"The House shall come to order. The House shall come to order. The Members shall be in their chairs. We will be lead in prayer today by Lee Crawford, the Assistant Pastor of the Victory Temple Church in Springfield. The guests in the gallery may wish to rise and join us in the invocation."
"Let us elevate our hearts, as well as our minds. Oh God of might, wisdom, and mercy. A God who looked beyond all of our faults and saw our very needs. A God through whom all of our blessings flow, assist us today with Your sprit of great counsel and guidance and impress upon us the importances of grace, mercy, love, and honor. Teach us how to hate not, nor to dishonor not our neighbors, but rather how to follow peace with all men, even if you've already done. Now I am going keep us mindful of Your greatness and your ability and spirit to love those who hated You and You pray for those who despitely used You. Now I pray that You avow safe unto them wisdom and protection throughout this day, this we kindly pray. Amen."
Speaker Madigan: "We shall be led in the Pledge of Allegiance by Representative Hartke." Hartke: - et al "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."
Speaker Madigan: "Roll Call for Attendance, Representative Currie."
"Thank You, Speaker. Please let the record show that Representatives Phelps and Schakowsky are excused. They are still learning the legislative ropes in Washington."
"Mr. Cross. 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 133rd Legislative Day November 18, 1998
"Yes, Representative Biggert is excused. She's trying to learn just like Representative Phelps is. So, she's excused.
Speaker Madigan: "Mr. Clerk, take the record. There being 115 Members responding to the Attendance Roll Call, there is a quorum present. Mr. Clerk."
"The House Rules Committee will meet at 10:15 in the Speaker's Conference Room. The Rules Committee will meet at 10:15 in the Speaker's Conference Room."
"Agreed Resolutions."
"Agreed Resolutions. "House Resolution 565, offered by Representative Brady; House Resolution 566, offered by Representative Currie; House Resolution 567, offered by Representative O'Brien; House Resolution 568, offered by Representative O'Brien; House Resolution 569, offered by Representative Brosnahan; House Resolution 570, offered by Representative Dart. House Resolution 571, offered by Representative O'Brien; House Resolution 572, offered by Representative Capparelli; House Resolution 573, offered by Representative Granberg; House Resolution 574, offered by Representative Leitch; House Resolution 575, offered by Representative Morrow; House Resolution 576, offered by Representative Novak; House Resolution 577, offered by Representative Howard; House Resolution 578, offered by Representative Howard; House Resolution 579, offered by Representative Tim Johnson; House Resolution 580, offered by Representative Tim Johnson; House Resolution 581, offered by Representative Parke; House Resolution 582, offered by Representative Granberg; House Resolution 583, offered by Representative Tim Johnson; House Resolution 584, offered by Representative Granberg; House Resolution 585, offered by Representative Granberg; House Resolution 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 133rd Legislative Day November 18, 1998 586, offered by Representative Andrea Moore; House Resolution 587, offered by Representative McAuliffe; House Resolution 588, offered by Representative Brady; House Resolution 589, offered by Representative Hoffman; House Resolution 590, offered by Representative Tim Johnson; House Resolution 591, offered by Representative Tim Johnson; House Resolution 592, offered by Representative Tim Johnson; House Resolution 593, offered by Representative Granberg; House Resolution 594, offered by Representative Morrow; House Resolution 595, offered by Representative Black; House Resolution 596, offered by Representative Tim Johnson; House Resolution 597, offered by Representative Tim Johnson; House Resolution 598, offered by Representative Tim Johnson; House Resolution 599, offered by Representative Tim Johnson; House Resolution 600, offered by Representative Hoeft; House Resolution 601, offered by Representative Tim Johnson; House Resolution 602, offered by Representative Tim Johnson; House Resolution 603, offered by Representative Tim Johnson; House Resolution 604, offered by Representative Tim Johnson; House Resolution 605, offered by Representative Tim Johnson; House Resolution 606, offered by Representative Black; House Resolution 607, offered by Representative Granberg; House Resolution 608, offered by Representative Morrow; House Resolution 609, offered by Representative Tim Johnson; House Resolution 610, offered by Representative Tim Johnson; House Resolution 611, offered by Representative Tim Johnson; House Resolution 612, offered by Representative Tim Johnson; House Resolution 613, offered by Representative Durkin; House Resolution 614, offered by Representative Morrow; House Resolution 615, offered by Representative 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 133rd Legislative Day November 18, 1998 Currie; House Resolution 616, offered by Representative Lang; House Resolution 617, offered by Representative Granberg; House Resolution 618, offered by Representative Capparelli; House Resolution 619, offered by Representative Giglio; House Resolution 620, offered by Representative Giglio; House Resolution 621, offered by Representative Hoffman; House Resolution 622, offered by Representative Holbrook; House Resolution 623, offered by Representative Giglio; House Resolution 624, offered by Representative Black; House Resolution 625, offered by Representative Hannig; House Resolution 626, offered by Representative Lou Jones; House Resolution 627, offered by Representative Tim Johnson; House Resolution 628, offered by Representative Tim Johnson; House Resolution 629, offered by Representative Tim Johnson; House Resolution 630, offered by Representative Tim Johnson; House Resolution 631, offered by Representative Tim Johnson; House Resolution 632, offered by Representative Tim Johnson; House Resolution 633, offered by Representative Tim Johnson; House Resolution 634, offered by Representative Tim Johnson; House Resolution 635, offered by Representative Tim Johnson; House Resolution 636, offered by Representative Tim Johnson; House Resolution 637, offered by Representative Tim Johnson; House Resolution 638, offered by Representative Tim Johnson; House Resolution 639, offered by Representative Tim Johnson; House Resolution 640, offered by Representative Tim Johnson; House Resolution 641, offered by Representative Biggert; House Resolution 642, offered by Representative Granberg; House Resolution 643, offered by Representative Capparelli; House Resolution 644, offered by Representative Granberg; House Resolution 646, offered by Representative Hannig; 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 133rd Legislative Day November 18, 1998 House Resolution 647, offered by Representative Granberg; House Resolution 648, offered by Representative Howard; House Resolution 649, offered by Representative Capparelli; House Resolution 650, offered by Representative Rutherford; House Resolution 651, offered by Representative Morrow; House Resolution 652, offered by Representative Noland; House Resolution 653, offered by Representative Noland; House Resolution 654, offered by Representative Brosnahan; House Resolution 655, offered by Representative Coulson; House Resolution 656, offered by Representative Currie; House Resolution 657, offered by Representative Currie; House Resolution 645, offered by Representative Speaker Madigan; House Resolution 658, offered by Representative Stephens; House Resolution 659, offered by Representative Madigan; House Resolution 660, offered by Representative Reitz. House Resolution 661, offered by Representative Brady; House Resolution 663, offered by Representative Andrea Moore; House Resolution 665, offered by Representative Younge; House Resolution 667, offered by Representative Lopez."
Speaker Madigan: "On the Order of the Agreed Resolutions Representative Currie moves for the adoption of the Agreed Resolutions. Those in favor say 'aye'; those opposed say 'no'. The 'ayes' have it, the Agreed Resolutions are adopted. For what purpose does Mr. Shoenberg seek recognition? Mr. Shoenberg."
"Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to rise on a point of personal privilege, and I'd like the opportunity to address my colleagues, so if I could have a moment of their uninterrupted attention, please. I'd like to dis... issue has been made previously... we have recently... issue has been made previously, and we have discussed this at some 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 133rd Legislative Day November 18, 1998 length with various degrees of intensity, the question over procedures on the House floor with respect to the prayer which begins our proceedings. And I have to say that yesterday's series of events prompted me to seek this point of personal privilege, because, as a duly elected Member of this Body who has served here for 8 years, and as someone who deeply believes as all of you do, in the democratic principles which make our society and our country the greatest country in the world, I have to say that as a member of a faith that is not a majority religion in this country, that I want to personally ask my colleagues if you can take a moment of your time to speak with clergymen and women who you invite to address this Body and to offer the prayer, to encourage them to voluntarily, without signing any forms or waivers or anything like that, we've been through that before, but if you... I'm asking you, as a personal favor as your colleague as a person of faith myself, if you could spend a moment of your time to inform the clergy that you invite to offer the prayer, if they could do so in a manner that is respectful of all faiths, and does not specifically reference one deity. I know that I would personally be indebted, and I can't speak for anybody else, but I'm sure my other colleagues who are of my faith, and those who are of different faiths as well, would be equally appreciative. I don't think that we need to have formalized procedures where that... imposed consent forms, or anything like that. I don't think that we need that, but I do think that we need to be respectful of each others faiths, each others religious traditions, and if you could just take a moment of your time to remind the clergy that you invite, that they should offer a prayer in a manner that is all inclusive, I'd certainly be 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 133rd Legislative Day November 18, 1998 appreciative. Mr. Speaker, thank you very much for this opportunity."
Speaker Madigan: "Representative Cowlishaw. Representative Cowlishaw, on page 2 of the Calendar on the Order of Total Vetoes there is a House Bill 383. Did you wish to offer a Motion on that? Thank you. The Rules Committee is meeting at this time. Would the Members of the Rules Committee please go to the Speaker's Conference Room? Mr. Clerk."
"Introduction of Resolutions. House Resolution 662, offered by Representative Younge; House Resolution 664, offered by Representative Acevedo; and House Resolution 666, offered by Representative Younge, are referred to the Rules Committee. Introduction and First Reading of House Bills. House Bill 3906, offered by Representative Black, a Bill for an Act concerning state revenue stabilization. House Bill 3907, offered by Representative Boland, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 3908, offered by Representative Dart, a Bill for an Act in relation to firearms. House Bill 3909, offered by Representative Wyvetter Younge, a Bill for an Act to amend the Public Community College Act. First Reading of these House Bills. The House Rules Committee will meeting immediately in the Speaker's Conference Room. The Rules Committee will meet immediately in the Speaker's Conference Room."
"The Chair recognizes Mr. Lawfer for the purpose of an announcement. Mr. Lawfer."
"Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I rise to a point of personal privilege. I'd like to introduce the the Girl Scout Troop 284 and 263 of Hanover that are serving as Pages on the House Floor today. Hanover is in Jo Daviess County and is also known as the Mallard Duck Capital of the world. And if anybody wants more information on that, all 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 133rd Legislative Day November 18, 1998 they have to do is push their Page light and these girls will explain to you the significance of Hanover, Illinois and Jo Daviess County and I welcome them to Springfield, and as serving as Pages. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker."
Speaker Madigan: "Mr. Clerk. Mr. Clerk, read the Adjournment Resolution."
"House Resolution #71, offered by Representative Currie. Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the 90th General Assembly of the State of Illinois, the Senate concurring herein, that when the House of Representatives adjourns on Wednesday, November 18, 1998, it stands adjourned until Thursday, November 19, 1998, at 12:00 noon in Perfunctory Session, and when they adjourn on that day, they stand adjourned until Tuesday, December 1, 1998, at 1:00 p.m., and when the Senate adjourns on Thursday, November 19, 1998, it stands adjourned until Tuesday, December 1, 1998."
Speaker Madigan: "You've all heard the Adjournment Resolution, those in favor, say 'aye'; those opposed say 'no'. The ayes have it the Resolution is adopted. The Chair is prepared to adjourn. Representative Currie moves that the House does stand adjourned until December 1. For what purpose does Mr. Black seek recognition? Mr. Black."
"Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. The... if my colleagues on the Republican side of the aisle would pay attention we would like to have a brief Caucus in Room 118 upon adjournment. Thank you."
Speaker Madigan: "Representative Currie has moved that the House does stand adjourned until December 1, at 1 p.m. Those in favor, say 'aye'; oppose say 'no'. The 'ayes' have it, the House does stand adjourn until December 1, at 1 p.m. 8