"The House will come to order. Unauthorized personnel will please leave the chamber. We will be led in prayer today by Bishop William Persell, the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago and also the Reverend Dale Beck of the Wesley United Methodist Church in Charleston. Bishop Persell is the guest of Speaker Madigan and Reverend Beck is the guest of Representative Dale Righter."
Bishop William Persell: "Let us pray. Oh loving and gracious God, we give You thanks for bringing us to this new day. We thank You for the opportunity You have given us to serve You, as we serve all the people of this state. Rekindle in our hearts, the passion for justice, equality and service that first brought us to this place. Use us, our intelligence, political skills, our friendships, and compassion for the working out of Your purpose. We pray today for children, remembering especially the children of Littleton, Colorado, their families, and that whole community and all who suffer abuse and the trauma of war and dislocation. May the children of Illinois have safe and challenging schools, secure homes and neighborhoods, and parents and guardians who love and care. We pray for all prisoners and captives, that they may find new life and hope and a way to reenter society as contributing citizens. We pray for those who are in government service, that they may find fulfillment and a sense of accomplishment in their calling. We pray that the people of Illinois, coming from varied backgrounds and interests, may share a common commitment to what is best for all areas of this state. Help us to appreciate and honor our differences and to celebrate our diversity. God, You have given us the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of millions of Your people. Grant us the wisdom and courage to make 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 39th Legislative Day April 21, 1999 the best possible decisions with and for them. God, bless all Members of this House, their families and staffs, that they may be attentive and open to the promptings of Your spirit and may have courage and strength to know and to do Your will. May what we do and say this day be in accordance with Your will and lead us to a more just and caring society. We offer our work to Your honor and glory. Amen."
"As we pause in sympathy and sorrow with brothers and sisters in Colorado today, this tragic loss we share. We pray Lord, You be present with them in this time of need. Let Your spirit console and wipe away tears. We repent if we should find surprise at violence in a place like Littleton and not be surprised to find it in other places like Chicago or East St. Louis, Lord. Renew in us a commitment to all children, in all places and in all communities, to work together for a just and peaceful society, where the good is shared with all, including the least. That from statehouse to school yard the life, health, safety, and dignity of every person would be respected. Amen."
Speaker Hartke: "We shall be led in the Pledge today by Representative Crotty. Roll Call for Attendance. Representative Poe, do you have the report from the Republican side."
"Yes, Mr. Speaker. Let the record show that Representative Andrea Moore has an excused absence today."
"Representative Currie, the Democrat report."
"Thank you, Speaker. Please let the record show that Boland and Hamos are excused today. Representative Hamos hopes she'll be well enough to join us for afternoon committees." 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 39th Legislative Day April 21, 1999
Speaker Hartke: "Mr Clerk, take the record. (115) Members present, there is a quorum. The House is in Session. Mr. Clerk, Committee Reports."
Clerk Rossi: "Representative Michael Smith, Chairperson from the Committee on Agriculture and Conservation, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on April 20, 1999, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' Senate Bills 751, 1084, 1199; 'do pass as amended Short Debate' Senate Bill 1086. Representative Carol Ronen, Chairperson from the Committee on Children and Youth, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on April 20, 1999, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' Senate Bills 319 and 1109. Representative Steve Davis, Chairperson from the Committee on Constitutional Officers, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on April 20, 1999, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' Senate Bills 564 and 753. Representative Vince Persico, Chairperson from the Committee on Electric Utility Deregulation, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on April 20, 1999, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass as amended Short Debate' Senate Bills 23 and 24. Representative Larry Woolard, Chairperson from the Committee on Elementary and Secondary, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on April 21, 1999, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' Senate Bills 175 and 527; 'do pass as amended Short Debate' Senate Bill 529. Representative Dan Burke, Chairperson from the Committee on Executive, to which the following measure/s was/were 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 39th Legislative Day April 21, 1999 referred, action taken on April 21, 1999, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' Senate Bills 322, 867, 932, 1071, 1075, 1089, 1090, 1091, 1092, 1093, 1094, 1095, 1096, 1097, 1098, 1099, 1100, 1101, and 1102; 'do pass as amended Short Debate' Senate Bills 149, 167, and 1072; 'do pass as amended Standard Debate' Senate Bill 452; 'do pass Standard Debate' Senate Bill 1010. Representative Mary Flowers, Chairperson from the Committee on Health Care Availability and Access, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on April 20, 1999, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass as amended Short Debate' Senate Bill 541. Representative Sara Feigenholtz, Chairperson from the Committee on Human Services, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on April 21, 1999, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass as amended Short Debate' Senate Bill 81; 'do pass Short Debate' Senate Bills 13, 498, 672, 818, 953, and 1064. Representative Tom Dart, Chairperson from the Committee on Judiciary I-Civil Law, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on April 21, 1999, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' Senate Bills 178, 254, 258, 458, 465, 734, and 749; 'do pass as amended Short Debate' Senate Bill 460. Representative Frank Mautino, Chairperson from the Committee on Insurance, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on April 20, 1999, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' Senate Bills 359, 363, 795, and 1024; 'do pass as amended Short Debate' Senate Bills 338 and 1115. Representative Jeff Schoenberg, Chairperson from the Committee on State Procurement, to 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 39th Legislative Day April 21, 1999 which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on April 20, 1999, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' Senate Bill 421. Representative Jay Hoffman, Chairperson from the Committee on Transportation of Motor Vehicles, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on April 20, 1999, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass as amended Short Debate' Senate Bills 578 and 737; 'do pass Short Debate' Senate Bills 31, 185, 276, 1082, and 1201; 'do pass Standard Debate' Senate Bill 794."
Speaker Hartke: "For what reason does the Gentleman from Cook, Representative Durkin seek recognition?"
"Thank, thank you Mr. Speaker, a point of personal privilege."
"State your point."
"I'm very honored today. Behind me on my left, we are joined with the newly elected Mayor of Forest Park, Illinois, Tony Calderon. I would like to welcome him to Springfield and also behind me on my right, one of his trustees who is recently reelected, Tim Gilliam. I welcome them to Springfield and if we could give them a short...a little applause, would be appreciated. Thank you."
"Welcome to the Illinois House Chamber. For what reason does the Gentleman from Du Page, Representative Daniels seek recognition? Representative Daniels is recognized. Ladies and Gentlemen, can we please have some order in the chamber? Shhh. Representative Daniels."
"Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. I'm sure that every person here had the same reaction that I did on hearing what happened in Littleton, Colorado yesterday. For my part I didn't sleep very well last 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 39th Legislative Day April 21, 1999 night. I tossed and turned all night. And as a matter of fact, I woke up with a tear in my eye because I kept on seeing the pictures of the children, and of the parents searching out their children to see whether or not they were ones that were killed in the recent tragedy. And I heard the Pope speak today about respect for the dignity of human life. And it struck me once again how fragile it is the life that we hold so dear, that those of us in this chamber fight for on a daily basis. I'm a father of five. I have a daughter who is a sophomore in high school. She's 16 years old. She was the same age of some of the children that were lost yesterday in Littleton. Now, I don't know if any of you have been to Littleton. The only thing I know about Littleton, Colorado is they published some law books when I was in law school and I used to read those books. But, I knew enough about this neighborhood. This wasn't a disadvantaged neighborhood. This wasn't a place where children suffered from the lack of basic support or were unable to eat properly during the day. This was a nice community. This is a suburban neighborhood, if you please. This is America's neighborhood where this tragedy occurred. Yesterday I wanted to hug my daughter, but I'm 200 miles away. Yesterday I wanted to talk to her. I wanted to tell her how much I loved her, because I felt that I was one of those parents that was searching for my child. Searching for America's future and for America's greatness. I don't know how you reacted, but I suspect it was the same, because no parent could have received that news yesterday without the most difficult of feelings. Yes, I shed a tear yesterday. I shed a tear for my daughter. I shed a tear for the parents. I shed a tear for the kids that were killed and I shed a tear for 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 39th Legislative Day April 21, 1999 America, because as I try to understand the struggle that's happening overseas and in another country where we are sending our young men and women into harm's way to protect them from tyranny and the loss of life. I try to struggle what's going on to understand what's happening in our own country. I was in high school in the sixties and I saw the permissiveness that experienced then and I'm seeing the parents of the sixties today being the grandparents of the children of today and watching their children, the parents of the children today struggle with bringing them up and struggling to try to understand. We all look for blame. I looked for blame yesterday. I said, it's guns. It's media. It's T.V. It's mass communication. It's the Internet. And we looked every where we could look for blame as to what happened yesterday and I thought to myself it can't happen here. There's no way it can happen in Illinois. It certainly can't happen in my neighborhood. But, yet is my neighborhood any different than Littleton, Colorado? I suggest to you it's not. Is it any different than any part of the State of Illinois? I suggest it's not. I looked for blame in many areas and I thought you know, I'm going to go back to the House Floor and I'm going to move to pass every piece of legislation that I can pass, so that I can protect my children and your children and the children of the future. And I don't care what it is, because what's important to me is the future of this country and that's held in our children's hands. What's important to me is what our educational system teaches our kids. What's important to me is that my daughter, my daughters, and my son are able to grow up to enjoy a safe environment and to enjoy the opportunities of the greatest country that has ever been devised. And yet, why are we so 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 39th Legislative Day April 21, 1999 violent? Why are we killing our own? Do you see this in other countries? Yeah, you see violence in other countries. We're in another country right now trying to save the children of that country and yet we witnessed 15 deaths and 24 injuries, but do you know that every single day in this country there are 11 children killed everyday. This violence must stop. And I looked for the answers and I don't have them, but I know this: I know each and everyone of us in this chamber has to dedicate ourselves to a recommitment to our future and to our children's future. We must ask the question, 'Is what we're doing here better for the future of this country, better for the state, better for our children's future?' Whenever you talk about something like this you have to go back into history. I, I, I looked, I looked back at some of the songs that we sing, 'America the Beautiful.' Trying to understand how we got to where we are, because when that song was written it talked about the beauty of the vastness of this land and the author of that, Catheryn Lee Bates, said when she came over the mountainous territory she looked over and she said 'All the wonder of America seemed displayed there with the sea-like expanse.' The beauty that this country had to offer. And some of the words she wrote, 'And crown thy good with brotherhood, confirm thy soul and self-control, thy liberty and law.' It's all there, it's in our history. It's in the songs that we sing. The words that we say. The pledge that we take everyday. It's there right in front of us and we must and we need to do something about it. Because you know what? We can't escape it. There are 118 Members of this House and we are the leaders of the State of Illinois and it's our responsibility to find the answer. Now, how do we find that answer? We find the 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 39th Legislative Day April 21, 1999 answer by communicating with each other, to try to understand what happened in another state and to keep that from happening ever again. We try to understand what it means when somebody commits a hate crime or searches out a minority person, just because they're minority or searches out somebody because they are an athlete. Can you imagine such a thing? Have you ever heard of that? Searched out somebody, because they're an athlete. And that was when the terrible mind set that came to play. So, when we look at this, it's not just in the media, it's not just in T.V., it's not just in radio. What it is in, is in us. And what we have is the responsibility to recommit ourselves to work, and save, and support our children. A child on T.V. said yesterday, with tears flowing down her face, she said, 'You should be safe in school. Of all places, your home, your school, you should be be safe in your school.' And yet terror has struck them and some of these children will never, ever be the same as a result. So, I'm asking all of you to take some steps forward, to remember your God, to recommit yourself to the principles of your religious belief, because it is within that faith and religious belief are the answers. To recommit yourself to responsible actions for your family and for the upbringing of children. To recommit yourself to education, for that is in fact a key to a brighter future. And to recommit yourself to a responsible parenthood in this country. Recommitment in these areas will help us find the way, will help us face this internal struggle, will help us keep our children safe. For a nation that ignores it's youth and fails to protect them, will surely fail, surely cannot move forward, surely cannot prosper. Ladies and Gentlemen, the very tenets of our democracy are under challenge right now, 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 39th Legislative Day April 21, 1999 right now, right today, right in this country. I want to join with you. I want to be part of finding that solution. I want to set politics aside for this solution. Oh, argue with me on other areas, and fine. Fight for what you believe in. But let's as a team move forward to find the solution to give our children the very blessed opportunity to be safe, to be free, and to experience the wonderous of life and the wondrous of what this country has to offer. God bless America. God bless our children and God help us all that we find the right way. Thank you."
Speaker Hartke: "The Chair recognizes the Lady from Cook, Representative Bassi."
"Thank, thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you Leader Daniels for those word of wisdom. I come from the area of Palatine, which has also been visited by tragedy with the 'Brown's Chicken Massacre' a number of years ago, but I would like to introduce you today, the future of our country. We have some young people who are working to make sure that we have a better future. I have with us in the gallery, Girl Scout Troop 1091, from Palatine Illinois. Will you welcome them with me please?"
"Welcome to Springfield. The Chair recognizes the Lady from Cook, Representative Sharp. She is not at her desk. We'll get back to her. Representative Sharp."
"Yes, I too stand before you because today is 'Media Day', and I'm really excited about it, because we have two young ladies from my township from Proviso East. Would you please stand? Give them a hand."
"Mr. Clerk, Agreed Resolutions."
"Agreed Resolutions. House Resolution 194, offered by Representative McAuliffe; House Resolution 195, offered by Representative Gash; House Resolution 196, offered by 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 39th Legislative Day April 21, 1999 Representative Granberg; House Resolution 198, offered by Representative Bassi; House Resolution 199, offered by Representative Brady; House Resolution 200, offered by Representative Garrett; House Resolution 201, offered by Representative Cowlishaw; House Resolution 202, offered by Representative Ryder; and House Resolution 203, offered by Representative Brosnahan."
Speaker Hartke: "Further Resolutions? All those in favor signify by saying 'aye'; opposed 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Agreed Resolutions are adopted. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of Senate Bill 288?"
Clerk Bolin: "Senate Bill 288 is on the Order of Senate Bill's-Third Reading."
"Move that Bill back to Second for purpose of an Amendment, at the request of the Sponsor. The Chair recognizes the Gentleman from Jersey, Representative Ryder. May I have your attention please? Please give the Speaker, Representative Ryder your attention please."
"Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House, I have a great privilege today. In my district, we are lucky enough to have a Lady by the name of Jill Wieland. Jill Wieland is the 1999 'Mother of the Year' in the State of Illinois. This Lady has an unlimited capacity to love. Not only did she raise her two children, and Marty is in the balcony today. She has raised, or she has cared for over a hundred foster children. She stopped counting at a hundred, because a hundred was just a number. The vast majority of the children she cares for are newborns. They call her, she cares for them through those very early days and hours after they come home from the hospital. Joining today in the celebration, and I would draw your attention to the 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 39th Legislative Day April 21, 1999 balcony, to the east, are 'Mothers of the Year' from, thank you, are 'Mothers of the Year' from previous years. I will not be able to give you all their names, but I would simply ask that they wave to us, so that we might recognize them. And with the indulgence of the Speaker, I would simply ask that Mrs. Wieland might be able to offer a couple of words on behalf of the 1999 'Mother of the Year', Jill Wieland."
Martha Jean Wieland: "Thank you. I want to tell you how impressed I was to hear Representative Daniels. He had, was saying exactly what I have been feeling. And as I said in the Senate a few minutes ago, the mechanics of birth do not make a parent. We need to concentrate on the American family. We need to remember that children are our immortality and we need to treat them as individuals. Thank you."
"Mr. Speaker, I thank you for this notable opportunity and I will now give to Jill Wieland House Resolution #177, which I believe we previously approved. I do thank you for this honor."
Speaker Hartke: "Congratulations. The Chair recognizes the Gentleman from Cook, Representative Saviano."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just for purpose of an announcement the Registration and Regulation Committee will be delayed until 2:30. We're set for 2:00, it will be delayed until 2:30. Thank you."
"The Chair recognizes the Gentleman from McHenry, Representative Franks."
"I rise for a personal privilege, Mr. Speaker."
"Point your...State your point."
"Today we're honored. We have a 'High School Media Day'. And we have many young people from all around the state, and many from my district in McHenry County who have made 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 39th Legislative Day April 21, 1999 the trip down to Springfield. They spent the morning meeting with our Constitutional Officers and meeting with Representatives, and I just think we should give them a big Springfield welcome. Thank you."
Speaker Hartke: "Welcome to the General Assembly. Mr. Clerk, Agreed Resolutions."
"House Resolution 205, offered by Representative Saviano; House Resolution 206, offered by Representative Persico; House Resolution 207, offered by Representative McCarthy; House Resolution 208, offered by Representative Brosnahan; House Resolution 209, offered by Representative Dart."
"Representative Currie now moves for the adoption of the Agreed Resolutions. All those in favor signify by saying 'aye'; opposed 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair the 'ayes' have it. And the Agreed Resolutions are adopted. Representative Acevedo now moves that the House stand adjourned until the hour of...Representative Brunsvold, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And to just remind the House Members that the Senate/House softball game is this evening at Lincoln Park at 5:30. We'll proceed to have the game at 5:30 and if it rains, it rains. But right now the game is on at 5:30 at Lincoln Park. Members of the House on both sides of the aisle should be Ron Stevens taking names on his side of the aisle. Capparelli and myself are taking names on this side of the aisle for players, so let's try to get there about 5:00 if you can, to get warmed up. Thank you, Mr. Speaker."
Speaker Hartke: "Further announcements by anyone? If not, Representative Acevedo now moves that this House stands adjourned till the hour of 2 p.m., allowing perfunctory 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 39th Legislative Day April 21, 1999 time for the Clerk. All those in favor signify by saying 'aye'; opposed 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair the 'ayes' have it and the House does stand adjourned."
"Introduction and First Reading of Senate Bills. Senate Bill 353, offered by Representative Jerry Mitchell, a Bill for an Act to amend the Hospital District Law First Reading of this Senate Bill."
Clerk Rossi: "There being no further business, the House Perfunctory Session stands adjourned." 14