“House Perfunctory Session will come to order. House Joint Resolution 28 is referred to the House Committee on Rules, offered by Representative Beiser.”
“The House shall come to order. The Members shall be in their chairs. We ask the Members and our guests in the gallery to turn off their cell phones, laptop computers and pagers. And we ask the guests in the gallery to rise and join us for the invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance. We shall be led in prayer today by Father Thomas Burr of the St. Mary’s Church in McHenry, Illinois. Father Burr is the guest of Representative Jack Franks.”
“Let us pray. Lord, God, Your blessings reach to the end of the earth to all men, women and children. You show us Your love for us in this life in the death and the resurrection of Jesus, Your son. We call Him our Lord and Savior. Through Jesus You give us a wonder-filled example of charity and the great commandment of love for one another. We ask You now to send down Your blessings for the men and women of this House. They generously devote themselves to helping people of the state and as they are called on, let them faithfully serve You and those they represent. Let the light of Your divine wisdom direct and inspire their deliberations and shine forth in their proceedings in the laws framed for our government. May we all work to preserve peace and justice and continue to strive to bring You blessings of liberty and equality for us all. We pray to You as our Lord and God, the giver of life, forever and ever. Amen.” 09400030.doc 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“We shall be led in the Pledge of Allegiance by Representative Patterson.” Patterson – 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.”
“Roll Call for Attendance. Representative Currie.”
“Thank you, Speaker. Please let the record show that there are no excused House Democrats today.”
“Mr. Bost.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Let the record reflect that Representative Pihos is excused today.”
“The Clerk shall take the record. There being 117 Members responding to the Attendance Roll Call, there is a quorum present. The Chair recognizes the Clerk.”
Clerk Mahoney: “Committee Reports. Representative Barbara Flynn Currie, Chairperson from the Committee on Rules, to which the following legislative measures and/or Joint Action Motions were referred, action taken on March 14, 2005, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'approved for floor consideration' is Amendment #2 to House Bill 315, Amendment #3 to House Bill 323, Amendment #3 to House Bill 399, Amendment #1 to House Bill 452, Amendment #1 to House Bill 506, Amendment #1 to House Bill 728, Amendment #2 to House Bill 904, Amendment #1 to House Bill 1391, Amendment #1 to House Bill 1404, 09400030.doc 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005 Amendment #3 to House Bill 2344, Amendment #1 to House Bill 2712 and Amendment #1 to House Bill 3674.”
“Mr. Jerry Mitchell.” Mitchell, J.: “Yes. Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of gorp, personal privilege.”
“State your point.” Mitchell, J.: “Ladies and Gentlemen of the House, I’d like to address your attention to the gallery. I have a fine group of students from the Amboy FFA here along with their instructor Mr. Striet and their sponsor Mr. McCoy. Please give ‘em a warm, Springfield welcome. Thank you.”
“Mr. Sacia.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A point of personal privilege.”
“State your point.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Ladies and Gentlemen, in the gallery we have a group of FFA students from both Eastland and Forestville schools. I believe they’re up behind me. Would you make them feel very welcome in Springfield.”
“Mr. Parke.”
“Good afternoon, Mr. Speaker. It is my understanding that you’re gonna approach this week in a different style and perhaps the Body would wanna hear what the intention of the Chair is for this week on the presentation of legislation.”
“Let me get right back to you. Representative Gordon.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Point of personal privilege.” 09400030.doc 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“State your point.”
“Ladies and Gentlemen of the House, it is my honor and privilege to introduce to you today the Seneca chapter of the FFA of which I am their proud Representative. They’re there… they’re here with their teacher, Mr. Kent Weber. Not only are they the #1 FFA chapter this year, but have been the #1 FFA chapter in the State of Illinois for 10 years running. Ladies and Gentlemen, the Seneca FFA.”
“Mr. Parke. Are you ready? All right, Ladies and Gentlemen, let me have your attention for a few moments. Mr. Parke has asked how we plan to proceed this week plus the two weeks after our break. I have in front of me a list of the names of all of the Members of the House and the list is done alphabetically. Our plan is to go down the list alphabetically and ask people for one Bill. If a Bill is on Second Reading today, we’ll move the Bill from Second to Third Reading today and we will come back to that position tomorrow. If, on first call, a Member has not yet chosen a Bill to be called, then we won’t get back to that name until everybody else has had their chance to call a Bill. So, I can speak with more authority relative to the Democrats, the Democratic staff has spent a great deal of time asking people for their priorities and so we’ve done that. I presume your staff has done the same thing. So, again, if you are called on this first round and you have not yet chosen your first Bill, we won’t get to you until we’ve done everybody else. Shall I say that again? If you’re called and you have not 09400030.doc 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005 yet chosen your first choice, we’ll get back to you after we’ve done everybody else. Does that answer your question, Mr. Parke?”
“Yes. I think it is… it is, but I wanted… the question, of course, was to make sure the Body understood how you were gonna proceed. That the… it is up to them. They have the responsibility to make sure that they’re prepared when called upon to proceed with the work of the House. And I appreciate that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.”
“Representative Jakobsson. Ms. Jakobsson.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise on a point of personal privilege.”
“State your point.”
“This afternoon Representative Rose and I have University of Illinois loyalty bands for every Member of the House and we will be distributing them to you. I think you understand the purpose of this.”
“Representative Mulligan.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A question going back to the Bills. If you have Bills that are waiting for Amendments and you are not at liberty to choose right now, then… so, should you just wait and not make a choice?”
“I would recommend that you choose a Bill.”
“Choose the Bill anyway and then just…”
“Well… well, choose a Bill that’s ready to go. I mean, you’re a very popular Sponsor. Many people want you to sponsor Bills.” 09400030.doc 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“No, I’m not. I’ve tried very hard just to work on budget this year, thank you very much, but I have a few Bills up, just a few.”
“Okay. Thank you. Mr. Stephens.”
“…Speaker. You have made it perfectly clear. I think we oughta get started, but I have one slight suggestion. You know, high school graduation, college, even in the Army, everything was alphabetical starting with the front of the alphabet. I wondered if you’d ever considered, for those of us at the other end, starting with the Zs?”
“Let us take that under consideration. All right. Pursuant to plan and promise, is Mr. Acevedo in the chamber? Mr. Acevedo. The Gentleman’s not here. Representative Bailey, do you have a Bill you wish to call? Now, Representative, you heard what I said. We won’t get back to you until we go through everybody else. Mr. Beiser, do you wish to call 716? House 716? All right, Mr. Clerk, what is the status of House 716?”
“House Bill 716, Second Reading of this House Bill. A Bill for an Act concerning criminal law. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. A note has been requested, but not yet filed.”
“Mr. Beiser, there is a request for a note on the Bill which means that the Bill cannot move off of Second Reading until the note is filed. Therefore, we cannot call that Bill today. Do you have a second choice? Turn on Mr. Beiser.” 09400030.doc 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“I respectfully request 2375, please.”
“2375. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of that Bill?”
“House Bill 2375, a Bill for an Act concerning insurance. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Put the Bill on the Order of Third Reading. Mr. Beiser, we’ll return to you tomorrow to do the Bill on Third Reading. Representative Bassi, do you have a Bill? Okay. The Lady indicates she does not have a Bill. Representative Beaubien. Mr. Beaubien indicates he does not have a Bill. Representative Bellock. Okay. Mr. Clerk, House Bill 18. What is the status of the Bill?”
“House Bill 18, a Bill for an Act concerning State Government. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Representative, we’ll come back to you tomorrow to call the Bill on Third Reading. Representative Berrios. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of House Bill 960?”
“House Bill 960, a Bill for an Act concerning transportation. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.” 09400030.doc 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“Third Reading. Representative, we’ll come back to you tomorrow. Mr. Boland, House Bill 996. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 996, a Bill for an Act concerning transportation. Third Reading of this House Bill.”
“Mr. Boland.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Bill 996, as amended, allows fire chiefs to use red or white oscillating, rotating or flashing lights in their vehicles, if the vehicle is authorized in writing by local authorities as a fire department, fire protection district or township fire department vehicle. This written designation must be carried in the vehicle. The Amendment stipulates that these lights may be activated only when responding to a bona fide emergency and that a fire chief must complete an emergency vehicle operation training course that is approved by the State Fire Marshal. This Bill’s an initiative of the Illinois Firefighters Association. According to the association, four rural areas with primary volunteer firefighters often cannot afford to provide their fire chiefs with fire department vehicles; therefore, the fire chiefs must use their own vehicles to get to the scene of a fire. Because they must frequently travel long distances at high speeds to get to the fires, the association would like fire chiefs to be able to install warning lights in their vehicles.”
“Mr. Parke.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?” 09400030.doc 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“Sponsor yields.”
“Now, Representative, is the Illinois State Police still opposed to your legislation and if so, why?”
“They are not opposed. They are neutral. We pa… we added an Amendment that dealt with the training and that ended their opposition.”
“Is there anyone in opposition to your legislation at this time?”
“There’s no one in opposition.”
“Thank you.”
“The question is, ‘Shall this Bill pass?’ Those in favor signify by voting ‘yes’; those opposed by voting ‘no’. Have all voted who wish? Has Mr. Jerry Mitchell voted? The Clerk shall take… The Clerk shall take the record. On this question, there are 116 people voting ‘yes’, 1 person voting ‘no’. This Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Mr. John Bradley, do you have a Bill you wish to call?” Bradley, J.: “Mr. Speaker, can we move 2411 to Third?”
“Mr. Clerk, what is the status of House Bill 2411?”
“House Bill 2411, a Bill for an Act concerning criminal law. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. Floor Amendment #1, offered by Representative Bradley, has been approved for consideration.”
“Mr. Bradley on the Amendment.” 09400030.doc 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005 Bradley, J.: “Yeah. This is basically an Amendment… This is a meth pilot program for southern Illinois, specifically the Franklin County area and it would allow Franklin County to create, on behalf of the people of the State of Illinois, a pilot project to deal with meth addicts. The recovery among meth addicts has a recidivism rate of 93 percent, which is horrible. Compare that to crack cocaine, the recidivism rate for crack cocaine is 37 percent. So, we’re not doin’ a good job as a state in dealing with people who get addicted to meth and this would be an opportunity for the state to attempt a new way of dealing with people that have… have become victims of this horrible drug.”
“The Gentleman moves for the adoption of the Amendment. The Chair recognizes Mr. Parke.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?”
“Sponsor yields.”
“Is this a… Representative, is this Amendment controversial or has anybody spoken out in committee on it?” Bradley, J.: “No one has spoken out of committee. There was some… someone from DHS, the other day, that expressed a concern over costs and we’ll have to deal with that in terms of the budget and funding, but obviously this is something I think is a priority for the State of Illinois and something we need to do.”
“Do you know if their… how much the cost will be on this Amendment?” 09400030.doc 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005 Bradley, J.: “The costs are not as significant as what DHS had originally thought and I don’t have an exact number, but it’s not an overwhelming number.”
“What is not an overwhelming number, less than a hundred thousand or less than a million?” Bradley, J.: “I’m not… I’m not sure, Representative Parke.”
“Has anybody objected to this Amendment?” Bradley, J.: “No.”
“Thank you.”
“Mr. Bradley moves for the adoption of the Amendment. Those in favor say ‘aye’; those opposed say ‘no’. The ‘ayes’ have it. The Amendment is adopted. Are there any further Amendments?”
“No further Amendments. A fiscal note has been requested but not yet received.”
“So, Mr. Bradley, a request for a fiscal note has been filed, so the Bill will have to remain on the Order of Second Reading. Mr. Bradley.” Bradley, J.: “Yes, Speaker. Can we move 2526 to Third, now?”
“Well, you had your Bill.” Bradley, J.: “Okay.”
“Sorry.” Bradley, J.: “That…”
“Representative Biggins, do you wish to call House Bill 2595?”
“…Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. How about House Bill 1427 and we’ll do 2595 the next time?” 09400030.doc 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“1427. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of House Bill 1427?”
“House Bill 1427, a Bill for an Act concerning revenue. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee ments… Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Then we’ll get back to you tomorrow, Mr. Biggins. Mr. Black, do you have a Bill you wish to call? Mr. Black. Mr. Black, do you have a Bill?”
“Yeah. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I have no idea where the Bill is on the Calendar. It’s House Bill 709.”
“Mr. Clerk, what is the status of House Bill 709?”
“House Bill 709, a Bill for an Act concerning revenue. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Mr. Bost. Mr. Bost, do you have a Bill? The Gentleman indicates he does not have a Bill. Mr. Richard Bradley, do you have a Bill to call? Mr. Bradley.” Bradley, R.: “805, can I move back to Second for an Amendment, please?”
“Mr. Clerk, what is the status of House Bill 805?”
Clerk Mahoney: “House Bill 805 is on the Order of Third Reading.” 09400030.doc 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“Put the Bill on the Order of Second Reading. Are there any Amendments?”
“No Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Okay. Well, leave the Bill on the Order of Second Reading. Mr. Brosnahan, do you have a Bill to call?”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can I move House Bill 1393 from Second to Third?”
“Mr. Clerk, what is the status of House Bill 1393?”
“House Bill 1393 is on the Order of Second Reading.”
“Read the Bill. So, Mr. Clerk, are there any Amendments, any Motions?”
“House Bill 1393, a Bill for an Act concerning transportation. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Mr. Burke. Mr. Burke.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On House Bill 315, I respectfully seek the adoption of Amendment #2.”
“Mr. Clerk, are there any Amendments?”
“House Bill 315, a Bill for an Act concerning animals. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. Floor Amendment #2 has been approved for consideration.”
“Mr. Burke.” 09400030.doc 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. This Amendment #2 to 315 would simply sunset the Act through the date of December 31, 2011, I beg your pardon. It would permit the… the collection of a fee on vaccinations to provide for free spay and neutering of disadvantaged families in our state. And again, if the matter does not work, we would like it to cease. We are asking for a sunset clause. That is Amendment #2.”
“The Gentleman moves for the adoption of the Amendment. The Chair recognizes Mr. Parke.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?”
“Sponsor…”
“Representative, on this… it says that this Amendment’s been put on here to… satisfy the concern of the… Well, let me ask you this. Would the AASPCA(sic-ASPCA)… and it’s supposed to be eliminating the opposition of the State Veterinary Medical Association. Has this Amendment done that?”
“I would suggest to you that in no way was this a recommendation of the Illinois Veterinary Association or that community. After discussions with veterinarians, who I might suggest to you, arrived atpast the eleventh hour, after this matter was heard in committee, they approached me and cited their concerns and objections in certain regard to this matter. We, after discussion with those veterinarians, suggested that if our initiative is not practical we… it would cease in 5 years. We have examples of four other states in our nation where this initiative 09400030.doc 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005 has been very successful and has realized a decrease in stray animal population by as much as 39 percent and also an increase in the number of rabies vaccinations distributed to the community. So, no, Sir, this was not an initiative of the veterinary community.”
“Well, then they’re still opposed to your legislation?”
“The associations that have indicated their opposition are opposed. I have individual veterinarians, of course, that are fully supportive and those that came to testify to the committee.”
“Okay. Now, you’re gonna have a special fund. Do you have some kind of a clause in the special fund that will prohibit the administration from seep… sweeping the money…”
“Yes.”
“…out of it?”
“Yes, we do.”
“You do have a special clause?”
“Yes. Ya know, I hate to restrict you, Representative, but we’re simply talking about the Amendment now. But the answer to your question is ‘yes’.”
“But you… but as far as you know you do?”
“Yes.”
“Okay. All right. To the Bill. Ladies and Gentlemen, again, this Amendment is not satisfactory to the Illinois Veterinarian Association and nor the underlying Bill. So, I thought I would at least point that out to you. Thank you.” 09400030.doc 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
Speaker Madigan: “Mr. Burke moves for the adoption of the Amendment. Those in favor say ‘aye’; those opposed say ‘no’. The ‘ayes’ have it. The Amendment is adopted. Are there any further Amendments?”
Clerk Mahoney: “No further Amendments. Notes have been requested but not yet filed on this Bill.”
“Mr. Burke, did you hear the Clerk? Requests… there are requests for notes on the Bill.”
“I didn’t know that.”
“The Clerk just advised us that there are requests for notes on the Bill.”
“Okay.”
“So, the notes have been… not been filed, so the Bill will remain on Second Reading.”
“Fine.”
“Representative Chapa LaVia.”
“Yes, Speaker. I request that 4023 be moved to Third.”
“Mr. Clerk, what is the status of House Bill 4023? 4023.”
“House Bill 4023, a Bill for an Act concerning video games. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendments #1 and 2 were adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
Speaker Madigan: “Third Reading. Representative Chavez on House Bill 2444. The Bill’s on the Order of Third Reading. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.” 09400030.doc 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“House Bill 2444, a Bill for an Act concerning transportation. Third Reading of this House Bill.”
“Representative Chavez.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon, everybody. Ladies and Gentlemen of this Illinois… our House. I bring before you today House Bill 2444. It amends the Illinois Vehicle Code by providing the members of the United States Armed Forces and the members of the Armed Forces Reserve and the National Guard who are ordered to active duty are not required to pay late registration renewal fee during a period in which a Presidential Executive Order specifies that the United States is engaged in combat or homeless… or homeland defense. Currently, the late penalty of $20 for all passenger vehicle… for all passenger vehicles. Twenty dollars may not seem like a huge penalty, but I think that waiving this penalty is a small courtesy that we can offer to our brave men and women in the military. I’d be very happy to answer any questions and ask for your support. Thank you and God bless America.”
“Mr. Parke.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?”
“Sponsor yields.”
“It’s my understanding that this is for active duty military personnel only. Does that include the National Guard?”
“Yes.”
“Does it include the Reserves?”
“Yes.” 09400030.doc 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“Now, do they pay… Is it because they’re overseas in which… and that’s… and they haven’t had a chance to focus on the payment of this fee so we’re gonna waive it or do they have to pay it later on when they come back?”
“No, they don’t have to pay it when they come back. They have to waive.”
“So, what’s gonna happen now is that all of our military personnel will just get that license plate fee waived?”
“Correct.”
“They don’t have to be delinquent; they just don’t have to pay it.”
“That wouldn’t be delinquent while they are in service.”
“Well, why would we have to wait ‘til they’re delinquent? Why don’t we just simply say that all of ‘em don’t have to pay it? Why… why would we allow some of these military personnel to pay it and others don’t? I mean, why do we penalize them for being delinquent? Why don’t we just waive the fee for all military personnel?”
“It is a courtesy to our brave woman and man in military ranks.”
“And I agree with you. So, why don’t we just waive it for all military personnel? Why do we have to wait until they’re delinquent?”
“I think we are doin’ this.”
“I’m sorry?”
“I believe that they are… they are not paying for a fee for all the military ranks.” 09400030.doc 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“So, they… for all military personnel we don’t… Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I cannot hear the Lady’s response. There’s way too noisy. This is obviously an important piece of legislation to the Sponsor. It is my understanding… Representative, how many other Bills have you presented to us so far in this Session?”
“This is the first one, Sir.”
“Oh, this is your first Bill. Now, my concern and if you could check with your staff, why do we wanna wait to put the people in delinquency? Why don’t we just waive all of ‘em and that way we don’t have to have the stigma of being… of being in delinquency?”
“This is only a courtesy during the time that they are serving our homeland.”
“Right. I’m for you… I’m with you. We’re on the same page. But why do we have to wait until they’re delinquent? Why don’t we just say… because if we’re… what we’re doin’ is saying, in essence, because you’re delinquent, you’ve done something you shouldn’t have done, we’re gonna give ya a break. When all of the other military personnel who have paid in the timely manner are not getting that break. Do you understand what I’m trying to say? So, why don’t we just simply give the break to all of the military personnel?”
“Well, I believe that this is only a waiving for the people that are serving our country.”
“I know that. I know that. Well, Ladies and Gentlemen, to the Bill. I think the Lady has an idea that is worthy 09400030.doc 19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005 of the consideration. It’s just that it’s a $20 fee and that failure to pay the fee could end up in revoking their license plate. So, what we’re gonna do, we’re gonna say because you are have broken the law, we’re gonna waive the fee, when the great 99 percent of our military vet… current active duty personnel is paying the fee, I think we oughta do one or the other. Either every military personnel doesn’t pay the fee or we stick with what we have. I know it’s a courtesy, but I think in a way we’re punishing all the other military personnel who are paying their bills in a timely manner. Perhaps other Members of the General Assembly might have a perspective. I… I’m not sure we wanna pass this legislation today. Perhaps the Sponsor might wanna pull this out of the record and take a look at it in terms of trying to figure out a way to solve that problem. Do you think, Representative, you might be willing to take it out of the record for the time being and see if there’s a way of solving this problem?”
“No, I appreciate your concern, but I believe that with your support I can pass this Bill.”
“Okay, Representative. Well, perhaps somebody else in… out there might have a way of solving this problem.”
“Mr. Lang. Lang.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just simply rise to support the Lady. She’s worked very hard on this Bill. Yes, it’s her first Bill, but it’s an important Bill. It helps our military and it gives you targets out there a chance to vote for a fee reduction, a fee reduction. So, let’s give 09400030.doc 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005 the Lady some respect. Let’s let her pass her first Bill and pass this over to the Senate.”
“Mr. Stephens.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Gent… will the Lady yield?”
“Lady yields.”
“Representative, I understand you were in the Marine Corps.”
“No, I’m not in the Marine Corps.”
“You were a paratrooper? What’d she say?”
“No, Sir. I’m just a simple…”
“You weren’t in the Marine Corps. You weren’t…”
“Excuse me?”
“I remember. You were a paratrooper.”
“No, I am not.”
“No? Do you own a car?”
“Excuse me?”
“Do you own a car?”
“No.”
“No? You’re an… Did anybody in your family own a car?”
“I own a… I own a car.”
“Okay. So, you’ve gotta car. Is the license delinq… delinquent?”
“No, Sir, they are not.”
“Has it ever been delinquent?”
“No, Sir.” 09400030.doc 21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“This is special legislation for your family, isn’t it?”
“No, it is not. It is also for all… every family around the country that serves our country.”
“Any paratroopers in your family?”
“Excuse me?”
“Any paratroopers in your family?”
“No.”
“Any Marines?”
“I have a nephew in the Marines.”
“All right. Well, this is probably for him.”
“And I have a nephew also in the Air Force.”
“Air Force does not count as military.”
“I have every place around.”
“Maybe I better sit down now. Thank you, Representative.”
“You’re welcome.”
“The question is, ‘Shall this Bill pass?’ Those in favor signify by voting ‘yes’; those opposed by voting ‘no’. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? The Clerk shall take the record. On this question, there are 117 people voting ‘yes’, 0 voting ‘no’. This Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Berrios.”
“Thank you. Point of personal privilege.”
“State your point.”
“First, I’d like to thank Joe Lyons for lunch today. Corn beef sandwiches are great. And I am following it up 09400030.doc 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005 with dessert. So, I will be over there cutting a yellow cake, so everyone can enjoy. Thank you.”
“Representative Phelps. Mr. Phelps.”
“Point of personal privilege, Mr. Speaker.”
“Give your attention to Mr. Phelps.”
“I’m very honored today to introduce to you your 2005 Miss Illinois County Fair, Sherrie Smith. Sherrie just happens… Sherrie just happens to be from my district in Hardin County. So, let’s give her a big welcome.”
“Mr. Clerk.”
“Rules Committee Report. Representative Barbara Flynn Currie, Chairperson from the Committee on Rules, to which the following legislative measures and/or Joint Action Motion were referred, action taken on March 15, 2005, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'approved for floor consideration' is Amendment #1 to House Bill 780 and Amendment #1 to House Bill 1581.”
“Mr. Flider.”
“Point of personal privilege, Mr. Speaker.”
“State your point.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Ladies and Gentlemen of the House, as you may have ascertained today is Ag Legislative Day in Springfield and many of you have received a lunch courtesy of the Future Farmers of America. And today I’m honored to introduce to you the Future Farmers of America State President, Kacy Baugher, who lives in my district. So, please welcome her to the floor. She’s actually here 09400030.doc 23 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005 on the floor. Now, Kacy has… she’s actually given up a year of her life. She could be a freshman at the University of Illinois this year, but she’s given up a year of her life to serve as FFA president. We also have with us today, as you know, many FFA members from throughout Illinois and behind us here, behind me are the FFA state officers. So, please recognize them, as well, for their commitment to agriculture. Thank you.”
“Mr. Joe Lyons.” Lyons, J.: “Thank you, Speaker. Just purpose of an announcement. I just wanted to say that I was just the delivery boy for those sandwiches. For the 7 years in a row, that’s the compliments of Kenny and Kim Harrington, son of Ray and Cindy Harrington, who, for 50 years, have been providing the best corn beef in the State of Illinois. So, thank you, Harrington’s Catering not Joe Lyons.”
“The Chair recognizes Mr. Colvin on House Bill 466. Mr. Clerk, is Mr. Colvin in his chair? What is the status of House 466? 466.”
“House Bill 466, a Bill for an Act concerning energy assistance. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was approved in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Mr. Brady. Mr. Brady, House Bill 3843.”
“Yes, Mr. Speaker.”
“Mr. Clerk, what is the status of the Bill? 3843.” 09400030.doc 24 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“House Bill 3843, a Bill for an Act concerning local government. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
Speaker Madigan: “Third Reading. Mr. Brauer. Brauer. Churchill. Mr. Clerk…”
“Mr…”
“Mr. Churchill.”
“Mr. Speaker, would you please move House Bill 220 to Third.”
“Mr. Clerk, House Bill 220. What is the status of the Bill?”
“House Bill 220, a Bill for an Act in relation to criminal law. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was approved in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
Speaker Madigan: “Third Reading. Representative Collins. Representative Collins. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of House Bill 166?”
“House Bill 166, a Bill for an Act concerning a right to counsel. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. Floor Amendment #1, offered by Representative Collins, has been approved for consideration.”
“Representative Collins on Amendment #1.”
“Yes. I would like to add Amendment #1 to the Bill and move it to Third. I’m prepared to call it, if you like.” 09400030.doc 25 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
Speaker Madigan: “The Lady moves for the adoption of the Amendment. Those in favor say ‘aye’; those opposed say ‘no’. The ‘ayes’ have it. The Amendment is adopted. Are there any further Amendments?”
“No further Amendments. No Motions filed.”
Speaker Madigan: “Third Reading. Representative Currie. Representative Currie. 1570? Mr. Clerk, what is the status of House Bill 1570?”
“House Bill 1570, a Bill for an Act concerning revenue. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendments #1 and 2 were adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Mr. Clerk. Mr. Clerk, repeat your last item. Repeat it.”
“House Bill 1570, a Bill for an Act concerning revenue. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendments #1 and 2 were adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Mr. Clerk, House Bill 2704. What is the status of the Bill? 2704.”
“House Bill 2704, a Bill for an Act concerning criminal law. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Representative Cultra, no Bill. Mr. Daniels. Mr. Daniels.”
“Can you tell me if there’s any notes on 4032?” 09400030.doc 26 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“4032. Mr. Clerk, have any note requests been filed? 4032.”
“House Bill 4032, a Bill for an Act in relation to public aid. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Joe Dunn. Mr. Joe Dunn. Do you have a Bill? 55?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Mr. Clerk, House Bill 55. What is the status of the Bill?”
“House Bill 55, a Bill for an Act concerning safety. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendments #1 and 2 were adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Mr. D’Amico. Mr. D’Amico, do you have a Bill?”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Bill 1555, I’d like to move to the Third Reading.”
“Mr. Clerk, House Bill 1555. What is the status of the Bill?”
“House Bill 1555, a Bill for an Act concerning transportation. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments have been approved for consideration. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Monique Davis, House Bill 2588. What is the status of the Bill? 2588.” 09400030.doc 27 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“House Bill 2588, a Bill for an Act concerning adoption. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Mr. Eddy. Mr. Eddy, before you begin on 471 I think there’s a request for notes which have not been filed. Is that true, Mr. Clerk? 471.”
Clerk Mahoney: “House Bill 471. A fiscal note has been requested but not received.”
“So, Mr. Eddy, if we consider that Bill today, that is your… that would be your Bill for today. You may have another Bill? I know you’re a prolific Sponsor.”
“Yeah. I’d like to move… I’d like to move 3531 to Third.”
“3531. What’s the status of that Bill, Mr. Clerk? 3531.”
“House Bill 3531, a Bill for an Act concerning children. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
Speaker Madigan: “Third Reading. Now, Mr. Duncan. Mr. Froehlich. Mr. Froehlich, did you wish to call 2455? Mr. Clerk, what is the status of House 2455? 2455.”
“House Bill 2455, a Bill for an Act concerning government. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Mr. Hassert, did you wish to move 1084? Mr. Clerk, what is the status of 1084? 1084.” 09400030.doc 28 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“House Bill 1084, a Bill for an Act concerning safety. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Mr. Will Davis. Will Davis. Mr. Delgado. Oh, Mr. Da… Do you have a Bill to call? Mr… Mr. Will Davis. Turn on Mr. Will Davis. Mr. Davis, do you have a Bill that you’d like to call?” Davis, W.: “Well, Mr. Speaker, I have put in paperwork to become the Chief Sponsor of House Bill 2708.”
“2708. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of 2708?”
“House Bill 2708, a Bill for an Act concerning finance. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“All right. Put the Bill on the Order of Third Reading. And Mr. Clerk, would you make Mr. Will Davis the Chief Sponsor of the Bill, replacing Mr. Hannig. Mr. Delgado, 157. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of the Bill? 1…”
“House Bill 157, a Bill for an Act concerning public employee benefits. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Representative Dugan. Lisa Dugan, 1483.”
“Yes. I’d like to move it to Third, Speaker. Thank you.” 09400030.doc 29 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“Mr. Clerk, what is the status of 1483?”
“House Bill 1483, a Bill for an Act concerning criminal law. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
Speaker Madigan: “Third Reading. Mr. Duncan. 1097, Mr. Duncan, 1097? Mr. Clerk, what is the status of House Bill 1097?”
“House Bill 1097, a Bill for an Act concerning public bodies. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Representative Feigenholtz, do you have a Bill that you wish to call? Representative Hultgren, Hultgren. Do you have a Bill to call? Mr. Jenisch. 3819, 3819. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of 3819?”
“House Bill 3819, a Bill for an Act concerning health care. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Representative Kosel, 2348.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to move that back to Second for the purpose of adding an Amendment.”
“Mr. Clerk, House Bill 2348, what is the status of the Bill?”
Clerk Mahoney: “House Bill 2348’s on the Order of Third Reading.” 09400030.doc 30 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“Put the Bill on the Order of Second Reading. Are there any Amendments?”
“No Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“So, Representative, the Clerk indicates that there are no Amendments filed.”
“One is going to be filed…”
“Okay.”
“…probably by the end of today. Thank you.”
“So, we’ll leave the Bill on Second Reading. Representative Krause. Kosel, Representative Kosel.”
“Yes, Mr. Speaker. I wanted to move House Bill 3480 to Third, if I could.”
“Representative Kosel, what’s… what’s the Bill number?”
“The Bill number is 3480. It’s on Second. I would like to move it to Third.”
“All right. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of House Bill 3480?”
“House Bill 3480, a Bill for an Act concerning education. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Representative Leitch. Mr. Leitch, 721? Mr. Clerk, what is the status of the Bill? Mr. Lei…”
“House Bill 721, a Bill for an Act concerning land. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was 09400030.doc 31 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005 adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Mr. Clerk, are there any… Mr. Clerk, restate the status of the Bill.”
Clerk Mahoney: “House Bill 721 is on the Order of Second Reading.”
“Mr. Leitch, could we pass over this for a short time? Let us come back to you. Representative Lindner, 1157? Mr. Clerk, what is the status of the Bill?”
“House Bill 1157, a Bill for an Act concerning local government. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Representative Eileen Lyons, do you have a Bill? Mr. Mathias, do you have a Bill? Mr. Mathias.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to move House Bill 348.”
“Mr. Clerk, what is the status of House Bill 348?”
“House Bill 348, a Bill for an Act in relation to firearms. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1…”
“What… what is it?”
Clerk Mahoney: “…was adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Representative Krause, 1142? Mr. Clerk, what is the status of 1142? 11…” 09400030.doc 32 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“House Bill… House Bill 1142, a Bill for an Act concerning local government. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Mr. Flider. Mr. Flider, 2596?”
“Yes, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to move House Bill 2596 from Second to Third Reading.”
“Mr. Clerk, what is the status of the Bill?”
“House Bill 2596 has been read a second time, previously. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments have been approved for consideration. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Representative Flowers, do you have a Bill? Do you have a Bill to call?”
“I have House Bill 638.”
“Mr. Clerk, 638. What is the status of the Bill?”
“House Bill 638, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. However, a fiscal note has been requested and not yet received.”
“So, Representative, the Bill will remain on the Order of Second Reading because of the request for a fiscal note. Mr. Franks, 1041? 767. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of 767?”
“House Bill 767, a Bill for an Act concerning criminal law. Second Reading of this House Bill. 09400030.doc 33 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005 Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
Speaker Madigan: “Third Reading. Mr. Fritchey, 950? Mr. Clerk, what is the status of the Bill?”
“House Bill 950, a Bill for an Act concerning liability. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Mr. McAuliffe, 900? Mr. Clerk, what is the status of House Bill 900?”
“House Bill 900, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation, has been read a second time, previously. Amendment #1 was filed in committee… approved in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Mr. Meyer. Mr. Meyer.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Could we move House Bill 3651 to Third Reading?”
“3651. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of the Bill?”
“House Bill 3651, a Bill for an Act concerning highways. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Mr. Millner. Mr. Millner, did you wanna move 3597?”
“Well, 132?”
“132. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of the Bill?” 09400030.doc 34 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“House Bill 132, a Bill for an Act concerning criminal law. Third Reading of this House Bill.”
“Mr. Millner.”
“Thank you, Mr… Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Bill 132 provides that a violation of the offense prohibiting possession by a felon of a firearm with respect to each firearm and ammunition for that firearm constitutes a single and separate violation. And I would ask for your support.”
“Mr. Parke.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?”
“Sponsor yields.”
“Representative, would this, in essence, close the gun show loophole as we have heard so much about?”
“No. This particular Bill has nothing to do with the gun show loophole. This particular Bill… For years, law enforcement… if somebody… if a gangbanger had three weapons on ‘em, they would arrest three separate felonies, but then the Illinois Supreme Court said you can’t do that without enabling legislation, so that would close this loophole. So, therefore, if a convi… if a felon possesses three firearms, we can charge him with the three felonies.”
“Now, does this still… do we still have the Illinois State Police, the Illinois Sheriffs’ Association, the Illinois State Rifle Association, the Illinois Association of Chiefs… Chief of Police, are they still supportive of this legislation?”
“To the best of my knowledge.” 09400030.doc 35 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“Thank you.”
“Representative Graham.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?”
“Sponsor yields.”
“Why is the Cook County State’s Attorney in opposition of this Bill?”
“I’m not aware of that.”
“Okay.”
“I don’t know.”
“You haven’t been spoken to…”
“Let me look in our analysis here briefly. No, I don’t know.”
“Thank you.”
“The question is, ‘Shall this Bill pass?’ Those in favor signify by voting ‘yes’; those opposed by voting ‘no’. Have all voted who wish? The Clerk shall take the record. On this question, there are 117 people voting ‘yes’, 0 voting ‘no’. This Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Mr. Giles. Mr. Giles, did you wish to call a Bill? Did you wanna give me a Bill number that you’d like to call? All right, Representative Gordon. Gordon, do you wish to call 909? Mr. Clerk, House 909. What is the status of the Bill? 909.”
“House Bill 909, a Bill for an Act concerning counties. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.” 09400030.doc 36 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
Speaker Madigan: “Third Reading. Representative Graham. Graham, 524?”
“524, yes.”
“Mr. Clerk, what is the status of 524?”
“House Bill 524, a Bill for an Act concerning criminal law. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Representative Hamos, 2343? Mr. Clerk, what is the status of 2343? 2343.”
“House Bill 2343, a Bill for an Act concerning State Government. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was approved in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Mr. Hoffman, do you have a Bill number? I don’t have a number here. There’s a blank after your name. Turn on Mr. Hoffman.”
“I would like to move House Bill 947 from Second to Third.”
“947. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of 947?”
“House Bill 947, a Bill for an Act concerning transportation. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Mr. Hannig. Mr. Hannig, did you wish to move 1457? Mr. Clerk, 1457. What is the status of the Bill?” 09400030.doc 37 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“House Bill 1457, a Bill for an Act concerning finance. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 has been approved in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Mr. Granberg, did you have a Bill you wish to move? Turn on Mr. Granberg.”
“House Bill 723, Mr. Speaker. Could you ask the Clerk for the status of that Bill?”
“723. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of the Bill?”
“House Bill 723, a Bill for an Act concerning conservation. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. Floor Amendment #1, offered by Representative Granberg, has been approved for consideration.”
“Mr. Granberg.”
“Thank you. Amendment #1 to House Bill 723 incorporates the provisions affecting the Rend Lake Conservancy District. Whereas we would… the board would have the right to be reauthorized and the appointer of members. The communities that have the appointment powers, can reappoint the existing members or they would have the option of appointing new members to the board. And I’d be happy to answer any questions.”
“The Gentleman moves for the adoption of the Amendment. Those in favor say ‘aye’; those opposed say ‘no’. The ‘ayes’ have it. The Amendment is adopted. Are there any further Amendments?” 09400030.doc 38 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“No further Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Mr. Bill Mitchell, 3544? Mr. Clerk, what is the status of the 3544?”
“House Bill 3544, a Bill for an Act concerning State Government. Amendment #1… Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Mr. Jerry Mitchell, 1128? Mr. Clerk, what is the status of 1128? Mr. Clerk, has there been a request for a note? 1120… 1128?”
“No notes have been requested on House Bill 1128.”
“What is the status of 1128?”
“House Bill 1128, a Bill for an Act concerning animals. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 is adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
Speaker Madigan: “Third Reading. Mr. Moffitt, 1500? Mr. Clerk, what is the status of 1500?”
“House Bill 1500, a Bill for an Act concerning local government. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
Speaker Madigan: “Third Reading. Representative Mulligan, 2492? Mulligan, 2492? Representative Mulligan, did you wanna… 24…”
“No, it’s waiting for an Amendment. Thank you.”
“Do you have another Bill?” 09400030.doc 39 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“2536, we’ve filed the Amendment, but it hasn’t come out of Rules yet.”
“Do you have a third?”
“No, all of them need Amendments, but the one… the one you wanted to amend, we just amended. So, it’s 2536, but we need the Amendment to come outta Rules.”
Speaker Madigan: “Okay. Put… We’ll get back with you. Representative Munson, 2699? Mr. Clerk, what is the status of 2699?”
“House Bill 2699, a Bill for an Act concerning criminal law. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Mr. Clerk, are there any Motions?”
“No Motions filed.”
“Any notes?”
“No notes have been requested.”
“Third Reading. Mr. Giles, did you have a Bill number? Mr. Clerk, House 1481? What is the status of 1481? 1481. Mr. Giles, 1481 is a shell Bill assigned to the Rules Committee. So, turn on Mr. Giles. And do you have a second number?”
“Thank you… thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would li… like to move House Bill 3691 from Second to Third.”
“3691. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of 3691?” 09400030.doc 40 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“House Bill 3691, a Bill for an Act concerning education. Second Reading of this House… No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
Speaker Madigan: “Third Reading. Mr. Holbrook, 669? Mr. Clerk, what is the status of 669?”
“House Bill 669, a Bill for an Act concerning finance. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was approved in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Representative Howard, 2578? Representative Howard.”
“Yes. Mr. Speaker, 2578 is not quite ready, but I would like to be able to do 2470.”
“Mr. Clerk, 2470. What is the status of the Bill?”
“House Bill 2470, a Bill for an Act concerning State Government. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
Speaker Madigan: “Third Reading. Representative Jakobsson, 748? 748, do you wish to move that Bill?”
“Thank you.”
“You… Representative, did you wish to call 748?”
“Yes, please.”
“Okay. Very good. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 748, a Bill for an Act concerning State Government. Third Reading of this House Bill.” 09400030.doc 41 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“Representative Jakobsson.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Bill 748 amends the State Fire Marshal Act. It provides that certain duties are assumed by unnamed divisions. And it provides that the divisions are headed by division managers rather than Deputy State Fire Marshals.”
“The Lady moves for the passage of the Bill. Is there any discussion? There being no discussion, the question is, ‘Shall this Bill pass?’ Those in favor signify by voting ‘yes’; those opposed by voting ‘no’. The Clerk shall take the record. On this question, there are 117 people voting ‘yes’, 0 voting ‘no’. This Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Mr. Jefferson, 2564? Mr. Clerk, what is the status of 2564? 2564.”
“House Bill 2564, a Bill for an Act concerning elections. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was approved in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Mr. Myers, 182? Mr. Clerk, House Bill 182, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 182, a Bill for an Act in relation to firearms. Third Reading of this House Bill.”
“Mr. Myers.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Bill 182 is a Bill that would provide that Firearm Owners Identification card issued to a person who is on active duty for the Armed Forces that expires while that person is on active duty, 09400030.doc 42 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005 primarily Guardsmen and Reservists, that that FOID card would be valid for six months from the time the person is released from active duty. House Bill 182 also lowers the age from 21 years to 18 years and over at which time a person may apply for a FOID card without parents’ signatures.”
“The Gentleman moves for the passage of the Bill. The Chair recognizes Mr. Osterman.”
“Will the Sponsor yield?”
“Sponsor… Sponsor yields.”
“So, Representative, there’s two parts to the Bill. The first part deals with those on active reserve that are out of the country, one should assume and this would say that their FOID card would be automatically re-upped, so to speak.”
“If their FOID card expires while they are on active duty overseas and we’ll use for an example Iraq or Afghanistan, that FOID card would automatically be good for an additional six months once they return home. That allows them an opportunity to get their affairs in order once they do come home and renew their card.”
“Okay. The second part of the Bill deals with 18- year-olds, the age being lowered from 21 years to 18 years where they would not need parental sign-off to get a FOID card. What’s your rationale for that?”
“Well, we’ve lowered the age to 18 for a number of other requirements. A person can vote and join the military when they’re 18 and if they can go to the military and vote when 09400030.doc 43 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005 they’re 18, why should we require parental signature to obtain a FOID card?”
“Well, I would say that some people would probably say it’s pretty safe to vote. Some 19-year-olds and 18- year-olds might be a little bit more mature as far as before they purchase a firearm without their parental notification. Let me ask you this. Was this Bill… Who’s in opposition to this Bill?”
“The Illinois State Police were in opposition to the part with regard to the extending the six-month FOID card issue and their concern was being able to administer it. I think that we have a number of other examples where we’ve extended… extended things, extended issues for servicemen that return home from active duty. In this case, I think, just a copy of their discharge orders or of their deactivation orders that they receive once they return home would be valid to ascertain that they were, in fact, on active duty. The second part of lowering the age is, I think, opposed by the Citizens for Handgun Control, City of Chicago.”
“What would the process be right now for someone who’s serving overseas and their FOID card la… lapsed?”
“The process right now I believe would be that their FOID card would be no longer valid when they get home and so they would no longer ha… possess those guns in a legal way. If they had a… a collection of guns at home and the FOID card lapsed, then when they returned home and those 09400030.doc 44 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005 guns were in their possession, they would be… it would be invalid.”
“Have there been any situations where National Guard Reservists or people that are serving overseas have had their guns either seized or have been had violations for violating the FOID Act that you’re aware of or do you have any constituents that were under this provision?”
“That situation has not occurred to my knowledge, but the issue was brought to me by a constituent that was concerned about a number of young men and women in our particular area that have de… have been activated and had gone to Iraq and these individuals that know these gentlemen… ladies and gentlemen, were concerned that this might occur while they are gone.”
“Okay.”
“Because, I think, when you… when the unit gets activated, whether it’s Guard or Reservists, when a unit gets activated one of the last things that these individuals think about is whether or not their FOID card is going to be valid or expire while they’re gone. And then when they return home there are a whole number of other issues that they deal with when they do return home and this just gives them a little bit more leeway and allowance in order to get their affairs in order when they do arrive.”
“I would agree wholeheartedly to those last statements and I would be shocked if there are any Illinois residents that are serving in the military that have had 09400030.doc 45 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005 situations and maybe staff, after this Bill’s voted on, could ask the NRA if they’ve got examples of that. And my issue, I would say, is not with that part of the legislation. I think if that was a stand-alone that’d be one thing, but we’re talking about allowing the purchase of firearms for 18-, 19-, 20-year-old individuals without their parents knowing and I think that has been witnessed around the State of Illinois, some areas more than others, that access to firearms for young people can cause a great deal of accidents and deaths and shootings. And I think that in some areas where young people have their parents sign-off on a FOID card at a young age and they’re growing up shooting and hunting I think that’s one thing, but under this legislation individuals that would be going to Illinois State University, U of I University… all the universities around here, they’d be leaving their families and ya know, sometimes the college years can be traumatic times and what we’re gonna be able to do under this legislation is allow those individuals without their parents knowing the ability to… the ability to purchase a firearm. And I would say under the present system the parents are able to know that their children, young adults, are purchasing firearms and I think they would know whether their child is or their young adult is best suited to have a firearm or not. And to my knowledge there has not been any issues with the FOID system and State Police so. Any response to that?” 09400030.doc 46 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“Well, I think that any time we send some of our 18- and 19-year-olds off to war they carry an M16 rifle and can aim it at an enemy, combatant, I think we are saying that they are mature enough to not only own a weapon but to carry a weapon and to fire that weapon. And I… I think that we provide a number of other examples where we think 18- and 19-year-olds are mature enough to bear lots of responsibility. And certainly downstate, we go below the age of 18 and 19 for young people that are responsible with firearms. We’ve had… every hunting season, whether it’s deer hunting season or rabbit or squirrel, there are a number of downstate youth at high school age, seniors and below, 18 and below that are out there on a regular basis and they show maturity with their firearms. I can guarantee you that.”
“Now, last year, the Governor did he veto this legislation?”
“Not this particular legislation, but I do believe he vetoed part of it, yes.”
“Has he indicated any… where he’s gonna be on this?”
“I’ve not had conversations with the Governor’s Office…”
“Okay.”
“…in regard to this piece of legislation.”
“I appreciate your answers and again, I… I go to the issue that the first half of the Bill as far as those individuals that are serving in our military making sure that they have the ability to not go into harm’s way with the legal system when they come back, I think that’s a good 09400030.doc 47 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005 endeavor. I think that I have concerns about allowing young people the ability to access firearms and I’m gonna be voting ‘no’.”
“Thank you.”
“All right. Ladies and Gentlemen, this Bill is on the Order of Standard Debate. Mr. Myers has spoken for the Bill. Mr. Osterman has spoken against the Bill. There will be four more speakers: two for and two against. Mr. Froehlich.”
“Would the Sponsor yield?”
Speaker Madigan: “Sponsor yields for five minutes, Mr. Froehlich.”
“Okay, thank you. Representative, only maybe 1 or 2 percent of 18-year-olds join the Armed Forces at age 18. Instead of giving 100 percent of 18-year-olds the right to get firearms, did you consider just the allowing that 1 or 2 percent the right to get a FOID card without parental consent, instead of extending it to 100 percent of the teenagers?”
“No, Representative Froehlich, I did not because certainly in downstate Illinois and in various other parts of the state, as well, we have a number of 18- and 19-year- olds that, as I mentioned earlier in my comments, hunt on a regular basis. And they number far more than 1 or 2 percent of the youth of this country.”
“Well, I mean, one big argument is they’re… if they’re old enough to fight in Iraq, they’re old enough to buy a… to buy a gun without parental consent. And I mean, 09400030.doc 48 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005 the vast majority of 18-year-olds are not emancipated, they’re living at home, they’re supported by their parents and they’re not fighting in Iraq. So, I’m just… I would be supportive of a Bill that said only those who join would be allowed to buy a gun. Now, you gave some examples of where 18-year-olds, what they’re old enough to do. Let me give you a few things that we’ve decided they’re not mature enough to do and tell me if you think all of these should be lowered to 18. Under State Law an 18-year-old can’t drive a school bus, you gotta be 21. You can’t obtain a CDL for hauling hazardous materials. You can’t enter a casino. You can’t buy a beer and you can’t be elected to the Illinois General Assembly ‘til you’re 21. Would you lower all of those ages, too, or do you agree that maybe 18 is not sufficiently mature for all adult activity?”
“I think those items could be taken on a case-by-case basis and an argument could be made maybe for various examples you just cited that they could be lowered to 18.”
“Well, from talkin’ to at least a few people about this Bill, with all respect, there are people who think letting teenagers buy guns without parental consent is not a wise policy. I’ll be voting ‘no’. Thank you.”
“All right. Ladies and Gentlemen, we’ve had one person for the Bill; we’ve had two in response. There will be one more in response. Representative Currie.”
“Thank you, Speaker and Members of the House. I too have great respect for the Sponsor, but I strenuously oppose this Bill. Half of 18-year-olds are living at home. 09400030.doc 49 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005 Many 19- and 20-year-olds are living at home, too. Under this Bill, if the policy in my home is ‘no guns’, the teenager can go out and buy one without either my knowledge or my consent. I think this is madness. Eighteen and nineteen and twenty-year olds, what’s wrong, what’s onerous about getting a parental signature if the parent knows that the child, the young person, knows how to use a gun, knows how to use it properly, knows how to use it safely. What about the parent whose kid doesn’t know how to use it safely, doesn’t know how to use it properly and under this Bill, may find a gun hiding in the bedroom closet. I think this does not make sense if we want to protect the safety of our citizens. These people are by definition young adults, many of them are at home and parents oughta have a say, they certainly have a stake, in whether those young people are bringing guns into the home or whether they’re not. We’ve seen examples of young people who are not in great mental health who have guns who go out and shoot ‘em up. And let me tell you, sometimes the parents of those young people are objects of civil suits brought by the victims. Here you’re taking away from those very parents the opportunity to say, ‘no, this young individual is not mature enough, is not able to handle this object, the object itself, one that can inflict major damage even death on other people in our society.’ The only sane vote on House Bill 182 is a ‘no’ vote.”
“All right. Ladies and Gentlemen, we’ve had one person for the Bill; we’ve had three in response. So, 09400030.doc 50 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005 the only people that would be recognized further would be those for the Bill. Mr. Sacia, are you for the Bill? Mr. Sacia.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?”
“Sponsor yields.”
“Ladies and Gentlemen of the House, I stand in strong support of this Bill. Representative Froehlich cited several situations wherein a person must be at least 21 years of age or I should say, rather that he discussed several situations where a person could not do something at the age of 18. Everyone of us is in here and all of our computers show us that a young person, 17 with a signature or 18 without one, can fight for his or her country. Ladies and Gentlemen, this last week we witnessed two atrocities involving guns in this great United States. A crazed individual in Atlanta shot and killed three people in a courtroom. He was well over the age of 18. He was well over the age of 21. Last Sunday, in Brookfield, Wisconsin, a crazed individual shot and killed seven people, well over the age of 21. Age does not kill people; people do not kill people; guns… people with guns kill people and only strange… estranged individuals. You cannot put an age… when we allow a person to be a young adult at 18 and fight for his or her country, we have an obligation of allowing them to make decisions such as is called for in this legislation. This is good legislation. We have come to the point in our society where we are putting individuals against one another; those that support the 09400030.doc 51 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005 Second Amendment and those that are opposed to the Second Amendment. In the last several years, we have seen that the weapon of choice for mass killings is not a firearm, it’s an automobile. I submit to you this is good legislation. This allows our young people who have the obligation and the willingness to support their country to also be able to own and possess a firearm. I strongly support this legislation and I encourage an ‘aye’ vote.”
“The question is, ‘Shall this Bill pass?’ Those in favor signify by voting ‘yes’; those opposed by voting ‘no’. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Has Representative Munson voted? Has Representative Munson voted? The Clerk shall take the record. On this question, the ‘yes’ vote is 56; the ‘no’ vote is 61. And the Bill fails. Mr. Myers. Mr. Myers, do you wish to put the Bill on Postponed Consideration? Yeah, all right. Ladies and Gentlemen, I declared the Bill lost, but I failed to ask Mr. Myers if he wanted to put the Bill on the Order of Postponed Consideration. So, the Bill shall be put on the Order of Postponed Consideration. You get to vote on it again. Representative Lou Jones. Lou Jones, did you wish to move 788? House 788? Yeah. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of 788?”
“House Bill 788, a Bill for an Act concerning State Government. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.” 09400030.doc 52 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“Third Reading. Representative Osmond, do you wish to call 1430? Mr. Clerk, what is the status of 1430?”
“House Bill 1450, a Bill for an Act concerning State Government. Second Reading of this House Bill. No…”
“Mr… Mr. Clerk, it’s 1430, 1430.”
“House Bill 1430, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Mr. Parke. Mr. Parke, do you have a Bill? Do you have a Bill to call? Representative Pihos. Mr. Poe, no Bills. Mr. Pritchard. Mr. Pritchard, 3646, 3646? Turn on Mr. Pritchard. Mr. Pritchard. Mr…”
“3646.”
“3646. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of the Bill?”
“House Bill 3646, a Bill for an Act concerning education. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Mr. Hannig in the Chair.”
“Representative… Representative Acevedo, for what reason do you rise? Okay. Representative Joyce is recognized. Would you like us to move House Bill 2531? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 2531, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment 09400030.doc 53 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005 #1 was adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Representative Reis on House Bill 610. Would you like us to read that Bill, Representative? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 610, a Bill for an Act concerning State Government. Third Reading of this House Bill.”
“Representative Reis.”
“Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House, I present House Bill 610 today. It provides that the State Fire Marshal shall operate a website to assist fire departments and fire protection districts with equipment exchanges and sales. Also provides that the website must assist the departments and districts with the sale and trading of equipment. It also gives the protection to the Fire Marshal district in terms of liability and also suggests that the Fire Marshal promotes the website to its members. I’d be happy to answer any questions.”
“The Gentleman moves for passage of House Bill 610. And on that question, the Gentleman from Cook, Representative Lang.”
“Thank you. Will the Sponsor yield?”
“He indicates he’ll yield.”
“Representative, would this be your first Bill?”
“Yes, it is, Sir.”
“Can you repeat that for everyone to hear? Is this your first Bill?”
“Yes, it is, Sir.” 09400030.doc 54 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“Now, you don’t look nervous?”
“Just a little bit.”
“You can respond, it’s okay.”
“Just a little bit.”
“All right. So, my analysis says that the State Fire Marshal had not weighed in on this Bill. Have they now weighed in on this Bill?”
“Yes, they have. We made a couple of changements with the Amendments. One that would… said that they ‘shall’… ‘shall’ create instead or ‘may’. And then also it gave them until 2006 to implement this because they are going through a software change now in their agency and they wanted to be able to incorporate this suggestion into their new software.”
“So, is there money in the Governor’s budget for this extra website?”
“We’re gonna utilize their current website. This will not be a stand-alone website.”
“So, there’s no additional funding involved in this?”
“There’s no additional funding. They say it might be some additional cost, but they don’t know. We’re gonna try to make the website as user friendly as possible so that people that have stuff for sale can go ahead and put their text and their pictures into the website without much help and maintenance.”
“Well, who’s gonna take these pictures, professional photographers?”
“Professional or amateur.” 09400030.doc 55 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“Well, if it’s professional, they have to be paid, right? Who’s gonna pay them?”
“Could you repeat that, Sir?”
“If they’re professional photographers, I presume they have to be paid. If there’s no line item in the budget for this, how do they get paid?”
“Well, this won’t have any… it’ll be the fire department that has the equipment for sale. They can take a picture of their truck and put it in on the website via the Internet without anyone from the State Fire Marshal taking the picture.”
“All right. Well, so the original Bill said that this is to maintain a website separate from the main website and you’ve said in your comments that it’ll use the same website. Is there… is there an Amendment that made that change?”
“Okay. I was just informed that it… it is gonna be a stand-alone website, but they will incorporate this in with their new software so…”
“So, now, you’ve told us two things.”
“It will be a stand-alone website.”
“So, if we… we reel this back, you would like to withdraw your previous comments?”
“Only if they were in error.”
“So, it’s a separate website, not part of the main website. So, what you said before was incorrect, right?”
“It’s just gonna be part of the…” 09400030.doc 56 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“Would you like to take the Bill out of the record, Representative, while you figure out what the heck you’re doing over there?”
“No. It’s gonna be a stand-alone website, Representative.”
“Stop. Okay. So, we’ve asked this question several times, I’ve gotten some confusing answers. It is a stand- alone website?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“So, all of your commentary about it being… using the existing website, forget about that, it’s a stand-alone website.”
“We’re gonna make the existing website and make it stand- alone.”
“Well, then what happens to the existing website? Isn’t there information on the existing website that the general public should be able to access?”
“That information’s being transferred to the stand-alone website.”
“I’m… I’m real confused, mostly, because I think you are. So, let’s… let’s start from the top. You’re gonna… you want all these pictures and stuff and commentary to be in a place where people can see them and you want these… this website maintained. Currently, they have a website, but you want it… your Bill says you’re gonna have a separate website from the main website to post these pictures and now we’re all confused as to what you’re trying to do.” 09400030.doc 57 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“What we’re gonna pull from the existing website, the existing website will stay, but there is a provision in the existing website that has… where equipment can be donated by a fire department but not for sale. We’re gonna transfer that part to the new website, so there will be two websites.”
“So, let me go back where I was, originally. Won’t having a second website have a fiscal impact on the State of Illinois?”
“Could you repeat that, please? Thank you.”
“Won’t having a separate website create a fiscal impact for our taxpayers?”
“Yes, it will and we discussed that with the Fire Marshal, but we didn’t think that it was gonna cost that much, especially if they could implement it with their new software that they’re purchasing.”
“Well, you may have discussed it with the Fire Marshal, but the Fire Marshal doesn’t appropriate money to spend, does he? That’s our job. So, what will the cost of this additional website and hiring these professional photographers be?”
“Now, he won’t need any professional photographers because the person, say, Newton Fire Department wants to donate a fire tanker. They’re gonna take a picture of it and they’re gonna put it on this website on their own so. But just the cost of setting up the… the new website.”
“Well, who is… who is they? You said they will take a picture.” 09400030.doc 58 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“Like the Newton Fire Department or the Skokie Fire Department or whoever has something for sale. They’ll take a picture of it, if they wish to and put it on the website.”
“So, some… some firefighter will be designated to take a picture?”
“Yes. And their…”
“Won’t that… oh, I can see that, thanks. Won’t… won’t that detract from the firefighters’ duties of fighting fires?”
“I don’t think so, because they wanna get rid of their equipment and they know that there are… are worthy fire districts, especially in southern Illinois, that never know what’s for sale. We hardly buy new equipment and the firefighters have come to me and said, we would just wish we knew what was for sale that we didn’t have to go through some broker.”
“So, I wanna go back to the cost of this Bill. You’ve said the Fire Marshal is for the Bill, that’s great, but… and you said what, that he can maintain the cost outta this… outta his… outta of his current budget?”
“Yes.”
“But there is a cost is… we… the record can’t hear a nod of the head, Sir. You’ll have to speak.”
“Yes. There will be a slight cost in implementing the new website.”
“All right. Do we know what that cost will be?” 09400030.doc 59 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“Less than a couple thousand dollars. I mean, it shouldn’t take that much to develop this. It’s fairly simple.”
“By who… by whose estimate will it be less than a couple of thousand dollars? Yours, your staff person.”
“Yes. And I… I… we’ve put websites together for our legislative districts and other things and they… they don’t cost that much to put together.”
“Well, will there be someone in your district willing to donate their time to create this website? Well, it sounds…”
“I don’t know about that.”
“It sounds to me, Representative, like you’re sort of in cahoots with the State Fire Marshal who… No one will tell us what this Bill will cost. When you came to us, you didn’t even know what the Bill did. Now, you’re kinda figuring out what the Bill did ‘cause you gotta wonderful staffer explaining it to you. But we don’t know what the cost of this Bill will be. And I’m sure you would agree with me that whether it’s $2 million or $2 thousand, it is a cost to the taxpayer. Is that correct?”
“We… I think, we’ve done this for several other agencies, that the cost would be negligible to the benefit that the fire departments would get from it by finding out what used equipment’s for sale.”
“That’s fine. But the question was, whether it’s $2 million or $2 thousand there’s a cost to the taxpayers. Is that correct?” 09400030.doc 60 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“Yes, it is. But they’re also getting a benefit from it because maybe a local district will get a better fire engine.”
“All right. To the Bill. Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen, I know it’s the Gentleman’s first Bill. It seems to me though that it’d be good if any Member, freshman or not, came to the floor prepared to explain what their Bill did. I was a li… was very confused for about ten minutes as to whether we are creating a new website, not creating a new website. And I would just simply request all of us to be prepared in a better way than this Gentleman when they come to the floor to present their Bill.”
Speaker Hannig: “The Gentleman from Bond, Representative Stephens.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Gentleman yield?”
“He indicates he’ll yield.”
“No, I meant the Gentleman from Cook? A point of… An inquiry of the Chair.”
“Yes.”
“I wondered if the Gentleman from Cook wanted to replace me as a hyphenated cosponsor. Representative Lang seems very enamored with this Bill and I thought maybe he would wanna cosponsor it with us and… because I’m not quite sure how my name got on there as a cosponsor. We are… we have adjoining districts, don’t we, Representative? I spend more time in yours than you in mine, I think, sometimes, but just because we have adjoining districts 09400030.doc 61 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005 that doesn’t mean we’re supposed to file legislation together. I wondered, did you talk me into supporting this Bill?”
“I didn’t have to talk you into it. You said it was a very good Bill.”
“Oh, I saw the wisdom of your ways? Let’s get to the Bill. In paragraph c on line 20 something, you replace a capital ‘A’ with a small ‘a’. And I wondered if… what was the purpose of that?”
“Probably that there was more wording that the large ‘A’ was the beginning of a sentence.”
“Well, you see, there you go again with that probably. This is a very exact science that we’re practicing here and it’s gotta be just right. There’s also on line 2 page 2 after the first comma there’s two spaces. Did you… Is that staff error or is that you?”
“That was a typo, yes.”
“A typo. Well, you seem to have some problems with your Bill. You seem to have had some problem explaining it. Your first Bill is supposed to… it’s gonna be your trademark. Your trademark. And your trademark forever will be about a used fire truck.”
“My… the people in my district will be proud.”
“Representative May.”
“Yes. Mr. Speaker, my name was used in ba… in debate. Yes, I’m Representative Karen May and you used the name ‘may’ in debate, so I have a… a chance to de… respond here. You did use my name in debate, right? You said this was a 09400030.doc 62 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005 ‘may’ Bill and you were gonna make it a ‘shall’ Bill or was it ‘shall’ versus ‘may’?”
“We cha… we changed it from ‘shall’ to ‘may’.”
“You changed it from ‘may’ to ‘shall’. You know, did you possibly think to give me the courtesy of change… ya know, coming to see me before you changed it from a ‘may’ Bill?”
“No, I didn’t, but I will keep that in mind for all future Bills.”
“Oh. You will keep it in mind in the future? I really appreciate that because when my name is in a Bill I really, ya know, I… I really take it seriously. I love all the ‘may’ Bills, but since you said that you will check with me in the future, I will consider how I’ll vote on this. Thank you.”
“Representative Gordon.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?”
“He indicates he’ll yield.”
“Thank you. Representative, you said that several times that fire trucks may be the equipment that… that could be put on the website. Could you tell me some of the other equipment that… that could possibly be put on the website?”
“Farm trucks, pickup trucks if they go out and fight fires like from combines and brush fires, defibrillators, air tanks and equipment suits and also, ya know, the machines that… the apparatuses that they use to rebuild the tanks.” 09400030.doc 63 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“It… Okay. Is there a… is there a way to… to test this equipment to make sure it’s still safe considering it’s used, right? Or preowned, however you’d like to put it and we’re sending it on to another fire department. Is there a way to test this to make sure that it’s still safe and will do its job?”
“Well, even if they… like in for the original provisions of this Bill where donated equipment can be donated to another fire department, there’s no provisions for the safety testing, but there is liability clauses included that prevents any of the… the fire departments that sell or donate the equipment that they are free of liable.”
“So…”
“So, it would be up to the buyer to make sure that is was working.”
“So, when… when one fire department or municipality sells a fire truck to another fire department or municipality and something goes wrong with the truck, it doesn’t get to the fire or it doesn’t work, there is a liability clause in place so that the selling department won’t get into any trouble. Is that correct?”
“Yes.”
“Okay.”
“And then that’s something that’s added to the provision that was included last year where stuff was donated, where the liability was… the factor was not protected there.”
“But you said… but there’s no way to test for the safety of the equipment. Is that right?” 09400030.doc 64 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“It’s up to the biller… or the seller and the buyer to work that out.”
“Okay. And then, I guess, simply, both you and I were in the chamber when his Governor… when the Governor gave his State of the State as well as his Budget Address and he brought up that he would like to attract industry here, for Illinois to become part of the homeland security industry. Is that correct?”
“Yes.”
“You heard that, right?”
“Yes.”
“Okay. Now… now, wouldn’t you think that if we’re going to be reusing safety equipment that this is truly gonna hold back Illinois and its economic development in competing with the rest of the country?”
“No, we’re talking about departments that cannot afford to buy new equipment. A lot of the fire districts that we go to breakfast on weekends wanna buy used equipment ‘cause that’s all they can afford. They don’t have the tax base to purchase new equipment, so this site just offers them, not only to people who are selling the used equipment to get rid of it, but to people who are buying used equipment to find out where it’s at.”
“So, for your first Bill that you’re presenting to this Body, you’re… you’re presenting a Bill that promotes the use of potentially unsafe equipment for small fire departments just because they don’t happen to have the money and also, may cause Illinois to even take a step 09400030.doc 65 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005 farther in our economic development. Is that what you’re telling the Body?”
“And absolutely, we’re not promoting the use of unsafe equipment, but this stuff’s going on anyway. We’re just providing the mechanism or a tool that they can find more used equipment. No one… no firefighter’s gonna use unsafe equipment, not for themselves not for the people that they’re protecting. And might I say that…”
“And what about economic development in the state.”
“Pardon?”
“What about the economic development in the state?”
“Well, you can’t have economic development in areas that don’t have good fire protection areas, so… especially rural areas. So, it’ll help keep insurance rates lower too for our areas that don’t have adequate fire protection equipment.”
“And finally, Representative, would you agree with me that in certain places: in churches, in courtrooms and even in the House of Representatives, there’s a certain level of decorum that we should meet. Is that correct?”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
“And is there a reason you’re not wearing a jacket to show respect for this Body, Sir?”
“No. I’ll keep that in mind in the future.”
“Uh huh. Well, in the future, I would recommend that you do show some respect, Sir. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.”
“Representative Parke.” 09400030.doc 66 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“Representative… Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?”
“He indicates he’ll yield.”
“Now, Representative Reis, I’m not familiar with your district. What are some of the larger towns in your district?”
“Effingham has 12 thousand people and that’s the largest town in my district out of…”
“What is… what’s the biggest town?”
“Effingham, 12 thousand people.”
“Where’s Effingham?”
“In Effingham County, right… right south of Champaign there.”
“So, 12 thousand people is probably the biggest town you serve?”
“Yes.”
“And this legislation allows the transfer of safe fire equipment between the communities, if they can… as a website to do that?”
“Yes, if they choose to use it.”
“Well, Representative Reis, I can’t think of a better piece of legislation to be your first Bill that one that recognizes the needs of your rural area and your rural communities to provide them a place where they can buy safe and effective fire equipment. So, I commend you for this legislation.”
“Thank you.”
“Thank you.” 09400030.doc 67 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“Representative Moffitt.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?”
“He indicates he’ll yield.”
“There’s been a lot of noise in here. Is it… is it correct that this is the Sponsor’s first Bill? Will he respond?”
“Yes, it is, Sir.”
“And, Representative, are you a freshman then? Is this a…”
“Yes.”
“Well, I do have some questions for ya. Where did you get such a good idea? You’re a freshman. You came up with an idea like this. Did… did… Is this your own idea?”
“Yes, it was. It was built off of your idea last year, but I didn’t know that yours had passed. But we have a lot of breakfasts throughout the district that we go to and they like showin’ their equipment, but they say, ‘Mr. Reis, we wish we had this and we wish we had some place to tell us where all of this used equipment is.’ And it just seems like with all the attention to Internet and websites that we would be able to create something like this to help them out.”
“Do… Whose site is… did you say this was patterned after, from last year?”
“You… you implemented the Bill last year, the provisions in this Bill for donated equipment but not for equipment for sale.” 09400030.doc 68 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“It’s makin’ it a lot easier for me to get in favor or your Bill here. Are you in favor of helping fire departments around the state?”
“Absolutely.”
“Are you for getting better fire equipment throughout the State of Illinois as… to protect us as we travel the state highways?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Are you trying to maybe make limited dollars go further?”
“Yes.”
“Are you trying to encourage better use of very limited resources?”
“Yes, that’s the objective of this.”
“And this was your… your initiative this year, though?”
“This was my first Bill I came to him with.”
“Well, even though it’s your first Bill, Representative, I wanna commend ya on a great idea that’s gonna help the fire service. Thank ya. Strongly urge a ‘yes’ vote after we express a ‘no’ vote.”
“Representative Reis to close.”
“Ladies and Gentlemen of the House, this is a good Bill for rural firefighters. It also helps the more… the fire districts who purchase equipment that wanna get rid of it after 10 years or so. So, this is… this is a good Bill and I ask for your ‘aye’ vote.” 09400030.doc 69 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“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? Okay. Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 117 voting ‘yes’ and 0 voting ‘no’. And this Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Kelly, would you like us to read House Bill 3801? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 3801, a Bill for an Act concerning education. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Representative Rose, would you like us to read House Bill 361? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 361, a Bill for an Act concerning economic development. Third Reading of this House Bill.”
“Representative Rose.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen. House Bill 361 amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law to allow DCEO to establish, subject to appropriation, a certified business park program with the intention of developing a set of guidelines and criteria for the construction, development and business-friendly business parks. Those parks that meet or exceed the criteria will be certified by DCEO. The Bill does not include any tax incentives. House Amendment #2, which was attached previously, is an agreement between DCEO and the 09400030.doc 70 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005 Illinois Chamber of Commerce. Essentially, what we’re trying to do here is model a program after the State of Michigan. When we try to recruit and retrain and… accruit and attract outside business, one of the things that developers wanna do is talk in the same parlance, they have specific vocabulary, specific things they talk about, specific needs: water requirements, power requirements, Internet requirements. A certified office park distinction would tell an out-of-state company, business wishing to relocate to Illinois, that they’re dealing with professionals. And simply, this would be up to DCEO to set up, but we are modeling it after the State of Michigan, a very successful program in that state.”
“The Gentleman moves for passage of House Bill 361. 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 117 voting ‘yes’ and 0 voting ‘no’. And this Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Mr. Clerk, would you read House Bill 759.”
“House Bill 759, a Bill for an Act concerning children. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.” 09400030.doc 71 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“Third Reading. Representative Sacia, would you want us to read House Bill 2506 from Second to Third? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 2506, a Bill for an Act concerning transportation. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. And Representative Lyons, Joe Lyons, would you want us to read 804? 804, Representative Lyons, from Second to Third? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 804, a Bill for an Act concerning criminal law. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. Floor Amendment #2, offered by Representative Lyons, has been approved for consideration.”
Speaker Hannig: “The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Lyons.” Lyons, J.: “Thank you, Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. Hou… Amendment #2 is a friendly Amendment offered by the Cook County Public Defender’s Office which adds the line, ‘after notice is given to the defendant’s attorney or record… of record or to the defendant if the defendant is a… is proceeding pro se.’ It’s just in protection of the people who are… defend themselves and/or the public defender who’s representing ‘em at the hearing. And I would ask for your ‘aye’ votes.”
“Is there any discussion? Then all in favor of the Amendment say ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The ‘ayes’ have 09400030.doc 72 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005 it. And the Amendment is adopted. Any further Amendments?”
“No further Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Mr. Clerk, would you read House Bill 2582 for Representative Mautino. Is that correct, Representative Mautino? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 2582, a Bill for an Act concerning criminal law. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was approved in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. And Mr. Clerk, would you read House Bill 2421 for Representative Schock. Is that correct?”
“I move to adopt the Amendment.”
“Mr. Clerk, would you read the Bill.”
“House Bill 2421, a Bill for an Act concerning public aid. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. Floor Amendment #2, offered by Representative Schock, has been approved for consideration.”
“On the Amendment, Representative Schock.”
“The Amendment basically allows for DHS’ concerns to be addressed. And they’re in support of the Amendment as it’s presented.”
“So, the Gentleman has moved for the adoption of the Amendment. Is there any discussion? All in favor 09400030.doc 73 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005 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 House Bill 695 for Representative May. No. Out of the record. Representative May?”
“Mr. Speaker, I wish to move 4067.”
“Let us get back with you.”
“Thank you.”
Speaker Hannig: “We’ll… we’ll come back to that. Representative Stephens on House Bill 2446. Do you want us to read that Bill? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 2446, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Representative McCarthy on House Bill 1568. Do you want us to read the Bill? Okay. Out of the record. Representative McCarthy.”
“I wish to move House Bill 3821 to Third.”
“Why don’t we get back with you on that one, too. Representative Sullivan is recognized on House Bill 4020. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 4020, a Bill for an Act concerning criminal law. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.” 09400030.doc 74 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“Third Reading. Mr. Clerk, could you read House Bill 4067.”
“House Bill 4067, a Bill for an Act concerning safety. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. All notes have been filed.”
Speaker Hannig: “Third Reading. Representative McGuire on House Bill 781. Is that correct? From Second to Third? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 781, a Bill for an Act in relation to aging. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. On page 30 of the Calendar is House Bill 3821 for Mr. McCarthy. Would you read the Bill, Mr. Clerk.”
“House Bill 3821, a Bill for an Act concerning education. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. On… Would you read House Bill 876, Mr. Clerk, for Representative Saviano.”
“House Bill 876, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was approved in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Mr. Clerk, would you read House Bill 3604 for Representative Schmitz.” 09400030.doc 75 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“House Bill 3604, a Bill for an Act concerning property. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Representative Schmitz, do you have a Motion to Table that we could also dispose of at this time?”
“Yes, Sir, Speaker. I have three of them. The first is House Bill 38, the second is House Bill 40 and the third is House Bill 42.”
“And you’re the Chief Sponsor of those three Bills, is that correct?”
“That’s correct.”
“Okay. So, you’ve heard the Gentleman’s Motion to Table. All in favor say ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The ‘ayes’ have it. The Motion is adopted and the Bills are tabled. Representative McKeon. On page 25 of the Calendar there’s House Bill 3420. Do you wanna move that from Second to Third Reading? Representative McKeon, do you want us to move House Bill 3420 from Second to Third?”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker.”
“From Second… Do you want us…”
“Move it to Third, ya know.”
“Mr… Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 3420, a Bill for an Act concerning health. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.” 09400030.doc 76 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“Third Reading. Representative Mendoza, would you want us to read House Bill 779? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 779, a Bill for an Act concerning criminal law. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Representative Sommer, did you have a Bill that you wish to… Okay. Representative Tenhouse. Okay. Representative Miller. On page 15 of the Calendar is House Bill 1345. Do you want us to read that Bill? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 1345, a Bill for an Act in relation to health. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Representative Molaro, would you want us to read House Bill 310? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 310, a Bill for an Act concerning revenue. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Representative Nekritz, would you want us to read House Bill 504? Representative Osterman… We’ll take the other… we’ll take 504 out of the record. Representative Osterman on 793. Want us to read that? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 793, a Bill for…” 09400030.doc 77 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“No, excuse me. Mr. Clerk, let’s take that out of the record at the request of the Sponsor. Representative Patterson on House Bill 1406, from Second to Third? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 1406, a Bill for an Act concerning public aid. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Representative Phelps on House Bill 984. Do you want us to read the Bill, from Second to Third? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 984, a Bill for an Act concerning infants who are pe… born alive. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Representative Nekritz has returned to the chamber. Do you want us to read House Bill 504, from Second to Third? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 504, a Bill for an Act concerning revenue. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Representative Reitz on House Bill 1074. Does the Gentleman wish us to advance that from Second to Third? Okay. Let’s take that out of the record for the moment. Representative Tryon on House Bill 3641. Do you wanna move that from Second to Third? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill. It’s on page 28 of the Calendar.” 09400030.doc 78 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“House Bill 3641, a Bill for an Act concerning State Government. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Representative Rita, would you want us to move House Bill 2509? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 2509, a Bill for an Act concerning hospitals. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Representative Ryg on House Bill 3622. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 3622, a Bill for an Act to repeal the Personnel Relations(sic-Radiation) Monitoring Act. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Representative Scully. Do you want us to read House Bill 2341? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 2341, a Bill for an Act concerning civil law. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Representative Smith. Do you wish us to call 2693? Okay. Let’s take that out of the record. Representative Soto on House Bill 783. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.” 09400030.doc 79 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“House Bill 783, a Bill for an Act concerning child support, has been read a second time, previously. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Representative Turner, do you wish us to read House Bill 603? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 603, a Bill for an Act concerning revenue. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Representative Verschoore on House Bill 330. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 330, a Bill for an Act concerning local government, has been read a second time, previously. No Committee Amendments. Floor Amendment #1 has been adopted by the House. Floor Amendment #2, offered by Representative Verschoore, has been approved for consideration.”
Speaker Hannig: “On the Amendment, the Chair recognizes Representative Verschoore.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Members of the House. When I brought this Bill up before, there was a question on whether it brought the… the right of the voters to expand the building commission. So, I added a Amendment to expand that to where it has to go before the electorate before it can be expanded or created. And I ask for adoption of that Amendment.”
“The Gentleman has moved for the adoption of Floor Amendment #2. Is there any discussion? Then all in 09400030.doc 80 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005 favor 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 House Bill 2449 for Representative Washington. From Second to Third, Representative Washington? 2449.”
“House Bill 2449, a Bill for an Act concerning transportation. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. On page 32 of the Calendar, under the Order of House Bills-Third Reading, is House Bill 264. Representative Watson, do you wish us to call that? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 264, a Bill for an Act concerning cemeteries. Third Reading of this House Bill.”
Speaker Hannig: “The Gentleman from Morgan, Representative Watson.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the chamber. House Bill 264 it simply amends the Abandoned Cemetery Protection Act. And it treats abandoned mausoleum crypts exactly the same way as we would treat and do treat abandoned cemetery plots. And I would be happy to answer any questions.”
“The Gentleman moves for the adoption… for the passage of House Bill 264. 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 09400030.doc 81 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005 who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 117 voting ‘yes’ and 0 voting ‘no’. And this Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Mar… Yarbrough, would you wish us to call House Bill 672? Representative Yarbrough. No. Out of the record. Representative Winters on House Bill 279. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 279, a Bill for an Act concerning revenue. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Representative Wait, did you have a Bill you wish us to move? Okay. Out of the record. Representative Younge, do you have a Bill that you wish to advance?”
“1056. House Bill 1056.”
“Mr. Clerk, would you read House Bill 1056.”
“House Bill 1056, a Bill for an Act to create the Illinois African-American Peace Brigade. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. And Mr. Clerk, would you read House Bill 917.”
“House Bill 917, a Bill for an Act concerning human rights. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.” 09400030.doc 82 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“Third Reading. Representative Brauer, do you wish us to move House Bill 116 from Second to Third? 116. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 116, a Bill for an Act concerning insurance. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Okay. We’ve been through the list of Members one time, so now we’re gonna start over with A’s and… Oh, excuse me. Representative Leitch, for what reason do you rise?”
“The Speaker was gonna get back to me on 721 which would have been the first Bill I’d like to run.”
“I’ve been advised the Speaker hasn’t gotten back to us yet, so we’ll get back to you on that, Representative. So, Representative Acevedo, is the Gentleman in the chamber? Representative Bassi. Representative… Okay. Out of the record. Representative Bailey. No. Representative Mark Beaubien. Okay. Representative Beiser. The Chair’s advised you’d like to move House Bill 2375. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 2375, a Bill for an Act concerning insurance, is on the Order of Third Reading.”
“Representative, we’re… the floor… the Chair’s been advised by the Clerk that the Bill that you gave us, just now, has already been moved to Third. So, do you have another Bill? What number would that be?”
“I ask that House Bill 3770 be moved to Third, please.” 09400030.doc 83 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 3770, a Bill for an Act concerning State Government. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Representative Black would like us to read House Bill 551. Mr. Clerk, would you read the Bill.”
“House Bill 551, a Bill for an Act concerning taxes. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendments 1 and 2 were adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Representative Berrios, would you like us to read House Bill 2445 from Second to Third? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 2445, a Bill for an Act concerning missing children. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Representative Brady on House Bill 245… Okay. So, Representative Boland, would you like us… we’re gonna move on to Representative Boland on House Bill 1504. Would that be your second priority, Representative Boland? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 1504, a Bill for an Act concerning revenue. Third Reading of this House Bill.”
“Representative Boland.” 09400030.doc 84 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“Okay. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. And I believe Representative Mathias should be up there as a hyphen. House Bill 1504 allows a county clerk to accept a deposit for redemption of property sold for taxes by credit card. The county clerk has the sole discretion to decide whether to accept credit cards or not. And I believe this is also, I was told recently, is supported by the State Treasurer’s Office.”
“The Gentleman has moved for the passage of House Bill 1504. 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 117 voting ‘yes’ and 0 voting ‘no’. And this Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Bradley on House Bill 2411. Representative Bradley, would you like us to read that Bill? From Second to Third?” Bradley, J.: “Yes, Speaker.”
“Okay. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 2411, a Bill for an Act concerning criminal law. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. Floor Amendment #1 has been adopted. A fiscal note has been requested but not yet received.”
Speaker Hannig: “Okay. So, we’ll have to hold that, Representative Bradley. Representative Brosnahan on House Bill 1393. Would ya… From Second to Third, Mr…” 09400030.doc 85 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“I believe, Mr. Speaker, that was moved from Second to Third earlier today. If I can move another Bill to Third?”
“Okay. If you… Why don’t you give us the number.”
“House Bill 3595.”
“Okay. Mr. Clerk, read House Bill 3595.”
“House Bill 3595, a Bill for an Act concerning civil law. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Representative Burke, would you like us to read House Bill 56? From Second to Third? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 56, a Bill for an Act concerning education. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Representative Chapa LaVia, would you like us to read House Bill 715? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 715, a Bill for an Act concerning elections. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Representative Chavez on House Bill 1320. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.” 09400030.doc 86 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“House Bill 1320, a Bill for an Act concerning children. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
Speaker Hannig: “Third Reading. Representative Collins on House Bill 1397. Okay. I don’t see the Lady in the chamber, so we’ll take that out of the record. Representative Parke, for what reason do you rise?”
“Yes, thank you. I have an inquiry of the Chair.”
“Yes. State your inquiry.”
“On 1320, it was our understanding that that Bill was not supposed to move from Second to Third until an agreement was made on that legislation.”
“Okay. Representative Chavez…”
“It’s supposed to be held for an Amendment.”
“Representative Chavez, wha… No, there’s a question been raised on House Bill 1320. Representative Parke suggests that that Bill was to be held for an Amendment. Do you wanna move… do you wanna move it back to Second Reading? Okay. Mr. Clerk, let’s return that to the Order of Second Reading at the request of the Sponsor. Thank you, Representative Parke. Representative Cross, I’m advised, wishes to move House Bill 3879. 3879. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 3879, a Bill for an Act concerning education. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.” 09400030.doc 87 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“Third Reading. Representative Colvin on House Bill 1058. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 1058, a Bill for an Act concerning business. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Representative Currie on House Bill 1548. Out of the record. Representative… Representative D’Amico on House Bill 2242. From Second to Third? Mr. Clerk…”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to move it to Third Reading.”
“Okay. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 2242, a Bill for an Act concerning State Government. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Representative Monique Davis on House Bill 2588. Okay. Let’s take that out of the record. Representative Eddy on House Bill… Oh, excuse me, Representative Davis. I didn’t see you and my apologize. Do you want us to move that Bill? On House Bill 2588? Okay. Representative Davis, I’ve been advised that we’ve moved House Bill 2588, so if you have a second priority. Why don’t you come up and give us the number. I can’t hear you. Go to Representative Eddy on House Bill 3416.”
“Wish to move it to Third Reading, Mr. Speaker.”
“Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.” 09400030.doc 88 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“House Bill 3416, a Bill for an Act concerning criminal law. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Mr. Clerk, read House Bill 2589.”
“House Bill… House Bill 2589, a Bill for an Act concerning education. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. And Mr. Clerk, read House Bill 1548.”
“House Bill 1548, a Bill for an Act concerning State Government. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Representative Parke, for what reason do you rise?”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is our understanding that House Bill 2588, Representative Davis’s Bill, has been moved to Third Reading. It is our understanding that the Sponsor agreed to hold it on Second Reading for an agreement of the parties. It is now on Third Reading. We would like to know if the Sponsor understands that that Bill should be back on Second Reading for purposes of an Amendment.”
“Representative Davis.” 09400030.doc 89 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005 Davis, M.: “We… we put an Amendment on in the House and there was no further problem. The Amendment #1 stated that there had to be one felony, forcible felony, within 5 years, prior to that it was 3. And that was resolved in the committee.”
“So, you’re… the Representative is saying that she has fulfilled that commitment? Is that what she’s saying?” Davis, M.: “I have fulfilled that commitment.”
Speaker Hannig: “So… so, Representative Davis, perhaps you might wanna have a private conversation with Representative Parke and you could clarify that.” Davis, M.: “I’ll walk over there and have a private conversation.”
“Would you please. Okay. Thank you.”
“Thank…”
“Representative Brady would like us to call House Bill 1517. Is that correct? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 1517, a Bill for an Act concerning remains. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Mr. Clerk, would you read House Bill 211.”
“House Bill 211, a Bill for an Act concerning State Government. Third Reading of this House Bill.”
“Representative Delgado.” 09400030.doc 90 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“Thank you, Mr. Speakers… Mr. Speaker and Members of the House. House Bill 211 amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law by authorizing the department to form the Illinois Food Systems Policy Council. The Bill provides that the council’s purposes are to develop policies around food access and security, improve individual health and well-being, promote economic incentives for Illinois farmers, agri-businesses and other private enterprises and encourage public partnerships around healthy food options. And I’m happy to report that we have a nice cross-section of support on this legislation. And this is part of the CLOCC initiative to lower obesity in children around the Chicagoland area and to continue to motivate state agencies to make sure that food… healthy food options are provided for all of our agri-business as we move these products around in our market and state. And I would ask for your ‘aye’ vote.”
“The Gentleman moves for passage of House Bill 211. 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? Representative Giles. Okay. Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 116 voting ‘yes’ and 1 voting ‘no’. And this Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Okay. Representative Bradley would like us to call House Bill 2404. Mr. Clerk, can you read the Bill.” 09400030.doc 91 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“House Bill 2404, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
Speaker Hannig: “Third Reading. Representative Jenisch on House Bill 3819. Do you want us to move that from Second to Third? Okay. Out of the record at the request of the Sponsor. Representative… Okay. So, that’s already on Third Reading, I’m advised by the Clerk. Representative Parke, for what reason do you rise?”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier I had the question 2588 and it is not Representative Davis’s problem. It was a staffing error on our file. So, it is fine in the position it’s at. And we apologize to Representative Davis.”
Speaker Hannig: “Okay. Thank you, Representative Parke. Representative Dugan on House Bill 2077. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 2077, a Bill for an Act concerning criminal law. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
Speaker Hannig: “Third Reading. Representative Flowers on House Bill 2451. Representative Flowers, no? Okay. Out of the record. Out of the record. Representative Franks on House Bill 1041. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.” 09400030.doc 92 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“House Bill 1041, a Bill for an Act in relation to taxes. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Representative Fritchey on House Bill 3485. Out of the record. Representative Gordon on House Bill 2389. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill. Okay. Out of the record. Representative Graham on House Bill 990? Mr. Clerk, would you read the Bill, please.”
“House Bill 990, a Bill for an Act in relation to firearms. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments.”
“Okay.”
“No Motions filed.”
Speaker Hannig: “You want this out of the record, Representative?”
“Yes.”
“Okay. Out of the record.”
“991 is the one I’d like to advance.”
“Okay. 991. Okay. Mr. Clerk, read 991.”
“House Bill 991, a Bill for an Act concerning health. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. Floor Amendment #2, offered by Representative Graham, has been approved for consideration.”
“Representative Graham on the Amendment.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. This is a asthma inhaler Bill that’ll allow children to take asthma inhalers to camp. The second 09400030.doc 93 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005 Amendment on this Bill is just to clarify the first. It removes all of the onus on doctors and the medical people at the camps and put the onus on the parents to provide the camps with the information. I’ll take any questions at this time.”
Speaker Hannig: “The Lady moves for the adoption of Floor Amendment #2. And on that question, Representative Parke is recognized.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?”
“She indicates she’ll yield.”
“Representative, does this remove any opposition that there was on your Bill…”
“Yes.”
“…before? So, as far as you know, this Bill now has no opposition?”
“This Bill has no opposition. Everybody is in agreement.”
“How about the State Medical Society?”
“Everybody is in agreement. They… this is their Amendment.”
“The Illinois Trial Bar?”
“Yes. Their… everybody’s in agreement.”
“Thank you, Representative.”
“Representative Gordon.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I… I realize that you called my Bill and that’s wonderful, but I would prefer to move 1191 to Third Reading.” 09400030.doc 94 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
Speaker Hannig: “Representative Gordon, right now we’re debating…”
“I… I know. I’m sorry.”
“We’ll get back to it. 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. And now, Mr. Clerk, let’s return to Representative Gordon’s Bill, 1191. Would you read the Bill, please.”
“House Bill 1191, a Bill for an Act concerning municipalities. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Representative Hamos on House Bill 2344? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 2344, a Bill for an Act concerning State Government. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. Floor Amendment #2, offered by Representative Hamos, has been approved for consideration.”
“Representative Hamos.”
“Thank you, Speaker. I wish to table Floor Amendment #2.”
“Okay. The Lady withdraws Floor Amendment #2. Any further Amendments?” 09400030.doc 95 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“Floor Amendment #3, offered by Representative Hamos, has been approved for consideration.”
“Representative Hamos.”
“Mr. Speaker, the Floor Amendment #3 becomes the Bill. And I know we’ll be debating it on Third Reading. It makes just a very small technical change from the underlying Bill. And I… I don’t know if… I guess I’ll… would like to withhold my comments until we get to Third Reading.”
“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.”
“Third Reading. Representative Black, for what reason do you rise?”
“I apologize, Mr. Speaker. I was late on the switch. I’ll ask the question on Third Reading.”
Speaker Hannig: “Thank you, Representative Black. Representative Hoffman on 395? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 395, a Bill for an Act concerning public health. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Mr. Clerk, would you read House Bill 515.”
“House Bill 515, a Bill for an Act concerning taxes. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 09400030.doc 96 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005 was adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Representative Howard on House Bill 2470? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill. Do you want us to read this, Representative Howard, from Second to Third? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill. Okay. We’re advised, Representative Howard, that that’s already been moved to Third. You might wanna look and see if you have another Bill. We’re on the second priority list, now. And let us know and we’ll come back to you. Representative Jakobsson on House Bill 2500. Is that correct? No, that’s not correct. Representative Kosel on House Bill 881? No. Out of the record. Representative… Let’s go back and catch Representative Smith on House Bill 2693. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 2693, a Bill for an Act concerning education. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
Speaker Hannig: “Third Reading. And now, back to Representative Millner. Representative Millner, would you wish us to read House Bill 3597, 3597? Second to Third? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 3597, a Bill for an Act concerning law enforcement. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.” 09400030.doc 97 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“Third Reading. Representative Lou Jones on House Bill 2533? Do you wish us to call that? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 2533, a Bill for an Act concerning local government. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Mr. Clerk, read House Bill 1074 on page 12 of the Calendar.”
“House Bill 1074, a Bill for an Act concerning natural resources. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Representative Jerry Mitchell on House Bill 728. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 728, a Bill for an Act concerning education. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. Floor Amendment #1, offered by Representative Mitchell, has been approved for consideration.”
“Representative Mitchell on the Amendment.” Mitchell, J.: “Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This Amendment on the special education reimbursement Bill makes all parties in agreement. We had a problem with the State Board of Education. This Amendment removes their objection. Basically, it says that the school districts do not have to file notice that they don’t have particular programs when the courts or a directive comes from the State Board of 09400030.doc 98 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005 Education to put a child in a special education class outside the district’s purview. There are no… There is no opposition to this Bill.”
“Okay. All…” Mitchell, J.: “Or the Amendment.”
Speaker Hannig: “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. Representative Osmond, would you like us to read House Bill 1430? Is… From Second to Third for your second priority? 1430? Okay. So, this was on my list and we’ll cross it off. Representative Pritchard on House Bill 3643? No. Representative Rose, would you like us to call House Bill 1550? Representative Sacia, would you like us to read House Bill 3814 from Second to Third? Okay. Out of the record. Representative Sullivan, would you like us to read House Bill 782? Out of the record. Representative Watson on House Bill 270? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 270, a Bill for an Act concerning revenue. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. On page 19 of the Calendar is House Bill 2351 for Representative Leitch. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 2351, a Bill for an Act concerning transportation. Second Reading of this House Bill. 09400030.doc 99 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005 Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Okay. Representative Joyce on House Bill 452? Would you want us to read that Bill? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 452, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation, has been read a second time, previously. No Committee Amendments. Floor Amendment #1, offered by Representative Joyce, has been approved for consideration.”
“Representative Joyce.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. Floor Amendment #1 to House Bill 452 came out of the commitments made in committee to codify somewhat of… some of the regulations that is… that are done through the department and through negotiations would codify and make… make parental permission a requirement for children under the age of 18 and ban the use of tanning facilities for children under the age of 14.”
Speaker Hannig: “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. Representative Kelly, would you want us to read House Bill 3800? Okay. Out of the record? Representative Lyons, did you want us to call 2580? Okay. So, that’ll be out of the record.” Lyons, J.: “But I do have… 3851, Rep… Check the status of that. I think that’s good to go, Speaker.” 09400030.doc 100 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
Speaker Hannig: “3851. We’ll take a look at that. Representative Kelly, for what reason do you rise?”
“I wanted to put forth another Bill, House Bill 2416…”
“2…”
“…instead of that Bill. Because I was informed there was an Amendment that would be put on the other Bill.”
“Okay. Mr. Clerk, read House Bill 2416.”
“House Bill 2416, a Bill for an Act concerning elections. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. And then we’ll read House Bill 3851 for Representative Lyons.”
“House Bill 3851, a Bill for an Act concerning State Government. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Representative Mautino, do you wish us to call… read House Bill 3850? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 3850, a Bill for an Act concerning municipalities. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Representative Parke, for what reason do you rise?”
“Thank you. We have an understanding on that previous Bill that was supposed to be held on Second.” 09400030.doc 101 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“Representative Mautino.”
“Thank you. I believe that you’ll find there’s another Bill which is a TIF extension for the Village of Ottawa which the letters weren’t received for and that’s the one that’s supposed to be held.”
“Representative Mautino… Mr… Mr. Mau…”
“Is… is this for Oglesby?”
“Yes. And this is for Oglesby. All the letters are in…”
“Are all the let… required letters are in?”
“…from all taxing bodies. They’re all in agreement. The City of Ottawa was still awaiting two until their high school board met and the community college board. So, that one is being held on Second until ya get your letters.”
“All right. Thank you. We’ll double check that, but thank you. It’s okay.”
“Okay. So, Representative McCarthy on House Bill 3821? Okay. Out of the record. Representative McGuire, would you like us to read House Bill 1261? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 1261, a Bill for an Act concerning State Government. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Representative McKeon on House Bill… Excuse me. Representative McGuire, for what reason do you rise?” 09400030.doc 102 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“Mr. Speaker, on 1261 I have asked for an Amendment and I don’t think it’s come through yet. So, I would ask that you keep that on Second.”
“Okay. So, we’ll re… Mr. Clerk, would you return that to the Order of Second Reading…”
“Thank you.”
“…at the request of the Sponsor. And now, Representative McKeon on 1368? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 1368, a Bill for an Act concerning local government. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. No… no Committee Amen… Amendment #1 is out of the committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
Speaker Hannig: “Third Reading. Representative Mendoza on House Bill 3752. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 3752, a Bill for an Act concerning employment. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #2 was adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Representative Parke. Okay. Representative Molaro on House Bill 1284. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 1284, a Bill for an Act concerning local government. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Representative Parke, for what reason do you rise?” 09400030.doc 103 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“Thank you. We’d like to know the status of House Bill 2416, please?”
“Mr. Clerk, what is the status of House Bill 2416?”
Clerk Mahoney: “House Bill 2416 is on the Order of Third Reading.”
“Representative Parke.”
“It’s our understanding that a commitment was made by Representative Kelly to hold it on Second Reading.”
“Yeah. Representative Kelly, I think you…”
“To work out an agreement.”
“She’s gonna look.”
“Yeah. There was supposed to be an agreement with the Municipal League in it, so I presume she’s coming over to talk to us. She’s going outside to…”
Speaker Hannig: “That’s… She’s gonna… she’s gonna find Representative Kelly for us.”
“Okay. Thank you.”
“We’ll have her get back to you and try to resolve this. Okay. Representative Nekritz on House Bill 2572? Would you want us to read that Bill? No. Out of the record. Representative Patterson on House Bill 3467? Representative Patterson. Okay. Out of the record. Representative Reitz, would you like us to read 2407? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 2407, a Bill for an Act concerning finance. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 09400030.doc 104 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005 was adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Representative Kelly, for what reason do you rise?”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rose for House Bill 2416. I spoke to the Municipal League and I… what I said was we would try to work it out. There was no working out to it, so that’s why I’m call… I moved the Bill.”
“Representative Parke.”
“It’s our understanding that an agreement was offered that she would hold it until that agreement was worked out. So… so, she has to… she has to… I would… Well, what I would like her to do is maybe come and talk to us. But she made an agreement and we don’t think that Bill should be on Third Reading and that needs to be worked out.”
“Representative Kelly.”
“I agree to… was to talk to the Municipal League, but I said in the committee that if we could not come to an agreement that I would still bring the Bill forth. That was the agreement. And I did go and speak with Joe and I am for… and we talked and we could not agree on what he wanted.”
“When did you talk to this gentleman?”
“Last week.”
“Okay. We’ve just talked to… our staff talked to him as early as this morning and they said that there’s been no communications. So, between the two of you… would you at least before you move it from Third would you talk to him?” 09400030.doc 105 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“I’m sorry, Representative, I can’t do that because I did talk to him and I’m not gonna say… I’m not telling you a lie, I’m telling you the truth. We spoke.”
“Okay. Sobeit. And…”
“Okay. Mr. Clerk, read House Bill 3467.”
“House Bill 3467, a Bill for an Act concerning State Government. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Representative Rita, would you want us to call 324? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 324, a Bill for an Act concerning employment. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. Floor Amendment #2, offered by Representative Rita, has been approved for consideration.”
“Representative Rita.”
“Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. Amendment #2 was a drafting error by LRB when we drafted Amendment #1 and all it does is put in the purpose of the Bill that was left out originally.”
“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.”
“Third Reading. Representative Smith, would you like us to read 3473? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill. 09400030.doc 106 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005 That’s House Bill 3473. Representative Smith… Representative Mike Smith, could… could you give us the number. I think that’s the wrong number that I have on my list.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It should be 3687.”
“Okay. Mr. Clerk, would you read that Bill, 3687.”
“House Bill 3687, a Bill for an Act concerning safety. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Representative Parke.”
“I have, not on this issue, but when this Bill is done, I’d like to have it… speak to it.”
“Yeah. This Bill is finished.”
“All right.”
“We’ve moved that to Third. You’re up.”
“Representative, the Chair, the Speaker of the House, earlier this morning said that we were gonna be going alpha and going down the line for Bills. Now, on this, we have noticed that so far in the last five to ten Bills are all Democratic Sponsors and we’re not calling Republican names. So, if you’re gonna be doing it by alpha, Lindner should have been called and she was not called upon. So, I just wanna point out to ya that you’re movin’ along fine, but we need to keep it by alpha and each Member needs to have the courtesy of asking whether or not they have a Bill to be called or not. Am I correct?” 09400030.doc 107 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“Well, Representative, we’re working off of a list and if your side will be… we’d be happy to accommodate all your Members if they would help us by informing us ahead of time so that we can move down the list.”
“But now… now, let’s go over this list. What kind of a list are we talking about? I thought we were gonna go alpha.”
“It’s in alpha… alpha… an alphabetical list.”
“Right down the line. A-B-C-D.”
“An alphabetical list.”
“Now, you’re telling us you have a list.”
“Yes, in alphabetical order that we go down.”
“Yes.”
“Democrats and Republicans and we try to work down the list.”
“Okay. Then you jumped and did not call upon Representative Lindner. She’s prepared to call a Bill and you moved past her. And it’s just a matter… We wanna make sure that we do it the way that the Speaker agreed to do it this morning. So, perhaps, you just overlooked it, but if you could be more sensitive to that, we’d appreciate it.”
“Representative, we will call every Member in… in order.”
“Thank you very much.”
Speaker Hannig: “But we’re… we’re… when we… Repre… Representative Stephens, would you like us to call 3513? Is that correct? Mr. Clerk, read that Bill.” 09400030.doc 108 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“House Bill 3513, a Bill for an Act concerning State Government. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Representative Sacia, would you wish us to call House Bill 864? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 864 has been read a second time, previously. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Do you wish us to move it to Third? Okay. Third Reading. Representative Moffitt on 3757? Is that correct? Would you… Yeah. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 3757, a Bill for an Act concerning the Fire Truck Revolving Fund. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. House Bill… Is Representative Soto in the chamber? Okay. How about Representative Lindner on House Bill 396? Mr. Clerk, would you read the Bill.”
“House Bill 396, a Bill for an Act concerning transportation. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Representative Reis on House Bill 4052? You wish us to call that Bill, Representative? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.” 09400030.doc 109 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“House Bill 4052, a Bill for an Act concerning criminal law. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Representative Turner on House Bill 3763? Okay. Let’s take that out of the record. Representative Verschoore on House Bill 1184? Representative Verschoore? Representative Verschoore, would you wish us to read 1184? The Gentleman from Rock Island, Representative Verschoore. Could somebody help me get Representative Verschoore’s attention? You wish us to call your Bill, Representative? From Second to Third? Okay. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 1184, a Bill for an Act concerning natural resources. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Representative, do you want that to move to Third? Do you want it to remain on Second or moved to Third, Representative?”
“Mr. Speaker, on number 1184, I’d like to table 1184. And I’d… I’d like to call 1182 though, if possible.”
“So… so, you wish to leave this Bill on the Order of Second Reading and go to 1182?”
“Yes.”
“Mr. Clerk, what is the status of House Bill 1182? Okay. We’re advised, Representative, that 1182 is not on the Calendar.” 09400030.doc 110 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“Pardon me?”
“So, why don’t we get… why don’t we get back to you. You can… you can kinda look through your list of Bills and get back to the Chair. Okay?”
“I can’t hear a word he says.”
Speaker Hannig: “Rep… Representative Washington. Representative Washington, would you like us to call House Bill 711? We can read that and move it to Third? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 711, a Bill for an Act concerning business. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was approved in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Oh, excuse me. Let’s keep that at the Order of Second Reading at the request of the Sponsor. Okay. Representative Yarbrough on House Bill 672? Okay. Let’s take that out of the record. Representative Lang, I’m advised you’d like us to call 1079? Representative Lang, you wish us to move this? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 1079, a Bill for an Act concerning civil law. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. Floor Amendment #2, offered by Representative Lang, has been approved for consideration.”
“Representative Lang.” 09400030.doc 111 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Floor Amendment #2 clarifies who gets the privilege. It’s an agreed Amendment. I would appreciate your support.”
Speaker Hannig: “All in favor of the Amendment say ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The ‘ayes’ have it. The Amendment is adopted. Any further Amendments?”
“No further Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of House Bill 1555?”
“House Bill 1555 is on the Order of House Bills- Third Reading.”
“Please return that to the Order of Second Reading at the request of the Sponsor. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of House Bill 3819?”
“House Bill 3819 is on the Order of House Bills- Third Reading.”
“Okay. Return that to… to the Order of Second Reading at the request of the Sponsor. And Mr. Clerk, what is the status of House Bill 2696?”
“House Bill 2696 is on the Order of House Bills- Third Reading.”
“And return that to the Order of Second Reading at the request of the Sponsor. And Mr. Clerk, what is the status of House Bill 2506?”
“House Bill 2506 is on the Order of House Bills- Third Reading.” 09400030.doc 112 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“Okay. Return that to the Order of Second Reading at the request of the Sponsor. And Mr. Clerk, what is the status of House Bill 2408?”
“House Bill 2408 is on the Order of House Bills- Third Reading.”
“Return that to the Order of Second Reading at the request of the Sponsor. Representative Rose, would you like us to call House Bill 1550? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 1550, a Bill for an Act concerning transportation. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Representative Boland, would you like us to read House Bill 2460? Representative Boland.”
“House Bill 2460, a Bill for an Act concerning child labor. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Rep… Representative Bradley, John Bradley, on House Bill 480? Out of the record. Representative Eddy on House Bill 1475?”
“Has there… has there been an Amendment filed on that? Has the Amendment been…”
Speaker Hannig: “Representative, the Clerk advises me that nothing has come out of the Rules Committee at this time. So, you wanna hold this on Second, pending?” 09400030.doc 113 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“Can I move a different Bill?”
“Pardon me?”
“Could I move a different Bill?”
“Yeah. Why don’t you give us a number. We’ll take this out of the record.”
“1429.”
“We’ll take 1475 out of the record for the moment. And Mr. Clerk, read House Bill 1429.”
“House Bill 1429, a Bill for an Act concerning families. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Mr. Clerk, read House Bill 2527.”
“House Bill 2527, a Bill for an Act concerning State Government. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Representative Howard on House Bill 3650? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill. No? Out of the record. Representative Lou Jones on House Bill 2374? Okay. Out of the record. Representative Joyce on 1005? Okay. Out of the record. Representative Sacia, for what reason do you rise?”
“Mr. Speaker, could I have a moment of personal privilege?”
“Yes.” 09400030.doc 114 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“In the gallery today is my predecessor, Ron Lawfer, and his lovely wife, Pat. I think they should be acknowledged.”
“Welcome back to Springfield, Representative. Representative Kelly, would you like us to read 2593? Okay. Out of the record. Representative Lang on 1586? Okay. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill. Representative Lang, do you wish us to read this Bill? Okay. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 1586, a Bill for an Act concerning health. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed. The fiscal note request has been withdrawn.”
“Third Reading. Representative Pritchard on House Bill 3643? Okay. Let’s take that out of the record for the moment. Representative Rose on House Bill 373? 373, Representative Rose? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 373, a Bill for an Act concerning public employee benefits. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
Speaker Hannig: “Third Reading. Representative Mathias on House Bill 688? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 688, a Bill for an Act concerning safety. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Representative Sullivan on House Bill 810? Out of the record. Representative Davis, 09400030.doc 115 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005 would you like to share your presentation with us this afternoon?” Davis, M.: “Well, I thought you were gonna call 3802. No. In a minute? All right. First, I’d like to say I think all of us are aware that this is Women’s History Month. Representative Patti Bellock and Representative Constance Howard informed us in the early part of the month that this is the month that we celebrate the achievement and contributions of women in American society. Today, I’m going to talk very briefly about Vivian Harsh. Vivian Harsh was the Chicago Public Library’s first African- American librarian. Under her direction, the Midwest’s… the Midwest’s largest collection relating to African- American history was developed. Vivian Harsh was a native of Chicago, born in 1890. At the young age of 19, Vivian Harsh began working for the Chicago Public Library. By 1924, Representative Osterman, Harsh was the library’s first black librarian. In 1932, the library opened a new branch called the George Cleveland Hall Branch to serve the large expanding south side African-American community. This young woman, Vivian Harsh, became the head librarian of that branch and she became the first African American to head the branch of Chicago. In her position as the head of the new branch, Harsh gathered books, pamphlets, and many other documents about African-American history. She gathered documents about the famous writer, Richard Wright, Langston Hughes. She found donated books, manuscripts. She did research to her ever growing collection. Her death 09400030.doc 116 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005 occurred in 1960 and by then, the Vivian Harsh Collection had more than 70 thousand volumes. This collection is the very largest of its kind and it is now available to all researchers or those who are interested in learning, it’s at the Carter G. Woodson Library on 95th and Halsted, which is in my district. About 5 years ago, we can thank the State of Illinois for providing additional funds to expand the Vivian Harsh Collection. The writings are about African Americans, but they are by people from all over the world. There’s a large collection of writings by people from Russia or Russian authors. When you go into that library and you… and visit the Vivian Harsh Collection, you will be just mersemerized(sic-mesmerized) with the intelligence, the brilliance, the contributions and you’ll wanna spend more than a whole day. Thank you very much for listening and I certainly hope today that you have learned. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.”
“Thank you. Representative Stephens, for what reason do you rise?”
“Well, that just reminded me that the Brotherhoods’s meeting Wednesday night at the usual meeting place and we’re going to discuss whether we’ve ever did any… done anything that would merit having a month or maybe even just a day or an afternoon in our honor.”
“Representative Pritchard, do you wish us to call House Bill… read House Bill 3643, 3643? Out of the record. Representative Bailey, for what reason do you rise?” 09400030.doc 117 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Could the last Representative clarify. I could’ve swore I heard him say the Brotherhood is meeting tonight. Which Brotherhood? ‘Cause I’m a little scared. Which Brotherhood, now? Come on.”
“Representative Stephens.”
“Legislative Leaders. You could be a member. Membership is open to all. Representative Turner and I are the honorary cochairs. Democrats can see Representative Turner; all Republicans can see me.”
“Representative McGuire, would you like us to read House Bill 2692? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 2692, a Bill for an Act concerning safety. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
Speaker Hannig: “Third Reading. Representative Molaro. Representative Nekritz on House Bill 2347? Representative Nekritz. Elaine, Representative Nekritz, do you wish us to read this Bill? Okay. Out of the record. Representative Osterman on 3564? 3564. Out of the record. Representative Patterson on House Bill 3680? You want us to read that Bill? Do you wish… Okay. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 3680, a Bill for an Act concerning schools. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Representative Phelps on 931? Representative Phelps. Okay. Representative Phelps, do 09400030.doc 118 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005 you wish us to read this Bill, 931? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 931, a Bill for an Act concerning alternate fuels. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Representative Reitz on House Bill 828? Do you wish us to read that Bill, Representative Reitz? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 828, a Bill for an Act concerning taxes. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
Speaker Hannig: “Third Reading. Representative Black, Representative Black, do you wish us to call… to read House Bill 1597? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 1597, a Bill for an Act concerning transportation. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. Floor Amendment #1, offered by Representative Black, has been approved for consideration.”
“Representative Black on the Amendment.”
“Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. The Amendment that was approved by Rules was one requested in committee to clarify how the post office list would be used, vis-à-vis, the Secretary of State’s list on notification of a parking violation. Be glad to answer any questions you have.”
“Is there any discussion? Then all in favor of the Amendment say ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The ‘ayes’ have 09400030.doc 119 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005 it. And the Amendment is adopted. Any further Amendments?”
“No further Amendments. No Motions filed.”
Speaker Hannig: “Third Reading. Representative Bradley on House Bill 2528? Do you want us to read this Bill, Representative? Read… Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 2528, a Bill for an Act concerning finance. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Representative Ryg on House Bill 567? Okay. Out of the record. Representative Washington on House Bill 711? Do you wish us to read that Bill? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill. Okay. We’ll keep that on the Order of Second Reading. We’re advised you need this on Second Reading, Representative. Representative Younge on 3469. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 3469, a Bill for an Act concerning veterans. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Representative Monique Davis on 3802. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 3802, a Bill for an Act concerning education. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Mr. Clerk, read House Bill 1100.” 09400030.doc 120 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“House Bill 1100, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. Several notes have been filed on the Bill and have not been… several notes have been requested and have not been filed.”
“So, we’ll hold that on the Order of Second Reading, pending any number of notes. Mr. Clerk, read House Bill 1581.”
“House Bill 1581, a Bill for an Act concerning State Government. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. Floor Amendment #1, offered by Representative Cross, has been approved for consideration.”
“And I’m advised Representative Beaubien will handle the Amendment.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is House Amendment #1 to Tom Cross’s Bill dealing with diabetes and provides that at least 50 percent of the grants made from the checkoff funds are to be granted to any private, public entities that conduct research for juvenile diabetes. It take… it took specific organizations and made the recipients more generic. This is a request of Representative Currie…”
“Okay.”
“…to not name specific organizations but to talk in terms of general diabetes research. I urge the adoption of Amendment #1.”
“Is there any discussion? All in favor of the Amendment say ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The ‘ayes’ have it. And the Amendment is adopted. Any further Amendments?” 09400030.doc 121 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“No further Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Mr. Clerk, read House Bill 2462.”
“House Bill 2462, a Bill for an Act concerning revenue. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of House Bill 402?”
“House Bill 402 is on the Order of House Bills- Second Reading.”
“Is that on the… Did you say that was on the Order of Third? Oh, on Se… It’s on the Order of Third Reading? And it… the Sponsor request that it be returned to the Order of Second Reading. And Mr. Clerk, did we move 2462 to Third Reading? 2462. Mr. Clerk, would you read that Bill.”
“House Bill 2462 is on the Order of House Bills- Third Reading.”
“Okay. Leave it on Third Reading. Mr. Clerk, would you read House Bill 3532.”
“House Bill 3532, a Bill for an Act concerning methamphetamine. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Mr. Clerk, would you read 657, please.” 09400030.doc 122 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“House Bill 657, the Bill’s been read a second time, previously. No Committee Amendments. Floor Amendment #1, offered by Representative Franks… Franks, has been approved for consideration.”
“Representative Franks.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move for this Bill to go to Third Reading. This is a Bill that we worked on hard in the committee where they’d asked for an Amendment to increase the penalties for DUI when people are… driving with children under the age of 16. The Amendment increases the penalties for those drivers that are in excess of the age of 21. I’d be glad to answer any questions.”
“The Gentleman has moved for the adoption of Amendment #1. And on that question, the Gentleman from Cook, Representative Parke.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?”
“Indicates he’ll yield.”
“Now, Representative Frank(sic-Franks), it’s been my understanding that there was a commitment made in committee to have… does this Amendment take care of that commitment?”
“Yes. I’ve listened to Representative Sacia, Representative Reis and Representative Cultra had asked for this Amendment to be drafted and we drafted it to their satisfaction.”
“And everybody seems to be in agreement then. So, thank you, Representative.”
“Thank you.” 09400030.doc 123 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“Is there any further discussion? Then all in favor of the Amendment say ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The ‘ayes’ have it. The Amendment is adopted. Any further Amendments?”
“No further Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. Mr. Clerk, read House Bill 1313.”
“House Bill 1313, a Bill for an Act concerning government. Third Reading of this House Bill.”
“Representative Phelps.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. House Bill 1313 is merely just clean up language from Representative Washington’s Bill last year, House Bill 2577. What hap… What that was it lowered the threshold to organize in the public sector from 35 to 5. All this is is helps the fire protection districts to the same 5-employee level. And I urge an ‘aye’ vote.”
“The Gentleman has moved for passage of House Bill 1313. Is there any discussion? Okay. The Gentleman from Vermilion, Representative Black.”
“Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?”
“He indicates he’ll yield.”
“Representative, can you explain to me how a volunteer fire department should move to unionize?”
“Representative, this is mainly for peop… for fire districts that have full-time employees already there. I don’t think under the Act that any volunteer can organize.” 09400030.doc 124 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“And how many fire protection districts with full-time employees do we have?”
“I’m not sure, Representative, but I can get that information to ya.”
“I… I would… I would appreciate that because I’m not sure that this Bill does exactly what you think it does. Is it lowering the threshold on the number of employees or is it increasing the threshold on the number of employees?”
“If you remember last year on Representative Washington’s Bills and in the public sector under the Illinois Labor Acts, you cannot organize unless it was 35 or more. We lowered that to 5. The firefighters were inadvertently left out, so this is clean up language to lower them as well along with everybody else.”
“How… how much would a firefighter make in a fire protection district? Do you have any idea what the salary range might be?”
“Representative, no, because it would probably vary from city to city, town to town.”
“Well, it would probably not vary a great deal in Illinois, would it?”
“I would assume, ya know, in some of the smaller areas probably didn’t get paid as much as some of the more populous areas, have ya.”
“Can you give me an example of any fire protection district with 5 employees that could afford to pay a firefighter the same as the City of Chicago?” 09400030.doc 125 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“And really, Representative, this Bill’s not sayin’ that. This is just clean up language ‘cause they were inadvertently left out along with all the other public employees. We’re just puttin’ the firefighters so they can have the same chance. This doesn’t mean that they have to organize. This just gives them the opportunity to and being the same as everybody else.”
“So, what you wanna do is to treat a fire protection district with as few as 5 employees the same as a full-time fire department like Chicago?”
“It’s the same. It’s just so they can have collective bargaining rights just like everybody else. For example, there may be a town, a municipality, that you represent in your district and mine that may have only 6 employees. It just gives them the option to have collective bargaining rights. It doesn’t say they need… that they will automatically get that.”
“How… how does a fire protection district receive money to operate?”
“Through probably the budgets through the cities and the municipalities.”
“And how would they raise that money?”
“I’m not for sure, Representative. I’m sure it varies from different fire department from every… from fire department to fire department.”
“Can you… Wouldn’t it be safe to assume that a fire protection district would finance its operation through a property tax?” 09400030.doc 126 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“It could, yes.”
“Well, all of them that I know, finance their operation through a property tax.”
“Right.”
“I don’t know of any that don’t.”
“Right.”
“I mean, if you do, I’ll stand corrected…”
“No, no, no.”
“…but I don’t.”
“No, I… I agree with you, Representative.”
“And their property tax rate for a fire protection district is… would 25 cents be an average figure? Twenty- five cents a hundred?”
“Probably. And… and Representative, like I said, all this is they were just inadvertently left out. If…”
“Well, I… Yeah, I know, but… but what I’m trying to get at, Representative, all of this is interrelated. If you can organize a department with as few as 5 people and ya bargain and ya bargain and ya bargain, the problem in most fire protection districts is that you have a finite amount of money…”
“Right.”
“…and usually not very much.”
“Correct.”
“You’ve been to a lot of pancake-sausage breakfasts, right?”
“Absolutely.”
“Chicken noodle suppers.” 09400030.doc 127 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“Love ‘em.”
“We’ve all been there in rural Illinois.”
“Yeah.”
“And that’s how they raise money to buy fire trucks.”
“Right, right.”
“Now, I don’t wanna bring up some grants that I have that might buy some fire trucks ‘cause that’s another issue for another day.”
“Yeah.”
“Representative, thank you, I appreciate the honesty…”
“Thank you, Representative.”
“…with which you answered the question. Ladies and Gentlemen, I won’t belabor the point. To the Bill. There aren’t many of you in this chamber who live in a fire protection district. They’re generally small communities, rural areas, that come together, levy a very small property tax in order to try and purchase a fire apparatus, generally used, and they supplement that with pancake and sausage breakfast, chicken and noodle dinners and so forth and so on. And the basic spirit of a fire protection district, quite frankly, emanated from volunteers. Now, some pay their members $7 a call, $10 a call, $25 a day. These are not full-time firefighters for the most part. Now, the Gentleman’s right, to speak directly to his Bill it says that if you have a fire protection district with 5 members, you can begin to organize that fire protection district. And I’m not opposed to organization, I’m not opposed to organizing. I think I’ve gotten every award I 09400030.doc 128 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005 can get through the Associated Firefighters of Illinois and I’m very proud of that fact. This Bill goes in the wrong direction. If you have a full-time fire department with a number of employees, they not only can and should bargain, they already do. If you come into my area, you may be able to organize a fire protection district with as few as 5 members. I don’t know what good it’s going to do the organizer and the affiliated union because the finances are very limited and finite. We have a unique system in Illinois: a full-time paid firefighters, volunteer firefighters and some who get a very small stipend, not… not enough in my opinion. Representative Moffitt and others will know more about this than I, but very few fire protection districts can afford to pay someone a wage sufficient to be a full-time firefighter with no other job. I think this Bill goes in the wrong direction. It attempts to unionize small fire protection districts in rural Illinois or in small-town Illinois where the bargaining unit won’t have much flexibility to bargain because you only raised 15, 20, 30, 35 thousand dollars a year to run a fire protection district. The Association of Fire Protection Districts made up of volunteers, trustees who form these districts and run these districts, are opposed to the legislation. And I’ve learned a long time ago these men and women in rural Illinois have forgotten more about trying to organize and fight fires than I’m ever gonna know. And if they tell me they’re opposed to the Bill, 09400030.doc 129 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005 that’s good enough for me. I stand in opposition to the Bill. I would hope that you could vote ‘no’.”
Speaker Hannig: “The Gentleman from Knox, Representative Moffitt.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?”
“He indicates he’ll yield.”
“Representative, I really have some questions on this and I need to get some things clarified in my own mind. I… the previous speaker certainly raised some important questions. Would this potentially let a… a fire district then organize even though they’re not on a wage scale, they’re just on the small stipend, even those people could organize with this if they had 5 or more volunteers?”
“If they… if they fall underneath the Public Relations Act, yes. Volunteers, I think, is exempt from the Public Bargaining Act.”
“The volunteers, departments as we know them today, would be exempt?”
“The way I understand it, yes, because they do not fall as an employee under the Public Sector Act.”
“If somebody receives, ya know, $5… I know some of ‘em are $5, $7, maybe less than that per call and they usually just pay it at the end of the year. And they’re called a volunteer fire protection district. Are those… does it apply to them or are they exempt?”
“I believe they are exempt, Representative.”
“You believe those would be exempt?” 09400030.doc 130 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“Yes. Because they don’t fall underneath the Public Sector Bargaining Act of Illinois.”
“Is there a threshold of how many calls they’d have to respond to or hours they’d have to put in or money they’d have to earn before… or are there… you got any thresholds in there like that?”
“There… there… under the and I… like I said I can get them to ya, but that under the Public Bargaining Act like I keep referring to for the Illinois Labor Relations Ac… Board, there are thresholds in the Act, absolutely.”
“To earn a certain amount of money…”
“Right.”
“…or work in a certain…”
“Right.”
“And then…”
“Certain amount of hours, yes, ‘cause…”
“And… but you don’t have those with you?”
“No.”
“It would be helpful if we had those. In reading this Bill and I… I assume it’s still in there, there was also in the analysis indicated that it did not apply to districts that appoint a board of fire commissioners. Is that still in there?”
“Yes, it is.”
“Now, most of my fire districts and most of my area is covered by districts and I have, ya know, a few, a handful of full-time paid departments, but so most of my area is covered by fire… volunteer fire protection districts. They 09400030.doc 131 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005 have, usually have, three trustees and in most cases, I think they’re appointed by the county board. I’m a former county board chair and I always appointed trustees in my respective fire districts. Does that mean it does not apply to those?”
“Right. Because we did take that out, Representative.”
“What was that?”
“We did take that out. You’re right. It would not go… go to those, ‘cause we did take that out.”
“So, if… if they have an appointed tru… And this… our analysis said ‘commissioners’, but if there… if we have appointed fire district trustees, it does not apply to them?”
“They were prohibited, but they’re not now. If you look at the legal language, we struck that out.”
“Why did you take that out?”
“Because that’s the… the way the Associated Firefighters wanted that.”
“Is there…”
“This is… and this is their initiative and merely, ya know, we can talk about this and beat a dead horse, so to speak, no pun intended on some of the Bills around here, but this just gives… they were exempt, they were left out. This just… and inadvertently. I mean, what this just gives them the… the chance to be able to organize and like everybody else that’s a public sector employee.” 09400030.doc 132 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“Representative, I think a real key factor here and is that threshold of how many hours or how much pay or how… ya know, is there any chance you could get us that answer?”
“Sure I can.”
“Before we vote on this?”
“I would go ahead and like to run this, though. I mean, I can… I can talk to you about this. I know you’re a strong supporter of the Associated Firefighters of Illinois and this is one of their top initiatives.”
“I’m guessing… I would be willing to bet quite a bit you could get this Bill called, if you just would hold it ‘til we got that answer.”
“With all due respect, Representative, I’d like to go ahead and run this right now.”
“But you stated on the record…”
“Because it would var… it would vary from district to district, you know, on that too. So, it’d be complicated ‘cause of all of that falls under the Illinois Labor Relations Act.”
“But you said it’s based on a threshold, that would be the same statewide, wouldn’t it?”
“It would be… Yes. If they’re considered a public sector employee: amount of hours, money, then, yes, they would be able to organize just like a city worker, a sewer worker, a street and alley worker.”
“It would be so helpful if you could give us… But you are stating on the record, as fact, that this would not 09400030.doc 133 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005 apply unless they worked a certain number of hours or received a certain amount of pay?”
“That’s correct, Representative.”
“The biggest thing that’ll be helpful if you could tell us what that threshold is.”
“And like I said, that would vary from because of the Public Sector Act.”
“All right. Thank you for your answers. I… I still… it would be so helpful to get that answered before making a final decisions, but if there’s any way you could get us that answer before we vote, it would… it would really help.”
“Thank you, Representative.”
Speaker Hannig: “The Gentleman from Jackson, Representative Bost.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?”
“He indicates he’ll yield.”
“Representative, as I’m trying to read this and remember, I was a member of a firefighters union. I’m… I’m trying to realize because with the firefighters themselves, I haven’t talked to ‘em on this Bill. And that… that’s why I’m concerned about it coming forward at this time. I… I mean, I’m… we try to pay attention to everything that comes up on this floor, but you know with 4 thousand Bills in two weeks time…”
“Right.” 09400030.doc 134 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“…it’s kind of… This actually decreases or increases the number of people that are… because… because right now you can have 12 or 5. Which is it right now?”
“It is 12… It’s 35, 12 for the fire districts. Now, it’s 5 just like every other public sector employee in the state.”
“Okay. Here… here’s… here’s the concern… I’ve got a couple concerns. One concern and even as a… I believe wholeheartedly in the bargaining units, but the problem and concern I do have is what was mentioned by Representative Black in the fact that many of the smaller districts… this could shut ‘em down. I mean, it really could. It could shut them down.”
“And Representative, and I… and I… in all due respect, I think people that… what a great service that firefighters do, ya know, there are a lot of heroes, no doubt about it. I just don’t think that they’re gonna try to… if there’s not money there, I don’t think they’re gonna try to ruin the service that they provide…”
“Well…”
“…for everybody else.”
“…and I hope that’s not the case. Here… here’s my concern. Because it is well within the rights of that municipality to all of a sudden go from a paid department to a volunteer department, which could cause a… a division in a community that… that cannot be described, as far as I’m concerned.”
“Right.” 09400030.doc 135 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“Because no one is more respected than our firefighters and the service they do.”
“Right.”
“You know, I thought one of the best advantages of being a firefighter was that, ya know, the cops, on occasion, had a tendency to make people mad and the firefighters they were always glad to… to have ya around. I… I see a problem when we drop down to 5, Brandon. I really do, because then you’re at such a low number that it is a very quick move for a local municipal government to all of a sudden say, never mind, we’re going to a volunteer department. And as a union member I’m scared for that because what I’d like to see them do is, is continue to grow as a community then to… into… actually expand their fire service so that then they are to that point where they have 12 employees and then they can become a bargaining unit. And in… Are you not afraid of the concerns that might happen here with that?”
“No. Because I think we’re getting into a lot of things there. I think maybe… and I don’t want, in all due respect, and I won’t say it’s a witch hunt, but this is just clean up language that we gave every other public sector employee last year, the ability to organize and collectively bargain for 5. They want the same treatment as every other public sector employee.”
“Right. And I respect you that you’re saying it’s clean up language, but when you’re dropping from 12 to 5, Brandon, that’s more than clean up language. That’s… that’s a very serious decision for a lot of small 09400030.doc 136 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005 communities. How many communities in your district are full-time employees that have 5, do you know?”
“Yeah. And then… Representative, no. But, ya know, it’s just the same as any city worker, street and alley worker, sewer worker. I think the firefighters should have the same advantage as them.”
“That’s… that’s not necessarily the case, though, with street workers, is it? It’s not 5.”
“It is 5. It was from 35 to 5 now. If you’re a municipality and you’re small and you only have 5 city workers…”
“Okay.”
“…before they couldn’t organize and have the right to collectively bargain, now they do because of House Bill 2577 that Representative Washington ran last year.”
“Okay.”
“Now, this is the same thing we’re gonna do to firefighters.”
“How many… how many districts will be affected in your ar… in your districts, do you know?”
“Representative, just like you, I mean, I can… have no idea ‘cause of all the small municipalities that I have.”
“Okay. On… on a technical matter, what I need to know because I’m trying to… let me… let me punch up the actual full text. Did… do… does the language say anything about township fire departments?”
“Not that I’m aware of.” 09400030.doc 137 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“Then maybe you need to look at it because here’s a problem that exists in the State of Illinois. There are two township fire departments. One of them is a volunteer and one is a full-time.”
“Yes.”
“And… and so you need to look at that language as well.”
“And Representative, and just real quick, volunteers under the Act cannot organize.”
“I… I understand that, but what I’m… what I’m saying is, is that there are two fire departments in the state that are township, not… they’re not municipal fire departments, they’re not…”
“Township workers, Representative, would fall under the Public Sector Act. You’re right. That is…”
“All right. Let me say this again. Yeah, but let me say this again what I’m saying. I think you have a problem in the language. Every time we deal with a Bill dealing with fire departments what happens is staff doesn’t realize this. Staff doesn’t understand that there are only two fire departments in the State of Illinois when we draft language for fire departments that actually are township fire departments. And they don’t go under the title of townsh… they go under the title of township. We have some fire districts. For instance, in… in the Murphysboro area we have in Murphysboro, Pomona, Somerset Township Fire Departments. That is… that was created as a fire district. There are two departments that are township fire departments, they’re unique. I think you need to look at 09400030.doc 138 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005 your language to see if… if they’re included. Now, if you wanna do that, if it gets outta here, that’s fine. Okay.”
“Yeah.”
“That’s… that’s a… just some different information for you to have as you work on this Bill.”
“Are… are they full-time employees, Representative, what you’re talkin’ about?”
“One… one is, one’s not. Okay. Also, I do have concerns. I… I think… I think we’re making a major change here.”
“Representative, it would cover the one that’s not, though. Just so you know. It would not cover the one that’s not.”
“Right. I understand that.”
“Okay.”
“I’m just telling you this so if this moves outta here, you might need to…”
“Talk to the Senate Sponsor. Okay. I understand.”
“…look and… I do have trouble with the Bill. I… I think we’re making a major move here and the concern I have is for and it’s not against my firemen because I’ve always stood for ‘em and they’ve always supported me and I’ve supported them.”
“Right. No question, Representative. And you know…”
“But… but I have some concerns about what we’re doin’ here.”
“…and you know how much I respect you as a person and a Legislator and I’m just… all we’re doin’ and I know you 09400030.doc 139 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005 disagree, but we’re just doin’ exactly what we gave every municipal worker in this state. From 35 to 5, we’re doin’ the same thing for the firefighters. This is their #1 initiative.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.”
“The Gentleman from Rock Island, Representative Boland.”
“Yes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Sponsor yield?”
“Indicates he’ll yield.”
“I think, Representative, I think it would be helpful: (1) a good point in this is this is just potential to organize, this does not force…”
“That’s exactly right.”
“…anybody to organize.”
“Correct.”
“Secondly, if this involves only fire protection districts that are large enough to have 5 full-time employees; for example, there are… I… I have a huge rural area in my district. There’s not a single one, I don’t believe, that even has one full-time…”
“Right.”
“…employee. You… not even the chief is usually full- time. So, what we’re talkin’ about here with your Bill is actually pretty large entities that they would have 5 full- time employees. So, we’re not talkin’ about dinky little fire protection districts that most of us encounter that do have to have the pancake drives and so forth to be able to afford equipment and so, we’re talkin’ about some big 09400030.doc 140 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005 entities if they can afford 5 full-time employees. So, I think that clarification should help folks to understand that your Bill really is a… a very good Bill…”
“Right.”
“…and it doesn’t threaten, at all, the very small, rural fire protection districts at all. It doesn’t… it doesn’t in any way affect them. It’s only affecting very large entities, maybe found up in the suburbs, ya know…”
“Correct.”
“…and places like that.”
“Correct.”
“Thank you. I hope that clarifies for all of us, ya know, this… this Bill, which is a good Bill.”
“Thank you.”
Speaker Hannig: “Is there any further discussion? Then Representative Phelps is recognized to close.”
“All right. Thank you very much and I appreciate my colleagues for the debate. This is just clean up language. We gave every public sector worker, last year, in this state the right to collectively bargain. We’re doin’ it for the firefighters here. And urge an ‘aye’ vote.”
“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? Have all voted… Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 79 voting ‘yes’ and 38 voting ‘no’. And this Bill, having received a 09400030.doc 141 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005 Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of House Bill 2348?”
“House Bill 2348 is on the Order of House Bills- Second Reading.”
“Okay. So, let’s keep that on the Order of Second Reading. Representative Millner on House Bill 664? Do you wish us to call this Bill, Representative Millner? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 664, a Bill for an Act concerning liquor. Third Reading of this House Bill.”
Speaker Hannig: “The Gentleman from DuPage, Representative Millner.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Bill 664 allows mayors, presidents and county chairmen to appoint a designee, in their place, to be a liquor control commissioner for their respective units of local government. And I’d ask for your support on the Bill.”
“The Gentleman has moved for passage of House Bill 664. Is there any discussion? Then the question is, ‘Shall this Bill… Excuse me. The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Fritchey.”
“Thank you, Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?”
“He indicates he’ll yield.”
“Representative, I don’t have an issue with what you’re trying to do. I’ve got a related question for you though. Have you taken a look here… With all of the issues of campaign finance reform, et cetera, we… we have in a number of municipalities a situation where the mayor 09400030.doc 142 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005 is also the liquor commissioner. And we have a situation where in one hat they can take campaign contributions from an entity that they regulate under another hat, although if they just had one position they wouldn’t be able to do that. Do you see what… where I’m getting at?”
“Yes. And what we’re doing here… the county chairman of Kane County, her husband owns a beer distributorship and she didn’t want a conflict of interest. So, what this would do would… this would allow those mayors, presidents and others who might have a loved one, a son, or daughter, a wife or whatever who would be involved in a business they could step away and appoint a designee. And all this simply does is add a few words ‘a designee’. That’s what it does.”
“No. I… I… Don’t get me wrong. I… I think it’s a very good idea. I guess what I’m getting at is you may even want to take a look as it goes over to making this stronger and say that a mayor cannot serve as liquor control commissioner, because a situation is gonna happen that one of these mayors, knowingly or unknowingly, is gonna either wind up running afoul of our solicitation… inspector solicitation misconduct law(sic-Solicitation Misconduct Act) or they’re gonna end up in court defending that they’re not afoul of it. So, just food for thought. Thank you.”
“Thank you.”
Speaker Hannig: “Is there any further discussion? Then Representative Millner is recognized to close.” 09400030.doc 143 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“I ask for an ‘aye’ vote.”
“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 110 voting ‘yes’ and 7 voting ‘no’. And this Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. On page 38 of the Calendar, under Motions… Excuse me. Representative Sullivan, for what reason do you rise?”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. For purpose of an announcement.”
“Yes. Proceed.”
“To everyone in the General Assembly here, there’s gonna be a small gathering over at Marley’s Pub for people of Irish ancestry from 5 to 9. You’re all welcome to join me. Thank you.”
“Representative Delgado.”
“Yes, Mr. Speaker. I heard the last announcement by my great colleague, Representative Sullivan. I’m… my last name is O’Delgado. Am I invited?”
“Today everybody is Irish and everybody’s invited. I’d love to have you over there, Representative.”
“Representative Molaro, for what reason do you rise?”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s a question of the two Irishmen that just spoke. You know, Thursday’s the first game of the Illini in the… in the… March and the Final 09400030.doc 144 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005 Four, so on Thursday are we wearing orange or green? Just not sure and huh… someone would let us know, I’d appreciate it.”
“Representative Sullivan.”
“Representative, I was also very torn on that and I’ll come up with a solution for you later. Thank you.”
“Representative Reitz, for what reason do you rise?”
“For purpose of an announcement.”
“State your announcement.”
“The Revenue Committee, for anyone that might have Bills in Revenue, is scheduled for 8:00. Revenue will meet at 9:30. We’ll still be in Room 122-B at 9:30. Thank you.”
“Representative Lang. Representative Lang, did you wish to make an announcement, as well?”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen. Just like to announce that the House Gaming Committee scheduled for tomorrow will be canceled.”
Speaker Hannig: “Thank you, Representative Lang. Representative Molaro, do you have an announcement or what did you…”
“Yes, if you hold on, please.”
“…for what reason do you rise?”
“Yes, thank you. For a purpose of announcement. The announcement is that the meeting of Judiciary II-Criminal Law at 8:00 tomorrow will take place at 8 a.m. tomorrow, so be early. And it’s Room C-1 at 8 a.m. Thank you.”
“Mr. Clerk, would you read House Bill 695.” 09400030.doc 145 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“House Bill 695, a Bill for an Act regarding schools. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed.”
“Third Reading. All right. On page 38 of the Calendar we have some Motions to Table. Representative Flowers is recognized on a Motion to Table House Bill 640. The Lady moves to table House Bill 640. All in favor say ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The ‘ayes’ have it. The Motion’s adopted. The Bill is tabled. Representative Flowers moves to table 642. Is that correct? Okay. So, Representative Flowers moves to table House Bill 642. All in favor say ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The ‘ayes’ have it. And the Bill is tabled. Representative Winters wishes to table House Bill 860. All in favor say ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The ‘ayes’ have it. The Motion is adopted. The Bill is tabled. Representative Millner wishes to table House Bill 886. All in favor say ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The ‘ayes’ have it. The Bill is tabled. Representative Millner also wishes to table House Bill 894. All in favor say ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The ‘ayes’ have it. The Bill is tabled. Representative Millner wishes to table House Bill 896. All in favor say ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The ‘ayes’ have it. The Bill is tabled. Representative Millner wishes to table House Bill 897. All in favor say ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The ‘ayes’ have it. The Bill is tabled. Representative Monique Davis moves to table House Bill 1013. All in favor say ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The ‘ayes’ have it. The Bill is 09400030.doc 146 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005 tabled. Representative Flowers moves to table House Bill 1045. All in favor say ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The ‘ayes’ have it. The Bill is tabled. Representative Sullivan moves to table House Bill 1309. All in favor say ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The ‘ayes’ have it. And the Bill is table… tabled. Representative Flowers moves to table House Bill 1579. All in favor say ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The ‘ayes’ have it. The Bill is tabled. And Representative Saviano moves to table House Bill 3697. All in favor say ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The ‘ayes’ have it. The Motion is adopted. And the Bill is tabled. On page 34 of the Calendar, under the Order of Resolutions, is House Joint Resolution 2. Representative Bellock on the Resolution.”
“Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. House Joint Resolution #2 is… encourages the United States Congress to support and fully fund the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Vision for Space Exploration Program. It’s to encourage exploration of space and throughout the United States there’s over 15 astronauts that came from Illinois. We have two of the most scientific laboratories in Illinois: Argonne and Fermi Lab. And it is to encourage our Congress to continue the exploration of going to the moon and going to Mars.”
“The Lady moves for the adoption of House Joint Resolution 2. Is there any discussion? Then all in favor say ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The ‘ayes’ have it. And the Resolution is adopted. House Resolution 3, Representative Bellock.” 09400030.doc 147 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. And I’m proud to rep… present this Resolution today which is a Resolution to declare in the State of Illinois that April will be Autism Month in Illinois. And we’re trying to raise the awareness of autism in Illinois this year being that one out of every 166 children throughout the United States is diagnosed with autism. We are going to, throughout the United States, have April National Autism Month and this Resolution would declare that to be so in the State of Illinois.”
“The Lady has moved for the adoption of House Joint Resolution 3. All in favor say ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The ‘ayes’ have it. And the Resolution is adopted. House Joint Resolution 4, Representative Watson.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. House Joint Resolution 4 creates the Rural Water Infrastructure Task Force designed to try to create ways to efficiently bring rural water throughout the entire State of Illinois.”
“The Gentleman moves for the adoption of House Joint Resolution 4. Is there any discussion? Then all in favor vote ‘aye’; all opposed vote ‘nay’. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 117 voting ‘yes’ and 0 voting ‘no’. And this Bill having… and this Resolution is adopted. House Joint Resolution 5, Representative Bellock.” 09400030.doc 148 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. And House Joint Resolution 5 creates a joint task force to… on rural health care. I’m proud to represent this. This was one of the last things that Senator Simon had asked that Representative Delgado and I, after we had met together in a conference on rural health care, that we create this task force to study the issues of improving access to quality, affordable health care for all residents of Illinois, particularly those that reside in a rural setting.”
“The Lady moves for the adoption of House Joint Resolution 5. Is there any discussion? Then 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? Representative Younge, do you wish to be recorded? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 117 voting ‘yes’ and 0 voting ‘no’. And the Resolution is adopted. House Joint Resolution 10, Representative Franks.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Joint Resolution seeks to have a Medal of Honor given posthumously to First Lieutenant Garlin Murl O’Connor(sic-Conner) from Kentucky. Presently there are four other states are trying to get this done, as well. There was a Representative from Wisconsin who had put this in and also some generals are pushing for this, as well. Mr. Conner was wounded seven times while fighting in World War II. In his division, over 40 members received the Medals of Honor, more than any other division. However, he was not awarded the Medal of 09400030.doc 149 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005 Honor due to an oversight and a failure to process the paperwork. To give you a little bit of background, he served with Audie Murphy, America’s most decorated hero of all wars. As compared to Mr. Murphy, Lieutenat Conner was awarded more Silver Stars for acts of valor, fought in more campaigns, served on the front lines longer and was wounded more times. He was awarded many honors, but never the Medal of Honor. This Resolution encourages the Federal Government to provide him with that honor posthumously.”
“Is there any discussion? Then all in favor of the Resolution say ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The ‘ayes’ have it and the Resolution is adopted. The Joint Resolution is adopted. House Joint Resolution 11, Representative Chapa LaVia.”
“Thank you, Speaker. This… this Joint Resolution just allows us to look at the possibilities of formally forming a task force, in the near future, that investigates gang and drug activity throughout the state and put it into a format that we can follow as the General Assembly for best practices known throughout the state. Like programs in my area, like C.E.A.S.E.-F.I.R.E. and making sure that the money that we put into those programs is used wisely.”
“The Lady moves for the adoption of House Joint Resolution 11. Is there any discussion? Then the question is, ‘Shall the Resolution be adopted?’ All in favor vote ‘aye’; opposed vote ‘nay’. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 117 voting ‘yes’ 09400030.doc 150 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005 and 0 voting ‘no’. And the Resolution, the House Joint Resolution, is adopted. House Joint Resolution 13, Representative Franks.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Joint Resolution 13 is to rename the Stratton Lock and Dam in McHenry, the Stratton-Bolger Lock and Dam. The history of this was that the Stratton Lock and Dam was constructed in 1938 and 1939 on land that was donate… was… they got from the Bolger family and they used many of the materials from the Bolger family in the construction. Thomas Bolger proudly served in the Illinois State as a Representative starting in 1930 and con… and served for 11 terms. We think it’d be an appropriate honor to rename the Stratton Lock and Dam the Stratton-Bolger Lock and Dam in McHenry. Be glad to answer any questions.”
“Okay, the Gentleman moves for the adoption of House Joint Resolution 13. And on that question, the Gentleman from Cook, Representative Parke.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?”
“Indicates he’ll yield.”
“Representative, what is the fiscal impact on this, because it’s gonna cost money for signage and it’s gonna cost money to change the stationery? So, what do you think it’s gonna run?”
“I… Nobody asked for a note. I believe it to be a very minimal is… impact.”
“What’s the minimal, 10 thousand, 20?” 09400030.doc 151 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“I would… I wouldn’t know. I presume it’s very minimal.”
“Okay. Do you have any funding source for it?”
“Well, I’ve got lots of ideas on how to save the government about $95 million. I’d be glad to talk to you about that. If we did our prescription drug program, we’d be saving about 95 million.”
“Is that the same… is that the same kind of accounting that the… that the adjutant general found when he did a review of state agencies?”
“I’m sorry. I couldn’t hear ya, Sir.”
“I said, is that the can… same kind of savings that the adjutant general found on some of the state agencies?”
“Well, I’m looking forward to that CMS audit and I’m sure you are too.”
“Oh, that’s a fact. Thank you.”
Speaker Hannig: “The Gentleman from Lake, Representative Sullivan.”
“Yes. Mr. Speaker, many people don’t know but Bolger happens to be Grandpa Bolger to me, so it’s certainly an honor to… to have this run and I thank the Representative for that, because of that I will be voting ‘present’. Somewhat of a little bit of a conflict, I guess. Thanks.”
Speaker Hannig: “The Gentleman from Bond, Representative Stephens. Representative Stephens, did you wish to speak on this issue? You’re up, Representative Stephens.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Joint Resolution 15 honors Senator…” 09400030.doc 152 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“No, no, Representative. We’re on 13 still. Someone turned your light on and I thought you wished to speak on this.”
“Can you believe I’ve been here ten terms and I fell for that?”
“Representative Molaro on Joint Resolution 13.”
“Yes. On HJR13, the previous speaker, Representative Parke, I want him to know that when he’s gone and we name the Northwest Tollway… the Tri-State Tollway after him, I don’t care what it costs. And we’re gonna honor you, Representative Parke, no matter what the cost.”
“Representative Parke.”
“…Speaker, my name was used in debate. And I don’t… it’s great that you wanna name it after me and I’ll accept that even though you may not have a funding source just as you do it… do it while I’m living. That’s what I would prefer. Thank you.”
“The Gentleman from Vermilion, Representative Black.”
“Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?”
“Indicates he’ll yield.”
“Representative, I apologize if you’ve answered this, I was off the floor, back in my office, very briefly. I knew Governor Stratton. Many of us, who started in politics years ago, did. I was fortunate, as a young man, to meet him. I knew his wife or met his wife. I… I’m having difficulty understanding what compelling reason is there to 09400030.doc 153 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005 change this name when it’s named after and I think Republicans and Democrats will agree William Stratton was a fairly remarkable Governor of the State of Illinois. So, we take his name off and put somebody else’s on. What… what compelling reason is there to do that?”
“Sir, we are… this will in no way diminish his legacy. We will not be taking his name off. We’ll be adding an additional name. I think to more accurately reflect the history of this dam because it became from the Bolger property, Bolger materials were used there and Mr. Bolger, as you know, was a Representative here for 22 years. So, this would not be taking off the Stratton name. It would be just adding another name and calling it the Stratton- Bolger Dam.”
“The Stratton-Bolger Dam. Well, I know in politics… and I won’t go there. Some people think my first name is Dam, but I won’t… I won’t get into that. Bolger, don’t they have a coffee company? I mean, or was that Folger?”
“Yeah, yeah. A different guy.”
“Bolger, okay.”
“And have you seen the prices of coffee recently? Did you read what happened?”
“Uh. That’s why I’m very glad I’m a tea drinker. In… To get back into this, seriously. I don’t know if the Stratton family has anyone left. Did anyone… if there are surviving members of the Stratton family, have they contacted you or did you reach out? I mean, are they okay with this?” 09400030.doc 154 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“No, I hadn’t.”
“Okay. The Bolger family evidently a prominent family in your area, do they have living…”
“Yeah.”
“…relatives?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“And then… and they brought this to you?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Okay. I… I do stand corrected. I’m glad that you straightened me out on that. This would still be the William Stratton/Thomas Bolger Lock and Dam?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“All right. Fine. Thank you very much.”
“Thank you.”
“Representative Franks to close.”
“I’d appreciate your ‘aye’ vote.”
“The question is, ‘Shall this 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 Wait, do you wish to be recorded? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 98 voting ‘yes’, 16 voting ‘no’ and 3 voting ‘present’. And the Resolution is adopted. House Joint Resolution 14, Representative Munson.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. House Joint Resolution 14 creates a task force to study the cost and feasibility of moving toward a digital 09400030.doc 155 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005 government model of service delivery. And we’ll be making recommendations on how, when, or if to move forward.”
“The Lady moves for the adoption of House Joint Resolution 14. 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 117 voting ‘yes’ and 0 voting ‘no’. And the Resolution is adopted. And now, Representative Stephens is recognized on House Joint Resolution 15.”
“They never did this to Paul Simon when he was here. And so, because he never screwed up like I did, I’d like to ask the Body’s positive vote on House Joint Resolution 15 which honors a portion of Route 162 in Troy, the Paul Simon Parkway.”
“The Gentleman has moved for the adoption of House Joint Resolution 15. Is there any discussion? The Gentleman from Vermilion, Representative Black.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?”
“Indicates he’ll yield.”
“Representative, did you know the late Senator Simon?”
“Yes.”
“As I recall, he often spoke highly of you.”
“No.”
“No? Would you amend this on the face to do the Simon- Stephens Memorial Highway?”
“Only if I die before it passes.” 09400030.doc 156 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“So, this is all right with the people in your area? They have no concerns about this? Did… you’ve cleared it with his surviving family members and it’s an appropriate memorial, wouldn’t you say?”
“Are we on my… my Resolution now?”
“I have no idea what I’m on. What are you on?”
“Mr. Speaker, some order, please. The decorum of the chamber has gotten really bad here. I…”
“As Dan Rather said, ‘Are you running for something, Representative? I wanna know.’”
“I’m on the House Floor.”
“Okay. Mr. Speaker, to the Resolution.”
“To the Resolution.”
“Every once in a while my good friend, Representative Stephens, comes up with a good idea. I’m not sure this is the best he’s ever had, but it’s pretty darn good for him, this late in the afternoon. I urge an ‘aye’ vote.”
“The question is, ‘Shall House Joint Resolution 15 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… Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 117 voting ‘yes’ and 0 voting ‘no’. And House Joint Resolution 15 is adopted. House Joint Resolution 19, Representative Bost.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members of the House. Hou… House Joint Resolution 19 and I know the hour grows late and… and it’s kinda late in the day to… to have something as, I think that’s very important and that’s the naming of 09400030.doc 157 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005 a Route 13 between Murphysboro and Shawneetown after General John A. Logan and make it General John A. Logan Highway. For those of you that don’t… and what’s really amazing about the history of the State of Illinois quite often we come to this House and we don’t realize the history that’s involved, but if you’ll listen to the Illinois song and see the verse that’s in it, Grant… Lincoln, Grant and Logan are mentioned. Logan was a tremendous Legislator, a tremendous general, was… ran for Vice President, was probably going to be elected President, but it would… but passed away prior to that time. Matter of fact, right after being on… on a stump here in Illinois and then went back to D.C., he’s one of the eight people who were laid in state in the rotunda in D.C. But in a book, a biography of John A. Logan, called Black Jack, of his early years he said, when talking about southern Illinois which is known as Egypt, that his beautiful, loved Egypt spread from… that was… reached from Murphysboro to Shawneetown, old Shawneetown, where he met his lovely wife. And that is all of Route 13 and basically what this Resolution does is name that highway after him. And I’d be glad to answer any questions on it.”
“The Gentleman has moved for the adoption of House Joint Resolution 19. Is there any discussion? Then the question is, ‘Shall the Resolution 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 09400030.doc 158 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005 question, there are 117 voting ‘yes’ and 0 voting ‘no’. And the Resolution is adopted. House Joint Resolution 27, Representative Verschoore.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s with great pride I get up… my old alma mater, Alleman High School this current school year the… first of all, the boys track team won the state championship. They’re the only team from the Quad City area to win a state championship. Then in March, the girls’ basketball team and we think it’s the only time in the state’s history that the two teams from the same high school were competing for a championship. The girls won the Class A girls basketball and the wrestling squad came in second. So, like I said earlier, it’s with great pride that I offer this Resolution and I’d be glad to answer any questions.”
“The Gentleman moves for the adoption of House Joint Resolution 27. Is there any discussion? Then all in favor say ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The ‘ayes’ have it. And the Resolution is adopted. House Resolution 5, Representative Pritchard. Representative Pritchard, your House Resolution 5 is up for debate.”
“Yes, Mr. Chairman and Members of the House. This Bill(sic-Resolution) forms a study committee that would look into the various chronic and debilitating illnesses that affect citizens across our state and see if there is tax relief that is appropriate for them similar to what now occurs for certain prescription drugs and other diseases 09400030.doc 159 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005 that are debilitating like diabetes. I would urge your support.”
“The Gentleman moves for the adoption of House Resolution 5. 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 117 voting ‘yes’ and 0 voting ‘no’. And the Resolution is adopted. House Resolution 12, Representative Watson.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. House Resolution 12 creates the one-to-one mentoring task force. It’s an initiative of the Big Brother organization. And I would be more than happy to ask… answer any questions.”
“The Gentleman moves for the adoption of House Resolution #12. And on that question, Representative Molaro. Do you wish to speak on House Resolution 12? Representative Molaro.”
“Yes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Against my wishes, but on the pink sheet rules, so therefore my committee has been…”
“Rep…”
“…the Jud II-Criminal Law…”
“Representative…”
“…Committee is meeting in C-1 but at 9 a.m., not 8 a.m. 9 a.m. tomorrow morning. Thank you.” 09400030.doc 160 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
Speaker Hannig: “On House Resolution 12 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? Representative Mitchell, Jerry Mitchell, do you wish to be recorded? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 117 voting ‘yes’ and 0 voting ‘no’. And the Resolution is adopted. House Resolution 15, Representative Bassi.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Ladies and Gentlemen, House Resolution 15 urges the U.S. Congress to pass legislation that eliminating both the Government Pension Offset and the Windfall Elimination Provision for the provisions of the Social Security Act. We passed this Resolution last year. This is just to keep this in front of Congress to remind them that this is something we would like to do. And I ask for your support.”
“The Lady has moved for House… the adoption of House Resolution 15. Is there any discussion? Then all in favor say ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The ‘ayes’ have it. And the House Resolution 15 is adopted. House Resolution 16, Representative Flowers. Representative Flowers. We’re just going right down the list, so if you have a Resolution, we’ll eventually get to you today. Representative Flowers.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. I move for the adoption of House Resolution 16. I’ll be more than happy to answer any questions.” 09400030.doc 161 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
Speaker Hannig: “The Lady moves for the adoption of House Resolution 16. 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 117 voting ‘yes’ and 0 voting ‘no’. And the Resolution is adopted. Representative Tryon on House Resolution 23.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Resolution 23 establishes a School Impact Fee Task Force for the purpose of studying impact fees in Illinois. It continues the work that was done in the 93rd General Assembly. During that process I think a lot of issues were identified and we were able to come to some consensus on impact fees and what the issues were. And I would like to see this task force extended into the 94th General Assembly, so we could continue that work. I would urge a ‘yes’ vote for that.”
“The Gentleman moves for the adoption of House Resolution 23. 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 Boland. Representative Sullivan. Okay. Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 117 voting ‘yes’ and 0 voting ‘no’. And the Resolution is adopted. House Resolution 52, Representative Saviano. Representative Lang, would you like to present Resolution 52, on page 36 of the Calendar?” 09400030.doc 162 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Ladies and Gentlemen, this Resolution by Representative Saviano would simply call on there to be revenue sharing if the tenth riverboat license ever comes to Cook County. That all it says.”
“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 68, Rep… Representative Jakobsson.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Resolution 68 recommends the Department of Veterans’ Affairs to add a link on its website to allow military families to communicate with one another so that they can exchange information and support one another.”
Speaker Hannig: “The Lady moves for the adoption of House Resolution 68. 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? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 117 voting ‘yes’ and 0 voting ‘no’. And the Resolution is adopted. House Resolution 81, Representative Froehlich. Representative Froehlich. Would you like to call your Resolution?”
“Yes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Resolution 81 creates the… a Working Group on Pedestrian-Automobile Safety. And will report its recommendations to the General Assembly November 1, 2005.”
“The Gentleman moves for the adoption of House Resolution 81. Is there any discussion? Then all in favor 09400030.doc 163 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005 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 117 voting ‘yes’ and 0 voting ‘no’. And the Resolution is adopted. House Resolution 82, Representative Rose. Okay. Out of the record. House Resolution 84, Representative Phelps.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. House Resolution 84 just requests the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to add a fourth duck hunting zone for the bottom 12 counties. I ask for the adoption of House Resolution 84.”
“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 91, Representative Reis.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Resolution 91, I move for its adoption. Recognizes by the House of Representatives that the words ‘under God’ shall remain in the Pledge of Allegiance.”
“The Gentleman moves for the adoption of House Resolution 91. And on that question, the Gentleman from Cook, Representative Fritchey.”
“Thank you, Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?”
“He indicates he’ll yield.”
“Representative, this is the Bill that came through Judiciary I last week, correct?”
“Yes, Sir.” 09400030.doc 164 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“And well, why don’t we go through the history of this… again, a little bit. This Bill says that the Pledge of Allegiance says what the Pledge of Allegiance says, with this Resolution, correct?”
“Yes.”
“And there is no pending litigation in any county in Illinois, any statewide litigation pending or any federal litigation pending that purports to say that the Pledge of Allegiance says something other than the Pledge of Allegiance says.”
“Not at this time.”
“Why… and I’m not trying to berate you, but this is the same stuff that I asked you in committee and I meant it then and I mean it now. Why are you filing this Resolution?”
“Because there is a continued attempts by courts and judges to take that word out. And we use it every day when we say the Pledge of Allegiance and we… it’s just a … a common thing, common courtesy thing, that we agree that it should remain in there.”
“Other than the 9th Circuit case which was tossed out by the Supreme Court which… can you name one other incidence in this country right now where the Pledge of Allegiance is under attack?”
“No. This is just and like I said, this is just preventative attempt by us to recognize that it shall remain there.” 09400030.doc 165 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“Representative, I believe in God. You believe in God? I’m not gonna speak for everybody else here. I would assume most of them believe in a God of their choosing. Even Representative Lang believes in a God. And I’m not trying to mock you; I’m not trying to berate you. This is one of those Resolutions that seems meaningless, but it leads to other Resolutions that are designed for mail pieces or to just divide and politicize, further than we already have, the issue of religion or religions in plural in this state and use these things as campaign fodder and political fodder. There’s nothing driving this legislation. There’s no reason why we can’t say that you can get another Resolution that says the Star Spangled Banner says what the Star Spangled Banner says. That the American Flag is red, white and blue. Why are we doing this?”
“It’s just a preventive measure… measure, Representative.”
“Oh, okay. Representative, what does this… what does this Resolution prevent? If it’s a preventive measure, ask Harmony what this prevents.”
“No. It… this just sends a message to the people of Illinois that it… the words… it’s in our preamble of the Constitution. We’re protecting the fact that the ‘under God’ is in the Pledge of Allegiance and we recognize that it shall remain there.”
“Representative, I could not disagree more strongly with you. This Resolution does not protect a thing. It 09400030.doc 166 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005 has no effect; it has no impact. It doesn’t protect anything. It doesn’t prevent anything. It sounds good, I’ll admit to you. Sounds real good.”
“Is it…”
“Doesn’t protect or prevent a thing. Would you admit that?”
“Yes, you’re right. But it just shows the goodwill of the House of Representatives. That we recognize it’s there and that we recognize it should remain there and the importance of that phrase in the Pledge.”
“And the impor… well, let… let… let… Ya know, I downloaded some stuff after committee because of this and I really wish I would have saved it on my laptop. The phrase ‘under God’ and let’s review our history again. The phrase ‘under God’ was put into the Pledge of Allegiance when?”
“1954.”
“And it was put in the Pledge of Allegiance in 1954 by the Knights of Columbus as a purported response to the threat of Communism.”
“Yes. But…”
“Correct?”
“…it was put there by the Congress. It was moved and pushed by the Knights of Columbus, but Congress…”
“It… it…”
“…and the President signed it.”
“Absolutely. It was done by Congress at the urging and initiation of the Knights of Columbus in response to a purported threat of Communism and not in furtherance of the 09400030.doc 167 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005 Founding Fathers, not in furtherance of the concepts on which this country was founded, not in furtherance upon a belief or furtherance of Christians, small ‘c’, or Christian, capital ‘C’, values. It was done for political reasons at that time to engender support for the country ostensibly from the threat of Communism and having nothing to do with any religious underpinnings at the time. There was no threat to Christianity in 1954 that led to this, was there?”
“It doesn’t have anything to do with Christianity. It had to do with the fact that… that the Founding Fathers believed in God, not necessarily Christianity.”
“Okay. In 17… So, when the Founding Fathers talked about believing in God, what God… what God did the Founding Fathers refer to, do you think?”
“Well, with all due respect, Representative, this Bill got out of committee 11-1 and it’s just a measure of our goodwill that says to the people of Illinois: our students, our elderly, our veterans that we recognize that ‘under God’ shall remain in the Pledge.”
“I’m… I’m gonna preface my comments for a second. The fact that we’re having this debate and Mr. Speaker, I apologize… I… I appreciate you indulging me on this. Trust me, I’ve got places I’d rather be too, but this illustrates my exact point. We’re having a debate now in a political Body over religion, over God, which is exactly what we should not be doing is politicizing religion for no reason. If there’s a reason to do it, let’s do it and odds are I’m 09400030.doc 168 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005 gonna stand side-by-side with you when we do that, but let’s not inject religion for no reason. This is a Resolution that… it’s not even a ‘feel good’ Resolution. It’s a Resolution that gins things up that don’t need to be ginned up. I agree with you. Everybody agrees with you. The Pledge says what the Pledge says. But we don’t need to be politicizing religion unnecessarily. As I said, there are times… I see Representative Stephens itchin’ to say somethin’. There are times when we wanna do it. A time of war may damn well be when we wanna do it, but do we really need to be doing this at this point in time on a Resolution like this. If we wanna talk about religious implications in the Human Rights Act, that’s a very valid debate. If we wanna talk about religious implications in school or teaching, that’s a very valid debate. But to inject religion for the sake of doing it, I just don’t get it. Let me say, now, to the Resolution, Sponsor… Speaker. And thank you to the Sponsor. I’m gonna vote ‘present’. It doesn’t have a thing to do with my belief in God. It doesn’t have a thing to do with the Sponsor. It does have a… a statement to make in my small way that we’re opening the floodgates to tens or hundreds of these types of Resolutions where we’re just going to try to make each other dance on the head of a pin. We all believe in a God, I believe, that we’re safe in saying that. We all wanna stand united in that as a Body, as a state, and as a country and I salute you in that belief. But I just can’t 09400030.doc 169 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005 help thinking that there’s more to this and just something that we don’t need. Thank you all for hearing me out.”
“Representative Stephens.”
“When you make remarks on the House Floor and you preface it by trying to put it in some sort of category where you don’t wanna be political and you don’t wanna be anti-God or pro-God and then you or you don’t wanna politicize something and then you bring the debate to the floor, you bring the… the very debate that you say we shouldn’t be having to stand up and vote… how you wanna vote it. If you don’t wanna discuss it, but in the course of remarks that I heard from the Gentleman from Cook, well, we don’t wanna be talkin’ about God in here. Look, I’m sorry. I’m sorry. But I… ya know, the America that I grew up in, the America that I belong to, the America was founded on principles that reflect the beliefs of the men and women who made this country what it is today. And if your argument is, ‘well, we didn’t have to do this.’ No, we don’t have to do almost everything that we do. There’s a lot of governing and talking and pontificating that takes place here that is… well, it doesn’t change the world around us, does it. But it never hurts for government to stop and say, you know what, I don’t care if anybody’s talking about this or not, but I would just like to reaffirm that I want ‘in God we trust’ on our coins, I want ‘under God’ in our Pledge, I want the Ten Commandants, the Ten Commandants that we’ve had for 6 thousand years in civilized world, to be allowed to be on the lawn of this 09400030.doc 170 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005 Capitol Complex. Now, maybe some of my Muslim brothers would say, ‘Don’t. No, you can’t do that.’ They might even say, ‘God forbid, don’t do that.’ The point is that it never hurts to invoke the name of the Lord, to reaffirm our commitment to keep His name, however you envision Him, as part of our daily life and as part of our discussions, it’s always appropriate. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.”
“Representative Franks.”
“Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?”
“Indicates he’ll yield.”
“Mr. Reis, are you familiar with the 92nd General Assembly, a few years ago, before you were here, Public Act 612? I believe it can be found on the site at 105 ILCS to chapter 22. Do you have a copy of the statutes with you?”
“I’m not… I’m not aware of that. I wasn’t here at that time.”
“Okay. Well, at that time, I carried a Bill and we passed it in the House of Representatives and it became a law. And what it says is that the Pledge of Allegiance will be stated every day in schools as it is. And it’s… I can give ya the site, 105 ILCS 5/27-3. If you guys wanna look it up. We already had passed this law. And this was passed shortly before the 9th Circuit came down with their decision in California which you’re saying you wanna do this for. My point is, I understand what you’re trying to do, but I’m also telling you we already have this codified 09400030.doc 171 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005 into the law of the State of Illinois. I’d like to know your response to that.”
“Representative, I commend you on bringing that to our attention. But nowhere, I don’t believe, in your Bill does it say that the words ‘under God’ shall remain in that Pledge that your Bill says we should say each day.”
“No, it doesn’t say ‘under God’, but it says, ‘it shall be stated as it is.’ That was the… that was the real issue before, so we codified the fact that it would be stated as it is now, not to be changed. And we didn’t believe it… and we thought it’d be redundant to have to say ‘under God’, quite frankly. So…”
“And that was a very good piece of legislation. We just feel that we’re makin’ it better. I wasn’t aware of it before, but I think this makes it better.”
“I’m not sure it does or doesn’t. I’m just… I’m just not… I understand what you’re trying to do, believe me, I support it. It’s a lot like the Bill that I carried. I just don’t know what this really does though, since it’s already a law. I… I think you’ve made your point. Now, we know what you’d like to do, but I just don’t think this Resolution will really do what you want it to do only because we’ve… we’re already doing it. And that’s my point. So, thank you.”
“Thank you. Thank you.”
“Representative Sacia.”
“Thank you, Speaker. Sponsor yield?”
“Indicates he’ll yield.” 09400030.doc 172 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“Ladies and Gentlemen, I’m older than many Members in here. I distinctly remember 1954, I was 10 years old. I remember when Congress put it in, ‘under God’ that is. I don’t remember that it was driven by the Knights of Columbus. I assume some research has been done and that is, in fact, the case. The point remains that this is just a simple reaffirmation… reaffirmation which is what all of our Resolutions are. I commend the Sponsor for bringing it forward. There’s been a great deal of talk over the past several months of removing it from our Pledge of Allegiance. This is simply asking us to insure we keep it in there. And I ask to move the previous question.”
Speaker Hannig: “Well, Representative, you can’t move the previous question after you speak, but Representative Bost.”
“For God’s sake, I move the previous question.”
“Very good, Representative. No one else is seeking recognition, so Representative Reis to close.”
“Just to reaffirm. This is a… this is a Resolution, it’s not a Bill. You’re right, it doesn’t have teeth, but it… I think it sends a strong message to the people of Illinois that we respect the Pledge as it is and we wanna continue saying it the way it is. I ask for your ‘aye’ vote.”
“So, on the Resolution. All those in favor say ‘aye’; all those opposed say ‘no’. The ‘ayes’ have it. And the Resolution is adopted. House Resolution 102, Representative Holbrook.” 09400030.doc 173 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“House Resolution 102 simply urges our Federal Government to establish a comprehensive domestic energy policy. It passed out of committee unanimously. I ask for an ‘aye’ vote.”
“The Gentleman has moved for the adoption of House Resolution 102. Is there any discussion? Then all in favor say ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The ‘ayes’ have it. And the Resolution is adopted. House Resolution 105, Representative Acevedo. Okay. Out of the record. House Resolution 107, Representative Wait. Representative Wait.”
“Thank you, Mr… thank you, Mr… thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. Yeah. House Resolution 10…”
“Rep… Could you recognize Representative Wait, please. Representative Wait, I’m advised your… your mike is not working. Could you move…”
“Hello… hello…”
“…to maybe… Yeah, one of the… Representative Poe’s.”
“Yeah. Thank you very much, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. Yes. House Resolution 107 just would ask that we’d nominate April to be Car Care Month. That we know how important it is that our cars… to make sure they’re in good shape. And I would just ask we support this Resolution.”
Speaker Hannig: “Okay. The Gentleman has moved for the adoption of House Resolution 107. And on that question, Representative Lang.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?” 09400030.doc 174 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“He indicates he’ll yield.”
“I’m just curious as to whether any discounts come along with this.”
“No, no discounts, sorry about that.”
“Well, then we may have to rethink it. How about car washes, waxes, new mufflers, shocks? What’s the…”
“No, none of that. This is just a straight-up Bill.”
“I don’t think you thought it through too well, Representative.”
“Okay. Is there any further discussion? Then all in favor of the Resolution say ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The ‘ayes’ have it. The Resolution is adopted. House Resolution 127, Representative Osterman.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Resolution 127 opposes the current USEPA proposal dealing with wastewater blending and asks that they reconsider their proposal takin’ into account local communities and the health needs of those communities and I ask for an ‘aye’ vote.”
“The Gentleman moves for the adoption of House Resolution 127. Is there any discussion? Then all in favor say ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The ‘ayes’ have it. And the Resolution is adopted. House Resolution 128, Representative Lang.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen. As we know, Congress and the President are having a lot of conversation about Social Security. As I travel the state and particularly as I talk to my constituents, I find that my constituents are not all that interested in Congress 09400030.doc 175 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005 privatizing Social Security. This is a Resolution that would call on Congress to keep Social Security as it is, but to protect Social Security into the future. I would ask your support on the Resolution.”
“The Gentleman moves for the adoption of House Joint Resolution 128. Is there any discussion? Representative Stephens.”
“Just to make sure we have a voice vote.”
“Representative Parke. Okay. Representative Mulligan.”
“I just wanna know if Representative Lang is passing out his plan, tomorrow morning, on how to save Social Security.”
“Any… any further discussion? Then all in favor of the Resolution say ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The ‘ayes’ have it. And the Resolution is adopted. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of House Bill 1184?”
“House Bill 1184 is on the Order of House Bills- Second Reading.”
Speaker Hannig: “It’s my understanding that Representative Verschoore wishes to table that… this Bill? So, Representative Verschoore moves to table House Bill 1184. All in favor say ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The ‘ayes’ have it. The Resolution is adopted. The Motion is adopted. And the Bill is tabled. We would just like to… to advise and remind the Members that if they have any changes in their priority Bill list that they should see their respective Leader, Leader Madigan or Leader Cross, to keep the records 09400030.doc 176 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005 current on which Bills you wish to be called and in what order. And Mr. Clerk, would you now read the Agreed Resolutions.”
Clerk Bolin: “Agreed Resolutions. House Resolution 208, offered by Representative Flider. House Resolution 209, offered by Representative McCarthy. House Resolution 210, offered by Representative Chapa LaVia. House Resolution 212, offered by Representative Franks. House Resolution 213, offered by Representative Froehlich and House Resolution 215, offered by Representative Kosel. And House Resolution 216, offered by Representative Monique Davis. House Resolution 217, offered by Representative John Bradley. House Resolution 218, offered by Representative Parke. House Resolution 219, offered by Representative Beaubien. And House Resolution 221, offered by Representative Cross.”
“Representative Currie moves for the adoption of the Agreed Resolutions. All in favor say ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The ‘ayes’ have it. And the Agreed Resolutions are adopted. Mr. Clerk, would you read House Bill 497 and then hold it on Second Reading. Just read it and hold it.”
“House Bill 497, the Bill’s been read a second time, previously. No Committee Amendments. Floor Amendment #1…”
“Okay. Let’s take it out of the record, then. Mr. Clerk, would you read the committee schedule for tomorrow morning.” 09400030.doc 177 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“Tomorrow morning at 8:30 the Adoption Reform Committee will meet in Room D-1 Stratton. At 9:00 the Elections & Campaign Reform Committee will meet in Room 114 of the Capitol. The Executive Committee will also meet at 9:00 in Room 118 of the Capitol. And the Judiciary II- Criminal Law Committee will meet at 9:00 in Room C-1 of Stratton. At 9:30 the Revenue Committee will meet in Room 122-B. At 10:30 a.m. the D-1… in Room D-1 the Human Services Committee will meet.”
“Representative Leitch, for what reason do you rise?”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don’t know why there wasn’t a Roll Call on Resolution 128, but I wanna be recorded as ‘no’.”
“Yeah. Representative, there was no request for a Roll Call, but the record will reflect your intentions. Representative Mitchell, Jerry Mitchell, for what reason do you rise?” Mitchell, J.: “Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Since you’ve opened that option for Representative Leitch, I also wanna be voted as ‘no’.”
“Representative Brauer.”
“Myself, also. Thank you.”
Speaker Hannig: “Thank you, Representative Brauer. Repre… Representative Cultra.”
“No, also.”
“Representative Stephens, you’re the one who advised the Chair to take a voice vote.” 09400030.doc 178 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005
“Mr. Speaker, we need to understand the process here. I would suggest that the record says, that the Resolution was called, I clearly heard more ‘no’ votes, but you… you heard it differently. And you’re in the Chair, you’re the Speaker. The record will forever reflect that the Resolution passed. I’m tellin’ ya. Didn’t you hear all the ‘noes’ from over here? We… we shouted ‘no’.”
“There were…”
“I shouted ‘no’. For those of you who have never…”
“There were many, Representative.”
“…had to defend a voice vote, it’s pretty easy.”
“Very many. Representative Parke.”
“To be recorded as a ‘no’.”
Speaker Hannig: “Thank you, Representative Parke. And Representative Kosel.”
“Be recorded as a ‘no’.”
“Anything further? Representative Currie now moves that, allowing perfunctory time for the Clerk, that the House stand adjourned until Wednesday, March 16 at the hour of 11 a.m. All in favor say ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The ‘ayes’ have it. The Resolution… the Motion is adopted. And the House stands adjourned.”
“The House Perfunctory Session will come to order. Introduction of Resolutions. House Resolution 214, offered by Representative Froehlich and House Resolution 220, offered by Representative Delgado. These Resolutions are referred to the House Rules Committee. Introduction and First Reading of Senate Bills. Senate Bill 36, offered by 09400030.doc 179 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 30th Legislative Day 3/15/2005 Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act concerning public employee benefits. Senate Bill 169, offered by Representative Osmond, a Bill for an Act concerning local government. Senate Bill 173, offered by Representative Saviano, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation. Senate Bill 263, offered by Representative Saviano, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation. Senate Bill 427, offered by Representative Eddy, a Bill for an Act concerning education. Senate Bill 450, offered by Representative Saviano, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation. First Reading of these Senate Bills. There being no further business, the House Perfunctory Session will stand adjourned.” 09400030.doc 180