"House will come to order. Today the House is honored to have the Phelps Brothers here to sing the invocation. With us are Larry, Carrol, Mike, as well as our own Representative David Phelps. Guests in the balcony may wish to rise and join us in the invocation."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. Thank you for this privilege. In the 1930's, Reverend Thomas Dorsey, a black minister, was in a gospel revival down in St. Louis, Missouri and his wife was expecting just any day. He received a call which interrupted his meeting. And said that she had... and they had lost their son in the delivery. He drove back to Chicago in which he lived, and when he arrived he had discovered that his wife had also passed away. He was inspired to write this song which is probably known as a gospel classic and he is known today as the father of gospel music. We hope you enjoy it. When my way grows adrear, precious Lord, linger near, when my life is almost gone. Hear my cry, hear my call, hold my hand lest I fall. Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home. Precious Lord, take my hand, lead me on, let me stand. I am tired, I am weak, I am worn. Through the storm, through the night, lead me on to the light, take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home."
"We'll be led in the Pledge of Allegiance by
Speaker Madigan."
"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 Matijevich." 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 85th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 109th Legislative Day
"Yes, Mr. Speaker. Representative May 24, 1988 Christensen and DeJaegher are excused due to illness, and Representative Preston due to an illness in the family."
"What was that last one? Preston."
"Lee Preston. Yes."
"Thank you. Representative Kubik."
"Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. Let the record reflect that Representative Klemm and McCracken have been excused for today."
"Thank you. Representative Matijevich."
"My information may be correct and I hope it is on Ray Christensen, someone tells me he was over in the Stratton Building, so we'll hold that one for a while. I hope Ray is back."
"You have just... Representative DeJaegher and Representative Preston? Thank you. Representative Brunsvold, before I take the record or after. Take the record, Mr. Clerk. 113 Members answering the Roll Call, a quorum is present. Representative Brunsvold."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. One of my seat mates just turned sixty-five, is now a senior citizen and will be eligible for medicaid and all that good stuff. It's not John Daley, so it must be Calvin Sutker who's sixty-five yesterday and let's give him a big hand. We have some very large chocolate chip cookies over here if anyone would like to come over and help us eat these big cookies. Thank you, Mr. Speaker."
"Representative Sutker."
"Mr. Speaker, I have never counted a three and a half years I served in World War II, so it's only sixty-two."
"Larry DiPrima is going to take the podium for the ceremony. And after the ceremony we will conduct legislative business. So we would encourage everyone to 2 109th Legislative Day STATE OF ILLINOIS 85th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE May 24, 1988 come to the House floor for the ceremony and we want to call attention to that after it's over we will conduct business. Ex-former Representative, Larry DiPrima."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen. This is our umpteenth time that we've had the poppy day program. I don't remember when I initiated the program but it must be close to twenty years. I want to start off by having our General Johnson from the Department of Veterans' Affairs make a few remarks. General."
"Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House, Memorial day is an all American holiday. It is when the normal pace of an American's life slows briefly, as a nation pays tribute to the men and women who gave their lives that we might breathe the clean sweet air of freedom. For many, the memories which come to mind at this service today are bitter sweet. Memories of loved ones who gave their lives for their country and for freedom. There are memories of those who served and came home from the wars, to live out their lives among their loved ones. Their service and sacrifices were essential to the preservation of this great country. On this day of remembrance, parades, throughout our nation. Across this land, thoughtful Americans will visit the American National Cemeteries and private cemeteries to place the flags on the graves of the veterans. The living thus pay tribute to the dead with loving expressions of remembrance. For them Memorial Day holds special meaning. This day holds special meaning for the Gold Star Mother as she fondly remembers a son who died for the country, painfully aware that the passage of time can never completely heal the sense or loss. And those who threaten freedom, take this solemn occasion as a clear signal not to underestimate the will of the free nation. We need to be reminded for it is only 3 109th Legislative Day STATE OF ILLINOIS 85th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE May 24, 1988 human to forget, as quickly as possible anything which are unpleasant. And war is not a pleasant experience. This day serves as that reminder. We need other reminders too. Like what General John A. Logan, when he issued his orders as Commander in Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, in 1868, he said, I quote, 'Let no ravages of time testify to coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of free and undivided Republic'. Let us with pride in our heritage resolve to keep faith with the spirit of General Logans order. May we never allow the ravages of time to testify that we have forgotten the cost of a free Republic. I thank you."
"Thank you, General. Now, I'd like to introduce Frank Rice, you see him walking around the House and Senate with me all the time and Lloyd Leonard they are both Chairman of the Legislative Commission. Frank is with the VFW, and Lloyd is with the American Legion. And I'm on both of those Commissions so you know these people are constantly on my back to help get benefits for the veterans. Thank you for coming, Gentlemen. Now we'll hear from Mary Flowers who will read off 'I Am Your Flag'."
"I am your flag. I was born on June 14th, 1777. I am more than just a cloth, shaped into a design. I'm the refuge of the world's oppressed people. I'm the silent sentinel of freedom. I am the emblem of the greatest sovereign nation on earth. I am the inspiration for which American patriots gave their lives and their fortunes. I have led your sons into the battles, from Valley Forge, to the bloody swamps of Vietnam. I've walked in silence with each of your honored dead to their final resting place beneath the silent white crosses, row upon row. I have flown through peace, war, strife, and prosperity. And amidst of it all I have been respected. My red stripes 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 85th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 109th Legislative Day May 24, 1988 symbolize the blood spilled in defense of this glorious nation. My white stripes signifies the burning tears shed by Americans who have lost their sons. My blue fills is indicative of Gods heavens upon to which I fly. My stars clustered together unify fifty States as one for God and country. Old Glory is my nickname and proudly I wave on high. Honor me, respect me, defend me with your lives and your fortunes. Never let my enemies tear me down from my lofty position. Least I never return. Keep alight the fires of patriotism. Strive earnestly for the spirit of democracy. Worship eternal God and keep his commandments. And I shall remain the bulk worth of peace and freedom for all mankind. I am your flag."
"Thank you, Mary. I'm gonna call upon the Phelps Brothers for their rendition of 'How Great Thou Art'. Dave Phelps."
"Sing 'How Great Thou Art'."
"Thank you, thank you. That was wonderful. They'll be available for weddings, dances and any other ceremonial function that you might be running. Now we shall hear from Kathleen Wojcik, who will recite the poem, 'Memorial Day' by William J. Acker."
"At Gettysburg, at San Juan Hill, in Flounders Field, now all is still. But men still drill and march away, like you who made Memorial Day. In Normandy and on Batan, at Inshon, Kason, and in Iran. Selfishly the needs you met and now we know we must not forget. Those who fought and those who fell to hear the Bell of freedom knell. We crouch beside your graves today, these wreaths a vernal buds to lay. And to you who died for freedom sake a pledge to carry on we make. The torch that you so bravely bore shall be our beaken ever more. We pray that by its guiding light we'll find our course and hold it right. We hope it 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 85th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 109th Legislative Day May 24, 1988 may throughout the years bring and end to blood and tears. For we're a nation, proud and free and sometimes it is hard to see, where friendship for our cause abides and where a foe of freedom hides. You have found peace while we still weep, and wail our charges we must keep. They'll be no peace until we find a way that's just for all mankind."
"Thank you, Kathleen. Now we shall hear from Peggy Breslin, who will remember those who gave their all, with 'In Flanders Field The Poppies Grow'. Peggy Breslin."
"In Flanders Fields the poppies blow between the crosses. Row on row that mark our place. And in the sky the lark still bravely singing flies scarce her to mid the guns below. We are the dead, short days ago we lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, loved and were loved, and now we lie in Flanders Fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe, to you from failing hands we throw the torch be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die, we shall not sleep, though poppies grow in Flanders Fields."
"Thank you, Peggy. Now we'll hear from John O'Connell with a remembrance of President John F. Kennedy. John O'Connell."
"In 1962, President John F. Kennedy, was reminded during a public address of the Old Verse Scrolled on a sentry box more than three hundred years ago. God and the Soldier, all men adore, in time of trouble and no more. For when war is over and all things are righted God is neglected, the old soldier slighted. Recent events bear out the late Presidents believe that the more distant time moves from the sound of battle the more dim the public memory becomes of the sacrifices exacted at the price for victory. And the greater the inclination to challenge the veterans programs once excepted as just and reasonable."
"Thank you, John. Now we shall here the 'Ten 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 85th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 109th Legislative Day May 24, 1988 Terry."
Commandments of a Good American' by Terry Parke. Parke: "The Ten Commandments of a Good American. Love and Honor the United States of America. Obey its laws and uphold its Constitution. Respect its flag, and oppose all its enemies. Reverence and support the National Motto in God we Trust. Cherish and defend, liberty and justice for all. Oppose discrimination and practice brotherhood. Exercise the right to vote and preserve freedom. Oppose and expose crime, political corruption and indecency. Increase the American stature through education, and strive for peace and a free world."
"Thank you, Terry. Now we shall hear from Loleta Didrickson who will give us the solemn remembrance of a 'Gold Star Mother'."
"'Gold Star Mother' by Barbara Rusnik. The lonely woman comes bringing flowers for the brave. A shining tear appears as she looks down at the grave. The sun softly glistens on the silver in her hair, and her heart is filled with sorrow as she kneels to say a prayer. Many years ago, her son heard his duty call on the field of battle a brave soldier gave his all. Now his days will always be without sorrow, without strife, he fought and won our freedom, the price was his life. A gold star is the reminder of the sons outstanding deeds. But can a gold star replace a sons love that every mother needs? Let's guard our freedom wisely, knowing the price was so dear. Remember all the Gold Star Mothers may they never live in fear."
"Thank you, Loleta. Now we shall here from Jane Barnes who will give us a 'Star in God's Window'."
"A substitute for Jane Barnes who had to go to a meeting. A Star in God's Window. It was an early spring evening during the first world war. A father and his four year old son were taking a leisurely stroll through a 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 85th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 109th Legislative Day May 24, 1988 residential neighborhood. As they walked by a darkened home, little Bobby noticed a service flag in the window. With a Gold Star on a field of white with a red border. What kind of flag is that daddy? The lad inquired of his father. That star means that the people in that home have lost a son in the war. Their boy died fighting for our freedom. A few moments in the distance over the chimney of a house, a block away, a twinkling star appeared in the sky, it was the first star of the evening, and it caught the attention of the little boy. He looked up at his father and asked, daddy, did God lose a son in the war? Momentarily, the father was at a loss for words, but he looked down at his son, laid his hand on his head and smiled. Yes, Bobby, God gave up his son that all people might be free. As we observe Memorial Day, in this month may we remember the great sacrifice our comrades have made over the years. So that we might enjoy the freedoms that are ours. May we remember the valiant deeds they have done for this great United States of America. May we join our fellow voyagers across this great land in paying our respects and tribute for a job well done. May we also remember their families and loved ones, that their personal needs may not go unattended, but that we may take care of our own in love and esteem. Help us to remember those that may be suffering pain and distress in our various homes and hospitals across this land. May we continue to join hands in working together for this common cause of helping them in their needs. May we share the love and concern of our fallen comrades as we share the meaning of our freedoms with our children and fellow citizens in the organized programs this Memorial Day."
"Thank you, Maggie. That was Maggie Parcells, substituting for Jane Barnes. Now we'll hear from Kent 8 109th Legislative Day STATE OF ILLINOIS 85th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE May 24, 1988 Slater who will explain to us what a veteran is. Kent Slater, a veteran himself."
"What is a veteran? He's a man who looks the world in the eye, and who feels an extra heartbeat when the flag goes by. He comes from all assorted races, sizes and shapes. He's big, small, short and tall. He's the doughboy of World War I, the GI of World War II, Korea and Vietnam. He is a sailor, soldier, flyer, and Marine. He is artillery, infantry, medic, chemical, engineer, armored, ordinance and corpsman. He is a Republican, Democrat, and Independent. He is a plumber, doctor, salesman, mechanic, farmer, banker. He is Catholic, Protestant, Jew. He is rich and poor and in between. He is a man who loves peace, because he knows the cost of war. He is a good citizen, and a man who knows the price of freedom. He knows that eternal vigilance and preparedness are necessary if freedom is to be preserved. He's Americas most honored citizen, and a member of histories most exclusive fraternity."
"Thank you, Kent, now I just want to go back to the time, I was a little kid and there was a preacher in Chicago, practically in the whole United States his name was Billy Sunday. And when Billy Sunday gave a sermon, then he'd have his ushers go around with tin plates, and he'd say now I don't want to hear a sound. Well, as you know now the poppies are made as a rehabilitation program for the veterans that are hospitalized, and they get a certain amount of compensation. Not that much but over the years you know, the price of the poppies, the containers and the publicity they give it and everything. It goes up and even if you put a dollar there you could have thrown at least two dollars. So open your hearts up and when they come around with the cans the containers be very generous. Alright, now, I understand now, I ask the fellows that are 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 85th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 109th Legislative Day May 24, 1988 going around with the containers to get the names of anybody that makes a big contribution. Now Jeff Holden from the Medical Association I understand gave us twenty. Goforth, Representative Goforth gave us five. Ronan gave us five. Lloyd Leonard from the American Legion gave us five. What? Jimmy my successor I sent him out and man he went out and really collected the money. He got Joe Berrios whose a candidate for office this coming fall, he gave us ten, Phil Novak gave five. Johnny Potts gave five. Bruce Farley gave five. Jim Rea gave five. Bob Bugielski gave five. Jimmy DeLeo gave ten. I'll give ten, alright. And we also have Tom Ewing gave a fin. If there is any other big donors please give me your name. Myron Olson, went out and he said he got a lot of fins but he didn't take there names. Virginia Frederick gave five. Wait gave five. Wait, Goforth, here's comrade Saltsman, he gave five and so did, George I can't make that out. Looks like George Edwards. Ten dollars from Penny Pullen and ten dollars from Ed Petka. Representative Stange, I think I'll become a Swaggart, boy this money comes in. Al Sutker, eleven dollars, and it's his Birthday today we should be giving him money. And let me throw my ten in there, alright now in the mid...here's my sawbuck, yea, there it is. Now, next, we will now hear, from Carol Braun who will give us her rendition of the song, 'My Buddy'. Carol Braun."
"Right, thank you, after ten years the old voice isn't the same as it was, when we started this. Sings - 'My buddy'."
"Thank you, Carol, that was very lovely. Now you know a few years back when Eddie... Bernard Epton retired as a Member of the House, he was gonna run for Mayor. And at the time, we I haven't made mention of it. He's running for Mayor we ought to support him you know, 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 85th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 109th Legislative Day May 24, 1988 but who ever thought he was gonna come as close as he did but he did. And then we had that Lady that sat in the back that ran for Unites States Senator, what was her name? Koehler, yea, Koehler, she ran for the United States Senate and I says we should give her our support but I told her I was a buddy of Alan Dixon. I couldn't give her my vote but I still memtioned the fact that she should be supported by the Members, and but she went down the drain. But this time let me tell you we've got a winner, Carol Braun, she's running for county collector in Chicago, in Cook county. And I think were overdue for a winner, Carol, all the luck in the world. We're with you. Alright, now we shall hear from Penny Pullen, a Republic that has endured."
"Mr. Speaker, if I could just mention before I begin this recitation, that Carol Brauns singing of My Buddy has been to me the highlight of the year, every year for the last ten years. And it's a song about missing a buddy, and I'm gonna miss hearing that voice singing that song."
"She has done a wonderful job."
"A Republic that has endured, is an inscription on a civil war memorial in Arlington, Virginia. Not for fame or reward, not for place or for rank, not lured by ambition or goated by necessity, but in simple obedience to duty as they understood it. These men suffered all. Sacrificed all, dared all and died."
"Thank you, Penny. Now we'll hear from Grace Mary Stern, who will give her version of the song, America."
"I would be happy to have you all join me. (Singing America)."
"Thank you, Mary. Alright, now, Mike Weaver and I were co-deditwos they call it with a 220 on the Legislative Commission. Mike usually when most of these 11 109th Legislative Day STATE OF ILLINOIS 85th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE May 24, 1988 meetings are downstate so he speaks for both of us. He's I might say he's the Legislative Chairman of the fourty and eight. Will give us his reading of General Johnny Logans order for the first Memorial day. Mike."
"Thank you,..."
"Also veteran."
"General order #11, Headquarters Grand Army of the Republic, Washington, D.C., May 5, 1868. The 30th day of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion. And those bodies lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet churchyard in the land. In this observances, no form or ceremony is prescribed, but post and comrades will in their own way, arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit. We are organized comrades as our regulations tell us for the purpose among other things of preserving and strengthening those fraternal feelings which have bound together, soldiers, sailors, and marines, who have united to suppress the late rebellion. What can add more to assure this result than by cherishing tenderly, the memory of our heroic dead who made their breast to barricade between our country and its foes. Their soldier lives were the reveille of freedom, to race in chains and their deaths a tattoo of the rebellious tyranny in arms. We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance. All that the concentrated wealth and taste of the nation can add to their adornment, and security is but a fitting tribute to the memory of her slain defenders. Let no one foot tread rudely on such hallowed grounds. Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverant visitors and fond mourners. Let no vandalism, have avarice or neglect nor 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 85th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 109th Legislative Day May 24, 1988 ravages of time testify to the presence or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic. If other eyes grow dull, and other hands slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn trust ours shall keep it well, as long as the light and warmth of life remains to us. Let us then at the time appointed, gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with the choicest flowers of springtime. Let us raise above them, the dear old flag they saved from dishonor. Let us in their solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us a sacred charge. Upon the nations gratitude, the soldier, and sailors widow and orphan. It is the purpose of the Commander in Chief to inaugurate this observance with the hope that it will be kept up from year to year. While the survivor of the war remains to honor the memory of his departed comrades, he earnestly desires the public to call attention to this order. And lend his friendly aid in bringing it to the notice of comrades in all parts of the country in time for simultaneous compliance there within. Department Commanders will use every effort to make this order effective by command of John A. Logan, Commander in Chief."
"Thank you, Mike. I just got a donation from the Minority Leader, Lee Daniels, ten dollars. Thank you ever so much, Lee. Now for the final, for the last thing on the program is the quartet comprised of the Poppy Day Belles, Delores Doederlein, Karen Hasara, Margaret Parcells, and Linda Williamson, will give their arrangement of the song God Bless America. Girls take it away."
"We would like to ask all of you to please stand and join us in singing God Bless America. Singing of God Bless America." 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 85th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 109th Legislative Day May 24, 1988
"Wonderful, there is only one, I missed one by mistake. Monique Davis is going to recite the poem trees which was composed by Joyce Kilmer who was killed in World War I. Monique."
"Thank you. Trees, I think that I shall never see a poem. lovely as a tree. A tree whose hungry mouth is pressed against the earths, sweet flowing breasts. A tree that looks at God all day, and lifts her leafy arms to pray. A tree that may in summer wear, a nest of robins in her hair, upon whose bosum snow has lain who intimately lives with rain. Poems are made by fools like me but only God can make a tree."
"Thank you, Monique. John Matijevich, yes."
"Yes, Larry, as long as the Phelps Brothers are a guest here I wonder if we can show our appreciation by asking for an encore of the Battle Hymn of the Republic. Battle Hymn of the Republic, by the Phelps Brothers. Let's go. Come on Dave, show us how. This ought to bring us all to attention."
"Alright, while they're on the way to the platform, I want to thank each and every participant all of you that gave us your undivided attention and for the donations you generously donated. Thank you. The Phelps Brothers."
"Let's give Larry DiPrima a hand for conducting the service. Good job Larry. Stand with us and let's sing it. Singing of the Battle Hymn of the Republic."
"Senate Bills, First Reading."
"Senate Bill 1795, Flowers, a Bill for an Act to amend the School code. First Reading of the Bill. Senate Bill 1902, Speaker Madigan and Leverenz, a Bill for an Act making appropriations to the judicial inquiry board. First Reading of the Bill. Senate Bill 2197, White, a Bill for 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 85th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 109th Legislative Day May 24, 1988 an Act to amend the Illinois Clinical Laboratory Act. First Reading of the Bill."
"Representative Matijevich."
"Yes, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. As everybody knows we are going to have a Rules Committee meeting tomorrow, at 11:45 A.M. in the Speaker's Conference Room. At this time I would move to suspend Rule 20 which is the posting notice so that House Bills 447 and House Bill 2186, can be heard in the Rules Committee on Wednesday, May 25, 1988, at 11:45 in the Speaker's Conference Room. Representative Barb Flinn Currie will speak to House Bill 447 and Representative Carol Braun will speak to House Bill 2186, this will...unless there's leave of course."
"The Gentleman asks leave to suspend the appropriate rules so that House Bill 447, and what was the second Bill?"
"2186."
"Pardon me?"
"2186."
"And House Bill 2186, can be heard tomorrow in Rules. Are there objections? Well Representative Matijevich, objections have been raised. So do you want to..."
"Well,"
"Do you want to make a Motion or do you want Representative Currie?"
"Representative Currie will speak to House Bill 447 and Carol Braun to 2186."
"Representative Currie, on the Motion."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker."
"The Motion is. Could I, just a minute, excuse me. I wonder if we could have some attention? I am sure 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 85th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 109th Legislative Day May 24, 1988 these Bills are of interest to many people on the House floor, so let's give the Lady your attention. The Motion is to suspend the appropriate rules so that these two Bills can be heard in Rules tomorrow. Representative Currie on the Motion."
"Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, Members of the House. House Bill 447, would ban the sale and manufacture of handguns in the State of Illinois. I asked Representative Matijevich to make the Motion to suspend the posting requirements so that this Bill could be heard in the Rules Committee tomorrow. Every Member of this chamber knows of the senseless tragedy that happened on Chicago's Northshore last Friday. Had House Bill 447, been in effect during the last two years, Lori Dann, would have been unable to buy three expensive handguns at a gunshop in Glenview. If this Legislature, if we, the Representatives of the people, are serious about stemming violence, stemming handgun violence, then a vote to suspend the posting notice so that we may discuss and debate. Debate the merits of this kind of proposal during this Spring Session so that we can respond to the grief, to the mourning of all the people of this State. And particularly those whose lives were closely affected by that violence and those shootings. A responsible vote would be to suspend this posting notice. This of course, is not a vote on the merits of the Bill, but it is a vote to say we are responsible to these grieving parents, these grieving communities. We have a responsiblity to find a way to see to it that tragedies like this do not happen in the future. I would appreciate your support for Representative Matijevich Motion."
"Representative Hallock on the Motion."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Members of the House. Without question we all find the disaster over the weekend, very 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 85th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 109th Legislative Day May 24, 1988 lamentable and find it unfortunate that it occurred. But to pass this Bill and to make a Motion to have this Bill heard immediately is not a solution we all know that as well. This Bill was debated last year somewhat and had some discussion in Judiciary II Committee, before it was then put on the Interum Study Calendar. It has been around a long time, I would say to the Sponsor, there is no urgency with this Bill. I would say what she should do is try to amend some other Bill, if she feels strongly about the issue and do that in a proper time frame and not urge this upon us at this point in time. So I would rise in opposition to the Motion and ask that she consider it at a later date."
"Representative Stern."
"Mr. Speaker and Members of the House, I rise in support of the Lady's Motion. It is a time when our Governor is speaking of a reexamination of the Handgun Bills. It is a time when all of us recognize the terrible tragedy that happened right on the lip of my district, not quite where my grandchildren attend school, but very nearly. And all of us can recognize what a tragedy this has been. I think it is a time for debate. I did not expect you to rise as one and pass the Resolution, and...but I do think it is a time for you to examine how far you want Illinois to be in the rear of sensible legislation on the subject of guns. This is a body that would not permit discussion of a prohibition of the plastic handgun, something that our congress has overwhelmingly supported. Do we want to remain in the jungle on this kind of question? We have watched families mourn on television. We have watched them sit aside of their wounded babies in the hospitals of the Northshore. This is a time to debate sensible gun control legislation. I urge an 'aye' vote on the Lady's Motion." 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 85th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 109th Legislative Day
"Representative Tate." May 24, 1988
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. Certainly, the Lady rises in all sincerity for a major concern. However, I think if all of us look very carefully at this Bill and the issue at hand here, you will find that this is an issue that's been introduced in this process for year in and year out for several years, the last several years at least. This is a knee jerk reaction and I mean it's easy to play on emotions at this time when we've had a tragedy. But the fact of the matter is, this is not a solution. What they are trying to do is subvert a process of legislative process that we have established for...with legislative history in this process, and I would ask and encourage all of the Members of this House, that if each and every time we have an accident or a tragedy, be it a automobile accident, or an industrial accident or whatever, are we to react accordingly? And certainly something of the magnitude that would substantially change the entire makeup of our Constitution in this State as well as this country is one that I think deserves due process and deserves some timely debate. This Bill is currently on Interim Study, everyone in this chamber knows that a Bill like this could be called and judiciously given time and consideration to debate the merits of this issue. However, what the Sponsor of these Bills are doing are really political opportunist here to pursue a minority opinion in this State in their own legislative districts. So I strongly encourage all of the Members to pay attention to this Motion, because this will probably be a Motion that will determine one of the few opportunities that we have to stand up for the rights of our citizens back in our district, so I definitely encourage a 'no' vote on the Motion." 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 85th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 109th Legislative Day
"Representative Braun."
"Thank you, Mr. May 24, 1988 Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. I rise in support of the Lady's Motion. You know it seems to me incomprehensible that anyone who has any concern at all or who saw the television or read the newspapers over the weekend would not allow this issue to be presented for debate to this Body. The Lady's Motion simply will allow for her Bill and for other Bills which will delay the waiting period for delivery of handguns to be heard by this General Assembly. It is simply a procedural Motion it is not a Motion on the substance of the Legislation. This is not, it seems to me that it is incumbent upon us to be responsive not only to the parents who suffered so in Winnetka, but to people all over this State who are now looking at this General Assembly and calling on us to be responsible, calling on us to pay some attention to the fact that we are suffering from violence from handguns in our communities on a daily basis. We have a crisis before us but we have an opportunity here, Ladies and Gentlemen, to respond to this crisis, in a fashion befitting this General Assembly. I know there's a lot of conversation going on but this is a deadly serious issue. Handguns are killing people indiscriminately. We have an opportunity at least to have a chance for all of us to speak to the issue should these Bills be allowed to be heard at this time. I urge your support for this and subsequent Motions so that the General Assembly may have an opportunity to debate of the handgun control issue."
"Representative Stephens."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. First of all, an inquiry of the Chair, how many votes does this require?"
"Seventy-one."
"Thank you. To the Sponsor of the Motion. I think its 19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 85th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 109th Legislative Day May 24, 1988 unfortunate your wearing your heart on your sleeve for the wrong reasons. You make the argument that well although this is a procedural matter, we're not gonna talk procedure. I think the issue at hand is, why is it that the Bill is in the position that it's in? Who put it on Interim Study? Why is it where it's at today? What happened in the procedure? Where did you fail in moving this Bill to the position that you wanted it to be to be debated. Where did you fail and why are you using the tragedy that the people and the families in that area suffered to supplant the inability to move the Bill in the proper procedure for debate. I think its unfortunate. I think it's a terrible precedent to stand and use this tragic situation for your advantage politically. Which is what you are doing. That's unfortunate. And I think the proper thing to do know is to withdraw the Motion. Your explanation had nothing to do with the procedural moves that put you in the position your in. I think your asking for as Representative Tate said, a knee jerk reaction to accomplish a goal that you couldn't otherwise accomplish through the Legislative process. The proper vote is a 'no' vote on your Motion."
"Representative Sutker."
"Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House, I rise in support of the Lady's Motion, and I ask all of us for the reasons expressed on both sides of the aisle, to discuss this issue currently. The time is now, the young man who was killed in the second grade classroom, Nicki Corawin, was the nephew of one of the precinct captains in my organization. It is a heart rendering occurence in our community. It shatters our community and now is the time to discuss it. I agree not to discuss it today, not to discuss it now, but to put it on the agenda immediately for 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 85th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 109th Legislative Day May 24, 1988 further discussion and this Motion will make that possible. Let's be thoughtful about it, let's renew our concern about the devistation that handguns are providing us. Let's not get into a political harangue or maneuvering with regard to parliamentary procedure, let's support the Lady's Motion."
"Representative Ewing."
"Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House, I have a inquiry, is this Motion being submitted in writing?"
"Say it again."
"Has the Motion been submitted in writing?"
"Yes."
"Mr. Speaker, it's my understanding that the Motion can only be, the Calendar requirement. This Motion needs to be on the Calendar, if it isn't on the Calendar, it can only be suspended by unanimous consent. We certainly don't have that, and I would suggest that we go on to other business, because this matter is not unanimous and we can't take it up at this time."
"Representative Ewing, your point is well taken, it is not on the House Calendar, and it is not on Supplemental #1. We will now get back to this issue shortly if there is another Supplemental distributed. We will now go to House Calendar Supplemental #1. A Motion by Representative Currie. Representative Currie."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Members of the House. This is a Motion to take a Bill, that has already been exempted from Rules, from the table so that we can consider its merits, this Session. The Motion is in respect to House Bill 2351. That Bill for purposes of your information is a Bill that was proposed by the Illinois Department of State Police. It is a Governor's Bill, it is an Administration Bill. The point of the Bill is to improve and strengthen the existing Fire Arm Owners Identification Act Program. Recent 21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 85th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 109th Legislative Day May 24, 1988 comments by the Governor suggest that he is interested this Session in strengthening that program and I would suggest to you that moving to suspend the rules so that we can consider this a straight forward strenthening of controls already in place. Would behove this General Assembly this Spring Session."
"Representative Currie has moved to suspend Rule 27, discharge Judiciary II, Interim Study Calendar for further consideration. Suspend Rule 37, 'till June 2nd. Lady's Motion requires 71 votes and on the Motion, Representative Ewing."
"I believe the Lady's Motion is in violation of our Rule 27(c) wherein it indicates that 71 votes are required but after the Governor's budget message in even numbered years, shall not be subject to discharge until July 1. I don't think she could have this, bring this Motion until after July 1."
"Representative, you are correct, but if you go down to (g) you'll see that this Rule may be suspended by 71 votes. And that's the Motion. Representative Ewing, did you wish to speak to the Motion?"
"Well, it would seem, Mr. Speaker, that there's an inconsistency there because why would we have would we apply (g) to that Rule (c) when we say that by an affirmative vote of 71 Members we should have quit. But we went right ahead and said but after the Governor's message in even numbered years shall not be subject to discharge until July 1. I think we could have saved printing cost and paper had we left that off unless we intended to mean that you can't bring it out until July 1."
"Representative Ewing, I can't give you the philosophical reasons behind adopting a Rule 27, I can only point that on 27(g) says that this Rule may be suspended by 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS 85th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 109th Legislative Day 71 votes and that's the ruling of the Chair. to speak to the Motion?" May 24, 1988
Do you wish Ewing: "Well, one other inquiry then, I think that her Motion to discharge is out of order, because she needs to bring a Motion to suspend the Rule first."
"Representative, your point is not well taken, that is the Lady's Motion. The Lady's Motion is to suspend Rule 27(c) and this Rule under (g) may be suspended by 71 votes. That's the ruling of the Chair. Does anyone wish to speak to the Motion? Representative Piel to the Motion."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, will the Lady yield for some questions?"
"Yes, she will."
"Representative Currie, not all of us sit on the Judiciary Committee, would you give us a little bit of background exactly what happened to this Bill in Judiciary Committee?"
"The Bill was heard in Judiciary Subcommittee last year. It is my recollection that the subcommittee did not take a final vote on this particular proposal. It is, as I suggested earlier a proposal that initially came from the Department of State Police. It is an Administration Proposal..."
"I know...I know you went through that before..."
"It would not cost...pardon me?"
"You went through that before. You don't need to repeat that. You already...I just asked you what happened in committee. You said last year, when was it heard last year?"
"In 1987, the Spring Session, the Judiciary Subcommittee, considered several Bills having to do with the Fire Arm Owner Identification Card System. My recollection is that there never was a vote in the subcommittee, nor in the full 23 STATE OF ILLINOIS 85th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 109th Legislative Day May 24, 1988 committee. But I'm not sure what that past history has to do with this present Motion. There is a present Motion before us. If you want to take seriously our responsibilities..."
"Mr. Speaker, she can get into her diatribe in her closing if she wants to, Mr. Speaker..."
"to try to protect our citizens and we ought to be voting and talking about the..."
"She doesn't have to get into a dia..."
"I couldn't hear his question, Mr. Speaker."
"Representative Piel, would you repeat your question?"
"Well, if she'd get away from her political speeches and her diatribe..."
"I don't understand that."
"All I'm doing is asking her some questions, Mr. Speaker."
"Proceed, Sir."
"Okay, so it was last year, I think at the beginning of your long speech you said last year is when it was heard, right?"
"Yes, and then it was posted..."
"When was, Okay, thank."
"Posted for a perfunctory hearing before the beginning of this Spring Session."
"Okay, alright, but my question. Alright you made the comment, at the very beginning of the Motion that it was exempted by rules. When was it exempted by rules?"
"It was exempted by rules, by virtue of the perfunctory hearing before the Governor's budget message in March."
"Okay, so it's still in that Interim Study Committee, of that committee, correct?"
"Yes."
"So you never called it for a hearing before the full 24 STATE OF ILLINOIS 85th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 109th Legislative Day committee?"
"Because it was still in May 24, 1988 sub-committee was my understanding there was not time to call it during the spring."
"Was it your feeling that the Bill was not that important at that time to call before the full committee."
"My feeling is this Bill is absolutely of critical importance and that's why I filed this Motion, Mr. Piel, and if you won't talk about the merits of the Bill your free to do so but I don't understand what the past history has to do with your vote today."
"I'm trying to figure out why your trying to discharge committee, when you never called it for a vote in the initial committee."
"I'm trying to discharge committee because I am hopeful. I am hopeful that the tragedies of last Friday will get through the thick heads of the Members of this General Assembly that we have a responsibility for the life, the health and the safety of our citizens. Of those children who were shot at Friday while they were in school. This Bill 2351, is not a radical proposal, it is not a ban Bill, all it does is strengthen our existing law in respect to the question, who may buy a handgun in the State of Illinois?"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It's funny everytime she gets into her little political diatribe you cut my switch off and you let her go on. I mean, I think what we should all do on this House floor is basically look at this issue for what it is. I think you should be ashamed, Representative Currie, because you are pulling a sham and a farce to the media at the expense of these children in Winnetka. You could have this Bill called in committee, but you didn't want to. You didn't call it for a vote. But now you want 25 109th Legislative Day STATE OF ILLINOIS 85th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE May 24, 1988 to discharge the committee and all it is is a grandstand. I hope that you've gotten enough publicity on this at the expense of those kids, because I think its a real shame, when you sit here and at the expense of what is happening in Winnetka you try and get the publicity you have. You've gotten the publicity, I heard you on the radio this morning, I heard you on the radio this morning, SO you've gotten your publicity. But I think it's too bad at the expense of these kids. And I would ask for a 'no' vote on this Motion."
"Representative John... Representative Johnson. Your on, Sir."
"Okay, I'm sorry. I thought we could discuss this issue without the necessity of calling names. I guess those of us who don't agree with Representative Currie are thick heads. But as long as were going to elevate the discussion to emotions. I would suggest that when, I don't even know if the funeral has occurred yet, to be here in an attempt to exploit a tragedy, that no kind of legislation would control, may not be thick headed but it certainly smacks of a kind of demagoguery that nobody in this Legislature ought to be allowed to perpetrate. Of course, the events of last week and those like it that have occurred before are terrible tragedies. And everybodies heart in this General Assembly has got to bleed for the people in the community and the Members of the family and everybody else involved with that horrible situation. But to be here and to try to use that terrible human tragedy as a basis for a discharge from committee when the funeral probably occurred yesterday is not the way government ought to be run and it's not the way that responsible Legislators ought to react. If this Bill is appropriate, if this Bill is one that ought to pass there's a number of vehicles along the way, that we can use 26 STATE OF ILLINOIS 85th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 109th Legislative Day May 24, 1988 to be able to address that issue. But to be here in an attempt to publicize in a demogogic way a human tragedy, really degrades all of us. And I would have thought that it would be something that Representative Currie would not engage in."
"Representative Satterthwaite."
"Mr. Speaker and Members of the House, like most of us I suppose in driving to Springfield today, I had my car radio on and I heard that the Governor of the State of Illinois was indicating that we need to have changes in our gun control laws. That there are ways in which we can tighten up the procedures for who has access to guns to be able to provide some additional safety before those guns can be obtained and so I don't understand why it appears to be a partisan issue on this House floor. When the Lady asks to have a Bill which could be a vehicle for the necessary changes put in a posture were we can move forward in the next few weeks to try to make the changes that have been recommended by our Governor and will be debated I am sure in the process before any final version of the legislation would emerge. So it would seem to me that it would behoove us to put aside any kind of political bickering and deal with the issue at hand and allow the Lady to have her Bill in a posture where debate on the issue can move forward. I would urge support of this Motion."
"Representative Goforth."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, will the Sponsor yield?"
"Yes, she will."
"Representative, I believe a while ago I heard you Currie: mention that you said the Governor and the State Police was in favor of this?" "What I said was that the Bill was initiated by the 27 STATE OF ILLINOIS 85th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 109th Legislative Day May 24, 1988 Department of State Police and my understanding from newspaper accounts is that the Governor has suggested that there might be some improvements in our ability to operate our Fire Arm Owners Identification and Protection System."
"Well, I'm kind of surprised about that, Representative. Because last Session, the Director of the Department of Law Enforcement testified in front of our committee that he wanted to do away with the FOID card all together. I'm a little concerned about this, I don't think anybody in this legislature has more experience with the State Police I have they sure haven't contacted me about this. And needless to say the Governor hasn't, of course, I expected that there, I don't have no problem with that. But I do have a little trouble with the State Police not contacting the Members of this General Assembly, wanting this package back out. I personally, you know how my feeling is about the FOID card. I think it's an absolute disaster, it always has been and it should be repealed completely. But to the Motion itself, back to this thing, all of us is sorry as to what happened. But if anybody's read the newspaper, any woman will stand on an elevator naked riding up and down an elevator all day long could get guns anywhere and I don't think we ought to be stampede this. I'll be glad to work with you any time about gun control but not under these kind of situations. Thank you."
"Representative Matijevich."
"Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House, I rise in support of the Lady's Motion. In the debate, seems to me that I hear voices saying that that we should not react to events. Some of the people that are saying that we should not react to these events are the same people a couple of years ago when evidently in their minds they thought we had some real problems with high insurance and 28 STATE OF ILLINOIS 85th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 109th Legislative Day May 24, 1988 they had about a hundred Amendments that said that we ought to react react to the tort reform and the insurance crisis. It really wasn't a crisis but I'm trying to make the point that everyday, everyday in this Legislative House we react to what goes on in the world. So I don't think there's anything wrong if we react in a responsible manner, none of us liked what happened. None of us like to see a life taken away. I listened to our Memorial Day ceremony and I thought as many of you did, how some of our loved ones are not with us because they died so that others could live in safety. That others could live in liberty and now many are losing their lives because of handguns. The fact that something happened over the weekend doesn't, and it shouldn't be the end of the story. There will be another weekend. There will be this week. There will be next week. There will be other tragedies. Why should we not react to the tragedies that are caused by handguns, why shouldn't we? We ought to be responsible men and women the State of Maryland today signed a Bill that at least banned the use of saturday night specials. We in Illinois, where Jim Brady was brought up, we in Illinois can't do it, we in Illinois, some of us are accused of saying that we are reacting that we are playing to the media. We are reacting because the time has since gone that we ought to act responsibly. Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House, we should not adjourn... we should not adjourn this House until we do something about the use of handguns. I support the Lady's Motion and we surely ought to have 71 votes on that Motion."
"Representative Ropp."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members of the House. I stand in opposition to this Motion, primarily because we have a certain procedure in this House to deal with and we have 29 STATE OF ILLINOIS 85th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 109th Legislative Day dealt with it. support lend some May 24, 1988 It is a tragedy that we are attempting to for this issue that a particular individual or several individuals have relative to the emotional issue that has been dealt with as a result of young people. The point could also be made that in fact, maybe we ought to deal with that particular individual and those like him, that have had some concern with mental illness. And if those people had been properly taken care of, properly redirected that that individual may not have been exposed or been able to get in touch with a particular weapon. I think that's a concern that we ought to have and certainly it is obvious that we are not going to deal with it. Maybe we should have looked at whether or not schools should have had a little more security, in allowing a person of this particular caliber to enter the school. Maybe that needs to be legislated. I think it takes time it needs some time to address those issues we should not act that hastily. It is in fact that the weapon did not in fact do the tragedy but someone had to actually pull the trigger. And I think that we need to take these kinds of issues somewhat slowly, not over-react because certainly it is an issue that there is a lot of emotion too. And I urge us to move on these kinds of issues with some degree of rationalism rather than in a bit of haste."
"Representative Stern."
"Mr. Speaker and Members of the House, I want to make one point very strongly. This is not the same Bill that we had up before us a few minutes ago. 447, was a total prohibition and that is a quite different Bill. This is a Bill that would give us the opportunity to talk, only to talk, to let some fresh air in to debate the merits of strengthening the Fire Arms Owners Identification Card. This is something that has been discussed but not seriously 30 STATE OF ILLINOIS 85th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 109th Legislative Day May 24, 1988 debated by the forces against it. I hope that you will permit this debate, this creates a vehicle whereby whatever program the Governor has in mind, whatever package the Legislature could agree upon could go through the House and through the Senate. We are not going to pass anything today, that is going to be final. We are talking about permitting the subject to come to debate. I urge you to vote 'aye' on this much needed legislation."
"Representative Cowlishaw."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. This Motion, at least from my point of view is in such incredibly bad taste that it brings the word politics to an all time low."
"Representative Hallock."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Members of the House. You know, as I said before, we all really take great pain in the tragedy that occurred over the weekend. But to talk about discharging from committee a House Bill which will repeal the FOID Card Act and put a new Act in does little to change that. As a matter of fact as I looked at this Bill from last Session, I'm convinced that, even if that law were in effect, that young Lady would have still had a gun and it would have been to no avail. So to talk about this point in time discharging the committee from hearing this Bill and moving it on, is really a ludicrous proposition. We'll do nothing whatsoever other than just grandstand, we know that's not the proper course of action to take. I would suggest to the Sponsor that if she knows there are many criminal law Bills now on the Calendar, both in the House and the Senate, she does seem to have a solution to what happened over the weekend, suggest that as an Amendment to one of those Bills. Let's not move this Bill further. It is a bad Bill, it was a bad Bill last 31 109th Legislative Day STATE OF ILLINOIS 85th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE May 24, 1988 year. And I urge the Motion be defeated."
"Representative Currie to close."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members of the House. The fact of course is we couldn't deal with House Bill 2351, last year because there wasn't a tragedy last year, now I'm told today we can't deal with it this year because there has been a tragedy this year. The fact of the matter is that we do not have strong gun control legislation on the books, in the State of Illinois. And what minimal legislation we do have goes absolutely unenforced. House Bill 2351, would at least enable us to solve the later problem. It would give our State Department of Police, the tools it needs to see to it that only those people who are eligible to buy fire arms in the State in fact are able to buy them. Would this Bill were it on the books have prevented a Lori Dann from buying guns in Glenview. I'm not sure that it would, but it may prevent other people from buying handguns who have no business owning them, people who under the way our present program works are able to buy those guns. There was a tragedy over the weekend, there was a tragedy on Friday. We are grownups, we're serious responsible people when we see things happening that need not have happened it's up to us to take steps to see to it that those tragedies do not happen again. House Bill 2351, is a mild mannered approach to the problem of handguns out of control. I urge your 'aye' vote."
"Question is, 'Shall the Lady's Motion pass?' All in favor of the Motion vote 'aye', all opposed vote 'no'. Representative Shaw to explain his vote."
"Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. I think what has not been said here, we haven't talked about the arsenic that was passed out, we didn't talk about any regulations dealing with arsenic, this same 32 STATE OF ILLINOIS 85th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 109th Legislative Day May 24, 1988 young Lady, we all feel for the families that lost the child and the children were wounded, but the Sponsor of this Legislation, she could go in her own district and there is someone being shot everyday. As a matter of fact, the Rangers I think was a basis they started in her district, but I didn't see the out cry from my colleague when other youngsters were getting killed by the hundreds, talking about reforming gun control legislation. This is not the answer, I think we should deal with this under a more sober atmosphere and I think that this Motion should be defeated."
"Have all voted? Have all voted who wish? Clerk will take the record. On this Motion there are 40 'ayes', 66 'nos', 1 voting 'present' and the Motion fails. Supplemental Calendar #2 there is a Motion by Representative Matijevich. Representative Matijevich."
"Yes, Mr. Chairman, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. This is the same Motion that we have debated we now meet the Calendar requirements. Inspite of the vote on the last Motion, I want to say sincerely that I feel this issue very important. I think the time has come that this Legislature take seriously the need to reform our gun control laws. For those who say that we don't react to crisis, let me remind you that when we had the floods in both my Lake County and suburban Cook and DuPage County, what did we do? We passed Flood Control Legislation. When we had a fatality in a mental health facility, in a mental facility, what did we do? We passed some reforms and we had committees so that we could look at what is happening, so we can bring about better law to protect those in our mental health facilities. When we had cases of child abuse what did we do? We reacted. We completely reformed the laws relating to Children and Family Services. But why is 33 STATE OF ILLINOIS 85th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 109th Legislative Day May 24, 1988 it, why is it that one of the probably the issue that's most important, the issue that would save many lives, the issue of gun control we close our eyes? I really don't think...Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker."
"Ladies and Gentlemen..."
"I guess maybe they don't..."
"Ladies and Gentlemen, could we break up the Caucus in the center aisle? Thank you. I wonder if we couldn't have a little bit of order? Proceed, Representative."
"Mr. Speaker, I don't know of an issue that is more important. Because when you can save lives, to me that is most important. And we can save lives. I think...I think the scandal of our country is that here we are a civilized country and people are maiming each other with handguns. The easy accessability of handguns is the scandal of our country. And what do we do? We close our eyes to it all over. We close our eyes to it in Illinois. I don't think the National Rifle Associations interest ought to be above the interest of saving lives in the State of Illinois. I think that we ought to vote on this Motion, that it ought to be debated. And that in the end we ought to have stronger gun control laws in Illinois. And I urge your support."
"The Gentleman has moved for the adoption of the Motion. The Motion requires 71 votes. I have two people seeking recognition to speak against it. Representative Johnson."
"I'll...I already spoke, let's...I'll defer to whoever else wants it."
"Representative Hallock."
"Yes, Mr. Speaker, Members of the House, I will just say that there's several Bills in the Judiciary II Committee 34 STATE OF ILLINOIS 85th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 109th Legislative Day May 24, 1988 which will be debated in the Criminal Law issue tomorrow. The meeting will be Wednesday of course as they are posted to meet. If this is that urgent an issue, I would say that you suggest that you take one of those Bills there an amend it and make it what you want it to be. To suggest that we suspend this Rule is unnecessary. We've debated this Bill many times before. First of all on concept and secondly in reality last Session. This is a bad Motion, I urge it to be defeated."
"The question is, 'Shall this Motion pass?' All in favor of the Motion vote 'aye', opposed vote 'no'. Have all voted? Have all voted who wish? The Clerk will take the record. On this Motion there are 41 'ayes', 63 'nos', 1 voting 'present'. And the Motion fails. Representative Braun."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There is a similar Motion pending with regard to the seven day waiting period Bill."
"Representative, that was all on that one Motion."
"It was?"
"The Motion was to suspend Rule 20 so that these Bills..."
"No, Sir... no, Sir. The Chairman of the Rules Committee made an oral Motion which...seperate oral Motion regarding the seven day Bill."
"The..."
"I mean we can't..."
"The... Motion that Representative Matijevich just made was in regards to House Bill 447 and House Bill 2186."
"Alright, then is it..."
"That Motion had to be in writing."
"Is it appropriate for me to move for a seperation of the question?" 35 STATE OF ILLINOIS 85th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 109th Legislative Day
"That's untimely now."
"Thank you."
"Agreed Resolutions." May 24, 1988
"House Resolution 1462, offered by Representative Wyvetter Terzich. Younge. 1463, Ronan. 1464, Regan. 1466, Matijevich. 1467, Matijevich. Hultgren. 1470, Giglio. 1471, Parke et al." 1465, 1468,
"Representative Matijevich."
"Mr. Speaker, we have examined the Resolutions. They are agreed to and I move the adoption of the Agreed Resolutions."
"The Gentleman moves the adoption of the Agreed Resolutions. All in favor say 'aye', opposed 'no'. The 'ayes' have it and the Agreed Resolutions are adopted. Death Resolutions."
"House Resolution 1469, offered by Speaker Madigan - et al, with respect to the memory of Edward William Brophy IV of Chicago."
"Representative Matijevich moves for the adoption of Death Resolution. All in favor say 'aye', opposed 'no'. The 'ayes' have it and the Death Resolution is adopted. Representative Satterthwaite."
"Mr. Speaker and Members of the House, the posting was correct, but there is a printing error on today's Calendar for a Bill number in Higher Education Committee. The number is listed as 1797, but the correct posting and the correct Bill number is 1796. Because many of the Higher Education Members also serve on the Human Services Committee the Higher Education Committee will be delayed until 3:00 Ρ.Μ."
"The Chair will announce at this time that the committees meeting this afternoon will all be delayed one hour. Human Services will be from 2:00 until 4:00. The 36 STATE OF ILLINOIS 85th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 109th Legislative Day May 24, 1988 Higher Ed. will be from 3:00 until 4:00. And Appropriations I will be from 4:00 until 6:00. Representative Piel. Mr. Piel."
"Yes, Mr. Speaker, could we ask that possible Press Conferences should be held out in the hallway or in the press room and not on the House floor please? Our Pages can't even get over to our desks."
"Representative Van Duyne."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd just like to announce to everybody in the...within the sight of my eyes and the sound of my voice that I'm happy to see our...my buddy and our colleague, Representative Christensen back after his quadruple heart by-pass. His first day."
"Representative Matijevich."
"Yes, Mr. Speaker, and this one isn't controversial. I would ask leave of the posting notice and use of the Attendance Roll Call for that purpose so that Senate Bill 1795 and Senate Bill 2197 can be heard in the Rules Committee meeting tomorrow at 11:45 a.m. This has been cleared. Also to announce if there are any Bills that need House Sponsors please immediately try to get those Bills together. Thank you, Mr. Speaker."
"The Gentleman has moved to waive the appropriate Rules so that the commit...so that the Rules Committee can hear the two Bills specified in the Motion. Hearing no objections, the Attendance Roll Call will be used. The Gentleman's Motion carries. Representative Cullerton."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. I have an announcement. Tickets for the second funniest show in Springfield, the Gridiron Dinner are on sale in the press room for $25.00. The event is on June 8 and it is as you know, the second funniest show in Springfield. Now people have asked me now apparently, what 37 109th Legislative Day STATE OF ILLINOIS 85th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE May 24, 1988 the first funniest show is and that's..."
"And you told me, the Illinois Senate."
"The Illinois Senate, right. But I have the...if those people are curious about the State of the State address that I'm going to give that's going to be on June 1st at Bauers. But that's a different issue altogether."
"Further announcements? Let the Chair point out once again that the committees have been delayed one hour. Human Services from 2:00 until 4:00, Higher Ed is from 3:00 until 4:00, and Appropriations is from 4:00 until 6:00. Representative Rea."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd just like to remind the Members of the Select Committee on Economic Development that we will meet at 9:00 o'clock tomorrow morning in D-1 and if you can be there on time we can move very rapidly and be out. So I would like for you to be on time. I would like to also take this opportunity to introduce a very special guest here today, who is the President of the Mississippi Valley Co-Exporting Council, Susan Wingfield, standing right here on my left."
"Representative Matijevich moves that the House stands adjourned until tomorrow at the hour of 12:00 noon. All in favor say 'aye', opposed 'no'. The 'ayes' have it and the House stands adjourned." 38 REPORT: TIFLDAY 09:20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 85TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DAILY TRANSCRIPTION OF DEBATE INDEX MAY 24, 1988 PAGE 1 12/29/88 HB-0447 MOTION SB-1795 FIRST READING SB-1902 FIRST READING SB-2197 FIRST READING PAGE 15 PAGE 14 PAGE 14 PAGE 14 SUBJECT MATTER HOUSE TO ORDER - REPRESENTATIVE MCPIKE PAGE L PRAYER - PHELPS BROTHERS PAGE 1 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE PAGE 1 ROLL CALL FOR ATTENDANCE PAGE 1 POPPY-DAY PROGRAM PAGE 3 AGREED RESOLUTIONS PAGE 36 DEATH RESOLUTIONS PAGE 36 ADJOURNMENT PAGE 38