“The House Perfunctory Session will now come to order. Reading of House Resolutions. House Resolution 801, offered by Representative Burke. House Resolution 814, offered by Representative Madigan. Introduction and First Reading of House Bills. House Bill 7291, offered by Representative Mitchell, a Bill for an Act concerning criminal law. House Bill 7292, offered by Representative Black, a Bill for an Act concerning special districts.”
“The hour of 1:00 having came and went, the House shall be called to order. We shall be led today in prayer by Pastor Dave Finley with the Grace Family Church in Effingham, Illinois. Pastor Finley is the guest of Representative Grunloh. Members and guests are asked to refrain from starting their laptops, turn off all cell phones and pagers and rise for the invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance. Pastor Dave Finley.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker, General Assembly. It’s an honor to be here. Let us pray. Gracious Heavenly Father, thank You for this great country You’ve given us. In God we trust. Thank You for the State of Illinois, which so many great leaders have come from and we have in our presence today. You said in Your word that the leaders of a country were in Your hands. We know that it is from Your wisdom and revelation, so we humbly ask that the wisdom of Solomon be granted to these men and women that You have called to lead the State of Illinois, that the eyes of their understanding be enlightened so that they might know Your truth, that they will not be deceived 09300116.doc 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 4/20/2004 because You will not be mocked, that they will know whatever they sow they shall also reap. Father, You prophesied in the year of 2005 was a year of judgment, that You were going to judge all the leaders of the church and all the leaders of the government. Heavenly Father, we ask that You forgive us and correct us where we have been in error. Grant us sweet sleep at night, that we may be rested for each new day and difficult decisions that have to be made. Father, that we can know whatever decisions were made, that we were guided by Your infinite wisdom. Watch over and protect these leaders and their families, that no harm will befall them, no disaster will come near their dwelling, that they will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness or any plague that destroys at noon. Thank You for these men and women that give of themselves. You said in Your living word, that whatever we ask You in Jesus’ name, You would give it to us. So, gracious Father, we ask all these things and believe we receive them in Jesus’ name. Amen.”
Speaker Turner: “We will be led in the pledge today by Representative Churchill.” Churchill – 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.” 09300116.doc 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 4/20/2004
“Roll Call for Attendance. The Gentleman from Jackson, Representative Bost. For what reason do you rise?”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Let the record reflect that a… there are no excused absences on the Republican side of the aisle.”
“The Lady from Cook, Representative Currie. For what reason do you rise?”
“Thank you, Speaker. Please let the record show that Representative Washington is excused today.”
“The Gentleman from Vermilion, Representative Black. For what reason do you rise?”
“Yes, thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. A point of personal privilege, if I might.”
“Might I take the attendance? Mr. Clerk, there are 112 Members present. A quorum being present, we’ll take the roll. The Gentleman from Vermilion, Representative Black. For what reason do you rise?”
“Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. A point of personal privilege.”
“State your point.”
“Ladies and Gentlemen of the House, I hope you will join me. While we were gone for 2 weeks there were momentous birthdays that occurred that we missed. If you’ll look up on the Speaker’s platform, Speaker Madigan had a birthday. We chipped in on the Republican side of the aisle and bought him a cake. And Representative Daniels had a birthday and he got exactly the same kind of cake. Let me 09300116.doc 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 4/20/2004 explain, we wanted to get a very large cake so that they could both be honored and they could both have all of the candles representing their many years of dedicated service on the same cake. However, the Governor raised the fee on open burning permits and we couldn’t afford the candles, then we found out that we couldn’t even get a big cake because the fee has been raised on big birthday cakes. So, as long as the… as long as the two muffins, as far as they’ll go, you’re more than welcome to share in the birthday muffin of Speaker Madigan and Representative Daniels. And we wish both of them a very happy birthday.”
Speaker Turner: “Happy birthday to both Gentlemen. The Gentleman from Macon, Representative Flider. For what reason do you rise?”
“Mr. Speaker, point of personal privilege.”
“State your point.”
“Yes, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House, I’d like you to… I’d like to let you know that in the gallery here joining us today are some people who are working very hard on keeping kids in school, keeping them from dropping out and working with their parents for a brighter future. People from the Project Success Program in Decatur and they’re standing right behind me. If you would stand. We have Jane Shade, Lynda Rowden, and Susan Rayhill. Please welcome them. Thank you.”
“Welcome to Springfield. Mr. Clerk, Rules Report.” 09300116.doc 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 4/20/2004
Clerk Mahoney: “Representative Barbara Flynn Currie, Chairperson from the Committee on Rules, to which the following legislative measure/s and/or joint action Motions was/were referred, action taken on Tuesday, April 20, 2004, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: ‘approved for floor consideration’ House Bill 3088, offered by Representative McCarthy, House Bill 5385, offered by Representative Madigan, House Bill 5856 offered by Representative Madigan, House Resolution 715, offered by Representative Fritchey, House Resolution 801, offered by Representative Burke, House Resolution 814, offered by Representative Madigan, House… Senate Bill 1271, Amendment #2, offered by Representative Hannig.”
Speaker Turner: “The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Molaro. For what reason do you rise?”
“Mr… Thank you, Mr. Speaker. For purposes of announcement.”
“State your purpose.”
“Just so every Member here and those who are listening, the regular meeting of the Revenue Committee, which was scheduled Thursday, is being canceled. However, at 10:00 in Room 115 there will be a subject matter hearing on Senate Bill 2112 which deals with the expansion of… exemptions for seniors and their property taxes. Subject matter only. 10:00, Thursday.”
“Thank you for the announcement. The Lady from Cook, Representative Currie. For what reason do you rise?” 09300116.doc 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 4/20/2004
“Thank you, Speaker and Members of the House. This is just a reminder that the new committee on the Fee-For- Service Initiative in the mental health and developmental disability arena will meet tomorrow morning at 8:30 a.m. in Room 114 in the Capitol. All of you, whether or not members of the committee, are more than welcome to join us. This is a major initiative of the Department of Human Services. And I would hope that a lot of you would welcome the opportunity to find out more about how the plan is to be implemented. 8:30 a.m. tomorrow morning, Room 114 in the Capitol.”
“The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Lang. For what reason do you rise?”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. For purposes of an announcement.”
“State your purpose.”
“Thank you. Ladies and Gentlemen, tomorrow at 11:00 at the Old State Capitol is the annual Holocaust memorial commemoration. This is a wonderful event, a sad one, but a wonderful event that helps us remember the… the horrors of World War II. This is certainly not just for Jewish Members of the House and Senate and for the community, it’s for all of us. And so, those of you that can attend, 11:00 at the Old State Capitol. We would appreciate your attendance.”
“The Lady from Cook, Representative Krause. For what reason do you rise?”
“Mr… Mr. Speaker, on a point of personal privilege.” 09300116.doc 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 4/20/2004
“State your point.”
“I would ask if the Assembly could just give me their attention for a moment to honor the service of Lance Corporal Phillip Frank of Elk Grove Village who died on April 8, 2004 in Iraq from hostile fire. Officer Frank’s division was involved in fighting with Iraqi insurgents west of Bag… Baghdad. Frank’s 2nd Battalion 1st Marine Division had been surrounding Fallujah, a city in revolt. According to his family, Phillip was a proud Marine who loved his country. During the service at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Arlington Heights, it was stated that Phillip Frank cared about his fellow man, that is why he became a Marine. Officer Frank, who was three months shy of his 21st birthday, is survived by his wife Keri Frank, his parents Georgette and Roy Frank, and his sister Cindy Frank. I wish to convey our heartfelt gratitude for the courage and dedication of Lance Corporal Phillip Frank in service to his community and nation. And I would ask for a moment of silence. Thank you.”
“Mr. Clerk, committee announcements.”
Clerk Mahoney: “The Appropriation Elementary & Secondary Education Committee will meet this afternoon at 2 p.m. in Room 118. Housing & Urban Development Committee will meet at 2 p.m. in Room D-1 in the Stratton Building. Insurance Committee will meet at 2 p.m. in Room 122-B. The Transportation & Motor Vehicle Committee will meet at 2 p.m. in Room 114. Agriculture & Conservation Committee will meet in D-1 at 1… at 3 p.m. Consumer Protection 09300116.doc 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 4/20/2004 Committee will meet at 3 p.m. in Room C-1. Financial Institutions Committee will meet at 3 p.m. in Room 118. And Health Care Availability & Accessibility Committee will meet at 3 p.m. in Room 114.”
Speaker Turner: “Seeing no further announcements, Representative Currie moves that the House does stand adjourned until tomorrow, Wednesday, April 21, at the hour of 12:30 p.m. And allowing perfunctory time for the Clerk, the House now stands adjourned ‘til Wednesday, April 21, 12:30 p.m., allowing perfunctory time for the Clerk.”
“The House Perfunctory Session will now come to order. First Reading of Senate Bills. Senate Bill 2701, offered by Representative Acevedo, a Bill for an Act in relation to public employee benefits. Senate Bill 3188, offered by Representative Hannig, a Bill for an Act in relation to executive agencies. Senate Bill 3191, offered by Representative Hannig, a Bill for an Act in relation to executive agencies. First Reading of House Bills. House Bill 7293, offered by Representative Wait… House Bill 7293, offered by Representative Wait, a Bill for an Act authorizing the Boone County Conservation District to convey land, effective immediately. There being no further business, the House Perfunctory Session now stands adjourned.” 09300116.doc 8