"The House will be in order, Members will be in their chairs. Representative McAuliffe in the Chair. The Chaplain for today is the Reverend Phil Sheets of the United Methodist Church of Shannahon, Illinois. Reverend Sheets is the guest of Representative Steve Spangler. The guests in the gallery may wish to rise for the invocation."
"Let us pray. Lord we come together again today, women and men from all over this state. Some come with intentions high and noble other comes with motives cynical in base. Yet, Lord Your will is always for the good and You can use each of us and all of us to serve Your ends. And, SO we pray today that we will hear more than the voice of our constituents, our campaign managers or even our own fear, anger, or greed. We pray that we will hear the voice of the poor, of the unemployed, of the homeless and the desperate. Today children and women, old people and men from all over Illinois will be looking for us to open doors and not close them. To give them a future with hope and not a brick wall of despair. You have placed fearful power into our hands. Grant us the wisdom and courage to use it wisely and well, to make our laws and decisions, not in reflection of our fears but in accordance with what is best in ourselves, our state and our nation. Amen."
"We will be led in the Pledge by Representative Lang."
"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. Excused absences. Representative Currie is recognized to report any excused 1 28th Legislative Day STATE OF ILLINOIS 89TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE March 8, 1995 absences on the Democratic side of the aisle."
"Thank you, Speaker. Please let the record show that Representatives Laurino, Martinez, and Harold Murphy are excused today."
"Thank you. With leave of the House the Journal will SO indicate. Representative Cross is recognized to report any excused absences on the Republican side of the aisle."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On the Republican side there aren't any absences today."
"Thank you. Mr. Clerk, please take the record. There are 115 Members answering the roll call and a quorum is present. The House will come to order. Committee Reports."
"Committee Report, offered by Representative Parke, Chairman from the Committee on Commerce, Industry and Labor, to which the following Bills were referred, action taken on March 7, 1995, reported the same back with the following recommendations: 'do pass' House Bills 1748 and House Bill 841. Committee Report, offered by Representative Saviano, Chairman from Committee on Registration and Regulation, to which the following Bills and Resolutions were referred, action taken on March 7, 1995, reported the same back with the following recommendations: 'do pass' House Bill 1594, 2349. 'do pass Short Debate' House Bills 1856, 1802, 1969, 2224, and 1593. 'do pass as amended Short Debate' House Bills 1800, 1045, 773, and 583. Committee Report, offered by Representative Deuchler, Chairman from the Committee on Financial Institutions, to which the following Bills were referred, action taken on March 7, 1995, reported the same back with the following recommendations: 'do pass as amended' House 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 89TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 28th Legislative Day March 8, 1995 Bills 2346, 1833, and 1882. Committee Report offered by Representative Balthis, Chairman from the Committee on Cities and Villages, to which the following Bills and Resolutions were referred, action March 7, 1995, reported the same back with the following recommendations: 'do pass' House Bills 1099, 1135, 2181, and 2152. 'do pass as amended' House Bills 150, 1070, and 849. 'do pass Short Debate' House Bills 1156, and 'Tabled in Committee was House Bill 979. Committee Report, offered by Representative Pedersen, Chairman from the Committee on Insurance, to which the following Bills were referred, action taken on March 7, 1995, reported the same back with the following recommendations: 'do pass' House Bills 1788. 'do pass Short Debate' House Bill 1670. 'do pass as amended' Short Debate' House Bills 956, 1796, 2327, and 2337. Committee Report, offered by Representative Ackerman, Chairman from the Committee on Public Utilities, to which the following Bills were referred, action taken on March 7, 1995, reported the same back with the following recommendations: 'do pass as amended' House Bill 238. 'do pass as amended Short Debate' House Bill 636. Committee Report, offered by Representative Wait, Chairman from the Committee on Transportation and Motor Vehicles, to which the following Bills were referred, action taken on March 7, 1995, reported the same back with the following recommendations: 'do pass' House Bills 2125, 199. 'do pass as amended' House Bill 603, 2339, and 1153. And 'do adopt' House Joint Resolution #311. Committee Report, offered by Representative Noland, Chairman from the Committee on Agriculture and Conservation, to which the following Bills and Resolutions were referred, action taken on March 7, 1995, reported the same back with the following 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 89TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 28th Legislative Day March 8, 1995 recommendations: 'do pass' House Bills 1651, 1493, 318, 1530, 1652, and 1325, 'do pass as amended' House Bill 954. 'do pass Short Debate' House Bill 1917, 1654, 1258. 'do pass as amended Short Debate' House Bills 2329 and 1650. 'do adopt Short Debate' House Resolution 17 and House Resolution 18."
"The 8th grade class from Olympia Junior High School is in the gallery today visiting their State Representative, John Turner. Please stand up. The Lady from Cook, Representative Davis." Davis, Μ.: "Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise on a point of order. As the Democratic spokesperson from the Elementary, Secondary Education Committee, Elementary, Secondary Education Committee. I feel compelled to speak against what occurs in that committee by the Chairperson and those acting on her behalf. First of all..."
"Please give your attention to Representative Davis." Davis, Μ.: "First of all the process of hearing Bills in committee has been, to respect Members who don't belong to the committee and to hear their Bills, normally first. Second, we would hear Bills of Members of the committee and usually last, the Chairperson. In this particular committee the only person allowed to present Bills is the Chairperson. Those Members who sit there cannot hear any Amendments on their Bills, but the crucial reason that I rise today, Mr. Speaker. Is because in the Elementary, Secondary Committee today, testimony was presented by the Sponsor, testimony was presented by the proponent. But witness slips with opponent names were, for some reason, not read. Some of the witnesses were told they could not answer any questions on the Members on this Elementary, 4 28th Legislative Day STATE OF ILLINOIS 89TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE March 8, 1995 Secondary Committee. The purpose of committee hearings, Mr. Speaker is so that the public has an opportunity to react publicly to what is being presented as a Bill or as an Amendment. And to deny testimony on such crucial issues as changing transportation reimbursement from the state is really a very unfair idea."
"Representative Davis, would you please state your point of order." Davis, M.: "My point of order, Sir, is after the Democrats left this very undemocratic process where witnesses were not being heard and Legislators could not question the witnesses, 14 Bills were passed. I am requesting from the Speaker that you rescind the passage of those Bills so that people can testify in committee on those Bills. And that the Chair people know that proponents and opponents are to be heard and allowed to ask, we're allowed to ask questions on that. We urge you, in the idea of fairness especially the people who have children who needs those transportation, that transportation, they should be allowed to have their associations speak on these issues. I hope you do understand what I'm saying to you, is that people are not being allowed to testify in opposition to the Bills being presented in Elementary, Secondary Education. To change the licensure or to change certification of high school teachers is a significant point and to have four pages of that Bill missing, Mr. Speaker. Four pages of that Bill is missing and it's sent to a Subcommittee. When does the public get a chance to speak on these issues. People who fill out opponents slips, it is stated in committee there are no opponent slips. Fortunately for me today, I have spoken to some of those associations and they said to me, I had filled out a slip, we wanted to speak. 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 89TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 28th Legislative Day March 8, 1995 When one of the associations was permitted to speak today, she was told, you may speak for one minute and there will be no questions. You cannot operate...I mean a committee that way, Mr. Chairman. If this is the way the committees are going to operate then you may as well have a committee in your office and have people vote from your office. Rather than have citizens from Illinois come to Springfield to hear testimony on a Bill and to present testimony on a Bill. Mr. Speaker, we cannot allow 'floor team' of this process to that degree. You certainly have the votes to pass the Bills but what this attempt is to keep from the public, you don't want the public to know what the Bill says. Now, what is it in the Bills that you don't want the public to hear about. Mr. Speaker, I urge you to rescind the passage of those 13 Bills that passed...14 Bills after the Members from this side of the aisle left because they were not being permitted to ask questions nor were we permitted to hear the opposition. And the final straw, Mr. Speaker, are you with me? The final straw was when I objected to not hearing oppositions, the last Bill in which we left on was before the Bill was presented, they asked the opposition to come and state their opposition. And this was before a Bill was even presented. We cannot have an orderly committee meeting giving the public its right to testify and hear testimony if people are going to arbitrarily and capriciously make up rules as they go along. I urge you Mr. Speaker, to rescind the passage of those Bills, send them back to committee SO that we can have fair testimony on those issues. They are significantly important to my district as well as many others in this room. Thank you."
"Thank you, Representative Davis. Your 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 89TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 28th Legislative Day comments will be taken under advisement. from Clinton, Representative Granberg." March 8, 1995
The Gentleman Granberg: "Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Point of inquiry. Of the 64 Bills that are on the Calendar today how many have Democratic Sponsors?"
"Representative Granberg, I really don't know off hand but we'll try to find out and get back to you. Representative Granberg."
"If I...if I can assist the Chair, I believe two out of the 65 or 64 are Democratic Sponsored Bills. But another inquiry, Mr. Speaker. It's come to my attention that once again the Majority Party in the House refuse to take up the serious issue of funding our health system for our retired teachers. So apparently that happened in Executive Committee this morning and so, I would ask the Chair if you intend to go the Order of Motions in order that we can consider funding our retired...our health insurance for our retired teachers. Some of whom only make $400 a month. I would think all of us would believe that this is a very, very critical issue. If once again you refuse to deal with that issue, that is your wish as the Majority Party but we as Democrats want to resolve this critical issue. Take care of our retired teachers because they certainly deserve that type of treatment and I would move that we change the Order of Business to Motions where we can deal with that issue. And I ask for a Roll Call Vote."
"Representative Granberg, you weren't recognized for that...for that issue. Announcement. The Transfiguration School from Representative Al Salvi district is in the west chamber. We will now proceed to the Order of House Bills, Third Reading. House Bill 564, out of the record. Mr. Clerk, please read House Bill 572." 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 89TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 28th Legislative Day
March 8, 1995 "House Bill 572, a Bill for an Act that amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Madigan."
"Mr. Speaker, inquiry of the Chair. Why are you refusing to recognize Representative Brunsvold? I know of my own knowledge that his light has been on for five minutes."
"Well, I really didn't see his light flashing, but...be happy to..."
"Do you plan on recognizing him, right now?"
"I'd be happy to recognize him. Representative Brunsvold."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Am I allowed to speak on the problem in Education Committee this morning?"
"Not at this time. The Spokesperson from that committee made a very eloquent presentation on the problems in that committee and we're taking it under advisement. The Representative from McHenry County, Representative Hughes."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm here to present House Bill 572 which amends two Sections of the Illinois Municipal Code with respect to the adoption of regulations by reference. This Bill requires one copy of regulations instead of three copies to be filed with the municipal clerk. That's all the Bill does. It allows for one...it allows for one copy of the Bill..."
"Please allow the Lady to present her Bill."
"This is a measure that is beneficial particularly to smaller municipalities in that it is a cost saving measure for those municipalities that need only one copy. This 8 28th Legislative Day STATE OF ILLINOIS 89TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE March 8, 1995 would save them as much as $350 per copy for codes they do not use."
"Please, give the Lady your attention and courtesy."
"There is no fiscal impact, a note was filed and I request a positive vote on House Bill 572. Thank you."
"Representative Granberg. Representative Granberg."
"Mr. Speaker, Representative Brunsvold has the absolute right on this House floor on personal privilege to speak to the issue. If we're not going to talk about allow Members that right according to your rules, if you're just going to blatantly and unilaterally deny all Members there right to speak, Mr. Speaker. It is not proper, we all represent people here. We all represent 100,000 people, that's why we are here. We have our moral and legal obligation, if you intent to deny that what is the sense...what are we doing here, Mr. Speaker. This is democracy, this is not your unilateral rule. If you don't want to deal with health insurance for retired teachers, if you just want to ignore Members rights that is certainly you attempt to do so and that he what you believe is your privilege. But, we are all Members, we all have our rights and you cannot just unilaterally trample on those rights no matter what party. It doesn't matter if you're Democrat or Republican, we have certain rights here, Sir. And you should acknowledge those rights..."
"Representative Granberg, we'll go to Representative Brunsvold."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. Twelve years ago I started on the Education Committee with then Representative Dick Mulcahey, whose 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 89TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 28th Legislative Day March 8, 1995 retired now. He ran the Education Committee for ten years, ten years and I think that nobody would disagree that Representative Mulcahey went out of his way to make sure that everyone on the education issues were heard in that committee. Both sides of the aisle whether he agreed or whether he did not agree their issues. As Chairman two years ago, I tried to follow my mentor, Mr. Mulcahey and allow everybody the right to hear their issues in committee. That is what we're here for. Today all our Amendments were summarily put into Subcommittee without any discussion. Questions were not being allowed to be asked on Bills that are very, very important to these...the Members on this side of the aisle. We had 200 Bills in committee today a week before we have a deadline to meet and in the first hour and a half we're not even voting any Bills. Taking testimony on Bills that...who knows whether we're going to vote on or not. No questions asked, they may go into an omnibus Bill next week without any questions asked and being passed out by the Majority Party without any impute by the Democrats. That's inexcusable, Mr. Speaker. The General Assembly has to have an open process, ideas have to be exchanged. Right now the process is closed. That's inexcusable. We need to open up the process so that everyone can have theses ideas heard, sure I understand that the Republicans have enough votes to vote down the issues. That's fine, we understand that issue, but at lease we ought to be heard in the General Assembly, 5.4 million people are not being heard in the Educational Committee this morning. And I'm asking for a change that we hear these Bills and our ideas are put forth as they should be as a Member of the General Assembly. And so, Mr. Speaker, I object to the process that went on in Eduction 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 89TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 28th Legislative Day this morning." March 8, 1995
"Representative Lang, for what purpose do you rise?"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A little while ago Representative Granberg made a Motion to change the Order of Business to go to the Order of Motions to discharge committee. When he made that Motion he was well within his rights under the House Rule. Whether you acknowledged him for that purpose or not, the House Rule allows him to make that Motion at the time he made that Motion. Accordingly, Mr. Speaker, you were out of order as Speaker in ignoring him and telling him what you told him. We would now demand that we change the Order of Business and go immediately to the Order of Motions to discharge committee. I'm joined by the requisite number of people on our side of the aisle and we would demand a Roll Call Vote so that we can talk about the teacher retirement system, policemen on the street, truth and sentencing, education funding and all the other things that we seemed to be ignoring here while we continue to pass Shell Bills out of committee and continue to ignore Members rights. It is time to go to this order, there are sufficient number of people who want to take a vote on this Motion and I demand that we do so at once."
"Representative Lang, we are currently debating House Bill 564 and when we get...Mr. Lang, we will take a vote on your Motion as soon as we finish this Bill. Yes, absolutely. 572. Representative Hughes, continue."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I was finished with my remarks. Again it merely provides that a municipality is required to purchase one copy rather than three copies of codes, small municipalities under the existing statute are required to purchase three copies of what can be very costly code when 11 28th Legislative Day STATE OF ILLINOIS 89TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE March 8, 1995 they only need one. That's all the Bill does and I urge an 'yes' vote. Thank you."
"Is there any discussion? Representative Woolard."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise not to speak to the Bill before us but to speak to the Education Committee as others have done so today."
"Representative could you hold that until we finish this Bill and we'll get right back to you. Does anybody wish to speak on this Bill? Representative Lang."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"She indicates that she will."
"Thank you. Representative, why did we use to require three copies of these codes?"
"Representative Hughes."
"Thank you. I really don't know why we required three because in many instances, three are not utilized."
"Representative Lang."
"And so, you're not really sure of the policy considerations that were behind this when this statute passed in the first place. Would that be correct to say?"
"Representative Hughes."
"Thank you. I can not tell you that, except that the municipal league did bring this Bill forward and feels that three is an onerous burden on many smaller municipalities. That there is no reason to require three. For those municipalities who are utilizing more than three copies and have the demand for three, or more, they're free to purchase those."
"Representative Lang."
"Well, in fact, it's not the municipal league that brought this Bill forward, it's yourself is that right? I see your 12 28th Legislative Day STATE OF ILLINOIS 89TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE name on this Bill, so it's your Bill."
"Representative Hughes." March 8, 1995
"This is a Bill that was brought to me and I agreed to Sponsor it. It was brought to me by the Municipal League."
"Representative Lang."
"And so no one thought to ask them why they wanted...why it was three?"
"Representative Hughes."
"I did not ask that question because I understood the logic of reducing that requirement for so many of our smaller municipalities."
"Representative Lang."
"Have the municipalities thought about buying these in bulk so that they could save money on this $350 per set?"
"Representative Hughes."
"I don't know."
"Representative Lang."
"Well, I don't know either that's why I asked the question. Representative, is there any other policy consideration behind this change other than the savings of...what it looks to me, about $700 a year per municipality?"
"Representative Hughes."
"No, there is not."
"Representative Lang."
"Thank you, I have no further questions."
"Further discussion? Representative Hartke."
"Thank you very much. Will the Sponsor yield for a question?"
"She indicates she will."
"Representative Hughes, how often do they change the Municipal Code books?"
"Representative Hughes." 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 89TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 28th Legislative Day
March 8, 1995 "In some instances, such as with a Bulk Code this can be an annual change."
"Representative Hartke."
"And so, every municipality in the State of Illinois under the current law is required to buy three volumes of this expensive book every time they...they reprint the book. Is that right?"
"Representative Hughes."
"Every time the municipality wishes to adopt the most current version, they would be required under current law to purchase three copies with something such as the Bulk of Code that would be as often as every year."
"Representative Hartke."
"But, you're not sure how often we change these books. Is that right?"
"Representative Hughes."
"It's my understanding that the bulk is revised every year."
"Representative Hartke."
"And so, if the municipality chooses not to adopt the whole statewide Municipal Code then they are not required to buy any new copies."
"Representative Hughes."
"If they choose not to adopt it and utilize it, no, they are not required to purchase any. But I think we would like our municipalities to be utilizing the most current codes."
"Representative Hartke."
"So, you're saying a little town like...Parkersburg, Illinois, if they want to keep up with the date the law requires them to purchase three copies of this book at...what did you say $350 a set and they have to have 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 89TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 28th Legislative Day three sets?"
"Representative Hughes." March 8, 1995
"This Bill makes it easier for small municipalities to offer the most current up to date codes which are in the best interest of their consumers. It saves them money and allows them to be more up to date."
"Representative Hartke."
"Well, I'm all for you know, saving money for our municipalities SO that they can use those for other things...for the needs of their city. Maybe this is a good idea."
"Any further discussion? Representative Hughes to close."
"This is very straight forward and simple. I urge a 'yes' vote. Thank you."
"The question is, 'Shall House Bill 572 pass?' All those in favor vote 'aye'; those opposed vote 'nay'. The voting is open. This is final action. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question there are 114 voting 'aye', none voting 'nay', none voting 'present' And this Bill having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Granberg."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I renew my Motion to change the Order of Business, in fact, and we go to the Order of Motions that we can hear the Bill to fund the teachers retirement system health insurance. Right now there is a critical, critical crisis in that system. As many of you know we have teachers making $400 a month, $400 a month because they don't receive Social Security. If you...if we don't go and deal with this issue, these people will be using all their monthly pension income just pay their 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 89TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 28th Legislative Day March 8, 1995 health insurance. I would ask, Sir that we go to the Order of Motions and I would ask for an 'aye' vote to change the Order of Business that we can, in fact, deal with the critical issue of funding our teachers health systems and a 'no' vote, Ladies and Gentlemen will mean that you do not think that this is critical issue for retired teachers. So, to my friends on that side of the aisle, if you vote 'no' to change the Order of Business understand that means that you are turning your back on retired teachers. You will be once again be refusing to face this critical issue. And to your teachers back in your district those people who are making $400 a month and you're going to tell them this is not a critical issue to them. And please, I'll will let you try and explain that to them. So, Sir, I renew my Motion to change the Order of Business. I am joined by four or five of my colleagues, I ask for a Roll Call Vote."
"The Chair recognizes Representative Ryder."
"To the Motion, Mr. Speaker. Let us be clear, Representative Granberg and others. Let us be clear that it is certainly our intent to deal with the many issues that you've expressed. It is certainly the intent of this Legislator to deal appropriately with the very important issue of teachers retirement and the health care. It is not the intent of this Legislator to allow the Motions to rule this House, to allow the anarchy that is support by your side of the aisle. This is a procedural Motion. It does not bear any semblance of merits concerning any issue except to change the Order of Business from the order that the rules have established to the order of anarchy that you wish. I stand with the order that we've have established and I wish it to be very clear that as far as I am concerned and those who wish to join me, when we oppose 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 89TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 28th Legislative Day March 8, 1995 your Motion that it in no way reflects any lack of interest in the issues that have been described previously although inaccurately."
"Representative Woolard, for what purpose do you rise?"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It's indeed a pleasure to have someone in the Chair that recognizes the needs of individual Members. I guess I rise for a point of personal privilege. You know, I was elected by 97,000 people to represent them and I can tell you that what happened in the Education Committee this morning was not only a disgrace for them, but it's a kind of thing that we have to preserve. The kind of solidification that we have been expecting from this Body through the years. I know that the spokesperson from this side has spoken very elegantly about what did transpire there. I know that the previous Chairman from the last Legislature spoke very elegantly as to what did take place there. But let me tell you what I believe happened this morning that may be the worse thing that's happened since I've been in the Legislature. Someone chose to vote for the 97,000 people that sent me here besides myself. I was elected by 97,000 people to cast vote in a way that is representative of what those people believe. And someone chose to vote for me. And that someone was not even from my side of the aisle. That someone happened to be from the Majority Party who said that they would have a partisan roll call on some 14 votes and I think this is a total outrage and disgrace and I'm here to tell you, Mr. Chairman and the Republican Party and the people of this state, that we're not going allow this to ever happen again. I would like for the records reflect that I did not cast those 14 votes today in that to 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 89TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 28th Legislative Day March 8, 1995 committee. They're not representative of the 97,000 people that sent me here and I intend to do something about it. I believe positively that this is the worst action that could ever happen to a Legislator in this Body as to have someone else represent them in voting for them when, in fact, it was not representative of those people that sent me here. Mr. Speaker, I thank you very much, for opportunity speak. I thank you for the compassion that you will show. I am certain, I am certain that this will be corrected in future committee meetings. I know that Mary Lou Cowlishaw who is the Chair of that committee is a very kind and compassionate person and I'm sure that if there has been wrongs done to individual Member that they will be changed and corrected in a right fashion. Thank you very much."
"The Gentleman from Coles, Representative Weaver."
"Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. If the previous Speaker would have taken the time to show up and stay in committee he would have been able to cast his own vote. But he apparently he chose not to do that. With regard to the Motion before us, if the Sponsor of the Motion would have taken the time to call TRS, he would have discovered a couple of things. One of those things is, that through some internal shifts the TRS Health Care Plan is okay until the end of this fiscal year. It's not great but it will survive. But currently, also he would have found out that negotiations are currently underway...they occurred, as a matter of fact, the last couple of days in Senator Madigan's Office with the Teacher's Retirement System, the Governor's people, Senator Madigan and we even had a House Member involved with those meeting and they are currently negotiating to try and find a long term solution to the 18 28th Legislative Day STATE OF ILLINOIS 89TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE March 8, 1995 health care problems to the TRS. So, while it is not immediate, we are carefully working on a plan to fund this program for the long term and I think it would be crazy for us to rush into it now with a short term solution, one week and find a long term solution by the end of this fiscal year. I would suggest a 'no' vote on this Motion so that we can continue with regular business."
"The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Lang: Lang." "Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Since we're really sort of on two topics at once, I guess I have to address two topics at once. Relative to Mr. Woolard's comments, he could not be more on the point. For anyone to stand in a committee and vote for every Democratic Member on that committee on their behalf without even one Democratic Member on the committee in the room, is an outrage. For the previous speaker to say, 'Well, if you were there you would have casted your own vote.' Is an outrage. That's their business, it not the business of Mr. Weaver to decide what Democrats should do with their votes. It's not the business of Representative Cowlishaw to decide what Members should do with their votes. Members have the right and the duty and the responsibility to do with their vote what they do with their vote, and no one should take that right away from them. To the Motion at hand, Mr. Speaker. A prior speaker indicated that the Majority Party has the intent to deal with the Teachers Retirement System crisis. They have the intent to deal with funding education. They have the intent to deal with truth and sentencing. They have the intent to deal with more police on the street. The question we ask is, when? When are we going to deal with these things. We have made these Motions over and over and 19 28th Legislative Day STATE OF ILLINOIS 89TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE March 8, 1995 over again and what we have is, Bills and Amendments sent to Subcommittees to die an unpleasant death. We had the fund education first Bill in the Education Committee today which I presented before many Republicans and one Democrat and every Member of the committee said, Representative Lang, that's a great Bill. Representative Lang look at this lineup of proponents, the Ι.Ε.Α. is for this Bill, everybody is for this Bill, great Bill. By the way, we're going take this great Bill and send it to Subcommittee. Now, that's the way we deal with legislation on this floor. We should not allow it, it happened in the Judiciary Committee with the DCFS Bills. Representative Dart had Bills that the Republicans on the Civil Law Committee just shunted aside for partisan politics. Ladies and Gentlemen it's time we did something about these issues. And if it's the intent of the Majority Party to do something about them, if it is the intent to say, these are crisises in the State of Illinois. These are things that must be dealt with, we must deal with education. We must deal with crime on the street. We must deal with funding schools. We must deal with the problems of DCFS and put that department back in order. Then the answer to the question of when is now. It is time to deal with these things now. What are you waiting for, Majority Party. What are you waiting for, we don't know perhaps someone will stand up and tell us what you're waiting for. On this side of the aisle we stand with the working men and women of Illinois, with the children of Illinois, with the students of Illinois, with the people who want safe streets in Illinois. What do you stand for Majority Party? What do you stand for? Vote for this Motion."
"Representative Black." 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 89TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE March 8, 1995 28th Legislative Day
"Yes, thank you very much, Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. I rise in opposition to the Motion that was made, I don't know, an hour ago or whatever it was. I just want to frame for the media, of course, the media very...very astute on these kind procedures. I just want to make sure all the Members on our side of the aisle and all my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, let's frame the Motion for what it is, all right. The Motion is to change the Order of Business. The Motion has nothing to do with many emotional issues that have been raised on this floor. God forbid the sun won't come up tomorrow morning if we don't address all of these issues today. They know better, we know better, the media knows better and I would just suggest that the press releases going out saying, SO and so voted against this or that when the vote is actually on a Motion to change the Order of Business. That perhaps is disingenuous at best, perhaps an outright fabrication, if you would. The Motion at hand is to change the Order of Business, that's what we're going to vote on. That's what I'm going to vote against and in due time we will get to all of the issues that seem to have my friends and colleagues so exorcised. And I would simply remind my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, when you were running this chamber for the last twelve years, on the 8th day of March we would have probably have been in Session five days. And we wouldn't have accomplished anything. Relax, sit back, I know it's difficult for you to be in the back seat but you're not driving this bus anymore. The Motion at hand is simple and I'm going to vote 'no'."
"The Chair recognizes Representative Ackerman."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move the previous 21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 89TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 28th Legislative Day question."
March 8, 1995 "The Motion is, 'Shall the previous question be put?' All those in favor vote 'aye'; those opposed vote 'nay'. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this matter they're 63 voting 'aye', 51 voting 'nay', and the Motion passes. We will now go to the Motion to change the Order of Business. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this Motion there are 51 'ayes', 63 voting 'no', and the Motion fails. House Bill 573, out of the record. Mr. Clerk, read House Bill 602."
"House Bill 602, a Bill for an Act to amend the University of Illinois Act. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"Representative Winkle."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Bill 602 amends the University of Illinois Act, in the provisions authorizing 50% tuition waivers to children of university employees if specified conditions are met. This Bill would include as university employee a person who is employed by the Hazardous Waste Research and Information Center and the three scientific surveys on campus of the University of Illinois. Including the geological survey, the water survey and the natural history survey. The current law provides 50% tuition waivers to children of employees that qualify for admission, if they have been employed by the University of Illinois for at least seven years and met specific age requirements. The effected divisions are with the Department of Energy and Natural Resources, they are actually located on the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana Campus. These employees are members of 22 28th Legislative Day STATE OF ILLINOIS 89TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE March 8, 1995 the State University Retirement System. This legislation would extend 50% tuition waivers to their children after they have been employed for seven years. This is a technical change in the law, I believe it's a Bill for good government. It corrects an oversight made years ago, it treats all of the University of Illinois employees alike, employees who are affiliated with the University of Illinois. I urge passage of House Bill 602."
"Is there any discussion? This is on Short
Debate. Representative Hoffman.' Hoffman: "Yes, Mr. Speaker. We would like to remove this from Short Debate, with the requisite number of people."
"Okay."
"Will the Sponsor yield?"
"He indicates he will."
"Yes, Representative, is this contained in the University of Illinois budget?"
"Representative Winkel."
"No, it's...I don't believe it is yet but it has a minimal fiscal impact."
"Representative Hoffman."
"What is that fiscal impact, Representative?"
"Representative Winkel."
"The fiscal impact according to the note that was prepared is around $15,000, estimated in fiscal year 1996."
"Representative Hoffman."
"Did you say, $15,000? I couldn't hear you."
"Representative Winkel."
"Representative, yeah that's what I said. It's very difficult to estimate this. What the University did was, they looked at the number of employees that they have on campus, 2.7% of those existing employees took advantage of 23 28th Legislative Day STATE OF ILLINOIS 89TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE March 8, 1995 this benefit last year and taking that percentage times the number of employees at...hazardous waste and the three scientific surveys, they calculated that perhaps ten additional waivers would be used next year."
"Representative Hoffman."
"What this essentially does is this is special legislation that would allow these tuition waivers to be utilized by people who are employed by the hazardous Waste Research and Information Center, the Department of Energy and Natural Resources or employed by any of the three Scientific Survey Division of the Department of Energy and Natural Resources. Are these individuals considered University of Illinois employees?"
"Representative Winkle."
"Representative, House Bill 602 is directed at that very point. That's precisely what House Bill 602 does, it corrects a technical oversight made years ago and does indeed treat the employees of hazardous waste and the three scientific surveys as University of Illinois employees. You've got to bear in mind that these employees at the surveys at the hazardous waste center have...are treated in every way the same as the rest of the University employees except for this one benefit. In fact, there're members it serves and this, as I said before, this corrects a technical oversight."
"Representative Hoffman."
"Now, let me get this straight. First of all what we're saying here, is we're saying individuals who teach at the University under a grant from the federal government or who are considered essentially to be the Department of Energy and Natural Resources employees for the purposes of receiving a pay check, I would assume. I assume they would 24 STATE OF ILLINOIS 89TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 28th Legislative Day March 8, 1995 get their pay check from the Department of Energy and Natural Resources, not directly from the University of Illinois. Is that correct?"
"Representative Winkel."
"I believe that they do receive their money from the...their pay from the department. I'm not 100% sure that but I'm pretty sure that's the way it is. They're treated...they're treated as University employees in all other ways though."
"Representative Hoffman."
"My concern, Representative is kind of with the Amendment. Because initially your Bill provided that they would receive these...these tuition waivers if they received the majority of their compensation under a university grant or contractual agreement. You deleted that portion of the Bill. By deleting that potion of the Bill I think the great concern is that you have opened this up to more employees that would necessarily be able to receive that type of grant. Or tuition waiver."
"Representative Winkel."
"Representative, you're correct in your analysis. It would increase the number of eligible for this benefit but as I said, even taking that into account we're talking about 10 additional waivers per year probably and the reason why that Amendment was proposed was because after I had filed House Bill 602 it was brought to my attention that we would actually be creating a two tiered system for the survey and the hazardous waste system or center rather, where you have some employees who would be eligible and others not. And we didn't not want to create that sort of equity. The whole purpose of House Bill 602 is to remove an equity." 25 STATE OF ILLINOIS 89TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE March 8, 1995 28th Legislative Day
"Representative Hoffman."
"But, Representative I believe you missed my point. By taking out that language you're doing exactly that. You're making a lot of people eligible who really are not university employees because they are not really receiving compensation from a university grant or contractual agreement. Why don't we just let all state employees have these types of tuitions...these type of tuition waivers. I mean, how far are we going to go, it's a slippery slide that we're on if we start doing these types of things and then remove any type of requirement that would limit...that would limit these types of tuition waivers."
"Representative Winkel."
"Representative, I don't think we're headed down any sort of slippery slope on this at all. This is correcting a technical oversight from years ago, these employees are actually, physically on the campus of the University of Illinois, are treated as university employees in virtually every other regard. And the fact that sometimes they get most of their compensation from outside grants and for limited duration and then that changes later, should not effect their eligibility for these tuition waivers."
"Representative Hoffman."
"Now, I would assume although not under the Hazardous Waste Research and Information Center Department of Energy and Resources, I assume that there are other...there are other universities and university employees, for instance at SIU, Carbondale, SIU Edwardsville, possibly Sangamon State who work under grants that are similar to this type of situation. Does this effect those employees at all or is it only effecting the University of Illinois employee who works under these types of grants situations?" 26 STATE OF ILLINOIS 89TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 28th Legislative Day
"Representative Winkel." March 8, 1995
"This...House Bill 602 applies only to amending the University of Illinois Act. It applies only to the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, at the Chicago campus and the Sangamon campus."
"Representative Hoffman."
"Will this...will this apply to new University of Illinois in Springfield, the Sangamon State University currently is?"
"Representative Winkel."
"Yes."
"Representative Hoffman."
"Well, having a university in my district, I certainly have always supported incentives for individuals who teach on that campus. The problem I think with this is, is we're just taking one specific instance, one specific type of employee and we're giving them a special benefit. We're not spreading it out among all the university systems and saying this would be a good benefit. Therefore, I think I'm going to vote..."
"Further discussion? The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Dart."
"Thank you. Will the Sponsor yield? Representative can you give us the history of why we have tuition waivers in the first place."
"Representative Winkel."
"No, I can not."
"Representative Dart."
"Do you know how much the average salary is of these individuals that we're going to be giving these tuition waivers to."
"Representative Winkel." 27 STATE OF ILLINOIS 89TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 28th Legislative Day
"No, I do not."
"Representative Dart." March 8, 1995
"Thank you, to the Bill. Ladies and Gentlemen, my understanding the history behind these tuition waivers were, they were meant as an enticement to keep teachers who at the time were not paid terribly well, in the system. It was truly meant as an enticement for those folk for that very reason. I dare say the individuals we're talking about now, the people at hazardous waste and the geologic survey people are paid very well. And they're paid well enough where they do not need this, this is not necessary as an enticement to get them to stay there. That is not a reason why there would be a turnover rate there. This is a question of equity here we do not have a lot of money as I think we are all aware of in the state budget and we should not be perverting the original intent of these tuition waivers was meant to keep teachers here to give it to scientist and the like who are well paid as it is. It just...it does not make sense. So, for that reason, I would oppose this because anyway you look at it it's going to end up being an tuition increase."
"Further discussion? The Gentleman from Kankakee, Representative Novak."
"Yes, Mr. Speaker. Will the Gentleman yield? Okay, Representative Winkel, is this your first Bill?"
"Representative Winkel."
"Yes, Representative Novak it is."
"Representative Novak."
"Okay, so you know immediately what the fate of this Bill will be. But, anyway let me ask...I need to ask you a few questions, Representative. Does this expand and you may have said this before but for my edification. Does this 28 STATE OF ILLINOIS 89TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 28th Legislative Day March 8, 1995 expand the current program into the new...Hazardous Waste Research Information Center and the natural survey, it expands the current program. Is that correct?"
"Representative Winkel."
"What House Bill 602 does is it defines the employees at the Hazardous Waste Center and the three Scientific Surveys as University of Illinois employees for the purposes of this benefit."
"Representative Novak."
"All right. So, what you're saying essentially is...the definition of a State of University employee now includes individuals that work for these agencies that are connected with the university. Correct?"
"Representative Winkel."
"Representative, the employees at the Hazardous Waste Center and the three Scientific Surveys are actually treated in every way except this way as University of Illinois employees, are actually located at these university campus, they are members of the State University Retirement System and the...I don't think that I have mentioned it, but the University of Illinois is neutral on this because I think this really has a very minimal fiscal impact and it does correct the technical oversight."
"Representative Novak."
"Okay. So, in other words, Dr. Thomas, I believe who runs the Hazardous Waste Research Information Center. I had an opportunity to visit that place and it's a very, very sophisticated scientific function of the university. It's my...I think it's my understanding that they are employees, are they paid directly from the University of Illinois or are they paid from the Department of Energy and Natural Resources? They get State of Illinois pay checks or...it 29 STATE OF ILLINOIS 89TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 28th Legislative Day March 8, 1995 says, State of Illinois or do they get checks that say the University of Illinois payroll. How is there payroll?"
"Representative Wirsing. Representative Winkel."
"Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think that it's actually a mixed situation where some receive their money from the University of Illinois and some from the state otherwise. And some from grants and some from independent contracts. So you have a varied situation there."
"Representative Novak."
"Okay. I want to point something out to you Representative. In the synopsis in the Legislative Digest there's a reference in the synopsis, to the Illinois Department of Energy and Natural Resources. Although I haven't looked at the text of the Bill, I'm sure there may be a number of references that indicates the Illinois Department of Energy and Natural Resources. Well, today is Wednesday March 8, and there no longer is an Illinois Department of Natural...Energy and Natural Resources pursuant to the Governor's Executive order that consolidated that agency. I think you're going to have to look at this language in here and change this. I think you should either take it back to Second Reading because actually you're going to be referring to an agency, assuming this becomes law, that no longer exist. So, that might be a point you want to look at. You might want consider taking it out of the record, take it back to Second Reading and delete those references or change them to the Department of Natural Resources. So, that's just a suggestion because...the Department of Energy and Natural Resources no longer exist."
"Representative Winkel." 30 STATE OF ILLINOIS 89TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 28th Legislative Day
"Representative Novak, it still does exist. March 8, 1995 It exists today, the Department of Energy and Natural Resources still exists."
"Representative Novak."
"Okay. Well, it was just a point, Representative Winkel that I was trying to make. I don't know when the Executive order takes effect but it's going to be a few months before this Bill is probably signed, if it gets to the Governor's desk, becomes law and the Department of Energy and Natural Resources will no longer exist by the time the Governor pen's is effects to it, so that's just a point I want to bring..."
"Representative Johnson." Johnson, Tim: "Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members of the House. Although the board doesn't reflect that I'm a hyphenated Sponsor with the Representative Winkel on this Bill and Sponsored this Bill previously. As Representative Winkel has indicated, this is really a very simple concept. number of years ago the effort started and finally was successful in obtaining the opportunity for tuition waivers for the University of Illinois, A Northern Illinois University and other employees. Not just academic employees but others as well for their children, which was the Legislature decided a just concept. In every way for those who know the three surveys as well the Hazardous Waste Center, those are treated in effect as university employees. They sit on the campus of the University of Illinois, they interact on a daily basis, in effect as University of Illinois employees and look around and see that they're being treated in, at least this respect as second class citizens. The fiscal impact is negligible, the moral and message impact is dramatic. Why should a 31 STATE OF ILLINOIS 89TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 28th Legislative Day March 8, 1995 geological survey, natural history survey, water survey or other individual not be accorded the same privileges or opportunities as someone who's sitting next to them doing the same work. This is not a complicated issue, it simply establishes justice and fairness to a system that...been the subject of oversight previously. It's a very simple concept and it really ought to have 118 votes on it."
"The Gentleman from Washington, Representative Deering."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"He indicates he will."
"Representative Winkel, since we're going to give these employees preference and give tuition waivers to their children, will these children, if they apply to the U of I being given preference over students throughout the state that are applying and can't get accepted into the U of I now?"
"Representative Winkel."
"Representative, no that's not the case at all, in fact, they have to qualify under the same admissions criteria as every other applicant."
"Representative Deering."
"Well, Representative if I have a student that has applied, and this has happened in my district, I have a student that wanted to go to the U of I and he or she had the same qualifications as another competing student of...a student of a parent...I'm sorry, a son or daughter of a parent that work for the U of I, that student then bumped my constituent out from going to the U of I. So, if that's not preference I don't know what you would call it. Now, does your Bill do this, if your student meets the qualifications under this Bill will that...because he or 32 STATE OF ILLINOIS 89TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 28th Legislative Day March 8, 1995 she will be getting the tuition waiver will that bump some poor student from the rest of the State of Illinois out of an opportunity to go to the U of I?"
"Representative Winkel."
"Representative, that's a theoretical problem, it would be negligible at most. We're talking about ten applicants or ten waivers a year out of 35,000 students who attend the university, first of all, and the Bill itself under existing law the same admission requirements and standards and policies have to apply to these applicants so, there's no special preference given in this Bill whatsoever."
"Representative Deering."
"Well, Representative in the Bill the last paragraph of the Bill, page 2 starting line 18, says the Board of Trustees shall prescribe the rules and regulations to implement this, now since the Governor is now going to appoint the board it looks to me like we're going to have affirmative action for a lot of university employees that the poorer students throughout the State of Illinois will not be able to take advantage of. I think this is a bad concept even it might be even...it might be your first Bill but it's a bad Bill and even your constituents that don't work at the U of I, they're going to be effected by this just as 117 other Members."
"The Gentleman from Macoupin, Representative Hannig."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"He indicates he will."
"Yes, thank you. It's my understanding, Representative that these people that work for the scientific surveys are paid from non University of Illinois budget. Is that not correct?" 33 STATE OF ILLINOIS 89TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 28th Legislative Day March 8, 1995
"Representative Wirsing (sic Winkel)."
"Representative that's truth for some but not true for all."
"Representative Hannig."
"For those individuals who work and are paid strictly from the Department of E and R, why should we provide them with tuition waivers. We're not providing that for any other state employees under this proposal."
"Representative Winkel." "Representative, the center, the Hazardous Waste Center and three Scientific Surveys are uniquely situated, their physically on the campus of the University of Illinois. They actually work hand in hand with other scientist there at the University of Illinois. They interact every day, they're on the same footing with the other University employees in every way except for this particular benefit."
"Representative Hannig."
"Well, Representative the Governor is in the process of rearranging the Department of Energy and Natural Resources. Do you have any knowledge as to whether or not he intends to transfer these individuals to the university. Why doesn't he do just that? If that's where they belong why don't we just put them on their payroll and be done with it."
"Representative Winkel."
"That's not being contemplated to my knowledge but I would be glad to check into that. But that's certainly not contemplated at this time."
"Representative Hannig."
"The Governor in effect is saying, that he's doing this reorganization, that he's looking at this agency very closely and it's his opinion that they should not be part 34 28th Legislative Day STATE OF ILLINOIS 89TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE March 8, 1995 of the University system. That they should be part of some other state agency. I don't think then that we should be turning around and giving them some special consideration any more than we do people who happen to be able be a state trooper that patrols around Champaign as well. So, Mr. Speaker, just to the Bill. It seems to me that we have a group of people who are state employees, it just so happens that they work over in the Champaign area. It just SO happens that they happen to have a desk that's by the University of Illinois but we have state troopers that drive through that community everyday, we have Department of Transportation personnel who work those streets in that community. You know, I have citizens in my district that work for the State of Illinois and they get no special consideration when they send their kids to college. They have 28th Legislative Day STATE OF ILLINOIS 89TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE March 8, 1995 potentially it could effect about 280 employees."
"Representative Granberg."
"Sorry, Representative, I couldn't hear you. How many, Sir?"
"Representative Winkel."
"About 280."
"Representative Granberg."
"And this would apply, Representative just to the University of Illinois. Did I understand that correctly?"
"Representative Winkel."
"Yes, Representative that's...you understood correctly. And the reason for that, of course, is that this is a very unique situation that's...you won't fine it duplicate situation anywhere else in the state. This is a very unique situation with the Scientific Surveys and the Hazardous Waste Center."
"Representative Granberg."
"Would this...would this apply to the employees and say my junior college downstate or Lincolnland Junior College in Springfield or Logan Junior College any other junior college throughout the State of Illinois."
"Representative Winkel."
"Well, no Representative because it's an entirely different situation. I mean, it's not the same at all."
"Representative Granberg."
"Similarly would this...this would not apply to S.I.U., Carbondale, S.I.U. Edwardsville or any other institution of higher learning throughout the state?"
"Representative Winkel."
"No, it only applies to the Hazardous Waste Center and three Scientific Surveys which are located at the University of Illinois. That's where they are located." 36 STATE OF ILLINOIS 89TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 28th Legislative Day March 8, 1995
"Representative Granberg."
"Representative, I think when you talk about the people impacted, I would assume and maybe your can correct me if I'm wrong. That their salaries would be much higher than your normal professor, say at...Lincolnland Junior College or S.I.U. Carbondale or even at the University of Illinois, because of their specialized training. Would that not be the case?"
"Representative Winkel."
"There's no reason for me to belive that. I don't know."
"Representative Granberg."
"We do not know the income of these...these people impacted?"
"Representative Winkel."
"Mr. Speaker."
"Representative Winkel."
"I would like to take this Bill out of the record."
"The Gentleman wishes to take the Bill out of the record. Mr. Clerk, read House Bill 652."
"House Bill 652, a Bill for an Act to amend the Illinois Domestic Violence Act of 1986. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"The Lady from Cook, Representative Wojcik."
"Mr. Speaker, it's nice to see you in the Chair. Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members of the House. House Bill 652 amends the Illinois Domestic Violence Act by prohibiting a public or private school from permitting a respondent access to a protected child's records. It provides that a public or private school shall not release information in those records to the respondent after receiving a certified copy of an order of protection that prohibits a respondent access to the records." 37 STATE OF ILLINOIS 89TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 28th Legislative Day
"Any discussion? Effingham, Representative Hartke."
"Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Indicates she will." March 8, 1995 The Gentleman from
"Representative Wojcik, which committee did this come out of, the Elementary and Secondary Education Committee by chance?"
"Representative Wojcik."
"Judicial Civil."
"Representative Hartke."
"Well, I remember...in the last couple of meetings of the Education Committee we've had similar Bills with similar topics and SO forth through the Elementary and Secondary Education Committee and today one of those Bills it was indicated along these same lines would be sent to the Committee on Committees Bill Action. And, I was just wondering if this came out of the Elementary and Secondary Education Committee, why this Bill had not been...collapsed into that type of Bill. But..."
"Representative Wojcik.'
"Representative, this Bill never was in the Educational Committee and I'm not privy to know what went on in education because this Bill has always been in Judicial Civil. Civil Law."
"Representative Hartke."
"That's fine. That's fine. Thank you."
"Any Further discussion? The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Lang."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I only rise to say that when this Bill was presented to the House Judiciary Civil Law Committee there was some discussion of it but there didn't seem to be much opposition and we do not stand in 38 STATE OF ILLINOIS 89TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 28th Legislative Day opposition either." March 8, 1995
"The Lady from Cook, Representative Wojcik to close."
"First of all, Representative Lang, I thank you. It's a good Bill and I ask for its favorable passage."
"The Lady moves for passage of House Bill 652. On that the Clerk will... All those in favor signify by voting 'aye'; opposed voting 'nay'. The Voting in open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question there are 114 voting 'aye', none voting 'no', and none voting 'present' and House Bill 652 having received the Constitutional Majority, is declared passed. Mr. Clerk, read House Bill 653."
"House Bill 653, a Bill for an Act to amend the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. this House Bill."
Third Reading of Speaker McAuliffe: "The Lady from Cook, Representative Wojcik."
"Thank you Mr. Speaker, Members of the House. House Bill 653 amends the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. It requires the Department of Public Health to designate a staff person to handle men's health issues currently unaddressed or inadequently addressed by the department. The reason for this piece of legislation...it's been brought to me through a constituent of mine. He wrote a letter to me and he has some health problems and he felt that we have been paying more attention to women's health, and if he would of had some knowledge or expertise in the disease that he has, he wouldn't be facing some of the problems that he is now. So, it...it's an interesting area and I think that with the, the way we are looking at health today in preventative measures that it would be very good 39 STATE OF ILLINOIS 89TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 28th Legislative Day March 8, 1995 to have this legislation passed. So, I ask for your favorable vote."
"The Lady from Cook, Representative Currie."
"Thank you Speaker and Members of the House. It's my recollection that we created a women's health advocate in the Department of Public Health because it was pretty clear that there were areas in womens health needs that were not being adequately met, not adequately addressed. I think that the supposition was that when it came to issues affecting men's health the Department was already doing a job. So, the reason for the creation of the women's health advocate was precisely because we were able to identify areas in which women were not getting access to good information and adequate service. I know of no evidence to suggest that there is a comparable problem with respect to men's health concerns and my concern about this Bill is that it makes us look somewhat foolish. How about children's health needs? How about the health needs of the teen set? What about the health needs of Americans ethnically divided, hyphenated in one way, shape, form or another? I think this is adding a layer of bureaucracy to the Department of Public Health that is neither needed nor called for, that makes us look as if we're just making things up in order to give the Governor more people to hire at the expense of taxpayers across Illinois. I would suggest that we look very carefully at this. I'm certainly not prepared to say yes. I don't think we need to hire one more body in the Department of Public Health to do as far as I can tell, on the basis of the record and the basis of the evidence, nothing. Thank you."
"The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Lang." 40 STATE OF ILLINOIS 89TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 28th Legislative Day March 8, 1995
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Indicates that she will."
"Thank you. Representative, are mens needs currently being neglected by the Department of... Public Health?"
"Representative Wojcik."
"Representative, I believe it is not being addressed sufficiently and I think it's kind of a slap in the face for men, if you will, to say that you have enough information, you have enough knowledge. I don't believe that's true, and what I found is that there's been 40,000 cases of prostrate cancer for men. Now, often times a man doesn't look at their body as a temple, and they don't pay many...much attention to some signs."
"Representative Lang."
"I'm not finished, I would like to complete this though. What I am saying is how many men often end up in the emergency room because they've had chest pains and they paid no attention to it or they've had a...strep throat which has ended up in something else like mono because their macho and they don't pay attention to the signs. So, what this is going to do. Now listen."
"Representative Lang."
"Well, I'm concerned about men's health problems of course, but...but let me ask you, isn't this a staff function that should already exist in the department? Then aren't they now under an obligation to take care of the health care needs of all Illinoisans?"
"Representative Wojcik."
"It is a staff function, but what we're trying to do is enlighten them on some of these issues so that we are going to be in the element of prevention, so that men won't have some of the basic problems their having." 41 STATE OF ILLINOIS 89TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 28th Legislative Day Speaker McAuliffe: 'Representative Lang." March 8, 1995
"Can't the department do this without this legislation, Representative?"
"Representative Wojcik."
"Representative, an enlightenment." it's not creating a new position. It's
"Representative Lang."
"Well, I didn't ask about the budget, yet I'm getting there but...but the fact is the department has the right to do this now, don't they? I mean, if they aren't doing this now, or what are they doing? What are they doing about the health care of men in Illinois today if they aren't addressing these important issues?"
"Representative Wojcik."
"They are doing it, but just for the future we want to make sure that the qualifications are there. It's for your protection."
"Representative Lang."
"Is there any money in the budget for this program?"
"Representative Wojcik."
"It's not a new line item, and it's not creating anything new. So we don't...there's no financial impact."
"Representative Lang."
"However the person who you will assign to do this was doing other work. So, what won't get done while this person is addressing men's health care issues?"
"Representative Wojcik."
"Representative, with the onset of this computer world that we live in, I'm sure that one more added item to the staff person would not hurt that individual at all."
"Representative Lang."
"I'll remember that when we propose a few additional staff 42 STATE OF ILLINOIS 89TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 28th Legislative Day March 8, 1995 and you have a different point of view. Representative, I'm reading from the fiscal note provided from the Department of Public Health and it says that the legislation is worded that the department could address most of the requirements by promoting mens issues and existing programs. It's says could address and most of the requirements. What won't they be able to address and what will it cost us to address what isn't addressed by current staffing?"
"Representative Wojcik."
"Representative, I think the word could is ambiguous, but it's just to make sure that these issues will be addressed in the future."
"Representative Lang."
"I thank the Sponsor. To the Bill. Of course we stand for men's health. I certainly stand for men's health. I have a vein in my forehead that pops out every time I scream and yell on this House floor. Representative Wojcik has been concerned about it and I will address that. The bottom line is of course, that this seems to be a guise to hire new people in the Department of Public Health. This seems to be a program that's going to be costly without telling us what the cost will be. If the Illinois Department of Public Health is not today addressing mens issues, then what are they doing? We've had to pass Bills in the past to make them address...women's issues and children's issues. If we now need a Bill to make them address men's issues then whose issues are they addressing? Whose health care needs are they addressing? If they want to address these needs and they need more staffing to do it, they ought to come to us with a budget request and maybe we'll provide it. I would suggest until we get more information, 43 STATE OF ILLINOIS 89TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 28th Legislative Day 'no' or 'present' votes." March 8, 1995
"The Lady from Cook, Representative Zickus."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of this Bill. Just as the focus that we've been putting on women's issues and women's health issues has created an awareness, and I'm sure it's saved many lives. What this legislation will do is to help create an awareness with the men's health issues which have been long neglected and I urge a 'yes' vote."
"Representative Wojcik to close."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think for the Members of the House, you all know that yes I am concerned with health and yes I am concerned about Representative Lang's..."
"Excuse me Representative Wojcik, would you hold off your closing for a moment. Representative Dart."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just wanted to ask for a Verified Roll Call if this gets a requisite number."
"Representative Wojcik to close."
"Basically Ladies and Gentlemen, my concern is health. And when speaking with my constituent and he told me that if he had knowledge of his problem he wouldn't be facing the crisis he is now. And I think that we should help everybody, man, woman, child. And if this is going to be prevention then let's look at it and do what's good for our people and for all of our Members in this House. So, I ask you to vote favorably for it."
"The question is, 'Shall House Bill 653 pass?' All those in favor vote 'aye'; all those opposed, vote 'nay'. The voting is open. This is final action. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question there are 76 'ayes', 9 'nays, 28 voting 'present'. This Bill having received the Constitutional Majority, is 44 28th Legislative Day STATE OF ILLINOIS 89TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE March 8, 1995 hereby declared passed. Mr. Clerk, will you please read House Bill 784?"
"House Bill 784, a Bill for an Act to amend the School Code. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"Representative Black."
"Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. House Bill 784 is a Bill that passed out of committee a year ago with strong bipartisan support and got...I think we just got caught in the crunch of business late last year. It got out of committee this year on a unanimous vote. All this Bill does is simply say, that a school district can use life safety bonds to meet the requirements of the American With Disabilities Act. And the problem that percipitated this legislation and I met with people on both sides of the aisle and I know it cuts across party lines. Schools all across the state are being sued for failure to comply with the American With Disabilities Act. When they would forward an application to the State Board of Education to use life safety bond money, in order to meet the ADA, the state board denied that saying that the ADA is a civil rights issue and not an accessibility issue. Well, that's all well and good I suppose but it doesn't help the local school board meet their obligations under the ADA. I... I have no allusions about this Bill. I think now that we...if you agree and pass it, I think the state board and the local boards will set down and reach some kind of conclusion but if not, fine. To me it only makes good sense, life safety bonds be available to meet the requirements of ADA. Be glad to answer any questions that you might have and I would ask your favorable consideration of the Bill."
"The Gentleman from Washington, Representative 45 STATE OF ILLINOIS 89TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 28th Legislative Day Deering."
March 8, 1995 "Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
Debate." "Representative Deering, this Bill is on Short
"I join with the requisite numbers and remove it from Short Debate."
"Okay."
"Representative Black, just for my own edification, if...you know I'm going to support the Bill, I think it's something that we should have done. But if a school is on the financial watch list. Are they able to expend life safety bonds at their own will or do they still have to have approval from the Board of Education?"
"Representative Black."
"It's my understanding, correct me if I'm wrong, I don't have a staffer around me, I know that my intent was that this takes the State Board of Education out of the picture. Now if you're on the financial watch list and you don't have bonding capability, I would assume at that point the issue is moot."
"Representative Deering."
"Thank you, Mr. Black. That answers my question."
"The Lady from Cook, Representative Currie."
"Thank you, Speaker and Members of the House. I think this is certainly well intention legislation. What it also is, of course, is the opportunity for people to find that they have had their taxes increased without the opportunity to have a vote. This is a tax increase without referendum. Certainly it's laudable to make sure that we're able to take care of handicapped youngsters. It's not clear to me whether the affect of this is also to create a loophole in the property tax cap that applies in the collar counties 46 STATE OF ILLINOIS 89TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 28th Legislative Day March 8, 1995 and in Cook. But there's no question, that for the rest of the state, this is out and out a tax increase without referendum. Now I think that the voters send us here to make some tough decisions, just like this one. But I think all of us need to know, particularly those who don't believe that we oughta be making these judgment calls, we ought to be leaving these to the electors back home. I just want to make it clear to each and everyone of you that what you're voting on today is a tax increase without a referendum among the voters."
"The Lady from Cook, Representative Davis." Davis, M.: "Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I believe that this is legislation that states that different school districts can use some money in order to meet the federal guidelines of having their schools disabled excessible. Is that correct, Mr. Black, Representative Black?"
"Representative Black."
"Mr. Speaker. In all due respect to Representative, I heard absolutely nothing of that question."
"Representative Davis, would you repeat the question?" Davis, M.: "Representative, the first thing to go is the hearing. My question was, does this legislation give your district or all districts in this state the opportunity to use life safety dollars in order to make their schools accessible for the disabled?"
"Representative Black."
"Yes. That is the intent and I believe that is exactly what the legislation allows. However, my guess is and I'm no expert on the tax cap legislation, I would assume that if the property tax cap legislation was in effect then I think that might be an inhabiting factor of using your life 47 STATE OF ILLINOIS 89TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 28th Legislative Day safety bonding authority."
"Representative Davis." March 8, 1995 Davis, M.: "Representative, does this apply to Chicago as well?"
"Representative Black."
"Yes. I think...I don't think Chicago was included under the Cook County Tax Act, as far as I know. I'll have to rely on someone else here because the Chicago Public School system is so often different from the School Code. I would assume that Chicago has life safety bonding capability. I don't know that but if they do then they could utilize these bonds."
"Representative Davis." Davis, M.: "Thank you. Thank you."
"Representative Representative Black to close." Black, to close.
"Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. In deference to many of the Members who have come over and asked me questions about...I think this Bill would pass overwhelmingly and we would put the responsibility on our locally elected school boards. One of the previous speakers mentioned that it might be construed as a tax increase without a referendum. I have the State Board of Education on the phone. Take this Bill out of the record until I can answer that definitively and maybe we can get back to it later."
"Mr. Clerk, please take this Bill out of the record. The Gentleman from Lake, Representative Churchill."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just for the purposes of an announcement. There will be a Rules Committee meeting immediately upon adjournment. Rules Committee upon adjournment." 48 STATE OF ILLINOIS 89TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 28th Legislative Day
March 8, 1995 "The Chair recognizes Representative Krause, for an announcement." Krause: It "Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Just an announcement to all the Members of the House Health Care Committee. will meet tomorrow, 1:30, Room 118. Thank you."
"Any further Weaver: Reports. Representative Weaver." announcements? Committee "Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just to remind the Members of the House Appropriations Committee on Education. In previous weeks we've started our meetings at 9:00 a.m., tomorrow we start at 8:00 a.m. with the State Board of Education's budget. Thank you."
"Any further announcements? Representative Phelps."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just wanted to announce that I'm proud to be a representative of Harrisburg, Illinois that won the championship Class A basketball last night, going to state. First time since '38'." to state
"Representative Mulligan."
"Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I to would like that Human Services Appropriations has been meeting at 9:00, will meet at 8:00 tomorrow and we'll hear three budgets."
"Representative Churchill now moves that the House stand adjourned until Thursday, March 9th at the hour of 3:00 a.m....3:00p.m. All those in favor signify by saying 'aye'; opposed say, 'nay'. The 'ayes' have it. The House stands adjourned. In the opinion the Chair the 'ayes' have it. And allowing for perfunctory time for the Clerk, the House now stands adjourned until Thursday, March 9th at the hour of 3:00 p.m."
"Committee Reports. Representative Krause, Chairman 49 STATE OF ILLINOIS 89TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 28th Legislative Day March 8, 1995 Services, to from the Committee on Health Care and Human which the following Bills were referred, action taken on March 8, 1995, reported the same back with the following recommendations: 'do pass' House Bills 2241, House Bill 1968 and House Bill 1868; 'do pass as amended' House Bill 1756, House Bill 193, House Bill 309 and House Bill 2072; 'do pass Short Debate' House Bills 2308, House Bill 1977, House Bill 2470, House Bill 1698, House Bill 2434, and House Bill 1320; 'do pass as amended Short Debate' House Bill 1755 and House Bill 1330.
"HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 26, OFFERED BY REPRESENTATIVE BARBARA CURRIE. WHEREAS, The calculus of comparative benefits and costs is well developed and can be accepted as economically rational; and WHEREAS, There is a need to inform on likely benefits and costs of actions before the actions are voted; and WHEREAS, By its nature, the Legislative process is factional and may involve bias which does not conform to the optimal use of resources such as tax monies; and WHEREAS, Recent requirements for assuring program performance have been placed on heads of various government bureaus and departments; and WHEREAS, Changes, both increases in program and funding and decreases in the same, have a potential to impact how effectively tax monies are used; and WHEREAS, Such changes may be more frequent in the Legislative Session of 1995 and subsequent sessions because of increased interest in evaluating the proper and effective role of government; and WHEREAS, The sophistication of research to pre-evaluate the likely outcome of program and funding decisions has increased; and WHEREAS, Research capability, within Illinois and beyond, to perform evaluations is readily available; and WHEREAS, In cases where research would not be timely, the "Delphi" 50 STATE OF ILLINOIS 89TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 28th Legislative Day March 8, 1995 process of convergence of expert opinion has been shown to be of benefit; and WHEREAS, The cost of pre-evaluation is likely to be less than the cost of sub-optimal program or funding decisions; and WHEREAS, Evaluation of program and funding changes to existing programs could function as, or substantially support, program evaluation from an external and unbiased source; therefore, be it RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE EIGHTY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge the passage of legislation to require pre-evaluation of all legislative action to add, delete, or change program design, administration, or funding; this evaluation shall be performed by independent entities such as the University Graduate Programs in Policy Analysis; and be it further RESOLVED, That protocol shall be established for these evaluations and standard measures shall be used for quantifying benefits and costs; and be it further RESOLVED, That, at a minimum, evaluations shall address questions such as: for a given increase in funding cost, is the resulting cost to citizens decreased by a greater amount; or, for a given decrease in funding cost, is the resulting cost to citizens increased by a greater amount; and be it further RESOLVED, That in cases where extensive research evaluation will not be performed, or is not considered justified, the Delphi method of converging opinion shall be used; and be it further RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to Governor Jim Edgar, to the President of the Illinois Senate, and to the Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives. Urges passage of legislation to require pre-evaluation to add, delete, or change program performance, using standard measures for quantifying benefits and costs. 51 STATE OF ILLINOIS 89TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 28th Legislative Day March 8, 1995
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 27, OFFERED BY REPRESENTATIVE BARBARA CURRIE. WHEREAS, Principal, interest, taxes, and insurance are considered in computing allowable "debt burden" for a homebuyer seeking mortgage financing; and WHEREAS, Energy costs in most residences exceed either taxes or insurance; and WHEREAS, Consideration of energy expense would provide an incentive for homeowners to increase the efficiency of their residence; and WHEREAS, The majority of fuel sources for residential use require flow of monies beyond Illinois, and energy efficiency work, involving a higher percentage use of in-State resources, and therefore retaining monies within Illinois, presents economic development advantages; and WHEREAS, The job creation benefit of performing those energy efficiency actions which would cause a decrease in homeownership cost (including energy) is 4,500 permanent jobs; and WHEREAS, These jobs would utilize the skills of thousands of Illinois' working people; and WHEREAS, The State has operated a pilot study of energy efficient mortgages for several years, and has the benefit of work in other states for a longer period of time; and WHEREAS, The Secondary Lenders were directed to consider energy efficiency when underwriting residential mortgages in 1979; and WHEREAS, Energy efficiency provides a benefit of reducing environmental pollutants; therefore, be it RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE EIGHTY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that parties making residential mortgage transactions are urged to consider the permitted debt capacity for home purchase on the basis of principal, interest, taxes, insurance, and energy expense, or some fewer number of criteria while retaining energy expense; and be it further RESOLVED, That energy expense 52 STATE OF ILLINOIS 89TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 28th Legislative Day March 8, 1995 shall be taken as the average of the previous two years' total of utility bills, or some other measure as mutually agreed by the buyer and other parties; and be it further RESOLVED, That a home energy rating or energy audit shall not be required to be included in the mortgage transaction cost; however, the buyer and bank may mutually agree, based on an energy audit, to include those items which, considered singly, or whose marginal benefit and marginal cost, are predicted to reduce the cost of ownership to a level sufficient to allow a target debt burden for that buyer; and be it further RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be forwarded to the Commissioner of Banks and Trust Companies, the Commissioner of Savings and Residential Finance, and the Director of Commerce and Community Affairs. requires residential mortgage transaction consider the permitted debt capacity for home purchase on the basis of principal, interest, taxes, insurance, and energy expense.
"Introduction - First Reading of House Bills. House Bill 2498, offered by Representative Lang, a Bill for an Act concerning financial investments by State and local governments. House Bill 2499, offered by Representative Lang, a Bill for an Act concerning utilities. First Reading of these House Bills."
"Perfunctory Session will be in order. Senate Bills, First Reading. Senate Bill 54, offered by Representative Black, a Bill for an Act that amends the State Police Act. Senate Bill 105, offered by Representative Biggins, a Bill for an Act to amend the Property Tax Code. Senate Bill 158, offered by Representative Churchill, a Bill for an Act that amends the Conveyances Act. Senate Bill 206, offered by Representative 53 28th Legislative Day STATE OF ILLINOIS 89TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE March 8, 1995 Clerk Churchill, a Bill for an Act in relation to the Fox Waterway. First Reading and Introduction of these Senate
Bills. McLennand: "HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 28, OFFERED BY REPRESENTATIVE MADIGAN, WHEREAS, This House of Representatives has learned with great happiness of the recent mini-multitude of births occurring to the families of members of the distinguished Illinois Legislative Correspondents Association; and WHEREAS, While this new outbreak of child-bearing does not rival that which occurred in 1994, it does threaten to cause at least two of the more thoughtful members of the already depleted ranks of the press corps to take maternity leave while the "New Order" in the legislature comes to grip with solving all of the State's problems; and WHEREAS, Despite this threat to journalistic excellence, it is clear that the people of the State of Illinois will be better off because of the presence of Graham Parker Hawthorne and James Porter McNeil; and WHEREAS, This resolution is submitted in direct contravention of the rules adopted by the "New Order" for the 89th General Assembly, which deprive these children of the same recognition provided the ILCA newborns who arrived in 1994; and WHEREAS, While this deprivation of civil rights (forced by alleged cost concerns) could provide for a cause of action, it should be noted that the value of this cause of action has been severely diminished by the "New Order"; therefore, be it RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE EIGHTY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that the parents of these Illinoisans be congratulated and encouraged to raise their children with a positive attitude about the work of the Legislature; and be it further RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this 54 28th Legislative Day STATE OF ILLINOIS 89TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE March 8, 1995 resolution be presented to the parents of Graham and James. Congratulates the parents of Graham Parker Hawthorne and
James Porter McNeil. Clerk McLennand: "No further business. The House Perfunctory Session stands adjourned. The House will reconvene on Thursday, March 9th at the hour of 3:00 p.m." 55 REPORT: TIFLDAY PAGE: 001 STATE OF ILLINOIS 89TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DAILY TRANSCRIPTION OF DEBATE INDEX MARCH 08, 1995 95/04/28 11:38:29 HB-0572 THIRD READING PAGE 7 HB-0602 THIRD READING PAGE 22 HB-0602 OUT OF RECORD PAGE 37 HB-0652 THIRD READING PAGE 37 HB-0653 THIRD READING PAGE 39 HB-0784 THIRD READING PAGE 45 HB-0784 OUT OF RECORD PAGE 48 HB-2498 FIRST READING PAGE 53 HB-2499 FIRST READING PAGE 53 SB-0054 FIRST READING PAGE 53 SB-0105 FIRST READING PAGE 53 SB-0158 FIRST READING PAGE 53 SB-0206 FIRST READING PAGE 53 HR-0026 FIRST READING PAGE 50 HR-0027 FIRST READING PAGE 52 HR-0028 FIRST READING PAGE 54 SUBJECT MATTER HOUSE TO ORDER - SPEAKER MCAULIFFE PAGE 1 PRAYER - REVEREND PHIL SHEETS PAGE 1 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE PAGE 1 ROLL CALL FOR ATTENDANCE PAGE 1 COMMITTEE REPORTS PAGE 2 MOTION TO CHANGE ORDER OF BUSINESS PAGE 7 RENEW MOTION CHANGE ORDER OF BUSINESS PAGE 15 HOUSE ADJOURNED PAGE 49 PERFUNCTORY SESSION PAGE 49 COMMITTEE REPORT PAGE 49 PERFUNCTORY SESSION ADJOURNED PAGE 55