“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 laptop computers, cell phones and pagers. And we ask our guests in the gallery to rise and join us for the invocation. Now to the Members, you recall how happy you were yesterday because of the brevity of the invocation. So, as religions go, today we’ll have two invocations. So, if you feel that you’ve been a sinner here’s your opportunity. First, we shall be led in prayer by Pastor Kirk Packer of the Sesser Christian Church in Sesser, Illinois. Pastor Packer is the guest of Representative John Bradley. Then we shall be led in prayer by Bishop William Persell of the Episc… Episcopal Diocese of Chicago. Bishop Persell is the guest of Representative Joe Lyons. So, first, Pastor Packer.”
“Bow with me, please. Our Father, we bow to give You honor. Father, we ask that You would grant wisdom this day upon each one that is represented here and just upon all of the people of this state that are represented. Father, we pray that You would just guide each one into wisdom that we can truly bring honor to You. We thank You for Your loving kindness and Your mercy that is upon us. Father, we just pray that You would continue to lead us towards truth, Father. We… we just thank You for the prosperity that we enjoy, but Father, above that we pray that we might move towards truth above anything else. We pray, Lord, that You would just convict our hearts when we move away from You and become focused on ourselves and not 09300121.doc 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 121st Legislative Day 4/29/2004 others. Lord, we just pray You place within each one of us hearts to serve You and to serve one another. Father, we thank You for life that comes through Your son, Jesus Christ, and it’s in his name we pray.”
“I’ll just continue in prayer. God, You’ve created the universe, the earth and every living creature and called them good. You created us in Your image and entrusted us with responsibility to be cocreators, justice makers and caregivers for this good earth and for one another. Kindle our spirits. Challenge our complacency, soften our hearts, awaken hope and guide and encourage our actions for a better world for the human family and for every living thing. Especially, we pray for the people of Illinois, for all elected officials, for all employees of state and local governments. For those who serve in the armed forces of our nation and for their families who are anxious for their safe return. For all who work to improve their communities and for all who need the help of others. May the work of this Legislature bring greater justice, opportunity and hope to all the people of our state and always be done to Your honor and glory. Amen.”
“We shall be led in the Pledge of Allegiance by Representative Hoffman.” Hoffman – 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.” 09300121.doc 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 121st Legislative Day 4/29/2004
Speaker Madigan: “Roll Call for Attendance. Representative Currie.”
“…er, please let the record show that there are no excused absences to report among House…”
“Mr. Bost. Mr. Bost.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Let the record reflect that Representative Black and Representative Pihos are excused today.”
“Mr. Bost, did you really say that Mr. Black is not here today?”
“Yes. I know it’s unfortunate. But yes, that is true he is not here today.”
“Did you wish to move to adjourn?”
“Wel… I would love to if you think that would be in order Mr. Speaker.”
“Or should we try to do as much business as possible without him?”
“Obviously, it’s your choice.”
“The Clerk shall take the record. There being 116 members responding to the Attendance Roll Call, there is a quorum present. Mr. Rose.”
“Thank you Mr. Speaker, Members. I just wanted to thank you for… the folks who have asked me in the last 24 hours. As many of you know, Eastern Illinois University had a… a rather massive fire that has destroyed one campus building in its entirety last night. Thankfully, no one was hurt. Anyone who has constituents with a children attending Eastern Illinois University, I’d be happy to talk to you. 09300121.doc 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 121st Legislative Day 4/29/2004 There are temporary classroom spaces available. There is a 1-800… there’s a call-in line for students that is available and if anyone that has questions from parents about the fire last night at Eastern Illinois University, I would be happy to a talk with you about that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.”
“Mr. Clerk.”
“Committee Reports. Representative Bradley, Chairperson from the Committee on Personnel & Pensions, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on Thursday, April 29, 2004, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass as amended Short Debate' Senate Bill 3200. Representative McCarthy, Chairperson from the Committee on Higher Education, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on Wednesday, April 28, 2004, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' Senate Bill 2755 and Senate Bill 3107; ‘recommends be adopted’ a Motion to Concur with Senate Amendment #1 to House Bill 3088. Representative McGuire, Chairperson from the Committee on Aging, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on Thursday, April 29, 2004, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' Senate Bill 2768. Representative Daniels, Chairperson from the Committee on Developmental Disabilities & Mental Illness, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on Thursday, April 29, 2004, reported the same back with the 09300121.doc 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 121st Legislative Day 4/29/2004 following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' Senate Bill 3174. Representative McKeon, Chairperson from the Committee on Labor, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on Wednesday, April 28, 2004, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' Senate Bill 2665; 'do pass as amended Short Debate' Senate Bill 2547. Representative Fritchey, Chairperson from the Committee on Judiciary I-Civil Law, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on Wednesday, April 28, 2004, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' Senate Bill 2630, Senate Bill 2690 and Senate Bill 2946; 'do pass as amended Short Debate' Senate Bill 2757, Senate Bill 2878 and Senate Bill 3186. Representative Delgado, Chairperson from the Committee on Human Services, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on Wednesday, April 28, 2004, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' Senate Bill 2448, Senate Bill 2788, Senate Bill 2847, Senate Bill 2900 and Senate Bill 2944; 'do pass as amended Short Debate' Senate Bill 2367, Senate Bill 3013. Representative Scully, Chairperson from the Committee on Commerce & Business Development, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on Wednesday, April 28, 2004, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' Senate Bill 2375. Representative Holbrook, Chairperson from the Committee on Environment & 09300121.doc 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 121st Legislative Day 4/29/2004 Energy, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on Wednesday, April 28, 2004, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' Senate Bill 2370; 'do pass as amended Short Debate' Senate Bill 2145. Representative Giles, Chairperson from the Committee on Elementary & Secondary Education, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on Wednesday, April 28, 2004, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' Senate Bill 2360, Senate Bill 2362, Senate Bill 2918, Senate Bill 3091 and Senate Bill 3109; 'do pass as amended Short Debate' Senate Bill 2940. Representative Delgado, Chairperson from the Committee on Judiciary II-Criminal Law, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on Thursday, April 29, 2004, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' Senate Bill 2201, Senate Bill 2386, Senate Bill 2578, Senate Bill 3014 and Senate Bill 3166; 'do pass as amended Short Debate' Senate Bill 2495 and Senate Bill 2654; ‘recommends be adopted’ Floor Amendment #1 to House Bill 5417 and Floor Amendment #1 to House Bill 5870. Representative Molaro, Chairperson from the Committee on Revenue, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on Thursday, April 29, 2004, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' Senate Bill 2140; 'do pass as amended Short Debate' Senate Bill 2112, Senate Bill 2158, Senate Bill 2411 and Senate Bill 2635; 09300121.doc 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 121st Legislative Day 4/29/2004 ‘recommends be adopted’ Floor Amendment #1 to House Bill 6034. Representative Burke, Chairperson from the Committee on Executive, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on Wednesday, April 28, 2004, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' Senate Bill 2106, Senate Bill 2166, Senate Bill 2196, Senate Bill 2577 and Senate Bill 2839. Agreed list #1 which includes the following: Senate Bill 2205, Senate Bill 2206, Senate Bill 2207, Senate Bill 2208, Senate Bill 2209, Senate Bill 2210, Senate Bill 2211, Senate Bill 2212, Senate Bill 2213, Senate Bill 2214, Senate Bill 2215, Senate Bill 2216, Senate Bill 2217, Senate Bill 2218, Senate Bill 2219, Senate Bill 2220, Senate Bill 2221, Senate Bill 2222, Senate Bill 2223, Senate Bill 2224, Senate Bill 2225, Senate Bill 2226, Senate Bill 2231, Senate Bill 2232, Senate Bill 2233, Senate Bill 2234, Senate Bill 2235, Senate Bill 2239, Senate Bill 2240, Senate Bill 2241, Senate Bill 2242, Senate Bill 2244, Senate Bill 2245, Senate Bill 2246, Senate Bill 2248, Senate Bill 2255, Senate Bill 2256, Senate Bill 2257, Senate Bill 2258, Senate Bill 2259, Senate Bill 2260, Senate Bill 2261, Senate Bill 2262, Senate Bill 2263, Senate Bill 2264, Senate Bill 3192, Senate Bill 3193, Senate Bill 3194, Senate Bill 3195, Senate Bill 3196, Senate Bill 3197, Senate Bill 3198, Senate Bill 3199, Senate Bill 3201, Senate Bill 3202, Senate Bill 3203 and Senate Bill 3204; ‘do pass as amended Short Debate’ Senate Bill 2290.” 09300121.doc 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 121st Legislative Day 4/29/2004
“Representative Feigenholtz.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to a make an announcement. Today is my seatmate Robin Kelly’s birthday. Tomorrow… tomorrow, we won’t be here to celebrate with her, but I would like to invite everybody to partake in the celebration. There is some cake at the front of the changer… chamber. Thank you.”
“Mr. Bost.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Point of personal privilege.”
“State your point.”
“Just want to let all the Members know that today is… Shape Up Illinois Physical Education sponsored by Illinois Association of… for Health, Physical Education, recreation and Dance, American Heart Association, Illinois Department of Public Health and Actions for Healthy Kids and it’s going on down in our hallways downstairs until about 1 or 2:00 if you go down and see some of the events that are going on.”
“Mr. Acevedo.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise in a point of personal privilege. I’d like to take this time to introduce a New York… assemblyman, Felix Ortiz. He is here to visit today to Legislators to discuss issues affecting the Latino community in Illinois and throughout the nation. Assemblyman Ortiz is the president elect of the national Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators and I’d like everybody to welcome him here to Springfield.”
“Mr. Franks.” 09300121.doc 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 121st Legislative Day 4/29/2004
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise on a point of personal privilege. We just have been asked by the Members who accompanied Representative Granberg last night to thank him for a wonderful evening at St. Louis Cardinals game. And I hold a ball that came into our section and we need to give special recognition to Representative Ken Dunkin who selflessly and courageously, as this sphere was entering our area, curled up into the fetal position to avoid being struck and we were able to receive the ball. So, thank you, Representative Dunkin.”
“On page 17 of the Calendar, on the Order of Concurrence, there appears House Bill 3088. Mr. McCarthy.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I really appreciate you calling this Bill on the Order of Concurrence today. However, in the committee testimony we did make a commitment to hold the Bill for the week of May the 4th. So, I would greatly appreciate you a making sure that it is called early on the a morning of May the 4th. Thank you.”
“… Mr. McCarthy, you understand that this Bill has been pending since February of 2003?”
“I’m never one to do anything, ya know, in a hurry where we may be back in… regret our actions. So, I think we should just hold off until May the 4th. I’ll be here with you early morning and we can call the Bill at that time.”
“Mr. Granberg in the Chair.”
“Mr. Clerk, House Bill 6424. Okay. On page 9 of the Calendar, House Bills-Third Reading.” 09300121.doc 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 121st Legislative Day 4/29/2004
“House Bill 6424…”
“Mr. Biggins, do you wish to move this Bill back to the Order of Second Reading for purposes of an Amendment?”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I believe the Amendment has been adopted, but maybe could you check that, Mr. Speaker, for me?”
“Mr. Clerk, has an Amendment been adopted to House Bill 6424?”
“House Bill 6424, Floor Amendment #1 has been approved for consideration, but not adopted.”
“Oh. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would move its adoption and request that.”
“… Mr. Clerk… Mr. Biggins, they are checking the record. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill. Mr. Biggins, that… Mr. Biggins, the Amendment has been adopted. You were correct.”
“House Bill 6424, a Bill for an Act in relation to criminal law. Third Reading of this House Bill.”
“Representative Biggins.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. House Bill 6424 permits the use of unclaimed bail bonds deposit dollars after a period of five years, waiting that long, to make sure they’re still unclaimed and after due diligence to locate the owner. The legislation has been proposed and supported by, among others, the Illinois Association of Court Clerks. I’d be happy to answer any questions any Members may have.” 09300121.doc 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 121st Legislative Day 4/29/2004
“The Gentleman moves for the passage of the Bill. On that, the Gentleman from McHenry, Representative Franks.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?”
“He indicates he will.”
“Representative, I’m reading our analysis and it indicates that currently the law is silent as to what a county can do with unclaimed money after a five-year period. Is this designed to… to take care of that problem?”
“Yes, it is. It’s designed to suggest that if… something for them to do with the money.”
“How do people know if there’s unclaimed property? Do they have to list it in the newpaper or on the Internet? Or is there some list at the… at the county court house?”
“There’s a provision for listing of unclaimed property Via the rules established. Could be in the newspaper in an area for public availability.”
“And it’s done… is it done on a yearly basis?”
“Yes, it is.”
“Well, my question is this then, because as I’m reading the analysis it indicates that this Bill applies to all bail deposits made before, on or after the effective date of this Bill. Do you know how much has been put before? Because you’re making this Bill retroactive. And I’m wondering about people who might have had their bond money sitting there, not known enough… and these are people who have actually shown up to court, correct?” 09300121.doc 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 121st Legislative Day 4/29/2004
“That’s correct.”
“They have not jumped their bail. They just never picked up there bond.”
“Right.”
“So, how much money is sitting there that we’re looking to get retroactively to these folks and have we done everything we can to reach out to them to give ’em back their money?”
“Yeah, thank you, Representative Franks. Actually, that money will be determined by what their burden of… within each county. So, there’s no one figure that exists statewide. It would be up to each individual… each individual’s county does have a figure.”
“Don’t ya think it would be fairer though to go from this point forward. I think it’s… it’s pretty tough and we’ve never had… I don’t remember seeing retroactive Bills in this chamber. This is a rarity and I’m just wondering why we’re looking at this retroactively instead of proactively?”
“Well, we’re trying to get… Thank you for your question. We’re trying to get money back in the circulation for the benefit of the people rather than have it be tied up with the bureaucracy, in this case, of the courts.”
“But, it wouldn’t be going back to the people. Wouldn’t the money be forfeited to the county?”
“That’s correct, it goes back to the county. Well, presumably the county would use it for the people that they 09300121.doc 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 121st Legislative Day 4/29/2004 serve, but it goes back into the county fund. You are correct.”
“How… But we don’t have a clue of how much money we’re talking about here. I’m just… I just don’t want to see somebody get ripped off here by the government. That’s… that’s my concern. Because these are people who showed up to court, didn’t run out on their bail, probably didn’t know enough to ask for the bail to be returned and now I’ve got a problem because it’s just gonna escheat to the state right now. I mean there might be stuff… there… for all I know, there’s millions of dollars sitting out there that’s more than five years old that’s gonna go to the state instead of the right people.”
“Well, if you wanna est… limit that… widdle that down to one question you wanna ask or do you wanna just make segments or what… what would you like me to respond to?”
“I’m not… I’m not sure… I’m not sure you’ve got the answer because we said… before you weren’t sure how much money, correct?”
“No. The… the amount of money’s not determined. It’s determined, but it’s not in my… my… my possession to know.”
“Well, now I’m gonna go to the…”
“These are… these are… it takes several years for them to be accumulated and to be unclaimed. So, it’s not like people have been… we’re gonna wake up tomorrow and go ‘by golly I think that money I lost last week or left last week or didn’t claim is there. I think I’ll go look for it.’ 09300121.doc 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 121st Legislative Day 4/29/2004 This is several years. So, there’s a good chance that these monies will not be getting’ claimed again.”
“Would you be willing to amend this to have this proactive instead of retroactive? And the reason why I ask is because many times people can’t afford to post their own bail and as a result they’ll go to family members or they’ll mortgage a home or they’ll take out loans to do this and it might not be in their name, it might be in a fam… another person’s name who’s taking out these loans and they might not know enough to get the money back for themselves. Would you be willing to amend this or in the Senate work on it to make it proactive instead of retroactive?”
“Ya know, I’d rather not do that, Representative, because I think that several years time is enough time and let’s put the money to use. We can sit around and wait for… to come by and put the money in and after letting it sit for a long time and do something with it. I think we’re better off over… after a several year lag period with plenty of notification and availability the money’s to have been claimed, so this is a good time to start using them. I think that in the shortage of finances that we see our government’s facing today, at all levels, this is the best way to do it is to go ahead and use the money that we know… It’s pretty safe that these are available funds.”
“Okay. Thank you. To the Bill. We understand the financial pressures that the state is under, but we also have an obligation to be fair to whose… the people whose 09300121.doc 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 121st Legislative Day 4/29/2004 money this is. And I understand what you want to do and I’ve got no problem with the Bill that goes proactive, but for… to retroactively reach back to money and I think the reason was probably included to have it retroactive because there must be a significant amount of money there that people are trying to get. I’ve got a philosophical problem with this and I’d like to hear some more debate.”
Speaker Granberg: “The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Morrow or from Philadelphia, Representative Morrow.”
“Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. And the Phillies beat the Cardinals yesterday. Will the Gentleman yield?”
“He indicates he will. Proceed, Sir.”
“Representative Biggins, what if the bail is put up by a family member and you say that, a I believe, when you were… when I was listening to the debate, you said that the bail would go to the person that was charged or… or the name of the person that… that was being bonded or bailed out. What if a family member put up their home or some other type of… collateral in order to bail out a relative? Would they also be listed so that they could be notified of any unclaimed bail or… or bond?”
“Representative, this money’s been sitting for eight years and no one’s made a move then to put it to use. This is an attempt to put it to use. We can conger up all sorts of situations and what… the what ifs what ifs… or we can go ahead and deal with the issues… the assets that are at hand that can be utilized for the public benefit or we can continue to talk about ‘em or wonder if Aunt Alice is gonna 09300121.doc 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 121st Legislative Day 4/29/2004 come down next week and ask for her money. But, she had eight years to come ask for it so…”
“But, I’m saying what if a family member put it up and they… and they for some reason did not claim it themselves or… or is it listed just under the person who was bonded out or is it listed as… or is the name of the person who actually paid the bond listed?”
“Ya know, I would hope that the family member whose money may be in this collection would have, after eight years of time, have had an opportunity or found a way to go find out that they can claim that money.”
“Well, I would… I would like to get an answer to that be… before I actually vote on this Bill.”
“Yeah, well, I don’t think there is an answer to it specifically because it’s… right now we know it’s eight… been laying for eight years and to… if we… to put it to good use instead of no use seems to me it makes more sense to put it back to the public benefit.”
“Well… Mr. Speaker, I would like to address the Bill.”
“Proceed, Sir.”
“This Bill seems to be well… well carefully thought out and well carefully crafted, but I’m concerned that if a family member put up their home or… or some cash bond or some other collateral to bail out a relative and maybe that relative became sick or maybe the relative who… who put up the bond dies. One of their heirs should at least be notified that there’s some unclaimed property sitting in the… in the… sitting there for them to claim. I’m gonna 09300121.doc 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 121st Legislative Day 4/29/2004 have to reluctantly rise and ask for the Members to vote ‘no’ on House Bill 6424.”
Speaker Granberg: “Thank you. The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Dunkin.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?”
“He indicates he will, Sir.”
“To the… a quick question. I actually put up bail bond money for one of my siblings years ago and now that I think of it, maybe I need to get up and claim… claim my money. It was about five hundred… seven fifty, I believe. What actually happens today to the monies that is just, I guess, sitting either in form of checks or cash, cashier checks, money order in the county? Can you explain that to me, Representative? I… I’m… woefully confused.”
“Well, basically, the funds that have been sitting idle per the law for a period of eight years. And like… they won’t… they can sit there forever and not be put to use or this Bill gives an opportunity for them to put back into use and do it in a manner that the public has access to finding out about. So, it’s either that or the monies continue to sit idle and have no way of being used by anybody else except to just sit there. This is a method of getting ‘em back into circulation. Assets that have not been claimed, that have no indication that anybody’s abandoned them individually. These are just funds that are available to the public or they can just sit there. I think it’s better to put them at work.” 09300121.doc 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 121st Legislative Day 4/29/2004
“Okay. Is there an estimate of the 52 counties in the State of Illinois of how much money is actually sitting in the county coffers of bond bail money?”
“Ya know, I don’t have a… I don’t have a grand total on it. I mean, some could be in the millions, I’m sure, in some of the counties. I don’t know for sure how much. But, right now they’re sitting there and they’re not doing anything whether it’s 1 million, 0 million or 100 million. This Bill allows them to be put back into the circulation for the benefit of… hopefully, the benefit of the public.”
“Sure. Is there a particular county that has a special interest in seeing that this Bill passes?”
“Ya know, the Association of Court Clerks of the State of Illinois have endorsed the Bill.”
“Sure.”
“I don’t know that any one particular county wishes they had more. Maybe some counties have a preference of the amount of funds in their fund to make ‘em available. I don’t know that though.”
“Okay. According to my analysis, I understand… I believe, it’s DuPage County that they’re really pushing for this. Are you aware of that?”
“Well, yeah, the DuPage County court clerk has suggested the Bill to the Gen… to the General Assembly. So, they’re one of the 102 counties and they would have an interest in the…
“Sure.” 09300121.doc 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 121st Legislative Day 4/29/2004
“…funds being released and put to the public benefit. As would, of course, the Cook County governments would be able to access the funds too.”
“Sure. Well if the… if DuPage County is pushing it and… and ya know, it’s… on the face of it, ya know, it seems like it’s a pretty impressive Bill. I hear ya loud and clear especially within these economic times. Is there a way that, for now… because, again, it sounds like a good idea. Is there… is there a way now that you can tailor to DuPage County?”
“I’m sorry, Representative, I missed the word before county. I couldn’t hear… I know DuPage you said but…”
“Okay.”
“I’m having a little problem because there’s somebody blocking… I’d like to lip read, but somebody’s lips are in the way for me to see yours right now.”
“Mr.Chair, it’s kinda loud in here. Representative is there a way that, given that there’s prob… it seems as if… there’s probably, some tweaking that needs to go on with this. Is there a way that maybe you can tailor this specifically for DuPage County since they’re pushing it?”
“No…”
“Because there are a number of issues. I think, one of these Representative Morrow raised the point about. I know personally of individuals who have put up their houses, their valuable assets to bond this… their kids or their relatives out of… out of the system and ya know, we just need to be very, very careful. I mean Cook County is very 09300121.doc 19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 121st Legislative Day 4/29/2004 complicated. Ya know, one of the second largest counties in the country. And this is a very very unique Bill here. So, I think, ya know, the language probably needs to be tweaked and clarified because you don’t want to put families or individuals at an undo advantage especially if they are not aware of how to process how to go through the process, of accessing their bail money. As I pointed out, I have about $750 that I have yet to access and this has been over… at least four years ago. And if we could somehow maybe take a pause on this until we work out some more of the kinks so that it will have a… a direct impact on low-income individuals in particular who, again, have put up a great deal of their valuable assets in the system to help rege… release one of their kids or relatives. As I said, I know that’s pretty common in some… in a number of neighborhoods, certainly in the City of Chicago. So, I would ask again if you can… and I would love to work with you on trying to get a more a less negative impactful Bill on individuals who again are not as asstute as a number of us are in terms of accessing their bail bonds money and/or their assets. I mean, it seems… again, I say, I think it’s a good Bill. I just think that we need to close certain gaps in there. There’s still some… some… some level of trepidation on the part of low-income people who are not as informed as a number of us are, Representative. Thank you.”
“Thank you.” 09300121.doc 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 121st Legislative Day 4/29/2004
“The Gentleman from Effingham, Representative Grunloh.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to yield my time to Represen…”
“Okay.”
“Representative Franks.”
“Proceed, Representative Franks.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To the Bill. After having a chance to look at this, I now realize that I stand in opposition for two reasons, after hearing the… the further questions. The first reason that I think we should vote against this Bill is, number one, it’s a procedural matter. This Bill seeks to change the way that people are notified of the money that’s outstanding. Right now it’s required that it be in the newspaper. This will add an extra level by saying it’s on the Internet which I think is wonderful. And we should give as many ideas as possible for people to be able to reclaim their money. But, the fault also lies therein because this is retroactive. So, for those people who have not claimed their property in the last five years they will not get benefit of that Internet notice. And I think they would be procedurally deprived of due process in not being able to get their money. The second reason we should vote against this Bill is this. Right now there is a way to get your money back if you are an individual who has not claimed it. Our Treasurer, Judy Barr Topinka, does an excellent job with the Cash DASH. If there’s money owed to individuals it goes to the Treasurer and the Treasurer 09300121.doc 21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 121st Legislative Day 4/29/2004 does everything she can to get that money back to the rightful owner. What this Bill seeks to do is instead of returning the money back to the rightful owner, what this Bill is trying to do is to take the money from the people who it belongs to and give it to the county without any procedural due process. It’s wrong, it’s changing the law and we should vote ‘no’, as a result.”
“Thank you. Representative Flider.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?”
“He indicates he will. Proceed.”
“Representative, a I was in the committee this Bill passed out of and I initially had some concerns about it. My understanding of this legislation is that this pertains to money that is still on deposit or being held by a county when the person who posted bail just simply has not claimed that money after a five-year period. So, instead of sitting there, this gives the counties an opportunity to reclaim that money or excuse me, gives the person who posted that money to re… reclaim that money but it’s sorta like the final notice. Hello?”
“Yes?”
“Pardon me, I have trouble hearing this.”
“I’m… I’m gonna ask my… I’m gonna ask my question again.”
“Thank you. Thank you. Pardon me.”
“I think you had a couple dia… conversations going on. My understanding is that there is a normal procedure that a county must follow in order to give money back to those who 09300121.doc 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 121st Legislative Day 4/29/2004 have posted bond. And that this legislation just simply says that the county has no authority, no direction, no discretion what-so-ever to do with that money if that person never comes back to claim that money. Is that correct?”
“That’s correct.”
“So, is this changing anything that within the law during that initial five-year period that is already in the law in terms of how a person would claim their money?”
“This actually will add more opportunities for public notice cause it’ll add more communication available on the Internet which heretofore has not been mandatory.”
“So, nothing changes during that initial five-year period?”
“That’s correct.”
“So, all we’re doing is were saying okay this money’s here the county officials have to figure out something to do with it. There’s a cost of carrying it, there’s a cost of reporting it, there’s a cost of not knowing what to do about it so let’s figure out something to do about it. And as long as it’s in the county’s hands which is where the crime was committed, which is where the person was arrested, give the county the opportunity to say once and for all, hey, going once, going twice, if nobody claims it, we’re gonna get to spend it. And I think in this day and age when counties are having a fiscal crisis just like the State of Illinois that, that could be something that could be beneficial to counties without having to raise taxes.” 09300121.doc 23 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 121st Legislative Day 4/29/2004
“That’s very true, Representative.”
“Okay. That was my understanding in committee. I just wondered if something had… there was some other understanding.”
“No. I think you’re… you’re accurate in your portrayal of it. I think that there’s… very good questions have been asked, but some, not all, have been pertinent to the language in the Bill.”
“Okay. Thank you very much.”
“The Lady from Cook, Representative Graham.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?”
“He indicates he will. Proceed.”
“I guess the biggest sticking point to this piece of legislation is I see the notification being in there, newspaper or Internet. But, basically when you have the person’s information who put up the bond in the first place why not notify them direct? ‘Cause most people… most people will not be looking in the newspaper to see if they have money lost. Most seniors or older people and my parents, especially, don’t look at the Internet, have no interest in the Internet, it’s not user-friendly for them. So, they’re not encouraged to look at the Internet.”
“Right.”
“So, I think that’s a biggest sticking point there. And right now even when the person is cleared or… or the bond money can be released, why not just notify the person versus putting it in the paper? We have issues with a lot of hospitals, people trying to notify the public of stuff 09300121.doc 24 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 121st Legislative Day 4/29/2004 and it goes in, in that little bitty writing especially in the paper ya know, if the paper doesn’t have any pictures on it I don’t want to see it anyway. So, if it’s like that little bitty writing, we don’t look at it. So, I have a problem with the notification process and again, Representative, one of the former Representatives at the… prior Representatives asked about heirs. People may actually die and their family members may not even know that they put up this collateral ‘cause, ya know, we’re very secretive in our families when something happens. We sure don’t want to tell little Johnny got in no trouble then we have to put some money up for him. So, we don’t actually tell our family members that we are at stake and then they die and the the money is gone away. So, I have a real problem with the notification process. Especially when the person has put down their name and address and information when they posted the bond in the first place. So, why would you notify them through the paper or the Internet that their money is sitting there waiting to be picked up. That’s a big problem for me. And especially when… when the people have been cleared or whatever causes the bond money to be released, why not notify them direct?”
“Well, thank you, Representative, for your comments. I agree with you 100 percent and that’s the beauty of the current law in the books is that they’re required now to notify the individual that would be affected by this action if they can find the individual. So, it’s already covered and required that they do this before this stuff is even 09300121.doc 25 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 121st Legislative Day 4/29/2004 possible to be considered. So, we’ve measured the two and the concerns that you have are 100 percent right on to this situation except this Bill happens after all that’s already been done. We’d attempt to notify the family.“
“But, I also know that when people have put up bonds actually that their attorneys even draw down the family members’ bonds. I think we should be addressing that information, taking out fees and stuff like that. So, I have a real problem with this legislation and maybe we need to cur… look at the current law that’s in place as well and to continue to correct that. But, I definitely have a problem with… with this piece of legislation. So, I have to stand in opposition of it.”
“The Gentleman from DuPage, Representative Daniels.”
“I’ve been listening to the debate and I’m a little bit puzzled because every county in the State of Illinois is facing this problem and we’ve heard from the County Clerks and the County Clerks Association who supports this Bill and by the way, I might add, there’s been no opposition in committee. Get this straight. This money is bail bond money and after the defendant has been discharged and the bail bond has been performed and the accused have been discharged from all obligations in the cause and it’s been there for three years, after that it’s presumed then to be abandoned. Three years. Then after a five-year period of time held by the county treasurer, five years on top of the three years, if… if nothing has happened, you 09300121.doc 26 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 121st Legislative Day 4/29/2004 now have a total of eight years and there’s been publication, notification and every effort due diligence to locate the people who put up the bail bond, it’s at that point that this money’s still sitting there under today’s law. So then, what happens? The county who has put up all the money, all the effort and done everything they have to do and has maintained all the expenses of this Bill is sitting there without any benefits of money that’s been there for eight years. So, the only thing that this law does is add two provisions, this proposal by Representative Biggins. One is that to post notice on the Internet which is a positive. And secondly, that after this eight-year period of time and Cook County and the Cook County clerk and can you imagine the millions of dollars that are sitting in Cook County, the county gets the money after this eight-year period of time. Now, that just makes a lot of sense to me and that’s the purpose of the Bill. Let’s not confuse it anymore than it is. If other people want to do other things to other legislation or change things around, okay. The issue is not notice. You got eight-year period of time the money sits there. Support this Bill. It just makes a lot of sense. Talk to your county clerk. They’re gonna want this Bill and they’re gonna feel it’s justice because they’ve maintained all the expenses.”
Speaker Granberg: “Thank you. The Lady from Cook, Representative Flowers.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Gentleman yield?”
“He indicates he will.” 09300121.doc 27 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 121st Legislative Day 4/29/2004
“Representative Biggins, can you please tell me what is the difference in the Treasurer holding your money for an indefinite period of time and why we want to put a limitation on the county? That’s question number one. Question number two, this money belongs to someone and that person may have moved or that person may not even have remembered or that person may have put their house, may have taken a loan on their home. And so my point, why is it that we want to give that money to the county versus putting it in the Treasurer and where it will stay indefinite and maybe there may be someone who should be inheriting that money and not aware of it, but if the information is put out there or maybe the child maybe get old enough to read the newspaper or look on the Internet to find that their relative left some unclaimed property there. Why are we putting limitations on this particular segment of money?”
“Thank you for your question. These monies have been sitting for eight years. They’ve gone through all the other possible ways that the owner could have reclaimed them. Now, either we move after eight years and use the monies or we let them sit there where they cannot be used by any other entity including those who may claim later on that they belonged to them. This… those monies… in other words, they can’t go back once they’re in eight years. You can’t come and get them.”
“But…” 09300121.doc 28 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 121st Legislative Day 4/29/2004
“So, even if they’re yours, these are mine. So, therefore we put them to work which all the counties have requested that we do, with all the counties supporting the Bill or they just go off into never, never, never use land and then noone gets to use them. I prefer to think they’re better off back in circulation as an asset to be used by the public than they are one to be stored by the public at a cost to the public.”
“But, my question to you again, Sir, is what is the difference in this unclaimed property being with the county versus the unclaimed property being with the Treasurer’s Office?”
“These are fines and…”
“Because now remember there… that’s indefinite and it too goes to never, never unclaimed property land.”
“Well, these are a little bit different, Representative, these are fines and fees and there are certain rules that have to be…”
“What… what… wait… wait… wait… wait…”
“…followed with the distribution of fines… I will wait, but I would like to answer the question before I can wait. So, I’ll wait if you can wait, then I will wait. I’m saying there’s certain procedures that have to be followed in the use of disposition of the funds and being… these are being followed in this instance.”
“Thank you, Sir. To the Bill. Ladies and Gentleman of the House, to me I… I think… I understand what the Representative is trying to do, but there’s a group of 09300121.doc 29 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 121st Legislative Day 4/29/2004 people who are being unfairly impacted by the county. Most of the counties’ money are from people who may have put monies up for their loved one’s bond. And unbeknownst to them that person… that bond may be there and they don’t even know to claim it. And maybe they had to move, maybe because they had to move, maybe because they put the money up that’s the reason why they cannot be found. And I believe if this money should be treated the same way the Treasurer’s money is treated because this could make the difference in a person’s life or the offspring of a loved one who may have died as a result or not knowing. And they should have the opportunity to inherit their family’s loved one, the same way one would do if it was left in the bank. If the money was left in the bank it would not go back to the Treasurer it will stay there until such time some family member claims it. This is good as being left in the bank it just happens to be with the Treasurer’s Office. And again, most of these monies are for criminal activities or supposed to be criminal activities because these people may have been found guilty or they may have been found innocent but in the meantime the county still has the money. I think this is unfair and it’s setting up two sets of rules, one for the haves, the other for the have-nots. And I would respectively ask a ‘no’ vote on House Bill 6424.”
Speaker Granberg: “Thank you. The Lady from Cook, Representative Davis, Monique Davis.” Davis, M.: “Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?” 09300121.doc 30 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 121st Legislative Day 4/29/2004
“He indicates he will, Ma’am.” Davis, M.: “Representative, currently if a person doesn’t request their bond money back what happens?”
“The court has to notify them with due diligence.” Davis, M.: “The court sends them a letter or some kind of notice?”
“That’s… that’s right.” Davis, M.: “So, my question to you would be, what would be wrong with the clerk just sending that money to them? They have their address, they have their name?”
“Well, ya know, when you have to notify and find anybody whether it’s a legal matter or your children on the street sometimes it’s hard to find them. But they this is beyond them. This is several years after that point of contact has been attempted to be made and made. So, this is… this has been done like years before we got to this point.” Davis, M.: “Okay. To the…”
“The part of the process.” Davis, M.: “To the Bill, Mr. Speaker.”
“Proceed, Ma’am.” Davis, M.: “One of my major concerns is there are a number of people who don’t have Internet. Sometimes they don’t even have a telephone. And there are people who don’t have Internet because they don’t wish to subject their children to the possibilities that are always there when one opens that window. Some older people just have not become technologically wise. So, putting that on the Internet may 09300121.doc 31 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 121st Legislative Day 4/29/2004 be very good for DuPage County, but for those in many other areas, rural areas or urban poor areas, you’ll be leaving a lot of people out of receiving any notice at all. Now, if a grandmother or someone puts up the bail money for someone and years later after the case is disposed of and they don’t know perhaps to go and request that dollars or they be sent to them, it should be mailed to them. And if they have moved or they no longer can be found at that address, the money should remain where they left it because someplace, somehow people will know where to go back and get it. I believe this Bill needs a lot more work. I noticed that the DuPage County State’s Attorney is it or the clerk of the DuPage County office would like to have this legislation. But, I just think, Mr. Speaker, that we need a lot more work on this legislation before we pass any Bill that would deny people their money. The people who put up the bail are innocent, they were not guilty of anything. And they should not be subject to losing the dollars that they put up to guarantee that someone would show up for court. I urge a ‘no’ vote.”
Speaker Granberg: “Excuse me. The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Molaro.”
“I’ll be… I’ll be as brief as I can. You know I’m looking at the legislation now and I guess the only change is that it does go to the county instead of the Treasurer. So, I do have to ask a question of Mr. Biggins. But, I’ll wait ‘til he’s done with his phone call before I do it… 09300121.doc 32 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 121st Legislative Day 4/29/2004 I’ll wait. Could I sit down and wait or should I stand up?”
“Hoping it was a call from you, but go ahead.”
“No, that’s all right. Will he yield?”
“He indicates he will.”
“Okay. So… so, I’m clear because as far as the speakers who spoke previously that are worried that in five years it’s over but with… if the Treasurer had it’s a little longer time. If it’s… what do we do right now? Does it go to the Treasurer in that unclaimed property State of Illinois?”
“Yes, it does. This is not a notice issue.”
“Pardon me?”
“This is not a notice issue. It goes…”
“Correct. It goes there. And how long does it have to stay there? What’s the current law?”
“The first go around is three years to be presumed abandoned. Then it’s gonna be held for five more years. So, you have eight years total before we get… this is often… some of the previous questioners have made…”
“Ya, I know.”
“…statements that occurred… have occurred already before we get to the point where this Bill starts.”
“Okay. So, then really the only thing your Bill really does ‘cause it doesn’t talk about some of the issues that I think it was Representative Dan brought up as far as notice or any of that. As a matter of fact, you even have a little more notice ‘cause your putting it on the Internet. 09300121.doc 33 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 121st Legislative Day 4/29/2004 The only thing you’re doing is, instead of the state getting it, it would be the county using it, is that basically the difference?”
“That’s correct. The… the… you’re right.”
“Because I did look at the current legislation I think you added a sentence and I just kept listening to the debate and I thought you did a heck of a lot more, but then when I got the Bill that’s all you did. Now since it’s a county issue I would think it should go to the county and I really don’t understand and maybe I’m wrong, but I’m voting ‘yes’ on it because if someone does put up money for a family member and a bond there’s two ways of doing it. The family member can put their name down. I, as an attorney, tried to get CBRs many times and I was told I can’t do it because the client can’t release it to me. I got to get the release from the parent or the loved one who put it up. And then you can put your name right on the bond and be dealt with. Second thing is, most family members who put up a thousand or two thousand dollars they’re gonna know they put it up. Cases do last long in the Circuit Court, but they don’t… certainly don’t last five or six years. And most loved ones who are in a position to come up with a thousand or two hundred or five hundred usually know what’s going on with their family. And if someone does pass away, pending that trial, they certainly know what they have to do to go do it. So I… I just think it’s important more that it goes to the county than it goes to the state. So, I’m gonna vote ‘yes’.” 09300121.doc 34 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 121st Legislative Day 4/29/2004
“Thank you.”
“The Gentleman from DeKalb, Representative Pritchard.”
“Yes, Mr. Speaker. I wish to speak to this Motion.”
“Proceed.”
“A lot of appropriate comments have been made, but I would just like to remind my fellow Members of the House as a person who has been a part of County Government, has witnessed the work of the circuit clerk and the county clerk in my counties, I know they do due diligence in trying to get money back to the appropriate people. What we’re talking about in this legislation is after they have made years of work in trying to find those appropriate people that there is some end date, there is some disposition to these funds rather than sitting in a bank account forever. And I think individuals that have put up the money know they have put up the money, and would seek it back within an eight-year time period. So, I urge the Members of the House to support this Bill which brings closure to these ind… in situations where individuals have put up money and then moved or something else happened and the proper owners cannot be identified.”
Speaker Granberg: “Thank you. Representative Biggins to close.”
“Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House for the excellent questions asked. I just would point out that many of the questions that were asked are… were questions that would’ve predated where we are 09300121.doc 35 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 121st Legislative Day 4/29/2004 with the start of this Bill. This Bill starts after all those questions have been dealt with. And therefore, those questions are not relevant in the sense that the Bill is… is a new product and that is after their concerns have been addressed via the courts and other measures. The Internet is in addition. Those that don’t have the Internet have an extra opportunity to find out about the disposition of this. So, the Internet is not a hindrance, it’s an extra opportunity and I would think I’d prefer to look at it that way. So, I would be requesting an ‘aye’ vote. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.”
“The Gentleman moves for the passage of House Bill 6424. All in favor shall vote ‘aye’; all opposed shall vote ‘nay’. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are… there are 92 ‘yes’, 17 voting ‘no’, 6 voting ‘present’. This measure, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Mr. Clerk, House Bill 4195. Representative Winters. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk.”
“House Bill 4195, a Bill for an Act concerning taxes. Third Reading of this House Bill.”
“Mr. Winters, the Gentleman from Winnebago.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Bill 4195 attempts to address an issue with motor fuel tax where… whereby certain townships do not receive any motor fuel tax if they tax less than an eight cent tax extension. This will prorate it so that if they for instance, tax for 2 cents they would 09300121.doc 36 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 121st Legislative Day 4/29/2004 at least get two-eighths or one-quarter of the normal motor fuel tax that would come to them. Be happy to answer any questions.”
“The Gentleman moves for the passage of House Bill 4195. On that question, no one seeking recognition. Mr. Winters, would you like to close? All those in favor shall vote ‘aye’; all opposed shall vote ‘nay’. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, House Bill 4195, having received 108 ‘aye’ votes, 6 ‘no’ votes and 2 voting ‘present’, receiving the Constitutional Majority is hereby declared passed. The Lady from Cook, Representative Graham.”
“On the Bill prior to this one, my light went off. My intentions were to vote ‘no’.”
“The record will so reflect. House Bill 5736, Mr. Clerk.”
“House Bill 5736 has been read a second time, previously. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments approved for consideration. No Motions filed.”
Speaker Granberg: “The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Washington. Third Reading. Mr. Washington, the Clerk is checking the record. Representative Osmond, for what reason do you rise?”
“Mr. Speaker, could you record my vote on 4195 as a ‘no’?” 09300121.doc 37 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 121st Legislative Day 4/29/2004
“The record will reflect that you intended to vote ‘no’ on House Bill 4195. Mr. Clerk, is Floor Amendment #1 approved for consideration?”
“Floor Amendment #1 to House Bill 5736 has been approved for consideration.”
Speaker Granberg: “Mr. Clerk move the Bill back to Second Reading. Okay. The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Washington.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’d like to… on this Bill, House Bill 5736, I have an Amendment to get approved. It amends the Municipal Code to extend Waukegan’s TIF plan for 35 years from January the 19, 19 and 90… 1988 when its TIF ordinance was adopted. This extends the TIF into 2023 and this extension also extends the time that Waukegan has to repay any debt obligation for the TIF to 35 years from the date the TIF ordinance was adopted.”
“The Gentleman moves for the adoption of the Amendment. On that question, no one seeking recognition. All in favor shall say ‘aye’; all opposed say ‘no’. The ‘ayes’ have it. The amendment is adopted. Third Reading. Read the Bill Mr. Clerk.”
“House Bill 5736, a Bill for an Act in relation to tax increment financing.”
Speaker Granberg: “Gentleman from Cook, Representative Washington.”
“Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, this Bill was originally put together to include a number of other 09300121.doc 38 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 121st Legislative Day 4/29/2004 municipalities which included Effingham and a few other cities. And the Amendment basically allows for Waukegan to separately petition this Body for approval. And those other municipalities have already filed and they too will be doing likewise. And I ask for favorable approvement… approval of House Bill 5736, as it relates to my district of Waukegan.”
“The Gentleman votes for the passage of House Bill 5736. On the question, no one seeking recognition. All in favor shall vote ‘aye’; all opposed shall vote ‘nay’. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Representative Hoffman. Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question 115 voting ‘yes’, 1 voting ‘no’, 0 voting ‘present’. House Bill 5736, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Mr. Clerk, House Bill 6034.”
“House Bill 6034 has been read a second time, previously. No Committee Amendments. Floor Amendment #1 has been approved for consideration.”
“The Gentleman from DuPage, Representative Meyer.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. Amendment 1 to House Bill 6034 becomes the Bill. It amends… or reinstates the sales tax exemption on the purchase of graphic arts machinery and equipment.”
“The Gentleman moves for the passage of House Bill 6034. On that question… I’m sorry. Moves for the 09300121.doc 39 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 121st Legislative Day 4/29/2004 adoption of Amendment #1. On that question, the Gentleman from Cook, Representative Fritchey.”
“Thank you, Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?”
“Indicates he will.”
“Representative, I guess the first question to be asked is why would we reinstate this exemption?”
“Well… I was just looking for direction from the… the Speaker at this point. Do we want to have this discussion now since it becomes the Bill and then have our discussion…”
“That would be up to the Gentleman from Cook. We can adopt the Amendment and discuss the Bill on Third Reading? Thank you. All in favor of the adoption of Amendment #1 to House Bill 6034 shall say ‘yes’; all opposed shall say ‘no’. The ‘ayes’ have it. The Amendment is adopted. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk. Third Reading.”
“House Bill 6034, a Bill for an Act in relation to taxation. Third Reading of this House Bill.”
“Representative Meyer. Representative Meyer, do you wish to call the a Bill on Third Reading?”
“Yes, I do.”
Speaker Granberg: “Okay. The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Fritchey.”
“Speaker…”
“Thank you, Speaker. I think this time my question would be why would we reinstate the exemption?”
“I got too many conversations going around over here. What… could you say that again, Sir.” 09300121.doc 40 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 121st Legislative Day 4/29/2004
“By looking at our analysis I see a price tag of $41 million on this issue and I guess what… what I’m trying… what I’m trying to determine is why we would seek to reinstate this specific exemption?”
“Yes. I’m not sure what you’re looking at, Representative. The figures that I’m looking at indicate it’s about $4 million. That has been verified by Revenue also so…”
“Okay. Well, then le… on a greatly reduced scale my question would still stand. Why would we reduce this exemption for $4 million? And why I realize that over the next month we’re gonna have these types of discussions a lot, but I’m sure that you, just like myself, have talked to a number of groups for which $4 million would go a long, long way.”
“Well… Ya know, I believe that this is a cer… a special circumstance, Representative, and the reason why I believe that is that in all other states printers are considered to be manufacturers for purposes of exemption of manufacturing the assets. However, in Illinois printers are categorized as graphic arts companies rather than as a manufacturer. So, as a result, a printers are the only manufacturing sector in Illinois who no longer enjoys an exemption under manufacturing assets. And this is having a huge impa… negative impact on that industry. And just to show you the… where we fit in, in terms of printing, we’re the third largest state in the Union in terms of printing… for printing jobs. We have about 2,900 companies in Illinois 09300121.doc 41 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 121st Legislative Day 4/29/2004 making the second largest manufacturer… manufacturing sector in the state and we employ 85 thousand people. Now, in my area, Representative… in my area, Representative, we have a large number of small printing operations and I can tell you firsthand that many of them have received letters from the State of Wisconsin saying you’re only 50, 60 miles from our border, come on over here and print and ship. Now we can’t afford to continue to lose jobs in this state. We’re looking at $4 million to make this corr… to make this right with the rest of the manufacturing sector. And I believe that that is a good case for doing it as an exception.”
“I understand. I’m not sure that I disagree with you. Let me ask you a couple more questions if I may. Have you had any conversations… did the Department of Revenue or has the administration weighed in on this at all?”
“No, they haven’t. As a matter of fact today and when this was presented in committee, the Department of Revenue was not in attendance. My understanding from the deputy leader who’s on your side of the aisle is that they had been invited there on another Bill and had not shown up for that either. So, I… I can’t tell you where they’re weighing in. And all I have is their figures and the fact that I believe this needs to be done.”
“Thank you. To the Bill, Speaker.”
“Proceed, Sir.” 09300121.doc 42 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 121st Legislative Day 4/29/2004
“I understand what the Gentleman’s trying to do and I think I’m actually gonna support him in what he’s trying to do. Folks, we are finding ourselves winding down a dangerous road here between either removing these exemptions and increasing or decreasing our state revenues or putting ourselves in a competitive disadvantage with our surrounding states. Whether it’s this industry or another industry, we are going to have to find some other solution other than taxing them out of this state or putting ourselves in a competitive disadvantage in order to get ourselves out of this situation this year and years to come. Thank you for answering my questions.”
“The Gentleman from Champaign, Representative Rose.”
“Thank You, Mr. Speaker. I rise in strong support of this Bill. Ladies and Gentlemen, R. R. Donnelly’s is one of the world’s largest printers. It actually I think is probably at this point in time the largest printer in North America. It has a sizeable plant in Mattoon, Illinois, in my district. If we’re gonna get serious about job creation and job growth we have to be serious about investing in businesses that are already here in Illinois and giving them the incentives they need to expand upon the plants they already have and to create new jobs. R. R. Donnelly’s in Mattoon can go two places from now on in this state. With the graphic arts tax exemption it can grow, create new jobs, bring new jobs to Illinois and in turn, I might add, help enhance our revenue base in this state or we can go 09300121.doc 43 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 121st Legislative Day 4/29/2004 the other direction and tax R. R. Donnelly’s out of the State of Illinois. I know which side I’m on. And I hope that folks will do the same and do the right thing and vote ‘aye’. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.”
“The Lady from Cook, Representative Currie.”
“Thank you, Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield to a question?”
“Indicates he will.”
“Representative Meyer, I noticed that there was no representative of the administration, no Department of Revenue spokesperson in committee when this Bill was heard this morning. Can you enlighten me, does the administration have a view of this Bill? Are they for it or against it or neutral or what?”
“Representative, I’ve not heard from the administration whether they support this or are opposed to it. The fact that they didn’t have a representative in the committee this morning is intriguing to say the least. I… I really can’t respond.”
“Suggested… suggested is the word that leaps to the lips. The reason I ask is because the Governor has been talking a good deal about corporate loopholes in the Tax Code and I stand with him, I’m not for corporate loopholes. I just want to make sure that a vote with you for this measure would not be described by the Governor and his people as creating a corporate loophole. And I guess I have to think that they won’t otherwise, I suspect, they would’ve enlightened us as to their view before we take a 09300121.doc 44 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 121st Legislative Day 4/29/2004 vote on House Bill 6034. Would you agree or do you… do you believe it is a corporate loophole that you’re creating here?”
“Well… well, certainly, Representative, I’d be surprised just like you would, shocked and appalled probably, if the Governor described this as corporate loophole. And we’re talking about the number of jobs that are involved here and the fact that this sector, were in great danger of losing this sector right… right across state lines because of it. There… there is no reason why we should put ourselves in that jeopardy and I think this should be something that is put back to the right position and that they’re treated as manufacturers as they were before.”
“Thank you.”
“The Gentleman from Effingham, Representative Grunloh.”
“Mr. Speaker, to the Bill. I… I rise in strong…”
“Proceed.”
“I rise in strong support of this legislation. I think it’s very important especially in the Effingham area. We have three… three printing companies in the Effingham area only 60 miles from… from Terra Haute, Indiana. We’re continuing seeing businesses being driven out of the state. And this is a very important piece of legislation and I urge an ‘aye’ vote on it.”
“Mr. Meyer to close.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Ladies and Gentlemen of the House, when… when reaching your decision on how you’re 09300121.doc 45 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 121st Legislative Day 4/29/2004 going to vote on this piece of legislation, I believe it’s just imperative that you keep in mind that the printing industry today employs over 85 thousand people in this state. Fifty seven thousand of which work for companies… printers who are less than 250 in employees. So, we’re talking about small businesses here to a great extent. The other thing is that man… oftentimes when we think about printing we think about newspapers. And yes, we have 700 newspapers in this state that publish either on a weekly or a daily or whatever basis, but those companies or those newspapers per… companies also do job production too. And to many communities that is their printer for other types of job production. So, I believe that it’s just imperative that we make sure that we have a good industry in the printing sector and the fact that we maintain that. I just ask for your ‘yes’ vote.”
“The Gentleman moves for the passage of House Bill 6034. On that question, all in favor shall vote ‘aye’; all opposed shall vote ‘nay’. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the… take the record. On this question, 112 voting ‘yes’, 3 voting ‘no’, 1 voting ‘present’. House Bill 6034, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. The Gentleman from Fayette, Representative Stephens.”
“Inquiry of the chair?”
“State your inquiry.” 09300121.doc 46 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 121st Legislative Day 4/29/2004
“Could you verify that Representative Hoffman’s switch is working?”
“I think you should call to the Governor’s Office. Mr. Clerk, House Bill 6063 on page 6 of the Calendar.”
“House Bill 6063 has been read a second time, previously. No Committee Amendments. Floor Amendment #1, offered by Representative Lindner, has been approved for consideration.”
“The Lady from Kane, Representative Lindner.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Floor Amendment #1 makes this Bill specific to the Yorkville School District for them to extend their debt limitation. They still have to have a referendum. This is to address an exploding growth situation.”
“The Lady moves for the adoption of Floor Amendment #1 to House Bill 6063. On that question… no one seeking recognition. All in favor shall say ‘aye’; opposed say ‘nay’. The ‘ayes’ have it. The Amendment is adopted. Third Reading. Read them.”
“House Bill 6063, a Bill for an Act concerning education. Third Reading of this House Bill.”
“The Lady from Kane, Representative Lindner.”
“Thank you Mr. Speaker. Again this addresses the Yorkville School District and their debt limitation. They’re going to add 60 thousand roof tops and need 60 million to build schools. We passed a similar Bill out of here yesterday for another school district. It has nothing 09300121.doc 47 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 121st Legislative Day 4/29/2004 to do with tax caps and there will be a referendum to ask the voters to do this. And I’d ask for passage of this Bill.”
“The Lady moves for the passage of House Bill 6063. On that question, no one seeking recognition. All in favor shall vote ‘aye’; opposed shall vote ‘nay’. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Representative Collins. Collins… Annazette. Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, 68 voting ‘yes’, 46 voting ‘no’, 2 voting ‘present’. This Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Lyons seeking recognition.” Lyons, E.: “Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday I made a Motion to suspend the requirements for a… waive the… the posting requirements for Senate Bill 2227. I want to withdraw that Motion.”
“Granted. Representative May.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is a joint bipartisan announcement. I have Representative Lindner with me here on this side of the aisle inviting everyone to come to the COWL Scholarship Benefit Fundraiser on Monday night at the Sangamo Club. This benefits our COWL Scholarships. In the last year we gave away 10 scholarships to wonderful students in the State of Illinois. I’d like to recognize our cochairmans, Representative Mendoza and the chair of our scholarship committee, Representative Connie Howard who helped screen and select these wonderful students. We 09300121.doc 48 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 121st Legislative Day 4/29/2004 invite you to come. Call Connie Bedolli today if you haven’t sent in your money. It’s going to be a scrumptious feast that Representative Lindner’s gonna tell us about.”
“I hope you have all received your invitation. You can get anything you want at Alice’s Restaurant. And that is what the fundraiser is. It’s… Alice Philips is the guest chef preparing a great meal. It’s in memory of former Senator Al… Aldo DaAngelis. It will benefit our scholarship fund. We hope you all will come. It’s $75 a ticket but we would accept any other donations. Monday, May 3, starts at 6:00. Thanks a lot.”
“It is the intention of the Chair to go to Second Bills-Second Reading and hopefully that will conclude business. Representative Lindner, do you wish to move Senate Bill 1576? You wish to move the Bill, Representative Linder?”
“Yes. Yes.”
“Okay. Mr. Clerk.”
“Senate Bill 1576, a Bill for an Act in relation to zoning. Second Reading of this Senate Bill.”
“Third Reading. Representative Silverstein (sic-Senator) on Senate Bill 1684, do you wish to move the Bill to Third? Representative. Representative, do you wish to move the Bill to Third Reading? Take that… I’m sorry, take that Bill out of the record. Representative Holbrook on Senate Bill 1914. Do you…. Read the Bill.”
“Senate Bill 1914, a Bill for an Act concerning finance. Second Reading of this Senate Bill. Amendment…. 09300121.doc 49 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 121st Legislative Day 4/29/2004 No Committee Amendments. Amendment #1, offered by Representative Holbrook, has been approved for consideration.”
“Mr. Holbrook.”
“Thank you very much. On Senate Bill 1914 this is a combination of a Bill that flew out of here 114 to 0 with the Tri-City Port Authority in my area which allows it to take over the military base that was at Mel Price Center down in the Granite City area. It also has added to it the Western Illinois Economic Development Authority. This was an agreed bill that finally came out of the Senate that all members of that 13 county area do support. And it does set up that 21-member board as was requested by the local folks. I did discover too, that within the Bill the financial impact of the state would include the salary of the executive director, we weren’t sure on that in committee. I told’em I’d report back and I did call back and tell the chairman within about a half hour of the end of that meeting. So, I’d move for the adoption of the Floor Amendment #1.”
“Gentleman moves for the adoption of Floor Amendment #1. On that question, is there any discussion? Seeking… no one seeking recognition. All in favor shall say ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The ‘ayes’ have it. The Amendment is adopted. Third Reading. Representative Acevedo on Senate Bill 2122. Is Representative Acevedo in the chamber? Out of the record. Representative Franks on 09300121.doc 50 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 121st Legislative Day 4/29/2004 Senate Bill 2164, do you wish to move that Bill to Third Reading? Read the Bill.”
“Senate Bill 2164, a Bill for an Act in relation to vehicles. Second Reading of this Senate Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
Speaker Granberg: “Third Reading. Representative Ryg. Representative Ryg, do you wish… Representative Rita on Senate Bill 2236, do you wish to move the Bill? Out of the record. Representative Mendoza. Out of the record. Representative Feigenholtz on Senate Bill 2335, do you wish to… Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“Senate Bill 2335, a Bill for an Act in relation to health. Second Reading of this Senate Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Representative Holbrook on Senate Bill 2339. Read the Bill Mr. Clerk.”
“Senate Bill 2339, a Bill for an Act concerning insurance. Second Reading of this Senate Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. All Motions have been filed.”
“Third Reading. Representative Reitz, House Bill… Senate Bill 2372. Read the Bill.”
“Senate Bill 2372, a Bill for an Act concerning agriculture. Second Reading of this Senate Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.” 09300121.doc 51 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 121st Legislative Day 4/29/2004
Speaker Granberg: “Third Reading. Senate Bill 2374. Representative Bradley, do you wish to move that Bill to Third Reading? Do you wish to move the Bill to Third Reading? Oh, John. Is Representative Bradley…. Out of the record. Representative Coulson, Beth… Senate Bill 2377. Out of the record. Repre… Representative Howard on Senate Bill 2381. Read the Bill.”
“Senate Bill 2381, a Bill for an Act concerning nursing. Second Reading of this Senate Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
Speaker Granberg: “Read the Bill. Third Reading. Representative Saviano. Is Representative Saviano in the chamber? Representative Coulson, you’re a… you’re a… Sponsor with Representative Saviano on Senate Bill 2382? Out of the record. Oh. Read the Bill Mr. Clerk. Senate Bill 2382.”
“Senate Bill 2382, a Bill for an Act concerning professional regulation. Second Reading of this Senate Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Representative Feigenholtz on Senate Bill… out of… out of the record. Representative Slone on Senate Bill 2429. Out of the record. Representative Holbrook on Senate Bill 2442. Read the Bill.”
“Senate Bill 2442, a Bill for an Act concerning municipalities. Second Reading of this Senate Bill. No 09300121.doc 52 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 121st Legislative Day 4/29/2004 Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Representative Brauer. Mr. Brauer…. Read the Bill Mr. Clerk. Senate Bill 2453.”
“Senate Bill 2453, a Bill for an Act concerning vehicles. Second Reading of this Senate Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
Speaker Granberg: “Third Reading. Senate Bill 2429. Representative Slone, did you wish to move that Bill to Third Reading? Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk. 2429.”
“Senate Bill 2429, a Bill for an Act in relation to transportation. Second Reading of this Senate Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Representative Froehlich. Senate Bill 2502, do you wish to move the Bill, Sir? Read the Bill Mr. Clerk.”
“Senate Bill 2502, a Bill for an Act concerning vehicles. Second Reading of this Senate Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
Speaker Granberg: “Third Reading. Representative Aguilar. Representative Aguilar on Senate Bill 2548. Do you wish to move the Bill, Sir? Read the Bill Mr. Clerk.”
“Senate Bill 2548, a Bill for an Act concerning noter… notaries public. Second Reading of this Hou… Senate 09300121.doc 53 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 121st Legislative Day 4/29/2004 Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions Filed.”
“Third Reading. Representative May, Senate Bill 2551? Out of the record. Representative Hoffman. Out of the record. Senate Bill 2617. Did Representative Saviano wish to move that Bill to Third Reading? Out of the record. Senate Bill 2560, Representative Hoffman. Read the Bill Mr. Clerk.”
“Senate Bill 2560, a Bill for an Act concerning insurance. Second Reading of this Senate Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
Speaker Granberg: “Third Reading. Senate Bill 2551, Representative May. Read the Bill Mr. Clerk.”
“Senate Bill 2551, a Bill for an Act in relation to public health and environmental protection. Second Reading of this Senate Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. All notes have been filed.”
“Third Reading. Representative Mathias on Senate Bill 2620. Did you wish to move the Bill? Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk.”
“Senate Bill 2620, a Bill for an Act concerning insurance. Second Reading of this Senate Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
Speaker Granberg: “Third Reading. Representative Pihos on Senate Bill 2463. Do you wish to move the Bill, (sic- 09300121.doc 54 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 121st Legislative Day 4/29/2004 Ma’am) Sir? Out of the record. Representative Joe Lyons. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill. Senate Bill 2710.”
“Senate Bill 2710, a Bill for an Act concerning financial regulations. Second Reading of this Senate Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Representative Delgado on Senate Bill 2731. Is Representative Delgado in the chamber? Out of the record. Representative Smith on Senate Bill 2732. Do you wish to move the Bill? Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk.”
Clerk Mahoney: “Senate Bill 2732, a Bill for an Act in… relating to schools. Second Reading of this Senate Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Representative Flowers on Senate Bill 274… Representative Flowers, do you wish to move Senate Bill 2744? Read the Bill Mr. Clerk.”
“Senate Bill 2744, a Bill for an Act concerning insurance coverage. Second Reading of this Senate Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
Speaker Granberg: “Third Reading. Third Reading. Representative Mendoza, do you wish to…. Read the Bill Mr. Clerk. Senate Bill 2736. 56.”
“Senate Bill 2756, a Bill for an Act concerning education. Second Reading of this Senate Bill. No 09300121.doc 55 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 121st Legislative Day 4/29/2004 Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Representative Brauer on Senate Bill 2810. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“Senate Bill 2810, a Bill for an Act concerning schools. Second Reading of this Senate Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Representative Mautino. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill. 2827.”
“Senate Bill 2827, a Bill for an Act concerning the Auditor General. Second Reading of this Senate Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
Speaker Granberg: “Third Reading. Representative Hultgren, Representative Hultgren. Representative Parke, do you wish… Senate Bill 2879. Read the Bill Mr. Clerk.”
“Senate Bill 2879, a Bill for an Act concerning mosquito abatement districts. Second Reading of this Senate Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Representative Slone, Senate Bill 2894. Read the Bill.”
“Senate Bill 2894, a Bill for an Act concerning vehicles. Second Reading of this Senate Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Representative Joyce, Senate Bill 2907. Read the Bill Mr. Clerk.” 09300121.doc 56 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 121st Legislative Day 4/29/2004
“Senate Bill 2907, a Bill for an Act concerning consumer protection. Second Reading of this Senate Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Representative Jones. Read the Bill. Senate Bill 2921.”
“Senate Bill 2921, a Bill for an Act concerning housing. Second Reading of this Senate Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
Speaker Granberg: “Third Reading. Representative Fritchey, Senate Bill 2962. Read the Bill.”
“Senate Bill 2962, a Bill for an Act concerning business. Second Reading of this Senate Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
Speaker Granberg: “Third Reading. Representative Jones on Senate Bill 2988. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk.”
“Senate Bill 2988, a Bill for an Act in relation to property. Second Reading of this Senate Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Representative Howard. Out of the record. Representative Joyce on Senate…. Out of the record. Representative Hamos on Senate Bill 3083. Read the Bill.”
“Senate Bill 3083, a Bill for an Act concerning finance. Second Reading of this Senate Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.” 09300121.doc 57 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 121st Legislative Day 4/29/2004
“Third Reading. Representative Osterman on Senate Bill 3112. Read the Bill Mr. Clerk.”
“Senate Bill 3112, a Bill for an Act in relation to public health. Second Reading of this Senate Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Representative Fritchey on Senate Bill 3184. Read the Bill.”
“Senate Bill 3184, a Bill for an Act concerning vehicles. Second Reading of this Senate Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Representative Moffitt on Senate Bill 3189? Don, wish to move the Bill? Out of the record? Out of the record. Representative Turner. Out of the record. Representative Joyce Out of the record. Senate Bill 2617. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“Senate Bill 2617, a Bill for an Act concerning professional regulation. Second Reading of this Senate Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. The Gentleman from Sinclair, Representative Holbrook.”
“Thank you, Speaker. Could we move Senate Bill 2339 back to Second? I understand there may be an Amendment now.”
“What was the Bill number, Representative?”
“2339, They got it right.” 09300121.doc 58 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 121st Legislative Day 4/29/2004
“The Gentleman moves to bring the Bill back to Second Reading, Mr. Clerk. Mr. Clerk, Senate Bill 3208, page 16 of the Calendar.”
“Senate Bill 3208, a Bill for an Act concerning commission. Second Reading of this Senate Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. The House is preparing to adjourn. Clerk is going to make an announcement. Mr. Clerk, for purposes of committee announcements.”
Clerk Mahoney: “Committee announcements. The Elementary & Secondary Education Committee will meet on Monday, May 3… I mean… I’m sorry. The Elementary & Secondary Education will meet on Tuesday, May 4 at 10 a.m. The State Government Administration will meet on Monday, May 3 at 10 a.m.”
“Mr. Clerk, were gonna do one more Bill. House Bill 5385, Representative Washington. Read the Bill.”
“House Bill 5385, has been read a second time, previously. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments have been approved for consideration. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Representative Mendoza now moves that the House stand adjourned until the hour of 1:00 on Tuesday, May 4. All in favor shall say ‘aye’; opposed say ‘nay’…”
“Committee announcement. Correction on the date for the State Government is Monday, May 3 at 2 p.m, not 10 a.m.; 2 p.m.” 09300121.doc 59 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 121st Legislative Day 4/29/2004
“Mr. Clerk, Agreed Resolutions.”
“On the Order of Agreed Resolutions. House Resolution 856, offered by Representative Brosnahan. House Resolution 858, offered by Representative Gordon. House Resolution 859, offered by Representative Osmond. House Resolution 860, offered by Representative Madigan. House Resolution 861, offered by Representative Flider. House Resolution 864, offered by Representative Parke. House Resolution 865, offered by Representative Tenhouse. House Resolution 866, offered by Representative Slone. House Resolution 867, offered by Representative Steve Davis. And House Resolution 868, offered by Representative Mulligan. And House Resolution 875, offered by Representative Slone.”
“The Adjournment Resolution.”
“Senate Joint Resolution 74. That when the two Houses adjourn on Thursday, April 29, 2004, the Senate stands adjourned until Tuesday, May 04, 2004 at 12:00 noon; and the House of Representatives stands adjourned until Tuesday, May 04, 2004, at 1:00 p.m.”
“Representative Mendoza renews her Motion. The House stands… to have the House stand adjourned ‘til the hour of 1:00, Tuesday, May 4th. All in favor shall say ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The ‘ayes’ have it. The House is adjourned.”
“House Perfunctory Session will now come to order. Reading of the House Bills. First Reading. The following Bill was introduced. House Bill 7296, introduced by Representative Acevedo, a Bill for an Act concerning 09300121.doc 60 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 121st Legislative Day 4/29/2004 counties. Referred to House Rules Committee. House Resolution 857, offered by Representative Rose. House Resolution 862, offered by Representative Younge. House Resolution 863, offered by Representative Lang. House Joint Resolution 78, offered by Representative Bellock. House Joint Resolution 79, offered by Mulligan. House… Senate Joint Resolution 58, offered by Representative Collins. There being no further business, the House Perfunctory Session will stand adjourned." 09300121.doc 61