"The House shall come to order. The House shall come to order. The students can turn and face this direction, because we're going to do an invocation, and we're going to do the Pledge of Allegiance. Okay? So the House shall come to order. The Members shall be in their chairs. We shall be led in prayer today by Pastor John Davenport with the Paxton Church of Christ in Paxton, Illinois. Pastor Davenport is the guest of Representative Tim Johnson. The guests in the Gallery may wish to rise and join us in the invocation."
"Let us pray. Our heavenly Father as we come before Your presence, we recognize Your majesty, Your sovereignty, Your righteousness and Your holiness. We lift our hearts in praise in giving glory to You. We praise You for the multitude of blessings that You provided for us so numerous that there is no way that we can count them. We accept them as evidence of Your marvelous love, Your beautiful care, Your exquisite grace. I thank You for these men and women who are here today who have the privilege of representing this wonderful state. I pray that You will grant them the wisdom to make decisions that will be for the good of as many people as possible. I pray that You will bless them with the courage to do what is right, honest, fair and just for the people they serve in the State of Illinois. You know their needs, their stresses, the concerns of their heart. I pray that Your presence will give them guidance and that You will hold them in the palm of Your right hand. I pray Your blessing and Your hedge protection around each one and their families forever and a day. In Your holy name, I pray. Amen."
Speaker Madigan: "We shall be led in the Pledge of Allegiance by 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day December 3, 1998 Representative O'Brien."
"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 Ronen are excused today."
"Mr. Cross."
"Representative Poe, anyway all Republicans are here and well, and ready to do the state's business."
"Very good. Have all voted who wish? Mr. Lang."
"I think Shirley Jones light is not working, but I think she's here, Mr. Speaker."
"Mr. Clerk, take the record. There being 114 Members responding to the Attendance Roll Call, there is a quorum present. Is Representative Klingler here? Representative Klingler and Representative Hannig?"
"Members of the General Assembly, I'm honored to have with me the Class 4A State Football Champions Of Illinois, the Chatham-Glenwood Football Team. I'll tell you, they have given us some fantastic victories, including one in double overtime. And I'll never forget when it was 4th and long, and they went for it instead of going for the field goal, and the announcers almost died, they were going 'oh my, oh my, they're really doing it.' Here's coach, Dan Rourke, that made that call."
Dan Rourke: "Thank you very much and thank you, Representative Klingler, for having us, for inviting us here today. Thanks for the opportunity to represent Chatham with this 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day December 3, 1998 great bunch of guys that we've had the opportunity to work with for the past 17 months, and again, just thank you very much for having us. Maybe we'll see you again next year."
"There's a pending Resolution congratulating the football team for their victory and the Motion in favor of that is made by Representative Klingler. Those in favor say 'aye', those opposed say 'no'. The 'ayes' have it, the Resolution is adopted. Committee Reports."
Clerk Rossi: "Committee Reports. Representative Currie, Chairperson from the Committee on Rules, to which the following items were referred, action taken on December 3, 1998, reported the same back with the following recommendations: 'To the floor for consideration' Senate Bill 930, Senate Bill 937 and House Bill 559. They are referred to the Order of Second Reading, Standard Debate."
"Agreed Resolutions."
Clerk Rossi: "House Resolution 686, offered by Representative Poe. House Resolution 687, offered by Representative Dart. House Resolution 688, offered by Representative Dart. House Resolution 689, offered by Representative Dart. House Resolution 690, offered by Representative Dart. House Resolution 691, offered by Representative Leitch. House Resolution 693, offered by Representative Hartke. House Resolution 695, offered by Representative Klingler. House Resolution 697, offered by Representative Black. House Resolution 698, offered by Representative Black. House Resolution 699, offered by Representative Andrea Moore. House Resolution 700, offered by Representative Crotty. House Resolution 701, offered by Representative Crotty. House Resolution 702, offered by Representative Coulson. House Resolution 703, offered by Representative Skinner. House Resolution 704, offered by Representative 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day December 3, 1998 Brunsvold. House Resolution 705, offered by Representative Andrea Moore. House Resolution 706, offered by Representative Kosel. House Resolution 707, offered by Speaker Madigan."
"The Clerk has read 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 Resolutions are adopted. Introduction of Resolutions."
"House Resolution 694, offered by Representative Davis. House Resolution 696, offered by Representative Granberg and House Joint Resolution 75, offered by Representative Brunsvold, are assigned to the Rules Committee. Attention Members, the 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."
"On page 2 of the Calendar, on the Order of Concurrence, there appears House Bill 887, Mr. Meyer. Is Mr. Meyer in the chamber? Mr. Meyer."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Senate Bill, or excuse me, House Bill 887 is a cleanup Bill that deals with the Charitable Trust Act, and it deals with cleanup of legislation that we passed earlier in this General Assembly. I would move to concur with Senate Amendments #1 and 2."
Speaker Madigan: "The Gentleman moves to concur in Senate Amendment #1 and Senate Amendment #2. Is there any discussion? Mr. Black, is there any discussion on this issue? Mr. Black waves indicating he does not wish to participate in this debate. The question is, 'Shall the House concur in Senate Amendments #1 and 2?' Those in favor, signify by voting 'aye'; those opposed by voting 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day December 3, 1998 'no'. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? The Clerk shall take the record. On this question, there are 112 'ayes', 1 person voting 'no'. This question, having received a Constitutional Majority, the House does concur in Senate Amendments #1 and 2, and this Bill is declared passed. Mr. Meyer, on your next Motion."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move to nonconcur in Senate Amendment #3 to House Bill 887."
Speaker Madigan: "The Gentleman moves to nonconcur in Senate Amendment #3. There being no discussion, the question is, 'All those in favor of the Gentleman's Motion, say 'aye', those opposed say 'no'. The 'ayes' have it, the Motion is adopted, and the House does not concur. On page 2 of the Calendar, on the Order of Amendatory Vetoes, there appears Senate Bill 1755, Mr. Holbrook. Mr. Holbrook."
"Thank you, Speaker. Senate Bill 1755 passed out of both the House and the Senate unanimously, and it just made a change in how probate was handled on illegitimate children. The Governor felt that there needed be be a inclusion on child support in case people were in the arrears. We agree with that. The Senate approved the Amendatory Veto unanimously, and I would move to accept the Amendatory Veto, also. I know of no opposition."
Speaker Madigan: "Mr. Holbrook, I've been advised by the Clerk that this Motion has not yet been approved by the Rules Committee, so we'll get back to you later."
Clerk Rossi: "The Rules Committee is meeting in the Speaker's Conference Room. Committee Reports. Representative Currie, Chairperson from the Committee on Rules, to which the following items were referred, action taken on December 3, 1998, reported the same back with the following 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day December 3, 1998 recommendation: 'to the floor for consideration' House Joint Resolution 75. To the Order of Amendatory Veto Accept Motions: 'approved for consideration' Motion on Senate Bill 1755."
Speaker Madigan: "Mr. Holbrook, on the Order of Amendatory Vetoes, there appears Senate Bill 1755, Mr. Holbrook. Mr. Holbrook? Would someone turn on Mr. Holbrook."
"Thank you, Speaker. Again, I move to accept the Amendatory Veto of the Governor's. The underlying Bill passed both Houses... chambers unanimously, and the Governor's Amendment passed the Senate unanimously, also. It just sets a criteria on someone that would be behind in their child support as one of the criteria on the probate on inheritance. And I would move to accept the Amendatory Veto."
"Mr. Holbrook moves to accept the Governor's Amendment. Mr. Black."
"Yes, thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Would the Sponsor yield?"
"Sponsor yields."
"Representative, because of the difficulty in taking this out of the record, and I don't think the board was correct earlier, your Motion is to accept the Governor's Amendatory Veto, correct?"
"That's correct."
"And you said the Senate accepted on what... what basis?"
"Unanimously."
"The Senate accepted it unanimously?"
"Yes."
"Well, that doesn't really impress me because I think the Senate repealed the law of gravity yesterday on a unanimous vote, so I don't put a lot of credence in what the Senate 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day December 3, 1998 does. But be that as it may, what exactly does the Governor's Amendatory Veto do to this Bill? I heard the word child support, and that is about 60% of my district office constituent caseload. So what does the... how does the Governor's Amendatory Veto impact this ongoing problem we have with child support?"
"Before an eligible parent could receive something from the estate of a dead, illegitimate child, they couldn't be in excess of one year's child support in the arrears. And this sets that provision in there in case they would be behind, that that could be deducted from their inheritance."
"So, if I understand you then, it's another attempt to get at the more than $700,000,000 in unpaid child support, correct?"
"Absolutely. It's a good idea."
"Okay."
"It's a good idea."
"That seems like a reasonable exercise of the Governor's part, and I appreciate your indulgence. It seems like a good Bill. Thank you."
Speaker Madigan: "The Gentleman moves to accept the Governor's Amendment. The question is, 'Shall the House accept the Governor's Amendment?' Those in favor, signify by voting 'aye', those by voting... those opposed by voting 'no'. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? The Clerk shall take the record. On this question, there are 114 people voting 'aye', 0 voting 'no'. This Motion, having received the required Constitutional Majority, the House does accept the Governor's specific recommendations for change regarding this Bill. Mr. Clerk." 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day December 3, 1998
Clerk Rossi: "Supplemental Calendars 1 and 2 are being distributed."
"Representative Moore. Representative Moore." Moore, Andrea: "Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday, I filed a Motion that somehow was not on the Calendar, so I filed it again today. And pursuant to Rule 18(g), I would move to discharge the Rules Committee from further consideration of House Bill 974, and to advance that measure to the Order of Concurrence for immediate consideration. Mr. Speaker, this is an important issue to all of us here. Many of us has campaigned on the issues that are contained in House Bill 974. Many of us on both sides of the aisle, made campaign promises, and we would like to fulfill those promises. This is an issue that has come over from the Senate. It is a good solid Bill that has had a lot of discussion and debate, a lot of public input, and, Mr. Speaker, I would like the floor to be able to consider this issue today so that we can fulfill our campaign promises and go forward in the next Session with this issue taken care of in a way that people can really support. You know HMO reform is one of the most important issues to people today. Mr. Speaker, again, I would move to discharge the Rules Committee and advance this issue."
"Representative, as you know, the Motion is out of order. Moore, Andrea: "Mr. Speaker, I then would move to overrule the Motion of the ruling of the Chair, and have a roll call vote."
Speaker Madigan: "The Lady appeals the ruling of the Chair. Those who support the Lady's Motion to appeal the Chair, shall vote 'yes'; those opposed shall vote 'no'. Those who support the Chair, vote 'no'. Those who support the Chair, 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day December 3, 1998 vote 'no'. Those who support the Chair, vote 'no'. Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 52 'ayes' and 59 'noes'. The Motion fails. The Chair will invoke Black's rule. All staff shall leave the floor. All liaisons shall leave the floor. All staff shall leave the floor. Mr. Black."
"For crying out loud. You gave conflicting advice to the Members of this Body. That is an outrage from the man who sits in the Chair, look what the board said 'Shall the Chair be sustained?' And you said 'To sustain the Chair, vote 'no'.' The board and your instructions were in absolute conflict. I suggest you dump that roll call. Let's do it again, calmly, and let's make sure that your Members get your instructions in accordance with the message that's on the board. You can't run this chamber this way."
Speaker Madigan: "I think your point is well taken, Mr. Black. Staff will leave the floor. Liaisons will leave the floor."
"Mr. Speaker."
Speaker Madigan: "We are prepared to take the Motion again, Mr. Black. Mr. Black."
"Yes, Mr. Speaker, in the absence... I mean... in the obvious confusion of the moment, and in all due respect to you, the board and your instructions were in conflict. So that we can straighten out what the heck is going on, the Republicans would request an immediate conference."
"Do you want the conference before or after you take the Motion? Mr. Black, how long will you be?"
"Mr. Speaker, as long as it takes us to figure out whether we're suppose to follow the message on the board, or we're suppose to follow the dictates of the Chair. I do my best 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day December 3, 1998 to be correct, and I have great respect for you, and I think I ended up voting the way you told me to vote, but it was in objection to the board. So, I don't know how I voted, Mr. Speaker. I need to go down and search my conscience, and it may take a few minutes."
"The House shall stand at ease for one half hour.
Clerk Rossi: "Attention Members, the House will convene in two minutes. Two minutes.
"The House shall come to order. The order of business is a Motion by Representative Moore. Representative Moore." Moore, Andrea: "Mr. Speaker, could you clarify, is this Motion debatable?"
Speaker Madigan: "This Motion is subject to the rule on Standard Debate, and debate is limited to a five minute presentation by you, debate by each of two additional proponents, and by three Members in response, and then three minutes for you to close." Moore, Andrea: "Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well, as I had said before when I made my Motion, it is of the utmost importance that we take the time to listen to this Bill, and vote on this Bill today. We will be leaving the 90th General Assembly making a significant contribution in an area that is well supported by all of our citizens. Number one, we have had... many of us that have made campaign pledges during the campaign that we will support HMO reform, because we all know that the Patient Bill of Rights is really a very serious issue, and it will assist with access to quality medical care, our abilities to choose a physician. We also think especially important, is the emergency room coverage. There is no pre-certification in 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day December 3, 1998 this Bill that would require... for emergency room services. Utilization review will help to keep the costs down, and assure us of good qualify health care. Prohibiting the gag clause is really very important so that the relationship between physicians and their patients can continue in a very positive way. Now I know that Representative Flowers worked very, very hard as Chairman of the Health Care Access and Availability Committee. She held hearings for the entire year last year, and truly, last year when we talked about it, when my Bill was amended, I really thought perhaps she would want to take over the sponsorship of this Bill. And, Mr. Speaker, if you could assure us that this Bill would be called today, I would be willing... because she's the one that really has advanced this issue in such a positive way, and so, you know, Mary Flowers, really I would not want it, because I have not worked as hard on this as you have. I would really... if you would like to change that sponsorship, I'd be willing to agree to that. If, Mr. Speaker, you could assure us that the Bill in fact will be called today."
Speaker Madigan: "The Lady has spoke in support of her Motion, and Representative Flowers is recognized in opposition."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. I would like to applaud the Lady on her efforts, but I would like to say, as she stated earlier that we've had two HMO Bills to pass the House of Representatives, one of them was in the 97th General Assembly, which was House Bill 626, and the other was this past Session, which was Senate Bill 1904. Those two Bills dealt with the concreteness of the HMO. It gave patients a real Patients Bill of Rights. It said that if you needed to go the emergency room, you would be able to do so without phoning 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day December 3, 1998 first. If this Bill here does not give the patients and the people of the State of Illinois, the right to sue an HMO for the harm that they may have caused, it does not give the patient the right to choose their own doctor. It does not... it does not give the patients of the State of Illinois, an ombudsman office, where is it, that if they have a complaint against what their doctor or the HMO has done, it does not give them an avenue. HMOs or the managed care industry, as we know it today, Ladies and Gentlemen, as I said before, it's like a road map. There's new bridges, there's new avenues, there's new exits, there's new terminologies, there's new everything to this, and yet, the people are not aware of it. The people of the State of Illinois need to be educated on what the managed care industry is doing to them today. This Bill does not go far enough on behalf of the people of the State of Illinois. This is a sham legislation. It was not given the same credence that Senate Bill 1904 was given. It did not have people coming from all walks of life to give their opinion. It was something that was done over in the Senate at the last minute without any hearings. I would appreciate the defeat of this Motion of House Bill 974. Thank you."
Speaker Madigan: "The Lady has spoken in opposition to the Motion. Pursuant to the rules, Mr. Black will be recognized as a proponent to the Motion."
"Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. First of all, and I hate to eat into my time, the Sponsor of the Motion was on the timer, the response was not on the timer, and I thought that the Motion being debated was in fact a Motion to overrule the Chair, not the merits of the Bill. I can do either one, but I think I heard you say that we're debating the Motion to overrule the Chair, and I will, unlike a 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day December 3, 1998 Member on your side of the aisle, I will try to follow your wishes as I generally do. I... you know, Ladies and Gentlemen, I have no hopes, after last night, which by the way, the Senate didn't act on the Bill that we had to run out of here, so important last night. But anyway, I've been around here long enough to know that we will not prevail in our Motion to overrule the Chair. All of you on that side of the aisle will vote with the Speaker. All of us on our side of the aisle will vote with Andrea Moore, and that's the way it goes around here. But that doesn't make it right. There are people in this chamber, many on your side of the aisle who campaigned on HMO reform. And you said it was going to be the first thing you did when you came down here, now we're giving you an opportunity to put your vote where your campaign rhetoric was just a month ago. We're not here to argue the merits of the Bill, it may not be the most perfect Bill, but it is HMO reform. Now, how are you going to go back home and said, 'Well I had an opportunity to overrule the Chair and bring a Bill on HMO reform to the floor for a vote, but I chose not to do that. I chose not to do that because the Leadership said they didn't want me to do that.' Well, at some point you have to go back home and say do you represent the constituents who send you here, or do you represent the party leadership, and you'll do whatever they tell you to do? Now, I for one, and I'm not going to embarrass you, but I have... I have a number of campaign literature here, all from Democrats on your side of the aisle, talking about HMO reform. Your number one priority. I could list the names. My number one priority, HMO reform. So here we have a Bill that we can resurrect, the only Bill that possibly could be resurrected in the Veto Session, that 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day December 3, 1998 deals with HMO reform. It is a start. It is not a perfect Bill. No Bill that's ever come out of here, is. But it's a start for HMO reform. Now, 30 days ago it was your number one priority, the first thing you were going to do. So, we've given you an opportunity. If you believe, as I do, that your constituents want us to begin the process of HMO reform, then vote to overrule the Chair. Then we can get on with the business of HMO reform. But, if we're going to do business as usual, we'll get into our sides of the aisle, and we'll side with our respective Leaders, and we'll simply do what they want us to do. And you know there comes a point down here, when you have to stand up as some of you did last night, look into the mirror and say 'What we're doing is wrong, and I'll not be a part of that.' And what we're doing here this afternoon is every bit as wrong. You want HMO reform, vote to overrule the Chair and let's start talking about HMO reform. If you just want to talk about HMO reform, and go back and make up a bunch of piddly, paddly rhetoric, that says, 'Well it wasn't the right time, it wasn't the right Bill, it didn't have enough stuff in it,' then you vote to sustain the Chair and that's the end of HMO debate until January, February, March or April. I, for one, stand with Tom Cross who said earlier in his campaign 'We must address HMO reform' and that's what we're attempting to do. If you want to at least address it, and go back home and be honest with your constituents, then vote to overrule the Chair. It isn't a personal thing against the Speaker, I mean some of you may not realize it, but I do hold that Gentleman in high regard. He is an extremely intelligent, very capable individual, and I would never do anything against him personally, but I think, in this case, he is wrong. We 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day December 3, 1998 need to advance the only Bill that has a breath of life dealing with HMO reform, and let's get on about that business. You said it was your number one priority, now stand up and make it your number one priority, and vote to overrule the Chair."
Speaker Madigan: "The rule provides for one more person as a proponent, and Representative Cross and Representative Mulligan are both seeking recognition. Mr. Cross."
"Mr. Speaker, I'll defer at this point, to Representative Mulligan. Then if my name was used in debate, after she speaks, if you could then come back to me so I can respond to Representative Black's comments, I'd appreciate it."
"Who wants to speak as a proponent?"
"Are you only going to give us one opportunity?"
"Yes."
"All right, Representative Mulligan."
"Mulligan."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. However the Motion is framed, I think that we should vote in favor of allowing this Bill to be heard. We have several days coming back in January, where we could still act on a Bill this year. Everyone knows this will be a compromise Bill, no matter what we talk about what's in the Bill. A Motion not to allow this Bill to be heard by this Body, is a Motion against working out some type of health care reform. We all know that nobody is going to have everything they want in any Bill, and to put another Bill forward that has come out of the Senate, which is an important issue because the Senate is a big player in this, and to let this Bill fall, is to say that you are not for health care reform, and you want to close the discussion. As much as it has been discussed in campaigns and used against all of us depending on which way 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day December 3, 1998 you voted on a Bill, no matter if you voted for five of them and you voted against one of them, it was still used. I think to cut off the discussion on a Bill that has a potential to be a solution for this, sooner rather than later, is a Bill for bad health care for the State of Illinois, or a vote for bad health care in the State of Illinois, and I think that it's very important that whatever way we frame this Motion, you vote to allow this Bill to come before this Body and be heard. We can easily work on it for the next month, and bring it back in a final form for the last two days of this session, which will give everyone left here in this Body credit for having worked on a solution that, as far as in my county, the people have voted 75% to have some kind of health care reform. So, I think this is very important to make sure that this Bill is allowed to become... out on the floor... to come out on the floor, and I think Representative Moore certainly has the ability, as well as Representative Cross, who has used... was one of the first proponents of the Bill back when we were still in the Majority. I think the people on our side of the aisle have just as much right to have a Bill put forward, and to heard. There are many Members on our side of the aisle that have worked very hard on this issue, Representative Krause, Representative Cross, and I think Representative Moore has a right to have this Bill called."
"Mr. Cross. Everybody would like to hear from you."
"I'm not sure that's entirely accurate, Mr. Speaker. You know Representative Black didn't want to refer to names, but I think there's a level of hypocrisy in this Chamber that has gone on too long. If you'll look at the campaign pieces that Representative Black referred to, it's a joke 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day December 3, 1998 that we're not talking about... or not talking... voting on House Bill 974. I happen to have a piece of Representative Scully. George Scully is fighting for us. Doctors and patients make medical decisions not HMO accountants. Representative Scully doesn't think insurance companies should be making important medical decisions for us. That's why he sponsored, sponsored the Patients Bill of Rights, so doctors and patients, not insurance bureaucrats, can make important medical decisions. Now, I can't believe for one minute that Representative Scully is not going to vote with us on this issue. If he cares about... if he really cares about... if he's going to stand behind his campaign pledges, I would assume, and I would suggest to Representative Scully that he support us on this Motion. There are numerous Representatives on your side of the aisle, Mr. Speaker, that have voted in the past on a Bill similar to this. Their campaign brochures all read the same way as the one I just read. There are Senators... And just so people are understanding of this, House Bill 974 passed out of the Senate back on May 22nd. Was it a close vote? No. Was it overwhelmingly for this Bill? You bet it was, 50 'yeses', only 4 'noes'. All of the people on your side of the aisle that used this issue in their campaigns, had Senators that voted for this Bill. Now, we can either start talking about, or stop talking about HMO reform, or we can act on it. I see absolutely no reason, absolutely no reason why we can't vote on this Bill today. I know that Representative John Turner believes that, Representative Ron Stephens believes that, Representative Bill Brady believes that, Representative Dan Rutherford and the list can go on and on. Now, we can quit being hypocrites, we can keep, you know, lying about what we're 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day December 3, 1998 really believing in, or we can actually vote on a Bill. I would urge you, once again, as has Representative Black, Representative Mulligan, Representative Moore and all the other people I mentioned, to discharge this rule... this Bill from Rules, and I would ask for a favorable vote on our side, on the issue of whether the Chair shall be sustained. Thank you, Mr. Speaker."
Speaker Madigan: "I will now proceed to the vote, so Representative Moore has moved to... Representative, do you want to close? Representative Moore." Moore, Andrea: "Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to close because I would like to make a couple of clarifications. During debate it was mentioned that this particular Bill does not have the ability to choose a physician. That is not correct, this Bill does have the ability to choose a physician. It does have access to emergency medical care, excuse me, emergency room coverage. There's no pre-certification for emergency room services. One of the things was correct, that, yes in fact, you do not have the right to sue the HMO in this Bill, which is the main difference between this Bill and the one that was overwhelmingly supported by the General Assembly. However, this does have an arbitration panel that you can appeal to, which we think is something that will assist in keeping the health care costs reduced. This is an important piece of legislation that, in fact, has had thorough debate, every aspect of it with the fine leadership of Representative Flowers. Not to be able to bring it to the floor at this time is really a hardship, and I would urge everyone that believes in this issue, make that statement by overruling the Chair."
"Alright, we are prepared to vote, and Mr. Black 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day December 3, 1998 made a good point earlier, that on a previous occasion, the question was misstated. So, the question is, 'Shall the Chair be sustained?' Those that wish to support the Chair, will vote 'yes', and Republicans can vote 'no'. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish?"
"Objection, you're leading the witnesses."
Speaker Madigan: "Sometimes they need it. Have all voted who wish? The Clerk shall take the record. On this question, there are 56 'ayes', and 58 'noes', and the Chair is sustained. On Supplemental Calendar #2, on the Order of Resolutions, there appears HJR 75, Mr. Brunsvold."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. I spent 12 years on the Education Committee, Elementary and Secondary Education Committee, and was Chair for two of those years. I did not support the waiver Bill when it was proposed, voted against it, and have really not supported it all along. I didn't feel that waiving the School Code was something we ought to do after we worked so long on that. The waivers that had been proposed over the years were dealing with a lot of really minor things, but there are some waivers that stand out, and some things that you just can't swallow hard and accept. Now, I know that people of Carpenterville-Dundee School District 300 are trying with all their effort to solve these life safety code problems they have, and they have committed that they are going to fix them, and I commend them for that. They should have done that and proceeded to do that. The state board was more adamant about this waiver than all the others that were proposed in this round of waivers. And they are opposed to the waiver of the School Code vio... or the life safety violations. And I don't think, as a 19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day December 3, 1998 General Assembly as a House for example, that we ought to stand here and approve a waiver of these safety issues in the school. And as I say this, and I know Representative Lindner, it's her district, we talked about this, and it was my thought that they should not have even offered this as a waiver. Should have solved the problem with the state board, and gone on with... there are avenues of... life safety bonds are available, if they're not at their cap, and I don't think they are. What they wrote as their waiver, was not what they were indicating in language to the state board. So, there is a difference here, doors not opening the right way, things like that, that could be a safety problem if there is a fire or some situation like that. So, I would move that the House adopt House Joint Resolution 75 to disapprove this waiver."
"The Gentleman has spoken as a proponents of the Resolution, and pursuant to the rules, there shall be two more proponents of the Resolution. The lights came on in the following order, Mr. Brady, Representative Lindner, and Mr. Skinner. Mr. Brady."
"Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of personal privilege. I apologize to the Sponsor, but we have a special day coming in front of us here shortly, my seatmate enters his sixth decade as he turns 50 years old this weekend, Representative... not my seatmate but my sweet mate, as he enters the realm of 50. In accordance, Mr. Speaker, a Resolution has been offered for his birthday. I don't know what the status of that Resolution is. Could I ask the Clerk?
"Mr. Clerk. Uh, Mr. Brady, we have a Resolution in the record. All right, so let the Chair suggest that we take this Resolution out of the record momentarily, and put 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day December 3, 1998 Mr. Brady's Resolution in the record."
"Thank you."
Speaker Madigan: "On Mr. Brady's Resolution. Mr. Brady, what's your pleasure relative to the Resolution?"
"I'm not sure."
"Did you want the Clerk to read it?"
"No. I would just suggest that there are some specific concerns of Representative Persico as he enters his 50th year. I offer this Resolution with some of my colleagues, and I wish Vince a 'Happy Birthday' and welcome you all to enjoy his birthday cake down on the House floor."
"Mr. Black."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have an inquiry of the Chair?" I just picked up a roll call from the Motion to... on House Bill 974, 'Shall the Chair be sustained?', because I wanted to see what stalwart souls wanted to get interested in HMO reform. And this is not the right roll call. This roll call is the one that I thought we had dumped. And I don't know... If we dumped it, how did I get a copy of the old roll call? I'd like a copy of the one we just did 5 minutes ago. I mean if we dumped it, why is it even on the system?"
"Mr. Clerk."
Clerk Rossi: "There were 2 roll calls taken on that. None of them... or the first one was not dumped."
"Well, I thought I heard the Speaker say that we would dump the roll call."
"No."
"Maybe it was I that said 'Dump the roll call?'"
"You said 'Dump the roll call.'"
"Well, he generally agrees with me, I just was a little curious." 21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day December 3, 1998
"The correct roll call is up here."
"So in fact, the Journal will reflect that we have 2 roll calls on this Motion?"
Speaker Madigan: "Mr. Black, there were two Motions. I mean, that's what actually happened. There was the first Motion..."
"Well, this could be very interesting, because some agreed with the Chair on one roll call and disagreed with the Chair on the other, but okay."
"If you're... If you would like to move that the 1st roll call be dumped, we can entertain that Motion?"
"At the appropriate time, I would so move, because I think there are people on the wrong side on the first Motion, and I know that since you were leading the witnesses, that they want to be on the right side."
"So, the Gentleman moves to dump the first roll call. Is there leave? Leave is granted, the first roll call shall be dumped, and shall be given ceremoniously to Mr. Black for his archives."
"Thank you, thank you."
Speaker Madigan: "Now, we're back on the matter or Mr. Brady's Resolution. And, Mr. Persico, did you wish to speak to this matter?"
"Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to say a few words, but I also would like to ask Representative Brady, 'How do you spell, 'sweet' is it 'suite', or what were you trying to imply over there?' Just a few words I would like to say, and you know despite the intense recruiting process by AARP since last June, I really don't turn 50 until next week, but I did want to have you share in a milestone that everyone wants to reach, but it normally comes a little too fast for most of us. And... But it is a time of reflection 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day December 3, 1998 when you do reach this age, and one of the things that I was reflecting on my scenic drive down to Springfield... this is why they didn't read the Resolution... is that I spend approximately one-fifth of my life serving in this august Body, and I hope to serve as long as the people allow me to, but also when you reach this age, and though it's not my intent, you tend to think and wonder what life would be like in the more... less hectic pace, and gentile manner to the other chamber, but as far as I'm concerned, I thank you for the birthday wishes. There's... I want to get you started on your fat grams for the holiday season, and wish you all a happy holiday season and a new year. Thank you."
"We're on the Order of House Resolution 712 by Mr. Brady. Those in favor, say 'aye'; those opposed say 'no'. The 'ayes' have it, the Resolution is adopted. Mr. Brady, did you...have you advised the Members of the treat that you have for them, Mr. Brady? Aside from your personality."
"I think that's enough. Mr. Speaker, there's cake of two flavors down at the front row. Please enjoy Representative Persico's 50th birthday."
"All right, thank you, Mr. Brady. Now, we'll go back to HJR 75, and we have two people seeking recognition. Mr... Representative Lindner."
"Mr. Speaker."
"Representative Lindner."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Sponsor yields."
"Yes, I would just like everybody to know what is happening he. There are two issues. First of all, I don't know why we have processes around here if we don't follow 23 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day December 3, 1998 them. We are circumventing the mandate waiver process once again. District 300 is in my district. The school superintendent, the business manager, parents were down here lobbying all week; unfortunately, they aren't here today for this end running around the process. But they were here lobbying all week, and they followed the process, they filed a waiver. The state board did not allow the waiver, and so they went before the Senate Education Committee as the waiver process discerns. They were so persuasive before that committee, that the Senate Education Committee did allow their waiver. So, they have gone through this process already, and done what they were suppose to do, and now the state board is doing an end run around the process in trying to file a Resolution to undue what had been done. That is the first issue. The second issue is, that the school district has done everything and is doing everything that are urgent repairs. All the parents testified that they did not fear for the safety of their children at all, but you will all face this..."
"Will the Members please give their attention to Representative Lindner? Proceed Representative."
"... you will all face... Thank you, Mr. Speaker. You will all face this when your school districts come up for their life safety review, because the Code now also looks at things that are efficient as well as unsafe, and wants them to fix things like a thermostat that is still working, or an exit sign that is still working, but replace it with new. The taxpayers are revolting in my area, and they will in yours too. They want their children to be safe, but they do not want to pay for things that are old but not broken, and may need fixing in 10 or 15 years. So, the safety of the children is not endangered. The school 24 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day December 3, 1998 district made that very clear to the Senate Education Committee. They believed them, and they gave them their waiver, and I would ask everybody to vote 'no' on this issue, to... and not vote to disapprove the mandate waiver. Thank you."
Speaker Madigan: "Representative, did you rise in opposition to the Resolution?"
"Yes, I did."
"Okay, thank you. Mr. Skinner, are you a proponent or an opponent, Mr. Skinner?"
"I'm an opponent."
"Proceed."
"This past Friday, I went to all the schools in my part of District 300, and couldn't find anybody in any of those schools that thought there was a problem. One elementary school, Neubert Elementary School, in the Village of Algonquin, I asked the principal, 'What's wrong?' And she said, 'Well we have these wire glass... glass on both sides with wire in the center, and the state board says this isn't good enough.' I said, 'Well, have they ever been broken?' And her answer was only when a child would throw a rock through the glass. She said the major expenditure that the state board was trying to require this school to make was a replacement of partitions, which were approved by the Capital Development Board, when they were put in 20 years ago. These partitions are very similar to the partitions that we use in the Stratton Building. They're not fire proof enough. I asked her, 'Were there any recommendations of the life safety folks from the state that you agree with?' She said, 'Yes, I think we ought to have strobe lights at the end of the doors where the exits are.' That was, I think, about $6,000 of the total of 25 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day December 3, 1998 $58,000. The problem occurred in the early 1990's when the energy efficient audits... energy efficiency audits, that the State Board of Education was mandated to do, were merged with the life safety audits. The majority, the vast majority of the findings are now listed under life safety, but really are energy efficient. They want new fluorescent lights that are more energy efficient. Well, this is a school district that is a very fast growing school district. It has not yet been affected by the smart growth policies of Representative Ricca. The local school board wants to spend its money on expanding classrooms, not on marginal improvements which in the best of all worlds with all of the money possible... available, they would be willing to do. As I said on Friday, I not only visited all of the schools in my part of District 300, but I also worked the entire business. I found one person that thought the energy efficiency parts of this audit ought to be followed. He lives in Lake Forest, he doesn't pay taxes in McHenry County. His business partner, who does pay taxes in McHenry County, agreed that the district ought to be able not to be forced to spend this... over $9,000,000. So, I'd respectfully ask for a negative vote on this Resolution, which is sponsored you will note, by someone who is not from our area. Let us trust the local school boards for a change. Thank you."
"All right, Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr. Brunsvold has spoken as a proponent to this Resolution. Two people have spoken as opponents. For what purpose do you seek recognition, Representative Currie?"
"Well, I though I'd speak for the Resolution."
"As a proponent or an opponent?"
"As a propon... I said, for the Resolution as a 26 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day December 3, 1998 proponent."
"Fine. Proceed."
"Thank you. Representative, the former speaker suggested that at issue here are just energy conservation, energy improvement issues, not issues of safety and life and health. He's wrong. In fact, recommended, but not required, are precisely the energy conservation issues he's talking about. The school district had every opportunity to go back to the board and say 'No, we're not interested in doing those improvements at this time, because we can't afford it.' But what is at issue, and what the school districts waive, are issues involving dead-end corridors, doors that do not meet fire separation standards, improper locks on exit doors, missing emergency lighting, that's what they're asking us to waive. That's what they asked the state board to waive, and I think it would be a shame if we permitted those basic issues to be waived by virtue of our failure to support House Joint Resolution 75. We have in the past, overwhelmingly rejected requests like this, and I think Representative Brunsvold is correct, this school district could have gone back to the board and said, 'Look this is what we can do now, this is what we can't do now, and this whole thing could have been resolved without asking for the total waiver that is at issue in this Resolution. To protect the health and the safety of the children in these school buildings, I think we have a responsibility to support HJR 75, and its not just these children in this school buildings, because if we set the precedent, just as in our discussion yesterday about the use of substitute teachers, if we set the precedent today that safety issues can be waived, we're going to find them waived all over the state, and that will be because we did 27 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day December 3, 1998 not act responsibly on this Resolution this morning. So, I urge your strong support for House Joint Resolution 75."
"Mr. Brunsvold to close."
"Ladies and Gentlemen, one of the opponents said I'm not from his area. Well, I hope school code safety requirements are not just for one area of the state, and not for the rest of the state. These safety vio... safety code requirements should be the same all over the state. And this has to be uniform regardless of where you are in the state. This is not a difficult issue to vote on, folks. I'm going to vote 'yes' because I don't want to send a message to the rest of the school districts in this state to say that we will okay waivers of safety codes for the school districts... for the buildings in our school districts. I'm not going to do that. Now, you can vote 'no', and say yeah we're going to get waivers next year, a lot of them waiving safety requirements in their schools. I'm not going to do that, folks, and that's just not something we ought to do as a House of Representatives, send that message to the rest of the school districts, because believe me I've been through this process a lot, and next year we're going to have a flood of these things. So, I ask you to vote 'yes' on this Resolution to disapprove this waiver."
"The Gentleman has moved for the adoption of the Resolution. Those in favor, signify by voting 'aye', those opposed by voting 'no'. This requires 60 votes. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? The Clerk shall take the record. On this question, there are 88 'ayes' and 22 'noes'. The Resolution is adopted. The Chair recognizes Representative Currie for the purpose of a Resolution. Mr. 28 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day December 3, 1998 Clerk, do you have a congratulatory Resolution?"
"House Resolution 707."
Clerk Rossi: "House Resolution 707, offered by Speaker Madigan & Representative Klingler. WHEREAS, The Illinois House of Representatives has learned with much mixed emotion of the decision of one of the most long serving members of the State House Press Corps to retire from this august process on or about December 4, 1998; and WHEREAS, This savvy scribe first graced the journalistic community of this State through the pages of the Southern Illinoisan in Carbondale in 1959; and WHEREAS, After allegedly wearing out his welcome there and in his native Herrin, Illinois, this jaunty journalist joined up with the United States Army; and WHEREAS, After guaranteeing the peacetime security of the free world, this worldly writer chose the metropolis of Springfield, Illinois as the epicenter of his life from a raft of offers and graced the worldwide news gathering forces of United Press International; and WHEREAS, Despite the Garden of Eden-like conditions under the Statehouse dome, this capable chronicler opted for an unexplained stint in South Dakota; and WHEREAS, The allure of Mr. Lincoln's home was just too strong, summoning this reliable reporter back to the Copley News Services in 1965 as a columnist; and WHEREAS, For the last 33 years, the State House Press Room has been a much better place, the coverage of the State government and the Illinois General Assembly more informative and insightful, and the quality of life in Springfield richer due to Ray Serati's time on the beat; and 29 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day December 3, 1998 WHEREAS, Ray Serati has achieved the distinction of becoming the Dean of the State House Press Corps and President of the Illinois Legislative Correspondents Association, recipient of three Copley New Service "Ring of Truth" awards, including one for a profile on the late Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley; therefore, be it RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETIETH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that the career, civic, and charitable contributions of Ray Serati be saluted and that he be given the best wishes for much health and happiness in his retirement; and be it further RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Ray Serati, along with our sincere regards."
Speaker Madigan: "For those of you who did not have the pleasure of listening to the Senate debate on a similar Resolution, which was presented by Senator Philip, he was very complimentary and laudatory of Ray, and then proceeded to point out that Ray, with all of his good qualities, was different than most other journalists in the building. I won't go into the details, but I think we all agree with the good points on behalf of Ray, by Senator Philip. So, let's all hear from Ray Serati."
Ray Serati: "Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I never did dream that I'd be addressing the Senate and the House. I've certainly had a lot of fun, and it's been very well rewarding in covering the House. I think it's a little more lively than the House of Lords, but it's been a lot of fun. Those of us in the Press Corp have a lousy volleyball team, but believe it or not, the constituents of Illinois have a great Illinois House. And it's been a privilege to cover all of you, and I hope to see you again in the future. Thank you very 30 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day December 3, 1998 much."
"On Supplemental Calendar #3, there appears House Bill 470, Mr. Novak. Mr. Novak. Mr. Novak."
"Yes, Mr. Speaker. Thank you. Ladies & Gentlemen, House Bill 470... for Conference Committee Report #1 to House Bill 470 simply extends the life of the Illinois Forestry Development Council. The original substance of this Bill had to deal with the issue of banning leaf burning statewide, and that was gutted. So, the language before you today concerning the Illinois Forestry Development Council is the subject of the Bill as it is right now. And what we do essentially, is that we extend the life of the Illinois Forestry Council, which is to expire December 31st of 1998. We extend it for 10 years to December 31st of 2008, as well as require them to submit its findings in their annual report that's due July 1st of each year. I'll be more than happy to entertain any questions."
"Mr. Black."
"Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Sponsor yields."
"Representative, I know controversy in your district as well as mine, and you mentioned those magic words, leaf burning, and I want to make certain... that was embodied, I believe, in Senate Amendment #2, was it not? I just want to make certain that any reference to a mandatory leaf burning ban has been... "
"Right. That's out, Representative. That was gutted, that was deleted."
"... deleted in the Conference Committee Report..."
"Yes."
"and in fact, the Conference Committee Report only deals 31 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day December 3, 1998 with the extension... extending the deadline date for the Illinois Forest Re-council. There is nothing else in the Conference Committee?"
"Correct."
"The only other thing... again, I've been here long enough to... certain things draw your attention. I notice that one Member, a Democrat Member of the Senate, did not sign, as did a Member of the Illinois House, did not sign... "
"Yes, yes."
"... the Conference Committee. Was there... "
"... I have no idea... "
"... an objection?"
"Not to my knowledge. This... to me, this is very, very noncontroversial."
"Of course, I've never been convinced that Senator Shaw and Alderman Shaw and Mayor Shaw aren't in fact all the same person, but he assures me that they're not."
"Well, they look alike."
"And I think I heard you say earlier in the debate that there's no known opposition to this... "
"Not to my knowledge."
"Does it have any impact on... "
"The Forestry Council is... fees are collected from the timber industry."
"No impact on the Shawnee National Forest someone asked?"
"No, none whatsoever."
"Okay. Thank you very much."
"There being no further discussion, Mr. Novak, what is your pleasure, Sir?"
"Yes, Mr. Speaker, I now move that the House adopt the 1st Conference Committee Report on House Bill 470."
"Mr. Ackerman, did you wish to speak on this?" 32 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day December 3, 1998
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just wanted to rise in support of this Bill having served on the Forestry Council, and I would ask Mr. Novak if he would add me as a cosponsor?"
"Absolutely."
"Thank you."
Speaker Madigan: "The question is, 'Shall the House adopt this Conference Committee Report?' Those in favor, signify by voting 'aye', those opposed by voting 'no'. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? The Clerk shall take the record. On this question, there are 114 'ayes', 0 voting 'no'. The House does adopt this 1st Conference Committee Report on House Bill 470. Mr. Clerk, read the Adjournment Resolution."
"Senate Joint Resolution #81. BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate the 90th General Assembly in the State of Illinois, the House of Representatives concurring herein, that when the two Houses adjourn on Thursday, December 3, 1998, they stand adjourned until Monday, January 11, 1998 (sic-1999), at 4:00 o'clock p.m."
"Mr. Clerk. Mr. Clerk."
"January 11, 1999."
Speaker Madigan: "We've all heard the Resolution. Those in favor, say 'aye', those opposed say 'no'. The 'ayes' have it, the Resolution is adopted. Is there anything further to come before the House? Representative Mulligan."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. For anyone that's interested in... or planning on going to Senator Butler's wake or his funeral, the directions for the wake are on a map at the front well. And anyone that needs directions to the church or the funeral, just call my district office, and we'll get 33 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day December 3, 1998 them for you. The wake is tonight from 3 to 8, tomorrow night from 3 to 8 for visitation, and the funeral is 9 o'clock from the funeral home, 10 o'clock at Mary Seat of Wisdom in Park Ridge, and the cemetery is a small cemetery in the middle of Park Ridge not far from the church. Thank you."
Speaker Madigan: "Is there anything further to come before the House? Representative Feigenholtz."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think before we all adjourn for the year, that we should acknowledge that three of our Members are going to be leaving us for the big house in Washington, D.C., Representative Jan Schakowsky, Judy Biggert, and David Phelps. Let's all give them a big send off, and good luck. Speech."
Speaker Madigan: "Is there anything further? Representative Schakowsky."
"I just wanted to thank Representative Feigenholtz, and every Member of this chamber. It has been an honor and a pleasure to serve with you. I thank all of you for the opportunity to work with you, and I wish you and this Body all the best, and a special good luck to the Conference of Women Legislators, and thank you for allowing me to work with closely with all of you. It's been a joy throughout the eight years. Thank you very much."
"Representative Biggert: "
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would also like to thank all of you. I have enjoyed almost every minute of service here in the Illinois House, and I thank you all for your friendship, and I sincerely mean that, and I hope that it will continue... a lifelong friendship that... I think that... when I think of the Illinois House when people talk about the Congressmen coming back, I would really like to 34 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day December 3, 1998 come back and visit, because I think this really is home, and the State of Illinois, and I hope that you will... as I become part of your past, that you in the future, and as you approach your future and into the 21st century, that I know that you will serve the people of Illinois with great enthusiasm, and great ability. And I wish you the very best, and I leave with mixed emotions, but I look forward as I go on. But, I've truly enjoyed serving with you. Thank you very much for the privilege to do that."
"Representative Andrea Moore." Moore, Andrea: "Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just one other note that though we consider Washington, D.C., the big house, actually the dome on this Capitol is higher than Washington, D.C., and one of our other Members, Corinne Wood, will be moving to a different floor and will not be with us on January 11th, because that's when she will be getting sworn in, and I want to say that I appreciate having worked with her, and the great contribution that she has made, and we look forward to working with her in the future. Thank you."
"Mr. Moffitt. Mr. Moffitt."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, I was rising to recognize our soon-to-be Lieutenant Governor, and would like to defer to her now. It has certainly been my pleasure to be her seatmate... be one of her seatmates, and I truly learned a lot from her, and it's just a... it's a real honor to have served with Corinne Wood here in the House. And it certainly... I know this has prepared her to face any issue that comes up in her position as Lieutenant Governor. So, I would defer to her, Mr. Speaker."
"Representative Wood."
"Thank you. Thank you very much Representative Moffitt, 35 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day December 3, 1998 Representative Moore, and also thank you to all the Members of this Body. It has been a privilege and an honor to serve with you, and I do mean to serve with all of you. We've been able to accomplish a lot in just the very short time I've been here, and I am honored to be part of that, and recognize how hard everyone works here to represent the people of Illinois. One of the hardest decisions I faced in running for Lieutenant Governor, was the fact that I would have to give up my Representative seat, and miss all the camaraderie that we've really had here, and miss the opportunities to continue to work with you all. However, in some ways I'm moving up, in other ways, I'm moving down to the 2nd Floor. I will not be far away, and I would expect to see me on the floor from time to time as need may be. So, this is just not good-bye. This is just adieu for a short time. Thank you very much."
"Mr. Schoenberg."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to address a question to the previous speaker. Like everyone else here, we all wish Representative Wood well, but I do want to point out that it's customary practice for those Members who do leave their current office prior to the expiration of their term, it's frequently a common practice that they give their successors the opportunity to gain additional seniority by allowing them to be sworn in early. I was wondering if Representative Wood would be extending that same opportunity to Representative-Elect Garrett?"
"We will be appointing the appropriate person until the formal swearing in of Representative Garrett."
"Uh... Ladies & Gentlemen, the House is prepared to adjourn. Mr. Black. I'll miss your wonderful statements, and prorations, but we'll see you in January. 36 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day December 3, 1998 Mr. Black, please be brief."
"Yes, I will. I always enjoy... you're a most worthy adversary, and I would hope that before the Bill kicks in on January 1st, that you might invite me to Chicago, and take me to a Bulls game. Thank you."
"If I get you the tickets, they won't be reported. Okay? Representative Currie moves that the House does stand... does stand adjourned until January 11th at 4:00 p.m. Those in favor, say 'aye'; those opposed say 'no'. The 'ayes' have it, and the House does stand adjourned until January 11, 1999 at 4:00 p.m., providing perfunctory time for the Clerk."
Clerk Rossi: "The House Perfunctory Session will come to order. House Bills - Second Reading... that will be read on Second Reading, and held on the Order of Second Reading: House Bill 559, offered by Representative Mike Smith, a Bill for an Act to amend the School Code, Second Reading of this House Bill. The following Senate Bills are on Second Reading and will be read a second time and held on the Order of Senate Bills - Second Reading: Senate Bill 930, offered by Representative Black, a Bill for an Act amending the Public Utilities Act. This Bill will be held on the Order of Second Reading. Senate Bill 937, offered by Representative Andrea Moore, a Bill for an Act amending the Property Tax Code. Second Reading of this Senate Bill. This Senate Bill will be held on the Order of Senate Bills - Second Reading. Introduction and First Reading of House Bills. House Bill 3910, offered by Representative Granberg, a Bill for an Act to create the Land Banking Beneficial Disclosure Act. First Reading of this House Bill. House Bill 3911, offered by Representative Connie Howard, a Bill for an Act to amend the Children and Family 37 STATE OF ILLINOIS 90TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day December 3, 1998 Services Act. Second Reading of this House Bill."
"Having no further business, the House Perfunctory Session will stand adjourned. The House will reconvene in Regular Session on January 11, 1999, at 4:00 p.m." 38