"The House shall come to order. The Members shall be in their chairs. We shall be led in prayer today by Lee Crawford, the Assistant Pastor of the Victory Temple Church in Springfield. The guests in the gallery may wish to rise and join us for the invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance."
"Let us pray. Most gracious and most kind Father. We come humbly before You, asking that You would be the ruling and the reigning authority in our lives. Father, for You are the alpha and You are the omega. You are our beginning and You are our end. I pray that everything that we do starts and ends with You. For we have been instructed in Your Word, to trust in You with all of our hearts and not to lean toward our own understanding, but rather we should all of our ways acknowledge You. And You shall direct our paths. This we kindly ask in Your Son's name. Amen."
Speaker Madigan: "We shall be led in the Pledge of Allegiance by Representative Hartke."
"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."
"Speaker... Thank you, Speaker. Please let the record show that Representatives Erwin, Feigenholtz, Hoffman, Kenner, Ryan, and Scully are excused today."
"Mr. Bost."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Let the record reflect that Representative Coulson is excused today."
"Mr. Clerk, take the record. There being 110 people responding to the Attendance Roll Call, there is a 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 150th Legislative Day January 6, 2003 quorum present. Mr. Clerk."
"Committee Reports. Representative Barbara Flynn Currie, Chairperson from the Committee on Rules to which the following measures were referred, action taken on January 6, 2003, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'to the floor for consideration' to the Order of Senate Bills-Second Reading Senate Bill 364, Senate Bill 1258, and Senate Bill 2291, to the Order of concurrence House Bill 2277, House Bill 2463, House Bill 2721, House Bill 2742, House Bill 5159, House Bill 5222, House Bill 5657; and to the Order of Motions a Motion to Concur with Senate Amendment #1 on House Bill 2742."
Speaker Madigan: "Ladies and Gentlemen, the Chair has an announcement. We have been joined today by four new Members of the House of Representatives. And we'd like to introduce those people and if they could simply rise and give us a little wave so that we know who they are. First of all, replacing Representative Tom Dart is newly-elected State Representative Kevin Joyce, Kevin. Replacing Representative Anne Zickus, is James Lurquin. Replacing Representative Doug Hoeft is Ruth Munson. And replacing her husband Tim Osmond is JoAnn Osmond. Mr. Brunsvold, are you prepared to call Senate Bill 2291? Mr. Hartke, are you prepared to call Senate Bill 1258? Mr. Novak, are you prepared to call Senate Bill 364, 364? It's concerned with some new substance. Mr. Har... Mr. Novak."
"Yes, Mr. Speaker. I believe there... an Amendment is being prepared for this Bill."
Speaker Madigan: "Thank you, Mr. Novak. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of Senate Bill 1258?"
"Senate Bill 1258, has been read a second time, previously. Amendments 1 and 3 have been adopted to the 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 150th Legislative Day January 6, 2003 Bill. No Motions have been filed. No further Floor Amendments have been approved for consideration."
"Mr. Clerk, have the notes been filed? Mr. Clerk."
"The notes have been filed on the Bill."
Speaker Madigan: "Fine, put the Bill on the Order of Third Reading. And read the Bill for a third time."
"Senate Bill 1258, a Bill for an Act in relation to property. Third Reading of this Senate Bill."
"Mr. Hartke."
"Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to... recognize Representative Slone to explain the... the Senate Bill 1258."
"Representative Slone."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. The Amendment that became the Bill was adopted on the last day of the Veto Session. This is the Bill that would cause the Department of Central Management Services to have an appraisal before leasing property when it is of a value of ten dollars a square foot per year, or more. And it would also require that the director not lease property below 60% of its market... fair market rental without certifying that the property... that the rate that is being charged constitutes fair and adequate consideration. And I'd be happy to answer any questions."
"Mr. Black."
"Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Sponsor yields."
"Representative, Floor Amendment #3 becomes the Bill, is that correct?"
"I believe so, Mr. Black, yes." 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 150th Legislative Day January 6, 2003
"In Floor Amendment #3, you took out a provision that said if the fair market lease... if the fair market value is more than the lease might be asked for, that it would come to the General Assembly. And the General Assembly would then approve a lease on anything of fair market value... excuse me, of anything less than the fair market value. With the removal of that, how in... in the... public policy sometimes dictates that surplus state property... for example, let's say an abandoned... Department of Military Affairs training area or a National Guard Armory may be declared surplus. No buyer is found. A local unit of government may want to lease that facility for a dollar a year or ten dollars a year for a youth recreation complex, or park ground, something of that sort. And that... that has... that's not new. I mean, that has been done in the past. Should this Bill become law, how can we enter into a lease for surplus state property to a local unit of government for a nominal fee, so that the property can at least be used if no buyer or no lessor can be found?"
"Mr. Black, if the... under the third... under Amendment #3, the director would have to certify in writing what the reasons would be for leasing at below 60% of the market value."
"Who would... where would the check and balance be on the director's statement that he is leasing it at less than fair market value for the following three reasons? Who checks... who has the ability then to check the reasons to make sure that the lease is fair and equitable and in the absence of anyone clamoring for the property, is the best we can do?"
"I'm sorry, Mr. Black, I didn't catch all of your question. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Speaker." 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 150th Legislative Day January 6, 2003
"Yes."
"I can't hear Mr. Black."
"You... excuse me, what did you say?"
"I'm not able to hear Mr. Black. Thank you."
"Maybe... maybe that's okay."
"Sometimes it is."
"Mr. Black."
"I'm sorry, what, Mr. Speaker? In the original Bill you had a provision that if Central Management Services were to lease state property for less than fair market value, the General Assembly would have to approve such a lease. Obviously, if that was in current law, the Zeller situation may very well not have been approved by the General Assembly. Now, if you took that language out that was in Amendment 2 that gave us some oversight responsibility. Now, you're telling me that the director can still make that determination and draw up a lease for less than 60% of fair market value if the director thinks it's the best he or she can do or there is a sound reason to lease state property, say for a dollar a year. Where's the safeguard? Who checks on the director after he or she perhaps have made the lease?"
"Okay, Mr. Black, I'm sorry I didn't respond completely to your previous question. There was a concern when the Bill was heard, the Amendment, previous Amendment was heard in committee, there was a concern about making all these leases come through the General Assembly. So, the language of Amendment 3, includes the 60% language which we've discussed."
"Right."
"But also, that the director may not lease property for a nominal consideration that's tantamount to a gift. So, 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 150th Legislative Day January 6, 2003 there is some language in there that, below 60% of market... market, fair market rent, that the director would have to certify the reasons in writing. The director does not have to do that now. The director currently has complete discretion under the existing law. It's whatever terms and conditions in the judgement of the director are in the best interests of the state, which is a very extremely broad standard. This would attempt, at least, to have the director justify in writing any significantly below market lease and also would prevent a lease for a completely nominal consideration."
"All right. Representative, I... know what you're after and I'm not... I'm not philosophically opposed to what you're trying to do. But I've been around here long enough to know that what you may be doing in this Bill shuts off an avenue that many communities have used over the years. I don't remember all of the details, maybe someone from Chicago can jog my memory. But I believe there was a substantial Department of Military Affairs National Guard Armory in the City of Chicago that was no longer used or useful and if memory serves me right, that facility was transferred to the Chicago Park District for I think a dollar, or some sum, some very nominal sum. And then the Chicago Park District renovated that and it became, again memory fails me, but I think it became a welcome addition to their facilities."
"Okay. That situation, Mr. Black, would not be covered under this Bill. That would be a situation where the property is transferred. It's surplused by the state. It's no longer needed by the state. It can be transferred to a unit of local government if no other state agency wants it and I think that's the situation you're 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 150th Legislative Day January 6, 2003 describing."
"Okay."
"That is governed by another section of law nearby, in the code, but not by this one."
"All right. Okay. So, we're not shutting off something that we have used for mutual benefit?"
"No. Shouldn't be."
"Wouldn't it be easier to just add an Amendment on the face, that any such lease entered into by the director could only be for a one-year period of time, and then that we have some review? 'Cause I don't understand the current Zeller lease. Is it in perpetuity? Is there an option? Is it for 5 years, 10 years, 1 year?"
"My understanding of that... All right. First of all, I suppose I should say that my understanding is that the state can only lease for 5 years at a time. That's under existing law. My understanding of the Zeller lease is that there's a 5-year lease with three options to renew on the part of the college and that's how they got to 20 year."
"And is the state protected? Does the state have the ability to cancel any of the options at the end of the initial contract?"
"I think that's in the hands of the local unit of government at the community college."
"All right. Thank you very much for answering the questions."
"Mr. Leitch."
"Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. You really should take a very, very close look at this Bill. While the genesis of this Bill reflects an opinion by the Sponsor about the Zeller transaction, this Bill serves to handcuff the 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 150th Legislative Day January 6, 2003 administration and future governors in their disposition of state property and it also jeopardizes, as Representative Black pointed out, a number of other community relationships with the state and with abandoned property. I think back not too long ago in Peoria, where IDOT no longer had need of its headquarters and together with about 15 acres of property and some other outbuildings was given to the park district for a dollar a year, that park district adjoining that DOT headquarters and site. It made a tremendous amount of difference and it made a tremendous amount of common sense in that case because there was hazardous material in some of the old garages, and it made sense to the state to make that transaction. So, it was a win-win-win for the community, for the park district, and for the state. There are many unintended consequences of this Bill, ones that could very directly affect your community. So, what this Bill does is it requires the director of CMS to certify the reasons for leasing the property at the rate and that the rate constitutes fair and adequate compensation, whatever that is. There's no standard for that. It prohibits the Department of CMS from leasing property for nominal consideration tantamount to a gift. Well, as I just mentioned, the gift may on the other end of it have important expensive consequences that the state is avoiding by virtue of being able to gift the property to a local unit of government. If the property... no appraisal is required if during the initial survey CMS determines the property has an annual fair market rental value of less than $10 a square foot. Well, is that the building or is that the land? Can they, if the land is less than $10 a square foot, can they lease the land but not the building or vice versa? What about demolition 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 150th Legislative Day January 6, 2003 costs and other factors that are involved in such a transaction? If it is more, then CMS must adopt an appraisal representing fair market value. The Bill, would it, according to CMS and the fiscal note, require increased administrative expenditures and impact CMS in three important areas. First, it would require appraisal at about $2 thousand per appraisal for any property deemed in excess of $10 a square foot in value, which would impact approximately a hundred and twenty lease arrangements each year and cost about $240 thousand a year to the state. Second, the lease changes could prevent agencies leasing to numerous programs for which agencies provide space to grant-related or other program-related users at nominal cost. I venture to say that in virtually every district here represented, it may be the case that you have agencies, related agencies, who seek to have a reduced lease to those agencies from the state. So, the state as a result, would have to either award larger grants to those programs or lose their services. Third, there are cases in which leasing unproductive or unused State Government property at a cost below fair market value actually saves money for the state by avoiding operating costs. For example, by leasing the former Zeller Mental Health Facility to the Illinois Central Community College, State Government is saving 1.5 million in annual operating expenses for that vacant property and the state is also avoiding 2.8 million in planned capital projects. And of course, in the case of Zeller, the state was spending $18 million for 40... 40 patients. And in the case of Zeller, Illinois Central College which was working across the spectrum with a whole series of other agencies, the school district, the college of medicine, the biosciences project, 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 150th Legislative Day January 6, 2003 the workforce development and importantly, most importantly of all perhaps, district 150 will be able to jump-start very important educational opportunities and programs to the people in that community. Not only that, by virtue of jump-starting the Illinois Central College master plan implementation, it will save taxpayers upwards of $40 million from the planned north campus. So, it is very, very taxpayer friendly and makes a tremendous amount of common sense, which is why not only the Peoria ___________________ Journal Star but virtually every community group represented in the community is enthusiastically in support of that transaction. So, I would urge you to take a very close look at this Bill. This Bill could very well come back to bite you in your own districts. It's a Bill that handcuffs the administration and the Governor and is one that I think is is not warranted and one that has a legion of unintended consequences awaiting it were it to be enacted. I would urge you to vote 'no' on this Bill. Thank you."
"Mr. Johnson."
"Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Sponsor yields."
"You know when you're a lame duck they take away your computer, so I'm not even sure what your Bill does. But as I understand it, what you're requiring now is that somebody who leases, whether it's a governmental body or whether it's a not-for-profit or anything else that's gonna have to pay at least 60% of the fair market value of a lease. Is that correct?"
"Yes, or... or, Mr. Johnson, if the... if the department is going to lease for under 60%, that the department has to provide a written justification for doing so."
"Okay. But then that written justification has to come 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 150th Legislative Day January 6, 2003 in here for approval?"
"No, it doesn't. But it has to be in the file. There has to be some kind of a justification for it."
"Okay. But certainly, it would chill any sort of leasing arrangements that might be made with excess property, would it not?"
"I'm sorry, could you repeat that?"
"It would certainly create a chilling affect upon an agency to lease that property to say, another governmental body."
"I don't see that it would necessarily, no."
"Well, if I had a hundred and eighteen people looking at me in here on everything I did, you know, it might chill me from doing that which is common sense. But, aside from that, it seems to me that a prudent approach would be to at least exempt ever... other governmental bodies who are leasing excess properties, otherwise you're telling the taxpayer to pay for the same thing twice, over and over and over again. You know, the tax dollars are... they're all tax dollars, they come out of my pocket whether they go to the county, the municipality, the township or the state. As a taxpayer, I only see that tax bill. And it seems to me that if we have excess capacity or excess lands that the state owns, that it's in the taxpayers' interests to basically see that another governmental body who needs that sort of use can get that for practically nothing. Otherwise you're asking the taxpayer to pay for it again. Am I correct?"
"I don't believe so, no."
"Well, how am I not?"
"Well, for example, if the state has an excess piece of property that it absolutely has no further need for, the 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 150th Legislative Day January 6, 2003 state arguably could sell that piece of property at a fair... a fair market price. And that would help us in this case, in the case of state property, that money would go to the General Revenue Fund and help us with our deficit."
"But your own Bill is... your own Bill is saying that they can sell it for 60% of the fair market value."
"No, it doesn't. Actually, what I'm referring to would be a sale which is not governed by the section of law that is addressed in this Bill. This Bill deals only with leases."
"All right. Well, again, I guess I have serious questions that if the state has an excess piece of property that the taxpayers have already paid for and a local unit of government needs that property and can put it to good use, to then asks the taxpayers to turn around and pay for it all over again, I just don't see that that makes sense to the taxpayers. And so for that reason, Mr. Speaker, I would urge a 'no' vote."
"Mr. Biggins."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Sponsor yields."
"I see, Representative, this Bill referred to three appraisals that may be necessary under this Act if the properties are worth $2 thousand or more. Is that correct?"
"No. That's an earlier Amendment, Mr. Biggins. The Amendment that we are dealing with now, Amendment 3, would require one appraisal only."
"Okay. The appraisal required though it would only if the fair market rent on the property is determined to be $10 per square foot or more. Does this legislation require a certification of the appraiser? Or that does it require 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 150th Legislative Day January 6, 2003 that the appraiser doing the appraisal be a certified, designated real estate appraiser?"
"I believe it does, not by operation of the language of the statute, but by... by the definition of appraisal and appraiser that is earlier in the overall CMS statute, I believe it does. Yes."
"Well, there are differences in qualifications and that's why some schooling is heavier per certain designations under appraisal programs that are regulated by the State of Illinois. I think that the state would really be hamstringing themselves by adoption of this law. And it might not be in the best interests of the taxpayers, therefore, I won't be able to support this Bill. Thank you."
"Representative Slone to close."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen. The purpose of this legislation is to make sure that the Department of Central Management Services to the greatest extent possible has some accountability for the leases that it enters into on behalf of all the taxpayers of the State of Illinois. And I would appreciate your 'aye' votes."
Speaker Madigan: "The Lady moves 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? Has Mr. Black voted? Representative Flowers, has Representative Flowers voted? The Clerk, shall take the record. On this question, there are 67 'ayes', 43 'noes'. This Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Mr. Boland, did you wish to call House Bill 2742? Mr. Boland."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would ask the House to concur 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 150th Legislative Day January 6, 2003 in Senate Amendment #1. What it does is it moves the year of the income tax form that this checkoff would appear on up to one more year ahead, because we couldn't do it for this year, the forms have already been printed. It would be at a cost of something like a half million dollars to throw those out and start all over. And so, the Senate Amendment is a good Amendment, I believe, that we should concur in."
Speaker Madigan: "The Gentleman moves that the House concur in the Senate Amendment. The Chair recognizes Mr. Parke."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Spo..."
"Representative, when you presented this in committee did anybody object to this?"
"There were no objections. It passed in... all of the committees, both in the House, Senate, unanimously passed the House unanimously and also the Senate 55 to 0."
"And this is... this will solve the problem and this is the only action necessary?"
"This is the only action necessary, yes."
"Thank you."
"Mr. Black. Mr. Black."
"Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Sponsor yields."
"Representative, in Operation, Desert Storm in my district I had three Reserve units called to active duty and two National Guard units called to active duty. The only question that I have, what body or how will it be determined how the money in the fund will be distributed? Will it be based on what unit had served the longest overseas? What... who had the longest deployment? Or 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 150th Legislative Day January 6, 2003 would it be on individual members who took the biggest hit, vis-a-vis their civilian pay, military pay. I mean, I'm trying to get a handle on just how this is going to work because the devil is always in the details, when you come back from a 6 or 7 month deployment, obviously, the opportunity for, hey wait a minute, I should have gotten more than I got or does everybody receive the same or is this all gonna be handled by the rule-making process?"
"Representative, you're exactly right on the latter. The Department of Military Affairs is the ones that will draw up the criteria. It will be up to any individual that feels this need to apply to the depart... the Illinois Department of Military Affairs to determine, ya know, what they would get and so forth. I felt it was best left up to them instead of trying to do a detailed thing that... they're the experts."
"I agree, Mike. And I think with what's going on, obviously, this should fly out of here unanimously. I just... so I have some safeguard, I feel a little better about it, would the rules be promulgated by Department of Military Affairs, then go to JCAR, so at least there will be a review process?"
"I believe so, yes."
"All right. See, what I'm after, if somebody only has a 50-month deferral... $50 a month differential and everybody gets the same amount of money from the fund, somebody else who might have a thousand dollars a month differential is not gonna be real happy with that disbursement. But as long as JCAR would get some review, I think it's the best we can do. I congratulate you for bringing it forward because unfortunately, if it's needed, it's gonna be needed very quickly. So, I appreciate your time." 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 150th Legislative Day January 6, 2003
"Thank you."
"Mr. Franks."
"Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Sponsor yields."
"Representative, I'm looking for you."
"Yes."
"This is the military checkoff Bill, correct?"
"Right."
"Is there any cost at all to the State of Illinois?"
"No."
"Okay and this is the Bill that Lieutenant Governor-elect Patrick Quinn has been pushing so hard recently."
"Right."
"Okay. Is there any opposition to this Bill at all?"
"No, no."
"Okay. To the Bill. This is something I believe that should pass unanimously in the House. It's the one way that we can help the working families who are really putting themselves out on the line for us here in Illinois, the members of the National Guard from Illinois who take a significant pay cut in most cases, when they sacrifice for the duty of our country. And their families shouldn't have to bear the financial burden without some help from us. So, this is something that it's good politics, it's good morals. It's something that we... that these people deserve and that we should pass with 118 votes. And I truly appreciate the Sponsor bringing this Bill forward and I'd like to be added as a cosponsor if I could. Thank you."
"Mr. Stephens."
"Well, thank you for bringing order, Mr. Speaker. The... I wanted to thank the Sponsor for bringing this to 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 150th Legislative Day January 6, 2003 the House Floor. This... there's been a little discussion that... that maybe this had some weaknesses in it. I don't particularly see them. And I agree with Representative Franks, now more than ever, is the appropriate time to bring this legislation forward. You know while we were here on election day practicing what democracy means, and we went all through this week, we'll be sworn into office, those of us who we're suc... successful, the process works. And while we were practicing the process of democracy, young men and women from the United States of America were at all points in the world, all points of the world in every continent defending... our name... and freedom, and there's gonna be a lot more to come. Representative Boland, I salute you and I would like to be added as a cosponsor, too... also. Thank you, Mr. Speaker."
"Mr. Boland to close."
"Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank all of the questioners and people who made a statement. This is indeed the least that we can do. So many our fellow citizens are making sacrifices on behalf of us. And unfortunately, maybe in the near future will be making even more sacrifices, putting their lives and limb in jeopardy, being away from their families for such a long time that I feel that this is the least we can do to help those who might find themselves in particular financial stress. And so... Mr. Speaker, thank you and thank all the Members. I would ask for their vote. Thank you."
"The Gentleman moves that the House concur in Senate Amendment #1 to House Bill 2742. 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? Has Representative... Okay, the 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 150th Legislative Day January 6, 2003 Clerk shall take the record. On this question, there are 110 people voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no'. The House does concur in Senate Amendment #1 to House Bill 2742. And this Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Mr. Wait. Is Mr. Wait in the chamber? Do you wish to call... House Bill 5222? Mr. Wait."
"Thank you, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. House Bill 5222 is just a cleanup Bill for the state police. Basically, it just says that... measure the length of the trucks from the front axle to the rear axle rather than from the front to the back. And... it just... minor cleanups like that. Everybody's in favor of it, there's no opposition. And I ask for your support."
Speaker Madigan: "The Gentleman moves that the House concur in Senate Amendment #1. Is there any discussion? There being no discussion, the question is, 'Shall the House concur in Senate Amendment #1 to House Bill 5222?' Those in favor signify by voting 'yes'; those opposed by voting 'no'. Have all voted who wish? Has Representative Crotty voted? Has Representative Crotty voted? The Clerk shall take the record. On this question, there are 110 people voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no'. The House does concur in Senate Amendment #1 to House Bill 5222. And the Bill, having received a Constitution Majority, is hereby declared passed. Mr. Clerk."
Clerk Rossi: "Representative Currie, Chairperson from the Committee on Rules, to which the following measure was referred, action taken on January 6, 2003, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'to the floor for consideration' Senate Bill 2023 to the Order of Senate Bills-Second Reading."
"Mr. Tenhouse." 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 150th Legislative Day January 6, 2003
"Yes, Mr. Speaker. I rise on a point of personal privilege. I'd like to introduce my State Senator-elect who's sitting up in the gallery, John Sulivan. He's from Rushville and happens to be... he decided to come over to the House and see what the real world's like."
"The Chair recognizes Mr. Brunsvold on House Resolution 1174."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Clerk read the Resolution, please."
"House Resolution 1174, offered by Representative Brun... Brunsvold. HOUSE RESOLUTION 1174 WHEREAS, The members of the House of Representatives of the State of Illinois are pleased to honor the achievements of student athletes; and WHEREAS, The Aledo High School football team, the Green Dragons, were the winners in the 2002 Class 2A State Football Championship Tournament in Champaign for the second consecutive year; and WHEREAS, The Green Dragons came back from an 18 point deficit to win the game with a final score of 41 to 40 over the Carthage Blueboys; the Green Dragons finished the season with a record of 14 wins and no losses; this is the first time the Aledo Green Dragons have ended a season undefeated; and WHEREAS, The head coach of the Green Dragons is Cullen Welter; the assistant coaches are Tom Hasson, Neal Thompson, Brad Hoffman, Rich Smith, Bob Stockham, Dennis Mellgren, Dennis Runbom, CJ Tracy, Justin Thies, and Michael Reick; and 19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 150th Legislative Day January 6, 2003 WHEREAS, The captains of the team are Brett Lee, Chris Dixon, Matt Simpson, Brian Greer, and Mike Steele; senior team members are Jordan Clark, Robby Rice, Brad Franks, Jeff Mugford, J.J. Dunn, Matt Randall, Brenton Bush, Jeff Jenkins, Kris Kozelichki, Barry Olson, Thomas Harrison, Matthew Heard, Nicholas Smith, Sam Salmon, Ryan Thirtyacre, and David Carpenter; junior members of the team are Preston King, Harold Odeen, Matt McCleary, Josh Bigham, Andy Anderson, Ryan Gilliland, Aaron Willits, Daniel Glidden, Brandon Dowd, Cody Welge, Andy Hutchins, Ben Regnier, Shane VanDolah, Craig Lingafelter, Jason Mugford, Zachary Taylor, Mark Hessman, James Anderson, and Jesse Korns; and WHEREAS, Sophomore team members are Quincy Lee, Adam Vipond, Bryce Williams, Yancy McIntosh, Tyson Rush, Jacob Happ, Michael Thompson, Elgin King, Derrick Toby, Jonathon Swanson, Chance Swanson, Lucas Smith, Colby Staker, and Coty Greer; freshman team members are Cody Brown, Trevon Dunn, Brandon Flint, Matt MacDonald, Daniel Maynard, Jacob Robinson, Jon Tribler, and Chris Shull; therefore, be it RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the Green Dragons football team of Aledo High School on winning the State Class 2A Football Tournament; and be it further RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to Head Coach Cullen Welter and each of the contributing members of the Green Dragons mentioned herein with our best wishes for their continued success."
"Mr. Brunsvold."
"... Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Ladies and Gentlemen of the House, behind me in the balcony is the class 2A Champions from Aledo and Mercer County. My county seat, I Believe so. Will these guys, stand up, please. Stand up, 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 150th Legislative Day January 6, 2003 gentlemen. Let's give these guys a big hand. The San Francisco 49ers last night, if you watched the game, followed and imitated the Green Dragons because they came from an 18-point deficit in the last... in the second half to beat the Carthage Blueboys, sorry, Mr. Myers, beat the Blueboys 42 to 41, was it, guys? I think the final score was, by 1 point. These guys and Aledo High School, the Green Dragons, won the tournament in 1998. They were state champs. They were champs last year, 2001, and they are state champs again this year, 2002. I think we can really use the word dynasty here when it comes to football and the Olympic Conference. They are great players. I've watched them play a number of times this year. They were 14 and 0 which is a record for Aledo, as far as the football records are concerned and no other team has... been gone 14 and 0 and won the state championship. They've also won the sportsman awards and all of the last few years as they played they've been a part of the Illinois High School Association Sportsman's Awards. And the unusual part of this is Matt Simpson, who followed the team this year and he was in a car accident last year, and is now in a wheelchair. And these boys dedicated this season to Matt Simpson, who was on the sideline during the whole season. And I want to congratulate those guys for... for doing that for Matt Simpson. Let's give... let's just give another hand for a great year and a great bunch of guys."
"Mr. Hartke in the Chair."
"Mr. Speaker, I would ask for the adoption of the Resolution."
Speaker Hartke: "You've heard the Resolution. And all those in favor signify by saying 'aye'; opposed 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes', have it. And House 21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 150th Legislative Day January 6, 2003 Resolution 1174 has been adopted. On Supplemental Calendar #1, on the Order of Concurrence, appears House Bill 2277. Representative Mathias. Representative Mathias on the Concurrence Motion."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I humbly present this Bill to the chamber. This was actually Representatives Osmond's, last Bill and I'm asking to concur with Senate Amendment 1. Basically, this Bill makes some technical changes to existing law. And I'd be glad to go through... through them. Some of them have to do with notice provisions for a hearing in connection with issuance of bonds. It also allows governmental units to transfer interest earned on bonds into funds that are in most need of the interest, except for funds dealing with retirement funds or tort immunity funds. It also makes a technical change that says a local government must explain in the notice of referendum how they're going to pay for the issuance of the bonds. It also makes a technical change to clarify the issuance of bonds for school construction and the wording of the referendum. It makes a technical change placing limits on installment payments for investments to a period not in excess of the maximum term of the bond issue. And finally, it allows a local government to issue bonds when the local government's revenue source to pay for the bonds is equal to 110%, rather than the current law of 125% of debt service, only on the condition that the revenue source is a governmental revenue source. I ask for your concurrence to House Bill 2277."
Speaker Hartke: "Is there any discussion on the Concurrence Motion on Senate Amendment #1 to House Bill 2277? Seeing that no one is seeking recognition, the question is, 'Shall the House concur in Senate Amendment #1 to House Bill 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 150th Legislative Day January 6, 2003 2277?' All those in favor will signify by voting 'yes'; those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 110 Members voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no' and 0 voting 'present'. And the House does concur with Senate Amendment #1 to House Bill 2277. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. The Chair recognizes Representative Black. For what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Yes, Mr. Speaker. Since you seem to be having difficulty finding people prepared to move a Bill, I am prepared to rise to a point of personal privilege, if I might?"
"State your point."
"Yes. I... I want to thank the Office of the Speaker. There are many, many changes taking place in State Government this week and next. I appreciate the map that I was sent last week, showing me my new parking place. I want you to know I found lot 'D' at the fairgrounds, wasn't easy but I found it. But could you look into the shuttle bus? The shuttle bus was a pick-up truck, Mr. Speaker. And that's fine with me, I'm a country boy. But when you have to ride in the back from the fairgrounds and it's like 30 degrees, could we at least put a... ya know, find a topper or something on the back of the pickup? And could you bolt the chair in? That plastic chair in the back was moving all around the place. Other than that, I have no complaints about the parking place."
Speaker Hartke: "Well, we were considering a golf cart for you to..."
"Oh, a golf cart. That, that would be lovely. Yes, perhaps one assigned to me?" 23 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 150th Legislative Day January 6, 2003
"Possibly, yes."
"Could I have some kind of cover on it?"
"No."
"Thank you very much. Well, Mr. Speaker, I do appreciate the map it only took me an hour and a half to find the parking spot. But that's okay."
Speaker Hartke: "That was lot 21. The House is preparing to adjourn. Members should be reminded that Jud II and Revenue will be meeting at 9:30 on Tuesday. With that, Mr. Clerk, would you announce the committees?"
"The following committees will meet immediately upon adjournment. The Judiciary II-Criminal Law Committee in Room 114, the Executive Committee in Room 118, and the Registration & Regulation Committee in Room D-1. At 5 p.m. the Environment & Energy Committee will meet in Room 118."
Speaker Hartke: "There being nothing further, Representative Currie... Representative Currie now moves that the House stand adjourned 'til the hour of 10 a.m., Tuesday, January 7. All those in favor signify by saying 'aye'; opposed 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. Allowing perfunctory time for the Clerk, the House stands adjourned... 10 a.m."
"The designated hour having arrived, the House Perfunctory Session will come to order. Committee Reports. Representative Barbara Flynn Currie, Chairperson from the Committee on Rules, to which the following measures were referred, action taken on January 6, 2003, reported the same back with the following recommendations: 'to the floor for consideration' a Motion to Concur on House Bill 1273 approved for consideration. Representative Burke, Chairperson from the Committee on Executive, to which the following measures were referred, action taken on Monday, 24 STATE OF ILLINOIS 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 150th Legislative Day January 6, 2003 January 6, 2003, reported the same back with the following recommendations: recommends 'be adopted' a Motion to Concur with Senate Amendment #1 to House Bill 2721, and a Motion to Concur with Senate Amendment #1 to House Bill 5159. Representative Novak, Chairperson from the Committee on Environment & Energy, to which the following measure was referred, action taken on Monday, January 6, 2003, reported the same back with the following recommendations: 'be adopted' Floor Amendment #2 to Senate Bill 364. Representative Saviano, Chairperson from the Committee on Registration & Regulation, to which the following measure was referred, action taken on Monday, January 6, 2003, reported the same back with the following recommendation: 'be adopted' a Motion to Concur with Senate Amendments 1, 3, and 4 to House Bill 2463. There being no further business, the House Perfunctory Session will stand adjourned." 25