“The hour of 4:00 having arrived, the House will be in order. Will the Members please be in their seats. 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. We will be led in prayer today by Lee Crawford, the Assistant Pastor of the Victory Temple Church in Springfield.”
Pastor Crawford: “Let us pray. Most gracious God, God of might, wisdom and mercy, it is from whom all our blessings flow. Assist us today with Your spirit of great counsel, Your spirit of guidance. Father, impress upon us the importance of grace and mercy, love and honor. Father, teach us how to wait patiently upon You, for it is Your word that instructs us, says that they that wait upon the Lord that You shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and they shall not faint. Father, this we do wait upon You for. We ask this in Your Son’s name, Amen.”
Speaker Hannig: “We’ll be led in the Pledge today by Representative Coulson.” Coulson – et al: “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
Speaker Hannig: “Roll Call for Attendance. Representative Granberg, for what reason do you rise?” 09300137.doc 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004
“A point of personal privilege, Mr. Speaker. Ladies and Gentlemen, we are honored today. We’ve flown in an expert from Washington to help us with our budgetary issues. Senator Dick Durbin has joined us today.”
“Representative Granberg, perhaps we could ask Senator Durbin if the State of Illinois could print money for one day. If they would grant us just that small wish, I think we could… we could fill this budget hole and go home. Okay. Representative Currie on excused absences.”
“Thank you, Speaker. Please let the record show that Representatives Delgado and Osterman are excused today.”
“Representative Bost.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Let the record reflect that Representative Cultra is excused today.”
“Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 113 Members on the Roll Call, a quorum is present. On page 16 of the Calendar, under the Order of Concurrences, is House Bill 6760. Representative Dunn. Okay. Out of the record at the request of the Sponsor. On page 14 of the Calendar, under the Order of Concurrence, is House Bill 829. The Chair recognizes the Gentleman from Vermilion, Representative Black.”
“Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. I move to concur with Senate Amendment 1 to House Bill 829. All this Bill does is to extend the TIF District in the Village of Tilton in my home county of Vermilion. It’ll extend the life of the TIF District… now, I can’t even find it, another 10, 15 years. 09300137.doc 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004 All the taxing bodies have filed the necessary letters of support. It passed the House with more than a hundred votes, didn’t get out of the Senate Rules Committee, so it’s come back as a Senate Amendment on this Bill.”
“The Gentleman has moved that the House concur to… in Senate Amendment #1 to House Bill 829. Is there any discussion? Then the question is, ‘Shall the House concur with Senate Amendment #1 to House Bill 829?’ All in favor vote ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 111 voting ‘yes’, 1 voting ‘no’ and 1 voting ‘present’. And the House does concur in Senate Amendment #1 to House Bill 829. And this Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of Senate Bill 943?”
Clerk Mahoney: “Senate Bill 943 is on the Order of Third Reading.”
Speaker Hannig: “Return that Bill to the Order of Second Reading at the request of the Sponsor. On page 9 of the Calendar… page 9 of the Calendar, under the Order of Senate Bills-Second Reading, is Senate Bill 1626. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk.”
“Senate Bill 1626 has been read a second time, previously. No Committee Amendments. Floor Amendment #1, offered by Representative Madigan, has been approved for consideration.”
“Representative Currie on the Amendment.” 09300137.doc 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004
“Thank you, Speaker and Members of the House. This merely provides that for purposes that local home equity assurance commissions that a member of the commission may serve for more than two consecutive terms. I know of no opposition. This is basically cleanup language. I’d appreciate your support and I’d be happy to answer your questions.”
“Is there any discussion? The Gentleman from McHenry, Representative Franks.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?”
“She indicates she’ll yield.”
“I’d like to ask you a question. I… I don’t know a lot about the members of the governing commission of the Home Equity Assurance Act…”
“Hmm hmm.”
“…is this a compensated commission and how many members?”
“There are nine members altogether. I do not… They serve without compensation.”
“Okay.”
“They do get their expenses, but they serve without compensation.”
“So, it’s a diminimous amount. Is there… What’s the reason why we wanna have a…”
“Well, I think this is a fairly new program and I think that the original reason for including this limit was a kind of a… is it going to work, will it be okay, let’s put some limits and that… the answer is that at least one of 09300137.doc 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004 those that I know of is working well and to have an artificial barrier, a term limit for these people, where we certainly don’t impose term limits on ourselves or on members of city councils seemed to make no particular sense.”
“The other commissions don’t have term limits, do they?”
“Not that I know of.”
“Okay. Thank you.”
“Is there any further discussion? Then all in favor of the Amendment say ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The ‘ayes’ have it. And the Amendment is adopted. Any further Amendments?”
“No further Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“Senate Bill 1626, a Bill for an Act in relation to local government. Third Reading of this Senate Bill.”
“Representative Currie.”
“Thank you, Speaker and Members of the House. The Amendment, we just discussed, is the Bill. I’d appreciate your support for passage of Senate Bill 1626.”
“The Lady has moved for passage of Senate Bill 1626. And on that question, the Gentleman from Champaign, Representative Rose.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Majority Leader yield, please?”
“She indicates she’ll yield.” 09300137.doc 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004
“Madam Majority Leader, why are we removing these term limits?”
“Because there seems to be no particular reason to have them for this kind of commission, but for no others. As I say, I think this is fairly recent wrinkle in Illinois State Law. I know of one particular commission that is operating effectively and should the mayor choose to appoint a sitting commissioner for a third term, I know… I can’t imagine a reason why we should tell ‘em he can’t.”
“What are the terms and who would be making the appointments?”
“They’re staggered. Initially some were serving one, some serving two and some serving three years.”
“And who would make those?”
“Pardon me?”
“Who would make the appointments?”
“The mayor makes the appointments.”
“Thank you.”
Speaker Hannig: “Is there any further discussion? Representative Currie to close.”
“Thank you, Speaker. This looks like good government to me. And I hope you’ll join me in voting ‘yes’ for Senate Bill 1626.”
“The question is, ‘Shall this Bill pass?’ All in favor vote ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 96 voting ‘yes’ and 17 voting ‘no’. 09300137.doc 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004 And this Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Mr. Clerk, read Senate Bill 2411. That’s on page 10 of the Calendar. Representative May, for what reason do you rise?”
“Yes, Mr. Speaker. On the last Bill, 1626, I wish to be recorded as a ‘yes’ vote. My switch would… had a little malfunction.”
Speaker Hannig: “Okay. The record will so reflect your intentions. And now, Mr. Clerk, would you read the Bill.”
“Senate Bill 2411, Sec… has been read a second time, previously. Amendment #1 was approved in committee. Floor Amendment #2, offered by Representative Washington, has been approved for consideration.”
Speaker Hannig: “The Gentleman from Lake, Representative Watson… Washington, excuse me. Representative Washington on the Amendment.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Senate Bill 2411, the House Amendment becomes the Bill. And what it deals with is the Tax Increment Allocation Redevelopment Act in my district in particular which is Waukegan. And what it’s gonna try to do is just extend the timeline for the TIF District. And I ask for favorable support.”
“The Gentleman has moved for the adoption of Floor Amendment #2. Is there any discussion? Then all in favor say… excuse me. The Gentleman from Vermilion, Representative Black on the Amendment.”
“Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?” 09300137.doc 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004
Speaker Hannig: “He indicates he’ll yield. Representative Washington.”
“Representative, the…”
“Repre… excuse me. Representative Washington, there’s… Representative Black is ask… is going to ask some questions on the Amendment.”
“The two separate TIF Districts in Waukegan, what are… what are they currently constituted… what’s the primary reason? Are they retail TIFs, redevelopment TIFs, what… what is their primary trust?”
“It’s for redevelopment economic development.”
“Would either one of them be the site of a potential casino?”
“Yes, Sir. You asked me that question last time and the answer’s ‘no’.”
“No?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Wouldn’t that be a qualified use though?”
“Yes, Sir, it would be.”
“Huh. Would it be used in any connection or a pertinence of a proposed riverboat casino, such as parking, landscaping or an underground vault to keep all the money in that the City of Waukegan could make off of a riverboat?”
“No, Sir. I raised that question after I spoke with you the last time we talked about it and was told ‘no’, Mr. Black.”
“So, it’s no and no and no.” 09300137.doc 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004
“Yes, Sir.”
“Okay. Thank you.”
“Thank you.”
Speaker Hannig: “Is there any further discussion? The Gentleman from Lake, Representative Churchill.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Gentleman yield?”
“He indicates he’ll yield.”
“Just to… Representative Washington, is… are either of these TIF Districts near Lakehurst Shopping Center?”
“Part of Lakehurst Shopping Center is already in a TIF District, Representative.”
“Yeah, but is… is the… you have two TIF Districts in this Bill. Is one of those TIF Districts related to the shopping center area, where the shopping center’s been torn down now?”
“No, Sir.”
“Okay. So, Lakehurst is not involved at all in either of these TIF Districts?”
“Also, Representative, I’m sorry. Number 2 Amendment was withdrawn and we’re just dealin’ with Amendment #3 which amends the Bill to remove the City of Cicero from the TIF extension.”
“Okay. But the two TIF Districts in Waukegan are not in the area of Lakehurst Shopping Center?”
“No, Sir.”
“Okay. Thank you.”
“Thank you.” 09300137.doc 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004
“Okay. Representative Washington, did you… did you say that you wish to withdraw Amendment #2?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Okay. We’re on Amendment #2 right now. The Gentleman…”
“Yes, Sir.”
“…the Gentleman withdraws Floor Amendment #2. Mr. Clerk, are there any further Amendments?”
“Floor Amendment #3, offered by Representative Washington, has been approved for consideration.”
“Floor Amendment #3. Representative Washington is recognized on the Amendment. Excuse me. Representative Parke, for what reason do you rise?”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Clerk check and make sure that Amendment #3 is out of committee and on the floor?”
“Mr. Clerk, can you give us the status of Amendment 3? It would be here or you wouldn’t… wouldn’t be able to read it, I think, Mr. Parke. Is that correct, Mr. Clerk?”
Clerk Mahoney: “Floor Amendment #3 has been approved for consideration.”
“Okay.”
“Okay. Thank you.”
“Okay. Now, on a Floor Amendment #3, Mr… Representative Washington, do you wish to adopt that Amendment?”
“Yes, Sir.” 09300137.doc 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004
“Okay.”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Okay. So, the Gentleman moves for the adoption of Floor Amendment #3. Is there any discussion? The Gentleman from Lake, Representative Churchill.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Gentleman yield?”
“He indicates he’ll yield.”
“Just wanna make sure I’m on Amendment #3. Neither one of these TIF Districts is for any of the area around Lakehurst Shopping Center?”
“That’s right.”
“Okay. Thank you.”
“Thank you.”
Speaker Hannig: “The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Parke.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?”
“He indicates he’ll yield.”
“Representative, can you tell us the difference between Amendment 2 and Amendment 3?”
“Amendment 2… Amendment 3 eliminates Cicero from the TIF extension.”
“And that’s because it’s already passed, as far as you know? So, with all of the answers that you gave originally on the floor for Amendment 2 would they all apply to Amendment 3?”
“Yes, it does. Yes, it does.”
“Thank you very much.”
“Thank you, Sir.” 09300137.doc 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004
“Is there any further discussion? Then all in favor of the Amendment say ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The ‘ayes’ have it. And the Amendment is adopted. Any further Amendments?”
“No further Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“Senate Bill 2411, a Bill for an Act concerning taxes. Third Reading of this Senate Bill.”
Speaker Hannig: “Representative Washington. The Bill’s on Third Reading. Representative Washington.”
“Yes, Sir. Mr. Chairman, I’m asking for favorable support of this legislation. It only affects my area.”
“Okay. The Gentleman has moved for the adopt… for the… the Gentleman has moved that the House pass Senate Bill 2411. Is there any discussion? Then the question is, ‘Shall this Bill pass?’ All in favor vote ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 106 voting ‘yes’ and 6 voting ‘no’. And this Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Yarbrough, for what reason do you rise?”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On the last Bill, I… my… I didn’t get a chance to vote. It was my intention to vote ‘yes’.”
“Okay. So, the record will so reflect your intentions. On page 17 of the Calendar, under the Order of Resolutions, is House Joint Resolution 39. Representative 09300137.doc 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004 Slone. Okay. Out of the record. House Joint Resolution 54, Representative Watson.”
“We have a… a Floor Amendment.”
“Mr. Clerk, are there any Amendments?”
“Floor Amendment #1, offered by Representative Watson, has been approved for consideration to House Joint Resolution 54.”
“Representative Watson.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Floor Amendment #1 is simply an addendum at the request of the Municipal League to add one more person to the task force. Other than that, the… the… the Amendment changes nothing.”
“Is there… is there any discussion? Then all in favor of the Amendment say ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The ‘ayes’ have it. And the Amendment is adopted. Any further Amendments?”
“No further Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Okay. So, let’s read the… let’s proceed with House Joint Resolution 54. Representative Watson.”
“House Joint Resolution 54 is identical to a Resolution we passed out of here unanimously last year. It did not get picked up in the Senate. It creates a rural water infrastructure task force to set a… set up a committee to investigate ways to improve rural water infrastructures in our rural communities. So, I’d be happy to answer any questions.”
“So, the Gentleman has moved for the adoption of House Joint Resolution 54. Is there any discussion? 09300137.doc 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004 Then the question is, ‘Shall the Resolution be adopted?’ All in favor vote ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk… Is everyone recorded? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 113 voting ‘yes’ and 0 voting ‘no’. And the Resolution is adopted. House Joint Resolution 76, Representative Hoffman. Representative Hoffman is recognized. Representative Hoffman. Okay.”
“Yes, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. House Joint Resolution 76 simply urges the U. S. Congress and the administration to support renewable fuel legislation. This is an initiative from the Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois Corn Growers Association, Renewable Fuels and the Governor’s Office.”
“Is there any discussion? Question is, ‘Shall the Resolution be adopted?’ All in favor say ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The ‘ayes’ have it. And the Resolution is adopted. House Joint Resolution 80, Representative Slone.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Ladies and Gentlemen of the House, HJR80 establishes an Illinois Military Installation Realignment and Closure Task Force of Legislators to keep an eye on the federal process that is looking at the possible closure of military bases around the country. The purpose of the task force would be to have legislative groups that keeps an eye on the process and indicates to the Congress and to the Department of Defense Illinois’s strong interest in maintaining the integrity of each and 09300137.doc 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004 every military installation that we have in this state. I would appreciate your ‘aye’ votes.”
“The Lady moves for the adoption of House Joint Resolution 80. Is there any discussion? Then the question is, ‘Shall the Resolution be adopted?’ All in favor vote ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Representative Currie. Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 113 voting ‘yes’ and 0 voting ‘no’. And the Resolution is adopted. Representative Hoffman on House Joint Resolution 81. Representative Hoffman.”
“House Joint Resolution 81 simply urges the Illinois Commerce Commission to perform a study on the railroad crossing gates and other protective devices currently in use at the railroad crossings in northeastern Illinois where pedestrian traffic is allowed by law to determine the adequacy of the gates and other devices as to the safety and make sure that in this study a determination is made and recommendations are made to the Governor and the Secretary of Transportation and the General Assembly no later than March 31 of 2005 as to how to increase safety.”
“The Gentleman has moved for the adoption of House Joint Resolution 81. And on that question, the Lady from Will, Representative Kosel.”
“Can you define for me the region of northeastern Illinois? What is defined by that is?” 09300137.doc 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004
“Unfortunately, I believe, that the drafting of the… the drafting of the Resolution simply indicates northeastern Illinois. It doesn’t have specific… specific counties.”
“So, this could… this could…”
“And it makes reference to a fifth-grade student, Michael DeLarco of Schaumburg who was killed in one of the incidents on February 23, 2004. I simply ask the Illinois Commerce Commission to look at those types of devices only where pedestrian traffic is allowed.”
“And there… and I assume by pedestrian that would include bikes or is nonmotorized is pedestrian only bike is only or foot traffic?”
“Pedestrian would not include bikes.”
“It wouldn’t. So, it would only be foot traffic?”
“Only foot traffic.”
“Thank you.”
“I would assume many of these where pedestrian traffic is allowed there’s also bikes that are on the… on the pedestrian walkways.”
“Okay. Thank you.”
“Is there any further discussion? Okay. Then the question is, ‘Shall the Resolution be adopted?’ All in favor say ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The ‘ayes’ have it. And the Resolution is adopted. On page 18 of the Calendar, we’re gonna continue on the Order of Resolutions, House Resolution 411. Representative Younge. I understand 09300137.doc 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004 there’s an Amendment that is on the floor. Representative Younge, would you like to speak to the Amendment?”
“The Amendment is a technical one in that it changes the name of the Department of Commerce & Community Affairs to the Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity. I move for the…”
“Is there any discussion? The Lady moves for the… for the adoption of Amendment #2. And on that question, all in favor say ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The ‘ayes’ have it. And the Amendment is adopted. Are there any further Amendments?”
“No further Amendments. No Motions filed.”
Speaker Hannig: “Okay. Representative Younge, then is recognized on House Resolution 411 as amended. Representative Younge.”
“The Resolution, Mr. Speaker, creates the Community Self-Revitalization Task Force to study the need for revitalizing the most economically depressed cities in Illinois. And I move for the adoption of the Amendment…”
“And on that question…”
“…and the Resolution.”
“…and on that question, the Gentleman from Vermilion, Representative Black.”
“Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?”
“She indicates she’ll yield.”
“Representative, is there a reason why all members of this task force would be appointed by the Governor?” 09300137.doc 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004
“We thought that that would get it… the appointees more status and it would… they would be more representative of the entire state.”
“Mmm. Well, okay. If you think that’s the way to do it. I would think so… some… some county board chairpersons or regional economic development professional should have some input, but if it’s your desire the Governor appoint all members of the task force, so be it.”
“Is there any further discussion? Then the question is, ‘Shall the Resolution be adopted?’ All in favor vote ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 113 voting ‘yes’ and 0 voting ‘no’. And the Resolution is adopted. Representative Younge on House Resolution 413 and I understand that the Calendar indicates there’s a Floor Amendment. So, on the Amendment, Representative Younge.”
“The Floor Amendment #2 makes the… any expenditure subject to appropriation. I move for the adoption.”
Speaker Hannig: “The Lady moves for the adoption of Floor Amendment #2. Is there any discussion? All in favor say ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The ‘ayes’ have it. Excuse me. Representative Bellock, did you have a question on the… on the Amendment?”
“Yes.”
“Yes. Okay. Representative Bellock.”
“Thank you very much. Will the Speak… Sponsor yield?” 09300137.doc 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004
“She indicates she’ll yield.”
“So, is this a new Amendment from what we saw in the committee?”
“Yes. It’s in response to the discussion in committee.”
“Was this the one… I can’t remember, specifically, ‘cause you had a couple. Was this the one that changed the makeup of the committee, the task force?”
“This is the Amendment which makes the Department of Human Services… a request is made that… that they set up this advocacy program to take care of the mentally ill homeless section of our society. And the Amendment merely requests that the Department of Human Services study and go into this matter.”
“Well, what I’m specifically asking is this something different than what we discussed in committee? Is this creating some different program?”
“No. It’s… it’s creating the same program, but it’s asking the Department of Health & Human Services to create it rather than appointing a task force to do it.”
“You would like DHS to study it rather than a task force?”
“That’s correct.”
“I just had a concern as to… because we didn’t discuss it in committee as to, ya know, the financial… if it would cost more.”
“Well, just to clarify, Representative, we’re on the Amendment.” 09300137.doc 19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004
“Right. Okay. Thank you.”
“Representative Daniels.”
“Representative Younge came into the Committee on Developmental Disabilities & Mental Illness and presented this Amendment at our last hearing. This changes it from a task force to a feasibility study creating a state advocacy program for the homeless mentally ill and developmentally disabled. It’s in line with what the committee had requested of her to do. And so the Amendment is in order from our last meeting and I would support the Lady’s request to approve the Amendment.”
“Representative Meyer on the Amendment.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Would the Sponsor yield?”
“She indicates she’ll yield.”
“Representative, this requires the department to consider whether… the feasibility on whether something should be created that’s gonna provide services. Is that correct?”
“No. It urges the department to consider the feasibility of creating a state advocacy program for the homeless mentally ill. It doesn’t require, it… it suggests them to consider it.”
“I’m looking at an Amendment here that says resolved that if the state advocacy program for the homeless mentally ill and developmentally disabled is created by the department which gives them the authority… that would seem it would give them the authority to create it not just study the feasibility.” 09300137.doc 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004
“The wording and the intention of the Amendment and the Resolution is to ask the Department of Human Services to consider the creation of a state advocacy program in reference to the needs of the homeless mentally ill. A Resolution can’t require the…”
“Representative… Representative, I would like to support your Amendment, but could you just take this out of the record for a minute so we could discuss it because I think it’s doing something that perhaps others don’t feel it is, but I… from what I can see and I believe I’m reading the Amendment here. It requires the study by… the feasibility study to occur and if the department decides to do it, they’re doing it. And there would be an expense to that.”
“We can certainly take it out, but the intent is not to require them. This is a Resolution, so it merely urges them to consider. Mr. Speaker, would you take the Resolution out the…”
“Okay.”
“…out of the record.”
Speaker Hannig: “We’ll… we’ll… the Lady asks that the Resolution be taken out of the record. So, let’s continue on down the Calendar to House Resolution 414. Representative Younge.”
“Amendment #1 to House Resolution 414 changes the date of the reporting from 2004 to 2005. This Resolution establishes and creates the Illinois African-American Peace Brigade Task Force to study various issues involved in getting volunteers… people from all over Illinois to help 09300137.doc 21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004 inner-city students who are having difficulty with their tests. Also, it creates the Peace Brigade that could bring about volunteers in Africa.”
Speaker Hannig: “So, Representative Younge, the Committee Amendment was adopted. You’re not requesting any further Amendments.”
“No.”
“You’re asking that we adopt the Resolution. Is that correct?”
“That’s correct.”
“Okay. So, the Lady asks that House Resolution 414 be adopted. Is there any discussion? So, then the question is, ‘Shall Resolu… House Resolution 414 be adopted?’ All in favor vote ‘aye’; opposed ‘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 113 voting ‘yes’ and 0 voting ‘no’. And the Resolution is adopted. House Resolution 415, Representative Younge. Now, this one has a… an Amendment, Representative Younge…”
“Yes.”
“…that the Rules Committee has sent us. So, would you explain the Amendment, please.”
“The Amendment chan… replaces 5 with 6 and replaces 2004 with 2005 as the reporting date. I move for the adoption of the Amendment.”
Speaker Hannig: “The Lady moves for the adoption of Floor Amendment #2. Is there any discussion? Then all in favor 09300137.doc 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004 say ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The ‘ayes’ have it. And the Amendment is adopted. Are there any further Amendments, Mr. Clerk?”
“No further Amendments. No Motions filed.”
Speaker Hannig: “Okay. So, now, Representative Younge is recognized on House Resolution 415 as amended.”
“This Resolution creates a Welfare to Work Task Force to study the various issues with re… in relationship placing qualified welfare recipients in state jobs. And the task force would… study the various issues having to do with that.”
Speaker Hannig: “The Lady moves for the adoption of House Resolution 415. Is there any discussion? Then the question is, ‘Shall the Resolution be adopted?’ All in favor vote ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 111 voting ‘yes’, 1 voting ‘no’ and 1 voting ‘present’. And the Resolution is adopted. Representative Granberg. Representative Granberg in the chamber? Representative Mitchell on House Resolution 435. Okay. Representative Bradley on House Resolution 474.” Bradley, J.: “Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Members of the General Assembly. It’s a little known fact that shortly before Beatlemania hit the United States George Harrison paid a visit to Benton, Illinois and it’s an even lesser known fact that his sister still lives there. And so… Yeah, really. Really, Bob, really I mean… So, anyway, I would 09300137.doc 23 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004 ask the House to approve this Resolution which recognizes the Harrison visit and the contribution of southern Illinois to rock and roll history.”
“And on that question, Representative Bost.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Let it be.”
“Representative Lang.”
“That was pretty good, Representative Bost. I don’t know that I could do better than that. I’m just… Will the Sponsor yield?”
“Yes. He indicates he’ll yield.”
“Good. We’re not doing anything else around here. Oh, Representative, Representative, over here.” Bradley, J.: “Yes.”
“Were you there the day that he visited?” Bradley, J.: “No.”
“And you say his sister still lives there?” Bradley, J.: “Yes.”
“Is she a registered Democrat?” Bradley, J.: “I have no idea.”
“Well, you wanna take this out of the record ‘til ya find out?” Bradley, J.: “No.”
“Okay.”
“Representative Mulligan.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. But, I think Mr. Lang asked the question I would if he was… if Representative Bradley was born when he was here. I think he said ‘no’?” Bradley, J.: “No.” 09300137.doc 24 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004
“Representative Joseph Lyons.” Lyons, J.: “I just wanna make the observation, it’s been a long and winding road to get this Resolution to the floor.”
“Representative May.”
“Yes, Representative, down from the southern part of the state, I danced at the Elbo Room to Beatles’ tunes and I wanna let you know, I wanna hold your hand.”
“Is there any further discussion? All in favor of the Resolution vote ‘yeah, yeah, yeah’; all opposed vote ‘nay’. The ‘yeah, yeah, yeahs’ have it. And the Resolution is adopted. Representative Brauer is recognized on House Resolution 478.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don’t think I can top that one. This is just a… recognizing that Celiac Disease is used with… is an autoimmune disease and just to help create awareness. Appreciate an ‘aye’ vote.”
“Is there any discussion? Then all in favor of the Resolution say ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The ‘ayes’ have it. And the Resolution is adopted. Representative Granberg. Representative Kelly on House Resolution 492. Representative Poe on House Resolution 561.”
“Yeah, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen. Charles Dickens’ son and some of the relation visited the State Library last year and this is something we wanted to make sure. It’s a little late, but we’re still gonna make sure we mail it to him.”
“All in favor of the Resolution say ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The ‘ayes’ have it. And the Resolution is 09300137.doc 25 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004 adopted. Representative Yarbrough, would you like to handle House Resolution 577?”
“Yes. Yes, Mr. Speaker, Members of the House. House Resolution 577 resolves the steps needed to be taken by the State of Illinois to plan for the replacement of the William D. Stratton Building. The need for the replacement of the building stems from its age and most significantly the fact that in 2001, PCBS, a highly toxic substance were found in equipment in the Stratton Building. The removal of the PCBs coupled with the already existing repairs needed to be made to the 50-year-old building create a situation where rehabilitating the building is not feasible from a fiscal standpoint. I… I am happy to carry this Resolution because it’s been a concern of mine over the years that I’ve been here. I’d be happy to answer any questions.”
“The Lady has moved for the adoption of House Resolution 577. And on that question, Representative Parke.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?”
“She indicates she’ll yield.”
“Representative, I think this is a good idea. The Bill, though, has a price tag of about a hundred and thirty million dollars on an estimate. Do you have any idea where that money will come from?”
“No, I do not. I know that we’re talking about a plan right now. We’re not talking about including this in 09300137.doc 26 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004 a FY05 year budget. We’re talking about a plan to do it some time in the future.”
“Do we have a target date for this task force… the study to be completed?”
“No, we don’t.”
“That would probably be a good idea. I might suggest, you might wanna put it so… put it in there so that everybody who’s involved in it knows that it’s gotta get done by a certain date. I hear you’re planning on re… presenting that to all of the… to the two caucuses of the House and…”
“We absolutely intend to do that.”
“Okay. Well, again, I think this is long overdue. I just hope we can find the money someday to do it. Thank you.”
“Thank you.”
“Representative Lyons.” Lyons, J.: “Thank you, Speaker. To the Bill or to the Resolution. Representative, as the last cochairman of the Legislative Space Needs Commission before it was dismantled and repositioned as part of the whatever of architecture the state architect, there was a plan for that building. Mel Hildebrand, his fine staff, Dean and Bo and people that work on Legislative Space Needs, when Karen Hasara was the mayor, there was an attempt to coordinate the State of Illinois’s reconfiguration of the Legislative Space Needs geography working with the City of Springfield to do some of those things. So, there are plans. There were plans… 09300137.doc 27 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004 we’ve actually seen artists’ renderings to redo that building. I mean, there was one plan to buy the little building down on Monroe Street, two, three floors at a time, redo the existing building. I mean, the cost could be argued, what’s money better spent to tear it down and start from scratch or what we just… a year or two ago we put a million and a half dollar air conditioning unit on the top of that building. So, I agree with you in theory that something should probably be done, like a lot of old buildings not only in Springfield, but across the State of Illinois and across the country there’s… there’s… what’s the best thing? Do you work with what you have and this old house type of thing, let’s take it apart and floor by floor put it back together or do you start from scratch. But, I… I compliment you. We just wanna give you a little bit of history on that. Space Needs Commission, now the Department of Architecture, I think our chief of staff is very familiar with our architect plan and vision, would probably be able to give you some ideas on that.”
Speaker Hannig: “Is there any further discussion? Representative Yarbrough to close.”
“I just ask for a favorable vote. Thank you.”
“The question is, ‘Shall the Resolution be adopted?’ All in favor vote ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 94 voting ‘yes’, 18 09300137.doc 28 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004 voting ‘no’ and 1 voting ‘present’. And the Resolution is adopted. House Resolution 581, Representative Flowers.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. I urge for the adoption of House Resolution 581 which just recognize V-Day. And I’ll be more than happy to answer any questions you have.”
“Is there any discussion? Then all in favor of the Resolution say ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The ‘ayes’ have it. And the Resolution is adopted. House Resolution 593. Representative Bellock, would you like to handle that for your Leader? Representative Bellock.”
“I think I did that for Representative Cross and it’s for the… it urges the United States Department of Agriculture to update and improve the nutritional quality of all food packages covered by the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children which is the WIC Program. And requires that all food packages target nu… nutrients and nutrients needs of participants be reevaluated and revised to reflect current nutritional science at least every ten years.”
“Is there…”
“This was recommended by the public health and the Illinois Academy of Family Physicians.”
“Is there any discussion? Then all in favor of the Resolution say ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The ‘ayes’ have it. And the Resolution is adopted. House Resolution 594. Representative Bellock, would you like to handle that as well?” 09300137.doc 29 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004
“Yes. Thank you very much. House Resolution 594 urges Congress to strengthen and improve the National School Lunch Program and the Child Nutrition Program.”
“Okay. Is there any discussion? Then all in favor of the Resolution say ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The ‘ayes’ have it. And the Resolution is adopted. House Resolution 595, Representative Coulson.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Resolution 595 urges the Illinois State Board of Education to develop guidelines concerning how schools can meet certain standards for saturated fat in school meal programs and provide healthy alternatives and also urges school districts to design a school lunch menu for at least one week per month that meets the saturated fat standards and promotes nutritional meal selections. I urge your support.”
“Is there any discussion? All in favor of the Resolution say ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The ‘ayes’ have it. And the Resolution is adopted. On page 20 of the Calendar is House… House Resolution 596, Representative Coulson.”
“House Resolution 596 declares January and February Obesity Awareness Months. I urge your support.”
“Is there any discussion? The Gentleman from Vermilion, Representative Black.”
“Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?”
“She indicates she’ll yield.”
“Representative, why?”
“Why…” 09300137.doc 30 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004
“Why?”
“…because we have had a huge increase in obesity especially in our children and we want to encourage people, especially after the holidays, to think about what they’re eating, how they’re eating and perhaps lose some weight.”
“Mr. Speaker, she looked directly at me before she said that. I resent the implication.”
“I did not.”
“And I… I really think she’s hiding some kind of TIF District expansion in this Resolution. But I’m gonna check a little further.”
“Is there any further discussion? Then all in favor of the Resolution say ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The ‘ayes’ have it. And the Resolution is adopted. Representative Bradley on House Resolution 616. Let’s move on down the Calendar to House Resolution 626, Representative Franks. You’re up, Representative Franks.”
“Thank you. House Resolution 626 urges the Federal Communications Commission and major television networks to curb or eliminate the growing amount of profanity on television especially during the family hour.”
“The Gentleman has moved for the adoption of House Resolution 626. Is there any discussion? Then all in favor say ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The ‘ayes’ have it. And the Resolution is adopted. House Resolution 628, Representative Flowers.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. House Resolution 628 pleads that Congress does not 09300137.doc 31 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004 pass any measure that does less for senior citizens than the current Illinois drug prescript… prescription program. And I’ll be more than happy to answer any questions you have in regards to the Resolution.”
Speaker Hannig: “The Lady moves for adoption of House Resolution 628. Is there any discussion? Then all in favor of adopting the Resolution say ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The ‘ayes’ have it. And the Resolution is adopted. Representative Soto on House Resolution 635.”
“Thank you, Speaker and Members of the House. This Resolution… House Resolution 635 is a Resolution on teen pregnancy of… We have a task force that will… I’m sorry. Okay. The task force will consist of three Representatives and three public members appointed by the Speaker of the House and three Representatives… and three public members appointed by the Minority Leader of the House. Public members must represent the Hispanic community, providers of health care and other services to teenagers. I urge an ‘aye’ vote.”
“Is there any discussion? Then all in favor of House… Then… then the question is, ‘Shall House Resolution 635 be adopted?’ All in favor vote ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 113 voting ‘yes’ and 0 voting ‘no’. And the Resolution is adopted. Representative Currie, for what reason do you rise?” 09300137.doc 32 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004
“Thank you, Speaker, Members of the House. I move to recommit Senate Bills 37, 1920, 1936, 1938, 2212, 2213, 2216, 2218, 2220, 2235, 3195 and 3196 from the Revenue Committee to the Rules Committee.”
“You’ve heard the Lady’s Motion. Is there any discussion? The Gentleman from Vermilion, Representative Black.” Black: I’m sorry, Mr. Speaker. Are those Resolutions or Bills?”
Speaker Hannig: “The Lady indicates she’ll yield, Representative.”
“I… I didn’t hear you. Are these all Bills that you’re recommitting?”
“To the Rules Committee from Revenue.”
“Are they all sponsored by the Majority Leader?”
“I don’t believe so.”
“Oh, oh, woop, woop. And who… who is…”
“I believe they’re sponsored… these, I believe, are… are vehicle Bills. I believe the Sponsor would be Representative Madigan.”
“Have you… have you cleared this with Representative Madigan?”
“I have.”
“I would think so. Thank you.”
“Is there any further discussion on the Lady’s Motion to recommit? All in favor say ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The ‘ayes’ have it. And the Motion is adopted. 09300137.doc 33 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004 Representative Aguilar, for what reason do you rise? Okay. Mr…”
“Report of the House Rules Committee: House Joint Resolution 91, offered by Representative John Bradley. House Resolution 1028, offered by Representative Giles. House Resolution 1030, offered by Representative Kurtz. House Resolution 1031, offered by Representative Turner. The Rules Committee will meet immediately in the Speaker’s Conference Room. The Rules Committee will meet immediately in the Speaker’s Conference Room.”
“Returning to the Order of Resolutions, on page 20 of the Calendar, House Resolution 649. Representative Colvin.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Resolution 649 is a Resolution simply asking for residents of the City of Chicago to participate in the democratic process, that’s democratic with a small ‘d’, the democratic process of encouraging people to participate in the local school council elections. I ask for its passage. And I’ll take any questions.”
“Is there any discussion? Then all in favor of the Resolution say ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The ‘ayes’ have it. And the Resolution is adopted. House Resolution 654, Representative Colvin.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Resolution 65… 654 recognizes that mental illness and suicide among young people are a public health crisis in the State of Illinois… and in the nation. And all of its residents of Illinois 09300137.doc 34 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004 and all the residents of Illinois should make the identification of mental disorders and the prevention of suicide among young people of the State of Illinois a public health priority. And if, Mr. Speaker, if I could just to cite a few statistics that I’ve recently found from a study that was conducted by the Centers of Disease Control in Atlanta, Georgia. There’s a study of 10,904 high school students in grades 9-12 and their study was conducted last year. During the 12 months of the preceding survey, 24 percent of all students had seriously thought about attempting suicide; 17.7 percent had made a specific plan and 8.7 percent of those students had attempted suicide. Among gender, girls in the grades between 9 and 12 are twice as likely to try or attempt suicide. Among race, 25 percent of all white students in the survey, 20 percent of all African-American students and 13 percent… 13.4 percent of all Hispanic students had either thought or attempted suicide. It’s a real killer among all ages of Americans of any age group, any gender and any race. And I ask for the passage of this Resolution.”
“The Gentleman has moved for passage of House Resolution 654. Is there any discussion? Then all in favor say ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The ‘ayes’ have it. And the Resolution is adopted. House Resolution 659, Representative Hassert. Representative Joyce on House Resolution 660. Representative Black on House Resolution 667.” 09300137.doc 35 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004
“Yes. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. I’m so glad that I left my grandchildren at home and came over here to move this Resolution that simply directs every state agency to develop and adminer… administer a more strict travel policy and urges the Governor to work with state agencies to create a comprehensive travel voucher law. I think travel would be one area that we might be able to reduce our expenditures. I would ask for a… an ‘aye’ vote.”
“The Gentleman has moved for the adoption of House Resolution 667. Is there any discussion? Then the question is, ‘Shall the Resolution be adopted?’ All in favor vote ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. There are 113 voting ‘yes’ and 0 voting ‘no’. And the Resolution is adopted. Let’s return for a moment to page 20 of the Calendar to House Resolution 629. Representative Flowers.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. House Resolution 629 simply urges Congress to pass a Social Security Fairness Act of 2003. And I’ll be more than happy to answer any questions that you have in regards to this Resolution.”
Speaker Hannig: “Is there any discussion? The Rep… the Gentleman from Cook, Representative Parke.”
“First of all, Mr. Speaker, could we have the right Resolution on the board.”
“Yeah. Okay.” 09300137.doc 36 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004
“Please?”
“House Resolution 629, Mr. Clerk.”
“Thank you. Second of all, will the Sponsor yield?”
“She indicates she’ll yield.”
“Representative, I think it’s interesting. What do you mean by fairness in Social Security?”
“I’m sorry. Pardon me? I didn’t hear your question.”
“I said, what does fairness in Social Security… We send this to Congress. Is that what we wanna do? Send this as a recommendation to Congress to do this?”
“Right.”
“And… and what are we recommending that…”
“We’re recommending that they pass the Fairness Act in Social Security because we have what you call the government pension offset and the windfall elimination provision which was enacted in 1983 and as a result of that enactment people who work two jobs in their lifetime, for instance, like for Social Security and where at some jobs that don’t have Social Security where they have a pension and when one or the other dies the spouse think that they’re able to collect the rest of their spouse pension. And sometimes we’re talkin’ about up to $3 thousand. But as a result of a police officer, let’s take a police officer, takin’ that particular job and then becoming a school teacher later, he cannot collect all of his Social Security as well as his pension and then if his wife was a school teacher, he would not be able to collect her Social Security. And as a result of that occurring, a lot of 09300137.doc 37 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004 seniors are forced to live on welfare and I’m asking Congress to please pass the Social Security Fairness Act because these people played by the rules, they paid their taxes, they paid their pension and they should be entitled to it.”
“Thank you, Representative. I understand what you’re trying to do. Thank you.”
“Is there any further discussion? Then all in favor of the Resolution say ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The Resolution is adopted. The ‘ayes’ have it. And the Resolution is adopted. On page 21 of the Calendar, House Resolution 668, Representative McAuliffe.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. I have House Resolution 668 which would require each state agency to discourage the use of directory assistance 411, out-of-state phone calls and personal use of employee phones in order to reduce… reduce spending for the state. And I ask for the adoption of House Resolution 668.”
“Is there any discussion? Then all in favor of the Resolution say ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The ‘ayes’ have it. And the Resolution is adopted. Representative Meyer on House Resolution 671. Okay. Let’s go on down the Calendar to House Resolution 674. Representative Krause.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Resolution 674 urges Congress to adopt HR1406 which is currently pending in Congress which would remove certain limits on states to operate effective long-term care partnership programs. If 09300137.doc 38 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004 the Congressional Resolution were adopted, Illinois could increase the number of individuals to purchase private long-term care insurance and the more people who would purchase insurance under this program would help relieve pressure on the Illinois Department of Public Aid budget.”
“Is there any discussion? Then all in favor of the Resolution say ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The ‘ayes’ have it. And the Resolution is adopted. Continuing on page 21 of the Calendar is House Resolution 676. Representative Franks.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is a Resolution that came to me after a meeting with our local superintendents. They’re all in favor of the Take Your Children to Work Day. What they’d like to see, however, is that this happen on a day when the children aren’t in school so they would not miss an additional day of school. And that’s what this Resolution would… states.”
“The Gentleman moves for pass… for the adoption of House Resolution 676. And on that question, the Gentleman from DuPage, Representative Biggins. Representative Biggins, did you wish recognition on this? Did you wish recognition on this issue? No. Okay. Someone just played a little joke there, Representative Biggins. Is there any discussion? All in favor of the Amendment say ‘aye’… the Resolution say ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The ‘ayes’ have it. The Resolution is adopted. House Resolution 677, Representative Black.” 09300137.doc 39 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004
“Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. House Resolution 677, I sponsored some time ago, but it’s still perhaps relevant. Was drawn… it was brought to my attention by constituents that several months ago the Department of Central Management Services were dropping dependent coverage from employees insurance policy. I had a constituent who had four stepchildren and for no apparent reason and without constructive notice, two of his stepchildren were dropped from his dependent coverage, two of the stepchildren were kept on the dependent coverage. He… he didn’t have any idea why this was done and until I made inquiry after inquiry after inquiry with Central Management Services all they told him is, that’s the way it is. Well, I’ve been around here long enough to know that nothing is ‘that’s the way it is’. Interesting to note after my fourth inquiry his dependents were put back on his group insurance policy. Even though, I think, most of that has been resolved, the Resolution simply tells CMS to provide a report to us on how they determine dependent insurance coverage and how or why some dependents are taken off while some dependents are left on. Would ask for an ‘aye’ vote.”
“Is there any discussion? Then the question is, ‘Shall House Resolution 677 be adopted?’ All in favor vote ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 113 voting ‘yes’ and 0 voting ‘no’. And the 09300137.doc 40 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004 Resolution is adopted. House Resolution 680, Representative Gordon.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Ladies and Gentlemen, House Resolution 680 urges the Department on Aging to create one number for callers to access the senior help line. Right now, there’s one number for Monday through Friday, there’s one number for after hours and there’s one number for outside Illinois. This would make it much easier for people to gain the services that the department has available. And I ask for an ‘aye’ vote.”
“Is there any discussion? Then all in favor of the Resolution vote ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 113 voting ‘yes’ and 0 voting ‘no’. And the Resolution is adopted. Returning to House Resolution 671, Representative Meyer.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Ladies and Gentlemen of the House, House Resolution 671 resolves that the Auditor General is directed to conduct a management program audit of DECO or DCEO administration of its economic development programs. The audit is intended to, among other things, determine if DCCA… DCEO is administering the state’s economic development programs effectively and efficiently. I’d appreciate your support.”
“Is there any discussion? Then the question is, ‘Shall the House adopt House Resolution 671?’ All in favor vote ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The voting is open. Have 09300137.doc 41 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004 all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 113 voting ‘yes’ and 0 voting ‘no’. And the Resolution is adopted. Turning to page 22 of the Calendar is House Resolution 688. Representative Pankau.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Resolution 688 is a very good Resolution. Let’s see, what’s it… It pays tribute to Route 12 and asks to have it renamed for the Iron Brigade. And I think I could best… The constituent who asked me to advance this Resolution wrote me a letter about it and if you would indulge me, I will read from the letter because he best explains the reason why. Briefly, ‘U. S. Route 12 in Wisconsin, Indiana and Michigan has been declared to be the Iron Brigade Memorial Highway in these states. As you know, U. S. Route 12 also enters Illinois at the Indiana and Wisconsin borders. The Sons of Union Veterans, a national organization dedicated to preserving the heritage of our Civil War veterans, would like to see the chain completed by having the State of Illinois also declare its portion of the highway as the Iron Brigade Memorial Highway. Regiments from Wisconsin, Michigan and Indiana served in this unit which fought gallantly at Gettysburg and other battles which helped preserve the Union. It was considered by many to be the finest brigade in the Union Army. No Illinois regiments served in the brigade, but there was an Illinois connection. The 24th Michigan Regiment of this brigade was given the honor to serve as the military escort at the funeral of President 09300137.doc 42 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004 Abraham Lincoln in Springfield on May 4, 1865.’ And I ask this Res… I ask that this Resolution be approved.”
“Is there any discussion? Then all in favor of the Resolution say ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The ‘ayes’ have it. And the Resolution is adopted. House Resolution 689, Representative Hassert or Representative Krause.”
“Thank you, Speaker. This Resolution does honor JULIE for 30 years of a safety record. And I would ask for support.”
“Is there any discussion? Then all in favor of the Resolution say ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The ‘ayes’ have it. And the Resolution is adopted. Mr. Clerk, read re… read the Rules Report.”
Clerk Mahoney: “Representative Barbara Flynn Currie, Chairperson from the Committee on Rules, to which the following legislative measures and/or joint actions Motions was/were referred, action taken on May 30, 2004, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'approved for floor for consideration' Amendment #1 to House Joint Resolution 59, Amendment #1 to House Joint Resolution 67, Amendment #1 to House Resolution 701, Amendment #2 to House Resolution 917. The following measures were 'approved for consideration' referred to Second Reading: Senate Bill 37, Senate Bill 1215, Senate Bill 1216, Senate Bill 1218, Senate Bill 1219, Senate Bill 1221, Senate Bill 1225, Senate Bill 1231, Senate Bill 1233, Senate Bill 1235, Senate Bill 1920, Senate Bill 1936, Senate Bill 1938, Senate Bill 2212, Senate Bill 2213, 09300137.doc 43 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004 Senate Bill 2216, Senate Bill 2218, Senate Bill 2220 and Senate Bill 2235; a Motion to Table Amendment #2 was ‘approved for consideration’ to Senate Bill 2247, Amendment #2 was ‘approved for consideration’ to Senate Bill 2401. The following were referred to Second Reading: Senate Bill 3195, Senate Bill 3196, Senate Bill 3197. The following Amendments were ‘approved for consideration’: Amendment #2 to Senate Bill 3338, Amendment #1 to Senate Bill 3341, Amendment #2 to Senate Bill 3343, Amendment #1 to Senate Bill 3350 and Amendment #2 to Senate Bill 3356.”
“On page 15 of the Calendar, under the Order of Concurrences, is House Bill 4283. Representative Hoffman. Representative Hoffman moves to nonconcur in House Bill 4283. Is there any discussion? All in favor say ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The ‘ayes’ have it. And the House nonconcurs in Senate Amendments 1 and 3. Is that correct, Representative Hoffman? Okay. Representative Molaro, for what reason do you rise?”
“Just as a point of information. Do you know if we’re gonna be going to any Postponed Considerations or Motion to Concurs that may have failed earlier? Do you know if we’re gonna go to that Order of Business today? Well, we’ll just wait. You don’t have to answer that, maybe tomorrow.”
“On page 17 of the Calendar, under the Order of Resolutions, is House Joint Resolution 39. Representative Slone. Okay. Out of the record.” 09300137.doc 44 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004
“The Rules Committee is currently meeting in the Speaker’s Conference Room. The Rules Committee is currently meeting in the Speaker’s Conference Room.”
“Mr. Clerk, would you read the Rules Report, please.”
Clerk Mahoney: “Representative Barbara Flynn Currie, Chairperson from the Committee on Rules, to which the following legislative measures and/or joint action Motions was/were referred, action taken on May 30, 2004, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'approved for floor consideration' is Amendment #3 to Senate Bill 3356.”
“Okay. On page 8 of the Calendar, under the Order of Senate Bills-Second Reading, is Senate Bill 955. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“Senate Bill 955 has been read a second time, previously. Amendment #1 was approved in committee. Floor Amendment #3 has been approved to the Bill. Floor Amendment #4, offered by Representative Currie, has been approved for consideration.”
“Thank you, Speaker and Members of the House. Many of the changes in this Amendment are technical. They’re required by either the Help American… America Vote Act, the Federal Act or because of the time that it takes to count provisional ballots. So, there are changes, for example, and when local officials take office, many other changes that are the result of those… those changes. Substantively, however, there are some additional changes 09300137.doc 45 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004 that Amendment #4 to this Bill offers to our Election Code. For example, voter registration forms can be downloaded from the Internet and various state agencies, colleges and universities will be required to provide the forms on their websites. We would… we would reduce the signature requirements for the mayor of Chicago, the clerk and the Treasurer. Today… today, they are required to have 25 thousand signatures. You’ll remember that for statewide officeholders the figure is 10 thousand. This would reduce by half from the signature requirement and that would mean 12,500 still larger than the requirement for statewide officeholders, but much more reasonable than 25 thousand. There would be a one-year residency requirement in wards and districts for people who want to run for alderman and trustee. For judicial candidates, in order to avoid confusion, we would have Appellate Court Justices have the same signature requirements as members of the Supreme Court in their district. We also would apply what is currently true for statewide officeholders, a signature cap for countywide offices in Cook. We also would permit a deputy registrar wherever that regis… that person is registered to register any place in the state rather than just in their home county. We would also require the State Board of Elections to publish an online voter’s guide before each General Election so that voters would know something about the statewide candidates before they go to the polls. We would increase slightly the number of signatures required for General Assembly candidates. Today, 600 for State 09300137.doc 46 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004 Senators, 300 for State Representatives. We would increase that to a thousand for State Senator and 500 for State Representative. I have figures here showing the number of the increase in the number of people in our districts. A State Senate District in 1970, when the same provisions that applies today began, there were a hundred seventy thousand people in a Senate District; today, 210 thousand. I think these slight increases are eminently reasonable. We also would… would clarify that when a polling place is in a private business where the 100 foot campaign-free zone ends we’ve made that comparable to current law with respect to public and private schools and churches and temples and other places where there is religious expression. We also would have a signature cap for candidates for the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District. And we would say that convicted felons cannot be committeemen, cannot serve in that office, until their rights have been restored. I’d be happy to answer your specific questions on this Bill. I think there are some clear improvements: the statewide voter’s guide, for example; election judges would be able to take time off work without pay, which is our way of expanding the number of people who might be willing to serve in that important capacity. So, I think there’s a lot of good stuff in here. There is certainly a lot of technical changes required by HAVA and provisional balloting. And finally, there is one very important change and that is that no matter how late the Republican National Convention is held this year, the nominee of that political 09300137.doc 47 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004 party, the name of that nominee, will appear on the Illinois ballot. Happy to answer your questions. And would appreciate your support.”
“The Lady has moved for the adoption of Floor Amendment #4. And on that question, the Gentleman from McLean, Representative Brady.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?”
“She indicates she’ll yield.”
“Representative, just a quick question and I asked this in committee the other day when we discussed this Bill and I just wanna make sure. The… the addition of state agencies such as the Department of Children and Family Services it’s my understanding that at those locations there would be information about registering to vote or can they actually register at that particular facility?”
“Well, my understanding is the intent is that they make the registration materials available.”
“Okay. Thank you very much.”
Speaker Hannig: “Is there any further discussion? The Gentleman from Vermilion, Representative Black on the Amendment.”
“Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?”
“She indicates she’ll yield.”
“Yes. Representative, why are the departments that are now going to be mandated to make voter registration material available, why are they limited to DHS, Children 09300137.doc 48 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004 and Family Services, Public Aid and Employment Security? Why not the Department of Natural Resources, for example?”
“Only for the reason that these are the agencies, the ones we’ve designated, where large numbers of citizens come to the door… come through the door every day. Nothing in this measure would prohibit another state agency from making the same information available. But, we tried to include office of Secretary of State and so forth where we know there is a high volume of foot traffic and that’s why these were the ones that we included those where real people, real folks turn up on a day-to-day basis.”
“The Secretary of State’s Office is already mandated to do this by Federal Law, are they not?”
“I believe that… yeah, through the Motor Voter Program…”
“Okay.”
“…yes.”
“I was just curious. I know in my area there’s an awful lot of people that have contact with the Department of Natural Resources through various outreach programs or even to retail establishments that would sell hunting and fishing licenses, for example. We might be able to reach out to a group that is not always served. I… I’m not sure why that the DNR was not chosen, but… but, whatever. Let me ask you another question. I… I thought and I’m sure it was not deliberate on your part, but the last thing you mentioned in this omnibus election Bill was a little caveat that with… with the passage of this Bill the State of 09300137.doc 49 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004 Illinois will allow the Republican nominee for President to appear on the November ballot. That… that’s an interesting set of developments and I know what current statute says, but could you foresee a scenario where the Federal Courts would allow a state to deny any national candidate for President and Vice President to not appear on a state ballot?”
“Representative, I would imagine a Federal Court would come to that conclusion, but I don’t think it would be responsible of us to require a Party to go to Federal Court to give people the right to vote for the nominee of that Party when we can clear up the problem right here, right now.”
“Couldn’t we clear up this problem right here and right now in a single Bill that we have proposed several times going back to last November’s Veto Session that would have simply taken care of this issue?”
“Representative, we could, but we are instead including that among a variety of reform and cleanup measures in our Election Code and I don’t see that there’s anything wrong with that. I don’t think there’s anything objectionable in the rest of the Bill. There certainly is nothing partisan about the proposals that are contained in Amendment 4 and it seems to me that in the spirit of… of nonpartisanship we have offered to include this provision among these many others. So, I think we’re good guys.”
“Well, that… that could be subject to interpretation, but I won’t go down that road at this time. A rhetorical 09300137.doc 50 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004 question. I wonder what the response would be from your side of the aisle had not the presumptive nominee of the Democrat Party, John Kerry, changed… evidently changed his mind about a week ago. First he said, he would not accept the Party’s nomination at the Boston Convention because he could access more federal money if he waited a little bit longer to accept that nomination. Now, there was a hue and cry from some Party regulars in the City of Boston and he changed his mind. I’ve just a rhetorical question. Wonder what the response would have been from your side of the aisle had not Senator Kerry changed his mind?”
“Representative, I don’t think it’s a rhetorical question at all. This provision, the provision that we were just now discussing, would apply to him as well as it would to the nominee of the Republican Party. It’s a nonpartisan provision and had the presumptive nominee of the Democratic Party waited until within 65 days of the election to accept the crown, this provision would have covered that individual as well.”
“Well, Representative, this Bill only takes care of the nomination process in 2004, correct? It will not always…”
“That’s correct.”
“…allow either of the political parties to…”
“That’s… that’s cor… correct.”
“Yes, that’s what I thought. Well, thank you, Representative. Mr. Speaker, to the Bill. In all due respect to the Majority Leader and those who have crafted this omnibus election Bill, in response to the Republican 09300137.doc 51 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004 Party’s decision to hold their nomination convention somewhat later than usual putting us in conflict with State Statute, I’ve been here long enough to know that had this shoe been on the other foot we would have heard your complaints from day one. You would have screamed. You would have hollered. You would have squealed like the proverbial pig. No pun intended. It is amazing what you will do in the name of politics. You are willing to go down a road to possibly disenfranchise millions of voters in the State of Illinois on an issue you would not win in Federal Court and you expect me to believe you’re doing that out of the goodness of your heart. Oh, please. That gives me heartburn. If we were in the Majority and had we pulled a stunt like this… I’ve been here in the Majority albeit not long… not often enough. I know exactly what I would’ve heard every single day from your side of the aisle. You would have moaned and groaned and yelled and cried and beseeched the evil Members of the Republican Party to let your nominee on the ballot. Let my people go, you would say. Oh, the tears would flow. Oh, my goodness. Members on your side of the aisle would be fanning themselves. There would be fainting in the aisles. There would be cries of unfairness. Oh, but the shoe is on this foot, so what you do is you wrap up an omnibus election Bill in wrapping paper and a big bow and stuff it down my throat. As I said before, you can wrap a pig up in a tuxedo, but when midnight strokes, you still got a pig on your hands. This Bill is a present from a series of 09300137.doc 52 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004 jackasses and I’m gonna tell ya right now I hope I live long enough in my nursing home to see the shoe reversed and the Republican Party in control and whoever the presumptive nominee will be 20 years from now, probably Howdy Doody or Clarabell the Clown, and let’s see how you yell and cry and beseech the powers that be to let your nominee be on the ballot. I only hope my nursing home has access to the Illinois channel so I can chuckle when you find out what it’s like to get the shaft.”
“Any further discussion? The Gentleman from Rock Island, Representative Boland.”
“Yes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.”
“This is…”
“I rise in…”
“Could… could I ask maybe some indulgence from the Members. Could we just adopt this Amendment…”
“No.”
“…and then debate the Bill? Representative Black, would that be okay? If we adopt the Amendment and then debate the Bill. Okay. Okay. So, Representative Currie, would you close on the Amendment, please?”
“Well, thank you. This is a very well crafted package, beautifully wrapped in lovely paper with an absolutely stunning red bow. It… as far as I know there have been no substantive criticisms of the Bill. And I, myself, think that it is in a spirit of bipartisan cooperation that I invite your support for adoption of Amendment 4 to Senate Bill 955.” 09300137.doc 53 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004
Speaker Hannig: “The question is, ‘Shall Amendment 4 be adopted?’ All in favor vote ‘aye’; opposed 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 record. On this question, there are 87 voting ‘yes’ and 25 voting ‘no’. And the Amendment is adopted. Any further Amendments?”
“No further Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“Senate Bill 955, a Bill for an Act in re… to amend the Election Code. Third Reading of this Senate Bill.”
“Representative Currie.”
“Thank you, Speaker. I think I pretty well explained what is in the Bill. The Bill is the Amendment and if there are further questions or comments, I’d be happy to hear them now. But I would certainly urge your support for these reforms and technical cleanups in the Illinois Election Code.”
Speaker Hannig: “And on that question, the Gentleman from Vermilion, Representative Black.”
“Yes, will the Sponsor yield on this bit of bipartisan masterpiece?”
“She indicates she’ll yield.”
“Thank you. Representative, why is it necessary in the Bill to make a candidate for the Illinois House of Representatives now go out and get more signatures. In my rural district, that’s gonna mean I drive an extra 200 09300137.doc 54 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004 miles to find 500 signatures. Why was it necessary to change that?”
“We are making a minimal increase from 300 to 500 for Members of the House of Representatives or 1 percent of the Party vote in the last statewide election whichever is greater, from 600 to 1 thousand for State Senators. There has been, as far as I know, no change in the signature requirement for Members of the Illinois Legislature for the last 40 years. I read the statistics earlier, but I will read them again. In 1970 a Senate district had a hundred seventy thousand people; today, a Senate district is 210 thousand people. I would argue that a slight increase in the signature requirement, that doesn’t even keep up with the increase in the population, is not a bad plan. Remember the reason for a signature requirement. You wanna make sure that somebody who puts his or her name forward for the Party nomination for a State Representative or a State Senate seat has some backing, is serious, is not Spankey or Clarabell the Clown. And the idea of the signature requirement is to let people show that they have a base of support. Now, to me a 500 signature requirement for State Representative, at the same time someone running for mayor of the City of Chicago has to get 25 thousand signatures, 500 is not a very onerous responsibility if, in fact, you’re a serious candidate and you have support in the community.”
“Well, Representative, I appreciate that lecture since our Party never had any Linden LaRouche’s get on the 09300137.doc 55 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004 ballot, maybe you should clean up your own house before you worry about mine…”
“I think Spankey…”
“…but, in a rural district, Representative…”
“…Spankey the Clown, however…”
“No, Representative, I wasn’t through. I wasn’t through. Let me ask my question, will ya?”
“Ask.”
“In a rural district, when the population has shifted northward, God knows the reason but it has, our districts down south now comprise of hundreds of square miles. Some of you can walk around the block and get your signatures. We have to get in the car and drive hundreds of miles or use the U. S. mail.”
“Yes.”
“Why don’t you just let us get this… the requirements by e-mail?”
“You know, Representative, you wanna put that Bill in, you might. But, my… my… my recommendation would be that you get in your car, drive to one of the places where there is a population greater than 50 and meet your 500 signature requirements all in a single day.”
“Well, that’ll certainly solve all of our problems in rural Illinois. I appreciate that. I’ll call you the next time I’m circulating petitions, maybe you can come down and help me. Let me ask you a couple other substantive questions. Why does a list of absentee voters need to be posted on the Internet?” 09300137.doc 56 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004
“This would be available to only those committees that have… political committees so that you know whether somebody has already voted.”
“So, it would only be accessible by members of political parties or subdivisions? How… how would that work?”
“If you’d… it would only be open to political parties registered with the State Board of Elections. And the rationale is that the parties want to know who’s already voted so they don’t… they don’t spend their time and resources chasing after those voters. So, on Election Day they wanna know they’ve already voted, that means they don’t have to send someone to knock on the door. If they’ve already voted, it means they don’t need to send them another mailing reminding them when Election Day is coming up.”
“Was any thought given to adding the names of dead people who have voted?”
“No.”
“Oh.”
“Actually, no one thought of that. Perhaps you should have been in the room when the discussions were…”
“Well, I… I think I proposed that Bill about 15 years ago, but as I recall the majority of Chicagoans didn’t like the idea, so it never got out of Rules. And I don’t mean to be disrespectful of the dead. My grandfather, God rest his soul, very active in politics, the only thing he had in his will was that he wanted to be buried in Chicago. When I asked him why, he said he wanted to stay active in 09300137.doc 57 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004 politics and I never questioned it. On the… on the issue of absentee voters being posted on the Internet, and you can give me absolute assurance that no hacker can get into that list, right?”
“Absolutely.”
“Oh, really. How you gonna do that?”
“Well, the… the State Board of Elections believes that they have the capacity because they will be special passwords they had… believed they have the capacity to limit that information to registered political entities.”
“That’s… that’s amazing. We can’t keep hackers out of the Pentagon, Department of Defense super secret computers, the Nuclear Regulatory Agency classified computer networks, but the State Board of Education can guarantee us that nobody can access the absentee voters.”
“It’s the State Board of Elections and they will do everything to see to it that nobody does.”
“Well, I would hope so because you see if I were a hacker and I could get that list of absentees voters off the Internet and I happen to be in a hawking ring, this information would be very valuable to me. I would be able to find out who wasn’t going to be home on Election Day and maybe I could visit them and see if they wanted to contribute to the cause. I haven’t…”
“You… you might… you might actually do better if you found out who was canceling newspaper subscriptions for a week, if you were part of a burglary ring.”
“Well…” 09300137.doc 58 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004
“It would seem to me that might be very useful.”
“…we don’t have… we don’t have newspapers anymore in rural Illinois. We… we rely on the pony express to drop off the Tribune. But be that as it may, my gosh, this is such an omnibus Bill. I mean, I don’t know where to begin on the substantive changes. For as long as I can remember, the county convention must be held in the county seat of the county. Why… why all of a sudden is that going to change? You can hold the county convention in my barn?”
“My understanding is that that came from the Leader of the Republican Caucus. I, myself, don’t have a commitment to a particular siting of that convention, but when I’m told by a prominent person within the ranks of that Party that they would prefer to take the current language out, I’m more than happy to exceed.”
“Well, in the spirit of bipartisanship, I… I would think so. What else has changed on here? Oh, on… on page 24, on voter tapes exchange of information, who all’s going to have access to that voter registration information?”
“So, it would be political committees and a governmental entity for a governmental purpose.”
“Representative, as you well know, Illinois has more units of local government than any state in the country. That voter information disk contains Social Security numbers, date of birth, all kinds of personal information…”
“No, it doesn’t. It doesn’t.”
“Oh, it doesn’t?”
“No.” 09300137.doc 59 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004
“When did we change that?”
“We believe it never has… never has included things like Social Security numbers.”
“What… How… how do we verify that I’m not registered in eight different counties under Motor Voter?”
“Well, I would think that you would… you would first of all go to the street address and if somebody registers for… from a street address that is not his or her home, you would be able to strike them from the rolls.”
“I… I fail to see any valid reason why over 8 thousand units of government should have access to voter registration lists. I… that… that escapes me. Why… why would a mosquito abatement district… why should they have access to voter registration lists?”
“Well, for… one example would be when we do legislative redistricting. Did you know where the bodies actually are that might help you figure out where… where to draw around blocks and so forth.”
“Well, and that… that really doesn’t answer the question. I cannot envision a single scenario why 8 thousand governmental units would… should have access to voter registration lists…”
“Well…”
“…because they’re not involved in the election process…”
“And… and then they wouldn’t. And then they wouldn’t. They would only be able to access this information if they had a governmental reason for doing so. So, if they can’t evince a reason, they don’t get the data.” 09300137.doc 60 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004
“The Bill defines that as saying for a governmental purpose, but it isn’t defined.”
“Right.”
“What’s a governmental purpose? Wanting the lists so they can figure out who voted ‘R’ and who voted ‘D’?”
“Sorry. Say that again. I’m sorry.”
“Well, you’re… The only definition in your Bill is for a… ‘for a governmental purpose’.”
“Yes.”
“What does that mean?”
“Well, I think that… that it would be pretty clear. For example, if you were concerned about homeland security and you wanted to make sure to get information, for example, the people in rural areas. If you’re the first responders, you might say well one way we can find out where those houses are would be to look at voter registration. That would not be the only tool, but it might be a useful tool.”
“Now…”
“So, again, unless it’s a governmental purpose, they will not be able to have access to the information.”
“Now, Representative, if you would just stop and think before you said that. Are you telling me that the state homeland security agency’s motto is going to be ‘save the registered voters first’?”
“No, Representative. I was merely trying to give them a tool that might be helpful if they are embarked upon in an evacuation program or a ‘boil the water’ program.” 09300137.doc 61 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004
“And I suppose the mosquito abatement district would need the list so that they could see if any registered voters had the West Nile Virus? That’s a good idea.”
“Well, maybe it is.”
“It might spur voter registration. I mean, if people get the idea that they aren’t going to be contacted by homeland security in the event of a disaster unless they’re a registered voter, hey, you may be on to something here.”
“All right.”
“It may be a tremendous idea to increase voter registration. Would that… would that be a governmental purpose?”
“Would what be a governmental purpose?”
“Would that be a governmental purpose?”
“Would what be a governmental purpose?”
“I need to access the voter list so I can contact all the registered voters and tell them that there is a cloud of nerve gas headed their way?”
“Yeah, except that I… I think you would not limit your contacts to those who are registered voters.”
“Well, I would hope not.”
“But, yes. I was suggesting that there would be a governmental purpose in making sure that we were able to evacuate people or let them know about an eminent public health threat.”
“Let me ask you two more questions. The provision of photocopying registration materials, does that… does that apply to the actual registration card? That you could get 09300137.doc 62 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004 one registration card, take it to a photocopier, print off 300 registration card copies and then hand them out?”
“Where in the Bill are you? I’m… I’m just not sure…”
“Be right with you, just a second. When… in a provision of the Bill when you do the outreach on college campuses, which is a new provision, is there anything… How are we going to protect the integrity of the registration process? Will these pamphlets and material simply be photocopy or will they have to be delivered to the college campus office or offices by the county clerk or the person in charge of voter registration in that county?”
“Well, the way we understand it, it would work this way. If you were putting registration material on the web you would also on your website link to voter registration information. If people who were registering in person, you would make the registration forms available at the site as you make the registration forms themselves available. If people are registering by mail, the packet you mail would also include information about how to register to vote. And remember that we also, under this Bill, people would be able to download the voter registration form from the www. All we’re doing in this Section is making sure that colleges and universities make the information available to their students when those students register either through the www or at the… in person registration site or accompanying the registration packet if it is mailed to the student.” 09300137.doc 63 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004
“Representative, I’ve been a deputy registrar for more than 40 years and I’ve participated in a lot of outreach programs and I’ve been to schools, shopping centers, whatever. And depending upon the number of deputy registrars you have and the kind of outreach you’re doing, I have seen as many as a hundred registration cards just simply be put in a cardboard box beside the table and as I… you didn’t agree with me, but I’ll say it again. There is a great deal of very personal information on that registration form including my Social Security number. I… I’m a little worried that we are not protecting the integrity of some very vital personal information. The Federal Government on one hand tells me constantly to guard my Social Security number; on the other hand they continually ask me to provide my Social Security number on more and more government forms. My fear is with this additional outreach that you’re doing and people who have never gone through the registration process or even the training that you and I have gone through, they leave these things laying around and they have information on them that should not be laying around for people to observe and/or God forbid, copy.”
“Well, Representative, we don’t see anything here that requires you to give your Social Security number.”
“Representative, it’s already on your voter registration…”
“You could…”
“…card.” 09300137.doc 64 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004
“…yeah, you could, yeah… Well, driver’s license or Social Security number, right. So, are you saying that you don’t like the idea of voter outreach? Are you saying that we shouldn’t have a program of deputy registrars?”
“No, not at all, Representative.”
“Good.”
“I… You can try and put words in my mouth all ya want. Even though I’m an old country boy, I… I’m… I’ve been to the State Fair. I’ve been even… I’ve even been to Chicago two or three times, so I know when that’s happening. Ya see, I’ve done more outreach in 40 years probably than you have. And I understand that when you just open it up willy-nilly so that somebody can say, we registered more voters than you did, that’s when it starts to scare me. When these cards are left lying… laying around in a cardboard box and it is not unusual, at the end of a day, for the cardboard box to have disappeared. I mean, it… it… it’s…”
“Well, I don’t…”
“You’re just calling something wide open…”
“I don’t think…”
“…that was never intended to be anybody that wants to do it, do it; any place you want to do it, do it.”
“I don’t think that we’re doing a major expansion of the deputy registrar program in this Bill nor are we doing a major expansion by asking state agencies to keep voter information available and if they choose, actually help people register on the spot. It seems to me that outreach 09300137.doc 65 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004 is a good thing. I totally agree with you and the biggest outreach we have expanded in recent years was the program of deputy registrars and I do not think that program is significantly expanded by the provisions of Senate Bill 955.”
“Well, let… let me make sure I understand something that I think Representative Brady has already asked. You’re mandating additional state agencies to do outreach. Now, let me make sure I understand. They’re only going to do outreach. They are not going to do registration. Is that your understanding?”
“My understanding is that they could, if they wanted to, they could do what the Secretary of State facilities do under Motor Voter, but they are not required to under this Bill. They can meet the requirements of this Bill just by having the forms available at the counter when people come in.”
“All right. But that’s a little different answer than I thought I heard earlier.”
“Well… And the question was, will they have to…”
“They… they can, they can register.”
“…will they have to register then and the answer…”
“So, somebody’s going to go into DCFS, where we have caseworkers handling over a thousand cases which is absurd, absolutely absurd and in… in the midst of an intake conference, you and I know how government works, supervisors are gonna say, by the way, this person isn’t 09300137.doc 66 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004 registered. We want you to register them. I’m not sure that that’s what DCFS caseworkers should be doing.”
“Well, we’ll see whether they can or not and the whole program is subject to rules by the State Board of Elections.”
“Okay. What…”
“And my understanding was the agencies were willing to give this a try. They think that that would be helpful to their clients and we’ve heard no objections from any of them.”
“You haven’t?”
“We have not.”
“I’ll… I’ll refer some of my calls to you.”
“Okay.”
“My… my last question, on the campaign-free zone in a private building, a large building. How does that work? I mean, for example…”
“It… This…”
“…we had a fight in my home…”
“Yeah. It’s gonna be…”
“…county a few years ago because we had voter registration at the county clerk, obviously and some… some people who were on the second floor wandering through the court house would wear campaign buttons. And a citizen filed a complaint saying, I should not be subjected to campaign buttons in the courthouse when I come into register. Now, the county board handled it just by saying, you will cease and desist. What… what is the provision in 09300137.doc 67 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004 this Bill mean about a campaign-free zone when you’re in a rather large building?”
“So, if… What it does is to apply to private buildings exactly the same parameters that now apply for schools, whether public or private and for places of religious worship. And that is that the campaign-free zone will begin at the perimeter of the building, the hundred feet will be calculated from there so that somebody can’t, in a private home, do… wander through, ya know, so it’s the owner sitting there in the dining room wearing the campaign button of the opponent. I believe the idea for this to clarify that private buildings should be no different in calculating…”
“Okay.”
“…the hundred foot campaign-free zone. I believe it came from one of the Members of your caucus and I think it’s a very good idea.”
“So, let me see if… if we can agree on this. I would assume that the rule then would be written that no campaign sign could be in anyone’s line of vision while they’re in the voting precinct, albeit, the second floor or hanging over a balcony…”
“Right.”
“…or anything…”
“Right.”
“…of that sort? Okay.”
“The calculation would be…”
“All right.” 09300137.doc 68 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004
“…from the outside the perimeter of the building, not the inside.”
“See, Representative, I knew if we worked long enough we would find something that we agree on. And I appreciate, as always, your answers and Representative, remember, I like you. I really like you.”
“Representative Giles.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?”
“She indicates she’ll yield.”
“Representative Currie, I’m lookin’ at Amendment #1. Is that language still… was that language converted into Amendment #4?”
“Your question is whether Amendment 1… 1…”
“Converted into Amendment #4. Is that language in Amendment #4, now? It says #4 becomes the Bill.”
“It is, but in slightly different language so that… but… but in principle it is. The language is different. It talks about felony convictions rather than infamous crimes, so we’re narrowing the scope but yes, that principle.”
“Could you… could you maybe for the sake of this Body, because I remember last Session some legislation like this wanted to come forth and there was some opposition to it. And could you, ya know, briefly explain the differences. I know, this legislation is gonna prevent local individuals that seeking local office such as ward committeeman to, if they have a felony, could you, sort of, give an example of 09300137.doc 69 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004 an individual that may not be able to run for a local office in this piece of legislation?”
“And the specific offices are ward and township committeeman.”
“Okay.”
“Originally introduced to talk about someone who’d been convicted of an infamous crime. An infamous crime would include some items that, as I understand it, would… would amount to misdemeanors. So, the final language deals only with felonies.”
“So… so, Representative, so an individual that have been convicted of a misdemeanor and that individual decides that they want to run for one… one of these local office, ward committeeman or committee…”
“Township committeeman.”
“…or township committeeman. That individual will be able to do so with a misdemeanor not with a felony charge?”
“And, in fact, the felony would only be triggered if it’s the kind of felony that means they’re not allowed to vote.”
“Okay. And for the sake of the Body, could you give an example of the type of felony that would prohibit an individual from running for an office?”
“Well, I suppose if you were found guilty of murder and because of the conviction were not allowed to vote, you then would not be allowed to run for township or ward committeeman.” 09300137.doc 70 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004
“Okay. And so, we have an individual that has been convicted of murder, whether it’s still… that individual is still walking around stating that I’m innocent of those charges, but that individual was convicted, that individual did their time… his or her time, that individual now has their rights reinstated. So, in this particular legislation here, that individual still would not have the right to run for ward committeeman or committeeman township?”
“Let me answer it this way. If they are reinstated, if they have the right to vote, then they have the right to run for ward or township committeeman. The only people this applies to are those who have been convicted of felonies and because of that conviction are not yet permitted to vote.”
“Okay. And so, I guess the statute of limitations or whatever have not ran out and so, therefore, they still do not have the right to vote?”
“Right.”
“Okay. Okay. That… that sort of clearifies it for me.”
“So, it’s a much less expansive provision than Amendment 1 was.”
“For the sake, do you know who brought this legislation… initially brought this legislation to you or was it something that us… we had a large group of body come down here and… and… and bangin’ off your door sayin’, we must get this legislation passed. Do you know the genesis of this legislation? Or does it… meet…” 09300137.doc 71 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004
“No, I… I…”
“…a purpose? Is there a specific purpose?”
“I do not know, Representative, and my impression, but I’m not certain of this, is that this was a proposal that came from the House Republican Caucus…”
“Okay.”
“…but I’m… I’m not aware of the specific event or issue that would have triggered it. But I can only say that the final draft here is a very minimal prohibition because if you get reinstated in your right to vote, you are reinstated in your right to run.”
“Thank you, Representative. Thank you for your forthright answers.”
“The Gentleman from Champaign, Representative Rose.”
“Thank you. Will the Majority Leader yield, please?”
“Yeah. The Lady will yield.”
“A quick question. I think, as I understand it, there is… there will be a two-day turnaround time for any… anyone who collects a Motor Voter card or a deputy registrar will have two days to turn around that form to the appropriate election authority. Is that accurate?”
“I believe so.”
“Okay. There’s a provision that I personally believe is missing. I know our staff talked to you about this. And as a student government member of the University of Illinois and years since, every year in the student government office, come voter registration time, a box of 09300137.doc 72 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004 Motor Voter cards just starts fillin’ up. And it fills up and it fills up and it goes on for a month, month and a half, and the last day, boom, a thousand, twelve hundred, fifteen hundred Motor Voter cards land in the county clerk’s office. Well, one, that creates a problem for the county clerk. They’re just not set up to process that many cards overnight. But more importantly, I think… I think and I understand where this goes… going Ma’am and… and I think for next Session, as a matter of personal security, having this information sitting out where anyone can find it, having this information publicly displayed, allowing people to photocopy information and retain that is bad, bad policy. And it’s only gonna take one person who has their identifiers stolen and they’re all sitting, right there. You got your name, you got your Social Security number or… or last four digits which is something that’s required. I guess, what I’m askin’ here, Madam Majority Leader, can we work together on this…”
“Sure.”
“…because I wanna make sure somebody doesn’t end up gettin’ a credit card off of my voter registration information ‘cause it’s sitting in the student government office at the University of Illinois.”
“I’d be happy to work with you, Representative. Let me just point out that the expansion of the information about vote registration when a college student is applying might encourage those students to send their applications directly in…” 09300137.doc 73 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004
“I… I…”
“…rather than letting them sit in the box that the student government has not properly secured. But I’d be happy to work with you on that…”
“Okay.”
“…but I think maybe some of the other provisions in this Bill will discourage both the… the waiting ‘til the last minute and sending in twelve hundred registrations and at the same time, risking the privacy of the information during that lengthy period.”
“Well… And to the Bill, Mr. Speaker. I… I wanna… I appreciate the fact that it’s just a two-day period in there. That’s something that’s way overdue. That will discourage the box from just getting fuller until the last day of registration. What I am concerned about though is this fact that this information just sits there and sits there as long as… up ‘til the last day. And more importantly, this information can be photocopied, different groups photocopy it. I’m less concerned about the institution like an Eastern or Western or Northern copying as I am about an individual deputy registrar who may be representing some group, some partisan organization copying it and then retain that information. So, I look forward to working with you on the future on that.”
“Representative Colvin.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield for a question?”
“She indicates she’ll yield.” 09300137.doc 74 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004
“Representative, Representative, I wanted to direct your attention to point 16 in our analysis on the computer dealing with campaign disclosures. And in particular… are we talking about candidates who file to run in say a State Representative race who are challenging an incumbent that they would be subject to the same rules of disclosure as an incumbent or the rules that say I would be…”
“Yeah. All it says… all it says is that… that if you are a campaign committee and you did not accept or spend more than $500 regarding candidates or questions on the ballot, then you may file a statement of nonparticipation in the election.”
“Just the way this reads and in how I’m interpreting it, my question deals with the provision in terms of participating in an election.”
“Right.”
“And participating does or could include candidacy, correct?”
“Yes. And, in fact… in fact, yes, if you are yourself a can… if it’s your candidate committee and you’re up for election, then you have to file the preelection report.”
“This…”
“This provision only deals with campaign committees that are not spending or receiving more than $500 and are not supporting or opposing particular candidates or particular ballot measures. They need not file the preelection report if they’re not participating, they’re not taking sides in the election on a public policy 09300137.doc 75 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004 question or a candidate and in addition, they’re not raising or spending…”
“So…”
“…more than 500.”
“So, the candidate who files to run against an incumbent, as a challenger…”
“Yes.”
“…who is actively spending money…”
“They have to…”
“…buying billboards, mail-ins…”
“…they… And even if they aren’t… even if they aren’t actively spending money, they have to file a preelection report.”
“And does this Bill provide punishment or… or some type of penalty for failing to do that as I would be subject to?”
“Yes, indeed. I mean, I don’t know what the specific fines and penalties are, but a committee that fails to file faces penalties.”
“And… and I guess this is more your opinion. Would… Do you think it would be justifiable if such individual who failed in and I guess, it’s an incumbent, be subject to the same measure. That incumbent who fails to file those disclosures be removed from the ballot?”
“I don’t know. That is not in this Bill.”
“I know it’s not in this Bill.”
“Right, right.” 09300137.doc 76 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004
“Okay. All right. And… Okay. I think that answers my question. It’s just in… what, I guess, what I’m tryin’ to get at is, is this furthers campaign disclosure for those individuals who finance campaigns and really what I’m speaking to are those individuals who file to run in offices, who’s actively spend money on campaign materials and there’s really no explanation or anyway to track how they’re raising money and how they’re spending that money.”
“Yes. And in fact they are, under current law, they are required to make these disclosures. They are required to make these reports.”
“And how does this strengthen that or does it?”
“It is… it does not. All… The only provision dealing with that in this Bill is to say that if you are not taking sides, you’re not a candidate, you’re not organized to support or oppose a candidate or a matter of public policy, you do not have to file the preelection report unless you bring in or spend more than $500 during that election season.”
“Okay. Thank you, Representative.”
“Representative Monique Davis.” Davis, M.: “Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?”
“She indicates she’ll yield.” Davis, M.: “Representative Currie, first I wanna commend you on the hard work you’ve done. However, I have a few questions in reference to this legislation. In reference to convicted felons not being allowed to run, what problem are you attempting to solve?” 09300137.doc 77 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004
“Well, as I say, I’m not sure where that provision came from. Staff believes that it came from the House Republican Caucus. I think the theory is…” Davis, M.: “Okay. Excuse me.”
“…the theory is if you’re not permitted to vote, then perhaps you ought not to be elected to a local ward or township post.” Davis, M.: “Let me just ask this question. For example, those gentlemen who were found innocent on Death Row that Governor Ryan released…”
“They can…” Davis, M.: “…were their rights restored to them?”
“Absolutely and their right to run for ward or township committeeman is absolutely golden.” Davis, M.: “So, if a person has served their time and they return home, are their rights automatically returned to them or they have to seek that?”
“You know, I… I’m not a criminal defense lawyer, so I’m not sure I know the answer, but I think that once you have served your responsibilities that then you would be restored to the voting rolls.” Davis, M.: “The reason, Barbara, is it concerns me when people constantly try and keep people at a criminal level.”
“I agree with you.” Davis, M.: “Ya understand what I mean. Now, if somebody… and a Republican decided that if they once committed a crime, they must be criminals for the rest of their lives.”
“Right.” 09300137.doc 78 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004 Davis, M.: “I disagree with that. In every piece of legislation that comes across this Body, I’m gonna mention it.”
“I appreciate that you do because I agree with you.” Davis, M.: “The other question I have is, why are we increasing the number of signatures required?”
“Only because, as I said, the current signature requirement has been in place for 40 years during which time districts have significantly increased. The idea of a signature requirement is to show that there is some support for the candidate…” Davis, M.: “What it isn’t…”
“…and it isn’t Clarabell the Clown, it isn’t someone on an ego trip. And I would say that our signature requirements, even if we were to increase from 300 to 500 for State Representative, pale next to the signature requirements for local offices in Chicago including the mayor…” Davis, M.: “Did you cha…”
“…of 25 thousand…” Davis, M.: “…did you change that?”
“We are changing that under this Bill so that it’s possible for a challenger to run.” Davis, M.: “What are we chang…”
“Twenty-five thousand signatures.” Davis, M.: “…what are we changing it to? We’re reducing…”
“Twelve thousand five hundred.” Davis, M.: “You’re reducing…” 09300137.doc 79 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004
“And I would say to raise ours to 500 is not a very significant increase.” Davis, M.: “The problem…”
“And when you look at the increase in the size of districts from 1970 and a hundred seventy thousand to two thousand… at two hundred ten thousand, there is a legitimate justification for saying that if the idea is to show some support, this measure will still show a modicum of support.” Davis, M.: “What about the Water Reclamation District?”
“There we only impose a cap on the number of signatures as is currently true for statewide officeholders.” Davis, M.: “It’s the 47th.”
“Yeah. So, today they have… their… their requirement is .5 percent of the registered voters in the district, the cap would be at twice that, 1 percent. And that currently applies to statewide candidates.” Davis, M.: “And would you explain the increase or the requirement for Appellate Court judges and the other judges.”
“And there it’s not clear that it’s always an increase. The issue was, how do they figure out what the signature requirement is and applying to them since they, too,…” Davis, M.: “Wait a minute. Excuse me. I can’t hear you, Representative. Representative, I can’t hear you.”
“It’s not so much a question of increasing because in some districts it might mean a decrease, but the issue was that there was a lack of clarity in how they figure out 09300137.doc 80 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004 what their signature requirement should be. So, if we tie the appellate district to the Supreme Court, in that district, then you end up with a… with a standard that everybody understands.” Davis, M.: “Well, I don’t understand it. You said, you tie the Appellate Court judges required signatures…”
“To what the Supreme Court… a Supreme Court district adju… individual running in that district would be required to need.” Davis, M.: “Maybe… maybe somebody could tell me how that would break down. For example, if an Appellate Court judge like Blanche Manning, needs how many signatures today?”
“Blanche Manning, I think, is a… Okay. She…” Davis, M.: “Needs how many signatures today. With this legislation, how many will she need?”
“Well, she… We’re not changing the signature requirements for, I say, appellate district would be, she’s in the First District… she’s in the First District, is that right?” Davis, M.: “I don’t know.”
“Okay. Currently, it would be 2,464; under this proposal, it would be 3,621. Her GOP counterpart today would be 1,249; would become 1,744.” Davis, M.: “Well, would you repeat those numbers, please?”
“In the… in the Democratic Appellate Court district that…” Davis, M.: “All right, hold on. In a Democratic Appellate Court district, currently…” 09300137.doc 81 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004
“In the First… in the First…” Davis, M.: “District, which is Blanche Manning’s district.”
“…2,464 is today’s requirement. For the GOP, for a Republican running, 1,249. The new numbers would be for the Democrat, 3,621; for the GOP, 1,744.” Davis, M.: “And the reason?”
“The reason for the change would be because we’re attaching it to the Supreme Court district. But, again, compared to other signature requirements, this is not what you’d call dramatic.” Davis, M.: “Do you think this is a good piece of legislation?”
“I do. I think overall it’s a very good piece of legislation.” Davis, M.: “Because it reduces the nu… it increases the number of required signatures for most elected officials…”
“No, no, no. Just for people running for the State House State Senate and in some of these there would be a slight increase…” Davis, M.: “And judicial.”
“For Appellate not for District Court candidates. But the increase in both those examples is slight. There would be a decrease for mayor, treasurer and the city clerk.” Davis, M.: “Well, I don’t think it’s the decrease for mayor is enough. I mean, it’s… the only credit… and I don’t…”
“And if it were my choice…” Davis, M.: “I don’t see why…”
“If it were my choice, I’d have reduced it further.” Davis, M.: “How many does the Governor have to have?” 09300137.doc 82 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004
“I would have… The Governor, I guess, has to have ten.” Davis, M.: “The Governor has to have how many?”
“Between five and ten thousand. I totally agree with you…” Davis, M.: “Between five and ten, but in Chicago…”
“I would have to argue that 12… 12,500 is, oh, twice as good as 25 thousand.” Davis, M.: “So, we’re getting there.”
“So, what?” Davis, M.: “I said, so, we’re getting there.”
“Yeah.” Davis, M.: “To the Bill.”
“Well, in fact, let me just say that in some of the judicial races the…” Davis, M.: “To the Bill, Mr. Speaker.”
“…number of signatures would decline.”
“To the Bill.” Davis, M.: “Like many things we do here, this Bill has its negative side and it also has its positive side. So, when I vote, I’ll be voting for the positive side. Thank you.”
“Representative McAuliffe.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Lady yield?”
“She indicates she’ll yield.”
“Representative, on… on my analysis here, page 111, the only thing I was curious is the electronic filing. Is this Bill, if it passes on into law, when’s the effective date of this?” 09300137.doc 83 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004
“Let me just check the language, please?”
“Okay.”
“I’m sorry. You asked me… it’s immediately effective.”
“Okay. My only concern is of when I’m reading here on page 111 on the electronic filing that, as you know, right now we’ve put our names and addresses when we electronic file. Putting a phone number on this is no big problem for me, the only thing that I’m concerned is, most of us all through electronic filing we use a different program. Would we have to purchase a whole new program or is there a spot where we could put our phone number somewhere on.”
“I’m sure that the State Board will see to it that we do not have to purchase a whole new program and if they do, we’ll wonder who the vendor was.”
“Okay. Because I know that… I think the State Board does give ‘em out free, but I think most of the people, probably in here, do purchase that and I’m just concerned…”
“Yeah. I’m… I’m…”
“…if we’d have to buy a whole new program.”
“…I’m sure we’ll be able to work that out so that no one has to go out and buy a whole new program just to meet this requirement.”
“Right.”
“And if not, we’ll have a House Committee investigate the… the vendor who proposed this language to the State Board and we’ll subpoena everybody on the block.” 09300137.doc 84 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004
“Right. Yeah. I would just be concerned especially, you know, some of the Members here filing on July 30, maybe at the last date, didn’t put the phone number in and would be fined, too.”
“Right.”
“Thank you.”
“Right. Thank you.”
“Representative Dunkin. Dunkin, you’re up. Okay. Representative Molaro.”
“Thank you. Will the gen… gentle Lady please yield for one question?”
“She… she indicates she’ll yield.”
“The answer about the city clerk, is residency a requirement for aldermen? Now, there’s no requirement presently and we’re gonna make it one year, is that correct?”
“That’s correct.”
“Okay. So, I guess I have to ask you. Ya know, I didn’t memorize the Illinois State Constitution, but ya know how we do every… every ten years when we… it allows us to be able to run in districts we don’t live in as long as we touch the district that we previously live in.”
“Right. Right.”
“Now, that, if I recall from this Constitution, clearly just talks about State Representative…”
“That is correct.”
“…and State Senate.”
“That’s correct.” 09300137.doc 85 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004
“Do you know if that would then apply to aldermen?”
“No. Let me just check the language.”
“And the reason… While you’re check… I saw Counsel Uhe call them over and that’s always takes precedent over Representative Molaro’s questions, but… so…”
“We have exactly the same language, so you can be elected in the reapportionment year from any… in any ward in which part of the ward…”
“Fine.”
“…appears. So, it’s exactly the same concept as the Constitution gives us.”
“Do you… He was about to show me that, but I take your word for it I don’t have to read it, Representative.”
“Representative Boland.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would urge a… To the Bill. I would urge all my colleagues in the House and Senate to vote ‘aye’ on this. There’s a number of problems that were… that have come up that are addressed here. One, the campaign-free zone. When we debated the omnibus Bill last time around, we took care of that for the public and private schools and religious churches and other institutions that people were worried about and we didn’t realize, I think, at that time that there were some private businesses mainly in smaller downstate counties that serve as… as polling places in some… in some of these counties they actually have a hard time finding polling places and so private businesses were worried. I don’t think any actual problems took place during the primary, but there 09300137.doc 86 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004 were many that were worried that, ya know, their business might be disrupted or people might be discouraged from coming in ‘cause there’d be people campaigning in the… within the business and so forth. So, this basically addresses that situation. One that Representative Colvin had mentioned about the nonparticipation. A lot of us… we often get requests maybe in the… in the consolidated elections from a friend who’s running for the community college board or for school board or maybe for a municipal office and we give ‘em, ya know, a hundred dollars or whatever, ya know, maybe we give several people $50 or something and then we’re required to file the… the preelection form. This kinda simplifies it so that unless you’re really gettin’ into the election in a big way, you’re not gonna have to file and participate in this. Probably most important, why I would urge my colleagues to vote ‘aye’ on this is because of the provisions within this Bill, within the Amendment that became the Bill, that encourages more of our young people to participate. Not only as we discussed earlier on the university level, but also as encouraging more of our high school seniors to become election judges. Getting enough election judges is a problem in many, many counties with many county clerks and we’ve come to rely on or at least some students have participated. This will encourage more students to participate. They don’t have to be a… a ‘B’ student. They can be a C+ student and participate in this. Other provisions that’ll encourage people both young and old to 09300137.doc 87 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004 get involved also is that you’ll be able to download voter registration from the Internet and of course, the fact that voter registration now can take place in some of our government agencies and in the General Assembly offices particularly that college program to get more of our people. We all know, anybody who studied political science knows, that the… the sooner you get people involved in voting the more likely they are to be life-long voters. If, unfortunately, they do not vote ‘til they’re 25 or 30 or something like this, there’s less likely that they are going to vote in the long haul. So, I would urge my colleagues to vote ‘aye’. There’s also a good provision in there that brings us into line with more progressive states like Iowa and many others in shortening the period in which people will be able to register and vote. As we all know, there are many, many people who do not become interested until the last couple of weeks of an election. And so, this shortens it, basically to the Iowa standard of… of 14 days before an election. So, thank you very much.”
“Representative Currie to close. Excuse me, Representative Bassi, actually, just beat the gun. Representative Bassi.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A question, please, if the Lady will yield?”
“The Lady will yield.”
“Representative, in… in the… our analysis it talks about poll watchers for municipal and township elections in primary elections and it specifies that those poll watchers 09300137.doc 88 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004 must be registered voters. Does that mean that even though we can allow high schoolers, who are not registered voters, to be election judges they may not be poll watchers?”
“I’m sorry. I’m not sure I quite got the question. You’re concerned about…”
“I’m…”
“…the provision that says that…”
“The provision that talks about poll watchers.”
“About poll watching.”
“And its…”
“Okay.”
“…and in our analysis it says that the poll watchers… poll watchers…”
“So, yet…”
“…in township and municipal primar…”
“…in fact… in fact, the poll watchers, this would follow a court ruling. Could… they would have to be registered, but they didn’t… they don’t have to be registered in this particular ward or county.”
“No…”
“They’d have to be registered…”
“But, my question is then…”
“…they’d have to be registered.”
“…that what, in effect, what we’re saying is that our high schoolers who are not yet registered voters can be election judges, but this would deny them being poll wat… poll watchers.”
“Yeah. Maybe we can fix that next year.” 09300137.doc 89 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004
“Okay. Thank you.”
Speaker Hannig: “Is there any further discussion? Representative Currie to close.”
“Thank you, Speaker. Representative Boland highlighted many of the important, excellent provisions in this Bill. I hope you will follow his lead and join me in voting ‘yes’ on Senate Bill 955.”
“The question is, ‘Shall Senate Bill 955 pass?’ All in favor vote ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 90 voting ‘yes’, 23 voting ‘no’. And this Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Mr. Clerk, on the Order of Supplemental Calendar #1, would you read Senate Bill 1938.”
“Senate Bill 1938, a Bill for an Act concerning taxation. Second Reading of this Senate Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Okay. Hold that on Second and read Senate Bill 2212.”
“Senate Bill 2212, a Bill for an Act in relation to budget implementation. Second Reading of this Senate Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Hold that on Second and read 2213.”
“Senate Bill 2213, a Bill for an Act in relation to budget implementation. Second Reading of this Senate 09300137.doc 90 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004 Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Hold that on Second and read 2216.”
“Senate Bill 2216, a Bill for an Act concerning finance. Second Reading of this Senate Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Hold that on Second and read 2218.”
“Senate Bill 2218, a Bill for an Act regarding finance. Second Reading of this Senate Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Hold that on Second and read 2220.”
“Senate Bill 2220, a Bill for an Act in relation to economic development. Second Reading of this Senate Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Hold that on Second and read 2235.”
“Senate Bill 2235, a Bill for an Act in relation to gaming. Second Reading of this Senate Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Hold that on Second and read 3195, Senate Bill 3195.”
“Senate Bill 3195, a Bill for an Act in relation to budget implementation. Second Reading of this Senate Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Hold that on Second and read Senate Bill 3196.” 09300137.doc 91 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004
“Senate Bill 3196, a Bill for an Act in relation to budget implementation. Second Reading of this Senate Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Hold that on Second and read 3197.”
“Senate Bill 3197, a Bill for an Act concerning State Fairs. Second Reading of this Senate Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Hold that on the Order of Second Reading. Representative Mitchell, for what reason do you rise?” Mitchell, J.: “Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like the record to reflect on Senate Bill 19… 955 or was that House Bill 955? Senate Bill 955.”
“That’s correct. Senate…” Mitchell, J.: “I wish to be recorded as a ‘yes’ rather than a ‘no’.”
“Thank you, Representative. And the record will so reflect your intentions. On page 17 of the Calendar, under the… under the Order of Resolutions, is House Joint Resolution 59. Representative McGuire, the Calendar indicates that there is a Floor Amendment. Would you like to move it for the adoption of the Amendment and explain it, please. You’re on, Representative.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I’d like to adopt the Amendment. The Amendment merely changed the numbers of members on the committee from, I believe, 17 to 19, whatever the number was. We increased it by two at the 09300137.doc 92 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004 request of the Republicans and we have acceded to their request. So, I would like to adopt that Amendment.”
“Is there any discussion? Then all in favor of the Amendment say ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The ‘ayes’ have it. And the Amendment is adopted. Are there any further Amendments?”
“No further Amendments. No Motions filed.”
Speaker Hannig: “Okay. Now, Representative McGuire is recognized on House Joint Resolution 59 as amended. Representative McGuire.”
“Thank you, again, Mr. Speaker. HJR59 is a Resolution that pertains to the state-funded homecare workers in Illinois which allows 60 thousand seniors and people with disabilities to live safely in their own communities. And whereas, state-funded homecare workers save the State of Illinois millions in nursing home costs; and whereas, in order to insure a high quality and consistent workforce, it is necessary to provide these care providers with health insurance; and whereas, homecare is a Medicaid-funded program and many of the workers are at or below the poverty line, there are many opportunities to obtain federal funds for the homecare workers’ health insurance. So, therefore, be it resolved by the House of Representative, 93rd General Assembly, State of Illinois, that the Senate concurring herein, that the General Assembly shall create a committee to explore the options to provide health insurance to state-funded homecare workers; and be it further resolved that the committee shall hold a minimum of four hearings 09300137.doc 93 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004 throughout the state and shall provide recommendations for the implementation of a health insurance program to the General Assembly no later than January 1, 2005; and be it further resolved that the committee shall be cochaired by the chairperson of the House Aging Committee and the chairperson of the Senate Health & Human Services Committee; and be it further resolved that the committee shall consist of 17 members in addition to the cochair persons as follows: one member appointed by the Governor, one member representing the Illinois Department on Aging appointed by the Governor, one member from the Office of Rehab Services within the Department of Human Services appointed by the Governor, two members appointed by the Speaker of the House, two members appointed by the President of the Senate, two members appointed by the Minority Leader of the House and two members appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate. Four members will be appointed by the cochairs with the recommendations of the SEIU Local 880, one member each from the aging segment and one member each from the disability segment. One member representing the vendors contracting with the Department of Aging appointed by the Governor, one member representing the disabled committee… community, excuse me, appointed by agreement of the cochairs, one member representing the senior community appointed by the agreement of the cochairs and one member from the general public appointed by agreement of the cochairs. And be it further resolved, that a suitable copy of this Resolution be delivered to the 09300137.doc 94 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004 chairperson of the House Aging Committee and a chairperson of Senate Health & Human Services Committee. I appreciate your letting me read the entire Resolution and I certainly would appreciate the passage of this Resolution. Thank you.”
“Is there any discussion? Then the question is, ‘Shall House Joint Resolution 59 be adopted?’ All in favor vote ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 111 voting ‘yes’ and 1 voting ‘no’. And the Resolution is adopted. Representative Munson is recon… recognized on House Joint Resolution 67. The Calendar indicates there’s an Amendment, Representative. So, would you explain the Amendment, then we’ll adopt it.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. Floor Amendment 1 adds members from the… adds one member from the Department of Employment Security to the task force created by House Joint Resolution 67.”
Speaker Hannig: “All in favor of the Amendment say ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The ‘ayes’ have it. And the Amendment is adopted. Are there any further Amendments?”
“No further Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Okay. So, Representative Munson is recognized on House Joint Resolution 67 as amended.”
“House Joint Resolution 67 as Amendment creat… amended creates a task force to examine procedures used by the state to protect individual Social Security numbers.” 09300137.doc 95 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004
“The Lady has…”
“The task…”
Speaker Hannig: “The Lady has moved for the re… for the adoption of House Joint Resolution 67. Is there any discussion? Then all in favor vote ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 112 voting ‘yes’ and 0 voting ‘no’. And the Resolution is adopted. Hey, Mr. Clerk, would you read the House Committee schedule for tomorrow.”
“The following committees will meet tomorrow morning at 10 a.m.: the Elementary & Secondary Education in Room 114, the Labor Committee in Room 122-B, Revenue in 115, Agriculture & Conservation in D-1, Judiciary-Civil Law in C-1, State Government Administration in 118. The following committees will meet at 10:30 a.m. tomorrow: Fee for Service Initiative in Room 114, Higher Education in Room 122-B, Human Services in Room 115, Insurance in D-1, Local Government in C-1 and Transportation & Motor Vehicles in Room 118.”
“Representative Brady, for what reason do you rise?”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to make an announcement that the Republicans will caucus tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. in Room 118, at 9 a.m. Room 118.”
“Representative Molaro, for what reason do you rise?” 09300137.doc 96 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004
“Yes, just… just a question and that would mean that the committees that were previewing… previously scheduled for tonight have been canceled. Is that correct?”
“Representative, I don’t believe there were committees scheduled for this evening.”
“Well, there were… Okay. There were some…”
“Is that incorrect?”
“Okay. Good.”
“Are there any announcements? Representative Mitchell for an announcement or proceed, Representative.” Mitchell, J.: “Well, it’s a question, Mr. Speaker. I believe Elementary, Secondary Ed was scheduled for 7 p.m. tonight. Is that the one that’s going to meet tomorrow morning instead? And I don’t see Representative Giles, is the only reason I’m asking the question.”
“His… Where’s… Help us find that on the Calendar? What page is that on?” Mitchell, J.: “I received an e-mail in my office that we would meet at 7:00. I think all the committee members at least on the Republican side did, I’m not sure.”
“Representative Giles.” Mitchell, J.: “It’s on the computer, now.”
“Give us a second to see if we can clarify…” Mitchell, J.: “Okay.”
“…this, Representative. Yeah. Representative, we’re advised that no committees were actually scheduled to meet this evening.” 09300137.doc 97 STATE OF ILLINOIS 93rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 137th Legislative Day 5/30/2004 Mitchell, J.: “Well, Mr. Speaker, it’s on there but then we noticed in the fine print, it does say it’s canceled. So, thank you.”
“Representative, no committees are meeting this evening. That’s the… that’s the ruling of the Chair. Representative Molaro, for what reason do you rise?”
“Thank you. I… I just can’t let it go. I mean, I just thought you are the new Steve… Steven Wright of the House. That, yeah, yeah, yeah on the Beatles’ Resolution was funniest thing I heard all year. I just wanted you to know that. Steven Wright of the House, Ladies and Gentlemen.”
“Well, we gotta have a little fun once in a while, Representative. Is there… are there any other announcements? Then allowing for perfunctory time, Representative Currie moves that the House stand adjourn until tomorrow, Monday, May 31 at the hour of 11 a.m. All in favor of the Motion say ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The ‘ayes’ have it. And the House stands adjourn.” 09300137.doc 98