Illinois House Floor Debate — March 27, 2003

“The House shall come to order. The Members shall be in their chairs. We shall be led in prayer today by Pastor James Campbell of the Christ Life Church in Woodstock. Pastor Campbell 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.”

“We shall be led in the Pledge of Allegiance by Representative Franks.” Franks – et al: “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

Speaker Hannig: “Roll Call for Attendance. Representative Currie.”

“Thank you, Speaker. Please let the record reflect that Representative Younge is excused today.” 09300036.doc 2  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003

“Mr. Bost.”

“The Clerk shall take the record. There being 117 Members responding to the Attendance Roll Call, there is a quorum present. Mr. Clerk.”

“The Chair plans to call a series of Bills which have been placed on the Agreed List #2. And our purpose now would be to read these Bills for a third time. So, Mr. Clerk, House Bill 14. Read the Bill.”

“House Bill 85.”

“House Bill 2-1-5.”

“House Bill 2-3-1.”

“House Bill 4-2-9.”

“House Bill 1-4-8-0.” 09300036.doc 4  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003

“House Bill 1-5-2-9.”

“House Bill 1-5-7-7.”

“House Bill 2-1-4-7.”

“House Bill 2-1-8-5.”

“House Bill 2-2-5-1.”

“House Bill 2-4-5-6.”

“House Bill 2-4-8-9.”

“House Bill 2-4-9-0.”

“House Bill 2-5-2-6.”

“House Bill 2-5-3-6.”

“House Bill 2-5-4-5.”

“House Bill 2-8-1-6.”

“House Bill 2-9-5-6.”

“House Bill 3-0-2-2.”

“House Bill 3-0-2-3.”

“House Bill 3-0-8-1.”

“House Bill 3-0-9-5.” 09300036.doc 6  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003

“House Bill 3-2-1-5.”

“House Bill 3-3-2-5.”

“House Bill 3-4-0-6.”

“House Bill 3-5-4-7.”

“House Bill 3-6-7-5.”

“Mr. Daniels, you’re the Sponsor of House Bill 74, on the Order of Second Reading. Did you wish to move the Bill? Mr. Clerk, what is the status of the Bill?”

“Third Reading. Representative Kosel. Kosel. Representative Jerry Mitchell on 2-3-5-2. The Gentleman indicates he does not wish to call the Bill. Mr. Wait. Mr. Dunkin. Mr. Flider. Mr. Flider. Representative Flowers, you’re the Sponsor of House Bill 1507, on the 09300036.doc 7  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 Order of Third Reading. Did you wish to call the Bill? The Lady indicates she does not wish to call the Bill. Mr. Franks, you’re the sponsor of House Bill 2-0-9 on Second Reading. Did you wish to move the Bill? The Gentleman indicates he does not wish to move the Bill. Representative Kelly on House Bill 1415. The Lady indicates she does not wish to move the Bill. Mr. McGuire. Representative Ryg, House Bill 3061. Did you wish to move the Bill? The Lady indicates she does not wish to move the Bill. Mr. Dunkin, you’re the Sponsor of House Bill 3429, on the Order of Second Reading. Did you wish to move the Bill? The Gentleman indicates he does not wish to move the Bill. Mr. Black. Mr. Black, there’s a Bill on the Calendar sponsored by Mr. Cross, House Bill 191, on the Order of Third Reading. Do you know if he wished to call the Bill? Mr. Black.”

“Is it percolating or incubating?”

“I know, yeah. I get confused myself.”

“Has Mr. Flider arrived? Mr. Granberg, you’re the Sponsor of House Bill 1543, on the Order of Third Reading. Did you wish to call the Bill? The Gentleman 09300036.doc 8  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 indicates he does not wish to call the Bill. Mr. Daniels, you’re the Sponsor of House Bill 76, on the order of Second Reading. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of the Bill?”

Speaker Madigan: “Mr. Clerk, did you say that there’s an Amendment?”

“Third Reading. Representative Kurtz on House Bill 339. Did you wish to move the Bill? Mr. Clerk, what is the status of the Bill?”

“Representative Kurtz on the Amendment.”

Speaker Madigan: “The Lady moves for the adoption of the Amendment. There being no discussion, the question is, ‘Shall the Amendment be adopted?’ Those in favor say 09300036.doc 9  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 ‘yes’; those opposed say ‘no’. The Amendment is adopted. Are there any further Amendments?”

“Third Reading. Mr. Bill Mitchell. Bill Mitchell, you’re the Sponsor of House Bill 374, on the Order of Third Reading. Did you wish to call the Bill? The Gentleman indicates he does not wish to call the Bill. Mr. Myers. Rich Myers. 2-7-8-2. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”

“The Gentleman moves for the passage of the Bill. There being no discussion, the question is, ‘Shall this Bill pass?’ All those in favor signify by voting ‘yes’; those opposed by voting ‘no’. Have all voted who wish? The Clerk shall take the record. On this question, there are 117 people voting ‘yes’, 0 voting ‘no’. This Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. House Bill 3048, Mr. Flider. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”

“Mr. Flider.”

“House Bill 3048 amends the Illinois Procurement Code by establishing the responsible bidder requirements for all state construction contracts that are subject to competitive bidding under the code. And this legislation was suggested by the AFLCIO. This is also the same legislation that passed the General Assembly with 87 ‘yes’ votes during the past General Assembly. And during the committee proceedings there wer e two registered opponents and my understanding is that they have withdrawn their opposition. I’d appreciate your support.”

“The Gentleman moves for the passage of the Bill. The Chair recognizes Mr. Black.”

“Sponsor yields.”

“Yes, Representative Black. In fact, I think that that has been the prevailing thought. However, the case is that there are nonunion companies whose employees are involved in these training programs. And as a result, while that has been the prevailing belief, the fact is that that is not the case. And in fact, on the U.S. Department of Labor’s website is a section which refers to this program and it does indicate that union and nonunion representatives may be… utilize this program.”

“The training program.”

“Yes. The bureau apprenticeship… apprenticeship and training program. Yes.”

“Well, I think that… to the extent that companies would wish to train their employees under a… program such as the BAT that some companies have chosen to do that.”

“Representative Black, it is not. In fact, I think the prevailing wage laws in Illinois have been in place for many years. This simply relates to training of employees who would work on these projects and it is a, in fact, a safety project or safety program which we believe will be a benefit to workers in Illinois.”

“Representative Black, while certainly I… I understand why you might… see… see it that way… and it… it certainly… I don’t know that it would necessarily be the unions or the union contractors who would be scrutinizing this. I think that it would, in fact, be our local government or… and State Government who’d be scrutinizing this. I don’t think that that is the intent. In fact, that the intent here is safety and to ensure that workers are out… are working under safe conditions and having been trained to do so.”

“Well, we… we believe that we are working here to ensure the safety of the worker.”

“Well, this legislation would require that those who bid for state projects would be required to have their 09300036.doc 14  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 employees involved or having have completed a… a training program. And so, simply what we’re trying to do is ensure the safety of the worker. And we’re certainly not trying to exclude anybody. Again because, anybody is eligible to go through this program.”

“Well, I would suggest, Representative Black, that if… if you were certified as having been through a… an apprenticeship a training program, if the bidder for that 09300036.doc 15  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 job has certified its employee as having gone through that program that in fact, that that would be… not to be a problem. And that is the… that is the way this would work as I understand it.”

“Representative, this… this Bill pertains to participation in such a program. And therefore, the bidder or the… the respons… the bidder who would be bidding for a job would be responsible for its employees being trained.”

“Again, Representative Black, I would say that with regard to my… with regard to companies like Illinois Power or any other utility, and I know for a fact with Illinois Power they have very strenuous training programs. And so, therefore, the safety of the worker is always paramount and that’s the thing that we’re trying to get to here. But again, this… this legislation would require participation in safety training and programs.”

“Well, a prospective bidder would not be able to bid on a contract unless they comply with the provisions of the law.”

“On a state project.”

“Because you are not participating in a… in an authorized apprenticeship training programs.”

“Representative, I don’t think we’re going to find that that’s the case because again, we do have nonunion contractors whose… employees have participated in these programs.”

“Ladies and Gentlemen, this Bill is on the Order of Standard Debate. Mr. Flider has spoken as a proponent. Mr. Black has stood as a respondent. There will be four more speakers, two proponents and two in response. The next person seeking recognition is Mr. Parke. Mr. Parke, can we presume that you’re in response? Mr. Parke.” 09300036.doc 19  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003

“Ladies and Gentlemen, again this Bill is on the Order of Standard Debate. We’ve had one proponent. We’ve had two in response. There are three people seeking recognition. Mr. Joe Lyons, Mr. Hartke, Mr. Morrow and Mr. 09300036.doc 20  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 Flider who has already spoken in debate. So, let me remind you there’ll be two more proponents to the Bill. And as I look at the names Joe Lyons, Hartke, and Morrow, I suspect they may be proponents. But there’s only space for two. The next person seeking recognition was Mr. Joe Lyons.” Lyons, J.: “Thank you, Speaker, and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. I’ll be brief, Speaker, so we won’t belabor this issue. I stand in strong support of this issue ‘cause I passed this out of here two out of the last four years that this Bill came up. In fact, this was my Bill in committee and Bob wanted to run with it, so I said fine take it, it’s a good pro-labor issue. It’s good for the State of Illinois. It’s good for people who need to go to work. And it’s good for the people who… who will participate in this. So, this… this Bill was brought to me yesterday was a beautiful breakfast by the carpenters who came down here northeast… Northwestern Illinois carpenters brought this to me, I think my freshman or sophomore year. I was glad to take the Bill. It made sense then, it makes sense now. I think this has gotten 90, maybe a 100 votes out of here the last couple times that we’ve run this. I encourage everybody on both sides of the aisle to take a look at this thing carefully. And vote ‘aye’ for the Bill.”

“Mr. Morrow has advised the Chair that he will stand in response. Mr. Morrow, in response. And then we’ll go to Mr. Hartke and he’ll be the last person. Now, Mr. Morrow, in response. State your question.” 09300036.doc 21  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003

“Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know that you’re very talented, but I didn’t know that you’re into mind reading. I’m not in favor or opposed to the Bill. I just have some questions to ask of the Gentleman, would he yield?”

“Sponsor yields, Mr. Morrow.”

“Representative Flider, I'm kinda confused about the language in your Bill. You’re not trying to preempt bidding, are you?”

"No, Sir, I am not.”

“Okay. Would this Bill still fall under the… under the requirements of MAFBE and… of the Minority and Female Act?”

"Would absolutely… would absolutely continue to have the requirements of the Act. Yes.”

“Okay. To the Bill. I don’t know how I'm gonna vote on this Bill. I need to figure it out, you’re right, because just for the knowledge of the Members of the Body, as the Chairman of the Advisory Board over Solider Field, I’ve had a lot… I’ve had to fight very hard to increase minority and female participation on Soldier Field. And some of the people that are hindering me in my job in increasing minority participation and female participation have been unions. So, maybe right now my comments are directed toward the AFL-CIO and the other trade unions out there, which always seem to rely on my vote when they want my vote to pass public works projects. When you want my vote to pass public works projects, but then you fight against the inclusion of my people in your union. That has to stop. Now, I told the unions that you need to hold off 09300036.doc 22  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 passin’ any of your union Bills this spring until you sit down and work out something with Illinois Legislative Black Caucus that increases minority and female participation on all construction projects. Eventually, you know, several years… what three years ago or four years ago, we passed the Illinois FIRST Program. Has it increased minority and female participation? No. We passed McCormick Place, which is gonna be comin’ on line next spring. Is it gonna increase female and minority participation? I doubt it. Eventually, the Mayor of the City of Chicago is going to come down here and ask us to consider the expansion of O’Hare. Is it going to increase minority and female participation? I doubt it. So, you want my vote, but you don’t want my people. I didn’t… I didn’t ask for any applause.”

“Mr. Morrow. Mr. Morrow, let the Chair advise our guests in the gallery that demonstrations such as that are not permitted under the House Rules. So, thank you.”

“Well, I was going to say, Mr. Speaker, I didn’t need their help, I'm on a roll.”

“Right. So, and Mr. Morrow, you’re concluding your remarks, is that the case?”

“Yeah, I'm concluding my… my remarks, Mr. Speaker, because I’ve been talking about the unions. Well, there’s another entity in this fiasco and it’s the contractors. You also asked for my vote ‘cause you make money off the votes that when we create public works projects because you want to participate in them. But you, also, don’t include 09300036.doc 23  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 my people. I thought two weeks ago when I had… I requested a meeting with the unions and the contractors I could finally get them both in the same room and hear them both tell the same lies. Well, they didn’t come in the same room together, and not because I think they’re at opposite ends of the spectrum, I think they’re both in bed together. Either you get your act straight, your contractor and your unions and increase minority and female participation or we’re going to start showing our strength and voting ‘no’ on all union Bills and voting ‘no’ against all public works projects. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.”

“The Chair would again admonish our guests in the gallery. You are guests of this chamber. Demonstrations are not permitted. Final speaker will be Mr. Hartke.”

“Thank you, Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?”

“Sponsor yields.”

“Representative, Flider I have a question. This piece of legislation requires that all state contracts be awarded only to those contractors who have accepted and are on an approved list who have accepted the Responsible Bidder Act. Is that correct?”

"That is correct.”

“The Responsible Bidder Act requires that all those individuals who work for that contractor… or a number of individuals who work for that contractor to be trained in their specific field. Is that correct?”

"That is correct.” 09300036.doc 24  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003

“Certain apprenticeships, certain journeyman, so forth. That’s good and great because my entire career, I’ve heard by individuals in my district say that in order to expand a… the economy in an area what you need… what you need is a good, qualified workforce. And I voted for this Bill last year and caught a lot of flak for it in a campaign. But I have real concerns about this simply because that training is not available all across the state. Am I correct?”

"I don’t know the answer to that. But, I think…”

“I think I do, and I think that the training is put forth by unions to allow only so many individuals to take this training. They say their school is full or they don’t qualify. And so many of my good, skilled workers who are nonunion workers and contractors who they work for are not allowed to bid on state jobs or local jobs, simply because if this law passes, they would have to have this responsible bidder provision and accept that. Is that right?”

"Well, they definitely would need to train their workers through an apprenticeship program, yes.”

“Excuse me, I didn’t hear you.”

"They would definitely nee… definately need to have their workers trained, yes.”

“Yes. Well, and I think that’s good and great because I think good, skilled workers have less accidents and are more efficient in the job and contractor should look at training their employees. And, I know the Federal Laborer Act has put forth several requirements where contractors 09300036.doc 25  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 can train their own employees, provided they follow these provisions of the Federal Labor Act. Is that correct?”

"I'm sorry, I could not hear you.”

“I think that contractors can train their own workers if they use the guidelines set forth by the Federal Labor Act.”

"Yes, that is the case.”

“Many times, that’s very difficult. In my local county the county board was urged to accept the Responsible Bidder Act locally and they rejected that Act. But because I voted for that here in the State Legislature it was felt that I was calling my workers unqualified, unskilled workers. And that was not the case at all. But under this piece of legislation, every worker would… who… or contractor who accepts a state contract or bids for a state contract would be required to have the Responsible Bidder Act in place. Now, I do believe that I’d be prepared to vote for this provided that our junior colleges throughout the State of Illinois had a broad range of these programs available so that they could become qualified and trained and skilled in the occupation… and… occupation that they’re working in. Many carpenters I know and bricklayers and concrete workers, construction workers and ironworkers that work for nonunion contractors for years and they are skilled and they should be able to be grandfathered into this system, but not under this Act. And so for that reason, I'm going to vote ‘no’ on this piece of legislation. Not that I'm antiunion, not that I'm 09300036.doc 26  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 anticontractor, but I do believe that… that there ought to be a training program out there that’s more readily available than is now controlled by just certain individuals to limit the number of individuals who would qualify to work under this Act. For that reason I'm voting ‘no’.”

“Thank you, thank you, Mr. Hartke. And the Chair will digress from the Rules just a little bit by recognizing Mr. Parke, who wishes to correct some earlier information.”

“The question is, ‘Shall this Bill pass?’ Those in favor signify by voting ‘yes’; those opposed by voting ‘no’. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Three people have not voted. Mr. Fritchey, did you wish to vote? The Clerk shall take the record. On this question, there are 59 ‘ayes’ and 34 ‘noes’. And Mr. Flider, did you wish to put the Bill on the Order of Postponed Consideration?”

"Yes, I would, Mr. Speaker.” 09300036.doc 27  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003

“Mr. Clerk, put the Bill on the Order of Postponed Consideration. Mr. Hartke in the Chair.”

“Mr. Clerk, what is the status of House Bill 3021?”

“Move that Bill back to the Order of Second Reading for the purpose of an Amendment at the request of the Sponsor. The Chair has an announcement. On the Agreed Bill List voting slip that you passed out… that was just passed out and is on your desk, House Bill 3081 has been removed from that list. It is not on the Agreed Bills List anymore. Ladies and Gentlemen, we’re prepared to vote on the Agreed Bill List. You’re requested to vote ‘yes’ on this Roll Call. Mr. Clerk. The voting is open. All those in favor signify by voting ‘yes’. Have all voted who wish? Mr. Winters. Mr. Clerk, take the record. On page 36 on the Calendar, on the Order of Third Reading, appears House Bill 2996. Representative Pihos. Representative Pihos. 2996. Would you like to hear that Bill? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”

“Representative Pihos.”

“Is there any discussion on House Bill 2996? The Chair recognizes Representative Parke.”

“The Sponsor will yield."

Speaker Hartke: “Further discussion? The Chair recognizes Representative Delgado.”

“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To the Bill.”

“To the Bill.”

“I want to commend the Sponsor. This came in front of my Human Services Committee and could… I think it’s a wonderful idea to repeal the date. It’s a technical change, basically. Because why should we have to continue to come back and waste the state’s time and the taxpayers’ money on something that’s so important. KidCare will be around forever. We have to continue to help those children 09300036.doc 32  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 who are uninsured, those moms and dads who have children stuck in the systems, be it with DCFS, be it that they’re under… strongly under the poverty line. And I think that we will save the taxpayers big dollars in the long run so that we don’t have to continue to sit down in committee. This will exa… we want to see this thing expand to FamilyCare. So, I want to congratulate our freshman, Representative Pihos, for bringing that to our committee, it flew out. And I would hope that everybody understands that this is a technical change that will benefit the best interests of the child. Thank you.”

Speaker Hartke: “Further discussion? The Chair recognizes Representative Black, the Gentleman from Vermilion.”

“The Sponsor will yield."

“Further discussion? Since no one is seeking recognition, Representative Pihos to close.”

“The question is, ‘Shall the House pass House Bill 2996?’ 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? Representative Flowers. Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 117 Members voting ‘yes’, 0 voting ‘no’, 0 voting ‘present’. And this Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. On page 33 on the Calendar, on Third Reading appears House Bill 1182. Representative Collins. Out of the record. On page 13 on the Calendar, on the Order of Third Reading, appears House Bill 2376. Representative Flowers. Representative Flowers. Representative Flowers, would you like to call 09300036.doc 34  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 this Bill? Out of the record. On page 32 of the Calendar, appears House Bill… 36 on the Calendar appears House Bill 3060. Representative Ryg. Out of the record. On page 32 on the Calendar, on the Order of Third Reading, appears House Bill 386. Representative Novak. Out of the record. On page 28 of the Calendar, on the Order of Second Reading, appears House Bill 3486. Representative Bailey. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill. Yes, Representative Bailey.”

“Go ahead, Representative Bailey.”

“A second Amendment has been filed…”

“Okay.”

“…just now on…”

“We’ll take that Bill out of the record.”

“…on 3486. Thank you.”

“On page 11 on the Calendar, on the Order of Second Reading, appears House Bill 2215. Representative Brosnahan, are you ready on Amendment #1? Out of the record. On page 2 on the Calendar, on Second Reading appears House Bill 9. Representative Capparelli. Out of the record. On page 28 of the Calendar, on the Order of Second Reading, appears House Bill 3407. Representative Forby. Out of the record. On page 7 on the Calendar, on the Order of Second Reading, appears House Bill 1256. Representative Giles. Representative Giles. Out of the record. On page 22 on the Calendar, on the Order of Second Reading, appears House Bill 2784. Representative Hoffman. Mr. Hoffman. Out of the record. On page 28, on 09300036.doc 35  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 the Order of Second Reading, appears House Bill 3427. Representative Kelly. Representative Kelly. Out of the record. On page 30 on the Calendar, on Second Reading appears House Bill 3656. Representative Mautino. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”

“Third Reading. On page 5 on the Calendar, on the Order Second Reading, appears House Bill 520. Representative Miller. Out of the record. On page 27, on the Order Second Reading, appears House Bill 3396. Representative McKeon. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”

“Representative McKeon on Floor Amendment #1.”

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Floor Amendment #1 is a technical Amendment that cle… cleans up some ambiguous language so that it’s clearer who the reference groups that are being referred to within the language of the Bill. And Leadership on both sides of the aisle have agreed to this language as clearly a technical Amendment. I urge your adoption of Floor Amendment #1.”

“Is there any discussion on Floor Amendment #1? Seeing that no one is seeking recognition, the question is, 09300036.doc 36  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 ‘Shall the House adopt Floor Amendment #1 to House Bill 3396?’ All those in favor signify by saying ‘aye’; opposed ‘no’. In the opinion of the Chair, the ‘ayes’ have it. And the Amendment is adopted. Further Amendments?”

“Third Reading. On page 21 on the Calendar, on the Order of Second Reading, appears House Bill 2772. Representative Saviano. Representative Saviano. Out of the record. On third priority, on page 6 on the Calendar, on Second Reading appears House Bill 1102. Representative Daniels. Representative Daniels. Out of the record. On page 22 on the Calendar, on the Order of Second Reading, appears House Bill 2809. Representative Kosel. Representative Kosel. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”

“Third Reading. On page 15 on the Calendar, on the Order of Second Reading, appears House Bill 2573. Representative McAuliffe. Out of the record. On 33 on the Calendar, on the Order of Second Reading, appears House Bill 1208. Representative Acevedo. Out of the record. On page 14 on the Calendar, on Second Reading appears House Bill 2522. Representative Berrios. Out of the record. On page 24 on the Calendar, on Second Reading appears House Bill 3113. Representative Boland. Mr. Boland. 3113. Out… Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.” 09300036.doc 37  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003

“Third Reading. On Second Reading, appears House Bill 120. Mr. Brunsvold. House Bill 120. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”

“Third Reading. On page 5 on the Calendar, on the Order of Second Reading, appears House Bill 528. Mr. Franks. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”

“Mr. Franks on Floor Amendment #2.”

“Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen. This is now an agreed Bill. This was a Bill and what it does is it allows… Right now in growing areas there are impact fees paid by developers. There was a recent Supreme Court case that indicated that those fees that are paid by the developers could only be used for land acquisition. In areas where it’s growing quickly, many times the schools have enough land, but they’d rather use the money to actually construct a school or to add on to an existing 09300036.doc 38  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 school. This Bill would clean… would allow school districts to spend those impact fees for construction or addition instead of just land acquisition. I’d be glad to answer any questions.”

“Is there any discussion? Chair recognizes Representative Lyons.” Lyons, E.: “Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. I would like to alert this chamber this is not an increase in fees. This is not a fee increase. This merely allows schools the flexibility of the impact fees that are already paid. They are already paid. This is not an increase. And it allows them the flexibility and the use of those funds. This is good legislation, it helps school districts. And I would urge an ‘aye’ vote.”

“Is there any discussion on Floor Amendment #2? Further discussion? Seeing that no one is seeking recognition, the question is, ‘Shall the House adopt Floor Amendment #2 to House Bill 528?’ All those in favor signify by saying ‘aye’; opposed ‘no’. In opinion of the Chair, the ‘ayes’ have it. And the Amendment is adopted. Further Amendments?”

“Third Reading. On page 12 on the Calendar, on the Order of Second Reading, appears House Bill 2356. Mr. Fritchey. It’s on Second Reading. Would you like to move it to…? 2356. Mr. Osterman. Mr. Osterman. Out of the record. On page 4 on the Calendar, on the Order of Second 09300036.doc 39  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 Reading, appears House Bill 343. Representative Jakobsson. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”

“On Amendment #3, Representative Jakobsson.”

“Amendment #3, I’d like to move… it clarifies… Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It clarifies a patient’s rights when participating in a program that offers free or reduced medicines. And it… it clarifies their rights with pharmaceutical companies.”

“Is there any discussion on Floor Amendment #3? Seeing that no one is seeking recognition, the question is, ‘Shall the House adopt Floor Amendment #3 to House Bill 343?’ All those in favor signify by saying ‘aye’; opposed ‘no’. In the opinion of the Chair, the ‘aye’ have it. And the Amendment is adopted. Further Amendment?”

“Third Reading. On page 16 on the Calendar, on the Order of Second Reading, appears House Bill 23… or, excuse me, 2636. Representative McGuire. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”

“Mr. McGuire.”

“Mr. Speaker, I’ve been asked by the people who brought this Bill to me to put that on hold temporarily.”

“Okay.”

“Thank you.”

“Take this Bill out of the record. On page 22 on the Calendar, on the Order of Second Reading, appears House Bill 2866. Representative Reitz. Out of the record. On page 36 on the Calendar, on the Order of Second Reading, appears House Bill 3058. Representative Pihos. Representative Pihos. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”

“Representative Pihos.”

“Is there any discussion? The Chair recognizes the Gentleman from Vermilion, Representative Black.”

“The Sponsor will yield."

“Further discussion? Since no one is seeking recognition, Representative Pihos to close.”

“The question is, ‘Shall the House pass House Bill 3058?’ 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 117 Members voting ‘yes’, 0 voting ‘no’, and 0 voting ‘present’. And this Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. On page 36 on the Calendar, on the Order of Third Reading, appears House Bill 3060. Representative Ryg. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”

“Representative Ryg.”

“Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. House Bill 3060 amends the Illinois Insurance Code to require coverage for rehabilitation therapy for brain injuries. As amended, it also requires the Department of Insurance to conduct a study of the effective coverage for cognitive rehabilitation therapy on the costs of insurance and healthcare, patient results, improvements in patient care and quality of life. The study will cover the years 2004 to 2006, with a report due to the General Assembly and the Governor by March 1, 2007.”

“Is there any discussion? The Chair recognizes Representative Black.”

“The Sponsor will yield."

“Thank you.”

Speaker Hartke: “Further discussion? The Chair recognizes Representative Flowers.”

“Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. I rise in support of the Lady’s Bill. You know, poor, poor, poor insurance companies. Poor them, they would have to take the risk. But everybody knows the insurance company is a risky business, that’s the reason why they got into the business. And we… They’re not giving us anything. We are paying for these services. And I agree with the last speaker, what we have been doing is by body parts by body parts, disease by disease. But maybe, as he stated, what we should do is mandate that insurance company cover us from the top of our head to the bottom of our feet. Because, quite frankly, when we go and… when we are employed by these companies, we don’t 09300036.doc 47  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 negotiate with our employers, with the insurance company. They’re in the room making those negotiations. But we are paying for insurance that we think that we have because it’s coming out of our paychecks. And then when we need it we find out that it’s not there. Imagine, if you may, driving your vehicle and you are in a car accident. You are hit with… in the front of your car as opposed to the back of your car. And then you go to your insurance company because you want to get your… you want to file a claim and you want the car to be fixed. The insurance company is gonna tell you, ‘I’m sorry, but the rear is covered but the front isn’t.’ That’s crazy. I encourage everyone to please support House Bill 3060. Thank you.”

Speaker Hartke: “Further discussion? The Chair recognizes Representative Parke.”

“To the Bill.”

Speaker Hartke: “Further discussion? The Chair recognizes Representative Stephens, the Gentleman from Fayette.”

“To the Bill.”

“Further discussion? Since no one is seeking recognition, Representative Ryg to close.”

“Thank you. I do have sensitivity to the cost and the impact on small businesses, and that is why the Amendment was proposed, to do a study of the effects of this Bill on insurance coverage and patient care. And I think it’s very important to recognize that when we talk about cost, every dollar spent on therapy equals $35 saved in medical cost. Based on the fiscal impact to the State of Illinois alone, that would transfer to $94.5 million in savings in medical 09300036.doc 50  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 costs, should cognitive therapy not be available to persons with brain injury. Thank you very much. I’d appreciate your support.”

“The question is, ‘Shall the House pass House Bill 3060?’ 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 81 Members voting ‘yes’, 27 Members voting ‘no’, and 8 Members voting ‘present’. And this Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of House Bill 120?”

“Move that Bill back to the Order of Second Reading for the purpose of an Amendment at the request of a Sponsor. On page 34 of the Calendar, on the Order of Third Reading, appears House Bill 2104. Representative Kosel. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”

“Representative Kosel.”

“Is there any discussion on House Bill 2104? Seeing that no one is seeking recognition, the question is, ‘Shall the House pass House Bill 2104?’ 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 116 Members voting ‘yes’, 0 voting ‘no’, and 0 voting ‘present’. And this Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. On page 32 on the Calendar, on Third Reading appears House Bill 213. Representative Turner. Mr. Turner. Out of the record. On page 34 on the Calendar, on the Order of Third Reading, appears House Bill 1548. Representative Wait. Mr. Wait. Out of the record. On page 36 on the Calendar, on Third Reading appears House Bill 3117. Mr. Wait. Out of the record. On page 33 of the Calendar, on the Order of Third Reading, appears House Bill 1375. Mr. Burke. Out of the record. On page 31 on the Calendar, on the Order of Third Reading, appears House Bill 132. Mr. Capparelli. Mr. Capparelli. Out of the record. On page 35 on the Calendar, on Third Reading appears House Bill 2311. Representative Feigenholtz. Out of the record. On page 37 on the Calendar, on the Order of Third Reading, appears House Bill 3479. Representative Flider. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.” 09300036.doc 52  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003

“Representative Flider.”

"Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Bill 39 prohibits a school district, university or community college from providing a student’s name, address, telephone number, social security number, e-mail address or other personal identifying information to a business organization or financial institution that issues credit or debit cards. In our… in our era of protecting people’s identity and in an era where we are doing our best not to provide information, which it should… is not authorized to be provided. I think this legislation is sound legislation. It originally came at the request of a constituent of former Representative Julie Currie. And I’m sponsoring this Bill and I would encourage your support.”

“Is there any discussion? Seeing that no one is seeking recognition, the question is, ‘Shall the House pass House Bill 3479?’ 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. Hoffman. 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 a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. On page 33 on the Calendar, on the Order of Second Reading, appears House Bill 1208. Representative Acevedo. Out of the record. On 09300036.doc 53  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 page 31 of the Calendar… on page… on… on page 31, on Third Reading appears House Bill 176. Representative… Representative Bellock. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”

“Representative Bellock.”

Speaker Hartke: “Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion on House Bill 176? Since no one is seeking recognition, the question is, ‘Shall the House pass House Bill 176?’ 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. Mr. Parke. Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there 114 Members voting ‘yes’, 2 people voting ‘no’, 0 voting ‘present’. And this Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. On page 33 on the Calendar, on Third Reading appears House Bill 1272. Representative Hoffman. Out of the record. On page 35 on 09300036.doc 54  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 the Calendar, on the Order of Third Reading, appears House Bill 2498. Representative Giles. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”

“Mr. Giles.”

“Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. I present to you House Bill 2498, which is… which I have presented before this Body several times. What this piece of legislation does is it amends the Unified Code of Corrections. It provides that a prisoner who is serving a sentence for a crime committed as the result of the use of or abuse of or addition to alcohol of drug or a controlled substance shall receive no good time credit until he or she participates in and complete a substance abuse treatment program that is approved by the Department of Corrections. The language in this piece of legislation is permissive. I’ve worked with the Department of Correction to continue to keep that same language. We have been working on this several years, we will continue to do so. But the real genesis behind this piece of legislation is that too many of our young men and women who are incarcerated, they get out of… they get out of the Department of Corrections, they have not participated in a drug or alcohol program, the very things that led them to being incarcerated. And oftentimes they have not acknowledged that they have a problem. They come back into our communities and… and still have the same problem. They go back in…, of course, 09300036.doc 55  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 we label that as recidivism, in and out of the penal system, without acknowledging there’s a serious problem. As I stated once before on this House Floor, these individuals are not coming back to Mars, they’re coming back to our communities, they’re our neighbors next door. And they continue to have the same problem. We… we would like to continue to keep this dialogue to address this problem that there is a problem. That… that the department at the State of Illinois is willing to begin to correct… to address this situation. And I ask… urge for your ‘aye’ vote. And I will try to entertain any questions.”

“Is there any discussion? The Chair recognizes Representative Stephens, the Gentleman from Fayette.”

“The Gentleman will yield.”

“At this time, Representative, when I presented this… at this time, no, there is no cost. The departments say… expressed to me that they can’t administer this program within the department within the budget at this current time. They are doing this, at this particular time, as… as we speak. But what we’re trying to do is simply say that… that they should go through this program. Many have opt out in doing so. But what we’re trying to say, they need this particular type of education.”

“Two years ago, before I presented this legislation…” 09300036.doc 56  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003

“…we had the language that they ‘shall’ do it. The department expressed to me, at that time, it was such of a fiscal note that I didn’t want to get into a fighting match with the Department of Corrections ‘cause I really want some substance to come out of this. So we took out the ‘Shall’ legislation, we put in the ‘may’.”

“Have I gone through one or have I…”

“No, I haven’t gone through one but I… I got family members who have.”

“Representative Stephens, I truly appreciate your remarks. And first and foremost, individuals cannot change, from my perspective, unless they have Christ in their life, unless they have a truly religious or spiritual base. However, as you stated, what we… what we have to do is begin to, from the State of Illinois, to say, hey, there is a problem, we’re looking at the number of recidivism. There is a problem and it has to be addressed. This is one way to begin to address. Hopefully, some of these individuals will acknowledge that they have a problem. And then, as you stated, some of the AA, the Alcoholic 09300036.doc 58  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 Anonymous programs, and various other programs that are out there, that they will continue their treatment and get into these programs and truly get… get the proper aid that they need to get back in mainstream society. But, however, also, what this piece of legislation does, it… it simply… individual won’t lose their good time credit if… if… let’s just say if the department… if there’s a overflow and… and the lines are filled to get into this program, they won’t lose it. They will go into an educational program, an alternative program the department has, until that slot becomes available or that bed becomes available.”

“Representative, thank you…”

“Thank you for your compassion.”

Speaker Hartke: “Further discussion? The Chair recognizes Representative Davis. Monique Davis.” Davis, M.: “Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Representative Giles, I commend you for bringing this legislation forward. However, I do have a couple of concerns. Number one is what happens when there are no programs available or there’s an extensively long waiting list?” 09300036.doc 59  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003

“As I’ve stated, what… what happens, that individual will go into an al… alternate education program until there is a slot available for that individual… into… into the program to complete that program to receive their… their good time credit.” Davis, M.: “Well, will this lengthen their stay in being incarcerated because they’ve been unable to get into these programs?”

“Representative, that’s a good question. No, it will not. Time sensitivity is… is of a factor, the department knows that. They will be admonishing that time… they will be monitoring that time frame of that respective inmate.” Davis, M.: “But listen carefully now, if I have not been able to get into a program and had I been able, I would have received time for good behavior. And had I been allowed to be in a program, I would be released. But because the program was crowded and I couldn’t get good credit time, won’t that extend my incarceration?”

“Representative Davis, once again, it will not. If… if there is no time available that inmate will… will enter into an educational program. And… and if that… if for some reason that… that particular individual cannot get into one of the drug… alcohol… drug programs or alcohol treatment programs prior to his or her time incarcerated, that educational program that that individual is in will suffice. The key here is to make sure that that individual enroll themselves into a program, that they go to some type of a program. And if they do not… if they make… do not 09300036.doc 60  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 make that attempt, they will not receive the good credit… the good conduct credits.” Davis, M.: “Okay, Representative, I’m gonna support your Bill. But I would ask that you have someone in the Senate put a caveat there of when these programs are available. And the only reason I mention that is there are too frequently when the programs are not available or the educational programs are not available. So, we need to make sure that if we’re going to make this a caveat for release, that at least the person has an opportunity to participate in those programs. So, if you will do that in the Senate, we’ll be happy to forward this good piece of legislation to the Senate. And I will vote ‘aye’ and I encourage others to do so.”

“Fur…fur…”

“Thank you, Representative. But let… let me just make a clarification. Is that that inmate will… will not lose their time frame of… of being released. Good credit conduct… good conduct credit is something that they earn in order to get out a day or two early because they have shown that initiative. And what we’re saying that they simply won’t get that initiative unless they enter a drug or a alcohol treatment program. It… it does not have any contingent on their date of release.”

Speaker Hartke: “Further discussion? There are still six people seeking recognition. Representative Linder, Rose, Parke, Molaro, Rita and Flowers. Representative Molaro.”

“Will the Representative yield?”

“The Representative will yield.” 09300036.doc 61  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003

“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It… You know, I don’t want to belabor this Bill, but I do have to have it explained to me ‘cause I’m a little confused. So, someone gets arrested and they get charged with some crime… and I’m reading the Bill here, it says, ‘for a crime committed as a result of the use of, abuse of, or addiction to alcohol.’ Okay, how is that defined? I don’t know what that means. So, in other words, if… if someone was selling ecstasy, but that… they… they get caught for selling ecstasy, but it’s not in their system and there’s no evidence that they’re abusers. In other words, I don’t know of a crime that is the result of the use of, abuse of, or ada… addiction to. I don’t know of any crime that that would apply to. I just have no idea how that would be defined. In other words, just because I’m selling ecstasy doesn’t mean I’m abused… I’m… And I could be where I’m convicted of armed robbery and I guess a witness could come up and say, ‘five days ago I saw him, you know, using cocaine.’ I mean, I don’t know how you would do that. Because in any trial, the use of alcohol or abuse of alcohol is irrelevant. I mean, I don’t know if you find out at sentencing. I’m just trying to figure out how… what that means. I don’t know if staff or anybody could help you on that.”

“Representative, that’s a valid question. But I think what we’re trying to get at here, for instance, if an individual is incarcerated because of the sale of ecstasy, as the example that you’re mentioning, that individual may not be addicted to a substance when that individual is 09300036.doc 62  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 arrested or somehow in the penal system. I think the Department of Corrections would make that determination if that individual is addicted to a substance. I think what we’re trying to do here is if it’s been diagnosed that you are… you do have an addiction problem, because you are in the correctional facility because of alcohol or addiction, there’s a problem. Say if there’s spousal abuse and… and you’ve known… you are an alcohol, there’s been some acknowledge there that you drink too much and you get incarcerated, and that’s… that’s part of the scenario. Then what we’re simply saying in this piece of legislation, that before you can receive what we call a benefactor here, and that is good… good conduct credits, that you must go through a program. Now, if an individual doesn’t have a substance abuse or an alcohol problem, that that individual does not qualify for the… the good conduct credit, according to this program.”

“Well, I… I just gotta point this out. Because that was a… that was a good answer, but you know, when you’re convicted of certain crimes in this state, certain crimes tell you whether you can get good time or not, we’ve done that. And the prison system talks about certain crimes. So if you’re convicted of aggravated battery then you don’t wind up going to certain places and certain things. I’m just reading your Bill, that’s all I’m doing is reading the Bill. So, if… if staff and the other Representatives could just listen to this ‘cause I… it’s a great idea. I just… I just… the way it’s written, here’s what it says, that the 09300036.doc 63  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 prisoner who is serving a sentence for a crime committed as a result of the use or abuse of alcohol or contro… So, you’re committing the crime as a result. So someone has to make that determination. It’s not whether you’re an abuser or not, they can determine that in prison. It’s not whether or not you have a problem, they can determine that in prison. So if you are saying anybody who goes to prison who’s an abuser or has a problem, they don’t get good time until they do it. That makes sense. But what you’re saying here is that this applies to only, only a prisoner who is serving a sentence for a crime committed as a result of the use or abuse or addiction to alcohol. There is no such crime. Nothing exists that you’re sentenced as the result of a crime committed because of the abuse or use of alcohol. There’s no such crime. The Bill, as I read it, makes no sense.”

“Representative, I’ve just been informed by a colleague and staff… give me a little help on this, that if an individual is arrested on, let’s just say, a gun charge. When that individual is brought into that facility, that individual is assessed at that particular time. And if… if the individual that’s doing that assessment feels like that individual should go into a drug program… drug treatment program or alcohol treatment program at that particular time…”

“But… but… Representative, I must…”

“…that individual…” 09300036.doc 64  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003

“I must interrupt you. Staff’s gotta listen to this. Trying to make the Bill… you know, in other words, when you’re assessed, you’re assessed. But you’re not sentenced for the crime as a result of the use or addiction to alcohol. In other words, you’re making it say here that it was serving a sentence for a crime committed as the result of the use of alcohol. If he’s there for armed robbery, he’s not sentenced for a crime that has the result of the use of alcohol. If he’s assessed that he might be a druggie, what is he’s clean that day? What if when he commits the robbery he’s clean, there’s nothing in his system? He’s 100 percent sober. You can’t say he was sentenced as a result… sentenced for a crime committed as a result of alcohol abuse. He was sentenced for a crime that’s committed. The crime must be committed as the result of alcohol or drug use. And none… the example you made is not the example. It’s not correct.”

“Okay, Representative. I believe I think I know where you’re going with this. Once again, let’s… let’s take it from the top. The individual is incarcerated because of a… let’s use the gun.”

“All right.” Giles: “Because of a possession of the a gun. That individual goes to a correction facility and that individual is assessed at that time. At that time, that individual could… that… that facility could say, ‘well, you need to go into a drug/alcohol…’ That individual asks series of questions, how many times you drink a week or 09300036.doc 65  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 whatever. And that individual… they assess that individual go into a drug/alcohol treatment program. So, that individual would be… would apply… would be applicable here. Let’s just say if that individual has no history of drinking or… or alcohol… no history of drinking or drug abuse, that… that then… at that particular time, that individual will not be subjected to this program. That individual will… will…”

“Representative, I… this is partly my fault ‘cause maybe I’m not making this clear and I’m gonna stop now because it… it’s my problem not making is clear. In your example, okay, this Bill would absolutely not apply. You’re talking about someone who’s assessed later that they have an alcohol program. At any assessment station, I don’t care if it’s in a police station or at the Department of Corrections. So, if you say he’s assessed to have a drug problem, then this makes sense. But that’s not what the Bill says. The Bill says the crime has to be committed as a result of alcohol abuse. That’s what the language said. In your armed robbery, the armed robbery was not committed as a result of alcohol abuse, he might have been clean that day. It’s… yours says must a crime committed as a result of alcohol abuse. And I’m just saying the language is incorrect. What you’re saying and what you’re trying to do makes a world of sense, but I’d take a look at this language if I were you. That’s all.”

“And Rep… Repr…” 09300036.doc 66  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003

Speaker Hartke: “Further discussion? The Chair recognizes Representative Rose.”

“The Sponsor will yield."

“Representative, that’s correct. I believe that the Department… Department Corrections has guidelines as… as far as the length or the time frame of a particular program. And I’m sure that… that also correlates with the time frame that that inmate is incarcerated, as well.”

“Representative, I believe I do. I think what… And I appreciate those comments. I think what we’re trying to do here is simply to get an inmate… see, sometimes inmate, they opt out of actually… you know, in order to be cured of any alcohol or drug, first there has to be a… it has to be a reform within yourself. You have to have… go through a point in which you will admit that you have a problem. What we’re trying to do here is to… to have inmates to acknowledge that they have a problem by going through a program. What we’re saying here, in order to… in order to… if you are convicted on alcohol charges or… or an addiction problem… related problem, that in order for you to get good ti… good conduct credit, that you must go through a program. Now, if you don’t… if you do not go through that program, according to the Department of Correction’s guidelines, that you just simply won’t receive a good time… good conduct credit. That means that you will not get the 09300036.doc 68  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 benefits of that program. Now, that doesn’t say you’re gonna be… you’re not gonna get released on time, but… but you won’t…”

“…get the benefactor.”

“Representative, I… I think that’s an excellent point to entertain and I will talk to you further. And… and hopefully we can address that in the Senate.”

Speaker Hartke: “Further discussion? The Chair recognizes Representative Rita.” 09300036.doc 69  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003

“Will the speaker yield?”

“The Sponsor will yield."

“What I… what I’m trying to understand here, Representative Giles… over here… is that upon the intake, will they be asked the… the questions, and if it was determined at the time that the addiction was the cause of the crime, then they would be entered into this program?”

“I…”

“Or…”

“I believe, getting back to one of our later colleagues, the question that was asked if they were arrested because of related alcohol or drug addiction, I believe that sets the premise.”

“So… so, what you’re… you guys were using some examples. But, say someone was picked up on a theft because they were stealing to get the money to support their addiction, would be a result of their crime, was result of their habit or addiction.”

“That’s correct.”

“And… and this is what you’re trying to address in this, to help the individual get the education that is needed to put them back as a productive citizen in society.”

“Representative, that is correct.”

“Okay. I’m in agreeance and I sent over a slip to cosponsor this.”

“Thank you. Thank you, Representative.”

Speaker Hartke: “Further discussion? The Chair recognizes Representative Graham. Representative Graham.” 09300036.doc 70  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003

“Thank you, Mr. Sponsor. Will the… Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"

“The Sponsor will yield."

“I stand in support of this Bill. Coming from a social services environment and dealing with individuals who have been carcerate… incarcerated because of the acts that they committed while they were under the influence, I do understand the technical question that Representative… that my fellow Representative asked. But people who work in that environment do understand what you’re trying to do. Maybe there needs to be some tweaking, but coming from that environment, I understand when someone has been convicted of a crime, having been under the influence, and them needing to go to the… to the program. Whether or not a person is using the drugs or selling the drugs, they probably all need to participate in a program so they all kno… understand the impact of what they’re doing. But there is a fine line in the Bill, which people who are not in that environment would interpretate the Bill as being incorrect. But the people who work in that environment would understand what it is that you’re trying to do with the Bill. It is an excellent piece of legislation, but I do think that for people who are unfamiliar with the arena that you’re trying to address would misunderstand what you’re trying to gun at. But people who work there would understand that people who have been convicted because of the abuse of alcohol or… or substance abuse, having committed a crime, they would understand that. So there is 09300036.doc 71  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 a fine line, and we’re bound by interpretation at this point. It’s a good piece of legislation, but I do agree that there is just a little bit that will clear up the minds of others who have not participated… who are not… don’t live in the communities that we live in, that understand what it is that you’re trying to do. So…”

“Repr… Representative, thank you for those comments. And I will address the previous speaker that… that brought up that point. And we will try to tighten it up in the Senate to make sure that it is a clear understanding. But I… I do agree that the individuals that do work in this arena understand exactly, they know how to administer. They’re doing this at some degree right now. We’re just simply saying that this good credit… this good conduct credit, they have to earn it.”

“Right.”

“They have to get into the program, it has to be acknowledged and that they have to earn it.”

“Absolutely. Would you please an… me… add me as a cosponsor to your Bill?”

“Thank you. I sure will, Representative.”

Speaker Hartke: “Further… further discussion? The Chair recognizes Representative Parke.”

“The Sponsor will yield."

“Representative, could you repleat… repeat that line again?”

“Because see, what I did was work with the Department of Correction and we’ve been going back and forth. And they signed off on this language and I just want to make sure.”

“What I will do, Representative, is work with the Sponsor in the Senate to make sure that’s addressed. Once again, like I… as I’ve stated, each year I have not moved this legislation without working with the Department of Corrections on it. And so we… we held it for a while to make sure that they would address all of their concerns. And the language… the genesis of the language is permissible and not mandatory, from my perspective and, of course, from the Department of Correction’s perspective.”

“Thank you, Representative.”

Speaker Hartke: “Further discussion? The Chair recognizes Representative Flowers.”

“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to commend the Representative Giles on his legislation. Because Representative Giles, I, like you, know that a mind is a terrible thing to waste, even a mind that’s wasted in our prison system, more importantly. But I have to ask you this, does these programs exist today?”

“Representative, yes, they do.”

“So, they do have G.E.D programs and substance abuse programs in the prison today? Because I thought… I thought, we had eliminated those programs.”

“No, Representative. We do have some of those programs within the system. We need more, but we do have some of 09300036.doc 74  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 those programs in the system. We don’t have enough but we do have some at this current time.”

“Okay, it is my understanding that… Now, is this Bill… first of all, is this Bill applicable to all the prisons in this state?”

“Representative, yes, it is.”

“Because it is my understanding that these programs it… for those few that does exist, if they exist, but you say they do, that there may be only seven of them throughout the entire state. So, my question to you, if I sign up for it… for the program, the drug abuse program, this is… is this dealing with G.E.D. and drug abuse or just drug abuse?”

“At this current time, this particular program is dealing with alcohol and drug substance abuse treat… right… treatment.”

“Okay, so if I were to sign up for the alcohol and the substance abuse program, I can get my good time, despite the fact that it may be crowded and I can’t get in, but if I sign up I qualify for my good time.”

“That’s correct, Representative. You will not lose your good conduct credit if you go through the program. The Department of Correction ha… have assessed you and you… you voluntarily enter yourself into that program, you will not lose your good conduct credit.”

“Now, Rep…”

“Even if you’re on a waiting… if you’re on… you will be placed on a waiting list. Nine times out of ten, that 09300036.doc 75  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 individual will go through… go to one of those educational programs that the Department of Corrections offers…”

“Representative…”

“…until there is available slot for you to enter that drug or alcohol program… treatment program.”

“Representative, my question is, please, if I sign up but because… I know it’s crowded, but I have signed up, will I maintain… will I still be able to get my good time?”

“You…”

“Despite the fact that I know that it’s crowded, but I did sign up. I am not in it, but I did sign up for it.”

“Representative, you… that individual would be eligible for good conduct credit.”

“Now, if I want to sign up but because I know it is crowded, there’s a long waiting list, and I’m only sentenced for six months, and I don’t sign up, do I get my good time?”

“Representative, at… at the entrance of that facility, a counselor of the department itself will make that assessment and you have to volunteer to go into the program. If you volunteer, even though you may be placed on a waiting list if there’s no availability, if you sign up voluntarily, you will not lose your good conduct credit.”

“No, Rep… I just want to ask… I want for the intent of the legislation… I’m doing six months time, I know there’s a long waiting list. But when it’s time for me to go into the program I will be out of prison. I’m asking you, if I 09300036.doc 76  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 want to sign up and if I don’t sign up, will I not be able to use or be able to earn the good time?”

“Representative, the program doesn’t work that way. And I know what you’re getting at. You… you are placed on the waiting list, even if there’s a long line… there’s a long list, there’s no availability, there’s no bed available. You are in the program. You may not… if… if there is a wait, the Department of Correction will make that assessment, you will go into an educational program. So, therefore, you will not lose this good conduct credit. You will not lose it.”

“Representative, my final and last question. If I know that if I sign up for this program and I know that the… I’m gonna sign up for this program only to get the good time because I know it’s such a backlog because there are so few programs in the institution, so few people to exercise the program, so everybody that walk in the door are gonna eventually sign up for the program just to get good time. Thank you, Representative.”

“Well, Repr… Representative, when you first come in you… you are in an environment in which you do have the good conduct credit when you first come in. I think what… what you’re asking if… if that individual may somehow fool the whole system by saying, ‘I want to be in this program knowing that I’m gonna only… knowing there’s a long waiting list and that I know I’m gonna be out in six months. I’ve gotten away without entering into the program.’ That will not be the case. As I stated, if you are on that waiting 09300036.doc 77  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 list and… and the department has not placed you into one of those beds to begin the actual program, you will be… you will go to an educational program. You will go to an alternate program. And if you don’t make a good effort to be into that program then you will not receive the good conduct credit.”

Speaker Hartke: “Ladies and Gentlemen, there are still two people seeking… one person seeking recognition. But the Chair would like to make an announcement first. Earlier today we voted on Agreed Bill List #2, please turn in your slips by 1:00. It is now 12:30. Please turn in your slips on Agreed List #2 by 1:00. Thank you. Further discussion? The Chair recognizes Representative Mulligan.”

“The Sponsor will yield."

“Representative, I think you have brought up a very interesting concept, something that I probably, personally, can entertain. Naturally, I will continue to work with the Department of Corrections. But I think, at this current… at this present time, the Department of Correction probably don’t have the staff nor the capacity to work with, as we call in this society, white collar crime. But that’s something that I will truly look into. And I know exactly where you’re going and I’m on that same page. And so, I will… I will definitely talk to the Senate Sponsor and talk to the Department of Corrections to see if that’s something that could be applicable to this piece of legislation.” 09300036.doc 79  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003

“Thank you for your comments.”

“Further discussion? Representative Molaro, for what you reason do you seek recognition? You’ve alre… Thank you. Mr. Giles to close.”

“Thank you. I truly appreciate debate on this piece of legislation. Maybe it’s early in the day and we… we have more questions. I presented this Bill now three times before this Body. The last two times it… it flew out of here and hopefully… I’m hoping to get a favorable vote this particular time. But let me just simply say, once again, I think the genesis of this piece of legislation is to… is to get individuals that have been incarcerated because of the result of these particular crime… any crime that deals with alcohol or drug abuses to… to make sure that these 09300036.doc 80  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 individuals acknowledge that there is a problem. That’s… that’s the first step. Once again, as I stated in some of my opening statements, that these individuals are gonna come back to our community and commit the same crimes under the auspices of what we call recidivism. And we’re trying to… we’re trying to save the state some money on the front side instead of the back side, and that is we continue to build more prisons just to house individuals and we can begin to address some of these problems. There is numerous of problems, as the previous… one of my previous colleague just mentioned about gambling. That is truly a problem and an addiction in this state. And that’s something that we truly want to… hopefully, that we will address in this State of Illinois. But at this particular time, this is something that the department is doing. This is something that’s before us right now that we can address. The Department of Corrections is willing to work with this Body and all bodies to… to… to address this situation. And I will continue to push this measure forth until we get some sound legislation that will… will have some teeth and begin to do exactly what… what the intended language says. And at this particular time, I urge an ‘aye’ votes from colleague.”

“The question is, ‘Shall the House pass House Bill 2498?’ 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, 09300036.doc 81  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 there are 115 Members voting ‘yes’, 0 voting ‘no’, and 0 voting ‘present’. And this Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Novak in the Chair.”

“On page 13 of the Calendar, Representative Howard on House Bill 2391. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill. Excuse me, Mr. Acevedo. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”

"The Lady from Cook, Representative Howard.”

“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Amendment #3 will become the Bill. This Bill was drafted, in large part, by and with the help and advice of the Cook County State’s Attorneys Office and the State Police. This Amendment eliminates any objections to this Bill. Those individuals who work with me were integral in achieving a Bill that all parties feel is workable. I’ll tell you what it does. First of all, sealing is for misdemeanors records only and it would exclude sex crimes, crimes of violence and drunken or drugged driving.”

"Excuse me, Representative Howard. Could we have a little order in the chamber, please, for the Lady to make… present her Bill? Thank you.”

“No felony records would be sealed. People must wait three years after the disposition of their case for sealing to occur, and during that time they must remain conviction 09300036.doc 82  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 free. Law enforcement and prosecutors would have full access to the sealed files. Nothing in this Bill changes what they have access to or what they can do with past records. The state’s attorney has a chance to object to the sealing. They would be notified by the clerk that a person is eligible. If an objection is lodged the court would make the decision. Sealed records would… would be… would not be reviewed by employers nor may employers ask about sealed records. Applications must reflect that an applicant need not disclose sealed records. Ultimately, good people, this Bill is about creating opportunities for persons whose past mistakes are standing in the way of employment opportunities. It is saying that if you make a mistake but keep a clean record for three years, after review by the states attorney and the court, your record could be sealed and you would have a fresh chance to prove yourself. That is the Amendment. I ask for support.”

Speaker Novak: "Thank you, Representative Howard. Further discussion? The Lady from Grundy… the Lady from Iroquois, Representative O’Brien.”

"Thank you, Representative O’Brien. Further discussion? The Lady from Cook, Representative Hamos.”

“Thank you. Will the Sponsor yield? Representative Howard, for purposes of legislative intent, how does this Bill apply to people who might have been convicted of a misdemeanor two years ago or anytime before the effective date of this Act?”

“It does not preclude a person applying for the… the sealing process. The State’s Attorneys Office will look at the particulars of the case and they will make a determination about whether or not that person can get their records… records sealed.”

“So people who anytime before this Bill have had a record might be able to utilize this new law?”

“That is correct.”

“And I…”

“They must noti… they must themselves, though… if we are successful in getting this legislation passed, they must initiate the process by going to the clerk’s office.”

“And I stand in strong support of this legislation and I think all the people who are here with us as guests today do too. This is one of the most in… important issues facing a district like mine. I hear about this over and over, especially from the ministers in my district who are confronted with parishioners or people in our community who 09300036.doc 85  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 have served their time. They have repaid society their… the debt that they owe, and their… from that point on are not able to get jobs. This Bill is really… Representative O’Brien talked about what this Bill doesn’t include, but what this Bill does include is the opportunity for people to get jobs, to become self sufficient and to get reintegrated in our society. This is one of the most important Bills that we can do this year. And I really commend the Sponsor for all the very hard work she has put into this for years now to get it to this point. And I’d recommend a strong support.”

"Thank you, Representative. Further discussion? The Lady from Kane, Representative Patricia Lindner.”

“That is correct.”

“Disorderly conduct and retail theft would be a couple that would be eligible for this.”

“Possession of marijuana, I’m told, is as well.”

“That’s correct.” 09300036.doc 86  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003

“And you should… you should also know, Representative Lindner, that the Illinois Retail Merchants are with me on this Bill.”

“Not… not anything that has to do with felony, of courts, not a lot of money.”

“They will be notified that they are eligible for this opportunity. They, then, would come to the clerk’s office and start the process.”

“That’s correct.”

"Thank you, Representative. Further discussion? The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Delgado.”

“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield? Representative Howard…” 09300036.doc 87  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003

"She yields.”

“…when you first brought this Bill a few years ago I know that it was a long journey, a journey that took you through your district. And I remember the summer you called me and said, ‘Representative Delgado, I have all these wonderful young men and women coming into my office asking for jobs and I’m totally overwhelmed that they feel like they can’t get a job because they have a little mark on their record. Now they’re 20, now they’re 19, and they’ve been clean all this time. And we have to do something about that.’ And I want to commend you. Because I’m a former parole and probation officer and I didn’t come up with this wonderful idea. And so, with the work you’ve done, to be able to walk through, go in front of a judge with a probationary order, to have completed your contract, I believe, having seen it in other states already, that the judge as he that in on the jacket, that jacket goes to the clerk’s office, the clerk enters his information, and then expungement can be dealt with right there. ‘Cause many of our young men and women, the only contact they have with the criminal justice system was an incarceration. And as we know, once upon a time a great man fell three times. And this is… we have to have the same mercy and the same compassion for our young people. If they fall, pick themselves up, dust them off, and move forward with a family, with a faith, and with a job. And you have helped us, in Illinois, bring it all the way from Harrisburg to Chicago, we’re finally gonna have not justice by geography, 09300036.doc 88  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 but equal justice. So, my question to you Ma’am, isn’t it true that this legislation will not only… excuse me. I’m gonna have someone expunged here in a second. But we need to be able to say that we’re trying to give young people a second chance. Not criminals, not people who have… who want to come out there and… and mug their neighbor. I don’t care if they’re black, white, or Latino, Asian, male or female. They come in every creed. So now, in Illinois, you are helping us change the future for many young people. So now when they go downstate we’re gonna make sure they’re going to basketball games. I rise in strong support. I’m a sponsor of this Bill. Representative Howard has worked diligently on this legislation. She has worked with state’s attorneys around this coun… around this state, including our wonderful one Dick Devine over in Cook County. At the same time she’s worked with the Legislators, she’s worked with the chiefs of police, she’s worked with her community, she’s worked with her churches. If we’ve ever seen a more consensus piece of legislation, it is this one. So, make sure your search your hearts. Don’t vote because you’re a former police officer, don’t vote ‘no’. Don’t vote ‘no’ because you’re a former FBI agent. Don’t vote ‘no’ because you’re a former probation officer. Don’t vote ‘no’ because you used to be a correctional guard. Vote because this is the right thing to do. And remember, these are our friends, these are our families, they’re Illinois. Let’s do the right thing.” 09300036.doc 89  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003

"Thank you, Mr. Delgado. One final reminder, Ladies and Gentlemen, you have ten minutes to turn in your yellow slip with respect to the Agreed Bill List. You have ten minutes. Thank you. Further discussion? The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Giles.”

“Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. To the Bill. I rise to give strong support of this piece of legislation. Representative Howard has worked tirelessly on this piece of legislation and simply because that she… she is… she has been elected to represent her people. I will support this legislation strongly because I am sent here to represent my constituency, my people as well. I… I have a… this is personal to me because I’m working with a young lady and… oftentimes, for some reason or not, I’m asked to be a mentor to young… young people. And I have a young lady that I’ve been working for about three years. This young lady diligently come to my office and called me, and I’ve given her my personal cell phone number. She called me very often asking is there any job opportunities, is there any job opportunities? She calls me often because this individual want to work, this individual truly wants to work. But two years ago… you know what I found out? I found out she was so embarrassed because she had a small problem on her record. Something that was minor, something that she did when she was very young, and she was very embarrassed about it. And at that particular time, she came to me as an adult. She had acknowledged that there was a small problem and she, of 09300036.doc 90  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 course, repented, and now she is working her way to be a viable and productive individual in our society. And I did everything possible to try to give her those opportunities, those educational opportunities, employment opportunities, all the opportunities that we benefit so freely today. And because of that one little mistake as a… as a youth, it is very difficult and it is very, very hard for that individual to be given an opportunity. And so, I rise to support Representative Howard and many others that will vote for this legislation because this… this is truly what it is about. And that is creating and giving people opportunity, especially individuals that have made a small mistake in society. Each and every one of us can pull a lot… pull out of our closet and find a small mistake that we would like to change or like to give back. And someone gave us another chance or an opportunity to be all that we can be. And that’s what this legislation does. As my… as the previous speaker spoke, this does not in any form or fashion allow a hardened crimina… criminal to… to be able to be released on our streets and to be able to expunge something that, I believe, that is repealable. What this does is give our young individual who have a change of heart and a change of lifestyle to say, ‘I want to be a part of mainstream society, I have something to give back. I want to be a mentor, I want to educate someone else. I want to, ultimately, give somebody else an opportunity.’ So, I rise in strong support and I urge all my colleagues to put an ‘aye’ vote on this legislation. Thank you.” 09300036.doc 91  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003

"Thank you, Mr. Giles. Further discussion? The Lady from Cook, Representative Cynthia Soto.”

"Speaker… Thank you, Speaker and Members of the House. I, too, rise in strong support of this legislation. As you recall last year, when I rised in strong support of the last legislation, it brought tears to my eyes. It brought tears to my eyes because… and I… I’m gonna go back. It was brought to my attention… is this personal to you? Is this the reason why it brings tears to your eyes? No. I said no, that’s not the reason why. It… and the reason why it brought tears to my eyes is because look at… look at the faces up here. Look up and look at everybody that is trying to make a difference and change their life. I have to mention, on piggy-back… piggy-backing on everybody else’s statement. Because you’ve heard, I can go on and on and say the same thing over and over, but you heard it already. I just want to say, please find it in your hearts. Because a lot of these people that are sitting up there also live in your district and they’re here and asking also for your support. Again, I rise in strong support of this Bill. And again, I have so much respect for Representative Howard and I commend her for this legislation. And anything I can do for you, I am here to help you. Thank you.”

"Thank you, Representative. Further discussion? The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Arthur Turner.”

“Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Assembly. I rise, too, to commend the Sponsor of this 09300036.doc 92  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 legislation and just to let her know that it’s been a long time coming. Having been around here 23 years, this is not the first time we’ve brought this issue to the table. It certainly is not the plate that we expected to be served but we certainly appreciate at least starting with the salad. Let me start by saying that I have… I represent a district that has been, by all the statistics and information I’ve received from the Department of Correction, that the largest percentage of people who are released from the department are sent back to my district. Now, I don’t think there’s a correlation in the fact that they left from my district and went to the Department of Correction, but once they’re released from the department they come back to North Lawndale. And so many of them are, in fact, in my office on a daily basis saying, ‘Look, I want a second chance, can you help me? Can you help me get started again? You know, Arti… it was a bogus charge.’ On and on and on. But those people are released to my district. And I have to just, you know, as Cynthia said earlier, you feel like crying because there’s not a lot that we can do. This legislation will at least be a… a small step in trying to be able to help the few. There’s still a lot more we need to do. The irony here is that I could file for bankruptcy, I could go a million dollars in debt and, you know, check the credit card and just run out and buy everything and commit a million-dollar crime, file for bankruptcy, and in seven years I can start over again. A kid in my neighborhood gets stopped on a corner with a 09300036.doc 93  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 $10 bag of crack, he’s got a felony and there’s nothing he can do for the rest of his life. And I think that it’s, again, a great small step. There’s more that we need to do to this legislation but we appreciate the Assembly. And I’m assuming that we’re going to get the support today for this Bill. We appreciate your efforts in at least helping us go a small step towards making life the way it should be, making productive humanvid… productive human beings out of individuals who made a mistake. And I, again, want to commend the Sponsor and ask that everybody vote ‘aye’ on this legislation. Thank you.”

"Thank you, Mr. Turner. Further discussion? The Gentleman from Lake County, Representative Mathias.”

“You are correct, it does not apply to felonies. I think Representative Turner is… is wishfully thinking.”

“Misdemeanors.”

“Only.”

“Nothing that has to do with violence, sex crimes, DUI.” 09300036.doc 94  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003

“It does not apply, there… those are exempt.”

“Thank you.”

"Mr. Black.”

"The Gentleman moves the previous question. All those in favor say ‘aye’. The Motion carries. Representative Howard to close.”

“I just certainly hope… are you asking me to close on the Amendment? Yes. I certainly hope that everyone will say ‘aye’ on the Amendment.”

"Thank you. The Motion on Floor Amendment #3… 3 is all those in favor say ‘aye’; all those opposed… The Motion carries. The ‘ayes’ have it. And the Amendment is adopted. Third Reading. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk.”

"The Lady from Cook, Representative Howard.”

“Well, I think that we have discussed it thoroughly. You know all about the Bill. I think we’re talking about 09300036.doc 95  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 individuals having a second chance in some instances. We’re saying that people do make mistakes, because we know that they put erasers on pencils because people make mistakes. So what we’re saying is that we would just hope that those of us today can understand that you… you can atone, you can… you can be redeemed, and you can start again. I… I would hope that all of my colleagues would vote ‘yes’ for this legislation.”

"Thank you, Representative Howard. And the question is, ‘Shall House Bill 2391 pass?’ All those in favor vote ‘aye’, all those opposed vote ‘no’. And the voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Clerk, take the record. And on this question, there are 94 ‘yeses’, 12 voting ‘no’, 7 voting ‘present’. And having reached the Constitutional Majority required, House Bill 2391 is hereby passed. Thank you. Please, we can’t have… please, everyone in the audience, have a seat. Please refrain from clapping. Thank you. On page 33 of the Calendar there is House Bill 1-2-0-8. Representative Acevedo. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk.”

Speaker Novak: "The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Acevedo.”

“Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. House Bill 1208 defines the meaning of drug paraphernalia by adding the phrase ‘homemade or 09300036.doc 96  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 manufactured’ to modify the phrase ‘all equipment products and materials of any kind’. It also changes the words from peculiar… ‘particular’ to ‘associated with’ throughout the Bill in reference to drug paraphernalia and the manufacture and use of marijuana. I’d be happy to answer any questions.”

Speaker Novak: "Thank you, Mr… Mr. Acevedo. And on that question, the Gentleman from McLean, Representative Brady. Representative Dan Brady.”

"Thank you, Mr. Brady. Further discussion? Hearing none, the question is, ‘Shall House Bill 1208 pass?’ All those in favor vote ‘aye’; all those opposed vote ‘no’. And the voting is open. Have all voted who 09300036.doc 97  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Rose. Mr. Rose, have you voted? Clerk, take the record. And on that question, there are 115 voting ‘yes’, 0 voting ‘no’, 0 voting ‘present’. And having reached the required Constitutional Majority, House Bill 1208 is hereby declared passed. Mr. Wait, for what purpose do you rise, Sir?”

"Mr. Clerk, would you please place House Bill 1548 on Second Reading? Thank you, Mr. Wait. Okay. Third Reading. The Lady from Champaign, Representative Jakobsson.”

“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My vote didn’t register on House Bill 2391 and I want to be recorded as voting ‘yes’.”

"The record will reflect that. Thank you. Mr. Wait, on page 36 of the Calendar there is House Bill 3117. Mr. Wait. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk.”

"Mr. Wait.”

"Thank you. Any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, ‘Shall House Bill 3117 pass?’ All those in favor vote ‘aye’; all those opposed vote ‘no’. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Cross. Mr. Turner. On this question, there are 115 votes voting ‘yes’, 0 voting ‘no’, and 0 voting ‘present’. And having reached the required Constitu… Constitutional Majority, House Bill 3117 is hereby declared passed. On page 34 of the Calendar there’s House Bill 1648. Representative Coulson. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk.”

"Ms. Coulson.”

"Thank you, Representative. Any discussion? The Gentleman from Bureau, Representative Mautino.”

“Thank you, Speaker. Sponsor yield?”

"She yields.” 09300036.doc 99  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003

“Thank you. Appreciate your… your willing to work with us and with the committee on this Bill. I know you’ve been spending a lot of time working with the CHIP Board. I think you’ve… I know it’s still a work in process, correct?”

“Okay, and we’re gonna… we just ask that you have… take the opportunity to talk with BlueCross and BlueShield and see how that’s going to affect those rates. But I… I appreciate how hard you’ve been working on it. And do stand in support of your Bill.”

"Thank you, Representative. Further discussion? Seeing none, the question is, ‘Shall House Bill 1648 pass?’ All those in favor vote ‘aye’; all those opposed vote ‘no’. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Boland, do you wish to vote? On this question, there are 115 voting ‘yes’, 0 voting ‘no’, and 0 voting ‘present’. And having 09300036.doc 100  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 reached the required Constitutional Majority, House Bill 1648 is heredy… hereby declared passed. Take the record. On page 4 of the Calendar… on page 4 of the Calendar, on Second Reading, Representative Bailey from Cook, House Bill 506. Take the Bill out of record, Mr. Clerk. On page 32, Rep… the Gentleman from Cook, Representative Burke, on House Bill 468. Do you wish to call the Bill? Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk.”

"Mr. Burke.”

“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Bill 468, very simply, makes the manner in which program hours are calculated for graduation from a cosmetology program consistent with that of the Esthetician and Nail Technician Act technical changes. The reason for the change, it’s been recommended by the Federal Accrediting Commission to make cosmetology programs consistent throughout the country. This would make recipro… reciprocity easier if an applicant attended an out-of-state school or community college. And it has been at the request of the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation inserting language, requiring a quorum for decision making by Barber, Cosmetology, Esthetics and Nail Technology Committees. And it amends the grandfather provision for the Electrology Licensure Act by lowering the continuing education hours needed to be grandfathered in from 75 to 30. And this will still be in 09300036.doc 101  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 addition to the three years experience electrologists need to qualify for the grandfather provi… provision. I’d be happy to answer any questions.”

"Thank you, Mr. Burke. Further discussion? The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Parke.”

"He yields.”

“No, Sir. It’d be lowering the continuing education hours from 75 to 30.”

“No, Sir.”

“No opposition.”

“If it… if this change would not be affected literally those that are licensed…”

“…those that are licensed under this Act would have only one opportunity to take a federally-offered accreditation test. And it’s rather… rather difficult for those in our 09300036.doc 102  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 state to have to make travel arrangements and take the examination out-of-state. So, it’s basically to forward them the chance to continue to excel in their chosen profession.”

“Well, okay.”

Speaker Novak: "Further discussion? The Gentleman from Jackson, Representative Bost.”

"He will yield.”

“I beg your pardon, Representative. I didn’t hear your question.”

“Fifteen hundred hours.”

“That’s what we’re talking about. The continuing education is being reduced…”

“…from 75 to 30.” 09300036.doc 103  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003

“They are in support of the legislation but, indeed, it was the professionals that practice under the Act that have moved for this initiative.”

“That’s right. That’s right.”

“I didn’t know you were so expert in this particular area, Representative.”

"To the Bill.”

"Thank you, Mr. Bost. The Gentleman… Further discussion? The Gentleman from Vermilion, Bill Black.”

"He yields.” 09300036.doc 105  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003

“In my case, it’s a barber, Representative.”

“Actually…”

“Did you ever hear of the Flowbee?”

“I am certain you don’t have any need for this profession, Representative, but it is the individual that would permanently remove hair, unwanted human hair.”

“But I…”

“Absolutely.”

"Thank you, Mr. Black. Any further discussion? Hearing none, the question is, ‘Shall House Bill 468 pass?’ Excuse me, Mr. Burke to close.”

“Thank you, Speaker. Let me just conclude by suggesting that this legislation, when passed, would create less of a 09300036.doc 107  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 hardship on electrologists who have been practicing for a great number of years but may have not kept track of their continuing education credit hours. Without this change the only way for one to qualify, under the grandfather provision, would be to have to fly out-of-state, take an exam that is only given once a year. The number 75 was originally put in the Act in error because every 5 years electorlogists need 75 continuing hours to maintain national certification. This translates to 15 hours per year. Since the grandfather provision will be in effect for almost 2 years, 30 continuing education hours is a much more prudent requirement. I would certainly ask for the Body’s favorable consideration.”

"Thank you, Mr. Burke. And on that question, on House Bill 468… ‘Shall House Bill 468 pass?’ All those in favor vote ‘aye’; all those opposed vote ‘no’. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Ms. Lyons. Eileen Lyons. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 109 voting ‘yes’, 4 voting ‘no’, 2 voting ‘present’. And having reached the required Constitutional Majority, House Bill 468 is hereby declared passed. On page 6 of the Calendar there is… there is House Bill 1104. The Gentleman from DuPage, Representative Daniels. Mr. Daniels. Clerk, read the Bill, please.”

"Third Reading. The Lady from Cook, what reason do you rise, please?”

"I rise on a point of personal privilege, Mr. Speaker.”

"State your point, please.”

"I’d like to address the gallery up there and have my colleagues recognize Hubbard High School Junior ROTC Battalion. They won first place in the city drill competition. Young people up there. Let’s give them a round of applause. They…”

"Welcome to the General Assembly.”

"Yes, right up there. The boys’ drill team is also ranked second in the country. They’re rated as one of the top 5 junior ROTC units out of 105 units in the Midwest. And we also have the City Corps Commander for the Chicago Junior ROTC, Claudia Morales, give us a wave, who commands over 9 thousand cadets in the city and has a 4.8 GPA. So, let’s give her a big round of applause. Say hello.”

Speaker Novak: "Welcome to the Illinois House of Representatives.”

"Thank you.”

"Thank you, Representative. On page 7 of the Calendar there is House Bill 1414. Representative Pankau, do you wish to call the Bill? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill, please. No? Take it out of the record? Mr. Clerk, take the Bill out of the record. On page 32 of the Calendar 09300036.doc 109  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 there is House Bill 4… 416. The Lady from Cook, Representative Collins. Annazette Collins. Is she in the chamber? Representative Collins. Out of the record. On page 3… 33 of the Calendar there is House Bill 1166. The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Colvin. Marlow Colvin. Do you wish to call the Bill? Clerk, read the Bill, please.”

"Mr. Colvin.”

“Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. I present to you House Bill 1166, which is a provision that would simply allow for voter registra… voter registrar to be available on the campus of every high school for the first ten school days of May. The intent behind the Bill, simply, is to make sure that every individual has access to the right to vote at the earliest age possible. I think most of us here would agree that in participating in a political process is not only important, but it’s an American right and a duty. And thus, a Bill like this, which is totally permissible by the principal of the school in terms of who can actually do the voter registrations, is very important as well. And by that, with the Amendment that we adopted to this Bill yesterday, simply will allow for the principal to make any individual to come into the school that they deem fit to be dep… deputy registrars, they could be a teacher, a counselor, a student group. It could also be for a parent group who 09300036.doc 110  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 could come into the school to also register kids to vote. I would be happy to take any questions on this Bill.”

Speaker Novak: "Thank you, Representative. Any… any discussion? Hearing none, the question is, ‘Shall House… Excuse me, Mr. Black.”

"Thank you, Mr. Black. The Gentleman from Cook, Mr. Lang. Representative Lang, further discussion.”

“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. You know, I agree with everything the prior speaker said, except his conclusion. It is the responsibility of teachers to teach, it is the responsibility of principals to administer. But part of a good education is understanding about government. And part of a good education is learning how to be a good citizen. And part of having a good education is learning the importance of voting in our society. That’s why less than 50 percent of the people bother to come to vote. So, while I agree with the former speaker who talked about how we have let education down in this General Assembly, I agree with him. And while I heard him say that we haven’t given it enough attention or focus, I agree with him. And while I heard him say we put mandates on schools too often, I agree with him. But this is not much of a mandate. This 09300036.doc 113  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 simply says let’s register people who can be registered to vote to do so. So they can be involved in their community, so they can be involved in government. So they can understand what we’re all about here and what they’re all about in Washington. We always talk about how we wish more people voted. We talk about how we wish we could do something about the fact that when we changed our laws to allow 18-year-olds and 10-year-olds and 20-year-olds to vote, they remained the group that has the smallest voter turn out. We can do something about that with this kind of Bill. And so I applaud the Sponsor for an excellent Bill. And I look forward to all of you supporting it.”

"Thank you. Further discussion? Representative Dunkin.”

“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, rise in support of this legislation. Back in the early ‘80s when I was in high school, probably with a number of Members here in this… this distinguished Body, Lou Lang included, there was a young man who came around and talked about… talked about the importance of us, who were 17 at the time, getting registered to vote. And I was in the audience when this… this fellow student of mine came by and strongly encouraged us to do the right thing. And that led to me getting that much more involved in this… the legislative or the student government process. I got involved outside politically and obviously, here today. The education of what we do, the importance of voting, it starts either at home, in the community, but especially in the schools. It’s a very 09300036.doc 114  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 interesting feeling when you go to some of these high schools, let alone some of your eighth grade, but especially the high schools, when a lot of folk don’t even have an idea of what the House of Representatives or the Senate does, either at the state level or the national level. They have no clue. And that’s a very, very, humbling feeling when you’re standing in front of these classes, especially when they’re about to take their Constitution test or they’re trying to recall the value of what we do as House Members. So it’s very, very, vital that we get the ball rolling on educational programs very much that’s to what speaks to what we are about right here. And I think you are have… have that much more confidence and understanding to what we are doing down here and the importance of our great democracy here in Illinois and the United States. Vote ‘aye’.”

"Thank you. Further discussion? The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Lyons. Representative Lyons.” Lyons, J: “Thank you, Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. Lou kind of took the words right out of my mouth in agreeing with everything our esteemed Member from Vermilion spoke on the issue of educating children. But this is certainly not a mandate, as overwhelming. As a father of a daughter who just turned 18 and voted in the last election in Chicago, my daughter Ellie came up with the idea, ‘Dad, what a shame they don’t register kids in high school before they go off to pursue their careers or go off to college.’ What greater education we give kids than to give them 09300036.doc 115  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 appreciation for the right to vote and to get involved in the whole process. For us not to vote for this would be a… a disservice and be disingenuous to everything we stand here as Legislators. Marlow, you’ve got a great piece of legislation here. For schools that get involved with this further the democratic process that we, obviously, are having our mettle tested worldwide by the system that we are supporting. It’s a great Bill, vote ‘aye’.”

"Further discussion? The Gentleman from Rock Island, Mr. Boland.”

“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of this Bill. I’m very happy to cosponsor it and thank the Sponsor for bringing it before us. Not too long ago we passed legislation that helps our senior citizens by voting absentee. And we all know probably, that by statistics or if we took a government class or just observing elections, we know that the younger age groups are the least likely to vote. But political science studies have shown us that if you can get those young people voting right away when they turn 18, then they continue that habit all through the rest of their life. The longer that it takes between 18 and 21 or 25 or 30, by the time they… they’re out there raising families and so forth, the more difficult it is to get young people involved. So, I think we’re making some great progress here in the State of Illinois and this is a great step forward. Incidentally, we’re not the leaders in this. There’s a couple of states, Michigan and Georgia, that actually give voter registration cards to their high school 09300036.doc 116  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 graduates. When they graduate with their diploma they also get a voter registration card. So, this is an important step forward. I think it’s gonna really get more of our young people involved. We’ve passed past legislation in the past that I sponsored that… along with, then, Senator Lisa Madigan, to allow young people in high school to be election judges. This is a great way of getting them involved early and getting them into positive activities, showing them that they can make a difference in the world. Please vote ‘aye’ on this.”

"Further discussion? The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Mike McAuliffe. Mr. McAuliffe.”

"Sponsor yields."

“Representative, what the principal is allowed to do under the… the thrust of this Bill is to bring in groups from the community to register people to vote, whether they be the Legue of Women Voters, whether they be a Cub Scout organization, a parent/teacher group, anyone from the community that the principal deems appropriate to come into 09300036.doc 117  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 the school for a couple hours a day to register kids to vote.”

“But the… the intent of this Bill is to bring the po… is… the attempt to bring in, as soon as possible, all of those individuals who are, quite frankly, eligible to drive a car, eligible to fight in the wars, eligible to buy a pack of cigarettes, literally, to participate in the political process. And that is, simply, bringing them into the political process at a… at… at the earliest point possible.”

"To the Bill.”

"Thank you, Mr. McAuliffe. Further discussion? The Gentleman from Lake, Representative Beaubien. Mark Beaubien.”

"Sponsor yields."

"Mr. Colvin. Further discussion? Hearing none, Mr. Colvin to close.”

“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Simply, in closing I think several Gentlemen who spoke on this Bill couldn’t have said it any better than myself. This Bill, in and of itself, in high schools, is a civics lesson. It’s real… literally about getting involved in the political process. To have some say, including all of us who sit in this room who make policy decisions and pass laws that impact the laws in which they receive funding for education everyday. It is important that we make sure that all of our young people in the State of Illinois have access to the right to vote. Quite frankly, when I was in high school I registered to vote right inside my high school when I turned 18. And I’ve been voting ever since. And I think the intent of 09300036.doc 119  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 this Bill, simply, is to get kids to register to vote at a very early age. I think study after study has proven that individuals who register to vote at the age of 18, who become involved in the political process, are more likely to vote for the entire span of their life. So, I simply urge all of you to vote ‘aye’. Thank you.”

“Thank you, Mr. Colvin. And the question is, ‘Shall House Bill 1166 pass?’ All in favor vote ‘aye’; all opposed vote ‘no’. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Ms. O’Brien. Have all voted who wish? Lou Jones. Clerk, take the record. On this… on this Bill there are 69 voting ‘yes’, 42 voting ‘no’, 4 voting ‘present’. And having re… reached the required Constitutional Majority, House Bill 1166 is hereby declared passed. On page 3 of the Calendar there is House Bill 3553. The Lady from Cook, Representative Currie. Clerk, read the Bill.”

"Representative Currie.”

“Thank you, Speaker and Members of the House. This Bill is a shell Bill. The reason to try to move it along is that there are discussions between those people who seek air pollution permits from the Environmental Protection Agency and that agency in respect to the appropriate level of fees that should be charged. I am told that those discussions are going well. They are, in fact, going. And this Bill would become the available reservoir if the 09300036.doc 120  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 discussions bear fruit. This will not come back to us at all if they don’t. So, my understanding is that there is nobody who is opposed to this. This will only be used in the event that there is a negotiated agreement between the people who apply for these permits and the agency. I know some of you don’t like voting for shell Bills but if there is agreement that we ought to change that fee schedule so that those who apply for the per… permits pay a fairer share of the cost of doing the work that’s required to grant them. I hope you will support this measure. And again, I can assure you that this will not become something that is not agreeable, both to the industry and to the agency.”

"Thank you, Representative. Any discussion? The Gentleman from Clinton, Representative Granberg.”

“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, rise in support of the Bill. As many of us know, there is this reluctance to vote against shell Bills. This Bill is out there to allow the business community to set their own fees, there is nothing in this legislation. If there is a fee increase that the business sector would agree to at some point, it would have to come back to this chamber and you would vote on the substance of that legislation. You would allow yourselves that opportunity to vote ‘yes’ or ‘no’. This allows the business community to keep their negotiations going with the administration and the EPA to resolve an issue that’s very important to them as well. So, I would urge an ‘aye’ vote. And if you have any recalcitrance 09300036.doc 121  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 about voting for this Bill, do not be concerned. If you’re worried about fee increases, you can vote against those fees at a future date.”

"Thank you, Mr. Granberg. Further discussion? The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Parke.”

"To the Bill.”

"Further discussion? Hearing none, the question is, ‘Shall House Bill 3553 pass?’ All those in favor vote ‘aye’; all those opposed vote ‘nay’. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Clerk, take the record. On this Bill, there are 60 voting ‘yes’, 54 voting ‘no’, 1 voting ‘present’. And having reached the required Constitutional Majority, House Bill 3553 is hereby declared passed. Ms. Pankau, are you… do you still want to keep your Bill out of the record? House Bill 1414. Okay. On page 35 of the Calendar there is House Bill 2553. The Gentleman from Madison, Representative Steve Davis. Is Steve Davis in the chamber? Has anyone seen Steve Davis? Okay. On page 37 in the Calendar there is House Bill 3671. The Gentleman 09300036.doc 122  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 from Cook, Mr. Will Davis. Mr. Davis, do you wish to call your Bill? Is Mr. Davis in the chamber? No, he’s not. On page 36 of the Calendar there is House Bill 3-0-2-1. The Lady from Cook, Representative Feigenholtz. Is Mrs. Feigenholtz in the chamber? Take that out of the record, please. On page 41 on the Calendar is House Bill 485. The Lady from Cook, Representative Flowers. Do you wish to call your Bill? Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk.”

"Representative Flowers, do you wish to call this Bill? We’re waiting for an answer, Representative.”

“I’ll think about it and I’ll get back with you, Sir.”

"Mr. Clerk, take the…

“No, take it out…”

“Bill out of the record. On page 4 of the Calendar is House Bill 344. The Lady from Champaign, Representative Jakobsson. Do you wish to call your Bill? House Bill 344. Take it out of the record. On page… on page 36 of the Calendar House Bill 30… there’s House Bill 3021. The Lady from Cook, Representative Feigenholtz. Clerk, read the Bill, please.”

"Do you wanna move it to Third? Take the… take the Bill out of the record. Second Reading. We’re gonna move some Bills from Second to Third Reading. On page… on page 24 there is House Bill 3082. The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Joyce. Is Representative Joyce in the 09300036.doc 123  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 chamber? Out of the record. On page 31 of the Calendar there is… there is House Bill 44. The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Lyons. Do you wish to move your Bill? Oh, excuse me. Out of the record. We’ll come back. On page 27 of the Calendar there is… there is House Bill 3398. The Gentleman from Will, Representative McGuire. Do you wish to move your Bill? Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk.”

"Third Reading. On… Mr. Brady, for what reason do you seek recognition?”

"Please state your point.”

Speaker Novak: "Welcome to the House of Representatives, ladies. Thank you, Mr. Brady. On page 4 of the Calendar there is House Bill 244. The Gentleman from McHenry, Mr. Franks. Clerk, read the Bill, please.”

"Third Reading. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”

"Thank you. The Gentleman from McHenry, Mr. Franks.”

“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to thank Representative Black for removing the fiscal notes that he had filed yesterday. This is the Bill we talked about yesterday on making it a repository to be able to get drugs back, that haven’t been used, to be able to save the state money and help those with… who can least afford it get some prescription drugs. In committee yesterday, one of the pharmacists who testified that this could save approximately $20 million a year. As I had stated previously, there is some work that needs to be done in the Senate side. When I talked to the people who had some problems with it they wanted to choose the Senator, they did, Carol Ronan, they’ll work with Carol over on the Senate side with some liability issue, which Representative Lyons had brought forward. And we’ve agreed to ho… move it over there, let them work on it. If we can’t get it worked out it’ll die. But I think this is something that we should get done as soon as possible. So I’d ask for an ‘aye’ vote.”

"Thank you. Further discussion? Hearing none, the question is, ‘Shall House Bill 244 pass?’ All those in 09300036.doc 125  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 favor vote ‘aye’; all those opposed vote ‘nay’. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 112 voting ‘yes’, 0 voting ‘no’, 0 voting ‘present’. And having reached the required Constitutional Majority, House Bill 244 is hereby declared passed. The Gentleman from Whiteside, Representative Mitchell, on House Bill 2352. Representative Mitchell. Clerk, read the Bill, please.”

"Mr. Mitchell.” Mitchell, J.: “Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. House Bill 2352 is the culmination of, probably, a full… a full summer’s work with the… the task force called accountabil… assessment and accountability. Through this work we have aligned our state testing program with the No Child Left Behind legislation from the Federal Government. It encompasses several things. Beginning in 2005-2006 school year, it requires the state board to annually test all pupils in grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 in reading and mathematics, all pupils in grades 3, 4, 6 and 8 in writing, 4 and 7 in biological sciences and physical sciences, grades 5, 8 in social sciences. The changes that we’ve made in this legislation will result in moving from the required 25 hours of state testing to no more than 40 hours of state testing, probably won’t take that long. 09300036.doc 126  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 There… there is some cushion built in. And there is some ungo… ongoing discussion with the Illinois Education Association regarding this matter. I’d be happy to answer any questions in this regard.”

Speaker Novak: "Thank you, Mr. Mitchell. Is there any discussion? Hearing none, the question is, ‘Shall House Bill 2352 pass?’ All those in favor vote ‘aye’; all those opposed vote ‘nay’. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Representative Kurtz. Have all voted who wish? Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 114 voting ‘aye’, 0 voting ‘no’, 2 voting ‘present’. And having reached the required Constitutional Majority, House Bill 2352 is hereby declared passed. Yes, for what reason do you rise, Mr. Meyer?”

"Thank you, Mr. Meyer. The record will reflect that, thank you. On page 31 of the Calendar there is House Bill 44. The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Joe Lyons. Mr. Lyons. House Bill 44. Out of the record. On page 37 of the Calendar there is House Bill 3543. Representative David Miller. Mr. Miller, are you ready to call your Bill? House Bill 3-5-4-3. Out of the record. On page 33 of the Calendar there is House Bill 1171. The Gentleman from Cook, Mr. Molaro. Mr. Molaro, do you wish to call your Bill? Out of the record. We’re gonna move a few Bills from Second to Third Reading now. Representative 09300036.doc 127  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 Jakobsson, do you wish to move your Bill from Second to Third Reading on House Bill 344? Give me a sign. Do you wish… Out of the record. On page 24 of the Calendar there is House Bill 3082. Representative Kevin Joyce in the chambers? Out of the record. On page 35 of the Calendar is House Bill 2461. The Gentleman from Cook, Mr. Morrow. Charles Morrow. Is Charles in the chamber? Out of the record. On page 36 of the Calendar there is… there is House Bill 2818. The Gentleman… Mr. Phelps. Brandon Phelps on House Bill 2818. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk.”

"Mr. Phelps.”

“Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. House Bill 2818 is an initiative of the township officials of Illinois. It’s passage would greatly help down… townships, providing them with greater flexibility in their financial planning. With all local governments feeling the pinch of tough economic times, this Bill will help townships avoid the need to seek increased tax dollars in order to meet the ever increasing demands they are facing. And I’d be happy to answer any questions that there are.”

"Mr. Phelps, could you take this Bill out of the record for a second, please? Please. Take it out of the record, Mr. Clerk. There was a little confusion, Mr. Phelps. I’m… Mr. Clerk, read House Bill 2818, please.” 09300036.doc 128  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003

"Thank you, Mr. Clerk. The Gentleman from Saline, Mr. Phelps. Please continue with your presentation.”

“Well, this is just a Bill that the township officials of Illinois would like to have with the flexibility and some economic bad times right now to try to give them the flexibility to on some payments that they have, instead of five years to ten years, instead of one year to ten years. So, I’d ask for a… Answer any questions you have.”

"And on that question, the Lady from Cook, Representative Mulligan.”

“Representative, on the… Currently, township is required to go to a referendum if it wants to lease a town hall or multipurpose senior center for more than five years. What this Bill will do, Representative, it would raise the requirement to lease of more than ten years.”

“Yeah, if… yeah, if right now the… if you… currently, the townships can borrow money, instead of for one year, what this Bill would do, it would raise the limitation to ten years.”

“I’m sorry.” 09300036.doc 129  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003

“We’re just… this Bill just allows to the extension of the time that they have the money to pay it back. And so it just extends the amount of time that they can pay the loan back. It gives them some flexibility, some breathing room right now so…”

“No.”

“There’s no… there’s no specific limitation on it, Representative, that I am aware of. But I can check and see and let you know.”

“No, Rep…”

"Thank you, Representative. Further discussion? The Gentleman from McHenry, Representative Franks.”

“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"

"He yields.”

“Mr. Phelps, are you familiar with the Century Club?”

“Yes, I am. Yes, I am very much aware of that. Thank you.”

“Okay, I just… has there ever been a freshman who’s been a member of this esteemed club?”

“Not… I don’t know.”

“Oh, Miller was a freshman when he was. Oh, that’s… that’s… I think you can join a very august body with this 09300036.doc 131  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 type of Bill. And I want to echo the previous speaker’s concerns with this. In this Bill…”

“Yeah.”

“…does this allow for a township to borrow money for any reason for up to ten years?”

“It just gives them… extends the time that they have to pay it back.”

“For anything?”

“Right.”

“Well, what worries me, don’t you think this could have real ability for abuse? Because if… there’s no limit on how much they can borrow, correct?”

“Yeah, and… and Representative, there is no opposition to this Bill. The lending institutions would do this.”

“I’m not questioning from a banker’s perspective, I’m looking at this from a taxpayer’s perspective. When… yeah, I could understand the banker’s would love this Bill ‘cause it’s more money for them. But if we have a budget with a township, what does the… the effect of this, basically, would say is, regardless of what our budget is, we can go borrow ourselves silly and have ten years to pay it back because there’s no limitation, correct?”

“Correct.”

“And what we’re not… and what bothers me about this, because you’re not requiring a referendum for us to borrow addit… having additional borrowing power, you’re just saying that they can borrow regardless, correct?”

“Correct.” 09300036.doc 132  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003

“Okay. Well, to the Bill.”

“Not changing… yeah, not changing anything, just extending the time. That’s it.”

“I understand. Well, to the Bill then. What this… what this basically does is allows unfettered ability for a township to borrow money be… well beyond their terms. And it’s also a real question of accountability. I believe that the taxpayers should be the one to determine the indebtedness for a township and where we’re… and how much they’re willing pay. I don’t think we should be giving townships blank checks and that’s what this Bill does. And I’d urge a ‘no’ vote.”

"Thank you, Mr. Franks. Further discussion? The Gentleman from Cook, Mr. Lang.”

“Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen. I hate to argue with my esteemed seatmate, but when he’s wrong he’s wrong. Ladies and Gentlemen, this Bill just simply takes the time the townships have now and extends it. I understand the former speaker’s concerns but if you support township government and you take a look at the problems of township government you’re aware that there are many townships in the state that really have some severe financial problems and can’t raise the funds necessary to build their buildings, take care of their social work activities, or to deal with the problems of senior citizens or young people. The important… the most important portion of this Bill enables them to build buildings and to… to fix their buildings, but there certainly is another component. 09300036.doc 133  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 But all Representative Phelps is doing is to extend the period of time. It already is allowed in the law to do this. He’s not making any changes in the substance of the law, only in the length of time to pay the money back. For those reasons, I think you should support this legislation. The Members of this floor have consistently supported township government. This is simply an extension giving township boards the option of doing what they need to do to take care of their citizens.”

"Thank you, Mr. Lang. Further discussion? The Gentleman from Lake, Mr. Sullivan. Ed Sullivan.”

"To the Bill.”

"Thank you, Mr. Sullivan. Further discussion? The Gentleman from Randolph, Mr. Reitz. Mr. Reitz.”

“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"

"He yields.”

“Representative, does this… does this incre… increase the debt… the debt ceiling for any type of township? Does it expand their borrowing ability?”

“Yes. Oh, expand their borrowing… no. No, no, no, no.”

“Okay, well. To the Bill.”

"To the Bill.”

“To the Bill. You know, I… I think the Representative has… has a very good Bill. Some of the other Representatives talked about it. All this does is change the number of years. It… it just… there… there are certain projects that are costly enough that this will allow townships to capitalize on borrowing and enable to capitalize on the… the low interest rates that are out there right now. I think this is a very good Bill. We’d appreciate your support. And he doesn’t want a trophy. Thanks.”

"Thank you, Mr. Reitz. Further discussion? The Gentleman with the trophy from Cook County, Mr. Scully.”

“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I relinquish my time to the Representative Franks.”

"Mr. Franks.”

“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In due re… in all due respect to the previous speakers, there is no limitations in this 09300036.doc 135  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 Bill on how much they can borrow. So, if you move it out to ten years and you don’t have a limitation, what you’re doing is giving them a blank check, which is gonna be a tax increase. So, again, I’d argue strenuously for a ‘no’ vote on this. Because otherwise, we aren’t doing our job and we’re letting the people get money… it’s not even a back door referendum. It’s not even a referendum. You’re saying extend the time and borrow as much as you want. You know, we’ve done it here in this state before and we’re $5 billion in debt. We don’t need to do that to the townships as well.”

"Further discussion? The Gentleman from Cook, Mr. Parke. Terry Parke.”

"You’re welcome.”

“No. No, I don’t.”

“I don’t believe that I did.”

“See, they say…”

"Mr. Parke, do you have a que…” 09300036.doc 136  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003

“Representative Parke, it says ours is 19 and 0 on the Roll Call.”

“It says on our analysis that it’s 19 to 0 on our Roll Call through local government.”

"Thank you, Mr. Parke. Further discussion? The Gentleman from Adams, Mr. Tenhouse. Arthur Tenhouse.”

"Thank you. Further discussion? The Gentleman from Cook, Mr. Lang.” 09300036.doc 137  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003

“Mr. Speaker, my name was mentioned in debate so, as a point of personal privilege.”

“You’re right. Proceed. Proceed, Mr. Lang.”

“Thank you. M… Mr. Speaker, townships already have the right to borrow money. This simply gives them a little more time to pay it back. And for those who are on the floor talking about how this is too long, for those on the floor to talk about their support of township government and for those on the floor to talk about local control, this is local control. You’re giving the township officials who are elected in your area, the right to make decisions for themselves. We hear a lot on this floor about not giving mandates to local governments. We hear a lot on this floor about not telling other forms of government how they should run their business. This Bill allows local form of government, townships, to make their own decisions about how they’re going to handle their finances. To do anything other than to vote ‘aye’ is to fly in the face of our stated goals on the floor of this House, which is to tell local governments to run their own affairs. That’s all this Bill does. This cries out for an ‘aye’ vote.”

Speaker Novak: "Thank you. And last, but not least, the Gentleman from Madison, who is now in the chamber, Representative Steve Davis. Representative Davis.” Davis, S.: “Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To the Bill. I rise in support of this Bill. Regardless of what my colleague and my good friend from McHenry has said, this is not a tax 09300036.doc 138  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 increase Bill and this will not lead to a tax increase. And I think that many people are confusing the term borrowing with the term of anticipation warrants. And what township governments do, and especially small township governments do, because of the tax cycle, they are not able to collect their tax monies on time. And many, many times they have to go out and anticipate. And under current law, they have to pay back the anticipation warrants within a one-year period. I can tell ya that right now, in Madison County, we are still waiting for the Illinois Department of Revenue to give us a multiplier on our tax extension. So many times the failure of our township governments to be able to receive tax monies in order to pay their Bills is not the township’s fault. Currently, the problem in… in Madison County, and for some of the township governments and our school districts, is the fact that the Illinois Department of Revenue is not doing their job in a timely manner. These are tax anticipation warrants that are being borrowed against future tax revenues. Those are tax revenues that are levied by the township governments, it is not tax increase money. So I think that if anybody in this chamber thinks that this is a tax increase Bill, they are wrongly mistaken. I’m a former township official, I’ve… I’ve participated in many, many years of borrowing monies on anticipation warrants. And that’s exactly what this is. This is simply another means for the townships to be able to continue to function in the State of Illinois. I would ask for your ‘ayes’… ‘aye’ vote and support on this Bill.” 09300036.doc 139  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003

"Thank you, Mr. Davis. Any further discussion? Hearing none, the que… Mr. Phelps to close.”

“Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. This is an initiative by the township officials of Illinois to give local governments the ability for flexibility and some breathing room in tough economic times. Right now, there are currently no limitations re… either, right now. All this is, like I said, during tough economic times, it’s giving the local governments the flexibility and breathing room. So I’d as… urge an ‘aye’ vote.”

"Thank you. And on that question, ‘Shall House Bill 2818 pass?’ All those in vo… favor vote ‘aye’; all opposed vote ‘nay’. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Representative Jakobsson. Clerk, take the record. Mr. Phelps.”

“I would ask for this to be on Postponed Consideration, please.”

Speaker Novak: "The Bill would be so… placed on Postponed Consideration. We’re gonna move a couple Bills from Second to Third and Third… one has to be moved back from Third to Second. On page 32 of the Calendar there is House Bill 416. Representative Collins. Clerk, read the Bill, please. What’s the status of the Bill, please?”

Speaker Novak: "Please place that back on Second Reading. Thank you. On page 24 of the Calendar there is House Bill 3082. The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Joyce. Do you wish to call… move your Bill? Clerk, read the Bill, please. House Bill 3082.”

"Third Reading. On page 4 of the Calendar there is House Bill 436… excuse me. On page 35 of the Calendar is House Bill 2461. Mr. Morrow, do you wish to move your Bill, Mr. Morrow. Clerk, read the Bill.”

"Mr. Morrow.”

“Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. House Bill 24… 246… 61 creates the Transportation and Toll Highway Property Transaction Act. The purpose of this Act is to monitor the acquisition of property by the Illinois Department of Transportation and the Illinois State Tollway Authority. I’d be glad to answer any questions on this Bill.”

Speaker Novak: "Thank you, Mr. Morrow. Is there any discussion? The Gentleman from Vermilion, Representative Black. Mr. Black.”

"He yields.”

“I’m sorry, I couldn’t hear you, Representative Black.”

“Well, I don’t… I don’t think what you’re talking about deals with this Bill, Representative Black. But… but just to give you a just… you know, this Bill has been around before. Just to let you know, the cost of properties acquired by the Illinois Department of Trans… Transportation associated with ongoing toll way highway projects is approximately… approximately $51 million. That’s money that could be in the road fund to finance some of the roads that are going through your district, Representative Black.”

"Further discussion? The Gentleman from Lake, Representative Mathias. Mr. Mathias.”

"He yields.”

“What… what… what I found out several years ago, Representative Mathias, is that the Illinois Department of Transpor… Transportation has been like the state agency for 09300036.doc 142  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 land acquisition, especially when it comes to acquiring land that would then be used for a toll way use. And I feel that the Illinois… Illinois Tollway Authority should reimburse the Illinois Department of Transportation for land acquisition. As I just previously stated, this is the fiscal note that I was given by the Illinois Department of Transportation that they have acquired $51 million worth of land that has been designated toll way use. And all I’m saying is that the Illinois… Illinois Tollway Authority should reimburse IDOT for $51 million of land acquisition. The purpose of IDOT is not to purchase land to be used for… for other agencies, so I feel. And that’s… and that’s the gist behind House Bill 2461.”

“Yes. Yes.”

“Representative Mathias, you’ve got a group of people in front of you and I… I can’t get… and I could not hear you. Can you repeat that?”

“No, IDOT… IDOT doesn’t have to reimburse the toll way. The toll way needs to reimburse IDOT for land acquisition.”

“Well, my Bill doesn’t address that. But I would hope that in some kind of timely fashion that they should reimburse them.”

“And… and…”

“Well, let’s put it… your question is… is… is… is valid. If they purchase some land that was intended for toll way use but is not used by the toll way, then they should not be reimbursed. I agree with you on that. ”

“That’s correct.”

“That… you know what, my… that… that is not addressing my Bill. And maybe, if it’s up to the… to the will of this Body that this Bill gets passage and sent over to the Senate, I will be ame… amenable to looking at some language to address that.”

"To the Bill.”

"Thank you. Further discussion? The Gentleman from Cook, Mr. Parke. Terry Parke.”

"To the Bill.”

"Thank you. Further discussion? Seeing none, Mr… Mr. Morrow to close.”

“Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don’t see where this… one… one of the previous speakers says that this would divert monies out of the road fund. It doesn’t divert money out of the road fund, it’s putting money back into the road fund. We’re talking about $51 million in land acquisition by the Illinois Department of Transportation that is now being used by the toll way. They’ve already diverted money from the road fund to purchase land for the toll way. We’re saying, ‘toll way authority, pay it back.’ Now, many of you have road projects out here that the Governor’s Office is saying won’t be funded. This is $51 million in which we can fund some of your projects in the Department of Transportation. It is not the job of Illinois Department of Transportation to be a realtor. I thought they were a road builder, not realtors. This Bill only addresses the toll way. There are other state agencies that the Department of Transportation has purchased land for that is now being used by other state agencies. I didn’t address that. This has nothing to do with the Illinois Department of Transportation giving 09300036.doc 146  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 monies to the toll way for planning or environmental studies or anything else. This is saying that if you… if the toll way authority is gonna use this property for the purpose of a toll way that they should reimburse that la… the amount of money spent on land acquisition for a toll way back to the Department of Transportation. I urge ‘green’ votes on this Bill.”

"Thank you, Mr. Morrow. And the question is, ‘Shall House Bill 2461 pass?’ All those in favor vote ‘aye’; all those opposed vote ‘nay’. And the voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Daniels. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 70… 79 voting ‘yes’, 36 voting ‘no’, 0 voting ‘present’. And having reached the required Constitutional Majority, the House Bill 2461 is hereby declared passed. On page 3 of the Calendar there is House Bill 220. The Lady from Peoria, Representative Slone. Clerk, read the Bill.”

"Oh, excuse me. Mr. Clerk, take the Bill out of the record. On page 33 of the Calendar there is House Bill 1119. The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Turner. Clerk, read the Bill, please.”

"Mr. Turner. Mr. Turner on House Bill 1119.” 09300036.doc 147  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003

“Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Assembly. House Bill 1119 is a Bill that has… it amends the Illinois Higher Education Student Assistance Act and it changes the name of the Illinois Incentive for Access Grant Program. It gives it a new name and it changes it to the Silas Purnell Illinois Incentive for Access Grant Program. The purpose of these grants is that they provide a maximum amount per applicant per year, is a thousand dollars. And this is given to students with an expected family contribution between zero and five hundred dollars. This… this… the grant is a form of assistance that would be administered by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission and it provides this small ty… stipend for students. A little more information about Silas Purnell. He’s a man who is currently 78 years of age who spent many… most of his adult life, some 34 years, dedicating his life towards helping putting students in college. And I can’t tell you the numbers of students that have been involved or have received college education as a result of his work. I’m even certain that there’s probably one or two here in the chamber today who had some involvement with Silas over the years. And so we feel that it would be fitting that we also name… or rename the Illinois Incentive for Access Grant to the Silas Purnell Illinois Incentive for Access Grant Program. And I move for the adoption of House Bill 1119.” 09300036.doc 148  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003

"Thank you, Mr. Turner. And on that question, any discussion? The Gentleman from Cook, Mr. Morrow. Charles Morrow.”

“Yes, Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise in very strong support of House Bill 1119. For those of you that didn’t have the pleasure and the opportunity of knowing and meeting Silas Purnell, he was… he was a man amongst men. I am a product of Silas Purnell. When I was in high school… everyone has dreams of where they would like to continue their higher education, I wanted to go to MIT, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. My parents didn’t have the money. I ended up going to Ada S. McKinley, they were located in the projects, on 28th and Dearborn. And I met Mr. Purnell. And he said, ‘son, you don’t need to go to MIT, you can go to IIT. And not only can you go to IIT, I’ll make sure that you get the money to go to IIT.’ Silas Purnell has sent countless of thousands of young men and… and women to college. He is a… he is giant in the African- American community. And Representative Turner, I’m about to bring back a slip because I want to be added as cosponsor on House Bill 1119. I urge my colleagues to put ‘green’ votes on this Bill. Thank you.”

"Further discussion? The Gentleman from Cook, Mr. Dunkin. Ken Dunkin.”

“I, too, rise in support of this Bill… this legislation. Silas Purnell, certainly what Charles Morrow and Representative Turner pointed out is a huge, huge benefit and asset to the Chicago community. He has 09300036.doc 149  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 actually sent over 60 thousand, 60 thousand underprivileged kids who would not otherwise have an opportunity to actually attend colleges and universities. Most families… most of the families that he has helped have been families such as mine, you know, poor families growing up in the projects, in very, very, challenged communities. This man has a legacy and a huge, huge, following of a great deal of people today who are in higher government, people like Charles Morrow, people like myself, Ken Dunkin. A number of individuals who are doing a number of different professions in this great country are there because of someone like Silas Purnell played a major role, a major role, in seeing to it that they graduated. And that’s what he’s known for, helping students to graduate. I worked with him for a number of years when I was on the Board of… when I was a… the director of the Boys and Girls Clubs in the Robert Taylor Housing director. This man is very, very committed, still is at 78. He has a very, very gregarious and outgoing personality. And this Bill is definitely worth an ‘aye’ vote. I urge… I strongly urge your support for Silas Purnell. Thank you.”

"Further discussion? The Gentleman from DuPage, Representative Biggins. Robert Biggins.”

"Yes.”

"Your question is?” 09300036.doc 150  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003

"You know, Mr. Representative, that’s a very good question. I don’t know if it’s in our Rules but I’m sure… sure Mr. Turner likes to hear himself talk.”

"He does an excellent job. Oh, it was Mr. Dunkin.”

"Thank you. Further discussion? The Gentle… Mr. Davis. Will Davis.” Davis, W.: “Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, rise in support of this legislation. Like many others have… who have come across the path of Silas Purnell, I, too, have come across his path. Though he didn’t help me get into college, as a recruiter for Southern Illinois University, I had the opportunity to work with him to ensure that many other predominantly… more other students, predominantly minority students, got into school. So, I, too, str… rise in support of this legislation. Silas Purnell is a great man, he’s helped a lot children get into school. And indeed, our country is much greater today because of everything that Silas Purnell did. So, I ask other Members of the Body to support this legislation. Thank you.” 09300036.doc 151  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003

"Thank you. Further discussion? Mr. Wirsing. Representative Wirsing.”

Speaker Novak: "Further discussion? Hearing none, Representative Turner to close.”

“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The previous speaker was absolutely right. This program is subject to the appropriation this year, in terms of the availability of funds. I’m assuming that it will be funded at the same level that it currently is being funded in the ’03 budget. It’s our hope that, if there is an increase in funds, that certainly a percentage of it will go towards the implementation of this program. But we do understand that there are fiscal constraints. Realizing that if it is funded at the same level, with the increase that we’re asking in terms of doubling the grant from five hundred to… to a thousand, we do realize that that will cut back the number of students who are eligible. But it’s our hope that we not only address this program, but as the government speaks on April 9, that we will be able… or, he will tell us that we will not only have money for this program but how we will also be able to continue the MAP Program, because I think it is just as important in terms of trying to make certain that students achieve those goals 09300036.doc 153  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 of… their higher education goals. And again, the other part of the Bill dealing with Silas Purnell, we can’t say enough about him. And we would just hope that the Body is respectful enough and… and willing to go along with that change, and keeping in mind that this will be subject to appropriation. With that, I move for the adoption of House Bill 1119.”

"And on that question, the question is, ‘Shall House Bill 1119 pass?’ All those in favor vote ‘aye’; all those opposed vote ‘no’. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. McKeon. Representative Kurtz. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 89 voting ‘yes’, 0 voting ‘no’, 26 voting ‘present’. And having reached the required Constitutional Majority, House Bill 1119 is heredy… hereby declared passed. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of House Bill 3398?”

“Mr. Clerk, please take that back to Second. The Lady from Cook, what reason do you rise, please?”

“Thank you, Mr. Chairman. A point of personal privilege.”

“Speak your point, Representative.”

“I would like for the House to give a round of applause to three very important people to me and to our community in Chicago. We have Useni Perkins, who is the Director of the… Director at Chicago State University, we have Haki 09300036.doc 154  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 Madhubuti who heads up the Third World Press and a very special welcome to the daughter… the daughter of Gwendolyn Brooks, Nora Brooks. Would you please standup.”

Speaker Novak: “Welcome… welcome to the House of Representatives. Thank you. On page 35 of the Calendar there is House Bill 2298. Representative Coulson. Is Representative Coulson in the chamber? Out of the record. On page 11 of the Calendar there is House Bill 2229. Representative Millner, do you wish to move your Bill to Third Reading? Clerk, read the Bill, please.”

“Third Reading. On page 37 of the Calendar there is Represen… there is House Bill 3-5-3-0. The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Colvin. Representative Colvin, do you wish to call your Bill? Third Reading. Do you wish to call your Bill? Out of the record. Okay. On page 3 of the Calendar there is House Bill 206. Representative Davis, Monique. Do you wish to call your Bill? Clerk, is there an Amendment to this Bill?”

“Representative Davis on Floor Amendment #1.” 09300036.doc 155  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 Davis, M.: “Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Floor Amendment #1 merely says that if a person is under a protection… a violation of any protection order they will go before a criminal court and not to domestic court. And that… it’s one word that’s changed throughout the Bill that says that people who violate orders of protection go before the criminal court. That’s all.”

“Thank you. Any discussion? Hearing none, the question is, ‘Shall Amendment #1 be adopted?’ All those in favor say ‘aye’; all those opposed say ‘no’. The ‘ayes’ have it. And the Amendment’s adopted. Third Reading. Further Amendments?”

“Third Reading. Thank you. On page 3 of the Calendar there is House Bill 230. The Gentleman from Winnebago, Representative Winters. Representative Winters, do you wish to call your Bill?”

“Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Floor Amendment #1 by Mr. Winters.”

“Any discussion? The Gentleman from Vermilion, Representative Black.”

“He yields.”

“Mr. Black, your question, please.” 09300036.doc 158  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003

“Thank you, Mr. Black. Further discussion? The Gentleman from Cook, Mr. Miller. David Miller.”

“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?”

“He yields.”

“Representative, I have a few questions here. Let me just get to the specifics. How would this affect land acquisition in Peotone for possibly a third airport?”

“Correct.”

“Okay. There’s something in the Bill which talks about eminent domain, I believe in the original Bill. I was just reading here in our analysis.”

“Is that… Okay. We’ll just deal with the Amendment. Okay. All right. So, you’re saying that the county… the county… local county would still… they essentially state whether land could be used for other purposes than agriculture? Am I…”

“Okay. Thank you.”

Speaker Novak: “Further discussion? The Lady from Lake, Representative May.”

“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?”

“He yields.”

“Yes, I have a question, as I was listening to debate I thought this sounded awfully familiar. Early this Session 09300036.doc 164  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 I passed out Bill 1285, which includes the language of changing it from three hundred and fifty acres to a hundred acres in counties over six hundred thousand, which really means Lake and DuPage because Cook is Home Rule. But I was just surprised at this language. Were you aware that I had a Bill?”

“Okay. Well, I think that they’re receptive to my Bill, Senator Garrett is carrying it and I’d be… welcome you as a cosponsor on that Bill. And I… I’m glad that we had a more thorough debate on this, because a couple of farmers had voted against it and I think as someone who grew up on a farm and now lives in a more urbanized area, this really does preserve the family farm such as the one that my grandfather had. We’re gonna get, I think, another 60 farms that will be covered under this, under Lake County. So, I will support it and I hope that you’ll sign on, ya know, in, ya know, in support of mine.”

“I know you did. Thank you.”

“Further discussion? The Gentleman from Teutop… I mean Effingham, Mr. Hartke. Charles Hartke.” 09300036.doc 165  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003

“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?”

“He yields.”

“Representative Winters, if… if this 100 acres is designated as an agricultural land preservation area, what effect would that have on the property taxes on that piece of property?”

“Well, I… I think it would because if it’s designated as agriculture land, would it not fall under the Agriculture Assessment Act?”

“But the value of that land may be greatly increased if it’s being encroached upon by certain subdivisions. Correct?”

“So, the assessment is the agricultural assessment, the same as other farmlands?”

“Okay. Thank you.”

“Mr. Hartke. Any further questions? Okay. Any further questions? Hearing none, the… Mr. Winters to close.”

“Thank you. And the question is, ‘Shall Floor Amendment #1 to House Bill 230 be adopted?’ All those in favor say ‘aye’; opposed say ‘no’. The ‘ayes’ have it. And the Amendment is adopted. Further Amendments, Mr. Clerk?”

“Third Reading. On page 35 of the Calendar, there is House Bill 2298. Representative Beth Coulson, do you wish to call your Bill? Do you wish to call your Bill? Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk.”

“Representative Coulson.”

“Thank you. Is there any discussion? The Lady from Cook, Representative Flowers.”

“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Lady yield?”

“She yields.”

“Representative Coulson, there was an article not too long ago in one of the city newspapers regarding this legislation. Do you recall what it said?”

“Well, I saw a shorter one, so I don’t recall that one. But there was one that basically stated that this wasn’t working, number one, and number two, it was not advertised properly. Do you recall reading that or is that in the column in which you have?”

“So, is this a mandate?”

“So, the way of advertising to the state would be through the school curriculum that for those young girls who happen to get pregnant if you all don’t want your baby you can drop it off here.”

“Well, that’s already going on, right?”

“So, now what curriculum, let me just use the Chicago school system, I know some schools and they have less than four hours of education through the entire day, the school starts at 8 o’clock and school is out at 1:30. So, now they would be in violation of State Law. So, now what should they take out of the school system, should it be reading, write, math, comprehension, to talk about what to do in case you have a baby and if you want to abandon it? So, at what point do you think they should do that?”

“You know what else, Representative, that I really remembered about reading that legis… reading the news article, it stated there that there was no concern about the mother. It almost as if it was… you wanted the child to completely or whoever the person was, there was no encouragement of getting any type of assistance or encouragement in case they did not want to abandon their baby, in case they wanted to keep their child, there was no place… there is no place for them to go other than, they have a choice, you can either put it in a dumpster or either you can abandon a baby, but there was no body there to talk to them or give them…”

“…another choice other than.”

“I’m just saying what the article…”

“…the news article.”

“But I’m talking about…”

“Now, in regards to our law, does it state what a young person to do if she finds out that she’s pregnant and where she could go?”

“In our law, that you passed last year or a year and half, whatever, does it indicate where a young mother could go or young mother-to-be in case she wanted some type of assistance with her pregnancy? Because it, again, the Bill if I remember correctly, some of the concerns that I’ve heard about the legislation is that it encouraged women to not let anyone know that they’re pregnant, because it’s something to be ashamed of and the more… the most important thing is that someone want their baby, not necessarily to help them.”

“Representative, also I’m reminded that another problem with the Bill, because if a woman were to have the baby in the hospital she could not then… the baby would not be considered abandoned in the hospital if she just wanted to leave it in the hospital. And so, is that still in the legislation?” Coulson: “I’m sorry, I was interrupted and I’m s… and… having a hard time hearing.”

“If a mother went to the hospital and had her baby and walked out the hospital, would that be considered an abandon baby or would DCFS or someone go after that mother if she had her baby in the hospital?”

“Under your legislation, if a mother had her baby in the hospital, she want to walk away after delivering the child without talking to anyone, without answering any one’s questions, she just wanna walk away. Is that allowed under your Bill?”

“No, I’m talking about your previous Bill. See, it’s the prev… I understand what you’re trying to do with this 09300036.doc 172  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 part of the Bill in regards to the advertisement and the encouragement and getting the word out there to the young women who happen to get pregnant, this is what you can do if you want to abandon your baby as opposed to throwing it in a dumpster. But… but prior to getting there, we’re talking about prenatal care, prior to getting there we’re trying to prevent women from becoming criminals thinking they are in compliance with your legislation. And so, I’m asking for edification, because I really don’t remember if a mother had a baby in the hospital and she walks out and leave that child, is that baby considered abandoned or is that mother considered to be charged with a crime for abandoning that baby? Which one is it?”

“So, just for a point of clarification and just to make sure I have the right intent of the previous Bill that would have an effect on this legislation here. If I were to get pregnant and yeah, at my age I could do that. If I were to get pregnant and go to the hospital and leave my 09300036.doc 173  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 baby there, I don’t have to answer to anyone, I could just leave my child there and no one will come looking for me. Is that… am I right?”

“I, too, would hope…”

“I, too, would hope that that would never have to happen to any mother or any child, because we all know the importance of bonding with a mother. But I just want… because so many women have heard about this legislation and they have asked me and I needed to talk to you and ask you. Once again, if I have that baby in the hospital…”

“…and I just walk away and leave her in the hospital, I don’t have to worry about DCFS or no other child protection agency come looking for me? Because often times we’ve heard about those types of incident and those women were criminalized because…”

“Well, ya know, Representative, ya know… To the Bill. I really… I understand what it is that you’re trying to do, I…”

“To the Bill.” 09300036.doc 174  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003

“…as I stated last year, I didn’t agree with the way you structured the Bill and I surely don’t agree with the way that you’re trying to advertise the Bill. Because what you’re doing with this legislation because I’m a older mother and I may want to abandon my baby, I’m not in the school. This legislation here, you’re focusing in on younger women who might have to suffer something like this and I don’t recall in the previous legislation that there was any talk about prenatal care or any talk about if they’d have to go to the hospital they can leave their babies, different things like that. Because you said if the baby’s healthy and there’s no indication you can leave it at the steps, leave it at the firehouse, I’m sorry and leave it at the hospital without any questions asked, but that’s not necessarily as I understand it. But anyway, I think this is not a very good piece of legislation. Thank you.”

Speaker Novak: “Further discussion? The Gentleman from Vermilion, Representative Black.”

“Sponsor will yield.”

“Thank you. Further discussion? The Lady from Cook, Representative Feigenholtz.”

“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To the Bill.”

“To the Bill.”

“One of the previous speakers has some concerns about this Bill and she and I have been in committee where both the underlying and the original Abandoned Newborn 09300036.doc 176  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 Infant Act passed. And I think that some of her concerns are legitimate. I think that when women who are pregnant and feel that they are in trouble and are not prepared to parent a child are in a situation that some of them feel very, very desperate. And I have to agree with the Sponsor who has really worked hard at taking Acts from around the state and incorporating language that involves opportunities for birth mothers who change their mind to have time to reconsider what they’ve done. If you speak to experts at the… at adoption agencies around the State of Illinois who deal with these wom… you… some of these young women, they often are able through adoption counseling to send those mothers home with their babies. But unfortunately 11 times last year in the State of Illinois a very special subset of women, women who even denied the fact that they were pregnant, women who feared many, many things beyond the scope of being able to walk into an adoption agency, to be counseled. Women who wanted to conceal their pregnancies to the point where their children died. Many of those women, I know one in particular served time in prison for doing this. So, I think that although the prev… one of the previous speakers has… her spirit is in the right place and I totally agree with her that these baby’s if possible, if there is adoption counseling, should stay with their mothers, and often they do if they’re counseled. But the ones that we can’t address we are giving them an option so that we can save their lives. So, as difficult as this prospect is for me, because I, too, 09300036.doc 177  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 believe that these baby’s should go home with their mothers, I think that we have to think about the subset and support this Bill. And I recommend an ‘aye’ vote.”

“Thank you. Further discussion? The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Joyce.”

“Sponsor yield?”

“Sponsor yields.”

“Representative Coulson, I just have a couple questions to clarify after listening to Representative Flowers. My understanding of this Bill is that you are just extending the existing curriculum in schools today. Is that correct?”

“And the two points that you’re trying to make and add to the curriculum is that… is more responsible parenting information and available adoption services… or adoption services that are available to those young women that may be in a tough situation that may not think they can raise their baby at that point.”

“Well, obviously there are some other issues on this Bill, but I think this is only helping existing young women that may be in a tough situation, so I don’t see the problems that a lot of other people may see with this Bill. 09300036.doc 178  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 And I think it’s something that there’s a… definitely a great social injustice that sometimes some women have to go through their situation alone, but you’re trying to help them with this Bill. And I support this Bill and you’ll have my vote.”

“Thank you. Further discussion? The Gentleman from Whiteside, Mr. Mitchell.” Mitchell, J.: “Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?”

“So, this is not necessarily…”

“This is not necessarily a mandate on every school district or every high school in the State of Illinois, it’s only a mandate within the health curriculum itself or the sex ed curriculum, to be more specific?”

“Okay. Ladies and Gentlemen of the House, there’s a couple of us here that have served as… as superintendents of schools and we’ve talked about this, we talked about it in committee with the concerns of mandates on public schools but in this case, I think this is a mandate that is well-warranted. When you look at it and take away the language of this Bill or what this Bill is asking for sex education curriculums to do, you still have that same curriculum, you have the teaching of abstinence, you have the teaching of birth control, you have good parenting skills, you have all of the things that are there, but for that one child in an instance of fear or an instance of ignorance decides that the only way out of their situation is to leave that child in a place where that child is doomed to become another fatality. If one child in the State of Illinois can be saved with this legislation then this is a mandate that I can stand up and support. The Lady has crafted the Bill so that it is not a burden on school districts and it could be one that saves one of our grandchildren, you never know. I rise in support of this legislation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.” 09300036.doc 180  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003

“Thank you, Representative. Further discussion? The Lady from Cook, Representative Davis. Monique Davis.” Davis, M.: “Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?”

“Sponsor will yield.” Davis, M.: “Representative, I’m sure you are aware that even with the previous Bill we passed we had 11 abandoned babies in Illinois. Now, I do believe that this legislation, hopefully, will eliminate, reduce or get rid of those kind of numbers. How will it do it? Well, let me just say, according to the Bill, a school district that teaches family life or sex education will include the fact that there is a Bill that the State of Illinois has sponsored that if you are in some trouble of that nature and you wish to not take your baby, there are other options, you don’t have to hide the fact, you don’t have to lie, you don’t have to kill this precious, innocent life. As Sara said, you can have it… put it up for adoption, as someone else said, you don’t have to be criminalized because you feel you’re unable to care for this new life. As other states have done, they make sure that young people who find themselves pregnant know of the options available to them. When a person abandons a baby in a garbage can in an alley in the freezing weather, it is out of fear, it is terrible, tremendous fear that something in their life will be so drastically changed that they cannot recover. This legislation says, say a school like Tesla. Tesla is a school in Chicago for pregnant girls. It’s a school that counsels them about how to be a good parent. And in your 09300036.doc 181  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 legislation the school will now also give these young girls advice on what to do if you really cannot or refuse to keep this child. And this in my opinion, Mr. Speaker, will save the lives of innocent babies. Will it solve all the problems? Certainly not, nothing that we do here does solve all the problems, but it’s a darn good step in the right direction. Tesla is an excellent school who will certainly be using this information that we have provided for them today. And I urge a ‘yes’ vote.”

“Thank you, Rep… Representative Davis. Further discussion? The Gentleman from Crawford, Representative Eddy.”

“To the Bill.”

“Thank you. Further discussion? Seeing none, Representative Coulson to close.”

“And the question is, ‘Shall House Bill 2298 pass?’ All those in favor vote ‘aye’; all those opposed vote ‘nay’. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Representative O’Brien. Have all voted who wish? Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 112 voting ‘yes’, 0 voting ‘no’, and 2 voting ‘present’. And having reached the required Constitutional Majority, House Bill 2298 is hereby declared passed. With respect to the Agreed Bill List #2, Supplemental #1, March 27, 2003. With 09300036.doc 183  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 regards to the Agreed List #2, Supplemental #1, the Clerk has certified that all Bills and Resolutions have received a sufficient number of votes and therefore, the Bills and Resolutions not including House Bill 3081 and House Bill 2526 contained on Agreed List #2, Supplemental #1 have received the required Constitutional Majority, and are hereby declared passed. On page 3… 35 of the Calendar there is House Bill 2553. That Gentleman from Madison County, Representative Davis. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk.”

“Mr. Davis.” Davis, S.: “Yes, thank you, Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. House Bill 2553 as presented in committee started off as being a very simple addition to the qualifications necessary to get testing for nurses in the State of Illinois. And what it did was add a line in there that would allow future… nurses who were getting ready to graduate to go ahead and test prior to graduation. And in committee there was testimony that perhaps some of the deans of some of the nursing schools may have a problem with the wording of the Bill as it was drafted. And since that time the department has been working with the nurses association and the Illinois Health Care Association to come up with some agreed language, mostly technical language to take care of some problems. But to this point, they have not been able to come up with agreed language. However, what I would like to do is move this Bill over to 09300036.doc 184  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 the Senate and allow them to continue to work to try to come up with some agreed language that everybody can live with and amend this Bill in the Senate and it’ll be back over here in the House with a Senate Amendment and we can go ahead and pass it on concurrence. So, I would happy to answer any questions on the Bill, but once again, this Bill will be amended in the Senate. I’d appreciate an ‘aye’ vote.”

“Thank you, Mr. Davis. Is there any discussion? Hearing none, the question is, ‘Shall House Bill 2553 pass?’ All those in favor vote ‘aye’; all those opposed vote ‘no’. And the voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 109 voting ‘yes’, 0 voting ‘no’, 3 voting ‘present’. And having reached the required Constitutional Majority, House Bill 2553 is passed. On page 29 of the Calendar there is House Bill 3562. Representative Steve Davis, do you wish to move your Bill to Third Reading? Clerk, call the Bill.”

“Third Reading. On page 24 of the Calendar is House Bill 3073. The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Delgado. Do you wish to move your Bill to Third Reading? Clerk, call the Bill, please.” 09300036.doc 185  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003

“Third Reading. On page 15 of the Calendar there is House Bill 2568. Representative Franks, do you wish to call your Bill? 2568. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill, please.”

“Third Reading. On page 11 of the Calendar there is House Bill 2202. The Lady from Cook, Representative Hamos, on House Bill 2202. Do you wish to move your Bill to Third Reading? Out of the record. On page 13 of the Calendar there is House Bill 2386. The Lady from Cook, Representative Howard. Is Representative Howard in the chamber? Representative Howard. On House Bill 2386, do you wish to move your Bill to Third Reading? Oh, yeah, there is an Amendment. Mr. Clerk. Out of the record. On page 23 of the Calendar is House Bill 2791. The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Joyce. House Bill 2971. Are you prepared to move your Bill to Third Reading? Out of the record. On page 10 of the Calendar is House Bill 2187. Representative Nekritz. Representative Nekritz. Out of the record. On page… on page 16 of the Calendar there’s House Bill 2630. The Gentleman from Cook, 09300036.doc 186  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 Representative Osterman. Harry Osterman. Is Mr. Osterman in the chamber. Out of the record. On page 5 of the Calendar is House Bill 710. The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Rita. Out of the record. On page 37 of the Calendar there’s Rep… there’s House Bill 3313. Representative Slone. Representative Slone. Clerk, read the Bill.”

“Representative Slone.”

“Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen. House Bill 3313 was passed in a similar version last year. It would require the Bureau of the Budget to develop program objectives and performance measurements for state programs and agencies and gradually put those into the state budget and use them in the state budget in fiscal years 2007 and thereafter. We have reviewed this with the Bureau of the Budget and also with the Comptroller’s Office who… and they are working already jointly on developing these performance measures. The fiscal note on the Bill shows that there would be minimal fiscal impact. I’d be happy to answer any questions and I’d appreciate your support.”

“Thank you, Representative Slone. Is there any discussion? The Gentleman from Vermilion, Representative Black.”

“Certainly.”

“It’s been a long day.”

“No, they’ve bothered to tell us what it is, Representative Black, but… and we have checked this with both offices. They are basically already doing this. This simply puts in statute a process that’s already begun and gives ‘em a deadline for incorporating it into the actual budget documents that we see.”

“Representative Black, you’re probably more familiar than I am with the way the state budget is presented to us and as you know, it does do categories of expenditure for the agencies and long lists of staff, but doesn’t give us a whole lot of clarity as to what the objectives of the agency are with respect to its particular programs, nor how the agency plans to allocate resources to meet those objectives. This Bill, again, would move along a process that’s already going on to try and tie the budget documents to the actual program objectives and performance measures.”

“Representative Black, I have in my hand the fiscal note from the Bureau of the Budget on this. If you don’t have it, I’d be happy to take the Bill out of the record and share that with you.”

“Mr. Speaker, could we take the Bill out of the record.”

“Mr. Clerk…”

“Mr. Clerk, please take the Bill out of the record. On page 31 of the Calendar there is House Bill 57. 09300036.doc 189  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 Representative Lang, the Gentleman from Cook. Clerk, read the Bill.”

“Mr. Lang.”

“Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen. As many of you know for some years I’ve chaired the House Mental Health Committee and before that a House Mental Health Task Force. We worked long and hard on many issues dealing with mental health. One of those issues related to what we call parity, it means that health insurance policies should be covering mental illness to the same extent it covers physical illness. Now, unless you’re still in the dark ages you understand that mental illness is a real problem in our society today and that mental illness strikes one in four families in Illinois. The issues surrounding mental health are just as important as the issues surrounding physical health. Last year, the General Assembly passed a Bill that was what I would call a mini Bill, it dealt with some small issues relative to mental health parity. It was not a complete Bill and in fact, I think it was a mistake to pass the Bill we passed. This Bill is not a complete answer either. This is not complete mental health parity in every insurance policy sold in Illinois. This policy’d require mental health parity for state employees. That’s what the Bill does. It’s an important piece of legislation 09300036.doc 190  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 for the mental health of state employees and their families. I would ask your support.”

“Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is… Excuse me, the name just came up. Representative Black from Danville. Mr. Black.”

“Sponsor yields.”

“That’s correct, Sir.”

“I would like to include them…”

“…but this is one small step. This is state employees.”

“I have read the fiscal note but I want… but if you look at the fiscal note carefully…”

“…it does refer to a cost. But if you look at the components, those components relate to the cost of employees not the costs for the state group health plan. So, it talks about maybe larger copays, it talks about 09300036.doc 191  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 other issues that relate to the state employees themselves, not the state health plan.”

“Well, I don’t have that number. But since you have a piece of paper in front of you perhaps you do.”

“But again, Mr. Black, if you’ll read the fiscal note carefully.”

“The fiscal note says that the revised benefit structure could require members to absorb a greater out-of-pocket coinsurance. It could change limits on number of visits, which would increase costs to be passed onto members. And it might cause a rebidding, which would reflect new benefits with self-funding arrangements. So, while it talks about $14 million, it’s not a state cost. It refers to costs that members, who avail themselves of the mental health coverage in the policy, might be forced to absorb on their own. This is not a state cost of $14 million.”

“Well, if… it is optional to go to a mental health provider, they don’t have to choose to do it. But if they choose to do it there may be additional costs, as the result of parody, which cause the employees to have to pay greater co pays, et cetera. There’s no question about that. I can’t do much about that. But I do want to point out that the amount you’re suggesting and the amount that’s in the fiscal note is not a number that is coming out of GRF. It’s not a number that is going to cost the taxpayers of the State of Illinois that particular sum of money.”

"Thank you. Further discussion? The Gentleman from McHenry, Representative Franks.”

“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To the Bill.”

"To the Bill.”

“The only criticism I can have with this Bill, it doesn’t go far enough. I wish we had… that this would make private insurance companies cover it as well. The 09300036.doc 194  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 criticism I have with the previous speaker’s analysis of the fiscal note is when I… is that the fiscal note doesn’t take into account at all the cost savings to the state. Assuming worst case scenario, that there could be a $14 million hit to our budget, that does not take into effect all the days of work that we’d be saving with people who are healthy. There is absolutely no reason to continue tacitly or explicitly allowing for the discrimination of people with mental health disabilities. If someone had a broken arm or a broken leg we wouldn’t even be talking about this. But it’s because it’s something they can’t see, that there’s something stigmatized, that we’re not gonna cover someone’s mental health issues. I wrote my thesis in graduate school on the discrimination by insurance companies with mental health. It’s time to stop the discrimination. This is a very important Bill. And hopefully next year we’ll be able to expand it farther, to all insurance companies. But we owe it to the employees of this state to start on the right track. And I really applaud Representative Lang for his years of effort on this issue. And I encourage everyone to vote ‘yes’.”

"Thank you. Further discussion? The Lady from Cook, Representative Mulligan.”

"He yields.”

“Well, basically, what the… what all of that stuff that you read, Representative, means is that if there’s a copay for one there needs to be a copay…”

“…for the other in equal amounts.”

“That’s really all it says. And of course, mental health coverage, while is in the policy, the use of the coverage is optional. No one has to use it. And so we’re talking about people with real needs here who have coverage under the policies. But to have them not be able to access the coverage is (a), stigmatizing and (b), discriminatory. And it says… what we have today says as public policy that we 09300036.doc 196  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 don’t think mental health coverage is an important as physical health coverage.”

“Representative, no one, before this moment in the discussion of this Bill in committee or since, has mentioned union negotiations with me as an issue relative to this Bill. I think you raise an interesting point, but 09300036.doc 197  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 neither the union nor the administration has come to me and said well, this is gonna be an issue in union negotiations. And so no one’s asked me to move the Bill forward on that basis or change the Bill on that basis or hold the Bill on that basis. So my…”

“…my idea here is that in today’s society, with 25 percent of the families in Illinois having a mentally ill family member, we cannot afford as a state not to pay some attention to this. And so we have to assume that 25 percent of our state employees have a family member that needs mental health coverage.”

“Well, first, in answer to your first question, the Bill does not have an immediate effective date. So we’re talking July of next year, I presume. I think that’s how this works. Second, if in the negotiations it’s determined that mental health coverage should be an option that employees can pay for, that’s fine with me. Mental health parity does not mean that we have to cover mental health. It simply says that if the policy covers mental health it has to cover mental health under the same parameters and conditions that it covers physical health. So, if in the next union contract it is determined, for whatever reason, that it’s only gonna be a physical health policy and that mental health coverage would be available as an option, that’s a separate issue than this. That’s all right with me if that’s what they determine. All this Bill says is that if there is mental health coverage that’s part of the policy it should have equal weight to physical health coverage.”

“Well, this… well…” 09300036.doc 199  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003

“Under the current policy, under the current union contract, under the current arrangement with state employees if this Bill were to pass they would have to change the policies to afford parity. However, if this is not going into effect for sometime a new union contract may come into… I don’t know what the timing is on that. And if it’s appropriate to renegotiate that issue, then that’s something they’ll renegotiate. All we say here… this Bill does not say there must forever and for all time be mental health coverage on the policy, although I think there should be. This Bill says that if there is mental health coverage there ought to be parity. Because if there is not, Representative Franks was right on the button. A broken arm is covered but emotional issues are not. And I think we all know, and you know from being on the committee with me, that mental health issues are sometimes much more serious than medical… than physical issues.”

“Well…”

“No, this does…”

“This does not mandate mental health coverage. It says that while we have mental health coverage in the policy there should be parity. If in the next contract with the union… if in the next contract there’s a… an agreement and a determination that mental health coverage should be optional, then sobeit. This Bill does not require mental health coverage.”

“This requires that while there is mental health coverage in the policy that there be parity. So as long as there is mental health coverage in the policy there ought to be parity. If at some point in the future they… they make the serious mistake of taking mental health coverage out of the policy and they make it an option then parity would not be required. This simply says that while mental health coverage is in the policy there ought to be parity.”

Speaker Novak: "Further questions? The Lady from Cook, Representative Mary Flowers.”

“Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. I rise in support of the Gentleman’s Bill. You know, people that are mentally ill, they are human, too. They are entitled to the healthcare that any of the rest of us may be entitled to that our insurance may cover. But more importantly, the part that amazed me is that so many 09300036.doc 201  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 children are in our system because DCFS has accused their parents of being mentally ill. And so therefore, these children could never be reunited with their parents because they don’t have the parity or the money or the insurance that’s necessarily… that’s needed, according to DCFS, to be made whole. So, Representative, I applaud you with this legislation. And for the benefit of the children, I hope it pass. Thank you.”

"Thank you. Further… any further discussion? Seeing none, the question is, ‘Shall House Bill 57 pass?’ All those in favor vote ‘aye’… Mr… Mr. Lang, did you want to close? All those in favor vote ‘aye’; all those opposed say ‘no’. And the voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 87 votes voting ‘yes’, 1 voting ‘no’, 24 voting ‘present’. And having reached the required Constitutional Majority, House Bill 57 is hereby declared passed. Repr… Representative Turner in the Chair.”

“On page 37, on the Order of Third Reading, we have Representative Slone on House Bill 3313. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk.”

“The Lady from Peoria, Representative Slone.”

“Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen. Once again, I’d be happy to answer any questions on House Bill 3313, for Mr. Black, whether he is seated or standing, 09300036.doc 202  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 nobody seems to know whether I’m seated or standing, so it only seems fair, or from any Member.”

“The Gentleman from Vermilion, Representative Black. For what reason do you rise?”

“Shortly.”

“And with those comments, Representative Slone to close.”

“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you, Mr. Black. And I would appreciate your ‘aye’ votes.”

“The question is, ‘Shall House Bill 3313 pass?’ All those in favor should vote ‘aye’; all those opposed vote ‘no’. The voting is now open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? 09300036.doc 203  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 The Clerk shall take the record. On this question, there are 110 voting ‘aye’, 3 voting ‘no’. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. On page 36 of the Calendar, we have Representative Smith on House Bill 3183. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk.”

Speaker Turner: “Representative Smith, the Gentleman from Fulton.”

“Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen. This is an initiative of the State Universities Retirement System. The Bill has no fiscal impact. It is intended primarily as a technical cleanup of existing language in the State Universities Article of the Pension Code. In particular, the substantive items of this Bill provide for more flexibility and QILDRO orders, which are qualified Illinois domestic relations orders. And this simply clarifies some of the existing language on QILDRO’s, which is in the University Retirement Section of the Pension Code. I know of no opposition and again, as I said, this is a… a from the trustees of the University Retirement System. It has no fiscal impact on the State of Illinois. Be happy to answer any questions.”

“Seeing no questions, the question is, ‘Shall House Bill 3183 pass?’ All those in favor should vote ‘aye’; all those opposed vote ‘no’. The voting is now open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? 09300036.doc 204  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 Have all voted who wish? The Clerk… the Clerk shall take the record. On this question, there are 113 voting ‘aye’, 0 ‘noes’, 0 ‘presents’. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Lyons. For what reason do you rise?” Lyons, J.: “Point of personal privilege, Mr. Speaker.”

“State your privilege.” Lyons, J.: “It’s always nice to see one of our most famous alumni come back and visit us. Once every two years we raise our right hand and swear to him, God and country that we’re gonna do the best job we can. Former Member, former Leader of this… of this distinguished Body, Appellate Court Judge Alan Greiman. Alan, welcome home, Judge.”

“Judge Greiman, welcome. On page 27 on the Calendar we have House Bill 3298. Representative Mautino. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk.”

Speaker Turner: “The Gentleman from Bureau, Representative Mautino. I’m sorry.”

“Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. This Bill we amended yesterday and Floor Amendment 2 became the Bill. And it has… has the effect of allowing many of those, up to 12 thousand Illinois citizens who lost their jobs due to foreign trade, foreign trade agreements 09300036.doc 205  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 to enroll in the state’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Program. This would be into Section 7 of… or excuse me, Section 15 of the CHIP program, which would mean there would be no preexisting conditions. Under these guidelines the Federal Government would give those enrollees the ability to drop COBRA plans and enter into Section 15. Would also pay or give tax credit for 65 percent of the premium to be paid by those employees. And additionally, would provide about $2 million to the state’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Program pool. This program is… it is timely for those of us who have lost steel mills. This would have an impact in Hennepin, also with Northwest Steel and Wire, the LTV plants, Laclede, Firestone. And what it does is take those people who are either in the Pension Guarantee Board who have lost their positions and lost their insurance and allow them to buy in at a rate that is affordable. Currently, those retirees and these people are from the ages of 54 to 64, non-Medicare eligible. They’ve seen their premiums go from $300 per month up to in some cases 1200 or $2500 per month. So this is… it’s an excellent program and be happy to answer any questions that you have.”

“Are there any questions? Seeing none, the question is, ‘Shall House Bill 3298 pass?’ All those in favor should vote ‘aye’; all those opposed vote ‘no’. The Clerk shall open the roll. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? The Clerk shall take the record. On this question, there are 09300036.doc 206  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 114 voting ‘aye’, 0 ‘noes’, 0 ‘presents’. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. The Gentleman from Jackson, Representative Bost. For what reason do you rise?”

“State your inquiry.”

“You misunderstood the debate.”

“That happens sometimes here.”

Speaker Turner: “On page 13 we have House Bill 2386. Representative Howard. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk.”

“The Lady from Cook, Representative Howard.”

“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Amendment #1 just makes this whole program subject to appropriations.”

“Are there any questions? Seeing none, the question is, ‘Shall Amendment #1 to House Bill 2386 be adopted?’ All those in favor should say ‘aye’; all those opposed say ‘no’. In opinion of the Chair, the ‘ayes’ have it. And Amendment #1 is adopted. Further Amendments?”

“Third Reading. On page 8 we have House Bill 1533. Representative Winters. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk. Out of the record. Page 12, House Bill 2268, Representative Delgado. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk.”

“Third Reading. For the Members edification, we’re on Second Readings currently and so we will be moving those Bills to Third. We hope that you’re prepared as your name is called. On the or… page 29, House Bill 3518, Representative Fritchey. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk.”

Speaker Turner: “Third Reading. Page 6, House Bill 1091, Representative Lou Jones. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk.”

“Third Reading. Page 12, House Bill 2319, Representative Lang. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk.”

“Third Reading. Page 28, House Bill 3452, Representative McGuire. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk.”

“You wanna discuss Amendment #1, Representative McGuire? The Gentleman from Will, Representative McGuire, on Amendment #1.”

“…Speaker. I believe Amendment #1 is from DHS and it says something like transmission lines or something. I don’t have the… Do you have the Amendment there, Sir?”

“Yes, I do and so do you now, Representative.”

“Oh, here we go. Thank you. Information transaction line, that’s what it’s… it’s a high-class word for lines that only the employees use. I’d like you to adopt that Amendment, please.”

“The Gentleman from Will, Representative Meyer. For what reason do you rise?”

“He indicates he will.”

Speaker Turner: “The Gentleman from Will, Representative McGuire.” 09300036.doc 209  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003

“Yeah, I’ll take the Bill out of the record and Jim and I will talk. I’m not quite sure what he’s talking about, but we’ll straighten it out. Okay.”

“Get that…”

“Get that transmission straight. On page 9 we have House Bill 1608. Representative Phelps. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk.”

“Third Reading. On page 15 we have House Bill 2605. Representative Younge. Read the… She’s not here. On page 6 we have House Bill 1091. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk.”

“It’s Representative Jones’ request that that Bill be brought back to Second Readings, Mr. Clerk, so if you would place that Bill on the Order of Second Reading. On the Order of Second Reading, we have House… House Bill 2412. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk.”

Speaker Turner: “The Gentleman from Lake, Representative Sullivan, on Amendment #1.”

“Are there any questions? Seeing none, the question is, ‘Shall Amendment #1 to House Bill 2412 be adopted?’ All those in favor should say ‘aye’; all those opposed say ‘no’. In opinion of the Chair, the ‘ayes’ have it. And Amendment #1 is adopted. Further Amendments?”

“Third Reading. We have House… On the Order of Second Reading, we have House Bill 3407. Representative Forby. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk.”

“The Gentleman from Franklin, Representative Forby. Representative Forby. Representative Forby. Out 09300036.doc 211  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 of the record. On the Order of Second Reading, we have House Bill 1338. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk.”

Speaker Turner: “The Gentleman from Madison, Representative Hoffman, on Amendment #2.”

“Yes, Amendment #2 actually becomes the… the Bill. Essentially, what this would do is it would allow for military facilities to have a secure zone around them that would limit the type of development around them. This is for Scott Air Force Base in our area.”

Speaker Turner: “The Gentleman from Fayette, Representative Stephens.”

“Well, now last week you told me it was Fayette when I said Madison, today it’s Madison and Fayette? Anyhow, you’re the guy we wanna hear from.”

“Proceed, Representative.”

“The Gentleman from Will, Representative Meyer. For what reason do you rise?”

“He indicates he will.” 09300036.doc 212  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003

“That no longer is part of the Bill.”

“Seeing no further questions, the question is, ‘Shall Floor Amendment #2 to House Bill 1338 be adopted?’ All those in favor should say ‘aye’; all those opposed say ‘no’. In the opinion of the Chair, the ‘ayes’ have it. And Amendment #2 is adopted. Further Amendments?”

Speaker Turner: “Third Reading. The Gentleman from Cook, Representative McGuire, on House Bill 2658. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk. Gentleman from Will.”

“Out of the record. On the Order of Third Readings, we have House Bill 206. Representative Monique Davis. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk.”

“The Lady from Cook, Representative Davis, on House Bill 206.” Davis, M.: “Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Bill 206 merely says that when a person violates an order of protection that he or she will be… the law will be enforced in criminal court. Currently, when an order of protection is violated the violator may go to domestic violence court, but this legislation is in place, hopefully to prohibit the… the 09300036.doc 213  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 fact that some people don’t respect an order of protection and putting the lives of their victims in jeopardy. So, this Bill will put teeth into the law and place those who violate the order under the criminal court. And I ask for an ‘aye’ vote.”

“The Gen… the Lady from Cook, Representative Hamos. For what reason do you rise?”

“Will the Sponsor yield?”

“She indicates she will.”

“Representative Davis, it’s appropriate that my husband is on the Floor today, he’s too busy talking to be listening, however. Can you… can somebody nudge him?” Davis, M.: “Surely, your husband…”

“Okay.” Davis, M.: “…would never violate an order of protection.”

“Well, let me… let me…” Davis, M.: “I know Alan Greiman and he would never…”

“Okay.” Davis, M.: “…do that.”

“My… my husband, Alan Greiman, used to be a Legislator many years ago and in fact was the Sponsor of the original Illinois Domestic Violence Act, something that he was very proud of. And I think that when we first talked about it and I was very much involved as an advocate on domestic violence years ago and the issue really for domestic violence victims we heard, we knew and we really experienced is that many times they would like an order of protection but are reluctant to pursue a case as a 09300036.doc 214  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 prosecution, as a criminal case. This Bill takes away the option for domestic violence victims to use the civil courts and it requires them to go into the criminal court. And I’m wondering what… whether somebody brought this to you and what the background of this is and why you think…” Davis, M.: “The Illinois…”

“…that we should be taking away that option?” Davis, M.: “Okay. The Illinois Association of Domestic Violence brought this to me and asked me to put this onto our current law. It changes one word in the current law and it said instead of ‘may’ go into criminal court it’s ‘shall’ go into criminal court. It changes nothing with the current existing law except that one word.”

“Well, it’s a mandatory… it’s a mandatory criminal enforcement.” Davis, M.: “Yes, it is, Representative, and I’m glad you’re bringing this question up, because so often a victim doesn’t want to pursue the criminal aspect of a person violating a protection order. But as you know, many women have lost their lives recently because someone had no respect for the order of protection.”

“So, it was the coalition that brought this to you?” Davis, M.: “The coalition brought this to me.”

“Okay. Thank you.” Davis, M.: “That’s this Amendment.”

“The Gentleman from Will, Representative Meyer. For what reason do you rise?”

“She indicates she will.”

Speaker Turner: “The Gentleman from Lake, Representative Mathias. For what reason do you rise?” 09300036.doc 216  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003

“She indicates she will.”

Speaker Turner: “The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Delgado. For what reason do you rise?”

“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?”

“She indicates she will.”

“Representative Davis, can you help me understand why the training mechanisms were removed from the Bill?” Davis, M.: “Because the Illinois Domestic Violence Coalition felt that it was duplicitous, that that training already occurs and we didn’t want to financially burden any of our police authority.”

“Do you know that…” Davis, M.: “They felt…”

“Thank you for that answer. Are you aware that in certain municipalities and cities domestic train… domestic violence training in academies amount to anywhere from four to eight hours out of an academy training. Are you aware of that?” 09300036.doc 220  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 Davis, M.: “You said they have to have eight hours of training?”

“I’m suggesting, Representative, that men… all they’re getting is four to maybe eight hours of domestic violence training.” Davis, M.: “Well, the State Police felt that they do the training and some of the other police officials felt they do the training and, ya know, at a time in which we’re under a budget crunch we didn’t want to affect anyone’s budget.”

“So, I mean… because the training would address both the safety of the police officer, as well as the securing of the family, so it’s ver… they would behoove the Chica… they would behoove police agencies, State Police, et cetera to protect their officers by giving them comprehensive training in domestic violence and domestic violence prevention. So, I was very curious because this is such a wonderful Bill and what we’ve made out of it is a technical change, which is very important change to take it to criminal level. Because I believe that and I would hope that the Illinois Association of State’s Attorneys are… will be listening, because I think that part of the situation of encouraging women to file it out of civil level versus going to the criminal level and making these spouses, these men if you will, if we wanna call ‘em that, more accountable and make ‘em ‘pay the cost to be the boss’, as someone says in this chamber.” 09300036.doc 221  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 Davis, M.: “And you know, Representative, a lot of women who are… become victims of domestic violence, they’re not familiar with the court process, the court procedures and many times they’re really at a loss for how to pursue, even in light of being financially capable, which many of them are not.”

“Yes and I’m quite aware of it. My question, I guess, to finalize is, I would like to work with you in the future on sitting down with procedures and trainings because you know in judicial law we’ve been talking very much about trying to cutback on these type of lack of understanding. And I wanna give you an example. We had a gentleman named Jorge Guillen who died because police went to home when his daughter called the Chicago Police to inform that there was a domestic violence situation and her daddy was sick and so when the police arrived they found a 5’4 Guatemalan… Honduran gentleman waving a board and when they saw this gentleman waiving the board. They went in knowing they were responding to a domestic violence call, subdued him, they took him down to the floor in a small apartment and they wound up killing him, not knowing that he was experiencing a schizophrenic episode and was under a hospital watch. So, Mr. Guillen is dead and in that case they were actually calling to get assistance, but because of the gesturing and really in my belief, the lack of standards of training, these unfortunate officers who, by the way, are some good officers, ‘cause I knew some of them… I know some of them, had a reaction based on the call 09300036.doc 222  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 that they were answering. So, I wanna join you in the future in looking at the other part of this Bill so that we can protect our police officers and make sure we protect the families, too.” Davis, M.: “Thank you, Representative Delgado. I’ll be very happy to work with you in reference to training. In fact, we can have some meetings with the State Police and other police officials, because it is to the benefit of the citizen if those who, first of all, receive that call know how to handle that call and pursue the conclusion to that call as well as the officers who are responding. I’ll be happy…”

“And, Mr. Speaker, I just wanna go to the Bill, real quickly. I would also suggest that there’s many CBO’s, community-based organizations, that would be willing to partner with the Illinois State Police and other agencies to provide pro bono type training and seminars in their training academies and they can be… they can be qualified to be able to come into the academy so that we don’t strain our budget and have advocates of the community come in and give ‘em this training so they’d get more than four hours. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.”

Speaker Turner: “The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Fritchey. For what reason… reason do you rise?”

“Will the Sponsor yield?”

“She indicates she will.”

“Representative, and not to belabor the point of the former Mayor of Buffalo Grove. Yeah, I’ve got a lot of 09300036.doc 223  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 respect for the group that brought the Bill to you, I’ve carried their legislation before and I don’t think I’ve ever not supported one of their initiatives. My concern is a lot of times when we have the best of intentions what we try to enact may not further those intentions. I look at the analysis and it jumps out at me and ya know, I don’t wanna misstate anything.” Davis, M.: “I hope you’re looking at the analysis with the Amendment and not the original Bill.”

“It’s not my first year here. The analysis, in part, says that… I wanna find the right part, Representative. Ya know what, I can’t find the right part, but essentially, it says that it may preclude a lot of civil actions by individuals. And the… and the… and the…” Davis, M.: “I’m sorry, I couldn’t hear you.”

“There’s a… there’s a… there’s an inference that the measure, if it were to become law, may result in barring or reducing certain civil actions by victims. Do you know why the analysis would say that?” Davis, M.: “It would in the sense, Representative, that many of the women who are suffering from domestic violence they need someone to do this for them.”

“I… I… here, I found the part I was looking at, so just to be fair, let me just quote from the analysis, ‘presently the law bars doing both criminal and civil prosecution of a violation. If the latter, referring to the civil, is barred by collateral estoppel or double jeopardy, this Amendment may result in the preclusion of 09300036.doc 224  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 numerous civil actions. I know you well enough to know that it’s not your intention to preclude a victim of domestic violence from any remedies that she has today under the law. And I… and I guess… so I guess I’m wondering when I see that and I know the group that brought the Bill to you and I know you well enough, how do we gibe the interpretation that we may in fact be limiting the rights of women who are victims of domestic violence?” Davis, M.: “The contempt will not be able to be done, someone else will have to do that for them, but the violation of the protection would come under the Criminal Code.”

“Correct, but to the extent that there is a bar in certain situations from coterminous actions, meaning, bringing civil and criminal action together, if one may result in a double jeopardy or an estoppel argument and if we… and if we mandate that certain remed… and if we mandate that certain remedies now must be brought criminally, that criminal action will in… that criminal action will act as a bar to the civil action.” Davis, M.: “Okay. Yeah, the… the… the coalition wanted it this way and they wanted it this way to provide protection for women who are suffering from domestic violence. Ya know, sometimes, Representative, a person moves away from a home, they may even move away from the state, they may be running with their children, they have totally upset their lives and many of them cannot financially afford to have an attorney to pursue this… this perpetrator who is pursuing them and just ignoring this order of protection. So, it… 09300036.doc 225  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 it… what it does say is, it will give, I believe it will give the victim two bites at the apple, maybe you don’t want to do that.”

“I… and I hope you realize that I do mean this with the utmost respect, today under the law, they had those two rights at the apple, by mandating and I don’t wanna beat this analogy into the ground, but by mandating what one of those bites at the apple must be, we are in fact running the risk of not giving them that second bite at the apple. Under the law today they can proceed civilly, they can proceed criminally. In certain circumstances where you do proceed criminally you may then well be barred from the alternative remedy, by mandating the criminal action we may be limiting this. And you and I could go back and forth in circles on this and I don’t mean that disrespectfully, I think our relationship’s too good for that. More and more we tend to see very well-intentioned Bills and you and I discussed one yesterday, Bills that have the best of intentions. And when you look at this Bill and you look at the intention it’s a unanimous Bill coming out on intention. But the courts aren’t bound by intentions, the remedies and the lawyers and victims and perpetrators aren’t subject to intentions, they’re subject to the laws that we enact. My concern is that we are not trying to take a step forward and in tact… in fact taking a step backwards. When you talk about women not having the financial resources and I don’t wanna just say women, but when you talk about victims of domestic violence not having 09300036.doc 226  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 adequate financial resources, we’ve tried as a Legislature, we’ve tried as local governments to give them legal assistance, to give them avenues that they can go to to help them get the protections that they need, to get the remedies that they need to preserve not only their rights, but to preserve their very life. And we know how often we have seen women die trying to enforce the very orders that are meant protect them. And I, Monique, I don’t wanna belabor this anymore than I have. I would ask and I trust you enough and I trust the coalition enough that they really look at this more when it goes across, I mean, it’s gonna across the way with a lot of votes, but that they really take a look at what they are doing really matches up with what they’re trying to do. That’s all I’ll ask. Thank you.” Davis, M.: “Thank you, Representative. I believe what they’re trying to do is give women who are financially unable to hire an attorney and go into the court system and pursue justice for them, so by leaving it up the state’s attorney it takes it out of the hands of the victim and hopefully, gives some protection. But I agree, we can work with this, we’ll work on this, I agree with ya.”

“Seeing no further questions, the question is, ‘Shall House Bill 206 pass?’ All those in favor should vote ‘aye’; all those opposed vote ‘no’. The voting is now open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? The Clerk shall take the record. On this question, there are 111 voting ‘aye’, 2 voting 09300036.doc 227  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 ‘no’, 1 voting ‘present’. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. On the Order of Second Reading, we have House Bill 2658. Representative McGuire. Representative McGuire. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk.”

Speaker Turner: “The Gentleman from Will, Representative McGuire, on Amendment #1.”

“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have an Amendment that we’d like to adopt, but I’d like to say something before we get too confused on this. This Bill was 2968 a week or so ago and due to some problem in the drafting of the Bill it had the wrong Act and so it’s been redrafted and now it’s House Bill 2658. I’d like to make sure no one is confused, because it was 2968, not it’s 2658, but it’s the same Bill. And we do have an Amendment that we’d like to adopt.”

“And on the Amendment, you want to say what?”

“The Amendment actually probably becomes the Bill, but it changes from one Bill number to the other and it just goes on to say that what we,re trying to do with the Bill. And I think the Amendment is because we had to change the Bill number.”

“Sounds good to me. The question is, ‘Shall Amendment #1 to House Bill 2658 pass?’ All those in favor should say ‘aye’; all those opposed say ‘no’. In the 09300036.doc 228  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 opinion of the Chair, the ‘ayes’ have it. And Amendment #1 is adopted. Any further Amendments?”

“Third Reading. Mr. Clerk, what’s the status of House Bill 75?”

“Third Reading. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk.”

“Third Reading. The Gentleman from Vermilion, Representative Black. For what reason do you rise?”

“I’ll ask Senator Syverson to come down and consult the Chair on that Representative.”

“We could take a Roll Call on that. Do you want a Roll Call or a voice vote?” 09300036.doc 229  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003

Speaker Turner: “Your comments are well-taken. Mr. Clerk, Agreed Resolutions.”

“With that, Representative Hannig moves for the adoption of the Agreed Resolutions. All those in favor say ‘aye’; all those opposed say ‘no’. The opinion of the Chair is the ‘ayes’ have it. And the Agreed Resolutions are adopted. The Gentleman from Clinton, Representative Granberg. For what reason… Allowing perfunctory time for 09300036.doc 230  STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 36th Legislative Day 3/27/2003 the Clerk Representative Hannig moves… Representative Granberg, for what reason do you rise?”

“Than… oh, thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just wanna point out to the Body and to the Speaker and to Representative Joyce how, let’s see, what time does Indiana… what time does Notre Dame play tonight and we’re adjourning as opposed to Illinois and we…”

Speaker Turner: “Representative Joyce moves that the House stand adjourned ‘til Friday, March 28, at the hour of 10:00. All those in favor say ‘aye’; all those opposed say ‘no’. And the House stands adjourned until Friday 10 a.m. on March 28.”