"The House will be in Session. The Members will please be in their seats. We'll be led in prayer today by the Reverend Herb Mueller, who is the President of the Southern Illinois District Synod in Waterloo. Reverend Mueller is the guest of Representative Dan Reitz. The guests in the gallery may wish to rise and join us for the invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance. Reverend Mueller."
"Let us pray. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. The Scripture says, 'The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein.' Oh Lord, our God, Creator and Father of us all, in Your wise providence You ordain government for the sake of the common good. We praise You that You have given us the privilege of living in a free land. We thank You that the people of Illinois have the freedom to elect Representatives by which to govern themselves. We bless You for the privilege we have to gather this day to make and to administer the laws of our state. Yet, this is a difficult time for our nation Oh Father, for we are engaged in a struggle against terrorism. We face a time of economic uncertainty and there are many decisions before us that call for wisdom and discernment. We confess Oh Lord, that we have not been worthy of the people's trust and that we do not ourselves have the strength and determination we need to govern effectively. Forgive us our many failures Oh God, for the sake of Your one and only son, Jesus Christ, who gave His life on the cross and rose again for us all. Because of Jesus we know we can come to You and know for certain that You hear us. Now, by Your spirit's power graciously guide the President and Congress of our Nation, the Governor and Legislature of 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day February 20, 2002 the State of Illinois gathered here this day, that they may be high in purpose, wise in council, firm in good resolution and unwavering in their duty, so that the people of this state may be governed peaceably and with justice for all. Be with the poor, the weak, the defenseless and those who have experienced injustice, those who are in need. Give the leaders of our state everything You know they need to make wise laws and fair policies, so that more of our citizens may fully enjoy the blessings of our country because life is Your precious gift. Help us in all we do to uphold and protect the value of each and every human life. All these things we pray in the name of Jesus our Lord, trusting that You are already at work to hear and to answer us for Jesus' sake. Amen."
"We will be led in the pledge by Representative Wojcik."
Wojcik - 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."
"Roll Call for Attendance. Representative Bost for excused absences."
"Thank you, Madam Speaker. The Republicans would like to report that Representative Berns is excused today."
"Representative Hannig."
"Yes, thank you, Madam Speaker, Members of the House. All Democrats are present and accounted for today."
Speaker Currie: "And I know you'll all join me in welcoming back Representative Bugielski. Clerk, take the record. A quorum is present. The Chair recognizes Representative Hannig. For what purpose do you rise?"
"Yes, thank you, Madam Speaker and Members of the House. 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day February 20, 2002 I would ask at this time, and it's been cleared with the other side of the aisle, that a number of committees that are scheduled to meet today at 2:30, that we waive the posting requirement so that those committees can meet at the hour of 1:30. Those are the Appropriations-Elementary & Secondary Education Committee, the Children & Youth Committee, Insurance, Public Utilities."
"...I believe 2 o'clock, wasn't it 2 o'clock?"
"Excuse me, did I... 2 o'clock. Transportation, the Railroad subcommittee, the Transportation RBTS subcommittee and then the regular Transportation & Motor Vehicles. So, I would move that we waive the posting requirements on those 2:30 committees, so that they can meet today at the hour of 2 o'clock."
"Is there leave for the Attendance Roll Call on the Motion? Leave is granted and the Motion is adopted. Representative Hannig."
"Yes, thank you, Madam Speaker. And also, for Members of the Democratic side of the aisle, our Democratic Task Force on the Budget is canceled, for today only."
"The Chair is happy to recognize Representative Bugielski. For what reason do you rise?"
"Thank you, Madam Speaker. As we're waiting over here where there's a little lull, I just wanted to get up and, ya know, extend my thanks to everyone that has been sending me letters, calls, cards, goodwill, best of health wishes. Everyone's been really great since my illness. I feel great. Let me just tell you, it's a hell of a way to lose weight and it's a very expensive way, but it works. But I feel great, glad to be back with all of you. It's truly an extended family, you're all part of the family. And I just want to thank you for all the prayers and all the good 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day February 20, 2002 wishes that I received in the last two months. Thank you."
"Chair recognizes Representative Wojcik."
"Ah, yes..."
"For what reason do you rise?"
"I just would like to welcome 'Bugsy' back. You were missed 'Bugs', but it's nice to see you. You're looking good. Your weight is wonderful. You're younger. But, keep the health up. I'm glad you're back with us."
Speaker Currie: "Representative Burke. For what reason do you rise?"
"Thank you, Madam Speaker. I, too, wanted to join in welcoming Representative Bugielski back and suggest that no one is happier to have him back here in Springfield than his wife."
"The Chair recognizes Representative Brunsvold. For what reason do you rise?"
"Thank you, Madam Speaker. Just a note. I want to announce to the Members that the left fielder on the softball team has returned for the game, I hope. And also, he was a former Rep. here in the House and he's a mayor of some some place in Illinois, what is that, Rockford? Oh, that's it, Rockford, the Mayor of Rockford, Doug Scott, former Member. Let's welcome him back."
"The Regular Session will stand in recess. And I'd like to recognize the Doorkeeper for an announcement."
"Speaker, the Honorable President Philip and Members of the Senate are at the door and seek admission to the chamber."
"Doorkeeper, please admit the Honorable Senators. As designated in House Joint Resolution 62, the hour of 12 noon having arrived, the Joint Session of the 92nd General Assembly will now come to order. Will the Members of the 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day February 20, 2002 House and our esteemed guests from the Senate please take their seats. Mr. Clerk, is a quorum of the House present?"
"A quorum of the House is present."
Speaker Currie: "Welcome, Mr. President. Is a quorum of the Senate present?"
"Thank you, Madam Speaker. A quorum of the Senate is present."
Speaker Currie: "There being a quorum of the House and a quorum of the Senate in attendance, the Joint Session is convened. And in addition to our Senate colleagues, we are joined by other dignitaries this afternoon. I believe we have Lieutenant Governor Corinne Wood, Attorney General Jim Ryan, right there in the center aisle, Secretary of State Jesse White, right in the front, Comptroller Dan Hynes, Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka, the Auditor General Bill Holland, the Superintendent of Education Respicio Vazquez, the Governor's Chief of Staff Robert Newtson, United States Representative Gerry Weller, and Corinne Wood Lieutenant Governor, who's just in fact joined us in the chamber, the Governor's Deputy Chief of Staff Kevin Wright, the Director of the Bureau of the Budget Steve Schnorf, the Governor's Director of Legislative Affairs Mike Madigan, and Dennis Culloton the Governor's Press Secretary. Please join us in the welcoming of them all. And joining us in the gallery, right over that way, is the Governor's wonderful wife, Lura Lynn Ryan. Please join me in welcoming her. The Chair recognizes Representative Hannig."
"Yes, thank you, Madam Speaker. Would the Clerk please read Joint Res... Joint Session Resolution #3?"
Clerk Rossi: "Joint Session Resolution #3 resolved that a Committee of Ten be appointed, five from the House by the Speaker of the House and five from the Senate by the 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day February 20, 2002 President of the Senate to await upon The Honorable Governor of the State of Illinois and invite him to address the Joint Assembly."
"The Chair recognizes Representative Hannig."
"Yes, thank you, Madam Speaker. I move for the adoption of Joint Session Resolution #3."
Speaker Currie: "Representative Hannig moves for the adoption of the Resolution. All those in favor say 'aye'; opposed 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. The Resolution is adopted. Pursuant to the Resolution, the following are appointed as a Committee to escort the Governor. The appointments from the House are: Representative Mike Bost, Representative William Delgado, Representative Harry Osterman, Representative Dan Reitz, and Representative Dave Winters."
President Philip: "The Senate Members are: Senator Dudycz, Senator Lightford, Senator Madigan, Senator Noland, Senator Stone."
"Will the Committee of Escort please convene at the rear of the chamber and await his Excellency, the Governor. The Doorkeeper is recognized for an announcement."
Doorkeeper Crawford: "Speaker, the Honorable Governor of the State of Illinois, George H. Ryan, and his party, wish to be admitted to this chamber."
"Admit the Honorable Governor."
"Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you very much. Thanks. Thank you. Thank you. Here's to your health. Thank you very much for that warm and gracious welcome. I appreciate that very, very much. Speaker Currie and I might add, Speaker Currie, that we don't want you to get used to that title. That's a message that Mike Madigan 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day February 20, 2002 asked me to deliver for you. Leader Daniels, Leader Philip, President Philip, and Leader Jones, and all my fellow constitutional officers, my colleagues in the General Assembly, and my fellow citizens of this great State of Illinois. You know I always enjoy coming into this chamber, but it has even been more enjoyable since I have become Governor and I have had the great pleasure of addressing this Joint Session. And today is no exception. But I really come with a rush of mixed emotions. This will be the last time that I'll present this Body and the people of Illinois with a budget for the state. And it may well be the last time that I address you as Governor, jointly. Did you know, I spent 10 years here, and I have always had great respect for the work that all of you do, both here and in the Senate and the potential that you do for good things that help people and change lives. I have seen it happen here many times and the memories fill me with satisfaction. The work is hard, and the emotions sometimes frayed, but in the end it makes you feel good about public service. It's a higher calling. I'd like to take a minute, if I could, for just for a point of personal privilege. When I leave office next January, I will have been elected 10 times to statewide office and served over 30 years, thanks to many of you in this chamber and to lots and lots of people throughout the State of Illinois. I've also been very fortunate to have a very devoted, and understanding and loving family by my side for all of those 30 years. The best thing that I ever did was to marry Lura Lynn. That'll probably cost me a diamond bracelet. You know she's been a wonderful partner and she's been a devoted mother and wife and grandmother. And so today I am proud again to introduce to you my family. Not only my wife, who I want 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day February 20, 2002 to thank for all of her work for not only what she's done for us, but for what she's done for the people of Illinois. I think we've got the whole precinct here today but I'm not sure, there may be a couple of short. I think I'm short two grandchildren and a son-in-law. But I want to introduce my daughter, Nancy and her husband, John, who's not here, and their children: Ann, and John, and Mary Cate, and Nora and Elizabeth. That's part of one part of the tribe. My oldest daughter. My second oldest daughter is Lynda and her husband's name is Michael and they're here today with my oldest grandchildren: Michael, and Kristen, and Kathryn. And they're also the parents of our youngest granddaughter, MacKenzie Rose, who's the newest voting member of the party, MacKenzie Rose. And then you know I have triplet daughters and that's why there was always somebody in my home that was pregnant at one time or another. And that's why we've got so many kids. And that's good. But Julie is the oldest, oldest triplet and she's here with her husband Jeff and her daughter Lauren, and Alex and Molly who are with us today. And I want to thank them for being here. My daughter Joanne is the middle triplet and she is here with her husband Nick and their children, Andrea and Nick Jr. We also have with us my daughter Jeanette who's the last of the triplets and her husband Jim Schneider. Those are my five daughters. We have one son who was the caboose. And he's here today, George, Jr.'s with us. I want to thank all of you for your help and support over all these years. And now when this term is over you're going to have to put with me a lot more than you thought. You know our great state is a much different place than it was when we met here last. Times have changed and that's a matter of fact. The events of 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day February 20, 2002 the last 12 months have forever altered our future. And I believe that we all understand that. The challenges before us are great. So we must continue to work together as we have in the past for three years. Today, I present you with my final budget and my final report on the State of the State. The Fiscal Year budget '03 I propose today is lean, it's fair, and it's balanced. And because we have the progress we have made over the last three years, the state of our state is stronger than ever before. This budget contains no tax increases. Today, I want to talk about our accomplishments, the accomplishments that we've achieved together and about the challenges that remain before us. Do you remember where we were when I stood here three years ago? Let me remind you. Seated in the gallery with us today is someone who has a large stake in this budget. And I'd like to introduce you to Jonathan Reed-Wood, of Springfield. Where's Jonathan? Right over here, three years old. Jonathan is three years old and he was born in January of 1999, that's the month that I took office as Governor. And he represents all of the children in Illinois that have been born in the last three years, and all of the children who live in Illinois. Before he was born, our state faced many daunting challenges. Three years ago, some 3,600 of the 4,200 school buildings in this state were in urgent need of repairs or upgrades. Many of our children were being taught in hallways, and boiler rooms and in broom closets. And three years ago, our state had not built a single mile of highway since the 1980s. Traffic congestion, at places like the Hillside Strangler, were becoming intolerable. And three years ago, some of our elevated transit structures that carry hundreds of thousands of commuters every day were crumbling, and 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day February 20, 2002 bridges were over a hundred years old. Three years ago, Illinois ranked a miserable 48th among all the states in the amount of park and recreation land set aside for public and future use. Illinois ranked worse, 49th among all the states in the use of technology to deliver government services. In 1999, nearly 200,000 of our children in this state were uninsured, lacking coverage for even basic health care. And three years ago, surveys showed that some 40 percent of our citizens over 65 had no prescription drug coverage and they had to struggle every day to find the money to pay for the medication needed. More than 10% of our seniors said that they simply did without their drugs or they cut the dosages their doctors had prescribed. And when I took office, our social service agencies lacked the funding necessary to expand the reach of the offerings to provide children and the elderly, single parents, and the working poor and the disabled with essential programs to improve their quality of life. But since Jonathan was born, we've addressed those challenges, and we've overcome them. Let's take a minute to look back and to look at the rhetoric and the criticism of some of the shallow naysayers that we hear everyday and look at our record of accomplishment. Together, we made the children of Illinois our highest priority, period. During Jonathan's lifetime, we've done a lot of great things for his generation. And with the budget that I'm presenting you today, we will increase state support for education by $1.45 billion to record levels of funding, just like we said we would do. During his lifetime, we've built almost 12,000 new classrooms, 244 brand new schools and 2,800 additions and renovations. And during his lifetime, we've hired more than 10,000 new teachers, just like we said we would. And 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day February 20, 2002 during his lifetime, we've invested $150 million in computer hardware and software for classrooms. Just like we said we would do, we've linked every school district in this state to the Illinois Century Network, providing students with a fast connection to the wonders of the Internet. And when he's ready, he'll be able to attend the nation's top-ranked system of higher education, right here in Illinois. And if he needs help paying for college financial aid it's going to be there for him. Since 1999, State Government has helped one out of every five college students in Illinois pay their tuition. And that's really a good thing. During his lifetime, we have boosted funding for health care and human services to more than $10 billion a year and we've kept it at that level. And while he's been alive, KidCare enrollments have increased by 500%. Fewer teenagers are having babies. More of our children are graduating from high school. Infant mortality rates have gone down. And less children are living in poverty, and fewer are being abused and neglected. The number of children in state-subsidized day care has grown substantially, enabling their parents to find and keep good jobs. In his lifetime, we've boosted state funding for child immunizations and health care screening, so this year more than 1.1 million children get a good start in life. And over the last three years, Illinois has led the nation in permanent adoptions for at-risk children and in reducing the number of kids in temporary care. We've been #1 in the nation in adopting kids and putting them into permanent loving caring homes. I want to thank the department for that help and Jess McDonald. While he's been alive, we've boosted funding by more than 25%for substance abuse treatment and prevention services. And our state ranks 9th 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day February 20, 2002 among the 50 states in how we're using our share of the nationwide tobacco settlement to battle smoking. I think that's very good. During the lifetime of this three-year-old, we've helped 100,000 people move from welfare to work. We initiated the first-ever state-level Earned Income Tax Credit in Illinois to help 700,000 of the working poor. Thanks in a great part to Leader Emil Jones. We've developed the toughest rules in the nation against predatory lending practices. We've negotiated an HMO reform package, including a patient's bill of rights, to help the 3 million people covered by HMOs. I can remember the meetings well with Mary Flowers as we locked ourselves in a room in my office to make sure we did that three years ago. Those are things we shouldn't forget. We provided 400,000 low-income seniors with prescription drug coverage so they no longer have to simply 'do without'. And we've helped 320,000 low-income households with heating assistance at an average of $500 per household. And we can all be proud of the fact that Illinois is the top state in supporting the LIHEAP Program. The program has had no greater champion in the Illinois General Assembly than our friend and colleague, that's here with us today, Senator John Maitland. John is with us today, John. I'm happy to announce, that from this day forward, the program will be named the 'Senator John Maitland LIHEAP' Program. Thanks John, for all your help and your hard work. We've reclaimed 5,600 acres of urban 'brownfields' and provided record funding, $1.5 billion, to help local communities improve drinking water supplies and wastewater treatment plants. And during their lifetime, we've graduated 383 new troopers from the State Police Academy. We've enacted commonsense laws to fight gun violence in our neighborhoods. And we 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day February 20, 2002 doubled the number of parole officers. And most importantly we took back control of our prisons from gangs. I don't know if you remember how bad that situation was, but it was pretty bad. We dramatically improved law enforcement technology, moving Illinois from 35th among the states to 1st in just three years. And, we initiated a good, hard look at the fairness of our state's criminal justice system. We are absolutely committed to creating a system that's fair to everyone and concerned about justice for all, a system that has no tolerance for errors. And finally, together over these last three years, we've transformed government through Illinois FIRST. We invested $137 million in public safety equipment, facilities and vehicles, all to help keep our homes, and our schools and our neighborhoods safe and capable of withstanding a natural disaster. And instead of ranking 49th in the use of technology, last week, right here in the Capitol, we were named the state top 'digital state' in the nation, the best in the Union. And that means we went from first to worst (sic-worst to first) in just three years. And I think that's a great accomplishment. We've improved state services and made government more efficient. We've eliminated 385 obsolete portions of State Statutes, 1,500 unnecessary Sections of the Administrative Code and by the time we're through, I'll recommend the elimination of 100 unnecessary boards and commissions. And, during the lifetime of Jonathan, our economic development policies have led to more than $9 billion in new investments by companies in Illinois and the creation or the retention of more than 100,000 new jobs. I'm very pleased and proud to report to you that next week, Site ______________ Selection magazine, a trade publication for private developers, will announce 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day February 20, 2002 that Illinois has the best economic development program in the nation. We'll be taking the crown from the #1 ranking state and that's Michigan, which has held the title for more than the last four years. These are among the many good things that we have accomplished during Jonathan's life. His life and the lives of other children are better today because we worked together and decided that their lives would be better. Unfortunately, if you listen to some of the commercials on TV, you might get the impression that we've accomplished nothing during the past three years. But this budget also presents us as the steward of the people's government with many challenges as we begin the year 2002. As Abraham Lincoln once said, 'the occasion is piled high with difficulty.' But you and I have never been afraid of difficulty or a challenge. And our primary challenge in this year's budget is to make sure that Jonathan's world gets a little better. This budget proposal allows us to do just that. Every year that I have served the people as Governor, I have asked all of you in this chamber, Republicans and Democrats to join me in building a 'New Illinois.' And each year, I have asked you to put aside partisan differences and place the common good of the people and our state foremost in our actions. And sometimes that's been a challenge. But I want to tell you that we have always succeeded in finding a common ground that resolve our differences. And today, one more time, I renew my invitation and I extend my hand in friendship. Let's all work together to do great things for Illinois. I look forward to that. Now the first, I think the first challenge presented by this budget is making sure that state spending fits in with less-than-robust revenue collections that have drained this year's available 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day February 20, 2002 resources. And that means we're going to have to tighten our belts. But having said that, I want to make it very clear to this government and what we've done. This government has not been spending wildly, as some have charged. Many of the sound bites I hear from the campaign trail are anything but sound, frankly. As Lincoln once said, 'he has the right to criticize who has the heart to help.' I await your help. We have a balanced budget. We have a balanced budget. I'm going to say it again, we have a balanced budget. And we have a balanced budget because we've kept our spending under control. And national reports show that government spending in Illinois has been below the national average for the last two years. If you include the Fiscal Year '03 budget I'm presenting to you today, the four-year average annual growth in state spending has been only 3.5%. And, this administration is the only administration in the past 30 years, since 1972, to propose four straight budgets that will pay an entire year's bills with the same year's revenue. Since I took office, we have never had to borrow from future revenues. That's an unprecedented record. But as we begin this debate, I would remind you that last May this General Assembly approved a budget that was $1.2 billion more than the budget I submitted to you in February, 1.2 billion. Now, if that happens again this year, I'll have to veto the entire budget. And you can take that to the bank. I'll do it, if you give me more spending then we have revenue for, we'll be here for a long time. The other factor making a balanced budget more difficult is the continued large increase in health care spending, particularly in the Medicaid program. Last year, Medicaid spending across the country rose by an average of 11% . Because the cost 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day February 20, 2002 controls we enacted since December of 2000, we were able to keep our growth in Medicaid for the year to 6.4%. But nonetheless, we'll still spend almost $8 billion a year on Medicaid. And since I took office, we have increased the amount of money we spend on Medicaid, to doctors, and pharmacies and especially to hospitals, by $1.2 billion. That increase is more than we've given to education in the last three years. It's one of the biggest parts of the budget. But this year just like last year, the experts expect that medical spending in Fiscal Year '03 will continue to rise. The cuts we have made in Medicaid last year and this year have been distasteful for many of us, but they've been necessary to keep our entire budget in balance and under control. And the amount we spend is still 1.2 billion higher than what we were spending in 1999. The challenge to us created by these factors is difficult, but it's certainly not insurmountable. And I've got some proposals on how we can do that. As I prepared this budget, I simply did what I asked you to help me with in January. I cut 3% more out of each agency's existing budget, for a total 5%. That was a 5% reduction across the board. The 'base' upon which we start the process for Fiscal Year '03 is $22.3 billion of General Revenue Funds or 5% less than the level of appropriations for the current year that we agreed to last May. Lowering the spending 'base' can't be done without pain. And to begin with, this budget is predicated on the lowest state employee headcount in more than a decade, 62,000 positions. That means downsizing our workforce by about 3,800 positions. And I don't like saying that. And I don't like doing it. But I will do it to insure the fiscal stability of this state. My hope is that the majority of these changes can be 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day February 20, 2002 accomplished through attrition, aided by an early retirement program for qualified state employees. And I'll work with you and the unions representing your employees on the exact details of such a plan. But it's my expectation that we can save the state treasury by as much as $50 million with an early retirement program in place. That projected $50 million is money that we can add back into other programs. Secondly, this state budget calls for the downsizing of state facilities. In most cases, these facilities represent some of the oldest and most costly infrastructure that we have. And as I did last fall, with the ancient Joliet Correctional Center, I will consolidate our operation in more modern facilities. I propose closing the Vienna Correctional Center and the Valley View Youth Center in St. Charles and moving the inmate populations to other facilities. Some staff from those facilities will be able to transfer to other jobs in the Corrections System. Also, I propose that we delay the opening of the new maximum security prison in Thomson for another year to avoid absorbing the costs of opening that prison. Closing these facilities is made possible because of a prison population that's not growing as fast as it has in the past. The budget for the year '03 allows us to open more than 3,900 new beds at the new Lawrence Correctional Center in Southern Illinois, and the new reception and classification center in Joliet, and the new youth centers in Kewanee and Rushville. We'll also downsize at the Department of Human Services as part of our long- term goal of challenging the way the agency provides services to the mentally ill and the developmentally disabled. We'll continue to challenge our state facilities to a point where as many of the residents as possible can have a greater 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day February 20, 2002 say in the care that they receive and where as many as possible can be housed in community living arrangements. This includes funding for 310 new positions in CILAs, Community Integrated Living Arrangements, that help the developmentally disabled live away from traditional state facilities. And in doing that, I propose that we close the Zeller Mental Health Center in Peoria and the developmentally disabled unit at the Singer Health Center in Rockford. These changes coincide with my previously announced decision to downsize the civil commitment section of the Elgin Mental Health Center. Again, all of the residents affected by these decisions will be placed in other appropriate care settings, and many staff members will be able to stay on with the DHS system. As I have said for months, I've been available to talk with AFSCME and all of the labor unions that represent state employees about the ways that we can avoid and possibly avert layoffs and other budget reductions. I've been willing to discuss options, as governors in other states have done successfully. In Iowa recently, the state's major unions, including AFSCME, opened their contract and agreed to a temporary wage freeze in order to prevent the layoff of some 800 people. To date, our discussions with most labor unions in Illinois have been very helpful in mitigating our budget situation. My thanks go out to the Teamsters in all parts of this state, the Illinois Federation of Public Employees, our craft and trade unions, and the Illinois Nurses Association and many other groups for stepping up to the plate and taking responsible actions. And I'll never understand union leadership that would rather see their members laid off than consider temporary contract changes that would allow people to keep their jobs. Now, we still 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day February 20, 2002 have an opportunity to discuss these options as we continue to develop this budget. And I call on AFSCME to sit down and talk seriously about saving 3,800 members from being laid off or fired. I've told you about the big cuts. But the spending reductions go deeper than. ...imposing at the start of the... that we're imposing at the start of the '03 budget. It's going to affect every agency and we're going to reach into many programs. You'll find the detail in the budget book. Most areas of State Government have to do more with less. These cuts are not going to be popular. And to soften the blow somewhat, I propose that we enact this year a temporary tax amnesty similar to the program the state initiated in the 1980s. It's estimated that we can generate $35 million in one-time revenue that we can use to mitigate further spending reductions. In identifying the new money that's available for us to spend, I have carefully considered where we should direct these precious resources. Not every agency can be treated equally. Our schools get more money. Corrections will get more money. Our commitment to state employees' health insurance costs require more money. And human service programs will also get more money. And we're going to have some disagreements about where the state funds should be spent. But I'm confident that we will be able to reach a common ground. But we have to set priorities. And I have done my best to keep my priorities as close as possible to those that you and I have agreed on during the past three years: education, the future of our families, public safety and homeland security and for the fourth year in a row, education and work force training is still my top priority. That's one that I will not bend on. The economists predict that during Fiscal Year '03, we will see tax revenues grow 19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day February 20, 2002 by $480 million. And in keeping with the pledge made, I made four years ago, I propose that our schools get $245 million of those new revenues and that 51% of all new state revenues continue to go to education, like they have in the last three years. But I want to tell you that's not enough, that's not enough for education in my book. For years in Illinois, we have struggled with the funding disparity that exists between school districts, a disparity caused by a funding system tied directly to land values. This disparity creates a huge and unfair gap between the 'haves', or schools in areas where property values are high and rising, and the 'have-not's', or schools where land values are low and stagnant. For many years we in Illinois have tried to bridge this gap and to raise the 'foundation level,' or the amount of money that we guarantee for every public student in the state. And since 1999, we have raised the 'foundation level' by $335, or about $111 per year. I propose that we undertake the most historic change in school funding for decades in Illinois. And to provide our schools with greater flexibility in how to spend dollars that we provide. I propose that we consolidate 22 separate grant programs and put all of those resources, about $500 million, into the General State Aid distributive formula. That would have the effect of raising the 'foundation level' per student to almost $5,000 or an increase of about $400. Now this commitment, supplemented by $222 million in new federal funds, will provide almost $4 billion in local school districts for them to allocate on priorities that they establish at the local level. I don't know how many times, I've heard Members of this chamber say, 'Local Control for the schools. Let the Local School Boards decide what's 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day February 20, 2002 going to happen with the money.' Here's your chance folks, right here with this program. Contrary to what you may have heard, we're not cutting this money out of the state budget. It's still there. We're going to give school districts the money without all of the hassles of the paperwork. We're giving local school boards the power to make decisions at the local level for the students in their schools. And we're giving school districts money to teach, rather than money to process paper. Right now, to access the money available in those grant programs, school districts apply to the State Board of Education. And that's entirely too much red tape. And by cutting that bureaucracy we shift immediately $20 million, $20 million, from administrative costs right into our classrooms. Most of the grant programs are used by school districts to keep pace with state and federal accountability standards in reading, and bilingual education, math, science, truant and dropout programs and gifted education. And with the enactment last month of President Bush's 'No Child Left Behind Act', every school district will have more reason to meet these standards. If schools don't meet these standards, then they're placed on an academic watch list and parents have the right to transfer their children to another school. Under this proposal in this year's budget, we'll be giving school districts the flexibility and the funding to meet the needs of their students. And as I've said, the new Federal Education Act places a larger burden on school districts to perform. So I've directed the State Board of Education to develop an implementation strategy that puts our state accountability standards into synch with those in Federal Law. We have a few years to make whatever changes are necessary. But it's important that our 21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day February 20, 2002 schools begin this transition period this process this year. The State Board will report back to you and I this summer with recommendations on what Illinois needs to comply with testing requirements and leadership standards for our children. I'm confident that our students, their parents, and our teachers are up to the challenge. In the gallery with us today are two of Illinois' finest teachers. They represent all of the teachers in Illinois who work hard every day with our children and grandchildren. Ms. Anne Davis, president of the Illinois Education Association, and Peter Rapinchuk of Tinley Park. Peter is from Tinley Park and he's one of the 500 nationally certified teachers that we currently have in Illinois. Peter teaches at Andrew High School in Chicago's suburbs. The number of nationally certified teachers in Illinois is the highest achievement for a classroom teacher. That number has grown from a total of 37, since I became Governor in 1999 to the budget allowing us this year to build those numbers and to make, I think, over 500 available. In saluting today Ann and Peter, and the teachers of Illinois, our partners in shaping a good future for our state and for our children. So I want to thank you folks for the work that you do and for the certification. It's a great process and we have to be on top of that. We've made a great deal of progress in improving education in this state over the past three years, but challenges remain. And we still have the challenge of providing quality preschool education for every three-and four-year-old child whose parents choose it. We need to address that issue this year, and with this budget, we will. Some of you will say we can't afford to do it, not this year. I say, we can't afford to wait. We must do it 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day February 20, 2002 this year. We know that children who start school behind their peers are unlikely to ever catch up. We see widening gaps in educational achievement that permanently limit economic and social opportunities. And we know that children who fail to read at grade level by the end of the third grade are most likely to drop out before graduating from high school. We know that far, far too many preschool children spend their time in settings that do not improve their school readiness and do not take full advantage of their capacity to learn. This month, I received the report from the Task Force I appointed to examine this issue; the task force was chaired by the First Lady. That task force pointed out that we simply can't continue to ignore this issue. The new federal accountability standards are going to require our schools and our students to meet learning standards. And without a comprehensive early learning program, we risk being unable to meet those standards. Included in my proposed budget is $6 million for the State Board of Education to begin a program for universal access to preschool in Illinois. And I might add with us in the gallery again today is Ms. Jill Bradley, who's Director of Programs at the Carole Robertson Center in Chicago. Today, she represents all of the state's preschool children and teachers, who work hard every day to help our children open their eyes to learning. Ms. Bradley will tell you that the children who enroll in a quality preschool program do better in school and they do much better in life. And she'll tell you that a study done of preschool children in Chicago indicates that for every dollar that we spend on quality preschool programs, we save $7 down the road in police and jail costs, remedial education and health care as these children grow up. Please help me welcome Ms. 23 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day February 20, 2002 Bradley. Our education agenda for the coming year also includes more than $15 million to start developing programs that help with the recruitment, mentoring and continued training of teachers at all levels. These are the recommendations of a summit meeting on education that I convened late last year at the mansion. Even though the teaching ranks in Illinois have increased by more than 10,000 in the last three years, estimates show that we're going to need more than 50,000 new teachers within the next few years. But the teacher attrition rate is about 23% during the first three years of teaching, and we don't graduate enough teachers to fill all of those jobs. And that's why it's important we step in and help recruit quality candidates for the classroom, guide them when they begin their careers and make sure that they have every opportunity to develop professionally. We also will maintain funding for our successful 'Jobs for Illinois Graduates' program, which helps high school students succeed in life. We will continue to support charter schools, which give parents a needed choice in how, where, and what their children will learn. Our on-line education programs, the Illinois Virtual High School and the Illinois Virtual Campus, will continue to show enrollment growth, and we should continue to expand those programs next year. To help maintain our status as the top-ranked system of higher education in the nation, we will continue to fund learning, research, and public service at all of our state universities and community colleges. And I recommend funding for scholarships that will help more than 185 (sic-185 thousand) students attend college during the next year. Last week, the Illinois Student Assistance Commission was able to explain to expand the number of Monetary Awards 24 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day February 20, 2002 to 7,000 more students. Most of these students are now eligible for a (sic-MAP) scholarship are low-income adults who are attending a community college in search of new skills or the training that they need to do a better job. In addition, this budget provides important funding for all of our job training programs, and for our automated 'skills match' system which has helped link up approximately 30,000 job seekers with potential employers through a statewide database. The second priority that you and I have agreed on over the last three years is about the need to support and enrich our families and especially children and seniors. Even with limited resources this fiscal year, in this budget we'll be able to expand our safety net of services for people in Illinois who need our help the most. And what we are able to offer citizens this year is an historic array of programs that will provide more comprehensive and better health care for an estimated 770,000 low-income men, women and children from the cradle to the rocking chair. This budget includes the KidCare, our health insurance program for low-income children, funding for a 'FamilyCare' initiative to extend health care benefits to families of those children, and 'SeniorCare' a new pharmaceutical assistance program for the elderly that'll be a model for the nation to follow. Thanks to the commitment we have shown together to disadvantaged children, KidCare enrollments now top 177,000. That's a great achievement in just three years. My administration continues to negotiate with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for a waiver of federal rules that allow us to use our unspent money from the KidCare program to create 'FamilyCare' and extend health coverage to as many as 200,000 adults in Illinois. The eligible men and 25 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day February 20, 2002 women will be the parents of children covered by KidCare. And I've said for years that FamilyCare is a good idea, if we can find a way to pay for it, and I'm confident that the funding mechanism we've outlined to the Federal Government will enable us to capture federal dollars that will pay for the bulk of the program. And I believe the crowning achievement for our comprehensive health care system is the new SeniorCare program, which will begin in June. And under this program, as many as 400,000 low-income seniors in Illinois will be eligible for assistance in purchasing prescription drugs at low cost. This program, is an expansion of our existing 'circuit breaker' for seniors, it's been hailed by the Bush Administration as a model that should be copied in other states. And with us in the gallery today is Ms. Lola Johnson of Bloomington, who joined us last month here in Springfield to announce the SeniorCare program. Lola, where are you? Thank you, Lola. Here's how the SeniorCare is going to help Mrs. Johnson and 400,000 people just like her. Let's say that she needs three prescription drugs every day, drugs that cost her about a hundred fifty dollars a month, or about $1,800 a year. Under this new program, Mrs. Johnson will pay about a hundred dollars a year in copayments and that's it. Under our new program, she'll save about $1,700 in one year and no longer will seniors have to decide between food, shelter, or medicine. Our commitment in this budget to the less fortunate does not stop with health care for the needy. Even though we expect the number of TANF cases to drop to 48,000 in the next year, a record low, that still means that there are more than 40,000 families in Illinois who need our direct assistance to find shelter, food, and clothing. And because we have seen the number of TANF cases 26 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day February 20, 2002 drop dramatically in the last eight years, this budget we'll be able to provide those needy families with the first increase in TANF grants in more than 10 years, almost 11 years. We'll be able to fund an average of 10% increase for the TANF grant for families. Now, if you can imagine this, we're talking about families which currently stands at $377 per month to a single parent with two children. And in tough times, we shouldn't be tough on the poor. That's just simply wrong. We haven't raised this rate in 10 or 11 years and it's time to do it. This budget also calls for an expansion of our innovative 'Illinois Workforce Advantage' program. This initiative helps disadvantaged communities find and implement the right mix of state services and programs to help advance economic development, health care, and education. The program has been successful this year in six communities: in Chicago, the suburbs, East St. Louis, and in deep Southern Illinois. Seven counties, I believe, in Southern Illinois. I propose in this budget that we expand that program and that system to a few more areas of the state and to continue a multi-year process that makes our state agencies more of an active partner in the revitalization of depressed areas. This budget will continue our strong commitment to antismoking programs, policies that earned us the top-ten ranking in tobacco prevention efforts. Other public health initiatives include a continued emphasis on expanding services for women, telemedicine programs to bring up-to-date services to rural areas and screenings, and immunizations for children, programs that help more than 1 million children every year. We will live up to a commitment that we agreed to three years ago and continue to expand health care services to more of our most needy citizens, the aged, the 27 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day February 20, 2002 blind, and the disabled. In this budget we'll bring our coverage to 100% of the federal poverty level, enabling 93,000 more people to get state help in meeting their needs. Funding for assistance in adoptions and permanent placements through the Department of Children and Family Services is increased by $20 million in this budget. And in the last three years, as I pointed out earlier, DCFS has become a national model in the area of helping troubled families and at-risk children and find security and safety, in a path to a better life. And lastly, the recommended budget for human services continues our three-year effort to boost the wages of home care workers for seniors and the disabled. We've taken huge steps during this administration to bring the salaries of these very difficult jobs more into line with others who give their love and dedication to the less fortunate. With the wage increases I propose in this budget, over four years we will have provided a 21% increase in pay for the Department on Aging's Community Care program and a 25% increase for personal assistants in the Home Services program run by the Department of Human Services. But just as this budget continues to safeguard the human infrastructure of Illinois, we have to strengthen our borders and the defenses that we have in place to prevent and deal with a natural disaster or a man-made terrorist attack. This is another top budget priority we have identified for the state. Over the last four years, we've been reminded again and again about the importance of our Emergency Response Programs and our Homeland Security System. The challenge of natural disasters underscores the importance we have placed in buying new public safety equipment for towns, big and small in every part of Illinois. And through the Illinois FIRST 28 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day February 20, 2002 program, you and I have allocated $137 million for emergency equipment, fire and police stations, communications gear, and vehicles all with the goal of keeping the people safe. This spring, the Federal Government has stepped in with $37 million that we will use to continue our security efforts, training, and emergency equipment, medicines, and public awareness. And we're fully capable and ready to respond to biological dangers, a natural disaster, or a terrorist attack in any of the counties... state's 102 counties. So, the budget I'm recommending also includes $383 million in funding for the Illinois State Police, an allocation that includes two new state trooper cadet classes, totaling 100 new officers, and continued work on the STARCOM statewide voice communications system. Also in the State Police budget are additional funds to hire 80 more forensic scientists, part of our three-year commitment to expand the state's capabilities in quickly processing evidence in criminal cases, and especially when the evidence involved DNA. This spring, I expect that my commission on capital punishment will issue its much awaited report. More than two years ago, I said that because we had come so close to the ultimate nightmare, the state taking of the life of an innocent person. We did that on 13 different occasions. I had no choice but to declare a moratorium on executions in Illinois. And despite the fact that again and again our justice system has proven to be flawed, this General Assembly has twice sought to expand capital punishment to include more offenses. And twice I have used my constitutional authority to veto those Amendments and those attempts. And because of our shameful record of sending innocent people to death row, it's my duty and my moral 29 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day February 20, 2002 obligation to stand my ground and I will. The more I see of the system, the more troubled I become. And where I once I believed the system was flawless, I know now that the justice machine can and has failed us. And when it comes to capital punishment, no margin for error is acceptable. I don't know what my commission report will be or what conclusions it will draw after reviewing their findings. I don't know what I'll do. I only know this, as I said when I declared the moratorium, until I can be certain, morally certain that no innocent person will be sentenced to die in Illinois, no one will meet that fate on my watch. That's why you're in a minority. Thank you. There are certain basic issues regarding justice and fairness that define who we are as individuals and who we are as a society. You cannot be for a justice system that has the potential of taking an innocent life or support a system while it doesn't allow each man and woman the same basic rights and privileges, or discriminates on the basis of color, or creed, or race, or gender, disability, or sexual orientation. It's time to amend our statutes not to allow special rights or privileges but to equal protection to all of our citizens white, black, brown, yellow, male, female, yes, and even straight or gay. It's time. Send me House Bill 101 and I'll sign it. Thank you. The three priorities of this budget: education, the funding of our families and homeland security will improve the lives of many, many people in Illinois. But this spending plan for Fiscal Year '03 also continues our work in other vital areas: environmental protection, economic development, agriculture, technology and infrastructure improvements. I'm recommending in this budget the last $40 million investment of our landmark Open Lands Trust initiative, 30 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day February 20, 2002 which already has preserved more land for open space and public use than at any point in state history. Today, more than 40 thousand acres have been purchased by the program and in cooperation with other programs we have created our largest state park in Southern Illinois and we've built more than 500 miles of new biking and hiking trails in all parts of the state. This budget includes more than $30 million to keep our commitment to the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program and Conservation 2000, programs that are protecting the valuable topsoil of this state. And this budget will continue to fund our new AgriFIRST program, a multi-year effort to help many farmers and other agricultural businesses add value to their crops. And this budget will help support tourism throughout Illinois, an industry that creates more than 300,000 jobs and $24 billion in economic activity. Our tourism program, the largest by any state in the nation, will benefit this year from the completion of new improvements at many of our state parks and recreation areas, as well as the completion of the library portion of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum just a few blocks from here. I hope that you'll all join me in a few months for the groundbreaking of the museum portion of the complex, as well as the opening of the library this fall. This budget includes $3 million for the first-year operation of the center. And, as we enter 2002, this budget recommends that the state continue to move forward with the Illinois FIRST and the VentureTECH programs. For the fourth year in a row, Illinois FIRST will enable the Department of Transportation to fund highway construction programs worth more than $2 billion a record for sustained road repair and a building initiative that's the envy of other states. 31 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day February 20, 2002 Illinois FIRST includes funds to continue the repair and the upgrading of mass transit systems in all parts of Illinois. By now, I think my views on the importance of Illinois FIRST are quite clear. It's a good program, and despite of all the distortions and the finger pointing, it's a program that has been embraced throughout the state. And when it's through, we'll have pumped $7 billion into the pockets of working men and women in this state in every part of this state. Now, if that's not an economic stimulus package, I don't know what is. Illinois FIRST has been a benefit to every region of Illinois and that's something that nobody can deny. And to my amazement and to my utter surprise, even some of Illinois FIRST'S harshest critics have gladly accepted funds for their projects for their districts. I can't imagine. Our harshest critics. I might add that the same can be said for VentureTECH. We have used the $2 billion program to boost and build one of the nation's leading high-tech economies. With VentureTECH, we're going to be leveraging some $4 billion in private and Federal Government investment in new products, buildings, and systems. And in this budget, we'll earmark funds for a new post-genomics institute the University of Illinois. It's good work I got to tell you. A new chemical science building at the University of Chicago's campus, a cancer research center, right here at Southern Illinois University in Springfield and a new facility for the treatment of juvenile diabetes at the University of Chicago. Good stuff, folks. It's going to keep us right up on top. We're also going to continue our support for a new biomedical research building and a nanotechnology center for Northwestern University. Our commitment to building a new technology infrastructure for 32 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day February 20, 2002 the 21st century is going to pay tremendous dividends in the future. Right now, scientists at the Argonne National Laboratory are trying to land a massive new research project called the Rare Isotope Accelerator, a project that will advance physics and nuclear astrophysics to the next level of understanding. The Federal Government has committed $1 billion to the development of this project. The operating budget would be almost a hundred million dollars a year and the facility would employ some 400 highly skilled engineers and scientists. And I call on members of the Illinois Congressional delegation to join with me to bring this new scientific (sic-tool) to Illinois. With Argonne and FermiLab already at our disposal, and the infrastructure improvements in Illinois born through VentureTECH, no other state can boost a better environment for this project. So Members of the General Assembly, let me tell you that the FY '03 budget that I lay before you today is balanced and I believe it's fair. It's less than I would have wanted, but it is all that we can afford now. I understand that it's not without pain. And I've told you my priorities and I've identified the budget reallocations to pay for them. You may have other and different priorities. If let... if so, let's talk about them. But remember, at the end of the day, the budget must be balanced. We can't spend more than our revenues will allow. Now, if you don't like my suggested reductions in spending, tell me, tell me your alternatives. Tell me where you'd get the money. Tell me what your programs are. I believe that we can fashion some compromises that serve the common good. But we must have the resolve to do so. I have one more challenge for you as elected officials, and as public servants. There's one more person in the gallery 33 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day February 20, 2002 that I'd like you to meet. And that's little Isabella Irwin who's here with us today. Where is she? Isabella right there. Isabella was born just a month ago in Decem... in January. She's with her mother, Peggy and her father, Jeff. And Peggy works in my office. Isabella was born in January, just last month. And she represents all of the children that will be affected by the decisions that we make this year, and the decisions that you and your successors will make in the years to come. My final challenge to you is that we make sure that the life that Isabella has in Illinois is better than the lives of the children that came before her. We, as public servants, have the power and the obligation to make the lives of all children as perfect as we possibly can. We have an obligation and a responsibility to that little girl, and to all little girls just like her and boys and to all the children of Illinois. Our actions help determine their future. And that's a challenge we should always embrace. As Lincoln said, 'The occasion is piled high with difficulty.' But in the same breath, he also added: 'We must rise to the occasion.' We will rise to the occasion. There's no doubt in my mind. The future of this state is bright. We're strong and we're confident in our capabilities. And as Pogo once said, 'We're confronted with insurmountable opportunities.' So let's work together to take full advantage of all of those opportunities. I want to thank all of you for the opportunity to come here and speak to you. And I got to tell ya that I look with eagerness to the next 10 months as serving as your Governor and working with you to make life just a little bit better for the people of Illinois. Thank you very much. Thank you."
"Thank you, Governor. And would the Committee of 34 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day February 20, 2002 Escort please come forward. The President of the Senate is recognized for a Motion."
"Thank you, Madam Speaker. I move the Joint Session do now arise."
Speaker Currie: "The President has moved that the Joint Session do now arise. All in favor say 'aye'; opposed 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Joint Session will now arise. And the House Regular Session will come back to order. Representative Hartke in the Chair."
"Could I have your attention please. Committees will begin at 2 o'clock, 2 p.m. this afternoon. With that, the House is prepared to adjourn 'til 1 p.m. tomorrow. Representative Lang moves that the House stand adjourned. All those in favor signify by saying 'aye'; opposed 'no'. Allowing perfunctory time for the Clerk. Any announcements? Representative Moffitt."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We'd just like to announce to the Members of the House task force on fire department funding that we will have a meeting tomorrow at 3 o'clock. It'll be over in the Stratton at the CDB Board Room, the Capitol, the CDB Board Room 3 o'clock tomorrow. Representative Smith and I will be cochairing that task force. If you were named to that, we'll have our first meeting tomorrow. Thank you."
"Representative Giles."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just to want to make an announcement to let the Members of the Elementary & Secondary Education, we will meet tomorrow at 8 o'clock. We have quite a few Bills that is posted. Members do want to call those Bills. So we will meet at 8 o'clock tomorrow morning. Thank you." 35 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day February 20, 2002
Speaker Hartke: "Any further announcements? If not, again Representative Lang moves that the House stand adjourned, allowing perfunctory time for the Clerk, until the hour of 1 p.m. All those in favor signify by saying 'aye', opposed 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, 'ayes' have it. And the House stands adjourned. Thank you, Mr. Black."
Clerk Bolin: "The House Perfunctory Session will come to order. Introduction - First Reading of House Bills. House Bill 6055, offered by Representative Pankau, a Bill for an Act in relation to health facilities. House Bill 6056, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6057, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6058, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6059, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6060, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6061, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6062, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6063, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. The following Bills are offered by Speaker Madigan. House Bill 6064, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6065, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6066, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6067, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6068, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making 36 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day February 20, 2002 appropriations. House Bill 6069, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6070, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6071, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6072, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6073, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6074, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6075, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6076, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6077, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6078, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6079, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6080, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6081, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6082, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6083, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6084, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6085, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6086, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6087, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act concerning auditing. House Bill 37 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day February 20, 2002 6088, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6089, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6090, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6091, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6092, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6093, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6094, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6095, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6096, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6097, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6098, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6099, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6100, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6101, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6102, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6103, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6104, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6105, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6106, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6107, offered by 38 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day February 20, 2002 Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6108, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6109, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6110, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6111, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6112, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6113, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6114, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6115, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6116, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6117, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6118, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6119, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6120, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6121, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6122, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6123, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6124, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6125, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6126, offered by Representative 39 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day February 20, 2002 Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6127, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6128, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6129, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6130, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6131, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6132, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6133, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6134, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6135, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6136, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6137, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6138, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6139, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6140, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6141, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6142, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6143, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6144, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6145, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an 40 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day February 20, 2002 Act making appropriations. House Bill 6146, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6147, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6148, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6149, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6150, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6151, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6152, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6153, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6154, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6155, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6156, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6157, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6158, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6159, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. First Reading of these House Bills. The House Perfunctory Session will now stand adjourned." 41