"The House shall come to order. The Members shall be in their chairs. We shall be led in prayer today by the Reverend Larry Schultz of the Golconda United Methodist Church in Golconda. Reverend Schultz is the guest of Representative Fowler. The guests in the gallery may wish to rise and join us for the invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance."
"Greetings and may God bless each one of us here this afternoon. Shall we pray. Oh, God as You anointed leaders in called prophets of old, lead us to recognize our true Representatives and our authonic (sic-authentic) leaders on this St. Valentine's Day, men and women who love Your people and can walk with them, who feel their pain and their joys, who dream their dreams and strive to accompany them to their common goal. In Your fire, with Your spirit, embold and commission us to enhance our political system, to serve Your people and to bring real glory to Your name. May You bless our great state and each of us who call Illinois home. It is in Jesus name we pray. Amen."
"We shall be led in the Pledge of Allegiance by Representative Soto."
Soto - et al: "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
Speaker Madigan: "Roll Call for Attendance. Representative Currie."
"Thank you, Speaker. Please let the record show that we have no reports of excused absences on our side of the aisle, although some of our Members are a little delayed by the weather in terms of arriving at the Capitol." 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 10th Legislative Day February 14, 2001
"Mr. Poe."
"Mr. Speaker, let the record show that all Republicans are present today."
"Mr. Clerk, take the record. There being 118 Members responding to the Attendance Roll Call, there is a quorum present. Mr. Black, when you finish with the Clerk, could you come up to the podium? Mr. Clerk. On page 2 of the Calendar, on the Order of House Bills-Second Reading, there appears House Bill 28. Mr. Black, 28. Do you wish to move the Bill? The Sponsor would like the Bill to remain on the Order of Second Reading. House Bill 41, Mr. Stephens. Is Mr. Stephens in the chamber? House Bill 80, Mr. Black. The Gentleman indicates he does not wish to call the Bill. House Bill 176, Mr. Hoffman. Mr. Hoffman indicates he does not wish to call the Bill. House Bill 215, Representative Lindner. Representative Lindner. The Lady indicates she does not wish to call the Bill. House Bill 222, Mr. Schmitz. Is Mr. Schmitz in the chamber? The Gentleman indicates he does not wish to call the Bill. Mr. Schmitz, 229. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of House Bill 229?"
"House Bill 229, a Bill for an Act in relation to criminal law. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed."
Speaker Madigan: "Place this Bill on the Order of Third Reading. Mr. Schmitz, did you wish you wish to call 222? Mr. Clerk, what is the status of House Bill 222?"
"House Bill 222, a Bill for an Act concerning criminal law. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed." 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 10th Legislative Day February 14, 2001
Speaker Madigan: "Third Reading. On the Order of House Bills-Third Reading there appears House Bill 155. Representative Zickus. The Lady indicates she does not wish to call the Bill. House Bill 232, Mr. Holbrook. The Gentleman wishes to call the Bill. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."
"House Bill 232, a Bill for an Act in relation to horse racing. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"Mr. Holbrook."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is the same Bill that passed from the House 117-0 last year. It does one thing. It raises the age to bet on horse racing in the State of Illinois from 17 to 18. It has no other intent for this Bill. We're the only state in the nation that allows this; all other states are 18 to 21. We're the only state with 17-year-olds and I'd like to move on this Bill, move it over to the Senate."
Speaker Madigan: "The Gentleman moves for the passage of the Bill. The Chair recognizes Mr. Parke."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"The Sponsor yields."
"Representative, in committee did anybody file a slip against this legislation?"
"There's no known opposition."
"What is the age for riverboats, now, in Illinois?"
"Twenty-one."
"So, will, if we pass this legislation, will all gambling then all be at 21?"
"No. Lottery tickets will still be at 18, just like this would have horse racing and riverboat gambling would be 21."
"So, they'll all... that'll be consistent then?" 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 10th Legislative Day February 14, 2001
"Yes."
"Thank you very much, Representative."
"Mr. Cross."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just a couple of quick questions. Tom, it... Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Sponsor yields."
"Tom, the only... and I understand what you're doing, I... seems to make some sense, but are you... do you know and maybe someone over there can help you if they've been working with you. If I'm not mistaken, under the criminal stature (sic-statute) of the Juvenile Code, a minor is anybody under the age of 17. And I just don't... my only question is, are there any... could there be some inconsistencies... are you aware of if there are any inconsistencies by using your language here under the Horse Racing Act and a Juvenile Code? And I don't ask it as an opponent to your Bill, I just want to know if we're gonna create some inconsistencies in two different parts of the statute. Do you know?"
"I don't know of any and none was brought up in committee and none was brought up last year even on the House Floor here when we passed this over last year."
"Okay. Thanks a lot, Tom."
"Mr. Holbrook moves for the passage of the Bill. Those in favor signify by voting 'yes'; those opposed by voting 'no'. Have all voted who wish? This is a Third Reading roll call. Have all voted who wish? This is a Third Reading roll call. Have all voted who wish? The Clerk shall take the record. On this question, there are 117 people voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no'. This Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Mr. Holbrook, House Bill 258. Mr. Clerk, read the 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 10th Legislative Day February 14, 2001 Bill."
"House Bill 258, a Bill for an Act concerning higher education. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"Mr. Holbrook."
"Thank you, Speaker. This is a cleanup to the Consolidated Elections Act that we did about a year ago. There's a community college which encompasses my district in the Metro East that runs by district. They cannot draw lines yet because they don't have the census data, so they went to court and asked that the names be put on the ballot for two-year terms. And this is nothing more than cleanup. They're gonna be running. The courts ruled that this is the procedure we're gonna follow down there for this year. And this is just cleanup. There's no known opposition to this whatsoever."
"The Gentleman moves for the passage of the Bill. The Chair recognizes Mr. Hoffman."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. For the record I would just like to... because of a potential conflict of interest I'll be voting 'present'."
"Mr. Black."
"Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Sponsor yields."
"Representative, is this not in fact a response to a court order, as I recall?"
"It is. The courts ruled that this is the procedure we're gonna take on this. And it's really a cleanup. It was one we missed in the consolidated elections."
"And suggested by the community college board and as you indicated, no opposition that we're aware of by any group in the state, correct?" 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 10th Legislative Day February 14, 2001
"Absolutely. I would also like to add Representative Stephens' name to this Bill if the Clerk would do so. He wasn't here last week to get him signed on."
"Thank you very much, Representative. As I recall, this Bill just fell through the cracks. I think it had been introduced in both chambers, as I recall, and for some reason we didn't resolve the differences or our Bill didn't get called in the Senate and their Bill may not have been called here. So it's really as you portray it to be; a technical cleanup, court ordered, no opposition and even has bipartisan sponsorship and we thank you for that. Thank you very much."
"Any further discussion? There being no further discussion, the question is, 'Shall this Bill pass?' Those in favor signify by voting 'yes'; those opposed by voting 'no'. Have all voted who wish? This is a Third Reading roll call. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? The Clerk shall take the record. On this question, there are 116 people voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no'. This Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. The Chair would like the Members to be in their chairs and the staff to retire to the rear of the chamber. Would the Members please be in their seats. Would the staff please retire to the rear of the chamber. The Chair recognizes Mr. Stephens. Please give your attention to Mr. Stephens."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker and thank you for your courtesy, giving me a few moments to thank each and every one of you. My colleagues here on the House Floor, staff, family and friends of the General Assembly. As you know, two families lost their firstborn grandson just two weeks ago. He was the firstborn grandson on both sides. And as 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 10th Legislative Day February 14, 2001 you contemplate that you wonder why and I can tell you I have asked that question of God a thousand times. God understands why and maybe we never will. But so many of you have reached out to touch our families with a card or a letter, a smile, a phone call, shared stories. In my grandson's honor and memory, I want to thank all of you for your kindness, for your heartfelt gratitude and support. I can't begin to tell you how much it has meant to each an every member of our family to know. I look across the aisle, I see one of my good friends. He called me in the middle of the evening, a whimper in his voice you could tell, he was sorry that he hadn't gotten a hold of me sooner. Goodness, that goes beyond friendship, that's family. And the irony was that we both knew that from the moment he heard of our tragedy, he was thinking of us. I want you to know that there's comfort, there's comfort in all of this. I happen to be Christian. Whatever your belief, I pray God that you have a belief. Because without that, you are lost and I don't know how you could withstand the trials and tribulations that such an event would cause your family. But because of my belief, we spent a lot of time talking about Justin going to meet Jesus. And we pray about it and we talked about it and I listened to the ministers of the church give us their version from the Old Testament and the New Testament and trying to make us understand it, to maybe drive the point home a little bit more. Mr. Speaker, I was... less than a week removed from loss of Justin and I just kept wondering, the particulars. Was Jesus holding him? Would he put him on His knee? Would Justin be able to talk? Would they.. would he walk now or what... And I was so consumed by this if you'd have passed me on the interstate you'd have seen me crying. I 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 10th Legislative Day February 14, 2001 think got more miles... tears per mile than many this past couple of weeks. But all of a sudden, as I was trying to make reason about what was happening between my grandson and Jesus and not understanding it at all, I had to pull the car off the road because I was overwhelmed with joy, joy that I had never known before, joy that I can't aptly describe to you. The kind of joy that you hope for... it was overwhelming. It was... my best description to you, it was just overwhelming joy. It seemed to spring from within and it hung... it stuck with me for better than an hour, an hour and a half I just sat and thought and visualized and saw then in my mind's eye, Justin sitting on Jesus' knee. We've argued on this House floor, even about the things and the way we believe. All I have learned in these past few weeks is that I pray that none of you have to go through this. I pray with you who have already gone through this. And I found out that there are many more than I knew. But I pray that when it happens next, and it always will, that it again happens to a family of faith, a family of God. Because it's the only family that I can imagine that could survive it. And so once again, I ask that you accept our family's thank yous and best wishes and our prayers back to you for all the thousands of times that you have touched us in just these few weeks. We will make it. We'll see Justin again. God bless him. Thank you, Mr. Speaker."
"If everyone could remain where they are and the Chair would recognize Mr. Schoenberg at the Speaker's podium."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. I come before you today as the host of some very special guests who I wish to share with you today. We have on behalf of The Music Institute of Chicago, Dr. Frank 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 10th Legislative Day February 14, 2001 Little, the President of The Music Institute of Chicago; Ms. Kay Maybe, a board member of the Music Institute. And perhaps most familiar to all of us, Mr. William Warfield, who's best known to many of us for his portrayal as Joe in the musical ________ Showboat with his rendition of Old Man _____________ River and for his role of Porgy in Gershwin's Porgy ______________ and Bess. In those roles and in many others he's received an international acclaim as a soloist, actor, teacher, opera singer, recitalist, recording artist, and clinician. And even at the age of 80, Mr. Warfield, who is also a Grammy Award winner shows absolutely no sign of slowing down. He maintains an active schedule of guest work here in the United States and across the world. In addition, he also teaches at Northwestern University School of Music. He's a Professor Emeritus of the University of Illinois and he's on the Board of Trustees of The Music Institute of Chicago. He's also received the Governor's award for the State of Illinois and he's been inducted into the Lincoln Academy, which is the State's highest honor bestowed upon a citizen. Ladies and Gentlemen, I'd like to share a few moments of your time and introduce Mr. William Warfield, who will sing _____________ Old Man River. Mr. Warfield." Warfield: (Sings Old Man _____________ River)
Speaker Madigan: "The Chair recognizes Mr. Bugielski. Mr. Bugielski."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and Members of the House. This is to inform the Members of the House that the House Financial Institutions Committee scheduled for this afternoon will be cancelled. So there'll be no Financial Institutions."
"The Chair recognizes Mr. Hannig for the purpose of a Motion." 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 10th Legislative Day February 14, 2001
"Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would move that we suspend the posting requirements for House Bill 371, so that it can be heard Friday in the Human Services Appropriation Committee."
Speaker Madigan: "The Gentleman has moved to suspend the posting requirement. The Chair recognizes Mr. Ryder."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We're willing to help move this supplemental along and we will not oppose the Motion to waive the posting requirement. However, I would indicate that we have requested and that we understand that, Representative Hannig has committed that on Friday the shell Bill for which we're waiving the posting requirement will have with it an Amendment that has the most... the latest and greatest and final terms of the supplemental and we're happy to move this process along. And I join Representative Hannig based on his cooperation with me and his commitment with me on that regard. We're happy to move it."
"Mr. Hannig has moved to suspend the posting requirements. You've all heard the Motion. Is there unanimous consent? Consent is given and the Motion is adopted. The Chair is prepared to adjourn until 12 noon tomorrow. Is there anything further to come before the Body? Being nothing further, Representative Currie moves that the House does stand adjourned until 12 noon tomorrow, providing perfunctory time for the Clerk. Those in favor say 'aye'; those opposed say 'no'. The 'ayes' have it. And the House does stand adjourned until 12 noon tomorrow, providing perfunctory time for the Clerk."
Clerk Rossi: "The House Perfunctory Session will come to order. Committee Reports. Representative Lang, Chairperson from the Committee on Mental Health and Patient Abuse, to which 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 10th Legislative Day February 14, 2001 the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on Wednesday, February 14, 2001, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass as amended Short Debate' House Bill 68. Introduction and First Reading of House Bills. House Bill 1018, offered by Representative Reitz, a Bill for an Act in regard to vehicles. House Bill 1019, offered by Representative Black, a Bill for an Act in relation to criminal law. House Bill 1020, offered by Representative Julie Curry, a Bill for an Act concerning insurance. House Bill 1021, offered by Representative Feigenholtz, a Bill for an Act in relation to health care surrogates. House Bill 1022, offered by Representative Feigenholtz, a Bill for an Act concerning public health. House Bill 1023, offered by Representative Feigenholtz, a Bill for an Act in relation to disabled persons. House Bill 1024, offered by Representative Feigenholtz, a Bill for an Act in relation to public employee benefits. House Bill 1025, offered by Representative Feigenholtz, a Bill for an Act concerning schools. House Bill 1026, offered by Representative Delgado, a Bill for an Act concerning transitional bilingual education teaching certificates. House Bill 1027, offered by Representative Wait, a Bill for an Act concerning the General Assembly. House Bill 1028, offered by Representative Barbara Currie, a Bill for an Act in relation to minors. House Bill 1029, offered by Representative Barbara Currie, a Bill for an Act concerning the media. House Bill 1030, offered by Representative Persico, a Bill for an Act concerning banking. House Bill 1031, offered by Representative Krause, a Bill for an Act in relation to public aid. House Bill 1032, offered by Representative Krause, a Bill for an Act concerning education. House Bill 1033, offered by Representative 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 10th Legislative Day February 14, 2001 Tenhouse, a Bill for an Act concerning Gulf War Veterans. House Bill 1034, offered by Representative Fritchey, a Bill for an Act concerning tobacco. House Bill 1035, offered by Representative Boland, a Bill for an Act in relation to public employee benefits. House Bill 1036, offered by Representative Boland, a Bill for an Act in relation to public employee benefits. House Bill 1037, offered by Representative McGuire, a Bill for an Act concerning appropriations for teacher pensions. House Bill 1038, offered by Representative McGuire, a Bill for an Act in relation to public employee benefits. House Bill 1039, offered by Representative Brunsvold, a Bill for an Act concerning human rights. House Bill 1040, offered by Representative Brunsvold, a Bill for an Act relating to insurance. House Bill 1041, offered by Representative Hoffman, a Bill for an Act regarding vehicles. House Bill 1042, offered by Representative Scully, a Bill for an Act concerning business incentives. House Bill 1043, offered by Representative Scully, a Bill for an Act concerning corporate accountability. House Bill 1044, offered by Representative Saviano, a Bill for an Act concerning the regulation of professions. House Bill 1045, offered by Representative Saviano, a Bill for an Act in relation to criminal law. House Bill 1046, offered by Representative Scully, a Bill for an Act concerning computers. House Bill 1047, offered by Representative Scully, a Bill for an Act concerning health care facilities. House Bill 1048, offered by Representative Soto, a Bill for an Act concerning schools. House Bill 1049, offered by Representative Soto, a Bill for an Act relating to education. House Bill 1050, offered by Representative Miller, a Bill for an Act regarding schools. House Bill 1051, offered by 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 10th Legislative Day February 14, 2001 Representative Bugielski, a Bill for an Act concerning payable on death accounts. House Bill 1052, offered by Representative Bugielski, a Bill for an Act in relation to financial regulation. House Bill 1053, offered by Representative Bugielski, a Bill for an Act in relation to financial regulation. House Bill 1054, offered by Representative Scott, a Bill for an Act concerning employment. House Bill 1055, offered by Representative Scott, a Bill for an Act to create the Home Health Care Worker Licensing Act. House Bill 1056, offered by Representative Scott, a Bill for an Act concerning boxing. House Bill 1057, offered by Representative Morrow, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 1058, offered by Representative Scully, a Bill for an Act regarding schools. House Bill 1059, offered by Representative Scully, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 1060, offered by Representative Mathias, a Bill for an Act concerning property law. House Bill 1061, offered by Representative Brosnahan, a Bill for an Act regarding education. House Bill 1062, offered by Representative Smith, a Bill for an Act in relation to public employee benefits. House Bill 1063, offered by Representative Smith, a Bill for an Act in relation to public employee benefits. House Bill 1064, offered by Representative Smith, a Bill for an Act in relation to public employee benefits. House Bill 1065, offered by Representative Boland, a Bill for an Act in relation to taxation. House Bill 1066, offered by Representative O'Brien, a Bill for an Act in relation to child custody. House Bill 1067, offered by Representative Novak, a Bill for an Act concerning taxes. House Bill 1068, offered by Representative Franks, a Bill for an Act concerning taxes. House Bill 1069, offered by 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 10th Legislative Day February 14, 2001 Representative Hoffman, a Bill for an Act in relation to gambling. House Bill 1070, offered by Representative Lindner, a Bill for an Act concerning property. House Bill 1071, offered by Representative Lindner, a Bill for an Act concerning facility planning areas. House Bill 1072, offered by Representative Reitz, a Bill for an Act regarding vehicles. House Bill 1073, offered by Representative Reitz, a Bill for an Act in relation to business organizations. House Bill 1074, offered by Representative Bugielski, a Bill for an Act in relation to financial regulation. House Bill 1075, offered by Representative Tom Ryder, a Bill for an Act concerning electronic commerce. House Bill 1076, offered by Representative Scully, a Bill for an Act in relation to aging. House Bill 1071 (sic-House Bill 1077), offered by Representative Monique Davis, a Bill for an Act concerning children. House Bill 1078, offered by Representative Monique Davis, a Bill for an Act concerning public health. House Bill 1079, offered by Representative Slone, a Bill for an Act concerning park districts. House Bill 1080, offered by Representative Slone, a Bill for an Act concerning organic farming. House Bill 1081, offered by Representative Slone, a Bill for an Act concerning open burning. House Bill 1082, offered by Representative Slone, a Bill for an Act in relation to clean air. House Bill 1083, offered by Representative Slone, a Bill for an Act concerning groundwater. House Bill 1084, offered by Representative Slone, a Bill for an Act concerning development rights. House Bill 1085, offered by Representative Slone, a Bill for an Act concerning growth planning. House Bill 1086, offered by Representative Slone, a Bill for an Act concerning design review. House Bill 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 10th Legislative Day February 14, 2001 1087, offered by Representative Leitch, a Bill for an Act concerning human services referrals. House Bill 1088, offered by Representative Leitch, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. Introduction and First Reading of these House Bills. Being no further business, the House Perfunctory Session stands adjourned." 15