"The hour of 12 o'clock having arrived, the House will come to order. Members shall be in their seats. We'll be led in prayer today by the Reverend Vytas Memenas with the Roman Catholic Church in Frankfort. The Reverend is the guest of Representative Renee Kosel. Guests in the Gallery may wish to rise for the invocation."
"Let us pray. Father, maker of all things in the Lord of the universe. We come before You today to ask Your blessing on our men and women who have been duly elected to represent all the people of Illinois, and who make the laws by which we are governed. Their responsibility is one of providing security, safety, justice, tranquility, and peace for all their constituents, while making sure that all those who break the law are justly punished. Continue to guide their deliberations as they discern, dispute, and discharge their duty to protect. May You always be present to them. May You always bless them with the wisdom, the knowledge and the understanding that they need to make the best choices for all the people of Illinois. Amen."
Speaker Granberg: "We'll be led in the Pledge of Allegiance by Representative Rick Winkel."
"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. Mr. Cross."
"We are all here today. Thank you very much."
"Mr. Hannig."
"Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. Would the record reflect that Speaker Madigan is excused today due to a death in the family?" 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 52nd Legislative Day April 30, 1997
"Thank you. One hundred and seventeen Members recording their presence, there is a quorum sufficient. The House is hereby convened. Mr. Clerk, Committee Reports."
"Representative Dart, Chairman from the Committee on Judiciary I, Civil Law to which the following Bills were referred, action taken on April 30, 1997, reported the same back with the following recommendations: 'do pass Short Debate' Senate Bill 1097, Senate Bill 1041, Senate Bill 1038, Senate Bill 844, Senate Bill 843, Senate Bill 807, Senate Bill 619, Senate Bill 473, Senate Bill 427, Senate Bill 361, Senate Bill 125, and Senate Bill 102. 'Do pass as amended Short Debate' Senate Bill 1020, Senate Bill 956, Senate Bill 952, Senate Bill 918, Senate Bill 710, Senate Bill 408, Senate Bill 113, 'Do pass Standard Debate' Senate Bill 445. Representative Mautino, Chairman from the Committee on Insurance to which the following Bills were referred, action taken on April 29, 1997, reported the same back with the following recommendations: 'do pass Short Debate' Senate Bill 490 and Senate Bill 196. 'do pass as amended Short Debate' Senate Bill 801. Representative Shirley Jones, Chairman from the Committee on Public Utilities to which the following Bills were referred, action taken on April 29, 1997, reported the same back with the following recommendations: 'do pass Short Debate' Senate Bill 700. Senate Bill 949. 'do pass as amended Short Debate' Senate Bill 999. Representative Deering, Chairman from the Committee on Transportation to which the following Bills were referred, action taken on April 29, 1997, reported the same back with the following recommendations: 'do pass Short Debate' Senate Bill 29, Senate Bill 110, Senate Bill 186, Senate Bill 225, Senate 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 52nd Legislative Day April 30, 1997 Bill 772,Senate Bill 798, Senate Bill 800, and Senate Bill 954. 'do pass as amended Standard Debate' Senate Bill 31, Senate Bill 455, Senate Bill 730 and Senate Bill 955. 'do pass Standard Debate' Senate Bill 463. Representative Woolard, Chairman from the Committee on Agriculture and Conservation to which the following Bills were referred, action taken on April 29, 1997, reported the same back with the following recommendations: 'do pass Short Debate' Senate Bill 28, Senate Bill 258, Senate Bill 304, Senate Bill 495, Senate Bill 580, Senate Bill 626 and Senate Bill 908. 'do pass as amended Short Debate' Senate Bill 305 and Senate Bill 795. 'be adopted Short Debate' Senate Joint Resolution 11. Representative Bugielski, Chairman from the Committee on Financial Institutions to which the following Bills were referred, action taken April 29, 1997, reported the same back with the following recommendations: 'do pass Short Debate' Senate Bill 209, Senate Bill 406, Senate Bill 538, Senate Bill 591, Senate Bill 646, Senate Bill 685, Senate Bill 690 and Senate Bill 1044. Representative Flowers, Chairman from the Committee on Health Care Availability to which the following Bills were referred, action taken April 29, 1997, reported the same back with the following recommendations: 'do pass Short Debate' Senate Bill 320, Senate Bill 648 and Senate Bill 457. Representative Burke, Chairman from the Committee on Executive to which the following Bills were referred, action taken on April 30, 1997, reported the same back with the following recommendations: "do pass Short Debate' Senate Bill 129, Senate Bill 160, Senate Bill 279, Senate Bill 297, Senate Bill 528, Senate Bill 547, Senate Bill 723 and Senate Bill 799. Senate Bill 1001 and Senate Bill 1101. 'do pass as amended Short Debate' Senate Bill 910. 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 52nd Legislative Day April 30, 1997 'do pass Standard Debate' Senate Bill 435, Senate Bill 436, Senate Bill 531, Senate Bill 533 and Senate Bill 544. 'be adopted House Resolution 83."
"Ladies and Gentlemen, permission has been given to the Journal _______ Star ____ to take photographs on the floor. There is a photographer on the floor who has been given permission to take photographs. And now we have the ...Mr. William Black for purposes of an introduction. Mr. Black, does your wife know about this?"
"I hope not. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. If I could have your attention. It's my pleasure today to introduce to you, Miss Senior Illinois of 1997. She was crowned on October 19. This is a pageant that's sponsored by our Secretary of State, George Ryan, and she will be competing for the title of Miss Senior America in September, 1997 in Biloxi, Mississippi. I'd like to introduce to you a constituent of mine, Miss Senior Illinois 1997, Mrs. Martha Mielar Smith." Smith, Martha: "Thank you. First of all, it's a great deal of pleasure to be here in this big wonderful Legislative Body today. I would like to personally thank my Representative and one of the best Representatives in the State of Illinois, Bill Black, for allowing me to speak. I would also like to thank the Secretary of State, George Ryan's Office, which sponsors the State Senior Pageant through the Office of Senior Affairs for supporting such a fine program. And as Bill said, I will be competing for the title in Biloxi, and I certainly hope to bring back the Miss Senior America Title to the great State of Illinois. And it is the greatest. First of all, I'm a 65 year-old wife, mother, and grandmother and by the way, in that order. I'm a native of Danville, where I have spent a 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 52nd Legislative Day April 30, 1997 lifetime of employment and most recently, volunteer work. My husband, Donald, calls me a professional volunteer. In recent days, we have certainly heard a great deal about that, and I believe it is very important that it is something that people in our wonderful later years can give to society. My message to seniors is do not sit down and expect the world to come to you. Give something to the world. My philosophy has always been dream, work hard, continue to learn and you can win at anything in life. Illinois will see its elderly population jump by nearly a third to 1.95 million by 2020. This unfortunate, forgotten generation will be the equivalent of the waves of immigrants who came to this country. It is important that issues be pinpointed and conditions improved now, so that the ever increasing elderly population is handled effectively and humanly everywhere. We must move and be prepared with the waves of the future. We, as seniors, can bring so much to society with our years of experience, and I fully intend to do just that. I ask that you, as a Legislative Body, remember that we, as seniors, can give much to this state, but we need your input and concern in the fairness of the job market, and of course, the biggest concern we all have is the health care system. The quality of life for our senior citizens need be one of which we, as a nation and as a state can be very proud. Thank you very much."
"Thank you very much, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House and Mr. Speaker for your courtesy."
Speaker Granberg: "Representative Eugene Moore, for purposes of an introduction." Moore, E.: "Mr. Speaker, I rise on a Point of Personal Privilege. And to Ladies and Gentlemen of the General Assembly, I 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 52nd Legislative Day April 30, 1997 would like to introduce to you the Mayor of Maywood, Mayor Joe Frielan and the entourage as far as the trustee. We are talking about Mr. Anderson and the rest of the group from that community. Mayor Frielan."
"Representative Tom Johnson." Johnson, Tom: "Yes, Mr. Speaker, Members of the House. I just am at another passage in my life and the senior citizens programs are becoming more meaningful to me, but I do want to invite all of you to come over and celebrate with me and have a piece of this wonderful cake that Sandy Huffman has made. She is one creator. So, you are all welcome to join in some birthday cake over here today."
"Happy birthday, Mr. Johnson. Mr. Lyons."
"Mr. Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives. Before they leave, I would like to introduce up in the northwest corner of the Gallery the Coalition of Polish American Women from Chicago. God bless you ladies on behalf of Joan Smuda and Marie Otto, thanks for coming down. Thank you, Mr. Speaker."
"We are being visited today by former State Representative, State Senator Donnie Trotter. And Representative Connie Howard for purposes of an introduction. And Representative Todd Stroger. Representative Howard."
"I'd like my colleagues in the General Assembly to be aware of the fact that we are joined today by students from Chicago Vocational High School. They have been honored as one of five schools in the nation regarding education innovations. At this time, I would like to read along with Representative Stroger, a proclamation that has been prepared by Senator Trotter, regarding Chicago Vocational High School. Whereas the Members of the General Assembly 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 52nd Legislative Day April 30, 1997 are honored to recognize Chicago Vocational High School in Chicago, Illinois and whereas, Chicago Vocational High School was named one of five schools in the nation to be used as a model for the restructuring the nation's secondary eduction system. U.S. Secretary of Education Richard W. Reilly announced that Chicago Vocational High School has been selected along with Hoover High School in San Diego, California, William Turner Technical High School in Miami, Florida, St. Louis Academy in St. Louis, Missouri, and Central Park East Secondary School in New York. And whereas, Chicago Vocational High School has restructured the school into eight mini schools, redesigned curriculum so that true academic and vocational integration occurred, personalized learning through the adoption of an academy structure developed and implemented a broad array of school, community, and business partnerships, invested in technical preparation, job training, intern and apprentice programs and initiated, or instituted that is, extensive teacher training programs that revolutionize pedagogy. And whereas, Chicago Vocational High School was selected as one of the lead schools of the fifty Schools Project sponsored by the Coalition of Essential Schools, each year several foreign and domestic educators tour Chicago Vocational High School seeking ideas and help in restructuring their own schools. And whereas, Chicago Vocational High School has a 99.9% African-American student population with an attendance of 2700. The school is located on the far southeast side of the city, 53.8% of the students are from low-income households, 67% go on to college upon graduation, 23% enter the work force or the armed services. And whereas, the Chicago Vocational High School received the Exemplary School Award for school 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 52nd Legislative Day April 30, 1997 leadership sponsored by the Chicago Board of Education. Mrs. Betty Despenza Green, the school's principal has received many awards and honors for her hard work and efforts in restructuring the school. Together with her fine staff, Mrs. Despenza Green has completely redeveloped the curriculum and goals of the school, centering its focus on a work based environment which prepares the students for their future careers. Therefore, be it resolved and this is by the Senate of the 90th General Assembly of the State of Illinois, that we commend the Chicago Vocational High School's principal and staff for its exceptional work in restructuring the programs of the school to make viable and essential changes within the school and aiding in the development of its students. We recognize Chicago Vocational High School on receiving the honor of being named one of the five schools to be used as a model of restructuring by proclaiming April 30, 1997, a Chicago Vocational High School Day in the State of Illinois. And be it further resolved, that a suitable copy of this proclamation be presented to Mrs. Betty Despenza Green, principal of Chicago Vocational High School in Chicago."
"Good afternoon, everyone. I take great pride and I'm very proud to have the student body, or some of the members of the student body from CVS to be here with us today. At a time that we're discussing in both Chambers, education reform, education finance reform and asking for teacher and parent accountability, CVS exemplifies what we're looking for. The U.S. Department of education has identified this school as being on the cutting edge of education reform. I have with me today, who will introduce members of her staff and members from the local school council, the Doctor Despenza Green." 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 52nd Legislative Day April 30, 1997
"Thank you, Senator Trotter, who has led the way in bringing us here and thanks to our Representatives Howard and Stroger. We are very very pleased and honored that the State of Illinois is acknowledging the kind of work that we are doing. We also appreciate, of course, the fact that the Federal Government did indeed acknowledge the hard work that we do along with the assistance of our parents, our local school council members and of course, the best students in the State of Illinois. I do want to, however, acknowledge the fact that with us today are a number of our students, there are some freshmen, sophomore, junior and senior students. So, if you can just kind of wave, you'll notice them over here. We would like to acknowledge that we also, along with us, are three of our staff members: Mr. Milton Norris, Mr. Carl Soretto and Mr. Paris Huston. In addition, I would be remiss and I am going to end because I know that educators are known to be winded, however, I'm going to ask the local school council president, and it is this Body that empowered the LSC, who has done so much for CVS and is certainly responsible for the kind of acknowledgement that we are getting. So, I would like Mr. Otha Miller, the president of our local school council to simply say, hello. Thank you."
"Good afternoon, parents, friends, LSC members from Chicago Vocational High School. What is so ironic about us being here today, is that as you debate the funding reform, you mostly hear about the negative things that happen in Chicago public school systems, public school system per se. But I want to say there are great things that are happening in the public school system, particularly in Chicago. And I think as you debate the refunding issue you will see that those dollars are well spent. CVS just received national 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 52nd Legislative Day April 30, 1997 honors as being one of the first, one of the schools out of five schools chosen for this national honor of reform initiative. We're happy to be here. We're glad that the State Legislature are recognizing us for that honor. So we are happy to be here to be part of that, to receive that proclamation. We thank you."
"CVS is not only just a great academic center, it has also provided us with Jewan Howard of the Bullets, Chris Sorrage, Chicago Bears, Dick Butkus, Chicago Bears, I think everybody knows him. But right now, I would like to introduce our State Superintendent of Education, Joseph Spagnolo, to give the principal an award."
"Thank you very much, Representative. It is my pleasure, on behalf of the Illinois State Board of Education, to present Doctor Betty Despenza Green a certificate of appreciation. The certificate reads, 'The Chicago Vocational High School in recognition of meritorious service, your devotion to excellence in education in the State of Illinois is appreciated and commended by the Illinois State Board of Education. Your service to the educational community and to the people of the State of Illinois is an example worthy of emulation.' I want to congratulate the principal, the local school council and the student body."
"Thank you so much for welcoming our students."
"The Lady from Cook, Representative Currie, now moves the House stands adjourned until the hour of 12:00...pardon me. Pardon me, Mr. Black."
"Yes, thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I have an announcement of some importance that I spent the entire evening trying to figure out."
"Let's give the Gentleman your attention. I'm 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 52nd Legislative Day April 30, 1997 sure Mr. Black has spent considerable time and effort."
"I know we don't have very much order in the House, but this is ridiculous.
"Considerable amount ...Miss Senior Citizen left, Mr. Black."
"Thank you, so much. Yes, Mr. Speaker. There was a request from Representative Feigenholtz yesterday for, we need to figure out the magic number of the Chicago Cubs, and she was busy last night. So I stayed up half the night, and I'm glad to say that on behalf of Cub fans everywhere, all two or three of us, that we have figured out the magic number of the Cubs. And we just wanted to share with the Body, it's 911."
"I do, there was another question, Mr. Black. They wanted to know what the magic number was for their elimination? Thank you, Mr. Black. The Lady from Cook, now moves that the House stand adjourned until the hour noon, Thursday. All in favor say 'aye'; all opposed say 'no'. The 'ayes' have it, the House now stands adjourned." 11