"The House shall come to order. The Members shall be in their chairs. We shall be led in prayer today by Lee Crawford, the Assistant Pastor of the Victory Temple Church in Springfield. The guests in the gallery may wish to rise and join us for the invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance."
"We lift our hearts before the presence of almighty God. We pray this day, Lord, in the very spirit of the Psalmist David who spoke and said the Lord is our shepard, we shall not want. Said for He maketh us to lie down in green pastures, You leadeth us beside the still waters, You restoreth our soul. You leadeth us in the path of righteousness for Your name's sake. Yea though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we will fear no evil, for You are with us; it is Your rod and it is Your staff that gives us comfort. For it is You that prepareth a table before us in the presence of our enemies. For it is You that anointeth our head with oil; and our cups will run over. For surely Your goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our lives, for we will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. For Your word sayeth that they that dwell in the secret place of the most high shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty, this we kindly pray. Amen."
Speaker Madigan: "We shall be led in the Pledge of Allegiance by Representative Howard."
"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." 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 12th Legislative Day February 16, 2001
"Thank you, Speaker. Please let the record show that we have no reports of excused absences today."
"Mr. Poe."
"Mr. Speaker, I have several excused absences today: Representative Stephens, Representative Hassert, Representative Coulson, Representative Mitchell, and Representative Mathias. That was Bill Mitchell."
"Mr. Clerk, take the record. There being 113 Members responding to the Attendance Roll Call, there is a quorum present. Mr. Clerk."
"Committee Reports. Representative Monique Davis, Chairperson from the Committee on Appropriations-Human Services, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on February 16, 2001, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass as amended Short Debate' House Bill 371. Representative Erwin, Chairperson from the Committee on Higher Education, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on February 15, 2001, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' House Bills 260, 582, 583. Representative Stroger, Chairperson from the Committee on Labor, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on February 15, 2001, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' House Bills 169, 480. 'do pass Standard Debate' House Bill 642. Representative Saviano, Chairperson from the Committee on Registration and Regulation, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on February 15, 2001, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass as amended Short Debate' House Bill 205. Representative Brosnahan, Chairperson from the 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 12th Legislative Day February 16, 2001 Committee on Disabled Community, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on February 15, 2001, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' House Bill 654. Representative Kenner, Chairperson from the Committee on State Government Administration, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on February 15, 2001, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' House Bills 128, 129, 289, 305, 400, and 500. 'do pass as amended Short Debate' House Bills 32 and 447."
"Clerk for an announcement."
"Supplemental Calendar #1 is being distributed."
"Ladies and Gentlemen, we'd like everybody to take their seats, and we'd like the staff to retire to the rear of the chamber. We have a very special guest with us today. So, if all Members would take their chairs, if the staff would retire to the rear of the chamber. We're very, very pleased to have with us, Mr. Tommy Lasorda, who for many years served as the manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers, working very successfully. So, Tommy's going to have a few words for us."
"Thank you very much and good morning to all... As I gathered here in the short time that I've been visiting, that so many of you are outstanding Dodger fans and I feel very good about that. There's a little saying that I use if you were to call my telephone in Dodger Stadium. It merely says, 'if you don't pull for the Dodgers, there's a good chance you may not get into heaven'. I just want to tell you real briefly, you know, when I left home to come here, my wife said to me, 'where are you going?' I said, honey I've got to go to Springfield to make a visit. And 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 12th Legislative Day February 16, 2001 she said, 'you're not going out and make another visit and another talk are you Tommy?' I said, yes I really have to go. And she said, 'well I want to say this to you, I finally realized after being married to you for 50 years that you love the Dodgers and baseball more than you love me.' I said, yeah but I love you more than I do football and basketball. And we've been married 50 years, and it's amazing, we still go out dining and dancing three times a week. No, no, don't applaud. No, hold it, hold it. She goes Monday, Wednesdays, and Fridays. No, I'm just joking. You know, everywhere I go, I do a lot of speaking throughout these great United States, and everywhere I go, I enjoy it because I meet people, and I love to meet people, and when I leave I always feel so much richer, and today I've met a lot of people. But, when I can meet an Italian, it makes my visit that much greater. And no matter what organization I speak to, I will always meet an Italian named Tony. Everybody in this country has a friend who is an Italian named Tony. I was the grand marshall of the Columbus Day parade in Philadelphia last year. I must have met 15,000 Italians, there must have been 5,000 of them named Tony. And then, two years ago I was the grand marshall of the Columbus Day parade in New York City where my wife and I led 33,000 Italians down Fifth Avenue. There must have been 15,000 of them named Tony. And I often wonder, why are there so many Italians named Tony in this country, and then I discovered why. When they shipped them over from the old country they stamped on their forehead, 'To: New York'. When you meet an Italian named Tony, you know how he got that name. But, very briefly, I just want to say this to all of you. You know, when I was asked to go coach the United States Olympic Baseball Team, I 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 12th Legislative Day February 16, 2001 considered it an honor and a privilege to be able to do something for my country. And I was so honored to be able to accept that position. And when we went over to Sidney, Australia to perform in the United States Olympics, 23 of the 24 players on that team I had never seen before, and didn't know who they were. And I told them, I said, I don't know who you are, I don't know where you come from, I don't know if you're married or single. I don't know if you're good, mediocre, or bad, but I'm going to tell you something right now and you remember this, when this whole thing is over, the whole world is going to know about you guys. You want to know why? Because you're going to bring that gold medal back to the United States where it belongs. I said, baseball is America's game. Baseball is not Japanese, Italians, or Koreans, or Cubans. Baseball is America's game, and that's where that medal's going to go. It belongs in the United States of America and we're not going to let these teams beat us. And then I said to them, you don't represent your family here, you don't represent that school that you've gone to, you don't represent the town that you come from, nor do you represent that organization that signed you. You represent the United States of America. And you're not going to do anything over here to embarrass our country, all you're gonna do, everything in your power, to make the United States proud of you. And they did that. And someone said to me, I understand that you don't get a gold medal, Tommy. I said, that's right the coaches do not get a gold medal. I said, but you want to know something? I got my gold medal when I saw them put that medal around my player's neck. I got my gold medal when I saw them raise that flag of the United States. And I got my gold medal when they played that 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 12th Legislative Day February 16, 2001 national anthem because to me doing something for your country was the greatest thing in the world. And all of you here in this room, you have dedicated your life to your community, to your town, and to this country. You have a responsibility to represent this country at all times to the highest degree of class, dignity, and character. That's the responsibility, and obligation, and the commitment that you'll put upon yourself. Do everything you can to make this city, this state, this country proud of each and every one of you. Because together when you pull for each other, and you all get on one end of a rope and pull together, you'll make this country much better than it is. It is without a doubt the greatest country in the world and I'm proud of it. Thank you."
Speaker Madigan: "We'd also like to announce that in Tommy's group today is Jerry Colangelo, the owner of the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Phoenix Suns, but more importantly a native of Chicago Heights, Illinois, and a former star basketball player at the University of Illinois. Jerry Colangelo. On page 2 of the Calendar, on the Order of House Bills-Second Reading, there appears House Bill 25, Representative Feigenholtz. Is Representative Feigenholtz in the chamber? Do you wish to move the Bill? Mr. Clerk, what is the status of the Bill?"
"House Bill 25, a Bill for an Act in relation to public aid. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed."
Speaker Madigan: "Third Reading. House Bill 28, Mr. Black. Mr. Black, House Bill 28. The Gentleman indicates he does not wish to call the Bill. House Bill 31, Mr. McKeon. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of the Bill?" 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 12th Legislative Day February 16, 2001
"House Bill 31, a Bill for an Act in relation to public aid. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed."
Speaker Madigan: "Third Reading. House Bill 60, Mr. Black. The Gentleman indicates he does not wish to call the Bill. House Bill 68, Mr. Lang. The Gentleman indicates he does not wish to call the Bill. 75. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of House Bill 75?"
Clerk Bolin: "House Bill 75, a Bill for an Act to amend the Code of Civil Procedure. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed. Several notes have been requested on the Bill and have not been filed."
"The Bill shall remain on the Order of Second Reading. House Bill 144, Mr. Black. Mr. Black, 144. The Gentleman wishes to leave the Bill on Second Reading. House Bill 151, Mr. Turner. Mr. John Turner, House Bill 151. The Gentleman wishes to leave the Bill on Second Reading. House Bill 156, Mr. Brosnahan. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of the Bill?"
"House Bill 156, a Bill for an Act concerning civil procedure. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed. Several notes have been requested on the Bill and the notes have not been filed."
"The Bill shall remain on the Order of Second Reading. House Bill 157, Mr. Dart. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of the Bill?"
"House Bill 157, a Bill for an Act concerning liens. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed. 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 12th Legislative Day February 16, 2001 Several notes have been requested on the Bill that have not been filed."
Speaker Madigan: "The Bill shall remain on the Order of Second Reading. 158. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of the Bill?"
"House Bill 158, a Bill for an Act concerning structural work. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed. Several notes have been requested that have not been filed."
"The Bill shall remain on the Order of Second Reading. House Bill 176, Mr. Hoffman. The Gentleman indicates he does not wish to call the Bill. House Bill 181, Mr. Bost. Mr. Bost. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of the Bill?"
Clerk Bolin: "House Bill 181, a Bill for an Act concerning government employee benefits. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed."
"Third Reading. House Bill 190, Mr. Hoeft. The Gentleman indicates he does not wish to call the Bill. House Bill 198, Mr. Hoffman, 198. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of the Bill?"
Clerk Bolin: "House Bill 198, a Bill for an Act with regard to education. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed."
"Third Reading. House Bill 215, Representative Lindner. The Lady indicates she does not wish to call the Bill. House Bill 216, Representative Kosel. Representative Kosel. The... Mr. Clerk, what is the status of the Bill?"
"House Bill 216, a Bill for an Act in relation to 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 12th Legislative Day February 16, 2001 schools. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed."
"Third Reading. House Bill 271, Representative Garrett. Representative Garrett. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of the Bill?"
"House Bill 271, a Bill for an Act to amend the Illinois Vehicle Code. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed."
Speaker Madigan: "Third Reading. House Bill 281, Representative Feigenholtz. Representative Feigenholtz. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of the Bill?"
Clerk Bolin: "House Bill 281, a Bill for an Act in relation to medical care. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed."
"Third Reading. House Bill 325, Mr. Black, 325. Okay. Mr. Clerk, leave the Bill on the Order of Second Reading. House Bill 333, Mr. Hoffman. Mr. Jay Hoffman. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of the Bill?"
"House Bill 333, a Bill for an Act in relation to property. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed."
Speaker Madigan: "Third Reading. House Bill 335, Mr. Hoffman. The Gentleman does not wish to call the Bill. House Bill 394, Mr. Fritchey, 394. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of the Bill?"
"House Bill 394, a Bill for an Act to amend the Electronic Fund Transfer Act. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed. A state mandates note has been requested on 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 12th Legislative Day February 16, 2001 the Bill and has not been filed."
"The Bill shall remain on the Order of Second Reading. Mr. Fritchey, 396, concerned with land excavation. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of the Bill?"
"House Bill 396, a Bill for an Act in relation to land excavation. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed."
Speaker Madigan: "Third Reading. 397, by Mr. Fritchey, presidential electors. The Bill shall remain on the Order of Second Reading. House Bill 442, Mr. Burke. Mr. Burke. Mr. Dan Burke, 442. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of the Bill?"
Clerk Bolin: "House Bill 442, a Bill for an Act concerning sanitary districts. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed. Several notes have been requested on the Bill and have not been filed."
"The Bill shall remain on the Order of Second Reading. House Bill 446, Representative Feigenholtz. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of the Bill?"
"House Bill 446, a Bill for an Act concerning organ transplantation. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed. A fiscal note has been requested on the Bill and has not been filed."
"The Bill shall remain on the Order of Second Reading. House Bill 469, Mr. Joe Lyons. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of the Bill?"
"House Bill 469, a Bill for an Act in relation to the Water Reclamation District Act. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 12th Legislative Day February 16, 2001 No Motions filed. Several notes have been requested on the Bill and have not been filed."
Speaker Madigan: "The Bill shall remain on the Order of Second Reading. House Bill 473, Mr. Acevedo. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of the Bill?"
Clerk Bolin: "House Bill 473, a Bill for an Act in relation to the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed. Several notes have been requested and have not been filed."
Speaker Madigan: "The Bill shall remain on the Order of Second Reading. House Bill 476, Mr. Black. Mr. Black, 476. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of the Bill?"
Clerk Bolin: "House Bill 476, a Bill for an Act in relation to emergency telephone systems. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed."
"Mr. Black."
"Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I apologize to the Chair, been asked to file an Amendment to that Bill, and we did so this morning. So, I need to hold it on Second, and I apologize."
"The Bill shall remain on the Order of Second Reading. House Bill 573, Representative Currie. The Lady wishes to leave the Bill on the Order of Second Reading. House Bill 584, Mr. Lang. Mr. Lang on 584. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of the Bill?"
"House Bill 584, a Bill for an Act concerning insurance. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed."
Speaker Madigan: "Third Reading. House Bill 593, Mr. Lang, 593. 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 12th Legislative Day February 16, 2001 Mr. Clerk, what is the status of the Bill?"
"House Bill 593, a Bill for an Act to amend the Probate Act of 1975. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed."
Speaker Madigan: "Third Reading. House Bill 678, Mr. Hoffman, 678. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of the Bill?"
"House Bill 678, a Bill for an Act relating to schools. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed."
"Third Reading. House Bill 698, Mr. Scott. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of the Bill?"
"House Bill 698, a Bill for an Act concerning civil procedure. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed."
Speaker Madigan: "Third Reading. On the Order of House Bills-Third Reading, there appears House Bill 10, Mr. Bugielski. The Gentleman does not wish to call his Bill. House Bill 21, Representative Eileen Lyons. House Bill 21. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."
"House Bill 21, a Bill for an Act to amend the Illinois Vehicle Code. Third Reading of this House Bill."
Speaker Madigan: "We are now on Third Reading. Representative Eileen Lyons." Lyons, E.: "Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. House Bill 21 addresses a loophole in the Vehicle Code that has occurred as a result of an Appellate Court decision in 1999 that would allow for ignorance as a defense for not having car insurance. This amends the Vehicle Code to state that it is not a defense to prosecution under this Section, 'that the person operating 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 12th Legislative Day February 16, 2001 the motor vehicle was unaware that the motor vehicle was not covered by a liability insurance policy'. And I would ask for your favorable support."
"The Lady moves for the passage of the Bill. The Chair recognizes Mr. Dart."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"The Sponsor yields."
"Representative, is this in response to a particular cases or... because I was unaware that there was a problem, that you could have as a defense to this case, that you didn't know you were uninsured?" Lyons, E.: "Up to this Appellate Court decision, ignorance was not allowed. It's a 1999 Appellate Court decision that created this loophole."
"Okay. So, this... Do you know the name of the case just off the top of your head, or can you get me a copy of it later?" Lyons, E.: "Yes, I would."
"Yeah, just get me a copy later, that would be fine. Thank you."
"There being no further discussion, the Chair recognizes Mr. Hoffman."
"Will the Sponsor yield?"
"The Sponsor yields."
"I just have one real quick question, and I thought about it after the committee hearing yesterday. What in the case of you driving like your boss's vehicle, or a company vehicle? Would you still be held to this standard?" Lyons, E.: "If the car or... If you do not have insurance, and the car is uninsured... "
"Let's say, here's the scenario and the concern, and 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 12th Legislative Day February 16, 2001 maybe, you can... I don't want to hold up your Bill 'cause I think it's generally a good Bill. But the concern would be if you are forced, if you're an employee and the boss says to you, you're going to drive this car. What are you going to say, does it have insurance? You're going to assume it has insurance, and you, personally, could be then held liable if you are stopped." Lyons, E.: "Well, if you have insurance, your insurance goes with you."
"Well... " Lyons, E.: "This is a case where you don't have insurance... "
"... but I don't think it should be... " Lyons, E.: "... and the car is not insured."
"... I don't think it should be your obligation to insure that your company has their car insured. So, you may want to exempt that, because I as an employee, I'm not going to say, heck no, I not driving that car or you'll fire me. So, that's the concern I would have with the Bill. So... " Lyons, E.: "Can I just respond to that? Up to now that's been the case. Your situation has been the case up to now. This doesn't change that, you know what I'm saying?"
"Okay. Yeah, okay. All right. Thank you."
"Representative Giles. Mr. Giles."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield for a question?"
"The Sponsor yields."
"Representative Lyons, could you help me to understand, and I'm sorry I'm not abreast upon this legislation, I wasn't in committee. Usually, I'm in the Insurance Committee, so I got a chance to miss out on this one. Could you tell me the current law, right now, for an 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 12th Legislative Day February 16, 2001 individual that is driving someone else car that do not know for sure that that car is insured... that vehicle is insured? What is the current law now?" Lyons, E.: "Without this legislation, they could use as a defense, that they did not know."
"Okay. They could use as a defense. What if you have... I mean, I know this is subjective but you have an individual, simply there's an emergency they need to use a relative's car, they jump in the car and they decide to take their child to the hospital. They did not... legitimately they did not know that the vehicle was not insured. What is that scenario, under this legislation?" Lyons, E.: "Well, under this legislation, if they did not have insurance, and they did not know the car that they were driving did not have insurance, they would be guilty under this legislation. But I would think, this is a less than a misdemeanor. This is a business offense, and I would leave that situation up to the discretion of the judge."
"So you're saying that, if this individual that simply went to the hospital and got into a car accident, did not know the vehicle was insured, no one was hurt, that this individual should be liable... his or her should be liable and not the owner of the vehicle?" Lyons, E.: "Well, you mean if this person had insurance but the car was not insured?"
"This person has personal insurance... " Lyons, E.: "Right."
"... but the vehicle is the situation in which the vehicle is in the accident, should that owner of that vehicle be liable, and not the actual person?" Lyons, E.: "I think the person whose car is uninsured should be liable, but the protection is there because you have your 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 12th Legislative Day February 16, 2001 own insurance. And the insurance companies would have to decide whether that was viable enough."
"Okay, I'm trying to understand. Let's use the other possible scenario. That 18-year-old jump into the car to take their little brother to the hospital and that 18-year-old is not insured, because that 18-year-old don't have... is not an owner of a vehicle, do not have personal insurance but did not know that the car that they were driving, or the vehicle that they were driving was not insured?" Lyons, E.: "And my understanding is that if you're in an accident and whether you're driving a car that's insured or not you're still liable. So, your insurance policy covers the liability that you incur because you are liable if you're the driver."
"So you're saying, under the current law, that that person whomever's the owner of that vehicle is ultimately liable, whether or not, personally, you have insurance or not?" Lyons, E.: "Well, you're liable because you're driving it and you have an insurance. I'm not quite sure what you're asking about."
"Are you saying the vehicle is insured or I have personal insurance?" Lyons, E.: "First of all, this doesn't apply in the case you're talking about. This applies in the case where you are not insured and the vehicle is not insured."
"Okay. This legislation deals with if there's a scenario where both situations not insured?" Lyons, E.: "Right. Right. Right."
"Okay. Well, just to the Bill. I think that, and I really hate that I was not in committee at the time that this Bill was introduced, because I would have continued to 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 12th Legislative Day February 16, 2001 ask those questions. I would just simply say that, because of my only lack of understanding that I would vote 'present' and I hope that this legislation is going to do exactly what it says. I just don't want to see innocent individuals simply jump into someone's vehicle that is not insured... did not know that the vehicle was not insured, and seriously, did not have the intent of trying to mislead someone. Representative, just simply that, I just hope that your Bill do what it's suppose to do. Thank you, Mr. Speaker."
"Representative Lyons to close." Lyons, E.: "I would ask for your favorable support."
"The question is, 'Shall this Bill pass?' Those in favor signify by voting 'yes'; those opposed by voting 'no'. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? This is a Third Reading Roll Call, four people have not voted. Have all voted who wish? Two people have not voted. The Clerk shall take the record. On this question, there are 106 people voting 'yes', 1 person voting 'no'. This Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Mr. Lawfer, do you wish to call House Bill 43? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."
Clerk Bolin: "House Bill 43, a Bill for an Act in relation to agriculture development. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"Mr. Lawfer."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the General Assembly. This creates the Animal Agriculture Industry Development Program. It sets up a award grant to individual producers to plan their enterprises for agriculture producers. This is through the Department of 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 12th Legislative Day February 16, 2001 Commerce and Community Affairs with the Department of Agriculture providing expertise and support. Basically, what this legislation does is put agriculture producers on the same basis as many other small businesses that now work with the Department of Commerce and Community Affairs. Mr. Speaker, I'd be glad to answer any questions."
"Mr. Hartke."
"Thank you very much. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"The Sponsor yields."
"Representative Lawfer, I stand in support of your legislation, but I have a question. Only individuals can apply for these planning grants, is that correct?"
"Right, individual producers. Right."
"Would you consider the possibility of when it gets to the Senate, and you get a Senate Sponsor, looking at the possibility of allowing groups of individuals who want to coop, going into this program as well?"
"I would consider that, Representative. However, I guess if that evolves to that I would prefer to support that at that time."
"Okay. Well, thank you very much. I think it's a great idea and it's modeled after the Wisconsin Department of Commerce's piece of legislation. It has helped many individuals in the agricultural animal sector to expand, to make Wisconsin the number one back in dairy production again. Hopefully, this will bring Illinois into the 21st century in economics. Thank you."
"The question is, 'Shall this Bill pass?' Those in favor signify by voting 'yes'; those opposed by voting 'no'. Record Mr. Scully as 'yes'. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Steve Davis, did you want to vote? The Clerk shall 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 12th Legislative Day February 16, 2001 take the record. On this question, there are 112 people voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no'. This Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. House Bill 55, Mr. Parke. The Gentleman does not wish to call his Bill. House Bill 61, Representative Feigenholtz. Representative Feigenholtz. The Lady does not wish to call her Bill. House Bill 111, Mr. Lang. Mr. Lang, House Bill 111. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."
"House Bill 111, a Bill for an Act to amend the Illinois Insurance Code. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen. House Bill 111 is a repeat of a Bill that this Body has passed no less than five times with substantial majorities and sent to the Illinois Senate only to see it be buried over there. This Bill acknowledges that we have severe problems in our state and in our country with mental illness. As you know, I chair the House Mental Health Committee. One in four families in Illinois has a mentally-ill family member, and yet, many families in Illinois don't have insurance coverage for this. We have passed this Bill several times over to the Senate, and what the Bill does, is to establish in law, that mental illness is just important in Illinois as physical illness. We all know that people who are mentally ill have more physical problems and cost insurance companies vast sums of money. This simply says that we all agree that mental illness is a serious problem, that it needs to be addressed, that it's an important issue, and that where there is insurance coverage, and where there is mental illness coverage in those policies, that the depth and breadth of the coverage should be equivalent to that of coverage for physical illness. All of you who have been 19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 12th Legislative Day February 16, 2001 here in prior years have heard the debates on this many times. I think this is a Bill we almost unanimously believe should be moved along to the Governor. And I'm proud that we can do this early in the Session to give us all an opportunity to help move this along in the Senate. And I would ask your support on behalf of the Bill, but more importantly, on behalf of the millions of people in Illinois who belong to families that have a mentally-ill family member. I urge your support."
"Representative Mulligan."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Sponsor yields."
"Representative Lang, I intend to support you on this Bill as I have supported past Sponsors of the Bill when it was both Republicans or Democrats, but you're passing this out quite early. And it was indicated to me after committee the other day, and I'm surprised it wasn't indicated to you, that there are people that would like to negotiate on this Bill, so that, actually, we may pass a substantive Bill this year. And as you know in the past, this has not passed in the Senate. Wouldn't it be more worthwhile to hold this Bill for awhile and do the negotiations, or would you be amenable, if it goes to the Senate and then it's negotiated, rather than on another Bill? I'm sure that as much work as you've put in on mental health you'd like to see your name as a Sponsor, head Sponsor of a Bill that's passed. And by passing it out this early, I think you take away the ability to negotiate."
"Well, Representative, I certainly think that who the chief Sponsor of the Bill is, is far less important than actually accomplishing this great good for the people who live in 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 12th Legislative Day February 16, 2001 our state. I believe, simply, because of the problems we've had in the Senate negotiating and moving this along that it's more important to pass it early to give us many weeks to work with our Senators and work with interested parties in the Senate to try to find a way to get this Bill moving in the Senate. That is exactly why I want to move this over there. Members of the Senate, the President of the Senate who has killed this Bill many times, will not talk to us about this Bill 'til it's in his chamber. And so, I think it's very important that we move the Bill quickly, and then sit down over the next weeks and try to figure out how to pass this or a similar Bill before May 25th."
"Representative, I admire the work you've done in mental health and your zeal in trying to get this done, but I do think that this is the Session that we may be able to get it done. And I think that it may not be everything that everyone's wanted it to be just as HMO reform may have not been everything, but I think the people of Illinois need this, and I think it's time to actually negotiate and work on this Bill. I will support you in sending it out, but I do believe that you should have held on to it a little longer and tried to negotiate it, because I think this could be the year where we could negotiate this Bill out to the end, so that the people of Illinois will actually get a Bill. Thank you."
"Thank you."
"Mr. Wirsing."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield for a couple of questions?"
"The Sponsor yields."
"Representative, I'm going to echo some of the last 21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 12th Legislative Day February 16, 2001 Representative's comments and thoughts, but as you've indicated in your opening statements that this is an issue that has come before this chamber before, and it seems to me that it is the Sponsor's responsibility to create negotiations when there is a strong opposition from those entities who would be affected, you know, small businesses. I know that NFIB has considered this as one of their premier pieces of legislation that they're concerned about and have, you know, have a stance on. I guess I would like a little different response from you in the fact that there has not been negotiations, that you as the Sponsor of this legislation have chose not to either seek out that kind of a scenario, a meeting with those entities who would have to pay the Bill. To me that's very important, and I would... Can you respond in a different manner than you did at the last, Representative? Because I've heard that kind of response before and I'm looking for something of more substance that I can really grab on to."
"Representative, this Bill has passed this chamber five times. There is very little opposition in this chamber to this legislation. This Bill is exactly the same as it was when it passed here five other times. I believe we should send this over to the Senate in the form that we think is appropriate. I am certainly prepared to work with Senator Philip who, singlehandedly, has stopped this in the Senate, and with all other interested parties to put a Bill on the Governor's desk and get it signed. I will do whatever it takes to accomplish that. I think the best strategy to do that is to send a Bill over now to give us the time it takes, while the Bill is in the Senate, to sit down with appropriate parties and negotiate. Of course I am prepared to negotiate. I'm certain all the advocates who care about 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 12th Legislative Day February 16, 2001 the mentally ill in our state are prepared to do what it takes to provide this benefit to them and their families that they so dearly need."
"Well, thank you, but that still doesn't, for me, it's not sufficient. This is a piece of legislation, Representative, that you know, as well as I know, is very difficult when brought before the Members in this chamber, it's very difficult politically to vote against. It just simply is that kind of piece of legislation. It has that because of the area that it deals in. And so, because of that, I'm reiterating the fact that I believe it's your responsibility as the Sponsor to bring those entities, those organized entities if you will, who have a problem with the Bill as it is written, who may offer in negotiation some opportunities to move forward in this area, meaningfully, and not just simply passing the Bill out of the House, sending it over to the Senate, and then saying, well we're going to work with the Senate once we get the Bill over there. I believe that the approach is better to have good support from those who normally would be in opposition because there has been negotiations, there has been that conversation that's been meaningful with the intent to get us down this track. I don't disagree with the concept, I disagree with the legislation. I think it goes too far too fast. And when I talk to small businesses in my community who we all laud are the backbone of the business community here in Illinois, and they're extremely fearful about what kind of cost it may impose upon them. And they're extremely sensitive now because of what we've seen in natural gas prices and what they're having to pay as an unexpected expense. They're really sensitized to this issue, Representative, and that's really where I'm 23 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 12th Legislative Day February 16, 2001 coming from and what my concern is. And when I have organizations representing small businesses coming to me and saying, this is a pinnacle piece of legislation, and we're not sure where the door is to start the negotiations. After five times of coming here, I think there's a message, Representative, that you ought to take heed to."
"Representative, 32 other states have passed this Bill in almost the identical form. In the 32 states that have passed this law, the evidence is overwhelming that the costs to business are minimal. I care very much about small businessmen who try very hard to provide health insurance to their employees. Most states have indicated there have been zero increases in insurance premium increases. It has gone as high as 4%. None to my knowledge have gone over that. Representative, this is not one of those Bills that we say in this chamber is flawed and we're going to send it to a flawed piece of legislation to the Senate and fix it. This is legislation that is not flawed. This is a piece of legislation that has passed this chamber five times. And we believe in this chamber five times that this legislation is not flawed. I want to send them the piece of legislation that we think is appropriate, and then I am more than willing to sit down with any party you mentioned, or any party you haven't mentioned, and hopefully, we can bring the President of the Illinois Senate into this discussion to move along a piece of legislation that makes sense. This makes sense as it is. And we cannot expect the President of the Illinois Senate, who has killed this on his own volition five times, to negotiate on a Bill that is not in his chamber. His answer is always, 'well I don't have a Bill over here yet for me to negotiate'. And so, I wanted to move this over to 24 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 12th Legislative Day February 16, 2001 'Pate' Philip as early as I possibly could, so that we can sit down with him and discuss this legislation. As you well know, this Bill will not move out of the Senate Rules Committee until Mr. Philip is satisfied. And so, you have all the protection you need."
Speaker Madigan: "Mr. Lang. Mr. Lang, could you bring your response to a close? You're responding to a question, aren't you?"
"Yes."
"Yeah. Thank you. So, let's go to Mr. Parke."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. For those that have not been here before, and there are a good number of you here, I think you need to pay attention to this legislation, because regardless of what the Sponsor tells you, is that this is open-ended. This legislation is extremely broad in its interpretation. Though listed in the Bill itself are nine areas of concentration of mental illness, it says that these are not limited to just these, that they're open to any kind of interpretation. The other problem that he simply alludes to, that there is only 4% increase in costs. And I will remind the Body that a 4% increase in health care added on to the normal increase of double digits this year will put some small businesses, and some medium-sized businesses, in this state to decide whether they are going to continue to provide health insurance to their employees or to keep the doors of their business open. I know what I would do is, I would have to make a decision to drop my health insurance to be able to continue the business so at least I could provide for my employees a salary, because I could not afford to continue that health insurance. This Body, this Illinois House, continues to pass mandate after mandate after mandate on to the small business man and 25 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 12th Legislative Day February 16, 2001 woman in this state. And remember, the insurance companies do not pay for this, it is passed on to the policyholders. All those small businesses that the Sponsor says that he's so worried about, well if he's worried about it he'll negotiate, but no, he shoves this Bill down their throat and said take it or leave it, this is the way it's going to be, open-ended. Well, Ladies and Gentlemen, that's not how it works. This is a major piece of legislation. In a way I commend the Sponsor for bringing this to us because it needs to be talked about, but when you say, here it is take it or leave it, no wonder the Senate does that, because there's no negotiation on it. Here it is take it or leave it. Well, you know, if that's what you want to do as the Sponsor because of what other motives you might have, I believe that ultimately he will negotiate. Now, I find it hard to suggest to my colleagues to vote against this. I'm going to, but it's going to be difficult for a lot of you. Because the underlying theme of what the Sponsor's trying to do has merit. There are people that have mental illness. We want to take care of them. We want their families to be able to help them recover. I mean, that's ultimately what we want to do as a Body, but this Bill needs to negotiate, compromise, and not on a take it or leave it basis. Ladies and Gentlemen, until that happens, I will not support this Bill."
"The question is, 'Shall this Bill pass?' Those in favor signify by voting 'yes'; 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 87 'ayes', 25 'noes'. This Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of House 26 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 12th Legislative Day February 16, 2001 Bill 394?"
"House Bill 394. The Bill was read for a second time, previously today and held on the Order of Second Reading pending the filing of notes. That note request has been withdrawn."
"Place the Bill on the Order of Third Reading. On the Order of Third Reading, there appears House Bill 127, Mr. Black. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."
"House Bill 127, a Bill for an Act concerning hospice license plates. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. This Bill was brought to me by a constituent who gave eloquent testimony yesterday about why she wants this Bill passed into law. She is the Director of the Iroquois Memorial of Carle Hospice, gave eloquent testimony as to the advantages, and benefits, and compassion of hospice. She thinks that this license plate would certainly help fund the hospice centers that we have throughout the State of Illinois. I think you're all familiar with how the special license plate fund operates. I'll be glad to answer any questions that you have."
"The Gentleman moves for the passage of the Bill. Is there any discussion? There being no 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? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Representative Collins. Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 106 people voting 'yes', 6 people voting 'no'. This Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. House Bill 153, Mr. Mautino. Mr. Mautino. House Bill 161, Mr. Hannig. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill." 27 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 12th Legislative Day February 16, 2001
Clerk Bolin: "House Bill 161, a Bill for an Act in relation to vehicles. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members of the House. This is a very simple proposal that came to me from a volunteer fire department in my legislative district. It would permit vehicles operated by voluntary firemen to be equipped with flashing light... headlights, and blue grill lights, and a siren, all of which can only be used in responding to a emergency call. Under the present law, volunteer firemen are simply allowed to have a small blue light, either inside their car or above their car. In some cases, particularly in the summertime, on bright, bright days of July and August, when a call comes in for volunteer firemen to respond, they drop what they're doing and get in their cars and they're ready to come out to the site of the fire, and it's a very bright day and these blue lights simply are not enough to get the attention of others who may be on the road. And so, the volunteer fire group that I represent asked that this be extended somewhat to a siren, to these flashing lights, or these flashing grill lights. I've talked with the State Police about this and they don't have any opposition to the Bill. The Transportation Committee approved it 21-0. I think it's a good way of helping those people in our legislative district who are willing to participate in a voluntary fire department, and so, I'd be happy to answer any questions, and I'd move for passage of the Bill."
"Mr. Black."
"Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"The Sponsor yields."
"Representative, for the record and I appreciate your 28 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 12th Legislative Day February 16, 2001 forthright answer yesterday but let's get it on the record not only as a matter of intent but I think the law is very clear. A volunteer firefighter who might equip his or her vehicle with all of the flashing blue lights, the wigwag headlights, the things that you now are adding to what they currently have, they must follow all applicable traffic laws. They can't use these lights, they're not a sworn police officer, they are not supposed to run red lights. They are not supposed to run stop signs, and they are not supposed to drive 80 miles an hour down a residential street. And I think there's always some confusion about that. Well, if I have this emergency equipment, I therefore, am authorized to ignore traffic laws to get to the fire. And while I don't denigrate the importance of their getting to the scene, I want to again emphasize that they must follow applicable traffic laws even though you are expanding the emergency equipment that they could put on their personal automobiles. Is that your understanding?"
"That is absolutely correct, Representative Black, and I appreciate you bringing that to the attention of the Body. They do not, currently, have the ability to break any traffic laws. This would not give them any authority to do so. It would simply make them more visible as they try to travel to the scene of the fire."
"And I would hope that an organization you and I have both worked with over the years, the Association of Fire Protection Districts, would again emphasize to their members. Obviously, this Bill will help them, perhaps, get to the scene a little more quickly if people will get out of their road. But again, to emphasize that they must be... operate their vehicle in a safe manner in accordance 29 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 12th Legislative Day February 16, 2001 with traffic laws. And I think if they do that we'll save any backlash that may come to us a year or two from now of people who felt their lives were endangered by somebody going 80 miles an hour in a small town residential area. So, if the Association of Fire Protection Districts could help us with that intent. And it's clearly within the law. And I appreciate your forthright answer. And again, I think this will help our volunteers, but there are always people out there who say, now that I have a siren, and now that I have wigwag headlights, I can do whatever I want to do on the roadways. And that's not true, and I appreciate you making that clear in your intent. Thank you."
"Mr. Brady."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Would the Sponsor yield, Representative Hannig?"
"Sponsor yields."
"Could you tell me... I don't see anything in this particular Bill that addresses the aspect of training in the way of defensive driving of emergency vehicles, which these would be now an emergency vehicle, by volunteer firemen. And what training, if any, will they have in now operating their personal vehicle on defensive driving aspect as an emergency vehicle?"
"Well, Representative, it doesn't change the definition of the fact that they're driving a personal vehicle. And as I stated to Representative Black, it doesn't give them any additional ability to disobey any traffic lights. I mean, we hope that people in the area will see that they're firemen going to a scene, and perhaps, pull off the side of the road. But clearly they are not compelled to do that, because these people do not have any special privileges when they're driving on the road. But we do hope that this 30 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 12th Legislative Day February 16, 2001 makes it clear to people that there is an emergency in the community that these people are going to try to deal with that community emergency. And we hope that drivers along the roadside, people like you and I, that we would yield even though we may not be required to. Now, I think that the firemen have to understand, already, the volunteer firemen have to understand, already, that they don't have any special rights. This doesn't extend any special rights to them. So, I'm not sure that we need to give them any special training, although I think Representative Black's point that when they joined the volunteer fire department, and perhaps, were given a blue light or wigwags, they need to be told that, you know, you still have to follow the law."
"And once this legislation would turn a personal vehicle into a emergency vehicle what insurance carriers... my knowledge has been that insurance carriers are not going to provide insurance to a personal vehicle because they won't provide insurance to a personal vehicle turned into a emergency vehicle. So, who's going to be responsible when accidents occur?"
"Representative, I'm not certain that we're really turning it into an emergency vehicle. We're not changing what's already happening, instead of a blue light now they have wigwag lights. So, I'm not sure... "
"But you're also indicating there's going to be a siren, are you not?"
"Pardon me?"
"You're also indicating there'd be permission for a siren, are you not?"
"That's correct. Yes."
"Okay. And other flashing lights, rotating, oscillating, 31 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 12th Legislative Day February 16, 2001 whatever the case may be. So, you're in essence, going to turn this into a vehicle... an emergency vehicle. You're going to have to have a designation of an emergency vehicle for it."
"No, we're not changing the definition. I think that's part of what Representative Black was trying to ask. There's still going to be a personal vehicle. It's still going to be a volunteer going to a fire. But we're trying to hope... we hope that that simply makes people that are on the road... sharing the road with these individuals in their personal vehicles responding to a fire, that they are aware of what's happening, and hopefully, they'll yield."
"My concern with the Bill is simply that a personal vehicle not designed to be an emergency vehicle with sirens, and red lights, and whatever other type of colored lights you're going to have on it is going to be a traffic hazard and have great potential for problems when these gentlemen or ladies are trying to get somewhere to help somebody. And that's my concern with the Bill."
"But, Representative, it doesn't give them the right to run stop lights. It doesn't give them the right to speed. It doesn't give them the right to go through stop signs, or to do anything that a real emergency vehicle could do, a fire truck or an ambulance. It doesn't give them any more authority to do anything that they can't already do, it simply provides a mechanism where they can, hopefully be seen, as opposed to a situation where maybe today they're not."
"I think it gives more potential for them to do the type of things you're saying that they won't, and that's my concern with the Bill."
"Well, Representative, and I think Representative Black 32 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 12th Legislative Day February 16, 2001 alluded to that to some degree, and perhaps, we need to ask the volunteer fire departments and fire protection districts when this Bill becomes law, and hopefully, it will, to inform their members that they don't have those rights. That this Bill does not give them any additional driving rights, it just simply allows them to be seen when they're responding."
"It will give them additional equipment that they've never had before."
"Well, Representative, it gives them equipment but it doesn't give them the ability to do anything with that equipment beyond what they already can do."
"But the potential is what I'm concerned about, and the abuse of that privilege of having those lights, and sirens."
"And, I mean, there may be people out there now that are volunteer firemen that are blowing stop signs, and running red lights, and doing things that are already illegal. And this doesn't change that in any way. It doesn't make it easier or more difficult. It just simply tries to make these people more visible."
"Thank you."
"Mr. John Turner." Turner, J.: "Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Gentleman yield?"
"The Sponsor yields." Turner, J.: "Representative, my analysis indicates that the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police are opponents to this Bill. Is that correct, and if so, why?"
"I'm sorry. What was the question?" Turner, J.: "The Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police are opposed to this Bill. Is that correct?"
"Representative, when the Bill was in committee it was 33 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 12th Legislative Day February 16, 2001 not... there were no one testifying against the Bill. So, when the Transportation Committee heard the Bill it came out on a 21-0 vote and there was no one that registered and no one has come to me. So, that's all I can tell you is that I'm not aware of any opposition. If it's out there, and it could be, it would be news to me." Turner, J.: "Has IDOT taken a position?"
"No, they have not weighed in as well." Turner, J.: "Have the Illinois State Police taken a position on this legislation?"
"I actually, discussed it with the Illinois State Police and their view was that this was okay, they would not be opposed to it. So I think it's fair to say that they're neutral. And they didn't... " Turner, J.: "How about the Associated Firefighters of Illinois?"
"Representative, no one filed as a proponent or an opponent on the Bill when we heard it in committee is my recollection. So, that's, you know, to the best of my knowledge some of these groups are perhaps just finding out about the Bill, maybe, but it's been, you know,... " Turner, J.: "Was it a volunteer firefighter in your district that brought this Bill to your attention?"
"That's correct. The Hillsboro Fire Department in my legislative district, a town of about 4,000, asked me if I would introduce this proposal." Turner, J.: "Had there been some problems with this person's ability to reach an emergency situation on time, and because of that problem, he or she felt that they needed these types of lights on their vehicle?"
"Yes. We represent a rural area where oftentimes as I've stated, especially in the summertime, these people that have regular jobs, when the call comes out they drop 34 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 12th Legislative Day February 16, 2001 everything they're doing, they get in their own personal car, their pager says to report to such and such a place and they're trying to get out there. And they got a little blue light in their car, and maybe, they've got a little compact car, and it just doesn't seem like they're being seen. And they thought that while this doesn't compel anyone to yield, nor does it give them any special additional privileges, they hope that the siren and the extra wigwag lights would, in some cases, would create a situation where people, out of courtesy, once they saw that this was a volunteer firemen responding, would simply yield." Turner, J.: "And will each individual firefighter be responsible for the cost of having the equipment placed on the vehicle?"
"Well, Representative, the firefighter or the fire protection district... there'd be no cost to the state, if that's the question you're asking." Turner, J.: "Well, we're not going to mandate any fire district to pay for this equipment to be placed on a vehicle are we?"
"No. It's simply up to them. If they don't want to have anything, they don't have to." Turner, J.: "Thank you."
"Mr. Osmond."
"... yield?"
"Sponsor yields."
"Representative, are you aware that many EMS systems throughout the state are actually prohibiting ambulances from running with red lights, and flashing white lights in nonemergency situations because of the safety factor involved in it?" 35 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 12th Legislative Day February 16, 2001
"No, Representative, I'm not aware of that."
"I've been a volunteer firefighter and paramedic or volunteer paramedic for 23 years and this is one of the biggest problems that we had in our neck of the woods with regards to... particularly young people that are joining the department and get the blue light and have caused all kinds of problems in the area of abusing it. I think this is going to confuse the public and not help the public. I think that's probably why if there's some police associations are against it because of the confusion with the red lights, blue lights, white lights. Many departments have outlawed the use of blue lights already for their members just because of the safety factor in it. I think that the intention is good, and maybe in your particular area it would work fine, but I think up in our area the trend is to go away from blue lights altogether, certainly not to increase the potential for accidents with red lights and blue lights, and the fact that EMS systems right now are also reviewing, you know, the use of any emergency lights allowing even ambulance with patients in it on their way back to the hospital, to not use any emergency lights at all. So, I think that the intentions are good, but I'm going to intend to vote 'no'. And I've been in the situation, have long retired my blue light, you know, at least 15 years ago. Thank you."
"Mr. Bost."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. First off, I want to compliment the Sponsor on this Bill. There is a real problem in rural and deep southern Illinois with this particular issue. The blue lights can't be seen. Matter of fact, the blue lights aren't even respected quite often, as you're trying to get from point A to point B, though you're still obeying the 36 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 12th Legislative Day February 16, 2001 traffic signals, the traffic lights, stop signs. All it is asking is a courtesy for people to move out of the way. What happens is, quite often they don't see the blue light. The other equipment that's being able to be used here whether it's the wigwag lights they draw more attention, or the squawk sirens. If you hit a squawk siren very quickly people will pay attention in their rearview mirror, they will pull off and allow the firefighter to move on to the scene. Now, many of you that come from a nonrural areas don't understand this because you have full-time firefighters all the time, and it's their... they're automatically in an emergency vehicle trying to get to the scene. In the rural areas it is dependent on the firefighters getting to the scene as quickly as possible, and as safely as possible, because the truck is not loaded with 3, 4 and 5 personnel already. Without this ability to wake the people up, and you know, the people that are blocking when you're trying to get to a scene aren't doing it on purpose, quite often they just can't see. All we're asking through this Bill is a sensible opportunity to allow them to use the same sirens and lights to draw the people's attention and have them move out of the way for a quicker response time. I think it's a wonderful Bill. And I know the concerns that are out there as far as you might have that firefighter that maybe wasn't trained correctly, but the thing is then that's our responsibility with those departments that have that. Let us allow our opportunity to train them, and we can do that. But this equipment is necessary for the protection of homes in rural communities. I think the Sponsor's done a wonderful job by carrying this Bill, and I'm just rising in support of it."
"Mr. Hannig to close." 37 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 12th Legislative Day February 16, 2001
"Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members of the House. We ask our volunteers to put their life on the line when they get to the scene of the fire. Let's not ask them to put their life on the line as they try to get to the scene of the fire. This proposal makes it much easier for them to be seen by their friends and neighbors in the community. Most people that I'm aware of will be very happy to yield the road to someone who's trying to get to a fire... to fight a fire in our community. So, it doesn't give any additional powers to the firemen to run red lights, to run stop lights, to speed, or to do anything else, but it simply gives them the ability to be seen. And that's all we're asking here. I think it's a very modest request and something that we should honor for our volunteer firemen and I'd ask for your 'yes' vote."
"The question is, 'Shall this Bill pass?' Those in favor signify by voting 'yes'; those opposed by voting 'no'. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? The Clerk shall take the record. On this question, 102 people voting 'yes', 11 people voting 'no'. This Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Mr. Mautino, did you wish to call House Bill 153? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."
"House Bill 153, a Bill for an Act to amend the Religious and Charitable Risk Pooling Trust Act. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"Mr. Mautino."
"Thank you, Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. House Bill 153 clears up a loophole that's currently in the existing coverages for charitable risk pools. Normally, the... this is extended to 501(c) (3) companies. And what we're asking here is to adopt this 38 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 12th Legislative Day February 16, 2001 similar to the Federal Laws which says, a 501 (c) (3) which has a title-holding 501 (c) (2) company, may spread that liability. We've met with the Department of Insurance and have found no problems with it. As a matter of fact, Representative Parke has joined me in its cosponsorship, and this is... just allows the 501 (2) (c) companies, which hold title to these charitable or religious properties, to spread their liability and loss. And I ask for an 'aye' vote."
"Mr. Parke. Mr. Parke."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Sponsor yields."
"And, Representative, again, this only applies to charitable risk pools. That is correct, nothing else?"
"Correct."
"Okay, thank you. I support this legislation."
"The question is, 'Shall this Bill pass?' Those in favor signify by voting 'yes'; 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 113 people voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no'. This Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Mr. Black."
"Yes, Mr. Speaker, an inquiry of the Chair, if I might?"
"State your inquiry."
"Yes, in the absence of any rules on the camera, and video system, and the jumbo trons, I just want to register my concern that, while Representative Osmond was speaking awhile ago to a Bill, the lighting was so bad in the back that even his own mother couldn't have recognized him, Mr. Speaker. And this is what happens in the absence of rules. I'll bet the lighting's better over on your side of the 39 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 12th Legislative Day February 16, 2001 aisle. We're going to watch this. We're going to watch this, you know. We couldn't even see Mr. Osmond up there. So, he's out on the Internet with nothing but a name. We want action, Mr. Speaker. No rules, better lighting, it would be prudent for you to think about that."
"Mr. Black, you're in good hands. Mr. Osmond."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would prefer to leave the discretion to the Chair. It would be my preference that the Chair exercise its own discretion rather than putting it to a vote, that whether or not we increase the lighting back here. Thank you."
"There was a suggestion that he's part of a Witness Protection Program. Mr. Wirsing, House Bill 314. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."
"House Bill 314, a Bill for an Act concerning food animals. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"Mr. Wirsing."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Members of the House. House Bill 314 creates the... what it would be called the food animal institute, and it would establish such an entity. The goal and purpose of the... establishing the institute is simply to review and encourage research through peer review, and to publish and disseminate unbiased information about all aspects of the food animal industry, anticipating issues with a vision for future of Illinois agriculture, and to maintain comprehensive information systems for the improvement and enhancement of all aspects of the food animal industry here in Illinois. That's the crux of what the House Bill does. This was a issue that we passed through the Illinois House last year, and you know, overwhelmingly, when it went over to the Senate, and because of the shortness of time, did not get it moved 40 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 12th Legislative Day February 16, 2001 through the process in the Senate. So, I am back asking for your support for this Bill."
"Mr. Lawfer."
"Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This Bill had unanimous support of the Agriculture Committee, and I'd urge a 'yes' vote."
Speaker Madigan: "The question is, 'Shall this Bill pass?' All those in favor signify by voting 'yes'; all those opposed by voting 'no'. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Brunsvold. Does Mr. Brunsvold wish to vote? Mr. Novak, do you wish to vote? Does Mr. Brunsvold wish to vote? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 113 people voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no'. This Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. House Bill 508, Mr. Hartke. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."
"House Bill 508, a Bill for an Act in relation to vehicles. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"Mr. Hartke."
"Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker and Members of the House. House Bill 508 is a... amends the Vehicle Code to bring in compliance with federal regulation the rules that regulate the transportation of anhydrous ammonia up and down state roads. Currently, Illinois law allows for a trailer containing an anhydrous tank to only contain 2 thousand gallons of anhydrous ammonia, Federal Law allows 3 thousand gallons on a single trailer. And this brings us into compliance with federal regulation. It will also provide for a much safer transportation of anhydrous ammonia down our state roads. So, I'd be happy to answer any questions."
"The Gentleman moves for the passage of the 41 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 12th Legislative Day February 16, 2001 Bill. Those in favor signify by voting 'yes'; 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 113 people voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no'. This Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. On Supplemental Calendar #1, there appears House Bill 32. Mr. McKeon, do you wish to move your Bill? Mr. Clerk, what is the status of the Bill?"
Clerk Bolin: "House Bill 32, a Bill for an Act to amend the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed."
"For what purpose does Representative Bassi seek recognition?"
"On a point of personal privilege, Mr. Speaker, I'd like to announce to the Conference of Women Legislators that the legislative committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday, February 20th, at 5 p.m., has been cancelled. Thank you."
"Mr. Clerk, are we prepared to move the Bill? Yeah. Put House Bill 32 on the Order of Third Reading. Mr. Lang."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to announce that the House Mental Health Committee will not meet next week."
Speaker Madigan: "House Bill 128, Mr. Schoenberg. Is Mr. Schoenberg in the chamber? House Bill 169, Mr. Holbrook. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of the Bill?"
"House Bill 169, a Bill for an Act to amend the Unemployment Insurance Act. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed."
Speaker Madigan: "Third Reading. House Bill 205, Mr. Saviano. 42 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 12th Legislative Day February 16, 2001 Mr. Clerk, what is the status of the Bill?"
"House Bill 205, a Bill for an Act in relation to nursing. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed."
"Third Reading. House Bill 260, Representative Julie Curry. The Lady does not wish to call her Bill. House Bill 289, Mr. Johnson. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of the Bill?"
"House Bill 289, a Bill for an Act concerning governmental ethics. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed."
Speaker Madigan: "Third Reading. House Bill 305, Mr. Righter. Mr. Righter. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of the Bill?"
"House Bill 305, a Bill for an Act to amend the State Finance Act. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed."
Speaker Madigan: "Third Reading. House Bill 371, Mr. Hannig. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of the Bill?"
"House Bill 371, a Bill for an Act concerning appropriations. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed."
Speaker Madigan: "Third Reading. House Bill 400, Mr. Fritchey. The Gentleman does not wish to call the Bill. House Bill 447, Representative Feigenholtz. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of the Bill?"
"House Bill 447, a Bill for an Act concerning guide dogs. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed." 43 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 12th Legislative Day February 16, 2001
"Mr. Clerk, on House Bill 447, put that on the Order of Third Reading. And, Mr. Clerk, on House Bill 305, put that Bill back on the Order of Second Reading. House Bill 480. Representative Younge indicates she does not wish to call the Bill. House Bill 500, Representative Hamos. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of the Bill?"
"House Bill 500, a Bill for an Act concerning mortgage foreclosures. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed."
Speaker Madigan: "Third Reading. House Bill 582, Mr. Lang. The Gentleman indicates he does not wish to call the Bill. House Bill 583, Mr. Lang. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of the Bill?"
"House Bill 583, a Bill for an Act concerning higher education scholarships. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed. A fiscal note has been requested on the Bill that has not been filed."
Speaker Madigan: "The Bill shall remain on the Order of Second Reading. House Bill 642, Mr. Murphy. Mr. Murphy. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of the Bill?"
Clerk Bolin: "House Bill 642, a Bill for an Act concerning the minimum wage. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed. Several notes have been requested on the Bill that have not been filed."
Speaker Madigan: "The Bill shall remain on the Order of Second Reading. House Bill 654, Mr. Brosnahan. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of the Bill?"
Clerk Bolin: "House Bill 654, A Bill for an Act in relation to persons with disabilities. Second Reading of this House 44 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 12th Legislative Day February 16, 2001 Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed. A fiscal note has been requested and has not been filed."
Speaker Madigan: "The Bill shall remain on the Order of Second Reading. The Chair recognizes Mr. Dart."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just want to clarify, there will not be a Prison Committee next week. It will be coming shortly thereafter, but there's no Prison Meeting (sic-Committee) next week."
Speaker Madigan: "Is there anything further to come before the Body? There being nothing further, the Chair is prepared to adjourn until Wednesday, at 11:30 a.m. Please note the time, because that's the day of the Governor's Budget Message, and it's necessary that we all assemble at 11:30 in the morning. So, Representative Currie moves that the House does stand adjourned until 11:30 a.m., next Wednesday, providing perfunctory time for the Clerk. Those in favor say 'aye'; those opposed say 'no'. The 'ayes' have it. The House does stand adjourned until next Wednesday, at 11:30 a.m., providing perfunctory time for the Clerk."
"Perfunctory Session will come to order. Committee Reports. Representative McGuire, Chairperson from the Committee on Aging, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on February 16, 2001, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' House Bills 591, 594, and 596. Representative O'Brien, Chairperson from the Committee on Judiciary II-Criminal Law, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on February 16, 2001, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' House Bills 126, 196, 226, 427, 494, 45 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 12th Legislative Day February 16, 2001 and 592. 'do pass as amended Short Debate' House Bill 445. Representative Slone, Chairperson from the Committee on Conservation and Land Use, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on February 16, 2001, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' House Bill 147. First Reading and Introduction of House Bills. House Bill 1826, offered by Representative Lou Jones, a Bill for an Act concerning fees. House Bill 1827, offered by Representative Lou Jones, a Bill for an Act concerning fees. House Bill 1828, offered by Representative Lou Jones, a Bill for an Act concerning fees. House Bill 1829, offered by Representative Lou Jones, a Bill for an Act concerning fees. House Bill 1830, offered by Representative Lou Jones, a Bill for an Act concerning fees. House Bill 1831, offered by Representative Lou Jones, a Bill for an Act concerning fees. House Bill 1832, offered by Representative Lou Jones, a Bill for an Act concerning fees. House Bill 1833, offered by Representative Lou Jones, a Bill for an Act concerning fees. House Bill 1834, offered by Representative Lou Jones, a Bill for an Act concerning fees. House Bill 1835, offered by Representative Lou Jones, a Bill for an Act in relation to fees. House Bill 1836, offered by Representative Hannig, a Bill for an Act making appropriations and reappropriations. House Bill 1837, offered by Representative Lou Jones, a Bill for an Act concerning fees. House Bill 1838, offered by Representative Klingler, a Bill for an Act concerning appropriations. House Bill 1839, offered by Representative Giles, a Bill for an Act in relation to education. House Bill 1840, offered by Representative Giles, a Bill for an Act in relation to education. House Bill 1841, offered by Representative Giles, a Bill for an Act in relation to 46 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 12th Legislative Day February 16, 2001 education. House Bill 1842, offered by Representative Durkin, a Bill for an Act in relation to criminal law. House Bill 1843, offered by Representative Durkin, a Bill for an Act in relation to criminal law. House Bill 1844, offered by Representative Durkin, a Bill for an Act in relation to criminal law. House Bill 1845, offered by Representative Jerry Mitchell, a Bill for an Act in relation to education. House Bill 1846, offered by Representative Cross, a Bill for an Act concerning park districts. House Bill 1847, offered by Representative Leitch, a Bill for an Act regarding taxes. House Bill 1848, offered by Representative Howard, a Bill for an Act in relation to estates. House Bill 1849, offered by Representative Poe, a Bill for an Act in relation to public employee benefits. House Bill 1850, offered by Representative Poe, a Bill for an Act in relation to public employee benefits. House Bill 1851, offered by Representative Myers, a Bill for an Act regarding higher education student assistance. House Bill 1852, offered by Representative Righter, a Bill for an Act concerning higher education. House Bill 1853, offered by Representative Parke, a Bill for an Act concerning workers' compensation. House Bill 1854, offered by Representative Beaubian, a Bill for an Act concerning wildlife. House Bill 1855, offered by Representative Kenner, a Bill for an Act in relation to certain grant and loan programs. House Bill 1856, offered by Representative Capparelli, a Bill for an Act in relation to stormwater management. House Bill 1857, offered by Representative Capparelli, a Bill for an Act in relation to public employee benefits. House Bill 1858, offered by Representative Capparelli, a Bill for an Act in relation to public employee benefits. House Bill 1859, offered by 47 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 12th Legislative Day February 16, 2001 Representative Capparelli, a Bill for an Act in relation to public employee benefits. House Bill 1860, offered by Representative Capparelli, a Bill for an Act in relation to public employee benefits. House Bill 1861, offered by Representative Capparelli, a Bill for an Act in relation to public employee benefits. House Bill 1862, offered by Representative Capparelli, a Bill for an Act in relation to public employee benefits. House Bill 1863, offered by Representative Capparelli, a Bill for an Act in relation to public employee benefits. House Bill 1864, offered by Representative Reitz, a Bill for an Act in relation to health. House Bill 1865, offered by Representative Reitz, a Bill for an Act concerning municipal government. House Bill 1866, offered by Representative Reitz, a Bill for an Act concerning local government. House Bill 1867, offered by Representative Durkin, a Bill for an Act concerning criminal law. House Bill 1868, offered by Representative McGuire, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 1869, offered by Representative McGuire, a Bill for an Act concerning schools. House Bill 1870, offered by Representative Durkin, a Bill for an Act concerning libraries. House Bill 1871, offered by Representative Delgado, a Bill for an Act concerning educational labor relations. House Bill 1872, offered by Representative Capparelli, a Bill for an Act in relation to public employee benefits. House Bill 1873, offered by Representative Capparelli, a Bill for an Act in relation to public employee benefits. House Bill 1874, offered by Representative Lang, a Bill for an Act in relation to public employee benefits. House Bill 1875, offered by Representative Hannig, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 1876, offered by Representative 48 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 12th Legislative Day February 16, 2001 Osmond, a Bill for an Act concerning the comprehensive health insurance program. House Bill 1877, offered by Representative McAuliffe, a Bill for an Act in relation to public employee benefits. House Bill 1878, offered by Representative Bradley, a Bill for an Act in relation to public employee benefits. House Bill 1879, offered by Representative Bradley, a Bill for an Act in relation to public employee benefits. House Bill 1880, offered by Representative Acevedo, a Bill for an Act in relation to public employee benefits. House Bill 1881, offered by Representative Acevedo, a Bill for an Act in relation to public employee benefits. House Bill 1882, offered by Representative Barbara Flynn Currie, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 1883, offered by Representative Steve Davis, a Bill for an Act concerning government audits. House Bill 1884, offered by Representative Tom Johnson, a Bill for an Act concerning airport authorities. House Bill 1885, offered by Representative Giles, a Bill for an Act concerning criminal law. House Bill 1886, offered by Representative Hamos, a Bill for an Act to create the Kids Share Endowment Act. House Bill 1887, offered by Representative Hamos, a Bill for an Act in relation to environmental protection. House Bill 1888, offered by Representative Giles, a Bill for an Act concerning utilities. House Bill 1889, offered by Representative Miller, a Bill for an Act concerning insurance coverage. House Bill 1890, offered by Representative Ryan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 1891, offered by Representative Joseph Lyons, a Bill for an Act in relation to public employee benefits. House Bill 1892, offered by Representative Joseph Lyons, a Bill for an Act in relation 49 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 12th Legislative Day February 16, 2001 to public employee benefits. House Bill 1893, offered by Representative Joseph Lyons, a Bill for an Act to authorize the Cook County Forest Preserve District to convey certain property. House Bill 1894, offered by Representative Joseph Lyons, a Bill for an Act in relation to alcoholic liquor. House Bill 1895, offered by Representative Hoeft, a Bill for an Act relating to education. House Bill 1896, offered by Representative Burke, a Bill for an Act in relation to public employee benefits. House Bill 1897, offered by Representative Burke, a Bill for an Act in relation to public employee benefits. House Bill 1898, offered by Representative Bugielski, a Bill for an Act in relation to public employee benefits. House Bill 1899, offered by Representative Bugielski, a Bill for an Act in relation to public employee benefits. House Bill 1900, offered by Representative Parke, a Bill for an Act concerning abortions. House Bill 1901, offered by Representative Bugielski, a Bill for an Act concerning health care benefit information cards. House Bill 1902, offered by Representative Bugielski, a Bill for an Act in relation to public employee benefits. House Bill 1903, offered by Representative Osmond, a Bill for an Act concerning banking. House Bill 1904, offered by Representative Saviano, a Bill for an Act in relation to highways. House Bill 1905, offered by Representative Wirsing, a Bill for an Act concerning higher education. House Bill 1906, offered by Representative Holbrook, a Bill for an Act concerning taxes. House Bill 1907, offered by Representative Steve Davis, a Bill for an Act concerning license plates. House Bill 1908, offered by Representative Jim Meyer, a Bill for an Act concerning schools. House Bill 1909, offered by Representative Garrett, a Bill for an Act in relation to 50 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 12th Legislative Day February 16, 2001 cable television. House Bill 1910, offered by Representative Garrett, a Bill for an Act in relation to estates. House Bill 1911, offered by Representative Collins, a Bill for an Act concerning children. House Bill 1912, offered by Representative McCarthy, a Bill for an Act concerning child support. House Bill 1913, offered by Representative Hamos, a Bill for an Act concerning campaign financing. House Bill 1914, offered by Representative Hamos, a Bill for an Act concerning elections. House Bill 1915, offered by Representative Brunsvold, a Bill for an Act concerning natural resources. House Bill 1916, offered by Representative Soto, a Bill for an Act in relation to public employee benefits. House Bill 1917, offered by Representative Howard, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 1918, offered by Representative Biggins, a Bill for an Act in relation to taxation. House Bill 1919, offered by Representative Joseph Lyons, a Bill for an Act concerning fiscal reports. House Bill 1920, offered by Representative Howard, a Bill for an Act regarding education. House Bill 1921, offered by Representative Scott, a Bill for an Act concerning municipalities. House Bill 1922, offered by Representative Acevedo, a Bill for an Act in relation to criminal law. House Bill 1923, offered by Representative Steve Davis, a Bill for an Act in relation to criminal law. House Bill 1924, offered by Representative Franks, a Bill for an Act concerning taxes. House Bill 1925, offered by Representative Monique Davis, a Bill for an Act in relation to criminal statistics and law enforcement. House Bill 1926, offered by Representative Reitz, a Bill for an Act concerning road districts. House Bill 1927, offered by Representative Delgado, a Bill for an Act concerning 51 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 12th Legislative Day February 16, 2001 schools. House Bill 1928, offered by Representative Bellock, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 1929, offered by Representative Mulligan, a Bill for an Act in relation to child care. House Bill 1930, offered by Representative Scott, a Bill for an Act concerning automotive repair. House Bill 1931, offered by Representative O'Brien, a Bill for an Act concerning indemnification. House Bill 1932, offered by Representative Hartke, a Bill for an Act in relation to county officers. House Bill 1933, offered by Representative Stroger, a Bill for an Act concerning State mandates. House Bill 1934, offered by Representative Joseph Lyons, a Bill for an Act in relation to vehicles. House Bill 1935, offered by Representative Collins, a Bill for an Act relating to heirloom marriage certificates. House Bill 1936, offered by Representative Durkin, a Bill for an Act in relation to criminal law. House Bill 1937, offered by Representative Durkin, a Bill for an Act in relation to pensions. House Bill 1938, offered by Representative Durkin, a Bill for an Act concerning mental health. House Bill 1939, offered by Representative Joseph Lyons, a Bill for an Act in relation to taxes. House Bill 1940, offered by Representative Delgado, a Bill for an Act in relation to criminal law. House Bill 1941, offered by Representative Dart, a Bill for an Act in relation to firearms. House Bill 1942, offered by Representative Brosnahan, a Bill for an Act concerning firearms. House Bill 1943, offered by Representative Brosnahan, a Bill for an Act in relation to firearms. House Bill 1944, offered by Representative Brosnahan, a Bill for an Act concerning firearms. House Bill 1945, offered by Representative Schoenberg, a Bill for an Act in relation to firearms. House Bill 1946, offered by Representative 52 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 12th Legislative Day February 16, 2001 Osterman, a Bill for an Act in relation to criminal law. House Bill 1947, offered by Representative Acevedo, a Bill for an Act in relation to criminal law. House Bill 1948, offered by Representative Monique Davis, a Bill for an Act in relation to financial regulation. House Bill 1949, offered by Representative Monique Davis, a Bill for an Act concerning residential mortgages. House Bill 1950, offered by Representative Monique Davis, a Bill for an Act in relation to insurance. House Bill 1951, offered by Representative Monique Davis, a Bill for an Act in relation to insurance. House Bill 1952, offered by Representative Steve Davis, a Bill for an Act concerning open meetings. House Bill 1953, offered by Representative Durkin, a Bill for an Act concerning civil procedure. House Bill 1954, offered by Representative Saviano, a Bill for an Act to amend the Health Care Professional Credentials Data Collection Act. House Bill 1955, offered by Representative Saviano, a Bill for an Act in relation to employment. House Bill 1956, offered by Representative Moffitt, a Bill for an Act concerning the payment of local government fees. House Bill 1957, offered by Representative Moffitt, a Bill for an Act in relation to townships. House Bill 1958, offered by Representative Jim Meyer, a Bill for an Act in relation to vehicles. House Bill 1959, offered by Representative Jim Meyer, a Bill for an Act concerning forest preserves. House Bill 1960, offered by Representative Jim Meyer, a Bill for an Act concerning public health. House Bill 1961, offered by Representative Dart, a Bill for an Act in relation to criminal law. House Bill 1962, offered by Representative Fowler, a Bill for an Act in relation to public transportation. House Bill 1963, offered by Representative Hoffman, a Bill for an Act concerning workers' 53 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 12th Legislative Day February 16, 2001 compensation. House Bill 1964, offered by Representative Hoffman, a Bill for an Act in relation to public employee benefits. House Bill 1965, offered by Representative Mautino, a Bill for an Act to create a moratorium on new State testing. House Bill 1966, offered by Representative Kosel, a Bill for an Act in relation to taxes. House Bill 1967, offered by Representative Scott, a Bill for an Act concerning insurance. House Bill 1968, offered by Representative Ryder, a Bill for an Act regarding vehicles. House Bill 1969, offered by Representative Acevedo, a Bill for an Act concerning criminal law. House Bill 1970, offered by Representative Moore, a Bill for an Act in relation business transactions. House Bill 1971, offered by Representative Winkel, a Bill for an Act in relation to the certification of mediators. House Bill 1972, offered by Representative Lawfer, a Bill for an Act concerning library districts. House Bill 1973, offered by Representative Bost, a Bill for an Act concerning fire protection. House Bill 1974, offered by Representative Brunsvold, a Bill for an Act in relation to athletic trainers. House Bill 1975, offered by Representative Novak, a Bill for an Act concerning taxes. House Bill 1976, offered by Representative Cross, a Bill for an Act in relation to vehicles. House Bill 1977, offered by Representative Cross, a Bill for an Act concerning taxes. House Bill 1978, offered by Representative Moffitt, a Bill for an Act in relation to gambling. First Reading of these House Bills."
Clerk Rossi: "There being no further business, the House Perfunctory Session stands adjourned." 54