July 7, 1993 "The House will come to order. The Chaplain for today is Father Kevin W. Vann, of Our Lady of Lords Catholic Church in Decatur, Illinois. Father Vann is the guest of Representative Noland. The guests in the gallery may wish to rise for the invocation."
"Let us place ourselves in God's presence. Psalm 91 says, 'you, who dwell in the shelter of the most high, who abide in the shadow of the almighty, say to the Lord, my refugee and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.' As we deliberate in these days of summer, oh God, we ask for a sense of Your presence in our discussions and our decisions. May we trust in Your goodness, and every moment of decision. May Your strength uplift us in moments of fatigue, and may Your truth be our measure and our guide, as we seek to serve our State and our people. May we never forget to turn to You in our need; for You are truly our refugee, strength, and source of life. Amen."
"We'll be led in the Pledge by Representative Kotlarz."
"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 Kubik. Representative Currie."
"Thank you, Speaker. Let the record reflect that both Representative Monroe Flinn and Carol Ronen are excused today."
"Representative Wennlund."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Republican Members are all here today...not in good shape, but they're all here."
"Take the record, Mr. Clerk. There are 116 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 88th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 78th Legislative Day July 7, 1993 answering 'present', the House has a quorum and it's ready to do its business. On page 5 of the Calendar, under Conference Committee Reports, appears Senate Bill 940, Representative Granberg."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. The Conference Committee Report on Senate Bill 940 essentially contains three provisions. One of which allows the...landfill...tax in the forest preserve district which was discussed earlier this Session. It also allows certain counties to pay for forest preserve district construction and property renovation to issue bonds. And it also allows the Chicago...Museum District to...also issue bonds, which has been done historically on a continuing basis, once every ten years. So I'd be happy to answer any questions."
"Any discussion? The Lady from DuPage, Representative Cowlishaw."
"Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. When this Bill, as a Bill, was called here before there was a Conference Committee Report, I stood and spoke in opposition to this Bill, and it failed by a very substantial margin. This is the Bill that is meant to exempt waste management from having to pay real estate taxes on the land fill operation on a forest preserve property in DuPage County. That forest preserve happens to be in my district. Now, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House, every other profit making business in this state has to pay real estate taxes to support local schools. I don't believe, under any circumstances, that we should be exempting waste management from having to pay real estate taxes on a very profitable land fill operation, simply because it happens to be located on publicly owned land. I would also caution all of you who live in Chicago, 2 78th Legislative Day STATE OF ILLINOIS 88th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE July 7, 1993 and who care about the Chicago fiscal situation. There is one other prize example of a profit making venture located on publicly owned land that pays real estate taxes, and I'm sure you wouldn't want to tinker with that. O'Hare Field is owned by the City of Chicago. Every airline that operates out of O'Hare Field pays real estate taxes whether they make a profit or not. And the City of Chicago depends upon that substantial amount of real estate revenue in order to balance its budget. The same should prevail where I live, and Waste Management should have to pay taxes like everybody else. I caution you, if you live in Chicago, there is something really good that has been put into this Conference Committee Report for you, and that is the funding for the museum and the park. But at the same time that you endorse that, if you vote for this, you run the very real risk that you set the precedent that all of those airlines at O'Hare Field would no longer have to pay real estate taxes to the City of Chicago. I urge a 'no' vote."
"The Gentleman from DuPage, Representative Persico."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. I stand in support of this Amendment. Initially, I voted against it for the very reason that Representative Cowlishaw was mentioning, but after understanding the Bill better, it clarified a great deal to me. It clarifies that historical property exempted for land fill has always been that way. It eliminates the possibility that residents of other townships, other than Lisle, will pay taxes to its school district where they do not live. Neither the operator nor...neither operator of the land fills will gain or lose any liability from this Bill. Only the forest preserve district can be made to pay, and with that, it's 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 88th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 78th Legislative Day July 7, 1993 about a $1.4 million taxes...property taxes per year that other townships will be paying for to support these...land fill operators. So, I... As I mentioned before, the operator of the land fill will neither gain or lose any liability, and I stand in support of this Bill."
"The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Levin."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. For purposes of legislative intent... Let me first indicate that the only reason I did not sign this report is that they couldn't find me in time. I'm in total support of the Second Conference Committee Report on Senate Bill 940. For purposes of legislative intent however, I'd like to indicate that I had a conversation with Joseph Fredo, who is the Deputy...Commissioner of the Chicago Park District, and he indicated that it was the intention of the Park District to hold public hearings with respect to the new authority contained in this legislation with respect to museums. It is also the intent of the Sponsors of this legislation that such hearings...be required under this legislation before any new bonds are let with respect to museums. You know, I think this satisfies everybody with respect to the museum issue. The rest of this legislation we have seen in various forms before, and I urge your support for Senate Bill 940."
"The Gentleman from Vermilion, Representative Black."
"Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Would the Sponsor yield?"
"He indicates he will."
"Representative...Granberg, are you presenting the Bill? Okay. The land fills that a previous questioner raised...an issue, those land fills do not now, nor have they ever paid property taxes. Is that your understanding?" 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 88th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 78th Legislative Day
July 7, 1993 "Representative Black, you are absolutely correct. I was gonna address that point from the...that was made by the previous speaker. Currently, any forest preserve district is exempt from paying property taxes. That is the current law. This would merely allow that to continue with the lease hold tax, which is...which is...which carries out the intention of the...the current law, prohibiting the property tax imposition."
"So, the... If we were to defeat this Conference Committee Report, the land fills in question would still not pay property tax, correct?"
"Absolutely correct."
"So, that really is not the fundamental issue before us at this time. Would that be a safe assumption?"
"As always, Representative Black, or at least most of the time, you are exactly on point."
"Well, thank you very much. I appreciate your kindness, Representative."
Currie: I, too, "The Lady from Cook, Representative Currie." "Thank you, Speaker and Members of the House. rise in support of this measure. The point is that DuPage Forest Preserve District never paid property taxes. The fact that it's asked somebody else to operate the land fill should not change the relationship between taxpayers and taxing bodies in that County. In addition, in this Conference Committee Report is important language that will enable the museums located on park district land in the City of Chicago to continue their capital expansion and improvement program, one that has been adopted by...at ten year intervals over the last several decades by this Assembly. That program has made it possible for our museums to continue to be the kinds of tourist attractions and 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 88th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 78th Legislative Day July 7, 1993 educational facilities that are so important to youngsters across the state, whether they live in my district or they live in...in farthest Cairo. So, I think there are lots of good reasons to support this Conference Committee Report, the language contained in Senate Bill 940, and I hope that we will do so with resounding numbers."
"Representative Granberg to close."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen. As has been discussed, this does not change the current law in regard to property taxes. If this fails, the land fill in DuPage County will not be required to pay property taxes. They are not required property taxes now. So this will have no effect on property taxes. Additionally, as Representative Currie indicated, this is very important for museums and other institutions that help our children. This has been worked on by all the parties involved, and we would appreciate an 'aye' vote."
"The question is, 'Shall the House adopt the Second Conference Committee Report to Senate Bill 940?' And on that question, all those in favor signify by voting 'aye'; opposed, 'no'. The voting is open, and this is final action. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record, Mr. Clerk. Record Representative Balanoff, 'aye'. Representative Wojcik, 'aye'. Representative Monique Davis, 'aye'. Representative Schoenberg, 'aye'. Have all voted who wish? Take the record, Mr. Clerk. On this question, there's 71 voting 'aye', 32 voting 'no'; and the House does concur on Conference Committee #2 to Senate Bill 940, and this Bill, having... Representative Cowlishaw."
"My button has been on for a long time, and I have sought your recognition by speaking loudly to you. I am a 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 88th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 78th Legislative Day July 7, 1993 duly elected Member of this chamber and I deserve to be recognized when I seek that. I was going to ask for a verification if this got the requisite number of votes. It is my understanding that under the Rules of this House, that is my right. But I guess it's only a right if you're a Democrat."
"On this Bill, there is 71 voting 'aye' 32 voting 'no'; and the House does accept the Second Conference Committee Report to Senate Bill 940, and this Bill, having received the required three-fifths Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Woolard."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise as point of personal privilege. I would like to first make a statement to those people who are concerned about the passage of a piece of legislation that I am prime Sponsor of. We will not be calling that Bill today. We believe that it's in the best interest of everybody for us to proceed to the our caucuses and get on about the state's business and try and resolve the deadlock that we have there. But I'd also like to recognize that I've got a couple of friends that have joined me today, and I think those friends have made a statement. And their statement is that they have families and responsibilities that they would like to take care of. And their kids are in the same...hopefully, state that I live in, and have the same privileges and rights that I have, and I intend to insure, to the best of my ability, along with you, the rest of the Members of this Body, that they're not denied those equal access to the same things that each of us have. My friends, your friends as well, members of the IBEW, the locals of various organizations throughout the state, stand together in support of us, the Legislators of this Body." 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 88th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 78th Legislative Day
"Representative Pedersen. July 7, 1993 Representative Pedersen, for what purpose do you rise, Sir?"
"Mr. Speaker, would you indicate that I would have voted 'aye' on that last Bill, if I had been here?"
"Let the record indicate Representative Pedersen... Representative Schoenberg."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Point of personal privilege. It would appear that the Republican Party has selected a new state party chairman. I am proud to say that Mr. Harold Bryan Smith is a constituent of my district, and no, I am sure that he was not among the 64% of Evan... Evanston residents who voted for me. Nonetheless, I want to publicly wish him well, and congratulate the Republicans on their choice."
"Representative Daniels."
"We thank you for your kind words. Who knows? You may seem him at the ballot."
"Representative... Representative Leitch,"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to introduce the mayor of Kewanee, Dewey Koltzer, who is with me on the floor, and welcome him, and I'd also like to call a Republican Conference immediately in Room 118."
"The Republicans will to to caucus immediately after adjournment. Representative Currie now moves that the House stand adjourned until 11:00 a.m. tomorrow morning. All those in favor signify by saying 'aye'; opposed, 'no'. The House now stands adjourned until 11:00 tomorrow morning. Republicans go to caucus in Room 118." 8 REPORT: TIFLDAY PAGE: 001 STATE OF ILLINOIS 39TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DAILY TRANSCRIPTION OF DEBATE INDEX JULY 07, 1993 S3-0940 CONFERENCE SUBJECT MATTER HOUSE TO ORDER - SPEAKER GIGLIO PRAYER - FATHER VANN PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ROLL CALL ATTENDANCE ADJOURNHENT 93/09/07 13:58:46 PAGE 2 PAGE 1 PAGE 1 PAGE 1 PAGE 1 PAGE 3