“The House shall come to order. The Members shall be in their chairs. We shall be led in prayer today by Pastor Darrell Bendorf of the Harvard Bible Church in Chemung, Illinois, which is right near Harvard, Illinois. Pastor Bendorf is the guest of Representative Jack Franks. The guests in the gallery may wish to rise and join us for the invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance.”
“Shall we pray. Heavenly Father, we begin this Session of the Illinois General Assembly by beseeching You for Your blessing and guidance. Thank You for each Representative who is serving You by serving the citizens of their district and the citizens of the State of Illinois. For You have declared that the government official is Your minister to reward those who do good, to punish those who do evil. Grant that the inalienable rights, which are given to mankind by You, our creator, may be long preserved to the citizens of our state by this esteemed Body. I pray, Father, that You would bless our President with wisdom and guidance in these days of international tension and turmoil and in that connection we pray also for the safety for our citizens of Illinois who are serving in the Armed Services, who are willing to give their lives to defend the freedoms which we so deeply treasure. Thank You for that love which You demonstrated to mankind when You sent Your only begotten son to bear our sins and to give his life that we might be reconciled to You. We pray this in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ, 09300023.doc 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 to whom belong all glory and dominion, both now and forever. Amen.”
“We shall be led in the Pledge of Allegiance by Representative O’Brien.”
“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 Currie.”
“Thank you, Speaker. Please let the record show that there are no excused absences among the House Democrats today.”
“Mr. Bost.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Please let the record reflect that Representative Poe is excused today.”
“The Clerk shall take the record. There being 117 Members responding to the Attendance Roll Call, there is a quorum present. Mr. Clerk.”
Clerk Bolin: “Committee Reports. Representative McGuire, Chairperson from the Committee on Aging, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on Friday, February 28, 2003, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' for House Bill 1178 and House Bill 1484; 'do pass as amended Short Debate' for House Bill 1412. Representative Daniels, Chairperson from the Committee on Developmental Disabilities & Mental Illness, to which the following 09300023.doc 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 measure/s was/were referred, action taken on Friday, February 28, 2003, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' House Bill 1614; 'do pass as amended Short Debate' House Bill 75, House Bill 1209, and House Bill 1451. Representative Collins, Chairperson from the Committee on Juvenile Justice Reform, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on Friday, February 28, 2003, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' House Bill 524. Representative O’Brien, Chairperson from the Committee on Judiciary II-Criminal Law, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on Friday, February 28, 2003, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' House Bill 516, House Bill 517, House Bill 1175, House Bill 1280, House Bill 1372, House Bill 1373, House Bill 1374, House Bill 2250 and House Bill 2526; 'do pass as amended Short Debate' House Bill 92, House Bill 1089, House Bill 1536, and House Bill 2525. Representative Bradley, Chairperson from the Committee on Personnel & Pensions, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on Friday, February 28, 2003, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' House Bill 407; 'do pass as amended Short Debate' House Bill 373. Representative Molaro, Chairperson from the Committee on Revenue, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on Friday, February 28, 2003, reported the same back with the 09300023.doc 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' House Bill 91, House Bill 237, House Bill 339, and House Bill 1436; 'do pass as amended Short Debate' House Bill 46 and House Bill 117. Corrected Committee Report. Representative Molaro, Chairperson from the Committee on Revenue, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on Friday, February 28, 2003, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' House Bill 91, House Bill 237, House Bill 339, and House Bill 1436; 'do pass as amended Short Debate' House Bill 46 and House Bill 117. Representative Giles, Chairperson from the Committee on Elementary & Secondary Education, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on Thursday, February 27, 2003, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' House Bill 483, House Bill 1235, House Bill 2235, and House Bill 2350; 'do pass as amended Short Debate' House Bill 371. Representative Holbrook, Chairperson from the Committee on Environment & Energy, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on Thursday, February 27, 2003, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' House Bill 23… House Bill 231 and House Bill 1279; 'do pass as amended Short Debate' House Bill 386; recommends 'be adopted' House Joint Resolution 12. Representative McCarthy, Chairperson from the Committee on Higher Education, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on 09300023.doc 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 Thursday, February 27, 2003, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' House Bill 60, House Bill 2277, and House Bill 2329; 'do pass as amended Short Debate' House Bill 2279. Representative Delgado, Chairperson from the Committee on Human Services, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on Thursday, February 27, 2003, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' House Bill 215, House Bill 216, House Bill 222, House Bill 479, House Bill 1253, House Bill 1268, House Bill 1353, and House Bill 2136; 'do pass as amended Short Debate' House Bill 1193. Representative Fritchey, Chairperson from the Committee on Judiciary I-Civil Law, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on Thursday, February 27, 2003, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' House Bill 186, House Bill 1157, House Bill 1382, House Bill 1584, House Bill 1629, and House Bill 2262; 'do pass as amended Short Debate' House Bill 264. Corrected Committee Report. Representative McKeon, Chairperson from the Committee on Labor, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on Thursday, February 27, 2003, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' House Bill 102, House Bill 1088, House Bill 1099, House Bill 1100, House Bill 1457, and House Bill 1462; 'do pass as amended Short Debate' House Bill 310. Representative Osterman, Chairperson from the Committee on 09300023.doc 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 Local Government, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on Thursday, February 27, 2003, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' House Bill 256, House Bill 257, House Bill 1285, House Bill 1534, House Bill 2284, and House Bill 2299; 'do pass as amended Short Debate' House Bill 494; 'do pass Standard Debate' House Bill 2244. Representative Franks, Chairperson from the Committee on State Government Administration, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on Thursday, February 27, 2003, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' House Bill 57, House Bill 209, House Bill 481, and House Bill 2205; 'do pass as amended Short Debate' House Bill 32, House Bill 89, and House Bill 121; recommends 'be adopted as amended Short Debate' House Joint Resolution 8 and; recommends 'be adopted Short Debate' House Resolution 19.”
“Mr. Clerk, what is the status of House Bill 1176? 1-1-7-6. Mr. Clerk, make it 1166.”
Clerk Rossi: “House Bill 1166 is on the Order of House Bills-Third Reading.”
Speaker Madigan: “Place the Bill on the Order of Second Reading. Representative Kelly, are you seeking recognition?”
“Yes.”
“Representative Kelly.”
“A point of personal privilege.”
“State your point.” 09300023.doc 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003
“Ladies and Gentlemen, I’d like to announce that today is our colleague’s birthday, the honor… honorable George Scully. So, join me applauding him.”
“Representative Lindner.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Point of personal privilege.”
“State your point.”
“I’d like everyone to say happy birthday to my seatmate, Ruth Munson. Unfortunately, the cookies that she’s ordered for us all are lost on a truck somewhere. So, we may not get them until next week, but please wish her happy birthday.”
“On page 2 of the Calendar, on the Order of House Bills-Second Reading, there appears House Bill 6. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of the Bill?”
Clerk Rossi: “House Bill 6 has been read a second time, previously. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments have been approved for consideration.”
“Mr. Clerk, take this Bill out of the record. House Bill 20. What is the status of House Bill 20?”
“House Bill 20, a Bill for an Act amending the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. Floor Amendment #1, offered by Representative Lang, has been approved for consideration.”
“Mr. Lang.” 09300023.doc 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Floor Amendment #1 is a very technical Amendment to the Bill and I would ask your support to adopt the Amendment.”
“The Gentleman moves for the adoption of the Amendment. Those in favor say ‘yes’; those opposed say ‘no’. The ‘ayes’ have it. The Amendment is adopted. Are there any further Amendments?”
“No further Amendments.”
“House Bill 26. Mr. Lang. Back to House Bill 20. Mr. Clerk, put House Bill 20 on the Order of Third Reading. House Bill 26. Mr. Lang. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of the Bill?”
“House Bill 26, a Bill for an Act in relation to highways. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Mr. Lang.”
“Could we move it to Third Reading, Mr. Speaker?”
“Mr. Stephens, are you seeking recognition on this question?”
“I thought the Bill was moved to Third Reading. That’s what I was gonna address.”
“The Bill’s on Second Reading. We’re prepared to move it to Third. Mr. Clerk, put the Bill on the Order of Third Reading. House Bill 39. Mr. Lang. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of the Bill?”
“House Bill 39, a Bill for an Act in relation to the Procurement Code penalties. Second Reading of this 09300023.doc 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. House Bill 43. Mr. Burke. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of the Bill?”
“House Bill 43, a Bill for an Act in relation to health. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. No Motions have been filed. Floor Amendment #2, offered by Representative Burke, has been approved for consideration.”
“Mr. Burke.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. Amendment #1, pardon me, Amendment #2 would extend the date of compliance for this Act. And I’d ask for the adoption of the Amendment.”
“The Gentleman moves for the adoption of the Amendment. Those in favor say ‘yes’; those opposed say ‘no’. The ‘ayes’ have it. The Amendment is adopted. Are there any further Amendments?”
“No further Amendments.”
“Third Reading. House Bill 44. Mr. Lyons. Hold the Bill? Gentleman indicates he wants to hold the Bill. House Bill 85. Mr. Lang. Gentleman indicates he does not wish to call the Bill. House Bill 93. Mr. Schmitz. Gentleman indicates he does not wish to call the Bill. House Bill 94. The Gentleman indicates he does not wish to call the Bill. House Bill 136. Representative Soto. Representative Soto. House Bill 136. Do you wish 09300023.doc 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 to call the Bill? Mr. Clerk, what is the status of the Bill?”
“House Bill 136 has been read a second time, previously. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Put the Bill on the Order of… Representative Soto.”
“Can I pass it for one minute, I just need to get the file.”
“I don’t think there’s anything to do. We’re just gonna move the Bill from Second to Third.”
“Yes. Thank you. Thank you.”
“Okay. So, put the Bill on the Order of Third Reading. House Bill 176. Representative Bellock. Bellock. Mr. Clerk, take the Bill out of the record. House Bill 184. Mr. Saviano. Mr. Saviano. Take this Bill out of the record. House Bill 206. Representative Monique Davis. Representative Monique Davis. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of the Bill? Mr. Clerk, take House Bill 206 out of the record. House Bill 220. Representative Slone. Is Representative Slone in the chamber? Representative Slone. House Bill 263. Mr. Saviano. Mr. Saviano. House Bill 300. Mr. Mathias. Gentleman indicates he does not wish to call the Bill. House Bill 318. Representative Yarbrough. Yarbrough. The Lady indicates she does not wish to call the Bill. House Bill 375. Mr. Meyer. Gentleman indicates he does not wish to call the Bill. House Bill 385. Mr. Acevedo. Is Mr. Acevedo in the chamber? House Bill 413. 09300023.doc 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 Representative O’Brien. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of the Bill?”
“House Bill 413, a Bill for an Act concerning vehicles. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. No Motions have been filed. No further Floor Amendments approved for consideration.”
“Third Reading. House Bill 385. Mr. Acevedo. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of the Bill?”
“House Bill 385, a Bill for an Act concerning vehicles. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. House Bill 462. Mr. Burke. Mr. Burke. Mr. Burke. House Bill 482. Representative Flowers. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of the Bill?”
“House Bill 482, a Bill for an Act concerning health. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Mr. Burke on House Bill 468. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of the Bill?”
“House Bill 468, a Bill for an Act concerning professional regulations. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. House Bill 531. Mr. Hoffman. Mr. Hoffman. Mr. Hoffman. Mr. Hoffman. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of the Bill?”
“House Bill 531, a Bill for an Act in relation to civil procedure. Second Reading of this House Bill. No 09300023.doc 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. House Bill 536. Mr. Cross. Mr. Clerk, take this Bill out of the record. House Bill 1110. Mr. Lang. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of the Bill?”
“House Bill 1110, a Bill for an Act in relation to highways. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. No Motions have been filed. No Floor Amendments approved for consideration.”
“Third Reading. House Bill 1118. Mr. Joyce. The Gentleman indicates he does not wish to call the Bill. House Bill 1121. Mr. Smith. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of the Bill?”
“House Bill 1121, a Bill for an Act authorizing a horse feed checkoff. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Mr. Black. Mr. Black.”
“Yes, Mr. Speaker. Point of personal privilege, if I might.”
“Mr. Clerk, on House Bill 1121, put the Bill on the Order of Third Reading. Mr. Black.”
“Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Earlier we announced that Representative Munson’s cookies had been lost. I’m glad to announce that Representative Munson’s cookies have now been found and they’re in the chamber and you’re 09300023.doc 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 welcome to come over here and see Representative Munson’s cookies.”
Speaker Madigan: “For what purpose does Mr. Sullivan seek recognition?”
“Mr. Speaker, a matter of personal privilege.”
“State your point.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To the Members of the House, as a new Member of the Sullivan Caucus, I’ve been asked to invite you all to a party March 18 at Marley’s from 5 to 8 to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Thank you very much.”
“House Bill 1135. Mr. Forby. Mr. Forby. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of the Bill?”
“House Bill 1135, a Bill for an Act concerning wildlife. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. No Motions have been filed. No Floor Amendments approved for consideration.”
“Third Reading. House Bill 1186. Mr. Reitz. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of the Bill?”
“House Bill 1186, a Bill for an Act concerning vehicles. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
Speaker Madigan: “Third Reading. House Bill 1191. Mr. Brosnahan. The Gentleman indicates he does not wish to call the Bill. House Bill 1248. Representative Nekritz. Lady indicates she does not wish to call the Bill. House Bill 1286. Mr. Black. Mr. Black. Gentleman indicates he does not wish to call the Bill. House Bill 1360. 09300023.doc 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 Representative Jones. Representative Jones. House Bill 1383. Mr. Fritchey. Fritchey. 1383. Gentleman indicates he does not wish to call the Bill. House Bill 1445. Mr. Rita. Gentleman indicates he does not wish to call the Bill. House Bill 1460. Mr. McAuliffe. Mr. McAuliffe. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of the Bill?”
“House Bill 1460, a Bill for an Act in relation to the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. No Motions have been filed. No Floor Amendments approved for consideration.”
Speaker Madigan: “Third Reading. House Bill 1467. Representative Hamos. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of the Bill?”
“House Bill 1467, a Bill for an Act concerning finance. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. House Bill 1514. Mr. Franks. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of the Bill?”
“House Bill 1514, a Bill for an Act concerning conservation districts. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. No Motions have been filed. No Floor Amendments approved for consideration.”
Speaker Madigan: “Third Reading. House Bill 1577. Mr. Mathias. Gentleman indicates he does not wish to call the Bill. 1604. Mr. Mathias. Gentleman indicates he does not 09300023.doc 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 wish to call the Bill. House Bill 1617. Mr. Holbrook. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of the Bill?”
“House Bill 1617, a Bill for an Act in relation to the Metro-East Sports Facility Authority. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. The Chair would once again remind the Members where you’re holding Bills on Second Reading the day is quickly approaching when they’ll be many, many Bills on the Calendar and it will be difficult to get Bills called. So, if your Bill’s on Second Reading, you’re well-advised to move it out of here. Now, going back to the Clerk. Mr. Clerk, do you have a Rules Committee Report?”
Clerk Rossi: “Committee Reports. Representative Currie, Chairperson from the Committee on Rules, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on Friday, February 28, 2003, reported the same… reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'to the floor for consideration' Floor Amendment #1 to House Bill 6, Floor Amendment #2 to House Bill 87, Floor Amendment #2 to House Bill 205, Floor Amendment #1 to House Bill 1249 and Floor Amendment #1 to House Bill 1445.”
“Mr. Clerk, House Bill 6. What is the status of the Bill?”
Clerk Rossi: “House Bill 6 has been read a second time, previously. No Committee Amendments. Floor Amendment #1, 09300023.doc 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 offered by Representative Feigenholtz, has been approved for consideration.”
“Representative Feigenholtz.”
“Thank you, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. The Illinois Hospital Association has provided me with a Amendment to my Bill wanting also to be acknowledged under public health emergencies as first responders. I’d be glad to answer any questions.”
Speaker Madigan: “The Lady moves for the adoption of the Amendment. Those in favor say ‘yes’; those opposed say ‘no’. The ‘ayes’ have it. The Amendment is adopted. Are there any further Amendments?”
“No further Amendments.”
“Third Reading. House Bill 87. Mr. Lang. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of the Bill?”
“House Bill 87, a Bill for an Act in relation to elderly persons and persons with disabilities. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. No Motions have been filed. Floor Amendment #2, offered by Representative Lang, has been approved for consideration.”
“Mr. lang.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Floor Amendment #2 is partly technical and part of it deletes a Section of the Bill with agreement of the Department on Aging. I would ask for your support.”
“The Gentleman moves for the adoption of the Amendment. Those in favor say ‘yes’; those opposed say 09300023.doc 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 ‘no’. The ‘ayes’ have it. The Amendment is adopted. Are there any further Amendments?”
“No further Amendments.”
“Third Reading. House Bill 205. What is the status of the Bill?”
“House Bill 205, a Bill for an Act concerning schools. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. No Motions have been filed. Floor Amendment #2, offered by Representative Monique Davis, has been approved for consideration.”
“Representative Davis.” Davis, M.: “Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Amendment #2 on House Bill 205 merely states that when school-based organization… community-based organizations are listed that it states when available. In committee, some of the committee Members asked that I include the words ‘when available’ because in some rural areas there may not be any community-based organization. And I urge your acceptance of this Amendment.”
Speaker Madigan: “The Lady moves for the adoption of the Amendment. The Chair recognizes Mr. Black.”
“Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. An inquiry of the Chair.”
“State your inquiry.”
“On the system it shows Floor Amendment #1. I don’t have a Floor Amendment #2 on my system and Floor Amendment #1 does not appear to be what the… what the Representative addressed. Could you see if we have the right Amendment?” 09300023.doc 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003
“Representative Davis.” Davis, M.: “Amendment #1 was adopted in committee and Floor Amendment #1 removes the mandate to take any money from our school districts. Floor Amendment #1 takes away any… No, no. Floor Amendment 1 takes away the possibility of taking any money from the school districts. Floor Amendment 2 says that when a community-based organization list is listed, if there are no community-based organizations that means they’re not available. And that’s what Floor Amendment 2 says, it’s just two or three little words, ‘when available’.”
“All right. Mr. Speaker, I think it was our mistake. The Amendments aren’t numbered consecutively on our system. Committee Amendment #1 and then Floor Amendment we have labeled as #1, it should be #2.” Davis, M.: “It is 2. In this… in the Calendar it’s 2.”
“Right. Floor Amendment #2.” Davis, M.: “It’s comm… Committee Amendment 1, Floor Amendment 2.”
“Right. Now, Floor Amendment #2 simply says if you cannot attend… I guess… is it your intent you’re making this permissive?” Davis, M.: “Absolutely, Representative. I…”
“What… I guess what we’re confused on the Amendment, Representative, if the district or the school in which the student resides doesn’t have this option then what happens?” 09300023.doc 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 Davis, M.: “That’s what Floor Amendment 2 does, it says when available, therefore if an area does not have these community organizations then they’re not available, so nothing happens.”
“Okay. So, it… it doesn’t require the student to go elsewhere or…” Davis, M.: “No, it does not.”
“Does the suspension still hold?” Davis, M.: “The suspension definitely still holds.”
“Okay. Fine. Thank you.” Davis, M.: “You’re very welcome.”
“Mr. Black, are we ready?”
“Yeah.”
“So, the Lady moves for the adoption of the Amendment. Those in favor say ‘aye’; those opposed say ‘no’. The ‘ayes’ have it. The Amendment is adopted. Are there any further Amendments?”
“No further Amendments.”
Speaker Madigan: “Third Reading. House Bill 1249. Representative Slone. What’s the status of the Bill?”
“House Bill 1249, a Bill for an Act concerning fire protection. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. Floor Amendment #1, offered by Representative Slone, has been approved for consideration.”
“Representative Slone.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen. Floor Amendment #1 was done at the request of Cook County. Cook County wants to make sure that not only the work that is 09300023.doc 19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 done by their own employees is covered by the Bill, but also anything that might be done by their agents, anybody who would contract with them. And with that change, they have no problem with the Bill. I would appreciate your favorable consideration.”
Speaker Madigan: “The Lady moves for the adoption of the Amendment. The Chair recognizes Mr. Parke. Mr. Parke.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?”
“Sponsor yields.”
“Thank you. Representative, can you just tell us one more time what your Amendment does?”
“I’m sorry, Mr. Parke, I couldn’t hear you? Couldn’t hear your question.”
“I’m sorry, too. Could you tell us what the Amendment does one more time, please?”
“What the Amendment does?”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
“Okay. The way the Bill is currently drafted, Representative Parke, it would… it would apply to a… a controlled burn on a for… by the forest preserve district only if their own employees were doing the burn. And they had requested of us right before it was heard in committee that the language be expanded to make it clear that if they hired out, contracted out for somebody to do this work, it would also be covered by the legislation and that’s what the Amendment does.”
“Now, is this… is this in a nonattainment area? Would this be in a nonattainment area?” 09300023.doc 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003
“Representative Parke, the Bill is in effect a trailer Bill for House Bill 1081 from the last time, it covered all the counties in Illinois except Cook County. It took us a little longer to work out the details with Cook County and this Bill is the result that will bring Cook County under the governance of the Bill, as well.”
“So…”
“So, it’s… it’s all over the state.”
“All right. Will you be… is there a way that in your legislation to let the neighborhood know that a burning will be done so those asthmatic members of the community are protected if you’re gonna be doing burning?”
“This would be for units of government to make sure that they and for some of the small land conservation organizations, say the Nature Conservancy and the Sierra Club, may do some of these under the supervision of the park district or the forest preserve district. Though… they… what the Bill requires and what the preceding legislation required else… everywhere else in the state is that they notify the local fire department or the local fire protection district, if applicable. And I would… and those folks will try and make sure that appropriate standards for when those burns might be conducted are done. In other words, because of the notice to the fire protection people they’ll make sure that the burn is not done if the wind conditions are too high, if the humidity is too low, certain other elements obtain that would make a special health risk.” 09300023.doc 21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003
“Yeah. Ya know what, and I think I understand what you’re trying to do, but yesterday in committee in the Energy & Environment Committee we had a little girl that was seven years old came and spoke to us, she was a very brave young lady and she said that she can’t go out of the house if there’s a burn and if she does it could be life threatening. And I sure, especially in Cook County, which is a, ya know, an awful heavy residential area and people live in Cook County in most of the area of the county, I sure would want those fire protection districts to be sensitive to the impact that these burnings could have to the citizens around there and in fact, if there was a child or an adult outside when this burn was done and were unaware could actually end up passing away. So, if there’s any way that you can amend it or say that there… that they should be sensitive to the neighborhood and let people know the burn is gonna happen, I think that would really be something to make your Bill even better. Perhaps in the Senate, I mean, I’m not gonna stop you from putting your Amendment on, but maybe that’s something that you might wanna look at.”
“Thank you, Representative Parke, that’s a great suggestion.”
Speaker Madigan: “The Lady moves for the adoption of the Amendment. Those in favor signify by saying ‘aye’; those opposed say ‘no’. The ‘ayes’ have it. The Amendment is adopted. Are there any further Amendments?”
“No further Amendments.” 09300023.doc 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003
Speaker Madigan: “Third Reading. House Bill 1455. Representative O’Brien. What is the status of the Bill?”
“House Bill 1455, a Bill for an Act in relation to highways. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Mr. Clerk, relative to House Bill 1455, put the Bill on the Order of Third Reading. Mr. Hartke in the Chair.”
“Mr. Clerk, what is the status of House Bill 1400?”
Clerk Rossi: “House Bill 1400 is on the Order of House Bills-Third Reading.”
“Move that Bill back to the Order of Second Reading for the purpose of an Amendment at the request of the Sponsor. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of House Bill 486?”
Clerk Rossi: “House Bill 486 is on the Order of House Bills-Third Reading.”
“Move that Bill back to the Order of Second Reading for the purpose of an Amendment at the request of the Sponsor. Mr. Clerk, on the Order of Resolutions, House Resolution 101. Chair recognizes Representative Giles.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. Today we rise to give… pay tribute to a gentleman who has truly served the General Assembly in the State of Illinois, Mr. Donald Payton, who’s in the gallery. Mr. Payton will leave this Body as a legislative liaison to the Illinois State Board of Education. He has served more than 09300023.doc 23 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 24 years in this Body. He will be going on to bigger and better things. I am told that he will be moving to Florida and serving in the Florida Community College as a senior legislative liaison similar to the role that he’s playing here. Also, I would like to simply rise to congratulate him for his outstanding services to the State of Illinois and we hope that a suitable copy of this Resolution be presented to Mr. Don Payton as a token of our respect and esteem with the best wishes to his family and his future endeavors. Thank you very much, Mr. Don… Donald Payton.”
“Chair recognizes Mr. Jerry Mitchell.” Mitchell, J.: “Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise in strong support of this Resolution. Eight years I’ve served on the Elemen & Secondary Education Committee and on Elementary & Secondary Education Approp. I don’t think we could’ve gotten along on those committees without the help of Don. Don has always been there to give us those answers as best he can, to the best of his ability and if he couldn’t find the answers he always got us in touch with someone that did have the answers. Don, I’ll never forget the several times that you got me printouts that probably got us both in trouble, but they sure helped the Members, made us understand what we were facing. And I really, really appreciate that and I am gonna miss you as much as anybody on this House Floor. So, best of luck to you and I’m waiting for that call to be your assistant in Florida. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.” 09300023.doc 24 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003
Speaker Hartke: “Further discussion? Chair recognizes Representative Kosel.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Don, you will be missed. As Republican Spokesperson for the Education Committee, I wanna tell you that your efforts in dealing with all of our quirks and our particular personalities has been very much appreciated. Your job has not been easy. You’ve done it well, you’ve done it with grace, you’ve done it with class and I’m sure you will continue to do that. Best of luck in your new career. You definitely deserve the wonderful place that you’re going. Thank you.”
“Chair recognizes Representative Black.”
“Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. I, too, rise to congratulate Don Payton, wish him the very best as he continues to pursue his career in education, albeit in another state. For most of you on this floor and many of you now are new, one of the things that you will become very accustomed to is constituents who call you at all hours of the day and night and they have a question about their son or their daughter and whether the school did the right or the wrong thing, whether the school can do this, whether the school district can refuse to provide transportation. And of course, they’re angry when they call their Legislator and we don’t have answers to all of these questions. Let me just say this, I have called Don Payton early in the morning, late in the afternoon, even tracked him down at home once or twice, desperate for an answer so I could take care of a 09300023.doc 25 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 parent or a constituent who was very upset. Don was always willing to go the extra mile, always willing to get you the information that you needed as quickly as possible and always as accurately as possible. Don, it will be very difficult if not impossible to replace you, but I wish you the very best in Florida.”
“Chair recognizes Representative Delgado.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I, too, want to say congratulations to Don Payton. Having served on Elementary Secondary Curriculum & Appropriations since I’ve joined the General Assembly, Don has been a good resource for me in keeping checks and balances. Don, good luck to you. I know right where you’re going down south and you won’t be too far from my parent’s home down there. I’m very familiar with the area in where you’re going. Congratulations to you my good friend and hopefully, we can hook up down there and get some bass fishing in, too, whenever we could have a day off. And we’re gonna wanna know how many state superintendents they have down in the State of Florida. Or how many did you serve under the State of Illinois in your tenure, how many state superintendents?”
“Chair recognizes Representative Giles.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just simply rise to add that all Members of this Body be added as cosponsors of this House Resolution, House Resolution 101. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.” 09300023.doc 26 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003
“Question is, ‘Shall the House adopt House Resolution 101?’ All those in favor signify by saying ‘aye’; opposed ‘no’. In the opinion of the Chair, the ‘ayes’ have it. And the Resolution is adopted. Congratulations, Don Payton. On page 5 of the Calendar, on the Order of Third Reading, appears House Bill 34. Mr. Lang. Out of the record. House Bill 51. Mr. Lang. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 51, a Bill for an Act concerning the elderly. Third Reading of this House Bill.”
“Representative Lang.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen. As I think I’ve said on this House before, many of you know that I chaired a panel… a task force on elder abuse that traveled the state and we’ve come up with a lot of different ideas, some of which you’ve been seeing. This one is pretty simple and pretty straightforward. It says that if you’re convicted of elder abuse you should not be able to inherit from the person who you’ve abused. We’ve added an Amendment to say, well, maybe the person will decide later that they still want this person to inherit and they would be able to. But it doesn’t make any sense, I think, to any logical person that if you push someone down the stairs and they die you should be able to inherit their money and that’s what the Bill’s all about. And I would ask your support.”
“Is there any discussion? Chair recognizes Representative Black.” 09300023.doc 27 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003
“Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Sponsor yield?”
“Sponsor indicates that he will yield.”
“Representative, just one thing I need to make clear. To invoke this… should this become law for it to be invoked there must be a conviction, not an accusation. Correct?”
“Absolutely correct.”
“All right.”
“A conviction.”
“Thank you very much.”
“Further discussion? Seeing that no one is seeking recognition, the question is, ‘Shall the House pass House Bill 51?’ All those in favor signify by voting ‘aye’; those opposed vote ‘no’. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Bost. Mr. McCarthy. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk… Representative McCarthy. Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 116 Members voting ‘yes’, 0 voting ‘no’, and 0 voting ‘present’. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. House Bill 100. Representative Boland. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 100, a Bill for an Act concerning advisory questions of public policy. Third Reading of this House Bill.”
“Representative Boland.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. What House Bill 100 does is it allows non-Home Rule municipalities, non-Home Rule 09300023.doc 28 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 counties and park districts to put advisory referendum on the ballots by a vote of their board of trustees or their governing board. This is the same ability that Home Rule counties and Home Rule municipalities currently have, as well as townships also have this ability to do so. And so, the Municipal League, the park districts and the county organizations, both of them, the Metro County and the statewide county group asked to… to have that same ability. And a few of these communities probably were doing this and did not know that it was… it was not really fully legal, so this would help to make it legal for them. This is a Bill incidentally that we passed out of the House three times and hopefully this fourth time will be the charm.”
“Is there any discussion? Seeing no one is seeking recognition, the question is, ‘Shall the House pass House Bill 100?’ All those in favor signify by voting ‘yes’; those opposed vote ‘no’. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 116 Members voting ‘yes’, 0 voting ‘no’, and 0 voting ‘present’. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. House Bill 116. Mr. Smith. Out of the record. House Bill 120. Out of the record. House Bill 123. Mr. Holbrook. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 123, a Bill for an Act in relation to vehicles. Third Reading of this House Bill.”
“Mr. Holbrook.” 09300023.doc 29 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003
“Thank you, Speaker. House Bill 123 makes the possession of a traffic control preemption device illegal except under certain circumstances. This is a result of the fire taskforces that we held around this state. And I would like for the purposes of intent to read into the record in subsection (e) of the Bill is the intention to allow motorcycles to use a device that will not preempt a signal, but improve the normal operation of the signal by enhancing the traffic signal equipment’s ability to detect the presence of a motorcycle. With that, I’d be glad to take any questions. I know of no opposition.”
“Is there any discussion on House Bill 123? Seeing that no one is seeking recognition, the question is, ‘Shall the House pass House Bill 123?’ All those in favor signify by voting ‘yes’; those opposed vote ‘no’. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk… Mr… Representative Kosel. Representative Kosel. Representative Kosel in the chamber? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 115 Members voting ‘yes’, 0 voting ‘no’, and 0 voting ‘present’. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. House Bill 128. Mr. Boland. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 128, a Bill for an Act concerning elections. Third Reading of this House Bill.”
“Representative Boland.” 09300023.doc 30 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Bill 128 is a Bill that we have passed out twice out of the House. What it does is it permits senior citizens to vote by absentee ballot. Thirty states, including neighboring Iowa and Michigan are among the states that allow this already. Illinois is only… is one of only twenty states in which elderly voters must meet other criteria in order to vote absentee. And I believe it passed out a… it passed out of committee with no opposition. So, I would appreciate a vote.”
Speaker Hartke: “Is there any discussion? Representative Black.”
“Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. I rise in opposition of the Bill as I did last year and I think the year before that. Number one, I’m not a legal scholar and I’m not an attorney, but if you look at this, I think you’re creating a potential problem under the Equal Protection Clause of the Constitution. You’re creating a class of people who can vote absentee simply based in their age, not based on an infirmity or a disability, you’re creating a class of people that can request and vote absentee simply because they hit the age of 65. Now, I’m pretty close to 65 myself. My father will be 85, Lord willing, in April and is a World War II veteran and when I talk about this with my father he becomes somewhat exorcised to say the least. He said, when people of my generation went through the mud, the cold, the rain, the invasions, the death, the deprivation and fought to protect our way of life and to 09300023.doc 31 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 protect your right to vote, why in the world does it suddenly become so fashionable that if it’s the least bit inconvenient to vote we’ll take care of it, why, we’ll vote for you, we’ll give you an absentee ballot simply based on your age. What’s next? Your diver’s license is revoked so you can get an absentee ballot. It’s too hot, go get an absentee ballot. It’s too cold, we’ll give you an absentee ballot. It’s raining, call up, we’ll give you an absentee ballot. Why in the world do we persist in taking something that is the basic heritage of this country, that people have fought and died for for our 200-plus years of history? All of a sudden there are those in this chamber who just simply want to say it’s no big deal. No big deal. If you wanna vote, fine. If you’re too tired, you’re too old, you hit a magic age, hey, you can vote absentee. I would submit to you that anyone who has lived in Illinois all their life, our history of voting absentee ballots in this state has been clouded with controversy and that’s a kind way of saying that absentee ballot corruption has probably visited, at one time or another, most every county in the State of Illinois. There is no reason on earth that I can think of, regardless of the respect in which I hold the Sponsor and I’m a cosponsor of more than one of his Bills this year. But to simply say the day you turn 65 you are eligible to vote absentee because it may be inconvenient for you to vote, it may be a little more difficult for you to vote, you may have to miss something on television in order to vote, I think you are denigrating the importance 09300023.doc 32 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 of that process that so many people take for granted. Thirty-four percent of the people eligible to vote in the Chicago mayoral primary voted. And I know the Sponsor might say, ah ha, that’s my point. If it was absentee voting, without question the percentage might go up. Well, shame on us. If we have to hand-feed and spoon-feed a population to vote, a right that many people in this world would die to have, I think you denigrate the process. I don’t think there’s anything magical about turning 65, if I turn 95 I might be interested in the Bill. Check with me in about 30 years. But I do not agree with the concept of this Bill, I think it violates the Equal Protection Clause under the Constitution. And I say again, if you’re too tired, too inconvenienced, too burnt out to vote, no disability, just that you’ve reached the magic age, then you cheapen the very process that this country was founded on. I intend to vote ‘no’.”
Speaker Hartke: “Further discussion? Chair recognizes Representative Lang.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen. I rise in support of the Gentleman’s Bill, despite the comments of the previous speaker. We all know that we have great difficulty getting even 50 percent of Illinois voters to come to the polls and vote. Now, you can argue that it’s a privilege that they ought to exercise and that’s a good argument, except they don’t do it. I think we need to make it easier for people to vote. For instance, in the State of Oregon, they’ve experimented with postcard voting, in 09300023.doc 33 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 the State of Arizona, they’ve experimented with Internet voting. In both of those states they had dramatically positive results. For instance, in Oregon, 80 percent of the voters voted in the United States Senate race when they could vote by postcard. All the Gentleman’s trying to do here is make it easier for senior citizens to vote. The easier we make it for people to vote, the more people will vote. The easier we make it for people to vote, the more informed they will be. This stands… this is a good idea to get more people involved in the process and more people involved in their communities. It’s a Bill you should be voting for.”
“Chair recognize Representative Stephens. He declines recognition. Further discussion? Since no one is seeking recognition, Representative Boland to close.”
“Thank… thank you, Mr. Chairman. And I would ask that all of you vote for this. We know that our fellow senior citizens as we get up in age and I’m getting closer and closer to that, I develop more health problems than I once had and so forth. We know that they have more intermittent health problems. They sometimes have difficulty with personal mobility and especially in bad weather. We have a terrible primary here in March, I wish we’d change that to help folks. But the other thing is they often have trouble with transportation, especially if they’re living alone in that type of situation. I think that those folks have earned the same privilege that people in… senior citizens in 30 other states have and I think we ought to give our 09300023.doc 34 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 Illinois senior citizens that same privilege. Please vote ‘yes’. Thank you.”
“Question is, ‘Shall the House pass House Bill 128?’ All those in favor signify by voting ‘yes’; those opposed vote ‘no’. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Novak. Have all voted who wish? Representative Kosel. Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 76 Members voting ‘yes’, 37 Members voting ‘no’, 2 Members voting ‘present’. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. House Bill 199. Representative Davis. Monique Davis. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 199, a Bill for an Act concerning the Department of Public Health. Third Reading of this House Bill.”
“Representative Davis.” Davis, M.: “Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Bill 199 amends the public health powers and duties and requires that the Department of Public Health develop and disseminate through print, broadcast and public service announcements the importance of prostate cancer screening for men over 40. Research has shown that if this disease is caught very early it is easily cured. Usually men who go to the doctor sometimes and too often go when it’s too late. So, we’re just asking the Department of Public Health to make public service announcements to urge screening. And I stand available for questions.” 09300023.doc 35 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003
“Is there any discussion? Chair recognizes Representative Parke.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wanna commend the Sponsor of this legislation coming over and explaining to Bill Black and I her intent with this and I think the intent is a… is worthy. The only question I had as I will have throughout the course of this Session is, how is it gonna get paid for and perhaps the Representative can just let the Body know what her intent is on how to get money to pay for any expenses that would be incurred from this.” Davis, M.: “Excuse me. According to current law, Representative, these kinds of screening information is based upon appropriation of available funds. Some of the funds may be federal funds and some of the funds may be funds that are already used for print or advertising media by the Illinois State Board… I’m sorry, Illinois Board of Public Health.”
“So, the agencies that would have the responsibility it would be based on whether or not there was federal money appropriated for it or that there was actual appropriations for it. Is that correct?”
“It says subject to appropriation or other available funding. Yes, it does.”
“Well, I commend the Sponsor for trying point out to the citizens of Illinois the problems with their health care and to make sure that we all seek medical attention when there is a possibility that something might be wrong or 09300023.doc 36 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 just to have it checked to make sure that nothing is wrong. So, I will support the Lady’s legislation.”
“Further discussion? Since no one is seeking recognition, Representative Davis to close.” Davis, M.: “Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. And I would just ask for an ‘aye’ vote.”
“The question is, ‘Shall the House pass House Bill 199?’ All those in favor signify by voting ‘yes’; those opposed vote ‘no’. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Representative Krause. Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 115 Members voting ‘yes’, 0 voting ‘no’, and 0 voting ‘present’. And this Bill having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. House Bill 88. Representative Lang. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 88, a Bill for an Act in relation to health care. Second… Third Reading of this House Bill.”
“Representative Lang.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen. This Bill mirrors a Bill we’ve passed three times in the House and sent to the Senate. And this comes from years of work from a mental health taskforce and the Mental Health Committee, which I chaired for many years. It’s a very expansive Bill, with no known opponents, to deal with the many problems in the mental health area of Illinois. As I think you know, Illinois is something like forty-fourth or 09300023.doc 37 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 forty-fifth in the country at treating the mentally ill and this Bill would go a long way toward improving our situation. I would appreciate your support.”
“Is there any discussion? Chair recognizes Representative Parke.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?”
“Sponsor will yield.”
“Representative, I understand that you headed a taskforce on this?”
“Representative, the taskforce met for about two or three years traveling the state and that was in the mid-‘90s and about three or four years ago we started having a standing committee of the House on mental health and that committee continued this work, that committee embodied this language into a Bill that we voted for and you have voted for at least two or three times on this House Floor.”
“Well, I hate to be consistent, but now, did you say this legis… mental health legislation is based on your personal experiences? Did I hear that correctly?”
“No, no. I didn’t say that, but that’s a very good question, Sir.”
“I thought you said it was a personal thing that we were… All right. Fine. I’m sure since I voted for it in the past that it’s probably a fine piece of legislation of which I will probably be supporting again.”
“Further discussion? The Chair recognizes the Gentleman from DuPage, Representative Biggins.” 09300023.doc 38 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003
“Yeah. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?”
“Sponsor will yield.”
“Yes, Sir, ya know, yesterday you had a Bill in committee again, Representative, and I liked a lot of parts about the Bill, but it also was involving an inspector general. And my concern about inspector… Well, first, my question is, is the inspector general going to have different duties than the head of the department?”
“Representative, this Bill as it stands now does not affect… there’s no inspector general in this Bill, but I do believe this office already has an inspector general. This… this Bill don’t… does not now have anything to do with that office.”
“This is not an additional inspector general that we’re creating?”
“No, Sir.”
“Thank you.”
“Further discussion? Since no one is seeking recognition, Representative Lang to close.”
“Please vote ‘aye’.”
“The question is, ‘Shall the House pass House Bill 88?’ All those in favor signify by voting ‘yes’; those opposed vote ‘no’. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Yes, House Bill 88. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 115 Members voting ‘no’… ‘yes’, 0 voting ‘no’, and 0 voting ‘present’. And 09300023.doc 39 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 House Bill 88, having… 88, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. House Bill 200. Representative Davis. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 200, a Bill for an Act concerning the Department of Public Health. Third Reading of this House Bill.”
“Representative Davis.” Davis, M.: “Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Bill 200 is very similar to 199 and what it asks is that the Department of Public Health develop and disseminate through print and broadcast media public service announcements that publicize the importance of AIDS and HIV screening. The current law requires that the department conduct public information campaigns for physicians, hospital and health facilities. This Bill merely ask that they produce print and information regarding screening, people should get screened for HIV. And I stand ready for questions.”
“Is there any discussion? Seeing no one is seeking recognition, the question is, ‘Shall the House pass House Bill 200?’ All those in favor signify by voting ‘yes’; those opposed vote ‘no’. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Lang. Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 115 Members voting ‘yes’, 0 voting ‘no’, and 0 voting ‘present’. And this Bill having received the Constitutional Majority, is 09300023.doc 40 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 hereby declared passed. House Bill… Representative Turner, for what reason do you seek recognition?”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Assembly. I just wanted to make one final request of the Members. Yesterday we passed out cloths for all of the Members and some Members did not get a cloth. We’ve had a Page that was trying to find out who did not get one. If the Page did not talk to you, could you just raise your hand so we know, we’d like to bring those down on Monday of next week. So, if you did not receive a cloth and your name was not taken, please let me know so that we can take care of you next week. Bob is already on the list, he’s number one, but anybody else, please stop by desk and let me know. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.”
“Thank you, Mr. Turner. Page 6 of the Calendar appears House Bill 211. Representative Feigenholtz. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 211, a Bill for an Act concerning insurance coverage. Third Reading of this House Bill.”
“Representative Feigenholtz.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. House Bill 211 is a Bill that will require insurance companies to provide coverage for outpatient contraceptive coverage including prescriptions. This chamber has seen this Bill two times on its way to the Senate. It died in the Senate. We’re hoping this… the third time is a charm. I’d be glad to answer any questions.” 09300023.doc 41 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003
“The Chair recognizes Representative Parke.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?”
“The Sponsor indicates that she will yield.”
“Representative, will this Bill terminate the life of… the… Could this be used in terms of the health care products, the paying for anything that could be perceived as terminating the life of an unborn fetus?”
“Representative Parke, House Bill 211 does not cover drugs that cause abortion because not covered drugs like the abortion pill, RU-486, 211 expressly states it covers contraceptive drugs and devices approved by the FDA for the prevention of unintended pregnancy.”
“But… Did anybody testify against your legislation in committee?”
“I believe there was a gentleman who did testify.”
“There was what?”
“A gentleman who testified against it. I know that, one person.”
“Do you know the name of that person?”
“Ralph Rivera.”
“Okay. Thank you. To the Bill. Ladies and Gentlemen…”
“To the Bill.”
“… the intent of this Bill has been addressed in legislation that most of you have gotten. There is opposition to this Bill. There is perceived that certain aspects of this legislation could affect a pregnancy. And I would say that in a opposition to Illinois Catholic Health Care and Service… Social Service Agencies oppose it. 09300023.doc 42 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 The Illinois Life Insurance Council opposes this. Ralph Rivera of the Illinois Citizens for Life proposes (sic- opposes) this. Lindsey Artola with Provident Health Care Systems is opposed to it. Joe McCoy of the Illinois Municipal League is opposed to this. Rob Carney from the Illinois Chamber of Commerce is opposed to this. Phil Lackman of the Illinois State Association of Health Care… Health Underwriters is opposed. Kim Maisch the director of the National Federation of Independent Businesses, which is the largest small business association representing small businesses in the State of Illinois. And Brittan Bolin representing Pfizer Pharmaceuticals opposed. Ladies and Gentlemen, it goes on and on and on. This is a very controversial Bill. There is strong opposition for many reasons on this legislation. And I would say that you be… you need to be very careful on reviewing this to make sure that you’re casting a vote that you think is the right one for you personally and for the citizens of the State of Illinois. I strongly rise in opposition to this legislation.”
Speaker Hartke: “The Chair recognizes the Lady from Cook, Representative Coulson.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Lady yield?”
“The Lady will yield.”
“Opponents of House Bill 211 have claimed that it makes health insurance costs prohibitive. Has there been any case when this policy has been implemented elsewhere?” 09300023.doc 43 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003
“Representative, 20 other states have employed this contraceptive coverage and have had it in effect for a few… quite a few years already and there have been no major health crises reported. As a matter of fact, as you well know, family planning is really the smartest way to go. And the cost of childbirth versus the cost of an unwanted pregnancy is expedentially (sic-exponentially) different.”
“So, you would say that it’s true that covering contraceptives by health insurance could save money?”
“Yes, paying for contraceptives is tremendously cheaper than for the cost of a prena… for prenatal care and childbirth which can be 5 thousand to $10 thousand for a healthy birth. And also, I would like you to know, Representative, that the Washington Business Group on Health took cost savings into account and found that not providing contraceptive coverage was actually more expensive, perhaps 15 to 17 percent more than providing contraceptive coverage to refute some of the comments of the person who spoke before you. Employers will report that costs related to pregnancy and childbirth make up the single largest component of health care costs, 10 to 49 percent of total health care spending. Businesses have costs related to pregnancy that go way beyond health care, which include parental leave.”
“So, would you say that is sound fiscal policy for the state and especially in a tough budget year?”
“It’s absolutely sound fiscal policy for the state and Central Management Services was neutral on the Bill. I 09300023.doc 44 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 also want to mention… the prior speaker mentioned all the opponents to the Bill. I’d be glad to read all the proponents to the Bill which include Planned Parenthood, AFSCME, SEIU, the Illinois Public Health Association, the Illinois State Medical Society, the AIDS Foundation of Chicago, Illinois NOW, the Campaign for Better Health Care, the ACLU and the National Association of Social Workers, just to name a few.”
“Okay. Representative, the previous speaker mentioned that the Catholic Conference is opposed to it. As I understand it, the reason they’re opposed to it is because it lacks an exemption for the right of conscience. So, can you tell me why you didn’t put that in your Bill, the right of conscience?”
“Representative Coulson, Illinois has one of the best and broadest right of conscience Bills in this country and the Catholic Conference should know that because it was the Catholic Conference who actually helped write that Bill. Right now… House Bill 211 does not change any of the provisions in the care… in the con… in the Health Care Right of Conscience Act and the Health Care Right of Conscience Act will apply to the provisions of House Bill 211. To further explain that… to further explain it, right now, the Health Care Right of Conscience Act allows medical personnel, health care facilities and health care payers to refuse to receive, attain, accept, perform, assist, counsel, suggest, recommend, refer or participate in any way in any particular form of health care services contrary 09300023.doc 45 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 to his and her con… his or her conscience. Under the Health Care Right of Conscience Act, a health care payer is a health maintenance organization, insurance company, management service organization or any other entity pays… that pays or arranges for the prepayment of any health care or medical service procedure. This Act, Representative Coulson, everyone in this room should know, supercedes all Acts. So, the Right of Conscience Act is actually, basically, takes care of all of your concerns.”
“To the Bill.”
“To the Bill.”
“All right. Thank you for the answers to our questions. And I think the most important thing to remember is this is where we’re asking insurance companies as well as the state to cover contraceptives which is a cost-effective move to save money for both the state and insurance companies and we are in no way changing the right of the patient or person not to request birth control pills or contraceptives. So, I would say that it’s a very strong ‘yes’ vote. We’ve exempted anyone who does not want them. Thank you.”
“Further discussion? The Chair recognizes the Gentleman from Madison, Mr. Stephens.”
“The Gentleman from Fayette. It’s changed, Mr. Speaker.”
“You’re not from Madison County?”
“Fayette.”
“Fayette County.” 09300023.doc 46 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003
“That’s good.”
Speaker Hartke: “The Gentleman from Fayette County, Mr. Stephens.”
“I like the way you say that.”
“Fayette.”
“Outstanding. Come visit. Mr. Speaker, I can’t believe the debate I’m hearing. It’s as if we’re still stuck in the twentieth century. For my friends in business, and I think I got pretty good credentials in supporting business issues on this… in this General Assembly, in more than one Session. The fact of the matter is in a neighborhood in your district you’re talking about an insurance policy, a basic insurance policy, allowing or we’re gonna mandate, let’s mandate that we have oral contraceptives included. I will tell you that my friends and neighbors in the 102nd District think that that’s just… that’s a given. They don’t believe that it’s not included already. It’s like, okay, I’m gonna buy health insurance, but it doesn’t include a broken arm. We’ve gotta get into the twenty-first century and I think you can do that and still keep your conservative credentials. The fact of the matter is the people expect this from us and we should do this for our Members… for the people in our district. Secondly, to my pro-life friends, I came here 18 years ago. Pro-life, for a lot of us, you are the first time you’re ever asked, where do you stand on pro-life? Very early in our careers and I know in my career, you took a stance. We don’t always agree on that stance. There’s pro-choice and 09300023.doc 47 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 pro-life, maybe we disagree. But to think that this Bill, I don’t care if the pro-life organizations say so or not, I come from those organizations and I tell you that, in my opinion, this is not about pro-life or pro-choice. This is about the common decency to include a basic health care mechanism in a basic health care insurance plan. If you can’t vote for it, vote ‘present’. Your peop… the people in our districts believe that we’re gonna do the right thing. We can cha… have different opinions, but on something so basic as a health care policy, I say we should agree. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.”
“Further discussion? From the Lady from Cook, Representative Mulligan.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Some men are getting enlightened after a few years, it’s always wonderful. Before we go, before I ask Representative Feigenholtz any questions, I’d like to correct one of the slips that my colleague read. The slip that was put in in committee that was read against it, Pharmacia supports this Bill. They are not against it, that was a mistake on the slip and the lobbyist has been phoned and I would like to correct the record on that that they do support this. Also, this is just… this should be a given. You know, quite frankly, a lot of insurance policies don’t even want to cover pregnancy anymore and it’s very expensive, it’s much more expensive. The law firm I was with for a long time, when the women, the younger women, started coming into the law firm, they had to pay for the extra coverage in order to 09300023.doc 48 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 cover pregnancy. Contraceptives are a given state as far as a woman planning her life and her health, particularly if you have a large family already, if you have a medical condition that precludes you having anymore children. There are things that contraceptives do that allow women to live a full life, to carry on a job, take care of their families, it should be a given. Some of the people that are against this state over and over again when they talk against certain provisions, particularly the pro-life people, that they’re not against contraceptives and they’re not for putting women back in the Dark Ages. I would think slipping this ‘against’ would be exactly that for the simple reason that if you don’t care to take contraceptives, you don’t have to. If it’s against your religion, you don’t have to. Some of the people that profess that as part of their religion are commonly known to take contraceptives anyway. It is a given, in this day and age, that women plan their families, take care of their health, take care of the children that they already have, and use contraceptives. It’s unfortunate that we cannot be enlightened and it certainly… I don’t underst… and insurance companies. It’s much cheaper to provide contraceptives than it is to cover an unplanned pregnancy. Why would you not support this Bill? I think if you’re in the twenty-first century and you know what it’s all about and you’re smart enough to understand it, this is something that we should have done a long time ago. I urge an ‘aye’ vote. I commend the Sponsor for working on this Bill and 09300023.doc 49 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 try… continually trying to get it out and I would think that everyone in this Body would vote ‘aye’.”
Speaker Hartke: “Further discussion? The Chair recognizes Representative Novak.”
“Yes. Will the Sponsor yield?”
“The Sponsor indicates she will yield.”
“Representative Feigenholtz, could you tell me about… as far as state employees are concerned, whether it’s us or whether you’re just a state employee for a state agency, can you tell me if there ever was contraception coverage for females many years ago? Has it always been a policy of the state…”
“You know what, there were some… I believe that there were some plans in the state that the state offered that did cover it. It was very inconsistent, however. Some did, some didn’t.”
“Okay. Well, but let’s just relegate this to the state… state employees, the state system. Were there ever any… was there ever any contraceptive coverage for females years ago? Do you recall?”
“How many years ago?”
“And the question I had, I thought I read somewhere that, sometime maybe in the ‘60s or the ‘70s or maybe the early ‘80s, the state eliminated coverage for contraceptives for female employees. Is that correct?”
“I don’t believe so.”
“So, there’s…” 09300023.doc 50 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003
“But if you think so, obviously it sounds like you…”
“Well, no. So… so, there’s never been any contraceptive coverage for females under the state employees’ insurance program, correct?”
“Depends… Some of… some of the insurance opportunities that the state offered dur… through some managed care and HMOs did offer it, some did not.”
“Okay.”
“It was very inconsistent which is part of what the problem is here.”
“I thought it was at one time, but… My point is that this is a fair Bill. Okay? And I intend to support it. It’s just common sense. But I have a… maybe another question I wanna follow up on. Are men covered under the insurance… state employees… are they covered for Viagra and other devices or assistance for their sexual life or health? Are they covered?”
“Representative, I do… I think you might be talking about Viagra.”
“Well, let’s talk about Viagra.”
“And I believe that when Viagra hit the market there were insurance companies that began to cover Viagra clearly much more quickly than the contrace… the prescribed contraceptives that we’re talking about. So, the answer is yes, unfortunately, Viagra has seemed to have hit the market much more quickly and was considered covered as opposed to prescribed contraceptives.” 09300023.doc 51 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003
“Okay. What about other…”
“But this… but this… If we pass this Bill and this Bill becomes law, it’ll be okay ‘cause we’ll have parity and fairness for women.”
“What about other devices… absolutely. What about other devices… You said, contraceptives, oral contraceptives. What other devices would be covered? Where are you looking, Representative? What other devices are covered under this Act other than…”
“Could you be a little bit more specific, Representative?”
“Well… Well…”
“Is this my first Bill?”
“No. I mean, are gels and creams and you know, other intrauterine devices…”
“Actually…”
“… are they all gonna be covered?”
“I’m glad you asked that.”
“All right. I’m just curious. I don’t own any stock in any…“
“This Bill…”
“… any pharmaceutical company.”
“This Bill just covers…”
“I’m just curious.”
“This Bill covers any kind of contraceptive that requires a prescription, which includes…”
“Okay.” 09300023.doc 52 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003
“… a cervical cap, an IUD, birth control pills, anything that requires a prescription from a doctor. Condoms would not be covered, condoms are over the counter. Any kind of contraceptive jelly that you can buy on the… off the shelf without… that’s not behind the counter, not covered.”
“Well, thanks. That was a very specific answer. Okay. Now, what other… what type of coverage would help us men? What type of coverage would… we’re talkin’ about parity and I think…”
“It’s not…”
“I don’t think anybody is against parity.”
“Phil. Phil, this Bill is about women.”
“But what coverage is for men right now? What is covered for men? Anything?”
“There’s no prescription for men, Representative.”
“All right. Thanks.”
“Further discussion? The Chair recognizes the Gentleman from Vermilion, Representative Black.”
“Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. Will the Sponsor yield?”
“Sponsor indicates she will yield.”
“Representative, this… the biggest, the greatest number of people in this state who are fortunate enough to have health insurance are covered under their employers who generally are self-insured. This law does not impact a self-insured company, correct?” 09300023.doc 53 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003
“I believe it covers every company, Representative.”
“Oh, no, no, no. Now, don’t give me, ‘I believe’. Federal Law preempts us from mandating self-insured companies.”
“I stand corrected. You’re right.”
“All right. So, let’s again take a look at this. If you are covered under a policy by your employer and that employer, as many have done over the last few years, has become self-insured in order to try and save money, i.e., the City of Springfield’s health insurance plan for their employees, is a self-insured plan and the last time I read, they lost several million dollars last year. This mandate will not affect any employee covered under the City of Springfield’s health plan. I daresay every Fortune 500 company that you could think of would not… this Bill would not impact their plan because we don’t have as a State Legislature the right to do that. Now, all of my colleagues arguments, I’m sure, are well-intentioned and I respect everybody’s views on this. But let me just say… To the Bill, Mr. Speaker. We have a tendency, in this chamber, to try and boil things down to the simplest methodology we can. And I heard somebody a while ago said, this is a woman’s issue. No, it isn’t. It’s an insurance issue. There was just an amazing story… I tried to go back and find the clipping and I’m sorry that I couldn’t. I believe it was in USA Today about seven or ten days ago that had a chart. Every time a governmental body mandates 09300023.doc 54 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 certain coverages more companies, who are not self-insured, who buy a policy on the market, a significant number of companies, the more mandates we put on them, the more companies drop their insurance because each mandate adds a cost to the premium. And it had a big chart, it showed how many companies would just drop their coverage. It showed how many companies would go to their employees, not self- insureds now, remember, they aren’t covered under this. It showed how many companies would go to their employees and say, we’ll cover the added cost, but there’ll be no raise. We’ll cover the added cost, but we want a 50 cent an hour give-back. You know, the last time this Bill came up and it can be a matter of fairness. I’m in an HMO. Viagra is not covered under my HMO, never has been, probably never will be. If I want it, I pay market price. Don’t know what it costs, haven’t asked, probably can’t afford it. Keep… You know, everything in here… everything in here is a joke. But, you know, everything we do here has an impact and quite often the impact is the law of unintended consequence. I’ll stand on my record on women’s rights with anybody in this chamber. You can ask… You can check with my wife, you can check with my daughter. I answer to me in the mirror every morning; I answer to my wife, I answer to my daughter. If life was inherently fair, we wouldn’t even be debating this question, but it is not inherently fair. Some of us are 6’5, slim, trim, handsome, and in good health. Some of us, like me, are 5’7, overweight and ugly. Life is inherently unfair. The only 09300023.doc 55 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 thing I would ask you to consider, it isn’t a woman’s issue. I don’t think it’s a pro-life, pro-choice issue. It’s an insurance issue. And every time we mandate coverage and there is a litany of things we could mandate. A few years ago, the 24-hour delivery syndrome. Women were going in the hospital and shoved out at 23 hours after birth. After we passed the law and a number of companies then dropped their insurance, we found out the 24-hour rule was the exception, not the rule. So, you vote your conscience. I respect however you vote. But every time you vote for a mandate like this, I want you to understand that somebody in your district who is insured today will not be insured next year upon renewal of a contract or upon renew of the health… renew of… renewal of the health insurance because the premium will go up. Now, you can go out on the marketplace and you can buy bare bones coverage or you can buy the most expensive policy you want, depending on what your ability might be to pay or what your employer’s ability might be to pay. It’s no difference than automobile insurance. How many of you have first dollar coverage comprehensive? The slightest ding in your car, the insurance company will fix it. I daresay, most of you’re like me, you have a thousand dollar deductible. You don’t have any comprehensive. You do everything you can to reduce the cost of your premium. Everything you think you can do and still be protected. And that’s what the insurance market is. For every risk you’re asking the company to assume, they must get the increased premium from 09300023.doc 56 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 somebody else. I don’t think it’s an issue that it’s portrayed to be. I have no strong emotions on it one way or the other. Many people that I know are covered, are given contraceptive coverage, others are not. But remember this, you’re talking about a very small minority of people who are fortunate enough to have health insurance in this state today. Those who work for huge corporations, large firms, or large municipalities most of them are covered under a self-insured plan that this Bill cannot regulate by Federal Law. So, every mandate we put on… This is a good mandate, it’s probably a fair mandate. The easiest thing for me to do would be to sit down, shut up and vote ‘yes’. But I’ve been around long enough to know somebody pays the bill. And that article, I wish I had it with me, shows you the results of every mandate we add. Every time we add a cost, more companies drop their coverage. Every time we add a mandate, those who pay out of their own pocket find that they can no longer afford the coverage they want so they reduce the coverage. As unfair as that is, that’s the way life is and all of the efforts of all of the Legislatures throughout the country you aren’t gonna change certain fundamental facets of the marketplace. This thing’s gonna fly out of here, but I’m not gonna vote for it and then have to look somebody in the eye a month or two from now and say, thanks a lot, my employer said he couldn’t afford the mandate, so now I don’t have any insurance. A little more help like that, Representative, and I’ll be on the welfare line.” 09300023.doc 57 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003
“Fur…”
“I know it’s gonna pass, but I think it’s time we stopped trying to boil issues down to the most simplistic point and package it. You’re anti-woman. You’re pro- woman. You’re pro-man. You’re anti-man. For God’s sake, look at the very factor of this country and that’s the business and the free enterprise system that we created and if it isn’t fair, we can work on that to correct it. But for every mandate you add, you add a dollar’s worth of cost and that means somebody goes without.”
“Further discussion? Mr. Biggins, briefly.”
“Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Would the Sponsor yield?”
“The Sponsor indicates she will yield.”
“Yeah. How many millions of people are currently uninsured in Illinois, Representative?”
“I’m sorry. What was the question?”
“Do you know how many millions of people are currently uninsured in Illinois?”
“I’d say it’s the better side of a million.”
“Yeah. I think a million eight or so. But wouldn’t it be better to provide insurance coverages to people that don’t have any insurance than to mandate it on a population that already may feel burdened by the insurance coverages that they have?”
“You know what, Representative, I think that that’s a very complicated question that requires a very long answer. I was the Chief Sponsor of the Family Care Bill that extends health care, KidCare to families, so I do 09300023.doc 58 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 agree with you. However, I also do agree that a measure such as this is very prudent. I think it… it is not only an issue of contraception, it’s an issue of helping families and it’s an issue of family planning. It’s a… These drugs help women with fibromyalgia, they help women with cramps, they help women with all kinds of problems, not just contraception, as well as, healthy families and healthy babies.”
“Well, thank you. I’ll try to give you a simpler question. Is it your intent in this Bill to mandate that these services will be provided to organizations that find them morally objectionable?”
“I… You know… You’re… I can’t hear you, Bob.”
“Is it that your Bill will mandate that these services be provided to people that find them morally objectionable?”
“No. Actually, I had a previous question about the Right of Conscience Act which is, in the State of Illinois, is a very broad and comprehensive statute that will allow any entity who wants to opt out, it will give them the ability to do so for rights of conscienceness.”
“And would you agree on an Amendment then to clarify this exemption?”
“I could… I could show you the statute and read it to you verbally. It’s… the Catholic Conference drafted it years ago with a Sponsor who’s still in this chamber, I believe, and I believe that it’s comprehensive enough for them.” 09300023.doc 59 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003
“Well, would it void the moral dilemma that someone may have to follow… to violate the law or violate their conscience. That’s what I’m… be seeking to avoid with an Amendment of that kind or exemption.”
“If you look in the Right of Conscienceness (sic- Conscience) Act, Representative Biggins, you will see that it is an Act that supersedes any other Act, including this one.”
“Thank you. But on the… To the Bill, Mr. Speaker and Members.”
“To the Bill.”
“It’s a… it’s not a good Bill for business. We always say when we run for office, we wanna run government like a business. Putting mandates on business to raise their costs is not the way the business want to operate or they could provide this coverage themselves. So, let’s leave it up to the choice of the business.”
“Further discussion? Since no one is seeking recognition, Representative Feigenholtz to close.”
“Ladies and Gentlemen of the House, I think we’ve heard some very spirited debate about this Bill, but it’s a Bill whose time has come. You know, we have spent a lot of time, someone mentioned earlier, about trying to get coverage for mammograms for women annually over the age of 40 and insurance companies were resistant at the outset, but when it was considered the gold standard of care, it became law. We dealt with drive-through mastectomies, we dealt with drive-through deliveries. But honestly, this is 09300023.doc 60 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 a Bill about prevention. This is a Bill about healthy families, healthy babies. It’s a Bill about… that affects women through all of their lives and it’s also an issue of fairness. I would appreciate your support on this Bill. Thank you.”
“The question is, ‘Shall the House pass House Bill 211?’ All those in favor signify by voting ‘yes’; those opposed vote ‘no’. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 73 Members voting ‘yes’, 36 Members voting ‘no’, and 4 Members voting ‘present’. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. House Bill 249. Representative Davis. Steve Davis.”
“House Bill 249, a Bill for an Act in relation to criminal law. Third Reading of this House Bill.”
“Representative Davis.” Davis, S.: “Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. House Bill 249 amends the Criminal Code and what it does, it makes it aggravated battery to commit a battery on an individual he or she willingly knows to be a hospital personnel engaged in the performance of his or her official duties or to prevent him or her from performing his or her official duties or in the retaliation for performing their duties. The law currently is limited to only hospital emergency room personnel and it changes the language to include all hospital personnel. And I would 09300023.doc 61 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 entertain any questions and would appreciate an ‘aye’ vote.”
“Is there any discussion on House Bill 249? Seeing no one is seeking recognition, the question is, ‘Shall the House pass House Bill 249?’ All those in favor signify by voting ‘yes’; those opposed vote ‘no’. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 112 Members voting ‘yes’, 0 voting ‘no’, and 0 voting ‘present’. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. House Bill 269. Representative Mautino. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 269, a Bill for an Act concerning fees. Third Reading of this House Bill.”
“Representative Mautino.”
“Thank you. This legislation has been forwarded by the Association of Circuit Clerks. What it does is collapse the bottom two categories of fee structures into one. So, it simplifies it at that rate and basically sets a range within where those fees can be structured. There are no fees increases in the Bill and so your county governments can decide how much they need to operate their court systems and then a resolution would go before the county boards to do this. This is done in Cook County, in Kane, in Will, and in Lake and this puts the other 98 counties at parity. And DuPage also has this ability. 09300023.doc 62 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 Appreciate your support. Be happy to answer any questions.”
“Is there any discussion? Chair recognizes Representative Franks. Representative Franks, do you have questions on this Bill?”
“I’d like to speak to the Bill, Mr. Speaker.”
“To the Bill.”
“Ladies and Gentlemen, this is a Bill that I believe should be defeated. Right now in DuPage County and in Kane County we have the highest fees to file a civil suit in the entire country and now what this Bill is gonna do is to allow other counties to be able to raise the fees to file lawsuits and effectively keep people away from the courthouse. And what it does, for people who are minorities, for small business people it’s going to make it prohibitively expensive to protect their interest. If someone gives you a bad check now in the State of Illinois and let’s say they give you a bad check for a hundred and twenty-five dollars and you’re a small business owner. It’s gonna cost you about that much money just to get to the courthouse, to open the gates of the courthouse and that’s wrong. And the effect of this Bill will be a chilling effect for small business owners and for poor people. So, I… I would strongly suggest that you think about this Bill and there’s other ways for clerks to raise money, the state can give money if they need to, but to bar the gates of the courthouse from normal folks is not the way to do it.” 09300023.doc 63 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003
“Chair recognizes Representative Black.”
“Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. Obviously, as a cosponsor, I rise to support the Bill. In response to my esteemed colleague who just spoke, I almost had a… I had a ministroke, perhaps the state could send some additional money to operate the courts. Well, now that oughta be worth a laugh or a chuckle or two, we don’t have enough money to do anything. I think the only reason we’re still here at 3:13 in the afternoon is that half of you are thinking that maybe the comptroller’s gonna somehow get the per diem checks out before we leave. And I might add if he does, take a look at it, because we’re about 35 days behind, as we should be, Medicaid providers are about 90 days behind. But I digress. In the State of Illinois the state is supposed to assume most of the cost of operating the court system, we have never done it, we’re not even close and if we wanted to we couldn’t afford to right now. So, some big counties come down, what, a year or two ago, they’re having trouble operating their courts, it’s expensive, they get to raise their fees. All the rest of the counties make do with what you have or here’s the one I like, make do with what you have, layoff people, do more with less or the one that I really like, the county board could raise property taxes. Oh well, of course, that’s a very popular option. Let’s raise property taxes to pay for the court system that the state is supposed to pay for in the first place. This Bill is a matter of treating all counties in the state, putting 09300023.doc 64 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 them on the same playing field. If you use the court system, some would say if you abuse the court system, you’ll pay for it, you’re gonna pay for what you use. For those of us who have never been to court, thank goodness, we don’t pay anything, but those who go before the courts on a regular basis or think they have to on a regular basis, they have to pay the fees to keep the courts running. The state can’t do it, the Federal Government won’t do it and property taxes shouldn’t even be considered to pay for state courts that we have never funded at the adequate rate we promised them many, many years ago. This Bill is a matter of inherent fairness and I intend to vote ‘aye’.”
Speaker Hartke: “Further discussion? Chair recognizes Representative Lang.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentleman. I must rise in reluctant opposition to this legislation. The former speaker was referring to the fact that we don’t help fund this and that they don’t wanna raise taxes and that what’s proposed here is basically a user’s fee and I guess that’s true, but where is that user’s fee stop? Does it… it should only… maybe we should stop it already having some counties in Illinois that have the highest filing fees in America. Ya know, the courthouse is supposed to be the place where people go to address their issues and I have stood on this floor many times in the last several years talking against Bills that raise court fees… Thank you. Because the courthouse is supposed to be the place for 09300023.doc 65 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 citizens to address their issues. Now, to vote ‘yes’ on this says to your small businessman and to people who wanna file lawsuits in your communities it’s gonna cost you more and more and more and pretty soon people will choose not to go to the cour… pretty soon people will choose not to go to the courthouse. Now, if that’s your goal, go ahead and vote for this. You may say your goal is to allow your county boards and your court clerks to run their offices and I understand that that’s important, but we have to find a better way. It’s not a good approach to say to regular, ordinary citizens we’re pricing the court system out of your ballpark. Doesn’t make any sense. It’s supposed to be a place where people can go to address their grievances, not a place where people have to borrow money to go to address their grievances. So, while I have great respect for the Sponsor and I know what he’s trying to do, I must oppose his Bill.”
“Further discussion? Since no one is seeking recognition, Representative Mautino to close.”
“Thank you very much. I appreciate some of the spirited debate, however, these numbers were set in statute for these two categories in 1976. This Bill says that at the local level your local government can decide what it’s gonna cost to run that court system and they may, by resolution, fund that system. We allow this in the largest counties and last year when we did this for Will County, you’d be interested to know one of our larger and most high growth coun… counties, the board did not change any fees. 09300023.doc 66 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 This gives them the ability at a local level to make decisions on how to best run their systems. We have set these fees at the minimums. Right now, this Bill changes nothing, everything remains as it was in 1976. Now, close on that, I think some of our newer Members were probably not around. Your counties should have the opportunity, by resolution, to help control their cost within the circuit clerk and judge what they need. This gives ‘em the opportunity it does not deny access, it does not raise those fees. It gives the responsibility to the people who were elected to run their county governments and their court systems. With that, the circuit clerks have contacted many of you to show you what this means within their counties and they need this ability in the other 98 counties to do what we allow the largest four to do and to do it responsibly.”
“The question is, ‘Shall the House pass House Bill 269?’ All those in favor signify by voting ‘yes’; those opposed vote ‘no’. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 62 Members voting ‘yes’, 49 Members voting ‘no’, 1 Member voting ‘present’. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. On page 6 of the Calendar appears House Bill 275. Representative Soto. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.” 09300023.doc 67 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003
“House Bill 275, a Bill for an Act in relation to health. Third Reading of this House Bill.”
“Representative Soto.
“Thank you, Speaker and Members of the House. This Bill amends the Department of Human Services Act. Requires the Department of Human Services in consultation with the Department of Public Health to conduct a public information campaign to educate women about the benefits of consuming folic acid before and during pregnancy to improve their chances of having a healthy baby and increase the consumption of folic acid by women of childbearing age. I urge your support. Thank you.”
“Is there any discussion? Seeing that no one is seeking recognition, the question is, ‘Shall the House pass House Bill 275?’ All in favor signify by voting ‘yes’; those opposed vote ‘no’. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 111 Members voting ‘yes’, 0 voting ‘no’, and 0 voting ‘present’. And this Bill, having received its Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Soto, what for reason do you seek recognition.”
“For legislative intent, I’d like to vote for my own Bill.”
“The record will reflect your wishes to vote for your own Bill. House Bill 293. Representative 09300023.doc 68 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 Berrios. Representative Berrios. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 293, a Bill for an Act in relation to senior citizens. Third Reading of this House Bill.”
“Representative Berrios.”
“Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. House Bill 293 corrects a drafting error that occurred when mandatory Medicaid enrollment for the Department on Aging’s Community Care Program was adopted as part of the Budget Implementation Act last spring. When the mandatory Medicaid sign-up was discussed last spring, the intent was to reduce the cost of the Community Care Program to the state by maximizing the amount of federal matching funds captured. Due to what AARP believes was a simple drafting error, cost savings are reduced because the law requires every applicant, even those who clearly do not income asset qualify for the program, to simultaneously apply for Medicaid services. Requiring those seniors who are not income asset qualified for Medicaid to fill out applications had two unintended consequences. First, it drives up administrative cost to the Department of Human Services, because they have to review each application. And second, it serves as an unnecessary barrier to applicants, it’s an unnecessary burden and they have to fill out a six-page application and they might not even qualify. So, basically, House Bill 293 simply modifies the law to require only those Community Care Program applicants 09300023.doc 69 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 who financially qualify for Medicaid to apply for these benefits. Thank you.”
“Is there any discussion? Chair recognizes Representative Lang.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?”
“She indicates she will.”
“If we could have her staff step aside so I could have a communication directly with the Representative. Staff, could you move slightly? Thank you. Representative, I am correct, this is your first Bill?”
“Yes, it is, Representative.”
“Oh, well. We have… I’m forced to ask you some questions about it. I hope that’s all right with you.”
“That’s fine.”
“All right. Fine. On page 2 of your Bill, line 106, I think are… I think is the only changes in the Bill, I mean you’ve got a several page Bill here, but you’ve only got two words you’re adding. Is that right? And it says financially something, wait a minute…”
“Financially eligible.”
“Thank you. Thank you for helping me with that. What does that mean? Is that defined in the Bill?”
“Yes, it is. Actually, the state portion… the state only portion of the program has an asset limit of $10 thousand. The Medicaid portion has an income limit of 100 percent of the federal poverty level and a $2 thousand asset limit, plus the senior must also be at risk of 09300023.doc 70 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 nursing home placement to qualify, so only $2 thousand is what they have to…”
“Yes.”
“…to qualify for Medicaid.”
“I thank you, but is it defined in the Bill, I asked if it was… look through the Bill, we’ll wait and tell me if it’s defined in there.”
“That’s what asset eligibility is.”
“Oh, but there’s no definition of that term in the Bill?”
“I already gave you a definition.”
“Ask your staff, she’ll help you.”
“Just gave you the definition.”
“All right. So, let me ask you this. I have a fiscal note here from the Department on Aging that says that there are no fiscal implications to the department based on your Amendment or your Bill. Is that right?”
“Yes, I think so.”
“Now, I note that this fiscal note came from the Department on Aging, it says Margo Shriver, Director. She’s no longer the director, is she?”
“No.”
“Well, do we need a new fiscal note then from a different director?”
“No, because all we’re… we’re actually doing is saving money.”
“I’m sorry.”
“What we’re actually doing is just saving money for the Department of… on Aging.” 09300023.doc 71 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003
“Well, you wanna hold this Bill to another day while you check with the new director to make sure that they don’t feel there are fiscal implications?”
“No. No, thank you.”
“Oh, all right. Well, all right. I’m gonna have to consider my vote very carefully on this Bill, but I think you’ve done a very fine job answering my questions and you do better without your staff next to you. Thank you.”
“Thank you, Representative.”
“Further harassment? Representative Parke.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield? Representative, did you check with your father on this legislation? You know, when your father, Joe, was here I don’t know if I ever remembered him introducing a Bill at this point in time.”
“Actually, my father does know about this one, he’s in that age.”
“When I see Joe, I’ll remind him of that. Now, you say this is gonna… now that sheet of paper… you gotta put the sheet of papers down. And… okay, now you gotta tell us what does this do?”
“It’s saving money for the Department on Aging.”
“And do they… is this their Bill?”
“It’s an AARP Bill.”
“It’s not the department’s Bill, it’s an AARP Bill.”
“Right.”
“And it’s gonna save us all money because it does what?”
“Because it re… it reduces administrative costs.” 09300023.doc 72 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003
“Okay. Well, so you think this is… well, it sounds like this is gonna pass unanimously. Is that the intent here?”
“I hope so.”
“Okay. Well, sounds good. You sound very strong and confident, that’s a good thing.”
“Thank you.”
“So, congratulations, I think it’s a good Bill.”
“Thank you.”
Speaker Hartke: “Representative Black. Further discussion? The Gentleman from Vermilion.”
“Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?”
“Sponsor indicates that she will yield.”
“Representative, I congratulate you on this Bill and just think, if the Gentleman from your side of the aisle who got his annual ‘old folks can vote absentee’ Bill to the governor’s desk, in 38 years you’ll be able to vote absentee. I know that thrills ya. Did I understand in your opening remarks that this Bill corrects an error… an error that a previous General Assembly made?”
“Yes, it’s a drafting error.”
“Do you know who the Sponsor of that Bill was in which the error went undetected?”
“I don’t remember, but I’m sure it wasn’t you.”
“Well, it was probably… probably somebody on your side of the aisle.”
“It might have been, but we’re trying to correct it now.” 09300023.doc 73 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003
“Representative, I… I have ties older than you are.”
“We’ve noticed.”
“I’m sorry.”
“More than likely.”
“I… Representative, would… don’t you… for those of us who have been here and as Representative Parke said, some of us served with your father…”
“Yes.”
“I… wouldn’t he think it’s somewhat presumptuous of you to bring a Bill to correct an error that had been made by a previous General Assembly? I mean, is that showing proper deference to… to those who have served long and illustrious careers before you got here? I mean, couldn’t you have had the dean of the House, Representative Capparelli, sponsor this Bill?”
“Well, no, but I have his support and my eyes are better, considering I’m younger.”
“Well, I know that Representative Capparelli could remember most every mistake, he has pointed out several that we made when the quill pens and ink ran out and we couldn’t read the Bill, but be that as it may, I… I just… I really would think that you would want to relinquish sponsorship of a Bill to a more senior Member who could convince the Body that perhaps it was a drafting error, perhaps it was the error of the Sponsor. So, it’s your intention that the first Bill you offer is a Bill telling everyone except 26 Members who weren’t here, it’s your intention to run your first Bill saying to all of the rest 09300023.doc 74 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 of us, you were wrong, you made a mistake and I have to come down here and correct it. Is that what you’re telling us?”
“We’re tying to bring in new blood in here, if that’s what it takes.”
“Representative, I get queasy at the mere sound of blood, let alone the sight, please don’t bring that up. But would you take this Bill out of the record for 48 hours?”
“No, thank you.”
“Twenty-four hours?”
“No.”
“Thirty minutes?”
“Nope.”
“Until the per diem checks show up?”
“In that case, maybe.”
“Well, Representative, I’ll say this, I admire your intestinal fortitude and the vigor of your youth in bringing your first Bill to show all of us that have been here how fallible we are. And I know that we’ll all remember your first Bill, that indirectly you were criticizing all of us for making mistakes, saying in effect as you just did, that some of us are too old, suffering from tired blood, don’t recognize mistakes, aren’t willing to change, in other words, we have become the state fossil. And I know that we’ll all remember that and when you bring your second and third and fourth Bill to the Body then we will rise up, Representative, and pay you back for this 09300023.doc 75 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 indirect assault on our sensitivities, because we seldom make a mistake here, at least one that we admit.”
“Chair recognizes Representative Winters.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?”
“Sponsor indicates she will yield.”
“Representative Berrios, there is a… there is a long-standing tradition that when we look on our computers if we find errors we wanna correct that and make sure that… that there’s nothing wrong in the legislation. I wanna ask one question that comes up on our computer screen that it raises the question, have you ever engaged in forgery?”
“No.”
“I… I’m sorry.”
“No.”
“You have not.”
“No.”
“Now, your… I know your last name ends in ‘s’, but I wonder if you would allow us to have time to update the computers, our analysis said that the House Sponsor of this is Representative Hamos. Both of your names end in ‘s’, but I’m not sure that you’re qualified to forge her name when you sign this Bill to send over to the Senate. Can you correct us at all on this?”
“Actually, that’s the Republic…”
“We need this out of the record or a good answer of why Representative Hamos’ name is on our analysis. We should have time to allow our analysis to be updated, 09300023.doc 76 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 corrected, before we pass something fatally flawed over to the Senate, because we know they will never fix anything.”
“Well, that was a Republican analysis.”
“Well, nonetheless, nonetheless, it is on the official state computers and we don’t want any mistake whether your side created it or our side may have created it. And that’s not supported yet, I’m not going to accede to that charge that it’s our staff that made the mistake. We think that possibly Representative Hamos is, in fact, the Sponsor and you have stood up to sponsor and talk on a Bill that you don’t even have the sponsorship of.”
“Well, I am the Sponsor.”
“By the way, Representative Berrios, have you been… have you been told by Representative Miller about the century club?”
“No.”
“The century club is a very exclusive club for the Illinois House. If you get 100 ‘no’ votes on a Bill then you are allowed to have your name entered on the plaque of the century club. Now, Representative Miller and I are both proud Members of that club, it’s a very exclusive club. So, this is your opportunity, you may be able to join the century club. The best of luck in entry into that very exclusive fraternity.”
“Thank you.”
“Thank you.”
“Further discussion? Since no one is seeking recognition, Representative Berrios to close.” 09300023.doc 77 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. Anytime we can reduce administrative costs to one of our departments and also help seniors in the process it’s a good thing. House Bill 293 does both and therefore I simply ask for your support and an ‘aye’ vote. Thank you.”
“The question is, ‘Shall the House pass House Bill 293?’ All those in favor signify by voting ‘yes’; those opposed vote ‘no’. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 112 Members voting ‘yes’, 0 voting ‘no’, and 0 voting ‘present’. And this Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. On page 7 of the Calendar appears House Bill 294. Representative Osterman. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 294, a Bill for an Act in relation to public aid. Third Reading of this House Bill.”
“Representative Osterman.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members of the House. House Bill 294 increases the Illinois Department of Human Service income eligibility guidelines for child care to 50 percent of the current state median income for families. The current system is based on 9… 50 percent of state median income from 1997, roughly translating to 38 percent of today’s median income. It also requires the Department of Human Service to annually update this threshold. House 09300023.doc 78 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 Bill 294 also puts into statute what is presently done by rule, which is disregard 10 percent of the family’s gross wage and earnings in determining income eligibility. Across our state we have daycare facilities and child care facilities that are closing due to lack of enrollment. Last year a hundred and eight child care facilities closed in our state, with roughly six thousand kids in those facilities. Each day parents are faced, across the State of Illinois, with making decisions of turning down raises and paying more for child care or accepting those raises and doubling their child care costs. This income eligibility improvement would make vital child care reality to 19 thousand Illinois children in our state. So, it’s a vital program that we have here and we need to expand these income eligibility guidelines to let more people eligible.”
“Is there any discussion? Chair recognizes Representative Black.”
“Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House.”
“Yes, the Sponsor will yield.”
“I represent… I represent a district… To the Bill.”
“To the Bill.”
“…largely blue collar and I think this will be the first time I have failed to vote for any Bill that would expand opportunities for child care. People in my district can’t transition from welfare to work without child care and not just 9 to 5 child care. When you transition from welfare to work, you’re often asked to work second shift or third 09300023.doc 79 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 shift. I don’t find this to be an easy situation to be in. Downstate community not too long ago, I think, in a week had about five children die in house fires who weren’t properly supervised. Was it a lack of daycare, I don’t know, it may have played a role. The latchkey child is an embarrassment to a society as our… that is supposed to be to the level that ours is. But when all of that is said and done, when all of that is said and done, when I hear the Governor’s budget speech, if the Gentleman’s Bill is still available or if it’s gone or it come back, after I hear the Governor’s budget address, I will vote for this program that costs $44 million to implement. Now, you heard me correctly, that’s the department’s figures and nobody has refuted those figures. To implement this Bill, as it currently is drafted, will cost $44 million. I have never in the… that I can remember, never voted against a Bill to expand child care. I intend to vote ‘present’ on this Bill for one simple reason, until the Governor can get a handle on this budget and give this Body and the Senate his budget address and tells us how we can work out of a real deficit. I can’t sit here in good conscience and vote ‘yes’ for a Bill that costs over $40 million and then go home and try and fool working mothers, that don’t worry, don’t worry, we’re gonna subsidize your child care, because I don’t know that we can do that, I don’t know that we will be able to do that. I’m looking for the leadership from the Governor and the budget address and if I get what I wanna hear, if this Bill is still around at that time I’ll 09300023.doc 80 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 be a cosponsor and I’ll proudly vote for it, but I cannot and I will not stand before this Body and pretend that I can vote for a Bill that has a price tag of $44 million when the Governor tells us we’re approaching a $5 billion deficit and we won’t hear the budget address for another five and a half to six weeks. I’m sorry, Representative, I think it’s a good Bill, I know you’re well-intentioned. In any other… any other scenario, I’d be more than happy and proud to be a cosponsor, but I can’t do it at this time. It isn’t the right thing to do, it isn’t the fair thing to do. I will not go back home and look people in the eye and tell ‘em that we’re going to increase the subsidy, we’re going to raise the income limit, don’t worry, we’re gonna take care of those precious children of yours in the day care centers in my district when I have a hunch, I have a hunch and I hope I’m wrong, that we won’t be able to do that and I’m not gonna build false hopes. I intend to vote ‘present’.”
Speaker Hartke: “Further discussion? Chair recognizes Representative Delgado.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise in strong support of House Bill 294 and as the Chairman of the Human Services Committee this Bill was entertained in front of us. And in a time of a tight budget I’m very cognizant of the fact that these particular projects may not be funded immediately. I sat with the directors of Human Services and we have to be very aware that as we continue to move forward we must know that we’re cleaning up a mistake we 09300023.doc 81 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 should’ve taken care of a few years ago. When we want mothers to go from welfare to work, we forgot to put on the component to make sure that their children are in safe and nurturing day care centers, that they can be community-based so that we don’t have ‘em sitting around in snapshots one day maybe being with an uncle, the next day being with a cousin and who knows having to leave the child with a neighbor and not being able to get the nurturing that a child deserves. It is our responsibility as Legislators to make sure that, as we know, we required over a hundred and seventy-one million dollars to be able to adequately fund day care and forty-four million is a projected number and we understand that if we don’t do this and par… and project the future at this stage, then we’re gonna have moms going from welfare to work, it’s gonna cost us more ‘cause then these parents cannot go to their jobs. And their own… and they’re at a threshold ‘cause for a family of two you require $19,626, so go home and let me tell Damartes Bonett who called me yesterday and said Representative, I make $118 less than is required and now my child who is in a wonderful day care in a church and faith-based for that matter, for some of you who wanna go that way, and that child will have to leave that day care as of next week. So, I strongly rise in support of 294 and we need, if we’re gonna make legislation saying you go from welfare to work, well let’s take care of their children.”
“Further discussion? Representative Mulligan, the Lady from Cook.” 09300023.doc 82 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also rise in support of this Bill and I understand the money involved. We’re not asking to change the rates, what we’re chan… asking is for the 1997 state median income not to be used anymore. How would you like to have your pay based on something that’s that old rather than a current figure? This is not just an issue of whether we lose day care centers, which is a big issue, it’s an issue for women who turn down raises repeatedly and cannot take them because they will lose their day care. By the time their child enters school they are set back on a career path, so that by the time they’re trying to put money away for college, help support a family, their career path is set back because they’ve repeatedly had to turn down raises or give up day care. This is a real issue for families who are on the edge of losing it if they take a small raise. How can you predicate what we’re doing on figures from 1997 rather than 2003? I carried this Bill for the last two years, Representative Scott, who was here, carried it before that. The years when we had money to do this, we didn’t do it. When is the time to do this? There is no time to keep on doing this. The further behind we get, the more money it costs. Obviously, we can’t care for people who are going out of business who won’t even be able to provide services so that women no longer will even have day care, because people are… in order to get a raise will work at home. Moms don’t take care of kids anymore, they’re off working, grandparents don’t do it, they’re off working. This is a 09300023.doc 83 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 support system for people who need day care and for women and families who routinely have to turn down raises in order to have adequate care. Day care is inadequate now. One of the biggest things that we have done in this state in the years that I have been here is improve child care, improve early childhood education, this should’ve been done a long time ago, we need to address this. Last year the Legislature turned down their pay raise, we gave back a day’s pay. Nobody else did. The unions didn’t negotiate, administrative raises were given out. We could’ve covered this last year if we had looked at those issues in order to put in the money. I think we need to discuss this, continue to discuss it. I urge us to pass it out of this Body and bring it to the attention, whether it’s funded or not, we need to keep this issue at the forefront. I urge an ‘aye’ vote.”
Speaker Hartke: “Further discussion? Chair recognizes Representative Mendoza.”
“I, too, rise in very, very strong support of this piece of legislation. As Legislators we’re asked to prioritize. We should never be putting our children and our mothers in second place. This is an important piece of legislation. I do, as well, understand the price tag associated with it. But in my district, I can tell you, Representative Mulligan is absolutely correct. We have women, we have working mothers who are either having to leave their jobs and go back onto no type of economic support just to have their children be able to have some 09300023.doc 84 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 kind of day care. It defeats the whole purpose. I want my mothers, in my district, to be able to work and the same goes for every other… a hundred and seventeen other districts in this state. We have working families out there who are being penalized for what? For working. It makes absolutely zero sense. It has a cost associated to it, but the cost of doing the alternative, which is nothing and just continuing to sit on this, is a greater cost to our state and it’s a big cost to our families and most importantly to those children. So, I strongly urge this Body to support the right thing, to prioritize women and children as number one and let’s move this thing forward. Thank you.”
“Further discussion? Representative Wirsing.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My simple reason for supporting this legislation is that as a Member of the Illinois Legislature it… sometimes it’s the only way that I can express, in an open manner, how I feel about a particular issue or a particular clientele of people in this state. And that’s simply why I‘m voting ‘yes’ for this… this Bill. The message has to be there, we need to keep the warmer… the burner warm so that our new Governor understands this is a priority issue. Now, I know some people think this is for mothers and for women and all that sort of thing. My support for this Bill is I care for kids and that’s what this ought to be about and that’s what we ought to be about here on this particular piece of legislation. Without creating the change… without creating 09300023.doc 85 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 the change, we already know what the consequences are when children are put into a… into an environment other than a qualified day care center. We’ve counted the bodies, we’ve seen the injured and it affects the family scenario to the nth degree. My vote for this, as I said, is to simply to make sure that people understand. For me, it’s an important issue that we make the change in the formula and that we don’t walk away from this and that if there is dollars and if we can find those dollars, the Governor will have some authority to do some things relative to this issue. I hope you’ll join me for the reason that it’s just simply good for kids.”
“Further discussion? Seeing that no one is seeking recognition, Representative Osterman to close.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wanna thank the speakers that spoke in favor of this legislation. This is one of the most important Bills we will see, it affects child care in the State of Illinois and we should all be about providing quality child care that are gonna give kids of the State of Illinois the best possible chance to succeed. I appreciate my remarks from my con… my colleague from Vermilion County. This is a expensive price tag to do this and we have to prioritize. We have to make this a priority. He talked about leadership and the Governor’s budget. We are an equal partner in that leadership. We are equal partners to say what is important for the State of Illinois, for the kids of Illinois. I am pledging with my colleagues on the Appropriation Committee to work with 09300023.doc 86 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 the new Governor, work with his staff to try to find money for this program. But we cannot take a pass on this, we cannot, not do something like we did previously, as Representative Mulligan said, in ’99 and 2000, we need to do this now. I ask for an ‘aye’ vote.”
“The question is, ‘Shall the House pass House Bill 294?’ All those in favor signify by voting ‘yes’; those opposed vote ‘no’. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 105 Members voting ‘yes’, 0 voting ‘no’, and 7 Members voting ‘present’. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. We are… the Adjournment Resolution, Mr. Clerk.”
Clerk Rossi: “Senate Joint Resolution #23, offered by Representative Currie. RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING HEREIN, that when the two houses adjourn on Friday, February 28, 2003, they stand adjourned until Tuesday, March 4, 2003, at 12:00 noon.”
“You’ve heard the Adjournment Resolution. All those in favor signify by saying ‘aye’; opposed ‘no’. In the opinion of the Chair, the ‘ayes’ have it. And the Adjournment Resolution is adopted. Are there announcements? Representative McKeon.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to waive the posting requirements for the subcommittee on worker’s compensation 09300023.doc 87 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 and employment insurance of the Labor Committee for the following seven Bills: House Bill 245, House Bill 523, House Bill 1093, House Bill 1426, House Bill 2261, House Bill 2293, and House Bill 2363.”
“You’ve heard the Gentleman’s Motion. Is there leave? Leave is granted. Are there further announcements? Seeing that no one is seeking recognition, Representative Currie now moves that the House stand adjourned, allowing perfunctory time for the Clerk, until Tuesday, March the 4 at the hour of 12 p.m. All those in favor signify by saying ‘aye’; opposed ‘no’. Opinion of the Chair, the ‘ayes’ have it. And the House stands adjourned.”
“The House Perfunctory Session will come to order. First Reading and introduction of House Bills. House Bill 3329, offered by Representative Howard, a Bill for an Act in relation to public aid. House Bill 3330, offered by Representative Howard, a Bill for an Act concerning hair braiding. House Bill 3331, offered by Representative Howard, a Bill for an Act concerning finance. House Bill 3332, offered by Representative Howard, a Bill for an Act in relation to criminal law. House Bill 3333, offered by Representative Howard, a Bill for an Act in relation to criminal convictions. House Bill 3334, offered by Representative Howard, a Bill for an Act concerning credit reports. House Bill 3335, offered by Representative Howard, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 3336, offered by Representative Howard, a Bill for an Act in relation to criminal law. House Bill 3337, offered 09300023.doc 88 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 by Representative Miller, a Bill for an Act in relation to criminal law. House Bill 3338, offered by Representative Miller, a Bill for an Act in relation to criminal law. House Bill 3339, offered by Representative Miller, a Bill for an Act in relation to criminal law. House Bill 3340, offered by Representative Miller, a Bill for an Act in relation to criminal law. House Bill 3341, offered by Representative Miller, a Bill for an Act in relation to criminal law. House Bill 3342, offered by Representative Miller, a Bill for an Act in relation to criminal law. House Bill 3343, offered by Representative Miller, a Bill for an Act in relation to criminal law. House Bill 3344, offered by Representative Miller, a Bill for an Act in relation to criminal law. House Bill 3345, offered by Representative Miller, a Bill for an Act in relation to criminal law. House Bill 3346, offered by Representative Miller, a Bill for an Act in relation to criminal law. House Bill 3347, offered by Representative Miller, a Bill for an Act in relation to criminal law. House Bill 3348, offered by Representative Miller, a Bill for an Act in relation to criminal law. House Bill 3349, offered by Representative Miller, a Bill for an Act in relation to criminal law. House Bill 3350, offered by Representative Miller, a Bill for an Act in relation to criminal law. House Bill 3351, offered by Representative Miller, a Bill for an Act concerning criminal law. House Bill 3352, offered by Representative Miller, a Bill for an Act in relation to criminal law. House Bill 3353, offered by 09300023.doc 89 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 Representative Miller, a Bill for an Act in relation to criminal law. House Bill 3354, offered by Representative Miller, a Bill for an Act in relation to criminal law. House Bill 3355, offered by Representative Miller, a Bill for an Act in relation to criminal law. House Bill 3356, offered by Representative Miller, a Bill for an Act in relation to criminal law. House Bill 3357, offered by Representative Miller, a Bill for an Act concerning criminal justice. House Bill 3358, offered by Representative Miller, a Bill for an Act in relation to criminal law. House Bill 3359, offered by Representative Miller, a Bill for an Act in relation to criminal law. House Bill 3360, offered by Representative Miller, a Bill for an Act in relation to criminal law. House Bill 3361, offered by Representative Miller, a Bill for an Act in relation to criminal law. House Bill 3362, offered by Representative Miller, a Bill for an Act in relation to criminal law. House Bill 3363, offered by Representative Miller, a Bill for an Act in relation to criminal law. House Bill 3364, offered by Representative Miller, a Bill for an Act in relation to criminal law. House Bill 3365, offered by Representative Miller, a Bill for an Act in relation to criminal law. House Bill 3366, offered by Representative Miller, a Bill for an Act in relation to criminal law. House Bill 3367, offered by Representative Miller, a Bill for an Act in relation to criminal law. House Bill 3368, offered by Representative Miller, a Bill for an Act in relation to criminal law. House Bill 3369, 09300023.doc 90 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 offered by Representative Miller, a Bill for an Act in relation to criminal law. House Bill 3370, offered by Representative Miller, a Bill for an Act in relation to police officers. House Bill 3371, offered by Representative Miller, a Bill for an Act in relation to criminal law. House Bill 3372, offered by Representative Miller, a Bill for an Act in relation to criminal law. House Bill 3373, offered by Representative Miller, a Bill for an Act in relation to criminal law. House Bill 3374, offered by Representative Miller, a Bill for an Act in relation to criminal law. House Bill 3375, offered by Representative Miller, a Bill for an Act in relation to criminal law. House Bill 3376, offered by Representative Bradley, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 3377, offered by Representative Bradley, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 3378, offered by Representative Bradley, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 3379, offered by Representative Bradley, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 3380, offered by Representative Bradley, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 3381, offered by Representative Saviano, a Bill for an Act in relation to the regulation of professions. House Bill 3382, offered by Representative Saviano, a Bill for an Act concerning public utilities. House Bill 3383, offered by Representative Pihos, a Bill for an Act in relation to public employee benefits. House Bill 3384, offered by Representative Rose, a Bill for an Act in relation to counties. House Bill 09300023.doc 91 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 3385, offered by Representative Rose, a Bill for an Act in relation to criminal law. House Bill 3386, offered by Representative Rose, a Bill for an Act in relation to minors. House Bill 3387, offered by Representative Rose, a Bill for an Act in relation to criminal law. House Bill 3388, offered by Representative Rose, a Bill for an Act concerning elections. House Bill 3389, offered by Representative Scully, a Bill for an Act regarding taxes. House Bill 3390, offered by Representative Scully, a Bill for an Act concerning recording of statements in criminal investigations. House Bill 3391, offered by Representative Scully, a Bill for an Act concerning schools. House Bill 3392, offered by Representative Franks, a Bill for an Act concerning unemployment insurance. House Bill 3393, offered by Representative Jakobsson, a Bill for an Act regarding taxation. House Bill 3394, offered by Representative Jakobsson, a Bill for an Act in relation to public employee benefits. House Bill 3395, offered by Representative Flider, a Bill for an Act in relation to municipalities. House Bill 3396, offered by Representative McKeon, a Bill for an Act concerning labor relations. House Bill 3397, offered by Representative McKeon, a Bill for an Act concerning unemployment insurance. House Bill 3398, offered by Representative McGuire, a Bill for an Act concerning employment. House Bill 3399, offered by Representative McGuire, a Bill for an Act concerning employment. House Bill 3400, offered by Representative Slone, a Bill for an Act concerning land use planning. 09300023.doc 92 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 House Bill 3401, offered by Representative Cross, a Bill for an Act concerning certain taxes. House Bill 3402, offered by Representative Cross, a Bill for an Act concerning special districts. House Bill 3403, offered by Representative Flider, a Bill for an Act concerning schools. House Bill 3404, offered by Representative Scully, a Bill for an Act in relation to firearms. House Bill 3405, offered by Representative Davis, Will, a Bill for an Act concerning educational labor relations. House Bill 3406, offered by Representative Cross, a Bill for an Act concerning athlete agents. House Bill 3407, offered by Representative Currie, a Bill for an Act concerning business transactions. House Bill 3408, offered by Representative Currie, a Bill for an Act in relation to the death penalty. House Bill 3409, offered by Representative Currie, a Bill for an Act in relation to the death penalty. House Bill 3410, offered by Representative Currie, a Bill for an Act in relation to the death penalty. House Bill 3411, offered by Representative Hoffman, a Bill for an Act concerning the Bi-State Development Agency. House Bill 3412, offered by Representative Currie, a Bill for an Act in relation to governmental ethics. House Bill 3413, offered by Representative Currie, a Bill for an Act in relation to governmental ethics. House Bill 3414, offered by Representative Currie, a Bill for an Act in relation to governmental ethics. House Bill 3415, offered by Representative Currie, a Bill for an Act concerning ethics commissions. House Bill 3416, offered by Representative 09300023.doc 93 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 Currie, a Bill for an Act in relation to elections. House Bill 3417, offered by Representative Currie, a Bill for an Act to amend the Election Code. House Bill 3418, offered by Representative Currie, a Bill for an Act in relation to elections. House Bill 3419, offered by Representative Poe, a Bill for an Act in relation to public employee benefits. House Bill 3420, offered by Representative Poe, a Bill for an Act in relation to public employee benefits. House Bill 3421, offered by Representative Jim Meyer, a Bill for an Act relating to telecommunications. House Bill 3422, offered by Representative Hassert, a Bill for an Act in relation to public employee benefits. House Bill 3423, offered by Representative Jim Meyer, a Bill for an Act in relation to environmental safety. House Bill 3424, offered by Representative Kelly, a Bill for an Act in relation to education. House Bill 3425, offered by Representative Kelly, a Bill for an Act in relation to economic development. House Bill 3426, offered by Representative Kelly, a Bill for an Act in relation to housing. House Bill 3427, offered by Representative Kelly, a Bill for an Act concerning elections. House Bill 3428, offered by Representative Dunkin, a Bill for an Act concerning taxes. House Bill 3429, offered by Representative Dunkin, a Bill for an Act in relation environmental protection. House Bill 3430, offered by Representative Smith, a Bill for an Act in relation to public employee benefits. House Bill 3431, offered by Representative Soto, a Bill for an Act in relation to financial regulation. House Bill 3432, offered 09300023.doc 94 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 by Representative Soto, a Bill for an Act concerning family law. House Bill 3433, offered by Representative Krause, a Bill for an Act concerning municipalities. House Bill 3434, offered by Representative Osmond, a Bill for an Act in relation to public aid. House Bill 3435, offered by Representative Rose, a Bill for an Act making appropriations and reappropriations. House Bill 3436, offered by Representative McGuire, a Bill for an Act regarding preventative services administration. House Bill 3437, offered by Representative McGuire, a Bill for an Act concerning preventive services. House Bill 3438, offered by Representative McGuire, a Bill for an Act concerning personal care attendants. House Bill 3439, offered by Representative McGuire, a Bill for an Act concerning taxes. House Bill 3440, offered by Representative McGuire, a Bill for an Act concerning vaccinations in health facilities. House Bill 3441, offered by Representative McGuire, a Bill for an Act relating to education. House Bill 3442, offered by Representative McGuire, a Bill for an Act concerning taxation. House Bill 3443, offered by Representative McGuire, a Bill for an Act relating to community scholarship matching grants. House Bill 3444, offered by Representative McGuire, a Bill for an Act concerning personal care attendants. House Bill 3445, offered by Representative McGuire, a Bill for an Act in relation to aging. House Bill 3446, offered by Representative McGuire, a Bill for an Act concerning community services. House Bill 3447, offered by Representative McGuire, a Bill for an 09300023.doc 95 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 Act in relation to disabled persons. House Bill 3448, offered by Representative McGuire, a Bill for an Act concerning preventive services. House Bill 3449, offered by Representative McGuire, a Bill for an Act concerning public health. House Bill 3450, offered by Representative McGuire, a Bill for an Act concerning taxation. House Bill 3451, offered by Representative McGuire, a Bill for an Act in relation to criminal law. House Bill 3452, offered by Representative McGuire, a Bill for an Act in relation to State Government. House Bill 3453, offered by Representative McGuire, a Bill for an Act in relation to criminal law. House Bill 3454, offered by Representative McGuire, a Bill for an Act concerning taxes. House Bill 3455, offered by Representative Yarbrough, a Bill for an Act in relation to disabled persons. House Bill 3456, offered by Representative Yarbrough, a Bill for an Act in relation to human rights. House Bill 3457, offered by Representative Yarbrough, a Bill for an Act in relation to tobacco products. House Bill 3458, offered by Representative Yarbrough, a Bill for an Act concerning electronic fund transfers. House Bill 3459, offered by Representative Yarbrough, a Bill for an Act concerning insurance. House Bill 3460, offered by Representative Yarbrough, a Bill for an Act concerning public buildings. House Bill 3461, offered by Representative Yarbrough, a Bill for an Act concerning vehicles. House Bill 3462, offered by Representative Rose, a Bill for an Act regarding vehicles. House Bill 3463, offered by Representative 09300023.doc 96 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 Daniels, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 3464, offered by Representative Flowers, a Bill for an Act in relation to children. House Bill 3465, offered by Representative Hoffman, a Bill for an Act regarding higher education. House Bill 3466, offered by Representative Dunn, a Bill for an Act in relation to criminal law. House Bill 3467, offered by Representative McAuliffe, a Bill for an Act in relation to vehicles. House Bill 3468, offered by Representative Scully, a Bill for an Act concerning antitrust. House Bill 3469, offered by Representative Kurtz, a Bill for an Act concerning insurance. House Bill 3470, offered by Representative Kurtz, a Bill for an Act in relation to insurance. House Bill 3471, offered by Representative Kurtz, a Bill for an Act concerning insurance. House Bill 3472, offered by Representative Bellock, a Bill for an Act in relation to public aid. House Bill 3473, offered by Representative Bellock, a Bill for an Act in relation to public aid. House Bill 3474, offered by Representative Bellock, a Bill for an Act in relation to executive agencies. House Bill 3475, offered by Representative Bellock, a Bill for an Act in relation to insurance. House Bill 3476, offered by Representative May, a Bill for an Act in relation to vehicles. House Bill 3477, offered by Representative Capparelli, a Bill for an Act concerning highways. House Bill 3478, offered by Representative Watson, a Bill for an Act in relation to economic assistance. House Bill 3479, offered by Representative Flider, a Bill for an Act concerning 09300023.doc 97 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 education. House Bill 3480, offered by Representative Flider, a Bill for an Act relating to schools. House Bill 3481, offered by Representative Franks, a Bill for an Act in relation to public aid. House Bill 3482, offered by Representative Reitz, a Bill for an Act in relation to civil procedure. House Bill 3483, offered by Representative Delgado, a Bill for an Act concerning public health. House Bill 3484, offered by Representative Delgado, a Bill for an Act concerning criminal law. House Bill 3485, offered by Representative Delgado, a Bill for an Act in relation to taxes. House Bill 3486, offered by Representative Bailey, a Bill for an Act concerning domestic violence. House Bill 3487, offered by Representative Mulligan, a Bill for an Act concerning education. House Bill 3488, offered by Representative Black, a Bill for an Act concerning sports facilities. House Bill 3489, offered by Representative Hannig, a Bill for an Act in relation to state finance. House Bill 3490, offered by Representative Schmitz, a Bill for an Act in relation to municipalities. House Bill 3491, offered by Representative Rose, a Bill for an Act in relation to criminal law. House Bill 3492, offered by Representative Sacia, a Bill for an Act in relation to criminal law. House Bill 3493, offered by Representative Rose, a Bill for an Act in relation to methamphetamine. House Bill 3494, offered by Representative Brosnahan, a Bill for an Act concerning business transactions. House Bill 3495, offered by Representative Brunsvold, a Bill for an Act in relation 09300023.doc 98 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 to gaming. House Bill 3496, offered by Representative Brunsvold, a Bill for an Act in relation to health facilities. House Bill 3497, offered by Representative Brunsvold, a Bill for an Act in relation to public aid. House Bill 3498, offered by Representative Brunsvold, a Bill for an Act in relation to public aid. House Bill 3499, offered by Representative Brunsvold, a Bill for an Act concerning health facilities. House Bill 3500, offered by Representative Hannig, a Bill for an Act regarding appropriations. House Bill 3501, offered by Representative Currie, a Bill for an Act in relation to domestic violence. House Bill 3502, offered by Representative Bradley, a Bill for an Act in relation to pensions. House Bill 3503, offered by Representative Bradley, a Bill for an Act concerning child support. House Bill 3504, offered by Representative Bradley, a Bill for an Act in relation to criminal law. House Bill 3505, offered by Representative Hoffman, a Bill for an Act concerning telephone solicitation. House Bill 3506, offered by Representative Holbrook, a Bill for an Act in relation to environmental protection. House Bill 3407 (sic-3507), offered by Representative Holbrook, a Bill for an Act concerning environmental protection. House Bill 3508, offered by Representative Holbrook, a Bill for an Act in relation to environmental matters. House Bill 3509, offered by Representative McGuire, a Bill for an Act in relation to clean air. House Bill 3510, offered by Representative Hoffman, a Bill for an Act concerning wages. House Bill 09300023.doc 99 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 3511, offered by Representative Hoffman, a Bill for an Act in relation to state boards and commissions. House Bill 3512, offered by Speaker Madigan, a Bill for an Act concerning finance. House Bill 3513, offered by Speaker Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations to the State Comptroller. House Bill 3514, offered by Speaker Madigan, a Bill for an Act making appropriations to the State Comptroller. House Bill 3515, offered by Representative Acevedo, a Bill for an Act in relation to criminal law. House Bill 3516, offered by Representative Pihos, a Bill for an Act regarding schools. House Bill 3517, offered by Representative Feigenholtz, a Bill for an Act concerning tobacco. House Bill 3518, offered by Representative Fritchey, a Bill for an Act concerning tobacco. House Bill 3519, offered by Representative Holbrook, a Bill for an Act in relation to environmental protection. House Bill 3520, offered by Representative Burke, a Bill for an Act concerning public building commissions. House Bill 3521, offered by Representative Burke, a Bill for an Act concerning technology development. House Bill 3522, offered by Representative Burke, a Bill for an Act concerning insurance. House Bill 3523, offered by Representative Brauer, a Bill for an Act in relation to public employee benefits. House Bill 3524, offered by Representative Brauer, a Bill for an Act concerning the environment. House Bill 3525, offered by Representative Lyons, Eileen, a Bill for an Act concerning criminal law. House Bill 3526, offered by Representative Moffitt, a Bill 09300023.doc 100 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 for an Act concerning civil procedure. House Bill 3527, offered by Representative Joyce, a Bill for an Act in relation to vehicles. House Bill 3528, offered by Representative Joyce, a Bill for an Act in relation to drug and alcohol impairment. House Bill 3529, offered by Representative Colvin, a Bill for an Act concerning business organizations. House Bill 3530, offered by Representative Colvin, a Bill for an Act in relation to local government. House Bill 3531, offered by Representative Colvin, a Bill for an Act concerning taxes. House Bill 3532, offered by Representative Colvin, a Bill for an Act in relation to incarceration. House Bill 3533, offered by Representative Fritchey, a Bill for an Act to inform text of certain statutory provisions to court decision concerning constitutionality. House Bill 3534, offered by Representative Biggins, a Bill for an Act concerning property taxes. House Bill 3535, offered by Representative Parke, a Bill for an Act concerning the Department of Professional Regulation. House Bill 3536, offered by Representative Mendoza, a Bill for an Act concerning state contracts. House Bill 3537, offered by Representative Bost, a Bill for an Act in relation to criminal law. House Bill 3538, offered by Representative Brady, a Bill for an Act concerning insurance. House Bill 3539, offered by Representative Mendoza, a Bill for an Act concerning notary law. House Bill 3540, offered by Representative Lyons, Joseph, a Bill for an Act concerning the executive branch. House Bill 3541, offered by 09300023.doc 101 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 Representative Miller, a Bill for an Act in relation to education. House Bill 3542, offered by Representative Miller, a Bill for an Act concerning property taxes. House Bill 3543, offered by Representative Miller, a Bill for an Act concerning special districts. House Bill 3544, offered by Representative Miller, a Bill for an Act regarding schools. House Bill 3545, offered by Representative Cultra, a Bill for an Act in relation to groundwater. House Bill 3546, offered by Representative Black, a Bill for an Act in relation to energy. House Bill 3547, offered by Representative Howard, a Bill for an Act concerning insurance. House Bill 3548, offered by Representative Novak, a Bill for an Act in relation to utilities. House Bill 3549, offered by Representative Novak, a Bill for an Act concerning environment protection. House Bill 3550, offered by Representative Novak, a Bill for an Act concerning alternate fuels. House Bill 3551, offered by Representative Novak, a Bill for an Act concerning nitrogen oxide. House Bill 3552, offered by Representative Berrios, a Bill for an Act concerning adoption. House Bill 3553, offered by Representative Currie, a Bill for an Act concerning air pollution. House Bill 3554, offered by Representative Currie, a Bill for an Act concerning environmental protection. House Bill 3555, offered by Representative O'Brien, a Bill for an Act in relation to sex offenders. House Bill 3556, offered by Representative O'Brien, a Bill for an Act in relation to sex offenders. House Bill 3557, offered by Representative Leitch, a Bill 09300023.doc 102 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 for an Act concerning utilities. House Bill 3558, offered by Representative Morrow, a Bill for an Act concerning procurement. House Bill 3559, offered by Representative Giles, a Bill for an Act concerning counties. House Bill 3560, offered by Representative Flider, a Bill for an Act concerning taxes. House Bill 3561, offered by Representative May, a Bill for an Act concerning health coverage under state employee programs. House Bill 3562, offered by Representative Boland, a Bill for an Act concerning economic recovery. House Bill 3563, offered by Representative Washington, a Bill for an Act in relation to vehicles. House Bill 3564, offered by Representative Beaubien, a Bill for an Act in relation to taxes. House Bill 3565, offered by Representative Beaubien, a Bill for an Act in relation to taxation. House Bill 3566, offered by Representative Beaubien, a Bill for an Act regarding taxes. House Bill 3567, offered by Representative Aguilar, a Bill for an Act concerning minors. House Bill 3568, offered by Representative Slone, a Bill for an Act in relation to public employee benefits. House Bill 3569, offered by Representative Moffitt, a Bill for an Act in relation to executive agencies. House Bill 3570, offered by Representative Moffitt, a Bill for an Act concerning seeds. House Bill 3571, offered by Representative Moffitt, a Bill for an Act concerning agriculture. House Bill 3572, offered by Representative Moffitt, a Bill for an Act in relation to agriculture. House Bill 3573, offered by Representative Moffitt, a Bill for an Act concerning 09300023.doc 103 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 wetlands. House Bill 3574, offered by Representative Moffitt, a Bill for an Act concerning agriculture. House Bill 3575, offered by Representative Moffitt, a Bill for an Act concerning agriculture. House Bill 3576, offered by Representative Moffitt, a Bill for an Act in relation to agriculture. House Bill 3577, offered by Representative Moffitt, a Bill for an Act concerning agriculture. House Bill 3578, offered by Representative Moffitt, a Bill for an Act concerning natural resources. House Bill 3579, offered by Representative Moffitt, a Bill for an Act in relation to wildlife. House Bill 3580, offered by Representative Granberg, a Bill for an Act concerning small employer health insurance. House Bill 3581, offered by Representative Granberg, a Bill for an Act concerning health care benefit claims. House Bill 3582, offered by Representative Granberg, a Bill for an Act concerning structured settlements. House Bill 3583, offered by Representative Davis, Monique, a Bill for an Act relating to education. House Bill 3584, offered by Representative Saviano, a Bill for an Act concerning counties. House Bill 3585, offered by Representative Saviano, a Bill for an Act concerning alternative health care delivery. House Bill 3586, offered by Representative Rose, a Bill for an Act in relation to health care. House Bill 3587, offered by Representative Mendoza, a Bill for an Act concerning education. House Bill 3588, offered by Representative Soto, a Bill for an Act in relation to public aid. House Bill 3589, offered by Representative Feigenholtz, a Bill 09300023.doc 104 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 for an Act concerning stem cell research. House Bill 3590, offered by Representative Davis, Steve, a Bill for an Act concerning environmental safety. House Bill 3591, offered by Representative Fritchey, a Bill for an Act concerning public accountants. House Bill 3592, offered by Representative Fritchey, a Bill for an Act in relation to public employee benefits. House Bill 3593, offered by Representative Delgado, a Bill for an Act concerning teacher incentives. House Bill 3594, offered by Representative Delgado, a Bill for an Act regarding schools. House Bill 3595, offered by Representative Flowers, a Bill for an Act concerning pharmaceutical benefits. House Bill 3596, offered by Representative Rose, a Bill for an Act concerning conservation. House Bill 3597, offered by Representative O'Brien, a Bill for an Act concerning property rights. House Bill 3598, offered by Representative O'Brien, a Bill for an Act in relation to economic development. House Bill 3599, offered by Representative Watson, a Bill for an Act in relation to vehicles.”
Clerk Rossi: “House Bill 3600, offered by Representative Molaro, a Bill for an Act concerning taxes. House Bill 3601, offered by Representative Molaro, a Bill for an Act regarding taxes. House Bill 3602, offered by Representative Molaro, a Bill for an Act concerning business transactions. House Bill 3603, offered by Representative Molaro, a Bill for an Act concerning business practices. House Bill 3604, offered by 09300023.doc 105 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 Representative Molaro, a Bill for an Act concerning business practices. House Bill 3605, offered by Representative Molaro, a Bill for an Act in relation to vehicles. House Bill 3606, offered by Representative Myers, a Bill for an Act in relation to public employee benefits. House Bill 3607, offered by Representative Aguilar, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 3608, offered by Representative Mulligan, a Bill for an Act in relation to public aid. House Bill 3609, offered by Representative May, a Bill for an Act concerning taxes. House Bill 3610, offered by Representative Rose, a Bill for an Act in relation to criminal law. House Bill 3611, offered by Representative Franks, a Bill for an Act concerning family law. House Bill 3612, offered by Representative Franks, a Bill for an Act concerning taxes. House Bill 3613, offered by Representative Kelly, a Bill for an Act concerning education. House Bill 3614, offered by Representative Kelly, a Bill for an Act regarding schools. (sic-House Bill 3615, offered by Representative Kelly, a Bill for an Act concerning housing. House Bill 3616, offered by Representative Kelly, a Bill for an Act in relation to economic development.) House Bill 3617, offered by Representative Lang, a Bill for an Act in relation to administrative procedure. House Bill 3618, offered by Representative Rita, a Bill for an Act in relation to executive agencies. House Bill 3619, offered by Representative Miller, a Bill for an Act concerning education. House Bill 3620, offered by Representative 09300023.doc 106 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 Dunkin, a Bill for an Act concerning open meetings. House Bill 3621, offered by Representative Franks, a Bill for an Act concerning boards and commissions. House Bill 3622, offered by Representative Mautino, a Bill for an Act relating to insurance. House Bill 3623, offered by Representative Mautino, a Bill for an Act concerning the Illinois Rural Bond Bank. House Bill 3624, offered by Representative Mautino, a Bill for an Act concerning schools. House Bill 3625, offered by Representative Mautino, a Bill for an Act concerning schools. House Bill 3626, offered by Representative Mautino, a Bill for an Act concerning vehicle protection products. House Bill 3627, offered by Representative Mautino, a Bill for an Act concerning real estate. House Bill 3628, offered by Representative Dunkin, a Bill for an Act concerning open meetings. House Bill 3629, offered by Representative Novak, a Bill for an Act in relation to nuclear safety. House Bill 3630, offered by Representative Saviano, a Bill for an Act concerning construction management. House Bill 3631, offered by Representative Brauer, a Bill for an Act concerning the local regulation of firearms. House Bill 3632, offered by Representative Biggins, a Bill for an Act concerning administrative review. House Bill 3633, offered by Representative Millner, a Bill for an Act concerning intergovernmental cooperation. House Bill 3634, offered by Representative Millner, a Bill for an Act concerning public bodies. House Bill 3635, offered by Representative Hoffman, a Bill for an Act in relation to land. House Bill 09300023.doc 107 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 3636, offered by Representative Hoffman, a Bill for an Act regarding wages. House Bill 3637, offered by Representative Hoffman, a Bill for an Act concerning wages. House Bill 3638, offered by Representative Hoffman, a Bill for an Act concerning economic opportunity. House Bill 3639, offered by Representative Hoffman, a Bill for an Act concerning boards and commissions. House Bill 3640, offered by Representative Hoffman, a Bill for an Act concerning boards and commissions. House Bill 3641, offered by Representative Hoffman, a Bill for an Act concerning boards and commissions. House Bill 3642, offered by Representative Hoffman, a Bill for an Act concerning boards and commissions. House Bill 3643, offered by Representative Hoffman, a Bill for an Act concerning boards and commissions. House Bill 3644, offered by Representative Hoffman, a Bill for an Act in relation to pensions. First Reading of these House Bills. House Bill 3645, offered by Representative Hoffman, a Bill for an Act in relation to real property. House Bill 3646, offered by Representative Hoffman, a Bill for an Act respecting schools. House Bill 3647, offered by Representative Hoffman, a Bill for an Act in relation to business organizations. House Bill 3648, offered by Representative Hoffman, a Bill for an Act in relation to income taxes. House Bill 3649, offered by Representative Hoffman, a Bill for an Act in relation to employment. First Reading of these House Bills. House Bill 3650, offered by Representative Hoffman, a Bill for an Act in 09300023.doc 108 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 relation to aeronautics. House Bill 3651, offered by Representative Hoffman, a Bill for an Act concerning budgeting. House Bill 3652, offered by Representative Hoffman, a Bill for an Act concerning consumer protection. House Bill 3653, offered by Representative Hoffman, a Bill for an Act in relation to employment. House Bill 3654, offered by Representative Hoffman, a Bill for an Act concerning agriculture. House Bill 3655, offered by Representative Coulson, a Bill for an Act in relation to firearms. House Bill 3656, offered by Representative Mautino, a Bill for an Act relating to insurance. House Bill 3657, offered by Representative Mautino, a Bill for an Act concerning insurance. House Bill 3658, offered by Representative Mautino, a Bill for an Act concerning insurance. House Bill 3659, offered by Representative Mautino, a Bill for an Act concerning viatical settlements. House Bill 3660, offered by Representative Mautino, a Bill for an Act concerning insurance. House Bill 3661, offered by Representative Mautino, a Bill for an Act concerning insurance. House Bill 3662, offered by Representative Jefferson, a Bill for an Act concerning the executive branch. House Bill 3663, offered by Representative Lyons, Joseph, a Bill for an Act concerning financial institutions. House Bill 3664, offered by Representative Hoffman, a Bill for an Act concerning redevelopment. House Bill 3665, offered by Representative Hoffman, a Bill for an Act in relation to executive agencies. House Bill 3666, offered by Representative Hoffman, a Bill for an Act 09300023.doc 109 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 concerning employment. House Bill 3667, offered by Representative Hoffman, a Bill for an Act in relation to highways. House Bill 3668, offered by Representative Hoffman, a Bill for an Act in relation to public aid. House Bill 3669, offered by Representative Hoffman, a Bill for an Act concerning consumer protection. House Bill 3670, offered by Representative Hoffman, a Bill for an Act in relation to schools. House Bill 3671, offered by Representative Davis, Will, a Bill for an Act concerning emergency care. House Bill 3672, offered by Representative Molaro, a Bill for an Act in relation to alcoholic liquor. House Bill 3673, offered by Representative Molaro, a Bill for an Act concerning the Department of Revenue. House Bill 3674, offered by Representative McGuire, a Bill for an Act concerning the Department on Aging. House Bill 3675, offered by Representative McGuire, a Bill for an Act concerning health care workers. House Bill 3676, offered by Representative Molaro, a Bill for an Act concerning taxes. House Bill 3677, offered by Representative Molaro, a Bill for an Act in relation to taxation. House Bill 3678, offered by Representative Parke, a Bill for an Act in relation to business transactions. First Reading of these House Bills. House Bill 3679, offered by Representative Parke, a Bill for an Act concerning park districts. House Bill 3680, offered by Representative Winters, a Bill for an Act concerning employment. House Bill 3681, offered by Representative Winters, a Bill for an Act in relation to health in the workplace. House Bill 3682, offered by 09300023.doc 110 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 Representative Winters, a Bill for an Act in relation to health in the workplace. House Bill 3683, offered by Representative Winters, a Bill for an Act concerning employment. House Bill 3684, offered by Representative Winters, a Bill for an Act in relation to unemployment insurance. House Bill 3685, offered by Representative Winters, a Bill for an Act in relation to unemployment insurance. House Bill 3686, offered by Representative Winters, a Bill for an Act in relation to labor relations. House Bill 3687, offered by Representative Winters, a Bill for an Act in relation to education. House Bill 3688, offered by Representative Winters, a Bill for an Act in relation to employment. House Bill 3689, offered by Representative Winters, a Bill for an Act concerning labor. House Bill 3690, offered by Representative Forby, a Bill for an Act concerning professional regulation. House Bill 3691, offered by Representative Daniels, a Bill for an Act in relation to criminal matters. House Bill 3692, offered by Representative Sacia, a Bill for an Act in relation to vehicles. House Bill 3693, offered by Representative Millner, a Bill for an Act in relation to public employee benefits. House Bill 3694, offered by Representative Miller, a Bill for an Act in relation to airports. House Bill 3695, offered by Representative Hamos, a Bill for an Act in relation to mental health. House Bill 3696, offered by Representative Parke, a Bill for an Act concerning criminal law. House Bill 3697, offered by Representative Parke, a Bill for an Act concerning ethics. House Bill 09300023.doc 111 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 3698, offered by Representative Parke, a Bill for an Act concerning ethics. House Bill 3699, offered by Representative May, a Bill for an Act in relation to vehicles. House Bill 3700, offered by Representative Boland, a Bill for an Act in relation to paternity fraud. House Bill 3701, offered by Representative Boland, a Bill for an Act in relation to gaming. House Bill 3702, offered by Representative Boland, a Bill for an Act in relation to finance. House Bill 3703, offered by Representative Boland, a Bill for an Act in relation to veterans. House Bill 3704, offered by Representative Boland, a Bill for an Act concerning the military. House Bill 3705, offered by Representative Boland, a Bill for an Act in relation to veterans. House Bill 3706, offered by Representative Boland, a Bill for an Act in relation to veterans. House Bill 3707, offered by Representative Boland, a Bill for an Act concerning elections. House Bill 3708, offered by Representative Collins, a Bill for an Act concerning counties. House Bill 3709, offered by Representative McCarthy, a Bill for an Act concerning cable television. House Bill 3710, offered by Representative Molaro, a Bill for an Act in relation to public employee benefits. House Bill 3711, offered by Representative McKeon, a Bill for an Act in relation to employment. House Bill 3712, offered by Representative McKeon, a Bill for an Act concerning employment. House Bill 3713, offered by Representative McKeon, a Bill for an Act in relation to employment. House Bill 3714, offered by Representative McKeon, a Bill for an 09300023.doc 112 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 23rd Legislative Day 2/28/2003 Act concerning employment. House Bill 3715, offered by Representative Flider, a Bill for an Act concerning professional regulation. House Bill 3716, offered by Representative McKeon, a Bill for an Act in relation to health in the workplace. House Bill 3717, offered by Representative McKeon, a Bill for an Act concerning employment. House Bill 3718, offered by Representative McKeon, a Bill for an Act in relation to health in the workplace. House Bill 3719, offered by Representative Novak, a Bill for an Act concerning public safety. Introduction and First Reading of these House Bills. There being no further business, the House Perfunctory Session will stand adjourned.” 09300023.doc 113