“The House shall come to order. We ask the Members and our guests in the audience to refrain from starting their laptops. We ask them to turn off the laptops, turn off the cell phones, and turn off the pagers. And we ask the guests in the gallery to rise and join us for the invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance. We shall be led in prayer today by the Reverend Jerome Chambers of the Liberty Temple Church of God in Christ in Champaign, Illinois. Reverend Chambers is the guest of Representative Jakobsson.”
“Today we fasten our eyes more firmly upon the things that are for the good of those who have entrusted the well-being of instituted life into our hands. Attend to our cravings as humankind, though indifferent winds come and carry most of them away to gasp out their lives in the desert of despair. For few reach the outer reaches of this existence, yet, there are moments when whatever be the attitude of the body, the soul is on its knees and sometime prostrate. May we never become satisfied with vague and hazy notions or slipshod thinking concerning the welfare of our constituents, but mentally roll up our sleeves with fresh thoughts, straight facts and the resolve that the ideals we want for ourselves are for the good of those we serve. Let the good fruit from the good ground remain. If we must plant again, let us be more vigilant that when we put in the sickle, the harvest may be more abundant. Let our ears be tuned to the inner voice that makes our hearts know peace and joy through thanksgiving. May we never be reduced to loss of dignity, community eyebrow raising, or 09400091.doc 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 91st Legislative Day 2/8/2006 ridicule. We do not petition for easy lives but to be stronger men and women, yet who raises a better man or woman, his or her petition is answered. Accept the desires of our hearts and may our solemn contemplation be the key of the day and the lock of the night. Amen.”
“We shall be led in the Pledge of Allegiance by Representative Moffitt.”
"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 Hannig.”
“Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. Let the record reflect that Representative Currie and Representative Patterson are excused today.”
“Mr. Bost.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Let the record reflect all Republicans are present today.”
“The Clerk shall take the record. There being 116 Members responding to the Attendance Roll Call, there is a quorum present. Mr. Sacia.”
“Mr. Speaker, point of personal privilege.”
“State your point.”
“In the gallery today, Ladies and Gentlemen, is a Gentleman that many of you worked with for many years, my predecessor and good friend, former State Representative, Ron Lawfer and five citizens from Carroll and Jo Daviess County.” 09400091.doc 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 91st Legislative Day 2/8/2006
“Mr. Reis.”
“Point of personal privilege.”
“State your point.”
“I also draw your attention to the northeast part of the gallery. We have students from Flora and Richland County, East Richland High School and part of their JILG, the Jobs for Illinois Graduates. And we really appreciate the… the Speaker’s… keeping their funding in place for this very important high school program. Welcome to Springfield.”
“Mr. Holbrook.”
“Thank you, Speaker. We’re also joined in the gallery today by Roxane Dinga and the Belleville East and Belleville West students with the Jobs for Illinois Graduates. Let’s give them a big hand too. Thank you very much.”
“Mr. Clerk.”
Clerk Mahoney: "Committee Reports. Representative Burke, Chairperson from the Committee on Executive, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on February 08, 2006, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass as amended Standard Debate' House Bill 1577. Representative Delgado, Chairperson from the Committee on Human Services, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on February 08, 2006, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' House Bill 4223, House Bill 4534, House Bill 4544, House Bill 4693, House Bill 4694, House Bill 5300, House Bill 5343; 'recommends be adopted' House Joint Resolution 77. Representative Giles, Chairperson from the Committee on Elementary & Secondary 09400091.doc 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 91st Legislative Day 2/8/2006 Education, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on February 08, 2006, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' House Bill 4740, House Bill 5340; 'do pass as amended Short Debate' House Bill 4955. Representative Fritchey, Chairperson from the Committee on Judiciary I- Civil Law, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on February 08, 2006, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' House Bill 5299; 'do pass as amended Short Debate' House Bill 4357, House Bill 4760, and House Bill 5337. Referred to the House Committee on Rules. House Resolution 896, offered by Representative Mathias. House Resolution 897, offered by Representative Mathias. House Resolution 900, offered by Representative Jakobsson. House Resolution 903, offered by Representative Chapa LaVia. House Resolution 905, offered by Representative Jefferson. And House Joint Resolution 95, offered by Representative Granberg. 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 February 07, 2006, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'approved for floor consideration' House Joint Resolution 96.”
“The Chair recognizes Representative Krause for the purpose of a Motion… a Motion on House Bill 4988.”
“The Motion is to table House Bill 4988.”
“You’ve all heard the Lady’s Motion. Is there leave? Leave is granted. And the Bill is tabled. On the 09400091.doc 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 91st Legislative Day 2/8/2006 Order of Agreed Resolutions there appears House Resolution 883, Representative Rose. The Chair recognizes Mr. Rose.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can we have order in the chamber, please. Ladies and Gentlemen… Ladies and Gentlemen, if I could have your attention just for a brief moment. Today we’re very happy to have with us a number of students from Eastern Illinois University, they’re your constituents, they’re here today, and they will be visiting you. And if the students in the gallery would stand up and perhaps just be recognized briefly. The students from Eastern will be visiting you today, talking about the importance of higher education. We are also very, very happy today, Ladies and Gentlemen, we have House Resolution 883 which congratulates the Eastern Illinois football team on being Ohio Valley Conference Champions and also Coach Spoo if you would stand up. Coach Spoo is the… is the coach of the year and I believe that the Clerk is… Before the… before the Resolution is read, I’d like to let my colleagues know that Eastern Illinois University now has three former assistants and/or players as head coaches in the NFL. Three former assistants are now head coaches in the NFL. I don’t think there’s any other school in the country that can come close to that. We’re very proud of ‘em back home in Charleston. On behalf of Senator Righter and myself, we’d ask that all Members be added to this Resolution.”
“The Gentleman moves for the adoption of the Resolution and he moves to add all Members as cosponsors of the Resolution. Those in favor say ‘aye’; those opposed say ‘no’. The ‘ayes’ have it. The Resolution’s adopted. And 09400091.doc 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 91st Legislative Day 2/8/2006 the Clerk shall record all Members as cosponsors of the Resolution. Mr. Clerk, read the Resolution that has now been adopted.”
"House Resolution 883, offered by Representative Rose. WHEREAS, In 2005, Coach Bob Spoo led the Eastern Illinois University Panthers football team to their third Ohio Valley Conference championship in the last five years with a perfect conference record of eight wins and no losses; and WHEREAS, With an overall record of nine wins and three losses, the Panthers were ranked fifteenth by USA Today/ESPN and earned the school's tenth NCAA I-AA playoff berth; and WHEREAS, Following the Panthers' ninth winning season in the last 12 years, Coach Spoo was honored as the Ohio Valley Conference's Coach of the Year, his third time being named conference coach of the year; junior linebacker Clint Sellers was named Ohio Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year as well as being named All-American; safety Tristan Burge and linebacker Lucius Seymour, both juniors, also were named All-Americans; and WHEREAS, Coach Spoo is the winningest football coach in EIU history, with a record 119 wins; he has twice been the American Football Coaches Association's Region Coach of the Year; in 1995, he was named Co-Coach of the Year for Division I-AA by the Football Gazette; and in 2000, he was the runner-up for the Eddie Robinson I-AA National Coach of the Year award; and 09400091.doc 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 91st Legislative Day 2/8/2006 WHEREAS, Coach Spoo and his staff also place a great emphasis on academics, a stance that has been publicly commended by the EIU faculty Senate; therefore, be it RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Coach Bob Spoo and the Eastern Illinois University Panthers football team on an outstanding season and on winning their third Ohio Valley Conference championship in the last five years; and be it further RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Coach Spoo and the EIU Panthers football team as an expression of our esteem.”
“Mr. Rose.”
“Ladies and Gentlemen, I would just ask that we one more time recognize the Eastern Football team and let them know how proud we are of them representing our state.”
“Mr. Beaubien… Mr. Beaubien, did you wish to call House Bill 4293? The Gentleman indicates he does not wish to call the Bill. Mr. Brosnahan, did you wish to call House Bill 4315? The Gentleman indicates he does not wish to call the Bill. Representative Collins… Collins, Representative Collins, 4339, concern with education. Do you wish to call the Bill on Third Reading? The Bill’s concern with education. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill for a third time.”
"House Bill 4339, a Bill for an Act concerning education. Third Reading of this House Bill.”
“I wanna move it back to Second and add the Amendment. I have a new Amendment… Amendment #3.” 09400091.doc 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 91st Legislative Day 2/8/2006
“Mr. Clerk, put this Bill on the Order of Second Reading. Are there any Amendments?”
Clerk Bolin: "No Amendments have been approved for consideration.”
“Has an Amendment been filed?”
"Floor Amendments 1 and 2 have been considered. Floor Amendment 3 has not been filed yet.”
“All right, Mr. Clerk, you can take this Bill out of the record. Mr. McCarthy, did you wish to call House Bill 1371? Mr. Clerk, House Bill 1371, read the Bill for a third time.”
"House Bill 1371, a Bill for an Act concerning State Government. Third Reading of this House Bill.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. House Bill 1371 amends the State Guard Act. And it’s basically… reinstates the honorary rank that retiring members of the National Guard after 20 years of service, the last 10 at least being in the Illinois National Guard, can request this. It’s completely discretionary. The member has to request it. There’s no cost to the state. There’s no change in any retirement funding that the member would receive. It basically allows them to move up one rank. It seems to be something that is very, very important to the members of the National Guard. I was deliberating whether to include this as my… one of my top three Bills, and then after speaking to many National Guard members it meant so much to them. And in the last couple of years they’ve been called on to do so many things that truthfully, the reason I’m running the Bill is that it means that much to them. 09400091.doc 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 91st Legislative Day 2/8/2006 And if it means that much to the members of the National Guard, I think it’s something that we should do. So, I would… it came out of committee 8 to 1. And I would appreciate your support.”
“The Gentleman moves for the passage of the Bill. The Chair recognizes Mr. Bost.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?”
“Sponsor yields.”
“Kevin, when… when you said that… now, it’s an honorary rank, they… they don’t receive an increase in retirement or anything like that?”
“Correct. Correct.”
“Okay. When… and… and I’m just trying to weigh this out because as a… as a… when I served, ya know… Actually, the… the week I was getting out… I chose to leave, I was picking up the rank of… of E5. And I would’ve loved to had that rank but that’s the way the military is set up that, you know, I… I was a corporal and I was going to remain a corporal unless I got a promotion. And… and I don’t understand the reason, I mean, you are what you are. Why do we change this then after they get out?”
“Well, as I said, ya know, I talked to these people, I know how important it is to them. And the thing is, today it is allowable for commissioned officers and warrant officers, but it’s not for enlist… for, ya know, sergeants.”
“Wait a minute.”
“To… today you can do this. This includes the E1s through E7s, that they can request this. It’s just an honorary rank. It’s for, ya know like, they… they can wear… 09400091.doc 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 91st Legislative Day 2/8/2006 the… the Department of Military Affairs would describe the rules for how they wear the rank and everything else, and some people would want it. I know, I’ve talked to like Representative Stephens, he said he’s an E5 and he wants to be an E5.”
“Right. And I was an E4…”
“Now…”
“…and I feel like that I accomplished that rank and… and did everything I was supposed to, but then all of a sudden we’re gonna give an honorary rank to the next level makes…”
“Well, you know truthfully, they can… like I said, commissioned officers can do this today, can request it. This actually adds more time in service they have to have in order to… to request the rank. And there is no cost, your original… you know, your first question about it, the cost as far as… there’s nothing changed as far as their retirement. This at least says they have to have 20 years of service to ask for this…”
“And…”
“…and… and 10 year… you know, the last 10 years in the Illinois service.”
“And… and the only thing I’m concerned about is, is those people who… who achieved their rank and… and did it based on… on the criteria set forward and serving their time in grade. And I… I’m wondering how others will feel that, you know, haven’t received that honorary…”
“Well, the mast… you know, the master sergeants who testified at committee, and I think, were wonderful witnesses. They… they talked about today in the National 09400091.doc 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 91st Legislative Day 2/8/2006 Guard, because of the certain ranks being filled, no matter what you do when you get to a certain level like E5, you could be the best soldier, you could, ya know, serve for years for that rank, and there’s no slot available at E6.”
“What…”
“So, you’ll never, ever get it.”
“Sure…”
“Okay.”
“…and I… and I understand that…”
“And…”
“…‘cause that’s the way it was whenever I was in. If… if you didn’t have an opening slot above ya, you didn’t pick up that next rank. And… and that wasn’t anything disgraceful to your character, but the reality is you were not that rank. And… and, you know, I mean…”
“Yeah. I… I… I understand…”
“…I… I kinda wonder then… then should we also say that, you know, I had a… I actually filled their billet and did a… did the work of an E6 or an E7. Should I go back and say, ‘Hey, you know what, I really carried a staff sergeant’s position and… and a gunnery sergeant’s position, really I should probably go ahead and do that ‘cause I did their work.’ But… but I… it’s always been a thing that… that… let the military make these decisions not government…”
“Yeah…”
“…come in and say give ya an honorary… rank.”
“Right. Well, like I… you know, truthfully, Representative, and I know you have a lot of respect for the military like I do…” 09400091.doc 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 91st Legislative Day 2/8/2006
“Yeah, I do.”
“…and…”
“And I know you do.”
“You see by the number of the Bill, I let this thing sit for a long time.”
“Yeah.”
“And it was only from calls from these guys that they told me how important it was to them that I…”
“Right.”
“…I didn’t want to include it as my top three.”
“Right.”
“But the main reason I’m pushin’ the Bill, and ‘cause I… I never would want, I mean, I wasn’t in for 20 years so I wouldn’t be eligible for any of this either, you know. And I actually think we make it a little bit tougher because we add that 20-year requirement where today it’s only 10 years for the commissioned officers, you know. And plus, I think if we have this for the commissioned officers, we should have it for the enlisted men as well.”
“Right.”
“So, and it does have like an enlisted man cannot go above sergeant major and the… the highest in the commissioned officers, they can go from colonel to brigadier general.”
“And…”
“So, you know, I… I don’t think I’ve given you a great explanation, but I know it’s important to the men.”
“…and… and I appreciate… and I appreciate your Bill, I… I do. I appreciate what you’re trying to do. I can’t support 09400091.doc 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 91st Legislative Day 2/8/2006 it based on the fact that I am a… a veteran and… and that’s the way I saw the ranks whenever I was in. And… and to say that after… after you leave we can all of a sudden apply and get promoted that’s a little strange to me. But… but thank you.”
“I… I do think you have some very valuable points.”
“Thank you for answering the questions.”
“Mr. Stephens.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To the Bill. The… well, excuse me. Would the Gentleman yield for a question?”
“Sponsor yields.”
“Yes.”
“Representative, where’s the Department of Military Affairs on this Bill?”
“They have not weighed in.”
“I… well, I would just tell you what the Republican staff analysis tells us about the Department of Military Affairs. Our staff says that they oppose the Bill because it… it believes that giving, for example, the next highest rank to… of general to a colonel who retires after 20 years is just improper. Now, I… I don’t want to misrepresent the department’s position and… and I was the one… the one Member of the…”
“Committee.”
“…State Government Administration Committee that voted ‘no’. Is it… am I wrong, did they… you’re saying they just don’t have a position?”
“I… I… I can only tell ya they have not spoken to me.”
“Okay. Well, that’s fair.” 09400091.doc 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 91st Legislative Day 2/8/2006
“The members of the Guard that testified there, they certainly implied that the department was okay with this and that they said they would be willing to make the rules. But I… I’ve never heard that they were…”
“Okay.”
“…proponent or opponent.”
“All right. Well, okay. Well, be that… be that as it may, I don’t want to misrepresent their position so I will just speak on behalf of myself as a… as a retired veteran, as someone who like Representative Bost, an enlisted man. I attained the rank of sergeant. And as I told you in committee, if you tried to give me a promotion when I retired to… to put that rocker under my arm, I would’ve… I would’ve been upset. The rank of sergeant, a buck sergeant is what I was, three stripes, just three simple stripes that meant the world to me. They represented every bit of sacrifice that I made for my country in uniform in combat. I would be insulted if you said, ‘Well, you know what, you’re retiring now so we’re gonna… we’re gonna make you a staff sergeant.’ And I would’ve told you what to do with that rocker because I felt so strongly and still feel so strongly that on behalf of especially the enlisted men, the enlisted men of the United States military earned their stripes. That… that phrase is a part of Americana, you have to earn your stripes. It means so much to so many who have paid such a sacrifice that I told you as I told the gentlemen who were your witnesses in committee, I’m offended. I think this about a few retired officers or guys who wanna be something that they aren’t quite, that I’m 09400091.doc 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 91st Legislative Day 2/8/2006 offended. And that I thought that their… they were wrong to stand before the State of Illinois, the Legislature and say, ‘Give me something that I didn’t earn.’ It’s about carrying it in your wallet. That’s all it’s about. It’s about being at a party somewhere and being about to say, ‘Look at me. I’m a general.’ Well, no you’re not, you’re a colonel and you should be proud to have been a colonel. That’s a huge rank and you earned it. I wanna be a sergeant… when I’m buried, on my marker it’s gonna say United States Army, E5. That’s all I ever wanted to be, it’s all I ever was, and I’m proud of it.”
Speaker Hannig: “Representative Hannig’s in the Chair. Representative McCarthy to close.”
“Well, thank you and I… I would just like to say that Representative Stephens made a lot of good points in committee, made a lot of good points today. But I tell ya, the two men that testified this meant so much to them and they’re chief master sergeants that aren’t even eligible for this thing ‘cause that’s the highest you can go as far as an enlisted man. And as I stated in my opening remarks, I would not have used this Bill as one of my top three if it wasn’t so important to them. And maybe I’m not doing the best job explaining why it’s so important to the men and women who serves us, but I think if they think it’s important, it’s something worthy of passage. So, I’d appreciate your support.”
“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 09400091.doc 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 91st Legislative Day 2/8/2006 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 65 voting ‘yes’ and 50 voting ‘no’. And this Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Eddy, for what reason do you rise?”
“Point of pers… personal privilege.”
“Yes, state your point.”
“Ladies and Gentlemen of the House, if you could help me welcome a group from Crawford County, Illinois. If you’d stand up up here, the Crawford County Leadership Group is here to visit Springfield. Welcome to Springfield.”
“Representative Bost, for what reason do you rise?”
“Point of personal privilege.”
“State your point.”
“If I could get everybody to look up in the gallery to our right, we have a group from Murphysboro and Nashville that’s here for Jobs for Illinois Graduates, if they’ll stand up and be recognized.”
“So, we’re going to continue on page 5 of the Calendar under the Order of House Bills-Third Reading. Representative Delgado, you have House Bill 4242. Representative Delgado, do you wish to call this on Third, 4242? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
"House Bill 4242, a Bill for an Act concerning State Government. Third Reading of this House Bill.”
“Representative Delgado.” 09400091.doc 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 91st Legislative Day 2/8/2006
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members of the General Assembly. House Bill 40… 4242 was recommended by the Cook County Public Defender. This Bill amends the Children and Family Service Act regarding the placement of children with relatives. Kinship care to require that in… that in determinations regarding the possible placement of a child with a relative, the Department of Children and Family Services must base its decisions on the factors stipulated in its rules and also on the basis of the child’s best interest as defined in Section 1-3 of the Juvenile Court Act. And I would ask for your ‘aye’ vote on this piece of legislation.”
“This Bill’s on the Order of Short Debate. Does anyone stand in response? 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? Representative Granberg? Okay. Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 116 voting ‘yes’ and 0 voting ‘no’. And this Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Brosnahan, do you wish to read… for us to read 4315? Okay. So, we’ll take that out of the record. Representative Bellock, you have House Bill 4383. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
"House Bill 4383, a Bill for an Act concerning families. Third Reading of this House Bill.”
“Representative Bellock.”
“Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker and Members of the House. House Bill 4383 addresses the issue of child support 09400091.doc 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 91st Legislative Day 2/8/2006 in the State of Illinois with over 50 percent of custodial parents still receiving no support. So, what this Act does is amend… what this Bill does is amend the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, requiring the noncustodial parent to reimburse the custodial parent for 50 percent of the cost incurred when the custodial parent must add the child onto their health insurance plan. This Bill was amended with reference to the Illinois State Bar Association giving the judge the discretion with other factors if they see fit. I don’t know of any opposition.”
“This is on the Order of Short Debate. Does anyone stand in response? The Gentleman from McHenry, Representative Franks.”
“Representative… Will the Sponsor yield?”
“She indicates she’ll yield.”
“One hypothetical that’s been brought to my attention, hopefully you can clear up. What happens if there’s two state workers and there’s no court order and they’re receiving benefits? What happens in a situation like this if there’s no court order?”
“Two state workers… no court order… I don’t know in reference to this, this was just upon a court order.”
“I’m wondering if you might want to go farther, you know, if kids aren’t being covered maybe we can look at this. I’m not trying to derail your Bill, I’m just… I wanna make sure… I know what you’re trying to do, I’m just trying to make it bulletproof.” 09400091.doc 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 91st Legislative Day 2/8/2006
“I think I’d just like to move the Bill as it is. We’ve worked a long time on this Bill with the Illinois Bar Association…”
“Okay.”
“…and if you want me to improve on it and strengthen it next year, I’d be glad to do that.”
“Maybe we could do it in the Senate if we can possibly do an Amendment.”
“Yeah…”
“Okay.”
“…that’s okay.”
“Thank you.”
“Um hmm. Thank you.”
“Representative Bellock to close. Did… did you wish to close?”
“Yes. Thank you very much. We’ve worked hard on these Bills as trying to improve the child support system in Illinois, to address the issues of 60… close to 60 percent of custodial parents not receiving any support whatsoever. Medical insurance seems to be a major item to help people deal with the issues of providing a good quality of life for their children and that’s the main issue that we’re trying to address here. So, I thank you and I appreciate your support.”
“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 116 voting ‘yes’ and 0 voting ‘no’. And 09400091.doc 19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 91st Legislative Day 2/8/2006 this Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of House Bill 4397?”
“House Bill 4397 is on the Order of House Bills- Third Reading.”
“And am I… I am advised that the Sponsor wishes to return that to Second Reading. So, Mr. Clerk, return that to the Order of Second Reading. Representative Bradley, you have House Bill 4529. Out of the record. Representative Phelps, 4532. Out of the record. Representative Jefferson on House Bill 4561. Did you wish us to read that? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 4561, a Bill for an Act concerning transportation. Third Reading of this House Bill.”
“The Gentleman from Winnebago, Representative Jefferson.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This Bill amends the Illinois Vehicle Code, provides that any person who for the purpose of obtaining or renewing a military special license plate, falsely… knowingly claims either to have been awarded a military decoration or to be an active duty… to be on active duty in the United States Armed Forces, a military veteran, is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor and shall, in addition to any other penalties, be fined no less than $1 thousand. And I would ask for your support.”
“This is on the Order of Short Debate. Does anyone stand in response? 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 09400091.doc 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 91st Legislative Day 2/8/2006 who wish? Have all voted who wish? Representative Dugan, do you wish to be recorded? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 116 voting ‘yes’ and 0 voting ‘no’. And this Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Berrios, do you wish us to read 4606? Out of the record. Representative Younge, do ya… Okay. Mr. Clerk, read House Bill 4714.”
“House Bill 4714, a Bill for an Act concerning safety. Third Reading of this House Bill.”
Speaker Hannig: “The Lady from St. Clair, Representative Younge.”
“Out of the record. Out… out of the record.”
Speaker Hannig: “Out of the record. Oh, I’m sorry, Representative. Out of the record. Representative Acevedo. Representative Acevedo, do you wish us to read 4719? Okay. Out of the record. Representative May, 4752? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 4752, a Bill for an Act concerning civil procedure. Third Reading of this House Bill.”
“Representative May.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. This Bill amends the civil procedure which gives the eminent domain power to the Village of Bannockburn for an easement for constructing and maintaining a new water main along Half Day Road. It has met all the requirements of House Rule 41(c) regarding a public hearing and notification. I’ll be happy to answer questions.”
“This is on Short Debate. Does anyone speak in response? Then the question is, ‘Shall this Bill pass?’ 09400091.doc 21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 91st Legislative Day 2/8/2006 Excuse me. Representative Parke, did you wish to ask a question in response?”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?”
“She indicates she’ll yield.”
“Now… now, is this just a quick-take Bill for one particular municipality?”
“That’s correct, for Bannockburn. We had an Amendment in committee to strike Lincolnshire. This water main easement benefits both Bannockburn and Lincolnshire, but because the requirements for 41(c) were met by Bannockburn we decided to make it cleaner.”
“Now, are you doing this for your municipalities… Bannockburn one of your towns?”
“Yes. I’m proud to represent Bannockburn here in Springfield.”
“Okay. And… and on this Bill is there… is it because somebody is not willing to… to deed their property to the municipality?”
“It’s… it’s really just deeding an easement. I mean, it’s an easement, it is not property, and it is for a water main. There’s a 12-inch water main there now, this will increase it to a 30-inch water main for a future… for current and future growth and needs. And yes, there is one reluctant party. It’s dragged on already three and a half years, it’s been in court well over a year. And in fact, May of this year, the court did rule that Bannockburn had the right to do this and needed to do it and even so.”
“Is this… is this private ownership?”
“Yes.” 09400091.doc 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 91st Legislative Day 2/8/2006
“Okay. All right. Thank you. I appreciate the courtesy.”
“Representative Stephens.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker, an inquiry of the Chair.”
“Yes, state your inquiry.”
“Are we still the fifth…”
“Excuse me, Representative, that… that was my error. Go… ask your question.”
“Am I on?”
“You’re on.”
“I wondered if we were still the fiftieth worst pension system in the country.”
“I don’t know, Representative.”
“Okay. Well, could you get back to me on that, maybe have your parliamentarian check and see if the Governor’s pulled some rabbit out of his hat and…”
“We’ll… we’ll do a very thorough review.”
“Maybe we’re… you know, if he’s in Springfield, we could be fifty-first.”
“Okay. So 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 who wish? Representative… Representative… Representative Stephens, do you wish to be recorded? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 60 voting ‘yes’ and 54 voting ‘no’. And this Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Howard, for what reason do you rise?” 09400091.doc 23 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 91st Legislative Day 2/8/2006
“I rise on a point of personal privilege.”
“State your point.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today there is… there are in the gallery young people who are students at Harlan High School. They’re representing the Jobs for Illinois Graduates. Please help welcome my constituents to Springfield.”
“Representative Flider, do you wish us to read 4789? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
"House Bill 4789, a Bill for an Act concerning property tax. Third Reading of this House Bill.”
Speaker Hannig: “The Gentleman from Macon, Representative Flider.”
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. House Bill 4789 validates and reenacts the senior citizens homestead freeze homestead exemption. This is a very important piece of legislation that we’re about to consider. The senior freeze allows a home to hold its assessed value beginning with the tax year prior to the year the applicant previously qualified. However, this law had been ruled unconstitutional in… invalidated on single subject grounds. It first was created in 1994 by Public Act 88-669. When the Public Act is stricken by the court, it places in legal jeopardy all actions taken in reliance on those enactments. So, what we find ourselves here today is a situation in which many seniors are depending on us in the General Assembly to reinstate this law. It was thrown out by the Supreme Court on a technicality, but this law has been the policy of the State of Illinois, it’s very 09400091.doc 24 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 91st Legislative Day 2/8/2006 important to many seniors who have come to depend on it. I’m sure we’ve all been receiving calls about this. So, this law validates and reenacts the senior citizen assessment freeze. In addition, what this law does is increases the maximum allowable household income for purposes of determining the eligibility for the senior freeze from 45 thousand to 50 thousand dollars, so more seniors would be eligible to take advantage of this freeze situation. In addition, it increases the senior citizens homestead exemption from $3 thousand to $35 hundred. Therefore, all seniors who are homeowners would be able to get a new benefit as the result of this legislation. And in addition, the legislation increases the maximum allowable household income for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the senior citizens real estate tax deferral program, increases that eligibility from 40 thousand to 45 thousand dollars beginning in 2006 year after. And this is a very important piece of legislation and I would ask for your support.”
“The Gentleman has moved for the passage of House Bill 4789. This is on the Order of Short Debate. And in response, Representative Black.”
“Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?”
“He indicates he’ll yield.”
“Thank you. Representative Hassert, when did you file this Bill? Yes, Mr. Speaker, I’m… I’m directing my questions to Representative Hassert. He was the original Sponsor of the Bill. I figure he knows what’s in it.” 09400091.doc 25 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 91st Legislative Day 2/8/2006
“You wish the hyphenated cosponsor to address…”
“No, he was the original Sponsor of the Bill. His Bill was 4452, so I figure he knows what’s in the Bill. So, I’m gonna ask my questions of the original Sponsor of the Bill.”
“Representative Hassert.”
“Yes. Representative Hassert, when did you file this Bill?”
“Oh, it was back in… I think… December. Oh, I’m sorry, January 10.”
“January 10. And was… was your Bill filed in… in response to the Supreme Court decision that would have rendered the senior assessment freeze unconstitutional?”
“Yes, it was.”
“And it also provided for the… the lesser of the 2 percent income limit as embodied in… in subsequent law. Is that correct?”
“Yes.”
“Okay. And that Bill was House Bill 4452, is that correct?”
“Yes.”
“And… oh, there must be some mistake on the board. Yes. Thank you, Representative Hassert. Mr. Speaker, an inquiry of the Chair.”
“Yes. State your inquiry, Representative.”
“Yes. Does the… does the Clerk have the wrong Bill on the board?”
“I don’t think so.”
“This should be House Bill 4452, Hassert, Munson, Schock, Sullivan, and Parke. What…” 09400091.doc 26 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 91st Legislative Day 2/8/2006
Speaker Hannig: “Representative, we’re just going down the Calendar and this is the next Bill to be called, 4789.”
“No, this is a much higher Bill. The original Bill was 4452. Is… is there a mistake on the board?”
“No, Representative.”
“Oh, there’s no mistake. Oh… oh, I understand. Okay. Yes, yes, now, it’s clear to me. Piracy still exists in the 21st century. Well, Mr. Speaker, hoist the skull and cross bones and let us all vote for this Bill that mysteriously… mysteriously appeared under Representative Flider’s name with a much higher number. And I know we’re all going to rally around Representative Flider for this wonderful idea that he came up with. But I, on the other hand… You know what’s gonna happen, Mr. Speaker. Representative Flider’s gonna have to be on the Oprah show and she’s gonna grill him like she grilled that author who didn’t tell the truth. He sold all those books and she got him on that show and she told him in no uncertain terms, he had taken not only literary license, he had told fibs. Dare I say that he lied in his book. Representative Flider’s gonna be on the Oprah show, he’s gonna have to explain this. But you know what, the end result is we do what we have to do. But why we go through these games that an eighth grade student council would be ashamed of is beyond me. If you wanted on this Bill, Representative, Representative Hassert would’ve put you on the Bill. All you had to do was ask. You didn’t have to highjack it, you’re a better man than that.”
“Representative Stephens.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Gentleman yield?” 09400091.doc 27 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 91st Legislative Day 2/8/2006
“Indicates he’ll yield.”
“Representative Flider, did you speak with Representative Hassert about this Bill?”
“No, I did not speak with Representative Hassert about this Bill, except about my particular Bill…”
“If… if you were on the Oprah Winfrey show would you…”
“…ex… except… except…”
“…you said ‘no’. Okay, I understand you didn’t talk to Representative…”
“…except when he came over…”
“If you were on the Oprah Winfrey show…”
“…when he wanted to be a cosponsor.”
“…and she asked you about the process, would you tell her that the earlier a Bill is filed that is more the original Bill or would you tell her that a Bill filed at a later date with a higher number that has obviously been filed after the original legislation, would you claim that yours was the original legisla… legislation or would you say that the actual original Bill filed by Representative Hassert was the original legislation, if you were on national TV, Sir?”
“Well, Representative, I would… I would just say this, that when I filed my Bill, there had been considerable dialogue about filing this Bill among the…”
“Oprah would say, ‘Now wait a minute… wait a minute…”
“…among… among the staff…”
“…you’re not gonna be like the guy with the book.’”
“And so I was not even aware…”
“This isn’t about the speckles anymore…” 09400091.doc 28 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 91st Legislative Day 2/8/2006
“…of any other Bill.”
“…this is about the Bill, Representative. You either filed the original or you didn’t. Oprah wants to know. The world wants to know. Is this the original Bill or was Representative Hassert’s the original Bill, based on the tradition of this Body and on our numbering system and on the Calendar, the generally accepted around the world?”
“Well, as I was trying to say. We had been talking about this legislation for quite some time. And I would also add that I do not believe that…”
“Okay, Oprah, we gotta break for a commercial.”
“…this legislation…”
“We have… I’m sure we’re gonna be right back…”
“…is the same legislation.”
“…with more misrepresentation of the way the system works. My Bill… I’m not asking about whether you came up with the idea first. I assume that one night laying in bed, reading the statutes and wondering about what good you could come up, you probably came up with this idea without even referencing Representative Hassert. But that’s only conjecture on my part, I don’t really know. All I know is this, I know thievery when I see it. I’ve seen it more than once, you’re not the only guilty party. There are others on your side of the aisle. Forward-thinking Republicans have set an agenda for Illinois that is responsible and makes sense. And since the Members on the other side of the aisle didn’t seem to come up with those same ideas themselves, they took good, Republican, sound political philosophy, something good for Illinois and they stole it. That’s what 09400091.doc 29 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 91st Legislative Day 2/8/2006 happened with this legislation. Oprah Winfrey knows it, Illinois knows it, and America will soon know it, Sir. And unfortunately, your good name is going to be slurried (sic- sullied) in the process, and that’s unfortunate because you were above this before today. But today you’re carrying someone else’s legislation with your name on the board. It’s immoral.”
“Represent…”
“Representative Franks.”
“Thank you. I was in Grenada, Nicaragua, a couple months ago. And the numbers 14… 1490… you’re worrying… we’re hearing about these numbers here and I was thinking, I was aghast because you know what the numbers 1492 and 1776 had in common when I was in Grenada, Nicaragua? They were adjoining rooms at our hotel. Okay. So, the numbers don’t really mean a lot. I… I wanted you to… to understand that. Now… now, Mr… Representative Flider, I have a couple of questions. Do you…”
“Sponsor will yield.”
“Thank you. Do you know when Representative Hassert filed his Bill? Do you know when he filed his Bill?”
“Who?”
“Representative Hassert.”
“I have no clue.”
“Do you know when he drafted it?”
“I have no clue.”
“Do you know when the Reference Bureau let it out?”
“I have… I would have no idea.”
“Okay. And his Bill does one thing, correct?” 09400091.doc 30 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 91st Legislative Day 2/8/2006
“You are correct.”
“Your Bill does three things, correct?”
“Right, I… I… I believe that my Bill’s not only resolves the issue of the freeze but also goes beyond. And… and I think for the people who are trying to impress the reporters or somehow sully this process or somehow, you know, say things that are inappropriate that they know are not true, they know are not effective or trying to be effective, trying to be creative in their arguments. You know, they’re actually misstating the facts over there. You know, so, I would just encourage everybody in this Body to vote for this good Bill.”
“I’m told by staff that Representative Hassert’s Bill was put in on the 10th and yours was put in on the 18th, so it’s probable that they were both being drafted at the same time. But does that sound like a high probability?”
“Well, I… I would say this. If you look at when Bill’s are drafted and if you look at…”
“And we had the Martin Luther King…”
“…when they are filed…”
“Right.”
“…there can be a log… long lead time and I know for a fact that dialogue on our Bill occurred before the first of the year.”
“Well, we also had the Martin Luther King holiday during that time so they might’ve been backed up a little bit as well, correct?”
“Correct. It’s just…”
“Okay.” 09400091.doc 31 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 91st Legislative Day 2/8/2006
“Correct.”
“All right. So, this is a different Bill, you… you came up with it on your own. This was in response to the Supreme Court decision, correct?”
“That and in addition, trying to insure that we can improve the ability of senior citizens to deal with property taxes so that they can stay in their homes, particularly those who were having a hard time.”
“And Representative Hassert’s actually your second… your second Sponsor on this.”
“Yes, he is. He’s a hyphenated cosponsor.”
“He’s your chief cosponsor. Well, I think we’ve solved the riddle. I think it’s a question of timing and numbers and after spending some time at the hotel in Grenada in Nicaragua, you guys, we’ll understand as well. We hope to have 118 ‘green’ votes. Please vote ‘yes’ for this.”
“Representative Bost.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As this debate has gone on… To the Bill. As this debate has gone on, I’m reminded of a time on this floor when, and I will use his name in debate and if he wants to raise up on that that’s fine. My former seatmate, Jim Watson, was a new freshman. And there was a Legislator from the other side of the aisle and he mistakenly had drafted a piece of legislation… well, she went… came on… went on to be a director and be active with it with this administration, but that… that being set aside, she came over and gave him one of the most vicious tongue lashings that you have ever heard and did everything that you could imagine on telling him how terrible he was for 09400091.doc 32 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 91st Legislative Day 2/8/2006 stealing a Bill. He apologized, he straightened the problem out, we got the preb… problem corrected, because that’s the way it’s supposed to be done. Now, this is a sham we’re gonna run, so let’s just run it. But the reality is that’s… we’ve had these communications around here before, these problems have occurred, they get straightened out. The true Sponsor of the Bill takes over. They… the person… and then… then you can join them in that. But… if this is the way it’s gonna be, sobeit. But don’t set here and make this show over there that, oh well, no, no, this one’s different. No, it wasn’t. It was the same idea, still working to cure the same problem and one was drafted first and that’s the one that should’ve been went with.”
“So… so we’ve had three speak in response, two in favor. The last speaker will be Representative Gordon, then we’re gonna close. Representative Gordon.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m merely standing to move the previous question. So, thank you.”
“Very good. Representative Flider to close.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. I think a lot of political rhetoric has been spewed forth. It was totally unnecessary. This is legislation if you look at the thousands of Bills that are introduced in this Legislature day-in and day-out, we will see there are similarities, we will see there are a number of Bills that are similar. We work together. Why, just last week I passed a Bill out of here that was similar to one that was coming out of the Senate. Really didn’t even know it was in there and it happens. And I think for people that try and 09400091.doc 33 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 91st Legislative Day 2/8/2006 make political rhetoric or… or try and make claims out that as if there’s some kind of sham, I think that’s inappropriate, because this is a good piece of legislation. This is an important piece of legislation. This is a piece of legislation everybody in this Body oughta support and oughta get on, and we oughta have 118 votes on this legislation, because it helps the seniors in the State of Illinois. There should be no debate about that, we shouldn’t be downplaying the importance of this Bill, I think, has… as has been tried. So, Mr. Speaker, I would just encourage that we call for a vote on this legislation, ask for everybody to vote ‘aye’.”
“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 Howard, do you wish to be recorded? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 116 voting ‘yes’ and 0 voting ‘no’. And this Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Pihos on House Bill 4864. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.”
“House Bill 4864, a Bill for an Act concerning education. Third Reading of this House Bill.”
“The Lady from DuPage, Representative Pihos.”
“This legislation speaks to one of the most highly publicized components of the No Child Left Behind Act annual yearly progress, better known as AYP. The proposed changes in House Bill 4864 are intended to clarify the standards of measure used for determining the annual yearly 09400091.doc 34 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 91st Legislative Day 2/8/2006 progress as established by the Illinois State Board of Education. The goal is to recognize the progress made by students and schools and school districts and identified subgroups and to make sure that the comparisons are made on a more equitable basis. Right now, there are 1,036 ways not to meet AYP standards. This Bill is to make sure that fairness prevails as we apply the standards set by the state and approved by the Federal Government. So, the intent of this Bill is to make sure that we compare apples to apples in the future. The legislation clar… clarifies the calculation of annual yearly progress so that only academic performance is compared to academic performance from year to year and participation rate is compared to participation rate. AYP would no longer be calculated by comparing academic performance to participation rate. Illinois State Board of Education is neutral on this Bill and we hope that this piece of legislation will support them in their efforts when we… when they lobby the Federal Government for this. Thank you.”
“This is on the Order of Short Debate. Does anyone stand in response? 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? Representative Soto, do you wish to be recorded? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 116 voting ‘yes’ and 0 voting ‘no’. And this Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. We have a number of Motions in writing to table. 09400091.doc 35 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 91st Legislative Day 2/8/2006 Well, on page 7 in the Calendar we have House Bill 4156, by Representative Reis; House Bill 4216, by Representative Bellock; House Bill 4848, by Representative Osterman. In addition, we have Motions in writing here at the podium for House Bill 4428… 4428, by Representative Franks; Representative Osterman has House Bill 4848; Representative Bellock, House Bill 4216; and Representative David Reis on House Bill 4156. You’ve heard the Motions. Is there leave for the Attendance Roll Call? Leave is granted. And the Motions are adopted and the Bills are tabled. Mr. Clerk, would you read the Agreed Resolutions.”
“Agreed Resolutions. House Resolution 891, offered by Representative Daniels. House Resolution 892, offered by Representative Daniels. House Resolution 893, offered by Representative Daniels. House Resolution 894, offered by Representative Dugan. House Resolution 895, offered by Representative Granberg. House Resolution 898, offered by Representative Lang. House Resolution 899, offered by Representative Lang. House Resolution 901, offered by Representative McGuire. House Resolution 902, offered by Representative Reis. House Resolution 904, offered by Representative Hamos. House Resolution 906, offered by Representative Cross. House Resolution 907, offered by Representative Dugan.”
“Representative Turner 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. Are there any announcements? Representative Molaro.” 09400091.doc 36 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 91st Legislative Day 2/8/2006
“Thank you. At 2:00 this afternoon, the Judiciary II- Criminal Law Committee will be meeting in Room 114. Please note the change ‘cause it’s not the normal D-1. And because of that, tomorrow’s meeting, which will be in D-1, will be at 10 a.m. not 8 a.m. So, Jud II meets today at 2:00, 114, and tomorrow, 10 a.m. in Room D-1.”
Speaker Hannig: “Are there any other announcements? Then allowing perfunctory time for the Clerk, Representative Turner moves that the House stand adjourned until tomorrow, Thursday, February 9 at the hour of 1 p.m. All in favor say ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The ‘ayes’ have it. The Motion is adopted and the House stands adjourned.”
“House Perfunctory Session will come to order. Committee Reports. Representative Mendoza, Chairperson from the Committee on International Trade & Commerce, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on February 08, 2006, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' House Bill 5305. Representative Burke (sic-Molaro), Chairperson from the Committee on Judiciary II-Criminal Law, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on February 08, 2006, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' House Bill 4688, House Bill 4886, House Bill 5212, House Bill 5336, House Bill 5348; 'do pass as amended Short Debate' is House Bill 4298, House Bill 4222, House Bill 4375, House Bill 4396, House Bill 4959, House Bill 5249, and House Bill 5256. Representative Osterman, Chairperson from the Committee on Local Government, to which the following measure/s was/were 09400091.doc 37 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 91st Legislative Day 2/8/2006 referred, action taken on February 08, 2006, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass as amended Short Debate' House Bill 4333; 'do pass Short Debate' House Bill 4960, House Bill 4196, House Bill 4971, House Bill 4286; 'do pass Standard Debate' House Bill 4907, and House Bill 4743. Representative Franks, Chairperson from the Committee on State Government Administration, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on February 08, 2006, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' House Bill 4079 and House Bill 4804. Representative Saviano, Chairperson from the Committee on Registration & Regulation, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on February 08, 2006, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' House Bill 4457. Representative Feigenholtz, Chairperson from the Committee on Adoption Reform, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on February 08, 2006, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass as amended Short Debate' House Bill 4186. Representative Holbrook, Chairperson from the Committee on Environment & Energy, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on February 08, 2006, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass as amended Short Debate' House Bill 4782; 'do pass as amended Standard Debate' House Bill 4363; 'recommends be adopted' House Resolution 814. Representative McCarthy, Chairperson from the Committee on Higher Education, to which the following measure/s was/were 09400091.doc 38 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 91st Legislative Day 2/8/2006 referred, action taken on February 08, 2006, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass as amended Short Debate' House Bill 4406. Introduction and reading of Senate Bills-First Reading. Senate Bill 2129, offered by Representative Pihos, a Bill for an Act concerning safety. Senate Bill 2130… Senate Bill 2134, offered by Representative Molaro, a Bill for an Act concerning State Government. Senate Bill 2195, offered by Representative Froehlich, a Bill for an Act concerning public aid. Senate Bill 2204, a Bill for an Act… offered by Representative Froehlich, a Bill for an Act concerning health. Senate Bill 2252, offered by Representative Will Davis, a Bill for an Act concerning State Government. And Senate Bill 2286, offered by Representative Rose, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation. There being no further business, the House Perfunctory Session will stand adjourned." 09400091.doc 39