"The House will be in order. Will the Members please be in their seats. Will the House be in order. Members please be in their seats. We'll be led in prayer today by Father Eugene Neff with St. Joseph's Church in Lebanon. Father Neff is the guest of Representative Ron Stephens. Guests in the gallery may wish to rise and join us for the invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance."
"Let us pray. Blessed are You God of all creation. We gather in this House Chamber as servants of Your people. Memorable of the words spoken long ago, 'No man is an island, no man stands alone'. We acknowledge that we need one another and we need You, our creator, to be with us this day as we study and debate issues that will touch the lives of the citizens of the State of Illinois. As we begin, we give thanks for the wonderful differences among us. Of color and culture, of creed and cult. Mindful of our political and philosophical differences as well as the spirit of acceptance and love for our brothers and sisters. As espoused by Abraham Lincoln, we ask Your guidance in our deliberations. Let us treat one another with respect and dignity. May we listen to one another in the spirit of openness with our ears and with our heart, and in the spirit of compassion for each other and for those whom we serve, may our actions this day be a step forward on life's journey. Guide us as we strive to build a strong, safe, and caring community in this House of Representatives. The kind of community that will spread from here in Springfield to Chicago and Cairo to Rockford and Lone City, to every village, town, and city in this state. And when we finish our work today, grant us a safe return to our homes and to those whom we love. For this ask and we pray in Your name. Amen." 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 107th Legislative Day March 9, 2000
"Representative Willis Harris, will you lead us in the pledge today?"
Harris - 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 Hannig: "Roll Call for Attendance. Representative Currie."
"Thank you, Speaker. Please let the record reflect that Representative Shirley Jones is excused today."
"And Representative Poe."
"Mr. Speaker, all the Republicans are present."
"Mr. Clerk, take the record. There are 116 Members answering a roll call, a quorum is present. Mr. Clerk, Committee Reports."
"Representative Phil Novak, Chairperson from the Committee on Environment and Energy, to which the following measures were referred, action taken on March 8, 2000, reported the same back with the following recommendations: 'do pass Short Debate' Senate Bill 1648. Representative Judy Erwin, Chairperson from the Committee on Higher Education, to which the following measures were referred, action on March 8, 2000, reported the same back with the following recommendations: 'do pass Short Debate' Senate Bill 1538. Representative Giles, Chairperson from the Committee on Local Government, to which the following measures were referred, action taken on March 8, 2000, reported the same back with the following recommendations: 'do pass Short Debate' Senate Bill 1442, 'do pass as amended Short Debate' Senate Bill 1425. Representative Saviano, Chairperson from the Committee on Registration and Regulation, to which the following measures were referred, 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 107th Legislative Day March 9, 2000 action taken on March 8, 2000, reported the same back with the following recommendations: 'do pass Short Debate' Senate Bill 1646 and Senate Bill 1735, 'do pass as amended Short Debate' Senate Bill 1704. Representative Howard Kenner, Chairperson from the Committee on State Government Administration to which the following measures were referred, action taken on March 8, 2000, reported the same back with the following recommendations: 'do pass Short Debate' Senate Bill 1321, Senate Bill 1649, Senate Bill 1652, and Senate Bill 1841. Representative Gash, Chairperson from the Committee on Judiciary II -Criminal Law, to which the following measures were referred, action taken on March 9, 2000, reported the same back with the following recommendations: 'do pass as amended Short Debate' Senate Bill 1655."
Speaker Hannig: "Representative Bost, for what reason do you rise?"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. For a point of personal privilege."
"Yes, state your point."
"Yes, Mr. Speaker and Members of the House. We... all of us in our districts quite often have those public servants that we respect and sometimes in the areas that we represent in the south they're the small communities that... it's not a very big paying job, but the mayors of the villages. And today I have a guest with me here on the House Floor. Just a little bit of history. In 1968 this man was elected Mayor of the City of Macanda, 1972 when he was rerunning again one of his constituents said, 'Well, when you ran the first time you promised a chicken in every pot.' And to the 200 residents in the City of Macanda in 1972 he handed out chickens to every member of the 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 107th Legislative Day March 9, 2000 community. So much so, that he was put on a national program of Good Morning ____________________ America. He came back... he left being mayor at that time and came back and was elected about 5 years ago. And today with me here on the House Floor is Mayor Bill Ross of Macanda. I'd just like you to welcome him."
Speaker Hannig: "Welcome to Springfield. Mr. Clerk, read the Agreed Resolutions."
"House Resolution 647, offered by Representative Brosnahan, House Resolution 648, offered by Representative Jerry Mitchell, House Resolution 650, offered by Representative Howard, House Resolution 651, offered by Representative Howard, House Resolution 653, offered by Representative Zickus, House Resolution 654, offered by Representative Woolard, House Resolution 655, offered by Representative Granberg."
Speaker Hannig: "Representative Currie moves for the adoption of the Resolutions. All in favor say 'aye'; opposed 'nay'. The 'ayes' have it; and the Resolutions are adopted. Mr. Clerk, read the Adjournment Resolution."
Clerk Bolin: "Senate Joint Resolution #63, offered by Representative Barbara Flynn Currie. RESOLVED by the Senate of the 91st General Assembly of the State of Illinois, the House of Representatives concurring herein, that when the two Houses adjourn on Thursday, March 9, 2000, the Senate stands adjourned until Wednesday, March 22, 2000, at 12:00 noon, and the House of Representatives stands adjourned until Wednesday, March 22, 2000, at 1:00 p.m."
"So now we're going to adopt that Resolution, but we're not prepared to adjourn just yet. So Representative Currie moves that we adopt the Adjournment Resolution. All 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 107th Legislative Day March 9, 2000 in favor say 'aye'; opposed 'nay'. The 'ayes' have it. And that Resolution is adopted. And now, Representative Brunsvold, for what reason do you rise?"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Two points to announcements. One, just a thank you to the Members, the Sportman's Caucus reception auction last night was a huge success. In fact, one of the auction items is back here in the back row and her name is Daisy, if you'd like to see Daisy. But it was a nice success and Mary Kay O'Brien has one of the auction items. And Daisy is going to be a very nice Luellen Setter. So we'd like to thank everybody that arranged for a prize for the auction. We raised quite a bit of money for the Department of Natural Resources and the Conservation Foundation. So thank you all for that help. Item two, is that after we return after the primary, we are going to have some softball practices. Mr. Stephens, Ron Stephens on the other side of the aisle and myself will be point persons for the softball game. The last three years the Senate had beaten us to humiliation. So we need... and we're going to have practice scheduled for one day when we get back. So if... if Mr. Stephens across the aisle would kind of get the names of all the players on his side of the aisle would like to play and anybody on this side of the aisle would like to practice please come back and see me and we'll get you on a list. And then we'll announce in about a week and a half when we're going to have practice. So let's prepare because we need to win the game this year. We have been beaten too many times. So, Mr. Speaker, thank you."
"Representative Stephens."
"Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to... well as usual we have an animal on this side of the aisle. Point 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 107th Legislative Day March 9, 2000 out the puppy that Representative Cross is putting... petting right now. The... I would also add for the record that the House has not won this softball game since Jay Hoffman came to the House. So this year we're going to win. Right Jay? Do you want to speak to that issue?"
"Jay."
"Attention... attention Members, the Rules Committee will meet immediately in the Speaker's Conference Room. The Rules Committee will meet immediately in the Speaker's Conference Room."
"Representative Cross."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On a more serious note, I filed or just have filed a Motion that I'd like the House to consider, and Mr. Speaker, it has to do with some actions that took place in the Revenue Committee today. I guess there would be... and I was happened to be there with other Members of our party, would be safe to say that the Majority Caucus Members engaged in, what can only be described as odd mental gymnastics, in stopping Representative O'Connor along with Representative Moore in their attempts to provide prescription drug benefits for needy seniors. It seems from their logic, which really is illogical if you ask me, that they claim that the Department of Aging that wants to be the liaison of the senior community, concerning the Amendment, can't perform that job. I think all of us know that the Department of Aging is very, very, very capable of carrying out all the duties that are outlined in Representative O'Connor along with Representative Moore's Amendment that deals with prescription drug benefits for seniors. I think it's time... I think it's time, Mr. Speaker, to quit talking about softball games, to quit talking about sportsmen 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 107th Legislative Day March 9, 2000 caucuses, to quit talking about pets, but to actually do something about senior citizen tax relief and the charade that's gone on has gone on long enough. Accordingly, I move, at this time, that the Revenue Committee, including the Property Tax subcommittee thereof be discharged from further consideration of Senate Bill 1307 on Committee Amendment #1 thereto that those measures be advanced to the Order of Second Reading and that the appropriate rules be suspended to provide for the immediate consideration of this Motion and those measures. Mr. Speaker, we're gonna be gone for two weeks... and it's only appropriate that we quit talking and we actually do something about Representative O'Connor's attempt along with other Members on this side of the aisle who've also made similar attempts to solve this issue of prescription drugs for the needy. And I would ask for an immediate vote on my Motion."
"Representative Hartke in the Chair. Mr. Cross, your first Motion is to suspend the rules, correct?"
"I want to make... "
"Mr. Cross."
"Yes. I move to suspend the rules and I'd like immediate consideration on this Bill along with the Amendment, Mr. Speaker, and I want to make sure that I'm clear about that. The Amendment is the... what we're talking about with respect to this Bill that, as you know, and I think other Members of this Body know, deals with senior... needy seniors pharmaceutical benefits. And let's not ignore the real key component of this Bill, but that's the Amendment that was ignored in committee, today, so yes."
"Mr. Cross, you have a somewhat complicated request here in your Motion. I've asked the Parliamentarian to clarify the issue and to address that 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 107th Legislative Day March 9, 2000 issue."
"Well, with respect to the immediate consideration of this, is that a 'yes' or a 'no' or are we gonna get an answer?"
"Let's... let the Parliamentarian explain."
Parliamentarian Uhe: "Representative Cross, on behalf of the Speaker and by way of clarification, your Motion is to discharge a Bill from committee. That Motion cannot be heard until it's carried on the Calendar and since that has not happened, you are requesting to suspend the rules with that respect to that requirement. So the first question is, 'Shall the rules be suspended so that the Calendar posting requirement is waived?'"
"Well, then on that ruling, I move to overrule the Parliamentarian and/or the Chair and/or the Speaker and all three and I've asked for immediate consideration on that Motion to override the Chair. And Mr. Speaker, just so we're clear, just so everybody in this chamber's clear, we're talking about senior citizen pharmaceutical relief, that we've been talking about and that your party and your side of the aisle keeps ignoring and throwing to the side. We'd like immediate consideration on that particular issue, pharmaceutical relief for seniors."
"Mr. Cross, your Motion to suspend the rules will be addressed. This issue requires 71 votes."
"Well, wait, wait, Mr... wait a minute, Mr. Speaker. First of all, I think it's debatable before we rush to a Roll Call and it's been debatable in the past, even with your crazy rules that shut off the debate most of the time and have limited debate. I think this one is debatable and I'd like to make sure that you acknowledge the fact that this Amendment or this Motion is debatable, 'cause I think 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 107th Legislative Day March 9, 2000 Members on our side of the aisle who do care about seniors and pharmaceutical relief want to be heard. The Republicans on this side of the aisle do want to be heard on the issue of pharmaceutical relief for needy seniors in this state."
"Mr. Cross, per your inquiry... "
"You know, I think I'm eligible now for that program, we've had to wait so long."
"Per your inquiry..."
"What?"
"Per your inquiry, your Motion is not debatable."
"Wait... wait... "
"So we will address the Motion."
"Which Motion are you talking about?"
Speaker Hartke: "And the Motion is, 'Shall the rules be suspended?' All those in favor will vote 'yes'; those opposed vote 'no'."
"Mr. Speaker."
"This requires 71 votes."
"Wait... wait... wait... wait, Mr. Speaker."
Speaker Hartke: "Mr. Clerk. Have all voted who wish? I'll explain the Motion. The Motion is, 'Shall the rules be suspended?' That is the first question of your request. 'Shall the rules be suspended so that the Motion shall be heard today?' That is the question of the board. Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take that record. On this Motion, there are 57 Members voting 'yes', 59 Members voting 'no'; and the Motion fails. Representative Daniels."
"Is it my understanding that you ruled that Motion nondebatable? By what authority and what Section are you referring to? Is this one of your own make up rules?" 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 107th Legislative Day March 9, 2000
"Mr. Parliamentarian."
"This is a debatable Motion to suspend the Rules."
"Representative Daniels, on behalf of the Speaker in response to your inquiry, a Motion to suspend the rules is not a debatable Motion."
"Where does it... where does it..."
"Pursuant to Rule 25 of Robert's Rules of Order which the House Rules specifically incorporate."
"Well, you are ruling that that Motion was nondebatable. Now, there is pending what, a Motion to overrule the Chair? Is that correct, Sir?"
"That would be in order."
"And that's the one that Representative Cross has previously moved on. But before you get over to that Motion, I just wanted to talk once again, about our efforts to set aside our differences so that we can agree in a bipartisan manner to move forward with senior citizen tax relief. We are looking for assistance for senior citizens in the pharmaceutical area. Yesterday, I made an offer to put everyone, everyone in this chamber, on the roll and to record them as supporting a circuit breaker relief for senior citizens. Ironically, it was only then that we were accused of being partisan, only then did Members of your side of the aisle, Sir, come forth and say that we were making a partisan issue out of something when in fact, we are offering to make it bipartisan. Is this what we've come to, right now? Is this what you're doing, right now? You're saying that, right now, that because we want to move forward with a Motion to move the circuit breaker relief for senior citizens in this state, supported by the American Association of Retired Persons, that now becomes a partisan effort. Now, really, enough is enough. This is 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 107th Legislative Day March 9, 2000 not what we would call as tax relief that the Speaker addressed yesterday on the House Floor and I think he's a little bit confused on that. This expands the current program in an identical manner as Bills that you have released now from Rules. Let me give you an example of that. You've released from Rules, House Bill 2985 which expands the Reading Block Grant Program. You have released from Rules, House Bill 4161 which expands the Nursing Education Scholarship Program. You have released from Rules, Senate Bill 1538 which expands the Monetary Award Program. You have released from Rules, House Bill 4269 which expands Medicaid. One of the things we're a little confused about is why you're applying a different standard to needed pharmaceutical relief for senior citizens in this state. Let me clarify some of the misperceptions that you brought up yesterday on this House Floor about the American Association of Retired Persons' initiative. It leaves the processing of the Circuit Breaker Program at the Department of Revenue and doesn't change that. It leaves the processing of the AABD Program at Public Aid and doesn't change that. It only requires that the Department of Aging to advocate on behalf of seniors getting into the program and then, accordingly, gives greater opportunity for seniors to join that program. You know, this isn't about winning or losing, this is about senior citizen help in this state under an initiative that will work and an initiative that will pass. It's unfortunate that right now your party, Sir, your party, the Majority Party in this House is going against the grain of senior citizens in this state is refusing to apply a standard to them which is fair and reasonable in the State of Illinois. And it's very unfortunate, with the Speaker as the Chairman of the 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 107th Legislative Day March 9, 2000 Democratic Party, that this has become the official standard of the Democratic Party. Now, I believe, that probably shortly we'll hear another speech from your candidate for Governor, Mr. Lang, who will want to talk about this again. If Mr. Lang is the candidate for Governor by the Democratic Party and he's standing up to frustrate the efforts of senior citizens in this state, it's quite ironic that what we're having here. So, all I can say is, 'Join with us.' You know, all 118 people of this House ought to pass this Bill and we all ought to be part of it. And that's what this is all about, right now. Thank you, Sir."
"The question is, 'Shall the Chair be sustained?' If you agree with the Chair, you vote 'yes'; if not, you vote 'no'. Mr. Clerk. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 60 Members voting 'yes', 59 Members voting 'no'... 56 Members voting 'no'. And the Motion fails. For what reason does Representative Biggins seek recognition?"
"Mr. Speaker, I'd like to rise on a point of personal privilege."
"State your point."
"I had a personal privilege today doing something nobody else has done in this chamber. It makes me a very lonely person at the moment. I need some help. In the Revenue subcommittee, I got to vote for Representative Moore's Amendment to Senate Bill 1307. I voted 'yes'. I didn't have any help on that vote; there were two votes against me. They happen to come from the other side of the aisle, but they don't have to stay on that side. They can come on board and they can join us as we try to provide the 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 107th Legislative Day March 9, 2000 prescription drug relief for seniors, but I need help. I need 59 others to join me in voting for the Amendment from Representative Moore to Senate Bill 1307. I know I get some help from around me 'cause I'm hearing. I look at on the other side I think people are thinking about it, but we together can do this and we can do it today and then I won't be so lonely over the next two weeks."
Speaker Hartke: "The Chair recognizes the Lady from Lake, Representative Moore."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This morning in Revenue, we again tried to advance a program that is extremely important for the seniors in this state. We tried yesterday in the Human Services Committee to advance a program that is an expansion of an existing program. A special subcommittee had to be created in order that these Bills could be referred to it. This morning we again tried to advance this legislation and what was the reason to vote against it? Because we were including the Department of Aging in a senior citizens program. Now, what more appropriate department should be included in the administration of this legislation than the Department of Aging? That was the reason for voting 'no'. We would like to be able to afford the entire House of Representatives an opportunity to vote on this issue and I think we would pass it out of here unanimously."
"Mr. Clerk, for announcement."
"Attention Members. The Rules Committee will meet immediately in the Speaker's Conference Room. The Rules Committee will meet immediately in the Speaker's Conference Room."
Speaker Hartke: "The Chair recognizes the Gentleman from Vermilion, Representative Black." 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 107th Legislative Day March 9, 2000
"Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. With your permission, I'd like to rise to speak to the Motions that we have made and have not been successful in, if that meets with your approval."
"Sure. Go right ahead."
"Thank you very much. Mr. Speaker, those of us who work here and have been here for some time tend to understand the process, and I like the process. And don't misunderstand me. Don't misconstrue anything I say as being critical of the process because as frustrated as I get with it sometimes, and quite frankly, as frustrated as all of us get with the process sometimes, it is still the best system ever devised by man in how to govern. We're still the model of the world. We're still the beacon of hope for every country in the world. None of us are going to leave here today and pile in a leaky rowboat and try to row across the ocean to get some other country. It's a remarkable process handed to us by our forefathers. But Mr. Speaker, one of the things that the process encourages is the putting ideas out, if you will, in the marketplace. And an idea is just like a human being. It needs a little nurturing. It needs a little sunshine. It needs a little care, tender loving care to flourish. All we're asking, this is... we're not doing anything revolutionary on this side of the aisle. You have advanced an idea. The idea was debated and voted on and has moved to the other chamber. And that's the way the process works. All we're asking for, and you continue to deny us at every conceivable opportunity, is let some of our ideas see the sunlight. Let's nurture the idea. Let's debate the idea. It may pass; it may fail. But all you're doing is denying, not only our ideas a chance to be heard, a chance to be 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 107th Legislative Day March 9, 2000 nurtured, a chance to grow. By your heavy-handed action, you are denying all of the people that I represent, an opportunity to have that idea advanced, debated, and the idea will pass or fail on its merit. But when the Majority Party uses heavy-handed methods to squash ideas, that's wrong. You can bottle it up in Rules, you can bottle it up in subcommittee, you can change the rules of the House ever so slightly to impose your will upon the Minority. But I want to tell you something, we've been down this road before. Your rights aren't safe in the Majority if you deny my rights as a Minority. And I thought you would have learned that in the early '90s, but evidently, you haven't. Now, all we're asking for is a chance to advance ideas that our side of the aisle would like to propose and have an honest, open hearing and debate. If you choose to vote against it and defeat it, that is the process. At least, you've given, not only our side of the aisle the opportunity, but the millions of people who sent us here to advance those ideas on their behalf. I do not understand, other than the political nature of the process that I understand, and you do too, but I'm telling you, people back home don't always understand the process, and quite frankly, they're getting a little sick and tired of you killing the message and then trying to kill the messenger. All we want to do is have an opportunity to advance our ideas, let you debate it, let you tear it apart. Out of that may come a stronger idea that we can all support. But we won't know if you simply deny us our constitutional right to have a hearing on ideas that we want to propose. You've done so and it's passed the chamber and that's the way the process works. Now, why must you insist that our idea isn't even worthy of discussion. Now, that's not 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 107th Legislative Day March 9, 2000 right. You should have learned your lesson in the early '90s. You want to go down this heavy-handed road, denying us our rights, denying us our opportunity and therefore, denying millions of people who we were elected to represent their chance to have an idea heard. Shame on you. That's not the way the process works. That's not the way it has worked until recently. I thought we all learned a lesson in the early '90s. This process will not work with the heavy handedness that has been displayed this week. What are you afraid of? Are you afraid of a competing idea? Evidently, our idea must have some legitimate merit because you're so afraid of the idea, you won't even let it be heard. Shame on you. Shame on you and shame on this abuse of the process. Let our ideas be heard. Let us have an opportunity to debate them. Let us have an opportunity to vote on it. That's the way a strong, viable plan will emerge from this General Assembly, and I think it's time we stopped the nonsense about who gets credit for it. There will be a program, if not now, sometime in the near future, that will address legitimate concerns that exist for many of our senior citizens. It isn't your idea, it isn't necessarily our idea, it's an idea that must be advanced in a bipartisan nature for open debate and then let's see what plan survives and is signed into law. That's the process. I don't understand why you insist on even denying us the opportunity to present an idea. Now, you may kill my initiative, you have before, that's part of the process. I'm part of the 100 'no' vote club. I've presented Bills that got a hundred 'no' votes, but I had an opportunity to present it, and I lost. Now, you won't even give us an opportunity to forward and advance an idea. Must really be something wrong with that idea if you're so afraid of it 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 107th Legislative Day March 9, 2000 that you keep it bottled up. What are you afraid of? Bring it to the committee. Bring it to committee for a full and open debate, if it passes from out of committee, let's vote on the floor. Don't hide, don't hide behind the Rules Committee. The Rules Committee's meeting right now. The Speaker could release our Amendments, release our Bills and let's have an open and honest dialogue on this question. You advanced your idea. What in the world is so frightful about letting us advance our ideas for full and open debate? Release it right now. Let our ideas go. Give our ideas a chance to thrive. Who knows, you might find that when we put the sunlight on the idea, that it's a good one. You might even vote for it. But we can't do what... we can't do what we're elected to do if you hide behind the Rules Committee, that's meeting as we speak, and simply keeping our ideas bottled up. You should have learned in the early '90s, you can't keep ideas hostage. It won't work. Now, free our ideas from your heavy-handed Rules Committee. Let us move forward and then see, let the ideas compete in the process. And the process should work and the strongest idea will survive. Now, so come on. There's no reason for this. There's no reason for this unless you're afraid that our idea has merit and maybe that's what you're afraid of. You want to hide our idea from the sunshine. You want to hide our idea from discussion. You want to deny our people the right to see what a competing idea is all about. This is wrong. It's an abomination. It's a prostitution of the process and shame on you for trying to kill ideas."
"For what reason does the Gentleman from Kendall seek recognition?"
"Well, no one can quite follow what Representative Black 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 107th Legislative Day March 9, 2000 had... had just said Representative... Mr. Speaker, but I think it's a real sad day that one Legislator from McHenry County has been able to divide this state, has been able to divide this Body with a Bill that was so partisan and so unrealistic of ever having a life anywhere other than from a partisan side of this chamber. The Speaker of this House is the Chairman of the Democrat Party. He's in charge of this Body. We need to know whether or not today and we don't need to yell and scream anymore, whether or not he's gonna release this Bill, this idea, this initiative from Rules. Rules just met. Yesterday the Speaker addressed this Body. I'd ask that he come back and let us know today, immediately, whether or not he intends to let us hear senior citizen pharmaceutical drug relief plan. There's no reason, whatsoever, why we can't hear this Bill. We should hear it today. We don't need to wait two weeks. Please, please, I beg you to let this Bill come out of Rules now. Release it. Let's have the real Speaker come out and tell us why the Democrat Party wants to refuse to let senior citizen drug relief be heard. It's a shame. It's a travesty. We'd like to hear from the Speaker right now. The real Speaker, Mr. Speaker, with all due respect to you. Let's hear from the real Speaker and address this issue. Have it kicked out of Rules. Release it. Release it. Release it. Where is the Speaker? Where's the Speaker, Mr. Speaker? Where's the Speaker, Mr. Speaker? Where's the real Speaker? Are you gonna release it? Are you gonna release it, Mr. Speaker? Release the real Speaker, Mr. Speaker. Release him now. Let him go. Let him go. Let him go. Mr. Speaker, please let him go. Have him come on out. Release the Bill, as well. We're ready to vote on it right now. We're ready to go to committee. 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 107th Legislative Day March 9, 2000 Send the Speaker out, Mr. Speaker. You've gotta let him go just like you've gotta let that Bill go. Release the Bill and the Speaker, Mr. Speaker. It's very, very sad. Now, seriously, senior citizens of this state need the Bill released and they want to hear from the Speaker, the Chairman of the Democratic Party. Let's do it now. Isn't it time, Mr. Speaker, that we do it now? I'd like an answer, Mr. Speaker. It's now's an opportunity to repair what that one Legislator did from McHenry County, take the lead, let's hear our initiative. Please, release it. We're ready. You can at least give us an answer, Mr. Speaker. If you don't care about senior citizen tax relief, just tell us you're not gonna release it, but if you care, release it. If you don't tell us... that's all we want is an answer. Tell the citizens of the State of Illinois that you don't care about property tax and senior citizen drug tax relief, now."
"Representative Currie now moves that the House stand adjourned until Wednesday, March 22nd at the hour of 2:30 at 1 o'clock... March 22, 2000 at 1 p.m. All those in favor signify by saying 'yes'; opposed 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the House stands adjourned allowing perfunctory time for the Clerk."
"House Perfunctory Session will come to order. Committee Reports. Representative Barbara Flynn Currie, Chairperson from the Committee on Rules, to which the following measures were referred, action taken March 9, 2000, reported the same back with the following recommendation: 'to the floor for consideration' Senate Bill 906 is referred to the Order of Second Reading, Short Debate. Senate Bills-First Reading. Senate Bill 1310, offered by Representative Holbrook, a Bill for an Act in 19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 107th Legislative Day March 9, 2000 relation to taxes. First Reading of this Senate Bill."
"Second Reading of Constitutional Amendments. House Joint Resolution, Constitutional Amendment #19, offered by Representative Scully. RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that there shall be submitted to the electors of the State for adoption or rejection at the general election next occurring at least 6 months after the adoption of this resolution a proposition to amend Section 1 of Article X of the Illinois Constitution as follows: ARTICLE X EDUCATION SECTION 1. GOAL - FREE SCHOOLS. A fundamental goal of the People of the State is the educational development of all persons to the limits of their capacities. The State shall provide for an efficient system of higher quality public educational institutions and services. Education in public schools through the secondary level shall be free. There may be such other free education as the General Assembly provides by law. The State has the primary responsibility for financing the system of public education and shall provide no less than 50% of the funding for the system of public education in order to reduce the reliance of education funding on real estate taxes. SCHEDULE - This Constitutional Amendment takes effect upon being declared adopted in accordance with Section 7 of the Illinois Constitutional Amendment Act. Second Reading of this Constitutional Amendment. Being no further business, the House Perfunctory Session will stand adjourned. The House will reconvene in Regular Session on Wednesday, March 22nd, at 1:00 P.M." 20