American dream, which is that they, our children and grandchildren, shall have the opportunity... shall have 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 84th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 8th Legislative Day February 27, 1985 the opportunity for a better life than we had. President Kennedy reminded us that a child who was miseducated is a child who was lost. No more lost children in Illinois. Thank you."
"Would the Committee of Escort please come to the podium to escort the Governor out of the chamber? Would the Committee of Escort please come to the podium to escort the Governor out of the chamber? The President of the Senate is recognized for a Motion."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move that the Joint Session do now arise."
"The President of the Senate has moved that the Joint Session do now arise. All those in favor signify by saying 'aye', all those opposed by saying 'no'. The 'ayes' have it, and the Joint Session will now arise. Those who are not entitled to the House floor, please retire to the gallery. Thank you. Mr. McPike."
"Introduction and First Readings. Regular Session will be in order."
"House Bill 381, offered by Representative McCracken and Hoffman, a Bill for an Act to amend Sections of the Code of Civil Procedure. First Reading of the Bill. House Bill 382, Currie, a Bill for an Act in relation to the acquisition, possession and transfer of firearms and firearm ammunition. First Reading of the Bill. House Bill 383, Bowman, a Bill for an Act to amend Sections of the Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Property Tax Relief and Pharmaceutical Assistance Act. First Reading of the Bill."
"Agreed Resolutions. Mr. Clerk."
"Agreed Resolutions. House Resolution 37, Johnson; 38, Krska; 40, McGann; 41, Brookins; 42, Shaw; 44, Mautino; 45, Terzich; 46, McGann; 47, Keane; 48, McNamara; 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 84th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 8th Legislative Day February 27, 1985 49, McNamara; 50, Weaver; 51, Hannig and Madigan; 52, Terzich; 54, Piel; 55, Piel; 56, Piel - Giorgi and Parke; 57, DeJaegher; 58, DeJaegher; 59, DeJaegher; 60, DeJaegher; 61, McNamara; 63, Matijevich - et al; and 64, Matijevich - Parcells - et al."
"Representative Matijevich, on the Agreed Resolutions."
"Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. House Resolution 37, Johnson, designates February 8th as Ken Ferdinand night. House Resolution 38, Krska, congratulates Ernest Cash on many years of dedicated service. McGann, in House Resolution 40, the retirement of Orlando Ponzio. House Resolution 41, Brookins, celebrates black history month. House Resolution 42, Shaw, congratulates Alberta Leak who is a renowned journalist. House Resolution 44, Mautino, the observance of Youth Art Month. House Resolution 45, Terzich, 50th anniversary of Emil Biasco. House Resolution 46, McGann, the 80th anni...birthday of Williard Sims. House Resolution 47, Keane, the 100th anniversary of the birth of Lena DiBennardi. House Resolution 48, McNamara, the golden wedding anniversary of Edward and Eileen Stack. 49, McNamara, the golden wedding anniversary of Frank and Catherine Lisak. 50, Weaver, proclaims Monday, March 4th as 'Smile Day' in the City of Marshall. House Resolution 51, Hannig - Madigan, week of February 25 - March 3, National Retail Bakers' Week; 52, Terzich, 70th anniversary of the... community; 54, Piel, recognizes the Optometrist of the Year, Gene Ossello; 55, Piel, the 100th anniversary birthday of Bessie Kickert; 56, Piel, 25th anniversary of Thornridge High School; 57, DeJaegher, 80th anniversary... birthday of Mary DePorter; 58, DeJaegher, 85th birthday of Willis C. Kuschmann; 59, DeJaegher, 90th birthday of Amie 19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 84th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 8th Legislative Day February 27, 1985 VanOoteghen; 60, DeJaegher, the 95th birthday of Nino Cabry; 61, McNamara, retirement of Joseph Tarqueno; 63, Matijevich, honors Robert Therry for being Grand Marshall at the State Wrestling Tournament; 64, Matijevich - Parcells, objects to the closing of the U.S. Coast Guard Station at Glenview. Also Joint..."
"Also Joint Resolutions 10, and Joint... Hastert; and Joint Resolution 12, Koehler."
"House Joint Resolution 10, Hastert, recognizes 1985 as the International Youth Year. House Joint Resolution 12, Koehler, requests that the Japanese Government agree to extend the voluntary automobile export quotas. Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of House, I move the adoption of the Agreed Resolutions."
"The Gentleman moves for the adoption of the Agreed Resolutions. All in favor signify by saying 'aye', opposed 'no'. The 'ayes' have it, and the Agreed Resolutions are adopted."
"Also Agreed Resolutions, Senate Joint Resolution #8, Barnes, and Senate Joint Resolution #6, Stange."
"Representative Matijevich, on the two Senate Joint Agreed Resolutions."
"Senate Joint Resolution #6, Topinka, congratulates Elkay Manufacturing Company on its 65th anniversary. Senate Joint Resolution #8, congratulates Orland Park Mayor Melvin Doogan on his retirement. I move the adoption of the Senate Joint Resolutions."
"The Gentlemen moves the adoption of Senate Joint Resolutions 6 and 8. All those in favor signify by saying 'aye', all those opposed say 'no'. The 'ayes' have it. Senate Joint Resolutions are adopted. General Resolution."
"House Joint Resolution 11, Representative Shaw; House Joint Resolution 13, Mautino and Davis; and House 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 84th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 8th Legislative Day February 27, 1985 Resolution 39, by Representative Huff."
"Committee on Assignment. Death Resolutions."
"House Resolution 43, offered by Representative Shaw, with respect to the memory of T.J. Durrett. House Resolution 53, offered by Representative Shaw, with respect to the memory of Lanta Sylvester Rhymes, Sr. House Resolution 62, offered by Representative Brookins, with respect to the memory of Dr. Stanis S. Melendez."
"Representative Matijevich moves the adoption of the Death Resolutions. All in favor signify by saying 'aye', opposed 'no'. The 'ayes' have it, and the Death Resolutions are adopted. Could the Chair have the attention of the Ladies and Gentlemen? We are prepared to adjourn. The Committees that are scheduled to meet at 1:00 p.m. will meet immediately and the schedule as laid out on the House Calendar will be the schedule that we will follow for the remainder of the afternoon. So that if those would... those Members would immediately go to the 1:00 meetings, we can stay right on schedule. The Chair will like to remind everyone that these are not only organizational meetings, but that some of the Committees have Bills posted. Representative Matijevich moves that the House stand adjourned, leaving five minutes for Perfunct until tomorrow at the hour of 1:30 p.m. All those in favor signify by saying 'aye', opposed 'no'. The 'ayes' have it, and the House stands adjourned."
"Introduction and First Reading of Bills. House Bill 384, Preston, a Bill for an Act to amend Sections of the New Car Buyer Protection Act. First Reading of the Bill. House Bill 385, offered by Representative Pangle - et al, a Bill for an Act to amend the Senior Citizens Real Estate Tax Deferral Act. First Reading of the Bill. House Bill 386, Pangle, a Bill for an Act to amend Sections of an 21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 84th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 8th Legislative Day February 27, 1985 Act in relation to the fencing and operating railroads. First Reading of the Bill. House Bill 397, Farley - et al, a Bill for an Act to amend Sections of the Illinois Municipal Code. First Reading of the Bill. House Bill 388, Curran and Oblinger, a Bill for an Act to amend Sections of the School Code. First Reading of the Bill. House Bill 389, offered by Representative DeJaegher - et al, a Bill for an Act to amend Sections of an Act concerning public utilities. First Reading of the Bill. A Message from the Senate by Mr. Wright, Secretary. 'Mr. Speaker, I am directed to inform the House of Representatives that the Senate has adopted the following Senate Joint Resolution, the adoption of which I am instructed to ask concurrence of the House of Representatives to wit; Senate Joint Resolution #12, adopted by the Senate February 21, 1985. Kenneth Wright, Secretary.' House Bill 390, Davis, a Bill for an Act concerning increased axle weight allowances for counties, streets and highways. First Reading of the Bill. No further business, the House now stands adjourned." 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS 84TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DAILY TRANSCRIPTION OF DEBATE INDEX PAGE 1 FEBRUARY 27, 1985 HB-0333 FIRST READING PAGE 2 HB-0334 FIRST READING PAGE 3 HB-0335 FIRST READING PAGE 3 HB-0336 FIRST READING PAGE 3 HB-0337 FIRST READING PAGE 3 HB-0338 FIRST READING PAGE 3 HB-0339 FIRST READING PAGE 3 HB-0340 FIRST READING PAGE 3 HB-0341 FIRST READING PAGE 3 HB-0342 FIRST READING PAGE 3 HB-0343 FIRST READING PAGE 3 HB-0344 FIRST READING PAGE 3 HB-0345 FIRST READING PAGE 3 HB-0346 FIRST READING PAGE 3 HB-0347 FIRST READING PAGE 3 HB-0348 FIRST READING PAGE 3 HB-0349 FIRST READING PAGE 4 HB-0350 FIRST READING PAGE 4 HB-0351 FIRST READING PAGE 4 HB-0352 FIRST READING PAGE 4 HB-0353 FIRST READING PAGE 4 HB-0354 FIRST READING PAGE 4 HB-0355 FIRST READING PAGE 4 HB-0356 FIRST READING PAGE 4 HB-0357 FIRST READING PAGE 4 HB-0358 FIRST READING PAGE 4 HB-0359 FIRST READING PAGE 4 HB-0360 FIRST READING PAGE 4 HB-0361 FIRST READING PAGE 4 HB-0362 FIRST READING PAGE 4 HB-0363 FIRST READING PAGE 4 HB-0364 FIRST READING PAGE 5 HB-0365 FIRST READING PAGE 5 HB-0366 FIRST READING PAGE 5 HB-0367 FIRST READING PAGE 5 HB-0368 FIRST READING PAGE 5 HB-0369 FIRST READING PAGE 5 HB-0370 FIRST READING PAGE 5 HB-0371 FIRST READING PAGE 5 HB-0372 FIRST READING PAGE 5 HB-0373 FIRST READING PAGE 5 HB-0374 FIRST READING PAGE 5 HB-0375 FIRST READING PAGE 5 HB-0376 FIRST READING PAGE 6 HB-0377 FIRST READING PAGE 6 HB-0378 FIRST READING PAGE 6 HB-0379 FIRST READING PAGE 6 HB-0380 FIRST READING PAGE 6 HB-0381 FIRST READING PAGE 18 HB-0382 FIRST READING PAGE 18 HB-0383 FIRST READING PAGE 18 HB-0384 FIRST READING PAGE 21 HB-0385 FIRST READING PAGE 21 HB-0386 FIRST READING PAGE 21 HB-0387 FIRST READING PAGE 22 HB-0388 FIRST READING PAGE 22 HB-0389 FIRST READING PAGE 22 HB-0390 FIRST READING PAGE 22 SJR-0010 ADOPTED PAGE 2 JSR-0002 ADOPTED PAGE 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 84TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DAILY TRANSCRIPTION OF DEBATE INDEX FEBRUARY 27, 1985 SUBJECT MATTER HOUSE TO ORDER - REPRESENTATIVE MCPIKE PRAYER - REVEREND ALAN NATHAN PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ROLL CALL FOR ATTENDANCE SPEAKER MADIGAN IN CHAIR JOINT SESSION EDUCATION MESSAGE - GOV. JIM THOMPSON JOINT SESSION - ADJOURNMENT HOUSE RECONVENES - REP. MCPIKE IN CHAIR AGREED RESOLUTIONS GENERAL RESOLUTIONS DEATH RESOLUTIONS ADJOURNMENT PERFUNCTORY SESSION MESSAGE FROM SENATE PERFUNCTORY SESSION - ADJOURNMENT PAGE 2 PAGE 1 PAGE 1 PAGE 1 PAGE 2 PAGE 6 PAGE 6 PAGE 8 PAGE 18 PAGE 18 PAGE 18 PAGE 20 PAGE 21 PAGE 21 PAGE 21 PAGE 22 PAGE 22