"The House shall come to order. The Members shall be in their chairs. We shall be led today in prayer 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."
Pastor Crawford: "May we bow our heads. Most sovereign and gracious God, be merciful toward us as we stand before You with humble hearts. For we know that is You that resist the proud, but yet You give grace to the humble. It is You that give healing to the sick, ... to those in sorrow, wisdom to the unwise, knowledge to those who lack understanding. But above all, You give life to those who are dead. And it is You who gives it more abundantly. This we pray. Amen."
Speaker Madigan: "Led in the Pledge of Allegiance by Representative Mary Flowers." Flowers: - et al: "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
Speaker Madigan: "Roll Call for Attendance. Representative Currie."
"Thank you, Speaker. Please let the record reflect the excused absence of Representative Granberg today."
"Mr. Poe."
"Yeah, Mr. Speaker, let the record show that Representative Ron Stevens is excused today."
"Mr. Clerk, take the record. There being 116 Members responding to the Attendance Roll Call, there is a quorum present. Mr. Clerk."
Clerk Rossi: "Committee Reports. Representative Smith, 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 25th Legislative Day March 14, 2001 Chairperson from the Committee on Agriculture, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on Tuesday, March 13, 2001, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' House Bill 3085, House Bill 3237, House Bill 3238, House Bill 3320. Recommends 'be adopted' House Joint Resolution 12. Representative Crotty, Chairperson from the Committee on Children and Youth, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on Tuesday, March 13, 2001, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' House Bill 236, House Bill 643, House Bill 3055, House Bill 3084, House Bill 3305, House Bill 3327; 'do pass as amended Short Debate' House Bill 23, House Bill 184, and House Bill 548. Representative Steve Davis, Chairperson from the Committee on Constitutional Officers, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on Tuesday, March 13, 2001, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' House Bill 2100, House Bill 2258, House Bill 2268, House Bill 3065, House Bill 3099, House Bill 3318, House Bill 3382; 'do pass as amended Short Debate' House Bill 86, House Bill 2283, House Bill 3336. Representative Fritchey, Chairperson from the Committee on Consumer Protection, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on Tuesday, March 13, 2001, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' House Bill 3068, House Bill 3179; 'do pass as amended Short Debate' House Bill 570 and House Bill 3105; 'do pass as amended' House Bill 1909. Representative Boland, Chairperson from the Committee on Elections and Campaign Reform, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on Tuesday, March 13, 2001, reported 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 25th Legislative Day March 14, 2001 the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass as amended Standard Debate' House Bill 1769; 'do pass as amended Short Debate' House Bill 3578, House Bill 3579, House Bill 3580, House Bill 3581, House Bill 3582 and House Bill 3583; 'do pass Short Debate' House Bill 392, House Bill 1913, House Bill 1982, House Bill 2153, House Bill 3029, House Bill 3145, House Bill 3148, House Bill 3149, House Bill 3150, House Bill 3341, House Bill 3349, House Bill 3368; Tabled in Committee, House Bill 3384. Representative Bugielski, Chairperson from the Committee on Financial Institutions, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on Tuesday, March 13, 2001, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' House Bill 2207, House Bill 3103 and House Bill 3261; 'do pass as amended' House Bill 2538. Representative Mautino, Chairperson from the Committee on Insurance, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on Tuesday, March 13, 2001, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass as amended Short Debate' House Bill 2419, House Bill 2993 and House Bill 2994; 'do pass Short Debate' House Bill 2555, House Bill 3012 and House Bill 3567. Representative Shirley Jones, Chairperson from the Committee on Public Utilities, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on Tuesday, March 13, 2001, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass as amended Short Debate' House Bill 3083. Representative Flowers, Chairperson from the Committee on Health Care Availability and Access, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on Tuesday, March 13, 2001, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' House Bill 1901; 'do pass as 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 25th Legislative Day March 14, 2001 amended' House Bill 241; 'do pass Standard Debate' House Bill 246; 'do pass as amended Standard Debate' House Bill 264. Representative Hoffman, Chairperson from the Committee on Transportation and Motor Vehicles, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on Tuesday, March 13, 2001, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' House Bill 579, House Bill 580, House Bill 2098, House Bill 3073, House Bill 3081, House Bill 3082, House Bill 3095, House Bill 3302; 'do pass Standard Debate' House Bill 1765, House Bill 2201; 'do pass as amended Short Debate' House Bill 2056 and House Bill 3210.
Speaker Madigan: "On page 21 of the Calendar, on the Order of House Bills-Third Reading there appears House Bill 1907, Mr. Steve Davis. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."
Clerk Rossi: "House Bill 1907, a Bill for an Act concerning license plates. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"Mr. Steve Davis." Davis, S.: "Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. House Bill 1907 is a... is another license plate Bill that creates a special license plate for the Chicago and the Northeast Illinois District Council of Carpenters. And as many of you know in the chamber, I'm proud to be a voice for organized labor in the State of Illinois and it was... this initiative was brought to me to sponsor and I was happy to sponsor it. I'd be happy to answer any questions on the Bill and I would certainly ask for a favorable vote."
"Mr. Cross."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"The Sponsor yields."
"Representative Davis, I think one of the concerns we 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 25th Legislative Day March 14, 2001 have, or at least some of us if not all of us on this side of the aisle, have is the issue of where does the money go? It's our understanding that there's nothing outlined in the Bill specifically stating where the money goes for the plates." Davis, S.: "If you'll bear with me for a minute, Representative, I'll try to answer your question. It's my understanding that there's a $25 extra charge and initially, $10 will be deposited to the Chicago and Northeast Illinois District Council of Carpenters Fund, which is created... a special fund that will be created and then the District Carpenters Council would determine where this money would go and it would be given to charitable organizations.
"Steve, is there any... it appears... and is that the only extra money we're talking about, the $23?" Davis, S.: "It's a $25 charge, 23 of it would go into the Carpenters Fund, $2 into the Secretary of State's Special License Plate Fund. Representative, $2 into the Secretary of State's License Plate Fund, $23 into the District Carpenters Fund."
"Steve, then it appears that of that 25, 23 of... it's a little confusing in here, a little noisy, I may have missed it, that 23 goes into this special fund run by the carpenters?" Davis, S. "The fund would be collected and established by the Secretary of State... "
"Right." Davis, S.: "... but however, the carpenters would direct where the charitable contributions went. Because currently, the district carpenters have certain charities that they support and this money would go to those charities that they support. And understand it it's only district 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 25th Legislative Day March 14, 2001 carpenters who are buying the license plates in the first place so..."
"But the General Assembly would have absolutely no control over where this money ends up." Davis, S.: "Who has no control? The General Assembly?"
"The General Assembly or the Secretary of State's Office..." Davis, S.: "No, the Bill...that's correct."
"... would have absolutely no control over where the money goes." Davis, S.: "That's correct. We give control of the district carpenters to determine which charitable organizations that they would like to send the money to and... if you'll give me a minute, I can tell you the charitable organizations that they contribute to."
"Pardon me?" Davis, S.: "If you'll give me one second, I'll tell you the charitable organizations that they contribute to. Currently, they are contributing to Meredosia Home Special Olympics, American Cancer Fund, and the Mantino Veterans Home."
"But, Steve..., and I'm sure you can understand and certainly those funds are all worthy funds and no one's gonna question that, but there's certainly the potential if they wanted to because there's no oversight from the General Assembly or the Secretary of State's Office to give the money to any fund they wanted to. In fact, they could dummy up a fund, a charitable fund and give it to anybody, legit or not and there's no way to police it, so to speak. I think that's our fear. Are we missing something?" Davis, S.: "No, I think that that's a legitimate concern, Representative. However, I think that we can understand 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 25th Legislative Day March 14, 2001 that the Chicago and Northeast District Council of Carpenters has a long history of responsible... responsibility in helping their communities and giving money to charitable organizations and I don't think the General Assembly or anybody in the State of Illinois should have to fear an abuse of where these monies would end up and what charities that they would go to."
"All right and I think there may be some other people that want to question you, Steve. I just think there's some real potential here for abuse and I'm not at all suggesting that that's your intention, not questioning you as a Sponsor, whatsoever. But I do think we need to be careful about that and I don't know if there's a better way to draft this Bill to prevent that abuse. We're saying here's some money, do with it however you wish without any parameters. And I think we just have some concerns. So, I've made my point. Thank you." Davis, S.: "Thank you, Representative."
"Mr. Dale Righter."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"The Sponsor yields."
"Representative Davis, I want to follow up a little bit on some of the questioning that Representative Cross initiated. Can you tell me how much money the council has given out each year in charitable grants or whatever they may do?" Davis, S.: "Could you repeat the question, Representative? I'm sorry, I couldn't understand the question."
"Representative, can you give me an idea of how much money the Chicago and Northeast Illinois District Council of Carpenters give out each year or what kind of charitable acts specifically, they engage in that would be assisted by 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 25th Legislative Day March 14, 2001 this fund?" Davis, S.: "How much the Carpenters give out to charities?"
"Yes." Davis, S.: "Is that the question, Representative? I don't have that information. The only information I do have is which charities that they are currently donating to. Would you like me to read those charities off again, Representative.?"
"I would, thank you, Representative." Davis, S.: "Currently, they're giving their money to the Meredosia Home Special Olympics, the American Cancer Fund and Mantino Veterans Home."
"Are they... does the council typically engage in charitable acts with regards to just one region of the state or is this more of a statewide organization and entity that tries to help with projects throughout the entire state?" Davis, S.: "Well, I would say that the Cancer Society and the Special Olympics certainly are... would be statewide. Those two charities on the list certainly would be."
"Are there... Representative, can you think of any other special plates Bills that are laws that are in effect now where they have gone to a group that is typically centralized or in one region like the council is?" Davis, S.: "Well, we have about 47 or 48 special license plates in the State of Illinois, Representative, and I couldn't tell you exactly what every one of them are. If you want to hold on for a second, I can read you off some examples of some of the plates that we have. We've got 15 versions of college plates; we've got 14 versions of military plates; we've got the environmental plate; we've got the preventive violence plates; we've got sporting series 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 25th Legislative Day March 14, 2001 plates, ducks, geese, pheasants and turkey, deer and bass; we've got firefighter plates for the firefighters in the State of Illinois; we've got master mason plates with my good friend, Representative Bost, sponsored a couple of years ago for master masons in the State of Illinois; we've got mammograms plates that raise money for the mammogram fund in the State of Illinois; we've got the Peoria Wildlife Prairie Park plates; we've got the Illinois and Michigan Canal plate; we've got organ donor plates, and we've got plates honoring mayors in the State of Illinois. That's just some of the few special plates that we have. And I think that all of us in this chamber understand it's very hard to... we have a lot of license plate Bills and they come through our committee in Constitutional Officers. We have constituents who would like a special plate and we try to accommodate them in the General Assembly. Someday I would like to have us have a generic plate with a sticker on it. I think we passed a law five years ago to do that and I think that we as an entire Body need to perhaps focus on that in the future."
"Representative Davis, one last question. Since you're carrying the Bill for them, are they gonna put your likeness on the plate if it gets passed?" Davis, S.: "I'm sorry?"
"Since you're carrying it for them, are they gonna put your likeness on the plate, since you're carrying the Bill for 'em?" Davis, S.: "I didn't hear you, do it one more time."
"It's all right." Davis, S.: "I'm sorry."
"That's all right. I have no further questions, Mr. Speaker. Thank you." 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 25th Legislative Day March 14, 2001 Davis, S.: "It's very noisy in here, Speaker."
"Mr. Black."
"Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Sponsor yields."
"Representative, what's the rule where the money from the plate goes into a fund, the Northeast Illinois District Council of Carpenters Fund, is that a nonprofit, 503C fund? I mean, I don't really know the answer if you can put money into any fund that somebody creates. I mean, are there guidelines as to the fund where the money from those specialty plates would be deposited?" Davis, S.: "Well, Representative, we're creating the fund by the legislation, okay. And then, we're giving the Chicago and Northeastern District Council Carpenters the authority to be able to direct those monies to charities that the district council supports. And the reason being, Representative Black, is that the only people buying these license plates are going to be district members, members of the district council. It's their money, they're paying the extra money. So therefore... instead of putting the money in the state, we're going to... they're going to give the money to some charities that need the money, some charitable causes that they support, which I think is an honorable thing to do."
"All right. I've no quarrel with that. But in the absence of any specific language, would a charitable donation be allowed to the Citizens for Bullwinkle Fund, for example?" Davis, S.: "It may. It may. It would be my hope and dream that they would not ask for that money to go to the Bullwinkle Party Fund." 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 25th Legislative Day March 14, 2001
"How about the Bull Moose Party?" Davis, S.: "Well... "
"I think others have raised the question, in the absence of any specific guidelines, it would seem to me that this fund could make a donation to any group they so desire and if that would be a political group then that would be fine, because I guess it's their money. I suppose they could do that if they wanted to do it. Right?" Davis, S.: "No, I think it's the intent of the legislation that it would have to be a 5013C, not-for-profit corporation."
"All right. So, this would not have any impact on any of the carpenters or members of the carpenters union down my way. I mean, they wouldn't be able to get in this plate or display the plate." Davis, S.: "No, but next year we might."
"I see. Well, I thought there was a Bill that was just gonna create a union plate, that could be statewide. Perhaps that might be a better way to do it. But this..." Davis, S.: "I believe we passed that Bill out of committee. I don't know if we passed it off the floor yet but, that's another special plate Bill that is certainly coming."
"Okay. Well, thank you very much." Davis, S.: "Thank you, Representative."
"Mr. Davis to close." Davis, S.: "Ladies and Gentlemen of the House, I ask for your 'aye' vote. Thank you very much."
"The Gentleman has moved for the passage of the 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? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 71 people voting 'yes', 45 people voting 'no'. 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 25th Legislative Day March 14, 2001 This Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Mr. Hartke in the Chair. Speaker Madigan in the Chair. Mr. Clerk, on page 11 of the Calendar, on the order of House Bills-Second Reading there appears House Bill 2200. What is the status of the Bill?"
Clerk Rossi: "House Bill 2200, a Bill for an Act concerning property taxes. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. No Motions have been filed. No Floor Amendments approved for consideration."
"Third Reading. Representative Hartke in the Chair."
Speaker Hartke: "... today, we're gonna try to run through a bunch of Second Reading to Third Reading Bills. I'm gonna go down the Calendar and if you have a Bill that has an Amendment pending, I will not be calling the Bill. On page 2 of the Calendar appears House Bill 25, Representative Feigenholtz. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."
Clerk Rossi: "House Bill 25 has been read a second time, previously. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. No Motions have been filed. Floor Amendment #2, offered by Representative Feigenholtz has been approved for consideration."
"Representative Feigenholtz on Amendment #2."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Amendment #2 is an agreed Amendment with the Department of Public Aid, to fully implement to the greatest extent that we in the State of Illinois can, the Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Act of 2000."
"Is there any discussion? The Chair recognizes the Gentleman from Vermilion, Representative Black, on the Amendment." 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 25th Legislative Day March 14, 2001
"Yes, thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. To the Amendment. Representative, it is my understanding that we're running a program in Illinois funded by the Federal Center for Disease Control and partly by a GRF appropriation that will screen low-income women for breast and cervical cancer. Is that correct?"
"That is correct."
"It further is my understanding that once a woman is diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer, then we do absolutely nothing to fund their treatment. Is that correct?"
"That is sad but true. But I think this Bill will remedy that."
"That's what I was going to say. Your Bill will correct what I think is an obvious deficiency. I mean, it makes no sense to fund a screening program for low-income women and then if they're diagnosed with cancer, breast cancer or cervical cancer, news certainly that no one would want to get, we offer them absolutely no assistance for treatment. So your Bill is going to correct that by taking these low-income women who now have been screened and, heaven forbid, found to be suffering from the horrible disease, through the use of Medicaid you're going to make them eligible for treatment. Is that correct?"
"That is correct. And I would also like to mention to you, Representative Black, that since its inception in 1995, 17,300 women were screened in the State of Illinois and out of them 133 women were diagnosed with breast cancer or cervical cancer. The breakdown was actually 125 with breast cancer and 9 with cervical cancer. In this Bill we have an opportunity to get an enhanced match from the Federal Government to close, partially close the gap and 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 25th Legislative Day March 14, 2001 assist some of these women with treatment. Keep in mind that these women have to be treated through this CDC screening program, so it's not the whole universe of women who are screened with breast cancer. It is simply women who are going through this CDC approved screening process. And it's the Federal Government's way in assisting the states in trying to give women who are not Medicaid eligible and do not have creditable insurance an opportunity to get treatment."
"Well, Representative, I thank you very much. Ladies and Gentlemen of the House, to the Amendment. Let me commend the Sponsor of this Bill and also the work of our Lieutenant Governor for helping us create a policy that makes inherent good sense. If you'll stop and think about the current situation, isn't it somewhat ... the incredulity that I've found looking at Representative Feigenholtz's Amendment. We were diagnosing working-poor women for cancer and then if the diagnosis found that cancer was in fact present, telling them that they were on their own for treatment. That's an egregious misuse of the well intended legislation that originally passed this chamber. And let me just say that Lieutenant Governor Wood has made this, as you know, one of her top legislative initiatives. She went to Washington and worked with our congressional delegation and Speaker Hastert to pass Federal Legislation that I think makes this Amendment and this Bill such an outstanding piece of legislation. And I commend Representative Feigenholtz for working very diligently with the Department of Public Health and Public Aid as well as the Office of Lieutenant Governor to make this program do what it should of done all along. And with 65% of the program being funded by our federal tax dollars 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 25th Legislative Day March 14, 2001 coming back to us in Illinois, which is one of the things Governor Ryan mentioned in his budget address. I not only stand in support of the... excuse me... in support of the Amendment, but commend all those involved, and in particularly Representative Feigenholtz, for bringing this forward. I thank you very much. I urge an 'aye' vote on the Amendment."
Speaker Hartke: "There are three people seeking recognition. Does anyone stand in opposition to this Amendment? We can speak to the Bill later. Representative Wirsing."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I am in support of the Bill but there's a scenario that had happened in committee that I needed to address relative..."
"Please address."
"... to the Sponsor. Representative Feigenholtz, I just want to simply thank you as I asked in committee to clarify your working with the Department, with Lieutenant Governor Wood, on clarifying some issues that we raised... that were raised in committee. And... 'cause I'm in full support of the Amendment and I just wanted to let the Members know that you were willing to work to bring this Amendment to the floor to address this very important issue that we're dealing with. So, thank you for working with the Department and Lieutenant Governor Wood. I do appreciate that."
"Representative Coulson."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just want to say that this is a very long time in coming and a very necessary Bill. And I appreciate all the work that Representative Feigenholtz and the people in Human Services Committee were willing to do and I urge your support."
"Representative Lyons." 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 25th Legislative Day March 14, 2001 Lyons, E.: "Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would also like to join the others in thanking and commending the Sponsor for her efforts. There's no more of a cruel hoax then to be diagnosed with cancer and then be denied treatment. So, thank you, Representative Feigenholtz, very much."
Speaker Hartke: "The question is, 'Shall the House adopt Floor Amendment #2 to House Bill 25?' All those in favor will signify by saying 'yes'; those opposed 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it and Floor Amendment #2 is adopted. Further Amendments?"
"No further Amendments."
"Third Reading. House Bill 36, Representative Poe. Out of the record. House Bill 60, Representative Black. ... Amendment's been approved for consideration. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."
Clerk Rossi: "House Bill 60, a Bill for an Act concerning carnivals. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. Floor Amendment #1, offered by Representative Black, has been approved for consideration."
"Representative Black."
"Yes, withdraw Amendment #1, please."
"Withdraw Amendment #1. Further Amendments?"
Clerk Rossi: "Floor Amendment #2, offered by Representative Black, has been approved for consideration."
"Representative Black."
"Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. Amendment #2 was suggested by Members of the committee when we presented this Bill. It basically becomes the Bill but it does maintain some of the underlying provisions of the original Bill. The additional information does not need to be collected for employees or contractors of the carnival who have not worked for the 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 25th Legislative Day March 14, 2001 carnival at least 20 hours per week during the 60 days immediately preceding the day of arrival of the carnival in that community. The Amendment also adds the provision that the copy provided to the law enforcement agency by the carnival shall also be provided to the Department of Labor upon request of that entity. As I said, the Amendment was requested after questions were raised in Cities and Villages Committee. That's what this does. It was brought to me by the chief of police of a small community in my district. This is what we've been doing for years with the state fair and he thinks it's time that carnivals and attractions that come into small cities should be able to furnish background information on their employees if requested by the law enforcement entity."
"Is there any discussion? The question is, 'Shall the House adopt Floor Amendment #2 to House Bill 60?' All those in favor signify by saying 'aye'; opposed 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it and Floor Amendment #2 is adopted. Further Amendments?"
"No further Amendments."
"Third Reading. House Bill 80, Representative Lang. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."
Clerk Rossi: "House Bill 80 has been read a second time, previously. No Committee Amendments. Floor Amendment #1, offered by Representative Lang, has been approved for consideration."
"Representative Lang."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen. This is an Amendment that was suggested by the committee and I was happy to add it. It's an Amendment that requires that all appeals be exhausted. All administrative activity be performed under the current laws regarding HMO's before 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 25th Legislative Day March 14, 2001 anyone would sue their HMO. I would ask your support on the Amendment."
"Is there any discussion? Seeing that no one is seeking recognition, the question is, 'Shall the House... The Chair recognizes Representative Mulligan."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"The Sponsor indicates he will yield."
"Representative, Floor Amendment 1, does this amend the Bill to include going to mediation before you go to suit?"
"It requires that before bringing an action a person must exercise any appeal or review procedures available under the Managed Care Reform and Patients Rights Act. So I believe that Act requires arbitration and therefore this Amendment would work well with that."
"Okay, and that's what you promised in committee that you would do before you moved the Bill."
"That's correct."
"Thank you."
Speaker Hartke: "Further discussion? The Chair recognizes the Gentleman from Vermilion, Representative Black."
"Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"The Sponsor will yield."
"Well, Representative, in committee you said you would hold the Bill until you had an Amendment that addressed all the concerns about definition of physician. I think the Amendment does that. Is that correct?"
"I don't think that's this Bill, Representative. I don't think there was a discussion, if I'm remembering correctly, in committee regarding the definition of physician."
"Our notes indi... "
"I'm sorry, it was the definition of who is a person." 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 25th Legislative Day March 14, 2001
"Right."
"But that's defined under the patient... "
"Okay."
"... under the Managed Care Reform Act. And we changed the word to 'any entity' instead of 'person', 'cause that was confusing."
"So the Amendment clarifies that persons must exercise appeal and review procedures under the Managed Care Reform and Patients Rights Act."
"That's correct. The idea is that before you go suing the HMO, you should find out if there are any procedures that the HMO has that would enable you to appeal internally."
"All right. I appreciate you bringing that to our attention. Mr. Speaker, an inquiry of the Chair."
"State your inquiry."
"Yes, how many Amendments has Representative Lang offered..."
"Mr. Clerk."
"...to various Bills? The total. Can he have more than five Amendments?"
"Not on this Bill, Representative."
"Would you clarify your question, please?"
"Yes, it seems like he has amended several of his 352 Bills on the Calendar. Has he had more than five Amendments?"
"Mr. Black, we're talking about House Bill 80."
"Well, yes I know but he has House Bill 1 through 383, I think."
"We'll work on those when we get to 'em. We're on House Bill 80."
"Well, would you take it under advisement? I want to make sure he's only had five Amendments. And this one is so 19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 25th Legislative Day March 14, 2001 complicated, it ought to count as three. So, if you'd take that under advisement and get back to us?"
"Will do."
"Thank you."
"Further discussion? Seeing that no one is seeking recognition, the question is, 'Shall the House adopt Floor Amendment #1 to House Bill 80?' All those in favor signify by saying 'aye'; opposed 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it and Floor Amendment #1 is adopted. Further Amendments?"
"No further Amendments."
"Third Reading. On page 2 of the Calendar appears House Bill 131. Representative Schoenberg. Representative Schoenberg. Out of the record. House Bill 144, Representative Black. Out of the record. The Amendment has been approved for consideration. Your Amendment, Mr. Black, has been approved for consideration. Out of the record. House Bill 148, Representative Berns. Jim (sic Tom) Berns? Out of the record. What is the status of House Bill 524?"
"House Bill 524 is on the Order of House Bills-Third Reading."
"Place that Bill on the Calendar of Second Reading at the request of the Sponsor for an Amendment. House Bill 2111, Mr. Clerk."
Clerk Rossi: "House Bill 2111 is on the Order of House Bills-Third Reading."
Speaker Hartke: "Place that Bill back on the Order of Second Reading for the purpose of an Amendment. How 'bout House Bill 1040?"
Clerk Rossi: "House Bill 1040 is on the Order of House Bills-Third Reading." 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 25th Legislative Day March 14, 2001
"Place that Bill back on the Order of Second Reading for purposes of an Amendment. House Bill 2280."
Clerk Rossi: "House Bill 2280 is on the Order of House Bills-Third Reading."
"Place that Bill on the Order of Second Reading for the purposes of an Amendment. Page 3 on the Calendar appears House Bill 151. Representative Turner, John Turner. Out of the record. House Bill 158, Representative Dart. Out of the record. House Bill 176, Representative Hoffman. Out of the record. House Bill 190, Representative Hoeft. Your Floor Amendments have been approved for consideration. Floor Amendments #1 and... or excuse me, Floor Amendment #2 has been approved. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."
"House Bill 190 has been read a second time, previously. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. No Motions have been filed. Floor Amendment #2, offered by Representative Hoeft, has been approved for consideration."
"Representative Hoeft."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This was at a request from the IEA to allow both management and the teachers to negotiate, to open up the school calendar if they so choose. There was no opposition. I'd ask that it be adopted."
Speaker Hartke: "Is there any discussion. Seeing nobody's seeking recognition, the question is 'Shall the House adopt Floor Amendment #2 to House Bill 190?' All those in favor signify by saying 'aye'; opposed 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it and Floor Amendment #2 is adopted. Further Amendments?"
"No further Amendments."
Speaker Hartke: "Third Reading. On page 2 of the Calendar appears House Bill 148. Read the Bill." 21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 25th Legislative Day March 14, 2001
"House Bill 148, a Bill for an Act to require criminal background checks of applicants for the position of peace officer. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. No Motions have been filed. No Floor Amendments approved for consideration."
Speaker Hartke: "Third Reading. House Bill 200, Representative Winkel. Your Amendment has been approved for consideration. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."
Clerk Rossi: "House Bill 200, a Bill for an Act in relation to contributions to candidates, political committees, and public officials. Second reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. Floor Amendment #1, offered by Representative Winkel has been approved for consideration."
Speaker Hartke: "Representative Winkel. Representative... Speaker Madigan in the Chair."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House...Floor Amendment #1 to House Bill 200 would add the element of knowing that the person who is accused of accepting the contribution would have to knowingly accept it. That was a recommendation from the committee and that's what the Floor Amendment does and I'd be glad to answer any questions."
"The Gentleman moves for the adoption of the Amendment. Those in favor say 'aye'; those opposed say 'no'. They 'ayes' have it, the Amendment is adopted. Are there any further Amendments?"
"No further Amendments."
Speaker Madigan: "Third Reading. The Chair is prepared to adjourn until tomorrow at 3:00 p.m. So Ladies and Gentlemen, if we could have your attention. Please. We're prepared to adjourn until tomorrow at 3:00 p.m. The Republicans plan to go to caucus. The Democrats should not 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 25th Legislative Day March 14, 2001 leave the floor until you receive a handout from the Pages. It will be of great interest to you. So, make sure you get the handout from the Pages before you leave the floor. The Chair recognizes Representative Lindner."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Republicans do request a caucus for approximately 20 minutes."
"Please be advised that the committees will be delayed until 1:30. Committees will be delayed until 1:30. Democrats get a copy of this handout before you leave the floor. Representative Currie moves that the House does stand adjourned until tomorrow at 3:00 p.m. Those in favor say 'aye'; those opposed say 'no'. The 'ayes' have it. The House does stand adjourned until tomorrow at 3:00 p.m. providing perfunctory time for the Clerk."
Clerk Rossi: "House Perfunctory Session shall come to order. There being no business before the House, the House Perfunctory Session stands adjourned." 23