“The House shall come to order. The Members shall be in their chairs. We ask the Members and our guests in the gallery to turn off their laptop computers, cell phones and pagers. And we ask the guests in the gallery to rise and join us for the invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance. We shall be led in prayer today by the Reverend Alfonso Lyons of the Mount Zion Baptist Church in Peoria. Reverend Lyons is the guest of Representative Slone.”
Reverend Lyons: “Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Shall we pray. Heavenly Father, we thank You for the precious gift of life. In this legislative Body of Illinois with its beautiful hanging chandeliers and its beautiful columns, marble columns and its ceiling, we come heavenly Father, to pray that You would grant wisdom to these men and women who make decisions. Grant them the sagacity so that despite their diverse cultural backgrounds they can impact and influence the people who dwell in the State of Illinois, in our communities and in America in a progressive way. In a progressive way heavenly Father, that impacts barrios, inner cities, suburbs and wherever men may dwell. This we ask in the name of the Christ. Amen.”
“We shall be led in the Pledge of Allegiance by Representative Giles.” Giles – 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.” 09300100.doc 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day 2/25/2004
“Roll Call for Attendance. Representative Hannig.”
“Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. Would the record reflect that Representative Currie and Representative Capparelli are excused today?”
“Mr. Bost.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Let the record reflect that Representative Sommer is excused today.”
“The Clerk shall take the record. On this question there being 115 Members responding to the Attendance Roll Call, there is a quorum present. Mr. Clerk.”
“Committee Reports. Representative Steve Davis, Chairperson from the Committee on Public Utilities, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on February 24, 2004, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' House Bill 5216. Representative Flowers, Chairperson from the Committee on Health Care Availability & Access, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on February 24, 2004, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass as amended Short Debate' House Bill 3857, House Bill 4980; ‘do pass Short Debate’ House Bill 4847 and House Bill 6577. Representative Hoffman, Chairperson from the Committee on Transportation and Motor Vehicles, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on February 24, 2004, reported the same back with the following 09300100.doc 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day 2/25/2004 recommendation/s: recommends 'be adopted' Floor Amendment #1 to Senate Bill 1611. Senate Joint Resolution 3 'do pass as amended Short Debate' House Bill 4012; ‘do pass Short Debate’ House Bill 4966. Representative Mautino, Chairperson from the Committee on Insurance, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on February 24, 2004, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass as amended Short Debate' House Bill 393; 'do pass Short Debate' House Bill 4180. Introduction of the following Resolu… Resolutions. House Resolution 701, by Representative Coulson. House Resolution 703, by Representative Delgado. House Resolution 704, by Representative Watson. House Joint Resolution 68, by Representative Brauer and House Joint Resolution 69 by Representative Brauer.”
“Ladies and Gentlemen, if we could have the Members take their seats and if the staff could retire to the rear of the gallery. Members take your seats. Staff, retire to the rear of the gallery. We have a special guest today. Members please take your seats. Mr. Colvin, Mr.Colvin, could you take your seat. Mr. Mautino, could you take your seat. We’re very pleased to have here with us today the Japanese Counsul General assigned to Chicago and to the Midwestern section of the United States. The Japanese Counsul is Mitsuo Sakaba. He said I did it right, okay. He plans to talk about relations between the country of Japan, State of Illinois and the other regions of the Midwest. Mr. Sakaba.” 09300100.doc 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day 2/25/2004
Mitsuo Sakaba: “Thank you, very much. Thank you, Speaker Madigan and distinguished Members of the Illinois House. It is a great honor for me to join you today. This is the first time that a Consul General of Japan has stood before you. And I wish to personally thank the Speaker, Mr. Michael Madigan, for the kind invitation. This is… this special opportunity celebrates a new milestone for the United States and Japan, the 150th anniversary of our relationship. Our formal ties began in 1854 when Commodore Matthew Perry and Japan’s Tokugawa government signed the Treaty of Peace and Amity. At the time, ‘The Last Samurai’ government ruled Japan. When we look back over the last century and a half, U.S.-Japan relations can be divided into three distinct, 50-year periods. During the first five decades, two strangers became acquainted as commercial relations began. The second period started just after Japan’s victory in the 1904-05 Japanese-Russo War. It emerged as a military power, which eventually led to the Pacific War. Then, in the third period, which followed the 1951 San Francisco Peace Treaty, Japan embarked upon an economic and social recovery. A new, unshakable alliance, rooted in democracy and shared values, was born between our two countries, which we enjoy to this day. In recent opinion polls, between 70 percent and 80 percent of Americans and the Japanese view our relations as friendly and reliable. Without the State of Illinois, our bilateral friendship would not be as close as it is today. The Illinois-Japan partnership can be traced back to 1872 when 09300100.doc 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day 2/25/2004 Japanese government mission stopped in Chicago on its way to Washington. Then, in the 1880s Japanese students began to attend Midwest Universities, including the University of Chicago and Northwestern University. You may be surprised that the University of Chicago conferred its very first Ph.D. degree upon a Japanese student, Dr. Eiji Asada, in 1893. That… that was also the year of the world-famous Columbian Exposition in Chicago. The Phoenix Pavilion, built by the Japanese government, became one of the most popular attractions. So many people visited including none other than Frank Lloyd Wright. He became fascinated with Japanese architecture, and lived in Japan for more than four years. The main influx of Japanese immigrants occurred just after the Second World War when more than 40 thousand Japanese Americans moved from the West Coast to the Midwest. Today, some 25 thousand Japanese Americans and 7 thousand Japanese nationals proudly call Illinois home. They know that Illinois is a great state for business, and that the Illinois-Japan economic partnership sets the standard for cooperation. In 2002, this state exported more than $2 billion of its products to Japan; making Japan this state’s number three export market after Canada and Mexico. And, more than 50 states and… among the 50 states, Illinois is the 6th largest exporter to Japan. It is also a leading recipient of Japanese direct investment. As of one year ago, some 630 Japanese companies were located here, which employ nearly 40 thousand Illinois residents throughout the state. This is 09300100.doc 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day 2/25/2004 equivalent to a job for every man, woman, and child living in the City of DeKalb. Significantly, more than 16 thousand of the positions are high skill, high paying manufacturing jobs. In fact, five major Japanese companies employ more than 1 thousand Illinoisans each. Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. in Normal is at the top of the list with 31 hundred employees. The decision of hundreds of Japanese companies to invest here, and even to expand here, is a resounding ‘yes’ vote for Illinois - its quality workforce and its favorable business environment. In return, the Japanese facilities have boosted both the state and local economies through tax revenues, facilitated technology transfer, and provided much needed jobs. In short, the Illinois-Japan business relationship rests upon a rock solid foundation that will only become closer. Looking down the road, what is the future direction of U.S.-Japan relations? I believe that in the next 50 years, we will enjoy a true partnership that spans the entire spectrum of international, political and security matters as well as economic and cultural cooperation. The key word here is partnership, one that is full, balanced, and mutually beneficial. We are already well on the way. After the tragic events of September 11, Japan has taken bold initiatives to work closely with the United States in the global war against terrorism. During the Afghan conflict, Japanese naval ships in the Indian Ocean supplied more than 100 million gallons of fuel to the Allied Forces, which amounted to nearly 40 percent of their total fuel 09300100.doc 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day 2/25/2004 consumption. And to this day, Japan is one of the leading nations advancing the all-important reconstruction of Afghanistan. Further, Japan took a monumental step earlier this month when it dispatched its Self-Defense Forces to Iraq. Japanese personnel have already begun their mission of humanitarian assistance and reconstruction. It is the first time since the Second World War that the Self-Defense Force has been sent to an area of conflict overseas. This direct contribution underscores Japan’s resolve to be a full, contributing partner with the United States and other allies. The same is true in the economic field. Through the close integration of our two economies and better policy coordination, we have now transcended the trade conflicts of the 1970s and ‘80s. For example, nearly 5 million Japanese cars were sold in the United States last year, two-thirds of which were made in America, by American workers, including thousands right here in Illinois. Just one company alone, Toyota, employs 400 thousand people in this country from the manufacturing line to the dealerships. Our economic integration is both deep and broad. Lastly, let me touch upon our cultural interaction. Until the 1990s, culture flowed mainly from the United States to Japan. Like other Japanese children, I grew up with American movies and music. I cheered for the Cartwright’s on Bonanza, wished for a dog like Lassie, and laughed with I Love Lucy. I was even an Elvis fan. In the last decade, the cultural flow has become more balanced. In U.S. cities, sushi restaurants are everywhere, and 09300100.doc 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day 2/25/2004 teenagers are glued to Japanese anime and TV games. The Washington Post reported last month that ‘Japan cool’ is now trendy among American youth as they listen to Japanese pop music and wear the latest fashions from Tokyo. Even in major league baseball, a new type of Japanese export has arrived. Ichiro now plays for the Seattle Mariners, and Matsui is a New York Yankees outfielder. Thankfully, my dream of a Japanese player in Illinois has come true. The White Sox have imported Japan’s best closer, Shingo Takatsu, who will take to the field this spring. I can’t wait for the first pitch. Nearly three decades ago, Mike Mansfield, the former U.S. Ambassador to Japan and U.S. Senate Majority Leader, offered a comment that has resonated through the years. He said that the U.S.-Japan relationship is the most important bilateral relationship in the world, bar none. While he was correct at the time, his statement has proven to be visionary. Our partnership has only increased in importance, and has far exceeded anyone’s expectations. In the coming months and years, the Illinois-Japan partnership will remain at the forefront. And it is destined to reach new heights. I will be your most enthusiastic cheerleader. Thank you to all of you.”
Speaker Madigan: “Is Representative Slone in the chamber? Representative Slone. The Chair recognizes Representative Slone for the purpose of an introduction.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. It gives me great pleasure to introduce to you today the Integrity Gospel Singers who are here from Peoria 09300100.doc 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day 2/25/2004 to entertain the chamber in celebration of Black History Month. We’re very proud to have them here and welcome to all of you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.” Integrity Gospel Singers: (Choir Sings)
“Chair recognizes Representative Slone.”
“Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to thank the choir and I would also like to thank Reverend Spenser Gibson, their leader. Thank you very much for being here.”
“Mr. Turner.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Assembly. We want to first of all thank the Integrity Choir again, and I want to thank rec… Representative Ricca Slone for suggesting the choir to us to come here today in memory of celebrating Black History Month. I also want to remind the Members that tonight we’re doing a feast at the Governor’s Mansion. Everybody has been invited to attend, all of the House and Senate Members. You should of gotten an invitation, if you didn’t you know your name is at the list at the Governor’s Mansion tonight. It starts at 6:00 o’clock. It will end at 9:00 o’clock. The program is 10 minutes long and so there will be food and drink for the evening. And just in terms of celebrating the conclusion of Black History Month. I want to also remind the Members and let the Members know that earlier today we announced the formation of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus Foundation and that we purchased a building over at 614 South College Street. It was dedicated today by the Reverend Gary McCants, who used to be a staffer here in the 09300100.doc 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day 2/25/2004 House for a number of years. And we did that because of the significance of being here in Springfield. Some of you may remember that it was in 1908 that the largest race riots in the State of Illinois was held right here in this capital city. And it was out of the race riots that took place here in Springfield that the NAACP was founded in New York in 1909. And so, there’s a lot of history in this town and we’ve come a long way since those years, 1908. In fact, today our caucus is some 30 strong and when you combine the black and brown caucus we are over 40 Members strong here in this Assembly, which is reflective to almost 1/3 of the Body. We’re just happy… we’re happy to be here. We also want the Members to know that as this is the conclusion of Black History Month we’d like to do something and we intend to do something every year to celebrating ours. But we want to thank all the Members for participating. We thank you for your indulgence and to remind the Members that those who still want to have some African attire for tonight that there is the exclusive African fashions downstairs between the Stratton Building and the Capitol Building. We could go on and on and I just want to say that there are ver… few people that politically stand out in my mind and that was back in 1872 that in the 41st and the 42nd Congress there were six black elected officials. In fact, we had a U.S. Senator named H.R. Rebbles who was from the great State of Mississippi. There was Representative Robert D. Large who was from the great State of South Carolina. There was Representative 09300100.doc 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day 2/25/2004 Jefferson Long who was from the State of Georgia, Representative Joseph Rainy from the great State of South Carolina. Representative Brown Elliot from South Carolina and last but not least, there was Representative Ben J. S. Turner from the State of Alabama. And you know I’m proud of him too. We want to thank all of you and I appreciate your indulgence. Let’s continue to celebrate today. We’re gonna have a great party this evening starting at 6:00 and if you want to as we say in the city, ‘be there or be square.’”
“For the purpose of an announcement, the Chair recognizes Mr. Morrow.”
“Yes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. I’m proud to announce a young Lady who at the time when 1986 when the late Senator Charles Chew passed away she was a House Member at the time and she was selected to fill the vacancy of the Senate which allowed me the opportunity to come into the House, not to replace her because she could never be replaced, but to assist her. Her father served in the General Assembly so she’s a two- generation Member of the House… Illinois House of Representatives. I present you former Senator… former Representative or former Senator Ethel Skyles-Alexander. Ethel, will you please stand up? I love you. And she’s a foundation board member and as I said her father served here as a Member of the House of Representatives back in the 1940s.” 09300100.doc 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day 2/25/2004
“Mr. Clerk, on page 6 of the Calendar, there appears House Resolution 686. Please read the Resolution.”
“House Resolution 686, offered by Representative Yarbrough. WHEREAS, African-Americans have been a presence in Illinois since the 1700s; in fact, the first outpost on the land that is now Chicago was founded by a black man, Jean-Baptiste DuSable; many are not aware of facts like these and black history in Illinois in general, and that is why Black History Month is so important to share our heritage with not only other African-Americans, but all people, and to foster a sense of pride and respect; and WHEREAS, At the beginning of the 93rd General Assembly, January of 2003, Springfield welcomed 9 African-American State Senators and 19 State Representatives; they joined the total of 120 African-American legislators to serve Illinois throughout its history; and WHEREAS, Illinois' first black State legislator, John W. E. Thomas, was elected to the House of Representatives in 1876; it is important to mention him first, not only because he was the first, but he is often the first to be overlooked; if one takes a tour of the Statehouse in Springfield, there is a statue of the first black State Senator; but many tour guides will tell you the statue represents the first elected black legislator; and 09300100.doc 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day 2/25/2004 WHEREAS, John Thomas was born in Alabama in the 1840s and moved to Chicago in 1869; he was an educator and opened the city's first school for African-American children, along with running a grocery store; when he won his election in 1876, African-Americans were less than 2 percent of the city's population, and a minority in his district; but despite the way blacks were viewed at the time, Mr. Thomas put the issue of equality for all on the table; he could have meekly sat in the back of the chamber and remained inconspicuous, but he instead chose to meet the issue of equality head on and was a sponsor of the State civil rights law of 1885; and WHEREAS, Not much has been written on John W. E. Thomas, but his character and commitment to public service in the face of adversity warrant an understanding of his work and a memorial of his name; and WHEREAS, Cecil Partee was the first African-American elected to serve as one of the State's top four legislative leaders; he spent 20 years in the General Assembly and held the positions of both Senate Minority Leader and Senate President; his breakthrough paved the way for African-Americans to reach leadership positions in State government; and 09300100.doc 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day 2/25/2004 WHEREAS, Today, Emil Jones, Jr. serves as Senate President and Jesse White, who served in the House of Representatives, is Secretary of State; and WHEREAS, Harold Washington, Chicago's first black mayor, also started his career in the State legislature; he served in the House of Representatives from 1965 to 1977 and in the State Senate from 1977 through 1981; and WHEREAS, Women are also included among the ranks of African-American legislators, and although they are not as common, their achievements are no less worthy of admiration; black women have overcome two barriers in order to serve the State of Illinois, barriers of race and gender; and WHEREAS, Floy Clements was the woman who opened the door for African-American women legislators to hold elected office in Illinois, and she did this in 1958, a time when women in general garnered less respect than men; and WHEREAS, Carol Mosely Braun has had a long commitment to serving the people of Illinois, through her recent attempt to become the first black President, as well as the first female President of the United States; she served in the Illinois House of Representatives from 1979 through 1988, during which she served as Assistant Minority Leader; she left the House to become the Cook County Recorder of Deeds; 09300100.doc 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day 2/25/2004 seeing no boundaries to her ambition, she became the first black woman elected to the United States Senate; and WHEREAS, This lesson is taken seriously; all the African-American State Representatives and two Latino members are organized into the Illinois House Legislative Black Caucus; and WHEREAS, The Black Caucus stresses teamwork in order to achieve equality; this means civil equality, economic equality, educational equality, and political equality; they have fought against racial profiling, the death penalty fiasco, equal funding for schools that serve underprivileged communities, and prejudice; and WHEREAS, Unity and cooperation are best means to get things done; since the same basic values and goals are shared, it only makes sense that we fight together in one battle instead of 21 separate clandestine missions; therefore, be it RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize the efforts of African-American legislators and their role in the history of this State.”
“Mr. Turner, in the Chair.”
“The Lady from Cook, Representative Yarbrough.” 09300100.doc 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day 2/25/2004
“Mr. Speaker and Members of the General Assembly. We’re celebrating today Black History Month. And we owe this celebration of Black History Month and more importantly the study of black history to Dr. Carter G. Woodson. He established it in 1926. Carter Woodson was born to parents who were former slaves. He spent his childhood working in Kentucky coal mines. He enrolled in high school at age 20. He graduated within two years and later went on to earn a Ph.D from Harvard University. The scholar was disturbed to find in his studies that history books largely ignored the African American population. And when blacks did figure into the picture it was generally in ways that reflected the inferior social position they were assigned at the time. He chose the month of February not because it was the shortest month of the year but because it was the birth month of both Fredrick Douglas and Abraham Lincoln. Woodson devoted his life to making the world see blacks as participants rather than a late figure in history. Other significant dates in the month of February include W.E.B. DuBois was born on February 3, 1870. The 15th Amendment was passed granting blacks the right to vote. The first black U.S. Senator Hiram Rebels took his oath of office and the NAACP, the National Advancement for Colored People (sic-National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) was founded by a group of individuals in New York City. And finally February 3, 2004, the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus purchased its new home in Springfield, Illinois. Join with us today to 09300100.doc 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day 2/25/2004 celebrate the history of black Americans on whose shoulders we stand, because black history is American history. Thank you.”
Speaker Turner: “The Lady from Kane, Representative Chapa LaVia. For what reason do you rise?”
“Than… Thank you, Speaker. I’d like to recommit one of my Bills, 3913, House Bill 3913.”
“The Lady asks leave to table her Bill 3339. What’s the number? Representative, what was the number again?”
“Sorry, Speaker, it’s 3913. House Bill 3913.”
“The Lady asks leave to table 3913. All those in favor say ‘aye’. The ‘ayes’ have it. The… and the Motion is tabled. The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Dunkin, for what reason do you rise?”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members of the House. In light of this month, I simply wanted to mention or inform to many of the Members here of the various inventions and contributions that many African Americans have contributed to this great state and this entire nation as well as the world. For example, things that we use every day such as the ironing board, the hair comb, the traffic light, the lawn mower, the elevator, the refrigerator, the printing press, the wrench, the fire extinguisher, the folding chair, the fire escape ladder, the gas mask, helicopter, the traffic signal, the automatic gear shift, the toilet, the lawn mower, the dresser, the dust pan, the lawn sprinkler, cataract surgical instruments, blood plasma, the 09300100.doc 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day 2/25/2004 urinalysis machine, the curling iron, the record player arm, if you remember that, the guitar, hairbrush, the motor, space shuttle retriever arm, your bicycle frame and many, many more inventions that were patented by African Americans here in this country. I thought you should know that. Thank you, and happy Black History Month.”
Speaker Turner: “The Gentleman from Lake, Representative Washington, for what reason do you rise?”
“Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I stand in support of the Resolution that was read earlier, Mr. Chairman. And also I would like to share with my colleagues that this little bit of history that in 1791 it was a black man Benja… Benjamin Banneker who helped design our nation’s Capitol. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.”
Speaker Turner: “The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Miller. For what reason do you rise?”
“I too want to share in with the spirit in which African Americans have made history here in the State of Illinois. You know, when we talk about the numbers of African Americans who served in the General Assembly, I’d just like to remind the Body that only, there’s been only a hundred and twenty-five Members that have, African American Members that have served. A hundred and twelve Representatives, twenty-seven Senators, that’s it. That’s less than this Body, basically, here. Also would like to remind the Body of those African Americans who contributed in health care, as me being a health care provider. Many of you may think I’m the first African American dentist 09300100.doc 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day 2/25/2004 ever to serve the General Assembly. I am not. I’m actually the third Member African American dentist. The others… the others included Members of both parties, Republican and Democrat. There have been a total of five all together African Americans that have had some sense of health care and health care background. And so, I would like just to remind the Body to commend those of my colleagues in the health care field who’s had an input into the legislative process that added those backgrounds that they have into the discussion and to make Illinois a better state. Thank you.”
“The Lady from Cook, Representative Jones, for what reasons do you rise?”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise to let the Members know of another great lady that was not born in Illinois but was very instrumental in things that she did as far as black history in the State of Illinois. Her name was Mary McLeod Bethune, born 1875, died… died 1955. She devoted her life to ensure the right to education and freedom from discrimination for black Americans. Mary Mcloo… McLeod Bethune was born July 10, 1875, in Mayesville, South Carolina. Her parents… both of her parents were former slaves. Her first goal was to become a missionary in Africa, but later realized that Americans… African Americans in America needed Christ and schooling just as bad and as much as Negroes in Africa. She said her life work lay not in Africa but in her own country, the United States of America. She taught school in Georgia, later 09300100.doc 19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day 2/25/2004 South Carolina, Florida and ended teaching school in Illinois. In 1904, Miss Bethune opened the Daytona Normal and Industrial Institution for Negro Girls. The tuition believe it or not was 50 cents a week. She later… ten years later allowed boys to attend the school. She remained president of that school for 40 years. In 1923, the school merged with the Cookman Institute and later became the Bethune Cookman College. She became very active in politics and through her discussions with vice president Thomas Marshal the Red Cross integrated and blacks were able to perform the same duties as whites in Illinois. Miss Bethune served as director of the National Youth Administration Division of Negro Affairs in 1936, vice president of the NAACP in 1940. In 1951 she served as President Truman’s Committee of 12 for National Defense. She also worked for the National Urban League, the Association of American Colleges and the League of Women Voters. Miss McLeod Bethune worked under President Calvin Coolidge, Herbert Hoover and Theodore Roosevelt. She later worked for the child welfare, housing, employment and better education for African Americans. Mary Bethune died in 1955, leaving a legacy of interracial cooperation and an increase in education opportunities for blacks. Miss Bethune and Mrs… and also Eleanor Roosevelt were constant companions and when she died… and when Eleanor Roosevelt died they were the best of friends. I salute her.”
“The Lady from Cook, Representative Davis, for what reason do you rise?” 09300100.doc 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day 2/25/2004 Davis, M.: “Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of this Resolution, first of all. And I’d like to remind some of the Body and advise some of the Body of a former Legislator, African American, who sit… who sat on this side of the aisle, Nelson Rice. Nelson Rice was a Democrat who served as the Chaplain of the Black Caucus. He was the kind of Democrat that some wish were still here today; one you could always count on. Nelson Rice is from a district very close to my district. And I found him to be the kind of gentleman with character that I’m proud to recognize as an African American we should honor today. But I also have, Mr. Chairman, a Lady who most of us know about but seldom remember. Her name is Sojourner Truth. Sojourner Truth was an African American born into slavery. Her name was Isabella. She was sold many times until her freedom in 1827. By 1843 Sojourner Truth was a traveling minister. She changed her name from Isabella to Sojourner Truth. Although she could neither read nor write she was a captivating speaker, an evangelist who trumpeted the causes of all women and the abolition of slavery. In 1851, Sojourner Truth wrote a speech we should all try and get a copy of and that speech is entitled ‘Ain’t I a Woman?’ She was challenging the nation and also challenging men. They were not superior to women. After the United States Civil War she was an advocate for freed slaves. Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman are two of the most prominent African Americans in our loop of back… black history. And for the young people in the audience I want to also mention Rosa 09300100.doc 21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day 2/25/2004 Parks. Rosa Parks, Mr. Chairman, whose birth name was Rosa Louise McCauley, was born into a nation that promoted segregation of the races. In 1955, Rosa Parks was a seamstress in Montgomery, Alabama. She was an African American living in a city with laws that strictly segregated blacks and whites. When Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat to a white man in Birmingham, Alabama, she was arrested, handcuffed and fined. The subsequent bus boycott led by Dr. Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. caused a national sensation that led to the desegregation in the United States of America and to the civil rights movement of the 1960s. Rosa Parks was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1996. And it is because of these great people among many that we sit enjoying some freedoms today. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.”
“The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Giles, for what reason do you rise?”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also like to support this record… this Resolution to acknowledge the contributions that African Americans has made in this country. But let me put a different twist and spin on it. And I’m just gonna briefly talk about my personal experiences. I come from a family of… of small business individuals in… in my legislative area. And I could never forget the years that my father would come in after being part of protests, being part of the civil rights movements, had gone to listen to a speech or a sermon that Dr. Martin Luther King or… or Jesse Jackson or individuals that ga… that gave speeches dealing 09300100.doc 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day 2/25/2004 with equal rights, civil rights, equity and parity and opportunity for his or her community. And so, those are the type of teachings that I had in my household coming up. And as I started as a young man I was proud to be part of… of a movement and that movement was to put down your school books and pick up your voters registration kit and go out and register individuals to vote, to give them an opportunity to participate in government, to give them an opportunity to have a voice in government. And so as I continue to work my way up and to participate in this process I saw a greater need to orgin… to help organize our seniors, to help organize block clubs and the individuals and organization that wish to have a voice in government, to try to make some wrongs right. And so, I’m proud to be a part of this small legacy as we’re all here as Legislators and elected officials and public servant to be part of history. I’m part… I am proud to be part of the African American history and that’s something that I want my colleagues to understand what we’re doing here. You… you are going to be part of history but moreover you’re gonna be part of African American history. And so at this time this is our time to make a stand for equity and parity and justice and opportunity within our communities, within our families. This is our time to make history, and I think that we will… we will make our people proud. And let me just close by saying that I thought we were gonna get the group to sing ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing’ the Negro National Anthem, the black national anthem. But it is just 09300100.doc 23 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day 2/25/2004 so appropriate the struggles that we have fought and the struggles that we have been through. And if you take a moment and… and read those… read the verse of… of this whole anthem and it is truly a anthem that represents some of the struggles of African American and people… indigent people throughout this whole state. And let me just simply say that this evening we’re going to celebrate African American struggles it is a new day in the Legislature. Our voices are going to be heard. And I truly wish that each and every individual will look at this as a… as simply as an opportunity to make some wrongs right. And that is for people to have access and opportunity in State Government. Let me just say once again, we invite everyone to the… to the mansion to celebrate. Many of you have asked me can you bring a sprou… a spouse or a friend. We… we definitely encourage you to do so. To the staff that is here, we want you to come and partake as well. And if you don’t have any African garment or festive garment that you would like to show your support, you still can go to the Stratton Building I believe is right next to the credit union, you can purchase some items there if you chose to do so. This is… this is truly a joyous occasion. And once again, this is everyone’s history. This is American history and we want you to participate. And at… with that, Mr. Speaker, that ends my remarks.”
“Okay.”
“Thank you very much. Thank you.” 09300100.doc 24 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day 2/25/2004
“The Lady from Cook, Representative Graham, for what reason do you rise?”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I… I wanted to add that while going to school on Chicago’s west side I attended Collins High School and we read often of books of poetry that were developed by Gwendolyn Brooks and Nikki Giovanni. Brooks was born in Topeka, Kansas, June 7th… June 7, 1917. And reading her books I used to get motivated and say that, wow, these women were real phenomenal, they had some interesting words and can put some interesting character to the things that we were reading. Well, I almost had an opportunity to meet Gwendolyn Brooks. I frequented poetry readings, had several opportunities to meet Nikki Giovanni, but the one chance that I had to meet Gwendolyn Brooks, she died on that day. She was to appear at DuSable Museum one night for a poetry reading and while I sat in my chair waiting for Gwendolyn Brooks to come out on the stage they had announced the replacement that had showed up for her and she had died that evening. So, the opportunity that I waited so long to have, the greatness had slipped away. So, I just wanted to acknowledge that we have some wonderful writers and great writers and Gwendolyn Brooks is known to this day for sitting on her front porch and gathering the community children to her front porch to read books to them. So, I also want to acknowledge Gwendolyn Brooks and Nikki Giovanni.”
Speaker Turner: “Thank you. Representative Yarbrough asks leave that all Members be added to this Resolution. The 09300100.doc 25 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day 2/25/2004 Motion has been made that we adopt House Resolution 686. All those in favor say ‘aye’; all those opposed say ‘no’. In the opinion of the Chair, the ‘ayes’ have it. And the Resolution is adopted. The Gentleman from Fulton, Representative Smith, for what reason do you rise?”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise on a point of personal privilege.”
“State your point.”
“Mr. Speaker and the gallery I would like to introduce members of the Leadership Academy from Pekin Chamber of Congress and I’d like to ask my colleagues to welcome them to the State Capitol.”
Speaker Turner: “Could you welcome… A round of applause… Welcome to Springfield. The Lady from Champaign, Representative Jakobsson, for what reason do you rise?”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise for a point of personal privilege.”
“State your point.”
“I would like to welcome in the balcony today the Edison Middle School Jazz Band One. For those of you who were anywhere near the rotunda you heard that wonderful middle school jazz band playing and they were led today, as always, by Mr. Sam Hankins. And I want to welcome them here today.”
“Let’s give a round of applause to the jazz band. Welcome to Springfield. The Lady from Lake, Representative May, for what reason do you rise?”
“Yes, Speaker, I would like to table House Bill 4734.” 09300100.doc 26 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day 2/25/2004
“Yes, leave to table House Bill 4734.”
“Thank you.”
Speaker Turner: “All those in favor say ‘aye’. Leave is granted. The Lady from Lake, Rep… no, the Gentleman from… no, the Lady from Lake, Representative Osmond. Excuse me, gang, I’ll put my glasses back on.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Could I ask for tabling House Bill 4352?”
“The Lady asks leave to table 4352. All those in favor say ‘aye’; all those opposed say ‘no’. In the opinion of the Chair, the ‘ayes’ have it. And the Bill will be tabled. The Gentleman from Lake, Representative Sullivan.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to table House Bill 4178 and House Bill 4658. Thank you very much.”
“4658?”
“Yes, 4658 and 4178.”
“The Gentleman asks leave to table those two Bills. All those in favor say ‘aye’. In the opinion of the Chair, the ‘ayes’ have it. And the Bills will be tabled. The Gentleman from Fayette, Representative Stephens, for what reason do you rise?”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A point of personal privilege.”
“State your point.”
“In the Governor’s recent budget address the… he made it known that he had… his intention was to close the correctional facility at Vandalia, which is in Fayette 09300100.doc 27 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day 2/25/2004 County. Over 5 hundred citizens of Fayette County and that region, specifically from Vandalia and other cities that are affected, were up here this morning to visit with the Governor’s Office and we have meetings yet today. But 5 hundred of the most polite lobbyists you’ll ever see. These folks came up with their families and they… they just wanted to let us all know that not only are there some factual differences about the budget, but there are some serious differences about how this affects families and those 5 hundred folks that were here today represent some of Illinois’ finest. In the gallery behind me we have with us today the Mayor of Vandalia, Ricky Gottman and the Fayette County Board Chairman, Dean Black. And I’d like the Body to give them a warm Springfield welcome.”
“Welcome to Springfield, Mr. Mayor. Welcome all. The Gentleman from Bureau, Representative Mautino, for what reason do you rise?”
“I think we’re on the order of tabling Bills.”
“We’ll take it.”
“Okay.”
“With or without a fork.”
“Well I… this… I make a Motion then to table House Bill 4175. Does that mean I get another one?”
Speaker Turner: “Yeah. Try a spoon with this one. The Gentleman asks leave to table House Bill 4175. All those in favor say ‘aye’; all those opposed say ‘no’. In the opinion of the Chair, the Bill will be tabled. The Lady 09300100.doc 28 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day 2/25/2004 from DuPage, Representative Pankau, for what reason do you rise?”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I ask to table House Bill 4659, 4659.”
“The Lady asks leave to have House Bill 4659 tabled. All those in favor say ‘aye’; all those opposed say ‘no’. In the opinion of the Chair, the ‘ayes’ have it. And the Bill will be so tabled. Mr. Speaker (sic-Clerk), House Resolution 655.”
"House Resolution 655, offered by Representative Kosel and Representative Hassert. WHEREAS, The members of the House of Representatives of the State of Illinois are pleased to congratulate the Lockport Township High School District 205 Football Team on winning the 2003 IHSA Class 8A State Football Championship for the second consecutive year; and WHEREAS, Lockport won the championship game on November 29, 2003 by defeating Maine South with a score of 48 to 27; and WHEREAS, Head coach Bret Kooi and assistant coaches George Czart, Jim Hall, Rich Fullriede, Jason Scurlock, Tim Ehlebracht, Kevin Bolling, Ron Kulwinski, Matt Blackmore, Steve Stanicek, Jim Pfeiffer, Andy Satunas, Dave Jeglinski, Derek Freiberg, Steve Dulkowski, Nick Shaub, and Ted Stec aided and guided the members of the Lockport football team to a record of 12 wins and 2 losses; and 09300100.doc 29 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day 2/25/2004 WHEREAS, The members of the Lockport Township High School Football Team are Matt Ludwig, Matt Roberts, John Roth, Casey Choragwicki, Jon Groves, Mike Cavanaugh, Pat Sullivan, Frank Kucera, John Driscoll, Bryan Finnegan, Adam Lave, Mike Shaub, Steve Kunce, Curtis Green, Mike Mingey, Jeff Olsick, Dan Brady, Matt Boyce, Jeff Williamson, Eddy Ramos, Joel Steen, Tim Bills, Stephen Murray, Corey Kubinski, Brandon Feeley, Jim H. Fox, Frank Degrassi, Adam Decaire, John Osborne, Adam Brown, Ryne Kunce, Scott Karn, Kevin Bain, Rich Bonko, Glenn Bulat, Nick Simpson, Zac Lammers, Kyle Fraser, Jesus Maldonado, Chris Keyser, Dusty Sluzewicz, Ralph Caruso, George Kadlec, Ryan Lindberg, Josh Jagust, Ryan Pattison, Eric Sternberg, Tim Gritzman, Ryan Kammer, Brian Lagiglia, Dan Wallace, Dan Hopkins, Jon Pifer, Jeremy Shaub, Jake Christensen, Mark Lara, Charles Smith, David Sliwa, Jim M. Fox, Nick Grbich, Robert Knox, Dave Debow, Thayer Salah, Matt Shilney, Jake Kobylarczyk, J.R. Baker, Rich Connelly, Joe Luckey, Randall Griffin, Andrew Argenta, Jason Soukup, Matt Kwiatkowski, Dan McDonald, Chris Bain, Tony Alvarado, James Sendera, A.J. Carroll, Jay Bradarich, Sean Williams, Bobby Bebar, Eric Rago, Rob Weber, Adam Michalski, Hazem Sweis, John Finnegan, Max Ingala, Labren Harris, Jeremy Pytlewski, Scott Behmetuik, Tony Jones, Nick Petro, Lenny Smith, Jeff Maynard, Chaz Mitchell, Ed Lelo, and Evan Mitchell; therefore, be it 09300100.doc 30 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day 2/25/2004 RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the Lockport Township High School Football Team on winning the 2003 IHSA Class 8A State Football Championship for the second consecutive year; and be it further RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to each of the members and the coaches of the Lockport Township High School Football team as an expression of our esteem.”
“The Lady from Will, Representative Kosel.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Ladies and Gentlemen of the House, if I could have your attention, please. We’ve had the privilege today of hearing from some wonderfully dif… some students who have done some wonderful achievements. A great choir, a lot of time was spent in that. I would like to direct your attention to this side of the gallery to some people that have also spent an awful lot of time in some endeavors. These are the 8A champions, football champions, Lockport for the second year. They are from both my district and Brent Hassert’s district. And we would like to congratulate them for all the time, effort and sportsmanship that they have put into that championship. Can we please give them an appropriate…”
Speaker Turner: “Welcome and congratulations to you. The Gentleman from Will, Representative Hassert, for what reason do you rise?” 09300100.doc 31 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day 2/25/2004
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just to offer my congratulations to this team. The good news is they have the returning offenses coming back pretty much in their entirety. I think we’re building a dynasty in Lockport for football. This is gonna be three years in a row. I think next year and better yet I think we beat Rosemary Mulligan’s team in the championship, Maine South, and I know these kids are gonna be back and are gonna do a good job, and for the seniors, go on to college. Good luck and congratulations to the coaches and the team. Thank you.”
“Good luck on the three-peat. The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Delgado, for what reason do you rise?”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I need to table some Bills. And I….”
“State your Bill.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to table House Bill 4144, House Bill 4925 and House Bill…”
“The Gentleman asks leave to table…”
“…and, I’m sorry, and that’s correct. Those are the only… only ones that are tabled.”
“The Gentleman asks leave to table 4144 and 4925. All those in favor say ‘aye’; all those opposed say ‘no’. In the opinion of the Chair, those Bills will be tabled. Representative Kosel moves that we adopt House Resolution 655. All those in… and that all the Members be added to the Resolution. All those in favor say ‘aye’; all those opposed say ‘no’. In the opinion of the Chair, the 09300100.doc 32 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day 2/25/2004 ‘ayes’ have it, and the Resolution is adopted. The Gentleman from Crawford, Representative Eddy, for what reason do you rise?”
“Point of pers… personal privilege.”
“State your point.”
“I want everyone to welcome today our four pages. They’re down… they’re down in the page well. The Girl Scouts from Robinson, Illinois and their leader, Norman Trimble here. Welcome to the Capitol.”
“Welcome, Ladies, to Springfield.”
“The Gentleman from Lake, Representative Mathias, for what reason do you rise?”
“I would like to move to table House Bill 6707, that’s 6707.”
“The Gentleman asks leave to table 6707. All those in favor say ‘aye’; all those opposed say ‘no’. In the opinion of the Chair, the ‘ayes’ have it and leave is granted. The Lady from Cook, Rep… no the Lady from Kane, Representative Chapa LaVia. My mistake, Representative. On the Order of Second Readings, we have House… page 2, Order of Second Readings, we have House Bill 4075. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk.”
"House Bill 4075, a Bill for an Act concerning criminal laws. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.” 09300100.doc 33 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day 2/25/2004
Speaker Turner: “Third Reading. On the Order of Second Reading, we have House Bill 4076. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk.”
"House Bill 4076, a Bill for an Act concerning taxes. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
Speaker Turner: “Third Reading. On the Order of Second Reading, we have House Bill 4132. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk.”
"House Bill 4132, a Bill for an Act concerning property. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
Speaker Turner: “Third Reading. On the Order of Second Reading, we have House Bill 4175. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk.”
"House Bill 4175, a Bill for an Act concerning county government. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
Speaker Turner: “Third Reading. On the Order of Second Reading, we have House Bill 4234. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk.”
"House Bill 4234, a Bill for an Act concerning taxes. Second Reading of this Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. Notes have been filed but not received on this Bill.”
“Hold the Bill on Second. If… Second Reading, we have House Bill 4346. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk.” 09300100.doc 34 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day 2/25/2004
"House Bill 4346, a Bill for an Act concerning vehicles. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
Speaker Turner: “Third Reading. On the Order of Second Reading, we have House Bill 5067. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk.”
"House Bill 5067, a Bill for an Act…”
Speaker Turner: “No, Mr. Clerk. Wait, Mr. Clerk. The Gentleman from Vermilion, Representative Black, for what reason do you rise?”
“Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. An inquiry of the Chair. Is Representative Flider in the chamber, regarding House Bill 4356? Didn’t you want that held on Second and it was moved to Third? There he is right down here in front.”
“Yes, he’s right here.”
“I think he needs to move that Bill back to Second. That was the agreement.”
Speaker Turner: “Thank you, Representative. Clerk, rec… recognize Representative Flider. Representative Flider, the Gentleman from Macon.”
“Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, my intent on the previous Bill 4346, is to hold it on Second. We’re waiting an Amendment from the Farm Bureau to resolve this issue.”
“Mr. Clerk, could you put the Bill back on Second Reading, 4346.”
“Thank you.” 09300100.doc 35 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day 2/25/2004
“On the Order of Second Reading, we have House Bill 5067. Representative… Out of the record. On the Order of Second Reading, we have House Bill 5207. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk.”
"House Bill 5207, a Bill for an Act concerning state commemorative dates. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. …Mr. Clerk, what’s the status of House Bill 4132?”
"House Bill 4132 is on Third Reading.”
Speaker Turner: “The Gentleman from Peoria, Representative Leitch, for what reason do you rise?”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m awaiting an Amendment for that Bill. And I’d appreciate it if you’d move it back to Second Reading. Thank you.”
“The Gentleman asks leave to move the Bill back to Second Reading. Put the Bill on Second Reading, Mr. Clerk. The Gentleman from St. Clair, Representative Holbrook, for what reason do you rise?”
“Thank you, Speaker. An announcement. The Environment & Energy Committee today has been canceled. We… neither Sponsor wants to move either Bill today. The Environment & Energy Committee scheduled today has been canceled. Thank you.”
“The Lady from Cook, Representative Lyons, for what reason do you rise?” 09300100.doc 36 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day 2/25/2004 Lyons, E.: “Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to table House Bill 4872.”
“The Lady asks leave to table House Bill 4872. All those in favor say ‘aye’; all those opposed say ‘no’. Leave is granted. On the Order of Third Reading, we have House Bill 3194. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk.”
"House Bill 4194, a Bill for an Act concerning taxes. Third Reading of this House Bill.”
"The Gentleman from Montgomery, Representative Hannig.”
"Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members of the House. This Bill’s an initiative of the State Coun… Comptroller, Dan Hynes and is also supported by the AFL-CIO, and the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability. The legislation was passed in the State Government Committee with a bipartisan vote just last week. House Bill 4194 is an attempt to level the playing field among businesses that compete for state contracts. Currently, there are some companies that infair… that unfairly enjoy an advantage by setting up shop in various tax havens and avoid paying their fair share of Illinois taxes. I believe that if you are one of these companies you should not enjoy the privilege of having a state contract paid by Illinois taxpayers. Only those companies that play by the rules should be allowed to bid on a state contract, the good shum… the good companies should not be penalized. Many of these expatriate corporations have been reaping the benefits of billions of dollars in government contracts, 09300100.doc 37 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day 2/25/2004 including some in Illinois. As we try to provide state services and hold down taxes on working families we need to take whatever steps we can to discourage corporations from dodging their share of tax burdens. House Bill 4194 does two basic things. It prohibits corporate expatriates from doing business with the state and the… and the legislation also closes a loophole in the Illinois Tax Code that allows corporations to shift profits to overseas tax havens to avoid paying taxes here in Illinois. It does not increase taxes on corporations but rather allows such activity to be reviewable by the Department of Revenue. So, Ladies and Gentlemen, I’d be happy to answer any questions and I’d ask for your ‘yes’ vote.”
"The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Parke, for what reason do you rise?”
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"He indicates he will.”
"Representative, let’s talk about why this is necessary. Let’s tell the Body why this was entered. And this is an initiative out of the Comptroller’s Office?”
"Yes, that’s correct, Representative. The Comptroller’s Office.”
"All right. Why are you going to do this? What… what are you trying to stop?”
"Rep… Representative, we believe that there are corporations that do business here in Illinois, that have contracts here in Illinois, and they compete against businesses in your district and my district, businesses in 09300100.doc 38 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day 2/25/2004 our district who pay taxes. And if… and if these people who are competing against our contractors are from… have set up tax havens in any number of places and in order to not pay federal or state taxes. So on the one the hand you have these… these multinational companies who are set up for the purposes of evading… or, legally evading state taxes and on the other hand you have corporations that may exist in your… your district or my district that pay the taxes as prescribed by law. This Bill says that those… those expatriates should not have an unfair advantage over your corporation or mine, an advantage that would be that they don’t have to pay taxes. So we’re just trying to level the playing field.”
"So, the only unfair advantage that you’re referring to is that within the law of Illinois and they’re doing… this is legal, they have the ability to figure out a way not to pay taxes by using State Law. So how do you… what are they doing wrong?”
"Representative, what we’re saying is that we think it’s a matter of principle that people and businesses who do business in the State of Illinois should pay taxes in the State of Illinois. And what we’re saying is that these businesses have found a loophole so that they don’t have to pay taxes, we think it’s fair that that loophole be closed.”
"Well, close the loophole. But this is a… this is a…”
"That… that’s what we’re proposing.” 09300100.doc 39 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day 2/25/2004
"Well, aren’t you just… I don’t know how you’re closing a loophole. All you’re saying is that…”
"Representative…”
"… that if they… that they’re not paying taxes the way you think they should… or the comptroller thinks they should, then they can’t do business in Illinois?”
"Representative, we feel that there should be a… that there should be a level playing field in the State of Illinois for those people who bid on contracts.”
"All right. A colleague asked for an example, I’d like that, too. Give me an example of somebody doing something. What do you… what do you see this solving? What problem?”
"Representative, you could have a corporation that’s… that’s actually set up in the United States or owned by people in the United States that has set up in some off… some island area that has no federal taxes, but then comes and tries to do business in our state and… and compete against businesses in our state that are paying taxes. So… so that’s what we’re trying to prohibit.”
"I’ll tell you what, Representative, I’ve not gonna… I’m not gonna vote against this but I just don’t understand. I don’t think this is the way you’re gonna solve the problem. I’ll tell you what, I’m very much concerned about this state losing jobs and financial resources overseas. And I don’t think anybody should not be paying their fair share of Illinois taxes, I’m very much opposed to that. I’m not sure this is the way to do it and I also have a problem with this as being a piecemeal approach. I would challenge 09300100.doc 40 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day 2/25/2004 the General Assembly to join with our business community and the Governor and the Comptroller to have a summit on trying to find ways to keep jobs in Illinois. I mean, that’s what we ought to be doing. We ought to be working with our business community and asking for their opinion, to help us close whatever loopholes there are. I mean, this is a piecemeal way of approaching it. I’m not sure what we’re solving with this. But if it keeps Illinois… keeps jobs here and gets some more corporations to pay taxes then we gotta change the tax law. And I’m… I’m not opposed to that either. So, conceptually, I’m on the same page you are but I’m not sure you’re solving a whole lot with this. And I would just rather the… the General Assembly, the Governor’s Office, and other interested parties join with our business community and find ways for retention and creation of new jobs in this state and make it a major priority of this Legislature. So, I’m for doing that, I just don’t know if this is gonna solve it. And I would rather have a full-fledged initiative to close whatever loopholes they are they we all agree upon. Thank you.”
"The Gentleman from Vermilion, Representative Black, for what reason do you rise?”
"Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"He indicates he will.”
"Representative, obviously, it would not be a difficult task to get a list of expatriate corporations. I assume 09300100.doc 41 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day 2/25/2004 that the Comptroller probably has that. It’s not on my system or in my file. How many corporations did they find that would meet the definition of an expatriate corporation currently doing business with the State of Illinois? It’s my understanding they only came up with one, is that correct?”
"Representative, the… the representative from the Comptroller’s Office said there’s about 2 dozen, so…”
"Okay. Do… do you have that list? I mean, would there be any names on there that we would, you know, would immediately have a high recognition factor?”
"Representative, apparently in the Library of Congress there’s a… there’s a list of… that you can get off the Internet… that there’s a list of these expatriate companies. And… and each one would, obviously, have to be tested against this, but apparently… against this proposal… but apparently the… the list shows that there are a number of those who do business in the State of Illinois. Do you want me to read the names, Representative?”
"I… I’d just be curious to see what names might be on the list.”
"There’s… there’s a company by the name of Excenture, Cooper Industries, Foster Wheeler, Ingersoll-Rand Construction, Seagate Technology, Veritas Software, Global Crossing, Tyco, Applied Power Systems, APW. Now, not all these…”
"Okay.”
"… do business in the State of Illinois.” 09300100.doc 42 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day 2/25/2004
"But they…”
“And frankly, some of them may not fit into the definition here.”
"And I… I think…”
"But this is sort of a general list.”
"At least two of the ones you named are in bankruptcy, Tyco and Global Crossings. On that list, Representative, are those companies that do business ‘in’ Illinois or do they do business ‘with’ Illinois? The reason I ask you, this Bill, I think, specifically states that you will not do business ‘with’ the State of Illinois. In other words, on a… on a contract… enter into a contract with the state. It does not… if… if I‘m reading this correctly, I may be on the list but I can still continue to do business ‘in’ Illinois, but I may be prohibited from having a contract ‘with’ the State of Illinois, correct?”
"That’s correct, Representative.”
"Okay. I… I think because of that distinction the… it’s my understanding that all of the major business groups are neutral on the Bill. And I think you and I, I’m sure, have the same concerns. Obviously, we want everybody to pay a reasonable and fair share. But at the second time, we don’t want to run an Ingersoll-Rand or anybody else out of the State of Illinois, certainly without all due consideration and due process. And as long as most of those companies don’t do business with the state, on a contractual basis, I don’t think this Bill would adversely impact them. It’s a very different world, Representative, 09300100.doc 43 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day 2/25/2004 than what you and I grew up in. A highly competitive, very complex business model. But I… I think since most of the business groups that I’m familiar with have not taken a position in opposition, I don’t consider this to be an antibusiness Bill. I do consider it a Bill that says if my brother decides to bid on a state contract, is incorporated in Illinois, pays all the applicable Illinois taxes, and someone who is incorporated in Bermuda who might escape some of the very taxes he has to pay and then might have a… a built-in bid advantage, my brother, who is a strong pro business and very conservative young man, would probably say, ‘hey, that’s not fair, if I have to go up against a company like that. That company doesn’t have the same overhead and same liabilities that I do to the Illinois Tax Code.’ So it’s for that reason that I intend to support your Bill. I… I think it does level the field on businesses doing business ‘with’ the State of Illinois and I don’t think it unduly punishes a… a business doing business ‘in’ the State of Illinois. So, I think it’s narrowly drafted and I can’t see of any particular reason to vote against the Bill. I, again, thank you very much for your effort.”
"Thank you.”
Speaker Turner: "The Gentleman from McHenry, Representative Franks, for what reason do you rise?”
"Thank you. Will the Sponsor yield, Mr. Speaker?”
"He indicates he will.” 09300100.doc 44 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day 2/25/2004
"Representative Hannig, could you give us a little background on where you got this Bill and how you brought it to our committee and to the House Floor?”
"Well, Representative, it’s an initiative of the Comptroller’s Office, who… who pays the bills for the State of Illinois. And I think it’s… it’s fair to say, as Representative Black so eloquently said, that when we have businesses in our district that pay their taxes, do the right thing, that they should not be at a… at an unfair disadvantage to some company from Bermuda who wants to come in and… and bid on… on State of Illinois contracts. So, it’s an effort to level the playing field and help our Illinois corporations who do the right thing and have an opportunity to bid on the contracts.”
"Thank you. And to the Bill. I’ve heard the previous speakers on this and I’m proud to be a Sponsor of this Bill because I think what we’re talking about here is a matter of equity. It’s a question of what’s fair to our taxpayers. And when you have companies that are taking advantage, whether… even though they’re legal, of these tax breaks, our honest taxpayers here are paying for the services that these companies get a benefit of. They get all the rights of our citizens and of our businesses that do business here with none of the responsibilities. And it doesn’t seem fair. And last year this Body passed landmark legislation, again, brought by Comptroller Hynes, dealing with the ENRON type of corporations. And we, as a Body, decided last year that the State of Illinois would not do 09300100.doc 45 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day 2/25/2004 business with those type of companies. And here we’re making a logical progression that we will not do business with companies that don’t respect the State of Illinois and don’t pay taxes in the State of Illinois. So, I’d encourage all of you to vote ‘yes’. We have an obligation to our taxpayers and to provide jobs here in Illinois. And this is one way to get it done.”
Speaker Turner: "The Gentleman from Peoria, Representative Leitch, for what reason do you rise?”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Gentleman yield?”
“He indicates he will.”
“Representative, how does this impact subsidiaries?”
“I’m advised, Representative, that it’s based on the… the ownership structure of the… of the parent company.”
“So, it’s strictly limited to the parent company?”
“Yeah, that way…”
“Because I think you’ll find there have been in recent times a series of energy-related subsidiaries that some of the large energy utility companies have had. Are they covered under this Bill? They may not in other words be incorporated offshore but they have subsidiaries that they have used for various corporate reasons, we may or may not agree with offshore. Is that… are those circumstances included under this Bill?”
“Representative, the Bill lays out an… ex… and expands what an expatriate corporation is. And it has to be a publicly-traded corporation. It has to be incorporated in a tax haven. The 10 percent of the gross income which is 09300100.doc 46 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day 2/25/2004 derived from activities in the tax haven, less than 10 percent. So, in other words, it’s not really there for a lot of business other… it’s only there to avoid taxes. Less than 10 percent of the employees are in the… in the tax haven. So, again it’s… that’s a test as to whether they’re really operating in that company or whether they’re just domiciled there in order to avoid taxes. Then you have certain… certain ownership interests that are described as well, that they have to meet. So, if you meet those criteria then this Bill would affect that corporation and they would… and if they fell into this category they would be prohibited form bidding on state contracts.”
“So, the… what you’re telling me is those subsidiaries, you don’t know if they’re included or not unless they make this strict criteria. I would suggest to you that is a huge loophole that is in this present Bill. We’ve seen it. Anyone who’s paid any attention to the financial press in recent days would understand that. And I would urge you to take the Bill out of the record and amend that for that reason. Second question I would have, recently we read in the Tribune a series on the Pritzker family who had incorporated all of their holdings at one point, amassed their fortune with offshore vehicles. Is this directed at the Pritzker empire?”
“Representative, this is not directed at any company at all. It just tries to set up a process and a procedure to see that those people who compete for state contracts are on the same footing as those people who pay their taxes…” 09300100.doc 47 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day 2/25/2004
“I understand that. But see, what I’m just suggesting is I think that the Bill really needs to include some of the offshore subsidiaries that are not clearly included in this Bill. Because what has been occurring within those offshore utility subsidiaries has been a great source of concern, problems and financial scandal in the case of Enron and others that should be evaluated before we would move on this Bill.”
“Is that a question, Representative?”
“Are you willing to amend the Bill?”
“Representative, as… as we go forward in the process, if people can bring me specific language that we can look at and see that it makes the Bill better we will certainly be willing to amend it.”
“Well, I would think you should hold the Bill until you’ve had an opportunity to explore that because quite literally some of the grossest abuses have been… within the subsidiaries. They haven’t been necessarily within the corporate ownership that may reside in the U.S. That is just a gaping hole I think that ought to be addressed with some specificity before a Bill of this significance should move forward.”
“Representative, again we think that it addresses your concerns. But if you can bring us language, I mean this is not the…”
“Mr. Speaker, I can’t hear the Gentleman.”
“Can we have some order? Proceed.” 09300100.doc 48 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day 2/25/2004
“Representative, we would be happy to look at your language or anyone’s language that believed that we could improve this Bill and amend it as we go through the process. But at this time, I’m prepared to try to move the Bill to the Senate today. So, if you have something, bring it to us. The process doesn’t end today.”
“Well, I had some language a few years ago on this but I couldn’t get it out of Rules. But the… I would strongly encourage you to do this Bill right before you move it. And I think that there are some unintended consequences and there are some consequences that we as a Body are not fully cognizant of and would urge some caution.”
“Representative, just… if you looked at page 15 of the Bill, Section (a) talks about, ‘Notwithstanding any provisions, any person formed or incorporated in a foreign tax haven may be a member of a unitary business group without regard to where its business activities are conducted.’ And I think that is trying to get to what the gist of what you’re trying to talk about, subsidiaries.”
“I couldn’t hear a word you said.”
“Please, can we turn down the volume in the chamber, please? They cannot hear each other.”
“I think, Representative, your concerns are covered on page 15.”
“I’ll… I’ll take a look. Thank you.”
“Are there any further questions? The Lady from Cook, Representative Mulligan, for what reason do you rise?” 09300100.doc 49 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day 2/25/2004
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?”
“He indicates he will.”
“Representative, did you ever give us an example of a corporation that’s actually doing business in Illinois that would fit this definition?”
“Yes, Representative, I read that list for Representative Black.”
“Was that… but that was the one that was off the Internet for the whole country but…”
“No, the ones that I read to Representative Black were companies that had at least in the past done business in the State of Illinois.”
“Okay. I didn’t get the beginning of it, Ingersoll-Rand, Tyco, Global, Foster Wheeler. Do… this would only be if they’re in a foreign country, not a business that is incorporated maybe in another state or has subsidiaries in another state?”
“That’s correct, Representative.”
“And it would only be if they’re paying some type of business or corporate taxes. If they have employees that pay taxes it’s not gonna count, they have to pay business taxes?”
“We’re… we’re trying to… we’re trying to find those people that incorporate oftentimes offshore in a shell corporation where they have really no business, but they only put their home office there in order to avoid paying any kind of taxes to the Federal or State Government. So, those are the kind of corporations we’re trying to identify 09300100.doc 50 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day 2/25/2004 and say that we don’t believe that they should compete with companies in your district and mine who pay their taxes.”
“Are any of these corporations currently doing business with the State of Illinois?”
“Representative, there… there are some that have had contracts from time to time with the State of Illinois.”
“Well, the State of Illinois doesn’t seem to have a great deal of compunction about outsourcing some of their business to other states or other places. But you seem to be pushing this Bill right now. And Representative Leitch had a good suggestion, if you’re gonna craft it we have all of this Session to craft the Bill and make it better. Why would you not want to do that?”
“Well, Representative, as I said to Representative Leitch, we had the hearing in the committee last week and we’ve had Second Reading. And certainly, we’re not gonna say that the… that the process stops today. But I… I think we’d like to continue moving the Bill forward. We know there’s gonna be a big traffic jam of Bills coming on the Calendar in the next week or so. I’d like to move this Bill to the Senate. And when people come forward with proposals that make sense as Amendments, we will adopt them. We’re, you know, but we would like to move forward today.”
“Okay, with all due respect, I can understand that to some extent. And it seems like the majority of the purpose behind this Bill is a good idea. But it also does coincide with Comptroller Hynes’ latest TV ad. So, it’s very 09300100.doc 51 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day 2/25/2004 interesting and this is a big issue. So, I mean, you know, I think he’s gotten the mileage off it. If you could craft the Bill a little better he could still use it and still make it a little bit better, you know, I mean. Obviously, that’s not gonna happen, correct?”
“No, Representative. We… if you have suggestions or anyone has suggestions that make sense we can add them. As we go through the process the Bill can be amended in Senate. We… we tried to work with folks to make it a good Bill here in the House. But as we know, it’s… that’s the purpose of the Senate is to help us make Bills better, too.”
“Okay, with all due respect to the Comptroller, I understand how these things work.”
Speaker Turner: “The Gentleman from Knox, Representative Moffitt, for what reason do you rise?”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise in strong support of this legislation. I want to commend the Sponsor for advancing it. I think we’re all concerned about what we’ve seen happen in Illinois and in the United States. We’re tired of seeing jobs leave both our state and the nation. And we should be concerned about that. But we should also be concerned about corporate profits going out of this country. And this legislation is intended to do that. This problem’s not a new one from the area where I come from. Certainly, we’ve… we’ve seen too many examples of jobs leaving this state and particularly in my area. So, it isn’t just in the last few months that this has become 09300100.doc 52 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day 2/25/2004 an issue to me. Certainly, this legislation is not all inclusive. It’s not the final answer, but the important thing is that it’s a first step. It makes a statement and says we will continue to address it. The Sponsor has indicated that he will listen to other ideas and put them on. I think we should all be concerned that we want to help the other Illinois and American corporations. This legislation would help level the playing field for them to have equal opportunity. That’s an important item, too. It will help keep Illinois tax dollars at least in the U.S. And that’s something I want to see. So, I commend the Sponsor for this legislation. Pleased to… to be a cosponsor with him. I think it’s the right effort, it’s the right statement. Maybe it needs some additions, but at least it’s the first step in the right direction. I urge all ‘yes’ votes. Thank you.”
“The Gentleman from Montgomery, Representative Hannig to close.”
“Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members of the House. Representative Black and Representative Moffitt have said it very well. This is good public policy. We need to make sure that those… that those businesses that exist in our district are not put at a disadvantage by large multinational corporations that exist offshore for the purposes of avoiding and evading income taxes here in Illinois. So, this is a step forward. We will close a business loophole. And I’d ask for your ‘yes’ vote.” 09300100.doc 53 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day 2/25/2004
“The question is, ‘Shall House Bill 49… 4194 pass?’ All those in favor should say ‘aye’; all those… 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 roll. On this question, there are 113 voting ‘aye’, 0 ‘noes’, 1 voting ‘present’. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Miller, for what reason do you rise?”
“Point of personal privilege.”
“State your point.”
“Ladies and Gentle… Gentlemen of the General Assembly, I’d like to… for everyone to look up and I’ve got the Songhai Learning Institute, 7th and 8th graders here to visit our Capitol and to learn what we do in the State of Illinois. Stand up.”
“Welcome to Springfield. On page 3 of the Calendar, we have Senate Bill 1611. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk. While we’re waiting the Gentleman… the Lady from Cook, Representative Soto, for what reason do you rise?”
“Thank you, Speaker. On 4194, House Bill 4194 my light wasn’t working. I would like to vote ‘yes’ on that Bill.”
“The record will so reflect that you wanted to vote ‘yes’ on 4194. Mr. Clerk, on Senate Bill 1611.”
"Senate Bill 1611, has been read a second time, previously. No Committee Amendments. Amend… Floor 09300100.doc 54 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day 2/25/2004 Amendment #1, offered by Representative Hannig, has been approved for consideration.”
“Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members of the House. The Amendment which was approved, I believe, on Attendance Roll Call in the Transportation Committee earlier this week simply changes the reporting date for this committee from the… the 1st of… it changes it by… it postpones it by six weeks. So, it gives the committee an extra six weeks to report. That’s all the Amendment does, I’d ask for its adoption.”
“The Gentleman from Vermilion, Representative Black.”
“Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. We heard this Bill yesterday in Transportation Committee. The underlying Bill is a shell Bill. The Amendment simply changes the time by which a report is to be submitted by the General Assembly. I believe this Bill cleared Transportation Committee on an Attendance Roll Call. There is no opposition that I’m aware of. I don’t think we need to debate it for 10 minutes. Vote ‘aye’.”
“The Gentleman asks leave that Floor Amendment #1 be adopted. All those in favor say ‘aye’; all those opposed say ‘no’. In the opinion of the Chair, the ‘ayes’ have it. And Amendment #1 is adopted. Further Amendments?”
"No further Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk.” 09300100.doc 55 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day 2/25/2004
"Senate Bill 1611, a Bill for an Act in relation to transportation. Third Reading of this Senate Bill.”
“The Gentleman from Montgomery, Representative Hannig.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Members of the House. The Amendment is the Bill. It just changes that reporting date. I’d ask for your ‘yes’ vote.”
“The Gentleman asks, ‘Shall Senate Bill 1611 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 roll. On this question, there are 113… 114 voting ‘aye’, 0 ‘noes’, 0 ‘presents’. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. We’d like to make an announcement for the Members’ knowledge. The R&R Committee will be delayed for a half hour. It will start at 2:30. The R&R Committee will be delayed for one half hour. Representative Reitz, the Gentleman from Randolph, for what reason do you rise?”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If you would, I’d like to make a Motion to Table House Bill 6986, 6986.”
“The Gentleman asks to table 6986. All those in favor say ‘aye’; all those opposed say ‘no’. In the opinion of the Chair, the ‘ayes’ it, and the Bill will be so tabled. The Chair is prepared to adjourn. Mr. Clerk.”
Clerk Mahoney: "The Rules Committee will meet immediately following Session.” 09300100.doc 56 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day 2/25/2004
Speaker Turner: “Allowing perfunctory time for the Clerk, Representative Hannig moves that the House stands adjourned ‘til Thursday, February 26, at the hour of 11:00 A.M. Thursday, February 26, at the hour of 11:00 A.M. All those in favor say ‘aye’; all those opposed say ‘no’. In the opinion of the Chair, the ‘ayes’ have it. And the House is adjourned ‘til tomorrow at 11:00 o’clock.”
"The House Perfunctory Session will now come to order. Introduction of House Bills. House Bill 7263, introduced by Representative Pritchard, an Act concerning flag displays. House Bill 7264, introduced by Representative Madigan, Representative Hannig and Representative Da… Monique Davis, an Act making appropriations. House Bill 7265, introduced by Representative Madigan, Representative Hannig and Representative Monique… Monique Davis, an Act concerning appropriations. House Bill 7266, introduced by Representative Madigan, Representative Hannig and Representative Monique Davis, an Act making appropriations. House Bill 7267, introduced by Representative Madigan, Representative Hannig and Representative Morrow, an Act making appropriations. House Bill 7268, introduced by Representative Madigan, Representative Hannig and Representative Morrow, an Act making appropriations. House Bill 7269, introduced by Speaker Madigan, Representative Hannig and Representative Morrow, an Act concerning appropriations. House Bill 7270, introduced by Representative Capparelli, Representative Lyons and John 09300100.doc 57 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day 2/25/2004 Bradley, an Act in relation to public employee benefits. The House Perfunctory Session will come to order. Committee Reports. Representative Franks, Chairperson from the Committee on State Government Administration, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on Wednesday, February 25, 2004, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' House Bill 4233, House Bill 4567, House Bill 4886, House Bill 5105; ‘do pass as amended Short Debate’ House Bill 4171, House Bill 5180; ‘do pass as amended Standard Debate’ House Bill 6574. Representative Osterman, Chairperson from the Committee on Local Government, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on Wednesday, February 25, 2004, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' House Bill 4099, House Bill 4370, House Bill 5017; ‘do pass as amended Short Debate’ House Bill 4840. Representative McKeon, Chairperson from the Committee on Labor, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on Wednesday, February 25, 2004, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass as amended Short Debate' House Bill 4428; ‘do pass Short Debate’ House Bill 4241. Representative Delgado, Chairperson from the Committee on Human Services, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on Wednesday, February 25, 2004, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' House Bill 3957, House Bill 4176, House Bill 4197, House Bill 09300100.doc 58 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 100th Legislative Day 2/25/2004 4894, House Bill 5889, House Bill 6849; ‘do pass as amended Short Debate’ House Bill 4818. Representative Giles, Chairperson from the Committee on Elementary & Secondary Education, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on Wednesday, February 25, 2004, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' House Bill 4154, House Bill 4944. Representative Fritchey, Chairperson from the Committee on Judiciary I - Civil Law, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on Wednesday, February 25, 2004, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' House Bill 3981, House Bill 4318, House Bill 4393, House Bill 4481, House Bill 4962, House Bill 6846; ‘do pass as amended Short Debate’ House Bill 6813. Representative Saviano, Chairperson from the Committee on Registration and Regulation, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on Wednesday, February 25, 2004, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: ‘do pass Short Debate’ House Bill 5892; 'do pass as amended Short Debate' House Bill 4218. There being no further business, the House Perfunctory Session will stand adjourned.” 09300100.doc 59