"House Perfunctory Session will come to order. Rules Committee Report. 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 13, 2006, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'approved for floor consideration' is House Bill 1814 referred to the Order of Second Reading, House Bill 2199 referred to the Order of Second Reading, House Bill 2316 referred to the Order of Second Reading, and Senate Bill 239 referred to the Order of Second Reading. Senate Bills- First Reading. Senate Bill 1183, offered by Representative John Bradley, a Bill for an Act concerning civil law. Senate Bill 2650, offered by Representative Jakobsson, a Bill for an Act concerning vehicles. Senate Bill 2709, offered by Representative Hassert, a Bill for an Act concerning revenue. Senate Bill 2728, offered by Representative Gordon, a Bill for an Act concerning State Government. Senate Bill 2745, offered by Representative Hannig, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation. Senate Bill 2795, offered by Representative Smith, a Bill for an Act concerning education. Senate Bill 2872, offered by Representative Currie, a Bill for an Act concerning revenue. Senate Bill 2998, offered by Representative Lang, a Bill for an Act concerning… in relation to charitable games. Senate Bill 3088, offered by Representative Hannig, a Bill for an Act in relation to revenue. Referred to the House Committee on Rules is Senate Joint Resolution 53, 09400104.doc 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 104th Legislative Day 3/14/2006 offered by Representative Reitz, and Senate Joint Resolution 70, offered by Representative Lyons.”
“The hour of 1:00 having arrived, the House will be in order. The Members will please be in their seats. Members and guests are asked to refrain from starting their laptops, turn off all cell phones and pagers, and rise for the invocation and for the Pledge of Allegiance. We shall be led in prayer today by Lee Crawford, the pastor of the Cathedral of Praise Christian Center here in Springfield.”
“Let us pray as we lift our hearts before His divine presence. Most gracious and most precious Lord, Father, we come humbly before You realizing at this moment that we can do nothing without You. For everything starts and everything ends with You. For Your words said that You are the author and the finisher of our faith. Ask that You will be merciful toward us, for it is because of Your mercies that we are not consumed. It is because Your compassions, they are not failing for they are new every morning. So, this day, Father, I ask that You would be merciful. I ask that You would be faithful. I ask that You would be… that You would strengthen us, that You would give us wisdom, that You would guide us, that You would enlighten us. This we ask. Amen.”
“And Representative Lyons, will ya lead us in the Pledge.” Lyons, J. - et al: "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it 09400104.doc 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 104th Legislative Day 3/14/2006 stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
Speaker Hannig: “Roll Call for Attendance. Representative Currie.”
“Thank you, Speaker. Please let the record show that Representatives Jones, Colvin, and Patterson are excused today.”
“Representative Bost.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Please let the record reflect that Representative Lindner is excused today.”
Speaker Hannig: “So, we’re experiencing some technical difficulty with our board. We’re gonna get it back on shortly. We’re gonna take the Roll Call for Attendance now. So, did… the first Roll Call for Attendance was defective and we dumped that. So, this is the Roll Call for Attendance. Please vote your switches ‘present’. Okay, Mr. Clerk, take the record. There are 118 Members answering the Roll Call, a quorum… I’m sorry, 111 Members answering the Roll Call, a quorum is present. Representative Monique Davis has informed the Chair that she’s found a piece of jewelry. So, if you’ve lost a piece of jewelry and you can go to Representative Monique Davis’ desk and identify what you’ve lost, she’ll return it to you. Repre… Representative Bost, are you seeking recognition?”
“Yes, Mr. Speaker. An inquiry of the Chair, please.”
“Yes, state your inquiry.” 09400104.doc 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 104th Legislative Day 3/14/2006
“Yeah, I was noticing… I… I need to find out. Are we gonna be in some serious, hot debate today? Do… do you know of a very hot debate that we may have?”
“One never knows, but I doubt it. I doubt it.”
“Well, the reason why I’m asking is, is because the cooling system seems to be working very well right now and we’re kind of getting almost blown away. We didn’t know whether it was remnants of the tornado that passed through or… or exactly what’s causing such a wind tunnel. And it obviously messed up the board, because awhile ago it blew so hard that it blew Eileen Lyons back on the board. We’re… we’re not sure how that happened either.”
“Representative Stephens.”
“Mr. Speaker, I just lost a three-carat diamond. I wonder if anybody found it.”
“On page 4 of the Calendar, under the Order of Agreed… or under the Order of Resolutions, is House Joint Resolution 92. Representative Moffitt, House Joint Resolution 92. The Gentleman from Knox, Representative Moffitt.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. This Resolution’s an initiative of the fire service. And there’s been a problem of at different times of departments or individuals, in effect, responding to a fire or an incident, an emergency without being requested. And so, this is a Resolution indicating that they should not be self-dispatching but only if called. We have a great system in place where departments that need help can call for help. And this is just stating the legislative 09400104.doc 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 104th Legislative Day 3/14/2006 intent or our position that you should not self-dispatch. So, it’s a request of the fire service. It felt that at this point, it would be best to handle this just with a Resolution.”
“So, is there any discussion? Then all in favor of the Gentleman’s Resolution say ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The ‘ayes’ have it. And the Resolution is adopted. Representative Phelps, you’re recognized on House Joint Resolution 93. Out of the record. Representative Chapa LaVia on House Joint Resolution 98. Representative Chapa LaVia.”
Chapa LaVia: "Thank you, Speaker. House Joint Resolution encourage the United States Department of Labor, the United States Department of Veterans’ Affairs, and the Illinois Congressional Delegation to take action to ensure that benefits due to Illinois veterans are indeed given to our Illinois veterans are in fact actually received by Illinois veterans in a equal proportion to benefits received by veterans throughout the United States. I’ve been very fortunate to be on a pretty amazing committee with Chairman McAuliffe, and we’ve risen from the 4 years I’ve been in the House, going from the lower 40 states to the middle state to now fifth in the United States on all veterans issues concerning service men and women. And I’m proud to bring this House Joint Resolution to the floor and I would hope that everybody’d get on as a cosponsor and get this over to the Senate and give it to our delegation, our President, and the Vice President of the United States. Thank you.” 09400104.doc 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 104th Legislative Day 3/14/2006
“Is there any discussion? The Gentleman from Bond, Representative Stephens.”
“Well, to the Resolution, Mr. Speaker. The… there’s a lot to be said about what we can do for Illinois veterans. I think that the… the complexities of the Veterans’ Administration and their inexplic… inexplicable… inexplicable facts that Illinois veterans who suffer the same injuries or combat wounds that someone, say, from California receives wind up with less benefits. I… I guess we could… we could battle a long time as to why that is. But I hope that the Representative will join with me. We have some suggestions, Representative Bradley and I and others, about immediate property tax relief for disabled veterans. And I hope that we can all get behind the concept of property tax relief for veterans in proportion to their disability. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.”
“Any further discussion? Representative Chapa LaVia to close.”
"I wanna thank you and I’m humbled to be able to bring pieces of legislation like this for all the veterans of the State of Illinois, not to mention all their families. But you’re right, Representative Stephens, we have to work harder and we have to find other areas in which we… we can give our commitment that this country gave to those individuals and that they’re fulfilled by the State of Illinois. On top of that, too, I’d like all of the Members to start looking into their hous… their local housing authorities and… and ask them to put a veteran’s preference in every bylaw of every housing authority in the 09400104.doc 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 104th Legislative Day 3/14/2006 State of Illinois so we don’t have over 20 thousand homeless vets in the State of Illinois. Thank you very much.”
“The Lady moves for the adoption of House Joint Resolution 98. All in favor say ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The ‘ayes’ have it. And the Resolution is adopted. Representative Davis, for what reason do you rise?” Davis, W.: “Point of personal privilege.”
“State your point.” Davis, W.: “Ladies and Gentlemen of the House, I’d like to just introduce a constituent of mine and a good friend who’s come to visit us and see how we operate in Springfield. Hey… today, gentleman name Dan Childs. Dan, stand up and wave to everyone.”
“Representative Lyons, for what reason do you rise?” Lyons, J.: "Just an announcement, Mr. Speaker.”
“Proceed.” Lyons, J.: "Members, we do have the corned beef sandwiches down here. I don’t want anybody to not get one because they didn’t know about it. House Members, corned beef sandwiches from Harrington’s for the ninth year in a row on the Republican side of the chamber.”
“Representative Sullivan, for what reason do you rise?”
“Point of personal privilege.”
“State your point.”
“In the spirit of Irish Week, on your desk you should have a Sullivan Caucus lanyard you’re more than happy to 09400104.doc 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 104th Legislative Day 3/14/2006 use for the green of the week. And also, tomorrow will be the Sullivan Caucus party over at Karma, across the street from Capitol Grill, starting at 5:00. Thank you very much.”
“Representative Reitz, for what reason do you rise?”
“Purpose of announcement. While we’re on the Order of Announcements and in the color green, everyone should have a pass for tonight. We have the Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus tonight out at the Orr Building, 6:00. Poe’s Catering is having the food and everyone show your ID, get a Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus shirt. But come out and help the sportsmen in the State of Illinois. Thank you.”
“Representative Rose, for what reason do you rise?”
“Point of personal privilege, Mr. Speaker.”
“State your point.”
“Ladies and Gentlemen, we’re very happy today to have the Mattoon Area Adult Education visiting us in Springfield, up in the corner here, in the balcony. If they’d stand up and could we give them a big Springfield welcome. Thank you very much.”
Speaker Hannig: “Representative Meyer, would you like to present House Resolution 843? Out of the record. Representative Pihos on House Resolution 858. The Lady from DuPage, Representative Pihos.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members of the House. This Resolution urges the Governor, in cooperation with the Depart…” 09400104.doc 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 104th Legislative Day 3/14/2006
“Rep… Representative.”
“Yes?”
“Before… before you proceed, I’m advised by the Clerk that there’s an Amendment in Rules.”
“Yes.”
“Did you wanna wait for that Amendment or did you wish to proceed?”
“No. We can go forward with that amend… which… which simply eliminates… Oh, I… it’s still in Rules. I’m sorry, I thought it came out of Rules. Then I’ll wait for that Amendment to come out. Thank you.”
Speaker Hannig: “Okay. Thank you, Representative. House Resolution 900, Representative Jakobsson.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Resolution 900 urges the United States Department of Veterans' Affairs to consider increasing the needs of female veterans and to expand services to women throughout the Veterans' Health Administration. Women have been serving our country in the military and in the armed services for… since the Civil War and veteran services and health systems should reflect the increasing population change of women in military. Right now, there are only eight women veterans’ comprehensive health centers in the Federal Veterans’ Affairs system that serve as health care centers for female veterans. And these services should be expanded to all veteran health care systems, including the Veterans’ Affairs Ileana Heath Care System in Danville, Illinois, which provides care to approximately a hundred and fifty thousand veterans 09400104.doc 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 104th Legislative Day 3/14/2006 primarily residing in Central Illinois and West Central Indiana.”
“The Lady has moved for the adoption of House Resolution 900. Is there any discussion? Then all in favor say ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The ‘ayes’ have it. And the Resolution is adopted. Representative Chapa LaVia on House Resolution 908.”
"Thank you, Speaker of the House. House Joint Res… House Resolution 908 urges the Department of Revenue to conduct an annual review of the amount of federal income tax collected from Illinois citizens and the amount of federal money that the state receives back in to our coffers. And I would hope that it’d be adopted. Thank you.”
“Is there any discussion? Then the question is, ‘Shall the Resolution be adopted?’ All in favor say ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The ‘ayes’ have it. And the Resolution is adopted. Representative Berrios on House Resolution 913.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. Today I bring you House Resolution 913. The Resolution urges Congress to adopt the DREAM Act which is the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act. The importance of this Resolution lies in who it represents. The DREAM Act would allow children of immigrants who had no choice in coming to America but have been raised here and have gone to school here, it would allow those children to apply for conditional legal residency upon their graduation from high school. During 09400104.doc 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 104th Legislative Day 3/14/2006 this conditional period, the students must either complete 2 years or higher of college degree program or join the U.S. military and serve our country, and the student must be free from any criminal record. Upon completion of these requirements, they will then be allowed to become permanent residents. This will allow these children an opportunity to give back to the community that has raised them by becoming professionals and contributing to our tax rolls. They can fully be part of America, the country that they love. I’d ask for a favorable vote.”
“Is there any discussion? Then the question is, ‘Shall the Resolution be adopted?’ All in favor say ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The ‘ayes’ have it. And the Resolution is adopted. Representative Fritchey is recognized for an announcement.”
“Thank you, Speaker. If I could have the Members’ attention for a minute, the House Civil-Judiciary Committee meeting tomorrow will be canceled. All matters for tomorrow will be held next week. Again, Civil-Judiciary I will be canceled for tomorrow morning. Thank you.”
“I would remind the Members that on page 2 and 3 of the Calendar there’s a list of Senate Bills that still have not received House Sponsors. So, you may wanna take a look at that list and pick up a Bill. Representative Dunkin, for what reason do you rise?”
“A point of personal privilege, Mr. Speaker.”
“State your point.”
“Just like to remind all the Members today, at least the Tourism Members, that we’re having a Tourism Committee 09400104.doc 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 104th Legislative Day 3/14/2006 hearing at 4:00 in Room 114, that’s in 114, and we’re gonna listen to highlights from our state’s tourism director. And we’ll listen to the Hotel and Lodging Association along with the Illinois Restaurant Association and the Illinois Council of Convention and Visitors Bureau throughout the great State of Illinois. So, I encourage and welcome all Members to come and to participate and listen attentively to the wonderful discussion and highlights and insight of tourism in our great of Illinois. Thank you.”
“Representative Eddy, for what reason do you rise?”
“Point of personal privilege, Mr. Speaker.”
“State your point.”
“Thank you very much. Ladies and Gentlemen of the House, if you would help me welcome some guests from my district today. First of all, Nick Halterman, 10-year-old from Palestine Grade School, a fourth grader at Palestine, is paging for us today. He’s down in the well. Also, we have with us today his parents, B.J. Fraylicker, who is a correctional officer at the Robinson Correctional Facility, standing over in this… in this area, along with his wife, Tammy, who’s the head of nursing at Lincoln Trail College, and Kiara Nicole, five and a half months old. They are here to visit along with John and Shirley Burner. You know John, the assistant director of the United Transportation Union in the state. Thank you and welcome to Springfield.”
“Are there any announcements from the floor? Mr. Clerk is recognized for an announcement on the committee schedule.” 09400104.doc 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 104th Legislative Day 3/14/2006
"For Wednesday, March 15, committees tomorrow: due to the cancellation of the Judiciary-Civil Law, the Electric Utility Oversight Committee, which is meeting at 10 a.m. tomorrow in Room 122B, is now moved to Room C-1. The Electric Utility Oversight at 10 a.m. tomorrow on Wednesday is moved to Room C-1.”
“Could we have your attention just briefly. Representative Tenhouse has some news he needs to share with us. Representative Tenhouse.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. I rise on a very sad note. Yesterday morning at 5:24 a.m. a young lady who used to be part of the House Republican Staff, she worked originally for Senator Donahue and myself back in the district office and then worked here on the House Republican Staff, was very involved in and eventually ended up going… her name is Kathy Broemmel. She passed away yesterday morning at age 33. Had a case of… thought it was the flu, went to the emergency room yesterday morning, was administered some medication, and passed away. And I would just simply ask that if everyone would please stand. One of the things, Kathy was a very special person. She just graduated from Quincy High School in 1990, attended Drake University. After she worked for the House Republicans she went to work for the Landmark Preservation Council, Chicago, and at the time of her death was director of member services for Smith Buckland Associates. She lived in Chicago at 3550 North Lake Shore Drive. It is certainly a very heavy heart to everyone who came in contact with Kathy. She was so fun and so 09400104.doc 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 104th Legislative Day 3/14/2006 vivacious and so active, and then to have this kind of a tragedy occur. You expect that when you reach further along in life but not at age 33. All I would ask is that you’d keep her and her family in your prayers and thoughts. Her visitation is tomorrow… or Thursday from 2 to 4, the Congregational Church in Quincy, and then the burial will be at 4:00. Thank you very much. Just ask for Members’ thoughts and prayers.”
Speaker Hannig: “Thank you, Representative Tenhouse. Representative Reitz, for what reason do you rise? No? Okay. Representative Currie now moves that allowing perfunctory time for the Clerk, that the House stands adjourned until tomorrow, March 15, at the hour of 12 noon. All in favor say ‘aye’; opposed ‘nay’. The ‘ayes’ have it. The Motion is adopted. And the House stands adjourned.”
"The House Perfunctory Session will come to order. First Reading of Senate Bills. Senate Bill 2225, offered by Representative McCarthy, a Bill for an Act concerning education. Senate Bill 2340, offered by Representative Osterman, a Bill for an Act concerning elections. Introduction and First Reading of House Bills. House Bill 5770, offered by Representative Hannig, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation. House Bill 5771, offered by Representative Myers, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 5772, offered by Representative McKeon, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. Committee Reports. Representative Flowers, Chairperson from the Committee on Health Care Availability and Access, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on 09400104.doc 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 104th Legislative Day 3/14/2006 March 14, 2006, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' for Senate Bill 2308, Senate Bill 2400, and Senate Bill 2465. Representative Gordon, Chairperson from the Committee on Consumer Protection, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on March 14, 2006, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass as amended Short Debate' Senate Bill 2302. Representative Yarbrough, Chairperson from the Committee on Housing and Urban Development, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on March 14, 2006, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' Senate Bill 2165 and Senate Bill 2772. Representative Hoffman, Chairperson from the Committee on Transportation and Motor Vehicles, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on March 14, 2006, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' Senate Bill 1214, Senate Bill 2233, Senate Bill 2243, Senate Bill 2489; 'do pass as amended Short Debate' for Senate Bill 2878; 'recommends be adopted' a Motion to Concur on Senate Amendment #1 to House Bill 708. Representative Mautino, Chairperson from the Committee on Insurance, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on March 14, 2006, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' Senate Bill 918 and Senate Bill 2718. Representative Granberg, Chairperson from the Committee on Agriculture & Conservation, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on 09400104.doc 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 94th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 104th Legislative Day 3/14/2006 March 14, 2006, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' for Senate Bill 2271, Senate Bill 2334, Senate Bill 2711, and Senate Bill 3062. Representative Collins, Chairperson from the Committee on Public Utilities, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on March 14, 2006, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' Senate Bill 2807. There being no further business, the House Perfunctory Session will stand adjourned.” 09400104.doc 16