Illinois House Floor Debate — March 27, 2007

"The hour of 12:00 having arrived, the House will be in order and the Members will be in their seats. Members and guests are asked to refrain from starting their laptops, turn off all cell phones and pagers and rise for the invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance. We shall be led in prayer today by Reverend Dan Rush who is the Pastor of Bethel Baptist Church of Vandalia. Reverend Rush is the guest of Representative Stephens."

"And Representative… and Representative Ford, will you lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance."

Speaker Hannig: "Roll Call for Attendance. Representative Currie."

"Thank you, Speaker. Please let the record show that Representative Patterson is excused today."

"Representative Bost."

"Mr. Clerk, take the record. There are 116 Members answering the Roll Call, a quorum is present. And Representative Stephens, for what reason do you rise?"

Speaker Hannig: "Thank you, Representative Stephens. Representative Gordon, for what reason do you rise?"

"A point of personal privilege, Mr. Speaker."

"State your point."

"Ladies and Gentlemen, if you would look up to my left here… you guys can all stand up… we have some very special visitors from the Kankakee County 4-H Club: Marcie Harris from Reddick, Ellen Boomsma from St. Anne, Kathryn Graf from Momence and… where's the other two. Oh, I'm sorry. And Drew and Noelle Hannay from Kankakee. We have award winners: Kathryn won the conservation award; all three of the ladies have won outstanding records awards and I know, personally, Marcie Harris, she raises pigs and I will tell you as the recipient of those that I bought them at the Kankakee County Fair before I knew her, and this girl is someone to deal with. And we're gonna look out for her at the State Fair this year too. So, Representative Dugan and I are standing up. If you combine our districts, we 09500031.doc 2  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 3/27/2007 represent the 154th, and we'd… I ask you to all welcome from Kankakee County 4-H these people."

"Mr. Clerk, read the Committee Reports."

"So, we're gonna begin by doing some Second Readings and I've been advised by both sides of the aisle of a priority list that exists for the Members for their first priority Bill. So, we'll try to allow Members to advance their Bills from Second to Third today and then at the end of that exercise, we'll go to some Third Readings that are also the first priorities of a Member. So, we'll try to go back and forth as much as we can, from side to side, and Representative Bassi, you have the first Bill, House Bill 1940. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill. Excuse me. Representative Bost, for what reason do you rise?"

"I've been advised… I think the chief of staff on both sides of the aisle has collected your first priorities."

"Well, if it's in the Revenue Committee, I don't think we can do that one yet."

"But we'll work on that one. So, Representative Bassi has House Bill 1940. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill." 09500031.doc 4  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 3/27/2007

Speaker Hannig: "Third Reading. And Res… Representative Acevedo, you have House Bill 1100. All right. So, we'll move to Representative Black has House Bill 479. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Third Reading. Representative Arroyo on House Bill 1078. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Third Reading. Representative Coladipietro on House Bill 3452. Do you wish us to read that? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Third Reading. Representative Beiser on House Bill 921. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Third Reading. Representative Cole on House Bill 1239. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Third Reading. Representative Berrios on House Bill 1439. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Third Reading. Representative Coulson on House Bill 809. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Third Reading. Representative Boland on House Bill 1031. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Third Reading. And Representative Cross on House Bill 236. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Third Reading. Representative Brosnahan on House Bill 463. Okay. Out of the record. Representative Eddy on House Bill 613. Okay. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

Speaker Hannig: "Do you wish us to move it to Third, Representative? You wanna hold it?"

"You may wanna check with our chief of staff. So…"

"He's workin' on that, so we'll hold this on Second Reading for the moment. Representative Burke on House Bill 1279. Out of the record. Representative Fortner on 1391. Representative Fortner, do you wish us to read this? 1391. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Third Reading. And Representative Chapa LaVia on 1977. Okay. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Third Reading. And Representative Froehlich on House Bill 335. Shall we read that one? Advance it to Third? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Third Reading. Representative Collins on House Bill 790. Okay. So take that out of the record. Representative Kosel on House Bill 3412. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Third Reading. Representative Colvin on House Bill 520. Out of the record. Representative Lindner on House Bill 223. 223, Representative Lindner. Shall we read that? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Third Reading. Representative Crespo on House Bill 1434. Out of the record. Representative Bill Mitchell on House Bill 954. Out of the record. Representative Currie on House Bill 1758. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill." 09500031.doc 8  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 3/27/2007

"Representative Currie."

"Thank you, Speaker and Members of the House. This… the underlying measure is intended to provide some opportunity for community spouses to keep some assets and income when a spouse actually needs significant medical care that is not about to go into an institution. The cost of expanding… the current rules that apply if one of the spouses is going to a nursing facility would be extremely costly. This Amendment based on the same present… premise creates this as a pilot program which the department would be happy to administer and which the department says would not incur significant costs. So, in order to respect the state of the State Treasury, I hope you'll support Amendment #2."

"The Lady moves for the adoption of the Floor Amendment. Is there any discussion? Then all in favor say 'aye'; opposed 'nay'. The 'ayes' have it. And the Amendment is adopted. Any further Amendments?"

"Third Reading. Representative Moffitt on House Bill 167. Shall we read that Bill? Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

Speaker Hannig: "The Gentleman from Knox, Representative Moffitt."

"The Gentleman moves for the adoption of the Amendment. Is there any discussion? Then all in favor say 'aye'; opposed 'nay'. The 'ayes' have it. And the Amendment is adopted. Any further Amendments?"

"Third Reading. Representative Monique Davis on House Bill 465. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Third Reading. Representative Munson on House Bill 1235. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Third Reading. Representative Will Davis on 2787. Do you wish us to read 2787, Representative Davis? 09500031.doc 10  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 3/27/2007 Out of the record. Representative Myers on House Bill 3573. Representative Myers, do you wish us to read 3573? Okay. Out of the record. Representative Dunkin on House Bill 1351. Out of the record. Representative Osmond on House Bill 166. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Third Reading. Representative Flider on House Bill 3657. Out of the record. Representative Flowers on House Bill 384. Out of the record. Representative Franks on House Bill 374. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Third Reading. Representative Pritchard on House Bill 1910. Do you wish us to read the Bill? Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Third Reading. Representative Fritchey on House Bill 3578. Out of the record. Representative Golar on House Bill 3654. Shall we read the Bill? Representative Golar on House Bill 3654. Should we read the Bill? Second to Third? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill." 09500031.doc 11  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 3/27/2007

"Third Reading. Representative Gordon on House Bill 1105. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Representative Gordon."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Amendment #2 removes approximately five (5) words from the Bill at the request of IDOT. I would ask that the Floor Amendment be adopted and we can debate the entire Bill on 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?"

"Third Reading. Representative Granberg on House Bill 3504. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Third Reading. Representative Harris on House Bill 147. Out of the record. Representative Hernandez on House Bill 1009. From Second to Third. From Second to Third. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill." 09500031.doc 12  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 3/27/2007

"Third Reading. Representative Howard on House Bill 754. Representative Howard, do you wish us to read 754 on Second to Third? Out of the record. Representative Jakobsson on House Bill 1011. Out of the record. Representative Jefferies on 949. Out of the record. Representative Jefferson on 1146. Representative Jefferson. Out of the record. Representative Joyce on House Bill 820. Should we read that on Second Reading? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"On Floor Amendment #1, Representative Joyce, what's your pleasure? One, 2 and 3 have been recommended. So, on #1, do you wish us to adopt it?"

"Yes."

Speaker Hannig: "Okay. So, why don't you make a brief statement."

"Floor Amendment #1 and #… I wanna adopt Floor Amendment 1 and Floor Amendment #3. Floor Amendment #1 simply clears up some issues with the Department of Labor and Department of Police. The State Police…" 09500031.doc 13  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 3/27/2007

"The Gentleman moves for the adoption of Floor Amendment #1. All in favor say 'aye'; opposed 'nay'. The 'ayes' have it. The Amendment is adopted. Any further Amendments? Any further Amendments, Mr. Clerk?"

Speaker Hannig: "The Gentleman wishes to withdraw Floor Amendment #2. Is there any further Amendments?"

"Representative Joyce."

"Yes, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen on the floor. Amendment #3 simply allows the State Police to provide FBI criminal background checks to the Department of Labor."

"Any discussion? Then all in favor say 'aye'; opposed 'nay'. The 'ayes' have it. And the Amendment is adopted. Any further Amendments?"

"Third Reading. Representative Lang, you have House Bill 3624. Should we read that Bill? Shall we read that Bill, Representative Lang, 3624? Do you wish us to read that? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Third Reading. Representative Lyons on House Bill 1678 from Second to Third. Out of the record. 09500031.doc 14  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 3/27/2007 Representative Mautino on House Bill 1007. Representative Mautino on House Bill 1007. Out of the record. Representative May on House Bill 684. Representative Karen May, should we read 684 from Second to Third? Okay. Okay. There's notes pending. I'm sorry, Representative. I'm going down a priority list, but the Clerk advises me there's been some note requests. Representative McCarthy on House… So, we'll take that out of the record. And Representative McCarthy on House Bill 1309. Out of the record. Representative McGuire on 804. Representative McGuire. Okay. Out of the record. Representative Ramey on House Bill 840. Representative Ramey. Representative Ramey, do you wish us… Okay. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Third Reading. Representative Mendoza on 1901. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Third Reading. Representative Reboletti on House Bill 1233. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Third Reading. Representative Miller on House Bill 703. Out of the record. Representative Molaro on House Bill 1702. Mr. Clerk, read the… Oh, I'm sorry. There's Mr. Miller. Mr. Clerk, let's read House Bill 703."

"Third Reading. And now, Representative Molaro, House Bill 1702. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Third Reading. Representative Nekritz on House Bill 1422. Representative Nekritz, do you wish us to read that on Second? Mr. Clerk, read… No? Okay. Out of the record. Representative Osterman on House Bill 7… Excuse me. You meant yes, I'm sorry. I thought you said no. Okay. Mr. Clerk, let's return to House Bill 1422 and read the Bill."

"Representative Nekritz."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The purpose of Floor Amendment 1 is to… The purpose of the Bill is still the 09500031.doc 16  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 3/27/2007 same. It just moves it from one Section of the statutes to a more appropriate Section of the statutes."

"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?"

"Third Reading. Representative Osterman on House Bill 758. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Third Reading. Representative Patterson on House Bill 1504. Out of the record. Representative Reitz on House Bill 1778. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Third Reading. Representative Schmitz on House Bill 2782. Shall we read that on Second? Do you wish us to read the Bill? Second to Third? Representative Schmitz."

Speaker Hannig: "I'm sorry. You're waiting for a Floor Amendment, is that…"

"So, Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Representative Schmitz."

"The Gentleman has moved for the adoption of the Floor Amendment. Is there any discussion? Then all in favor say 'aye'; opposed 'nay'. The 'ayes' have it. And the Amendment is adopted. Any further Amendments?"

"Third Reading. Representative Riley on House Bill 741. Representative Riley, do you wish us to read this Bill? Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Third Reading. Representative Rita on House Bill 566. Do you wish us to read this Bill? Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Representative Rita."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. Amendment #1, we inadvertently left out Rich Township, so the Bill is… the Amendment is… it has all the same language as the underlying Bill but we included Rich Township within that Authority."

"So, the Gentleman moves for the adoption of Floor Amendment #2. Is there any discussion? All in favor say 'aye'; opposed 'nay'. The 'ayes' have it. The Amendment is adopted. Any further Amendments?"

"Third Reading. Representative Ryg on House Bill 1560. Out of the record. Representative Scully on House Bill 3463. Representative Scully on 3463? Out of the record. Representative Mike Smith on House Bill 3399. Shall we read the Bill? Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Third Reading. Representative Soto on House Bill 619. Representative Soto. Representative Cindy Soto, shall we read 619? Representative Soto, shall we read this Bill? Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Third Reading. Representative Tracy on House Bill 3395. Should we read the Bill? From Second to Third? Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"On the Amendment, Representative Tracy."

Speaker Hannig: "The Lady moves for the adoption of Floor Amendment #1. Is there any discussion? Then all in favor say 'aye'; opposed 'nay'. The 'ayes' have it. The Amendment is adopted. Any further Amendments?"

"Third Reading. Representative Turner on House Bill 1290. 1290, Representative Turner. Shall we read this, Representative Turner? Representative Turner, do you wish us to read this Bill on Second? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Third Reading. Representative Verschoore on House Bill 1470. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk." 09500031.doc 20  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 3/27/2007

"…the Amendment, Representative Verschoore."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. What the Amendment is… let me look here to make sure… is to raise the… Amendment #1 on 1470 clarifies the Bill and applies only that MidAmerican… MidAmerican Energy, a utility that serves fewer than two hundred thousand (200,000) not fewer than a hundred and fifty thousand (150,000). That's the only change. Moves it from a hundred and fifty (150,000) to two hundred thousand (200,000)."

"The Gentleman moves for the adoption of Floor Amendment #2. Is there any discussion? Then all in favor say 'aye'; opposed 'nay'. The 'ayes' have it. And the Amendment is adopted. Any further Amendments?"

"Third Reading. Representative Washington on House Bill 1562. Shall we read this on Second Reading? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Third Reading. Representative Watson on House Bill 1833. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk." 09500031.doc 21  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 3/27/2007

"Third Reading. Representative Yarbrough on House Bill 1330. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Representative Yarbrough on the Amendment."

"Mr. Speaker, will you take that Bill out of the record, please?"

"Absolutely, Representative. Out of the record. Representative Winters on House Bill 187. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Representative Winters."

"The Gentleman moves for the adoption of Floor Amendment #1. Is there any discussion? Then all in favor 09500031.doc 22  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 3/27/2007 say 'aye'; opposed 'nay'. The 'ayes' have it. And the Amendment is adopted. Any further Amendments?"

"Third Reading. Representative Younge on House Bill 1259. Representative Wyvetter Younge, do you wish us to read this Bill? 1259 on Second? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Third Reading. All right. We're gonna… we're gonna go through the list a second time for some of those who had not been in the chamber. So… so, bear with us a little bit. Representative Acevedo on House Bill 1100. Do you wish us to read this? Out of the record. Okay. Representative Brosnahan on 463. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Third Reading. Representative Burke on House Bill 1279. From Second to Third? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Third Reading. Representative Collins on House Bill 790. Representative Colvin on 570. Out of the record. Representative Crespo on 1434. Do you wish us to read this Bill? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Third Reading. Representative Dunkin on House Bill 1351. Do you wish us to read this Bill? Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Third Reading. Representative Flider on 3657. Did you wish that one to be read? Representative Dunkin. Excuse me. Representative Dunkin, for what reason do you rise?"

"For a point of clarification, Mr. Speaker."

"Sta…"

"I wanna make sure that 1351 stays on Second."

"You want it to stay on Second."

"Yes, Sir."

"So, Mr. Clerk, let's return this to the Order of Second Reading…"

"Thank you."

"…at the request of the Sponsor. Representative Flowers on House Bill 384. Do you wish us to read this 09500031.doc 24  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 3/27/2007 Bill? On Second Reading? Out of the record. Representative Eddy on 613. Did you take that out of the record or was there… 613, did you want us to read this Bill?"

"Why don't we just take this out of the record now…"

"…and see if we… we'll get to at least probably three Bills, I suspect, before we…"

"But I'm gonna… I'm making a note here not to do that."

"Yeah. Representative Mitchell on 954. Out of the record. Representative Myers on 3573. Do you wish us to read this? Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Third Reading. Representative Jakobsson on House Bill 1011. 1011. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Third Reading. And Representative Jefferson on 1146. Do you wish us to read that Bill? From Second to Third? Out of the record. Representative Lyons… Representative Mautino on House Bill 1007. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Representative Mautino."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. 1007 and the Floor Amendment now recommends… or represents an agreement between the Illinois Education Association, the IFT, the school board associations and the counselors and it has to do with the certification process. It's been about 2 years' worth of negotiations and with this Amendment we've now reached agreement from all parties. I ask for its adoption."

"The Gentleman has moved for the adoption of Floor Amendment #1. Is there any discussion? Then all in favor say 'aye'; opposed 'nay'. The 'ayes' have it. And the Amendment is adopted. Are there any further Amendments?"

"Third Reading. Representative McCarthy, did you wish us to read 1309? Okay. So, that's out of the record. And Representative McGuire on House Bill 804. 804, Representative… Mr. Clerk, read the Bill." 09500031.doc 26  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 3/27/2007

"Third Reading. Representative Ryg, did you wish us to read 1560? 1560. Excuse me. Never mind. There are notes on that Bill, Representative Ryg. Representative Scully has House Bill 3463. Out of the record. Representative Yarbrough, did you get your Amendment squared away on House Bill 1330? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Representative Yarbrough."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is technical Amendment for House Bill 1330. In working with the school organizations, it simply replaces 'designated staff' with 'specially trained personnel'. Be happy to answer any questions."

Speaker Hannig: "The Lady moves for the adoption of Floor Amendment #2. Is there any discussion? Then, all in favor say 'aye'; opposed 'nay'. The 'ayes' have it. And the Amendment is adopted. Any further Amendments?"

"Third Reading. Mr. Clerk, let's… let's go back to House Bill 1146 and read the Bill, please." 09500031.doc 27  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 3/27/2007

"Third Reading. Okay. We're gonna move to the Order of Third Reading for some of the Bills that are already in position that are the first request from our Members. And so, Representative Dugan, you have House Bill 1542. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Representative Dugan."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Members of the House. House Bill 1542 addresses an issue brought to me by the Associated… Associated Firefighters and it deals with collective bargaining for disciplinary actions. What this Bill does is it really just creates equal bargaining rights for all professional firefighters in Illinois regardless of whether their employer is Home Rule, non-Home Rule, or a fire protection district. The Illinois firefighters gained the right to bargain collectively with their employers over wages, hours, and working conditions in 1985. And the disciplinary process… All Home Rule professional firefighters and even some non-Home Rule have that bargaining agreement now. And this Bill would just make it, as I said, it would create equal bargaining rights for all of our professional firefighters in Illinois. I'll be happy to answer any questions." 09500031.doc 28  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 3/27/2007

"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? Have all voted who wish? Representative Durkin, do you wish to be recorded? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 76 voting 'yes' and 39 voting 'no'. And this Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Ford, you have House Bill 1332. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Representative Ford."

"…second. Ready?"

"Representative Ford."

"Thank you, Speaker. I'm here to introduce House Bill 1332. I wanna thank the Members of the State Government for giving this a 10-0 vote out of the committee. House Bill 1332 is an attempt to reduce the tax burden of all our citizens and put more people to work. I urge the floor to vote for this Bill so that we can reduce the tax burden of the citizens of the State of Illinois."

"The Gentleman has moved for the passage of House Bill 1332. And on that question, Representative Eddy."

"Well, I'm sorry, I… I don't know what the opposition centers around because no one really talked to me. I think they just put their name on there in opposition just to be in opposition of something."

"Well, no. That was… that was a mistake. And actually they supported the Bill. And that was a mistake."

"The intent of the Bill is to put more people to work in the State of Illinois in order to reduce the tax burden that you and I have for people that can't get jobs. We would like to increase the number of people going to work for the State of Illinois."

"Yes, Sir. Yeah, it would be like… it would increase the possibility of people getting a job just by allowing more people to get a job interview. This Bill does not force any employers to hire anyone. It just simply asks that we give people an opportunity."

"No… no interview is required. This does not mandate… is not mandatory that nothing happens like that. Ya know, the employer doesn't have to hire anyone. The employer doesn't have to do an interview. So, no."

"Yeah, well, we're doing it because it's a good opportunity to increase the possibilities of people getting an interview that wouldn't probably get an interview, Sir."

"Oh, I didn't say the Bill didn't do anything."

"It… it doesn't require it, but it allows opportunity for an interview… a possible opportunity."

"Pardon me?"

"Oh, it can happen now. If…"

"Because sometimes it doesn't happen due to circumstances."

"No."

"No. The Amendment…"

"If you read the Amendment, the Amendment states that if the State or Federal Government prohibits this person from being hired, then they cannot be hired and the question can be asked as to whether or not they've ever been convicted. So…"

"No."

"No."

"A group… I'll read Amendment #2 to you… Amendment 1 and 2 so that you can be sure to understand what the Bill does. Amendment 1 prohibits the Act… does not prohibit the state agency from conducting a criminal background check on an application of a state employment. Amendment 2 says, it provides that if a Federal or State Law disqualifies a person convicted of a certain offense from holding a position, an applicant for that position may inquire as to whether the applicant has been convicted of a disqualifying offense. So…" 09500031.doc 32  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 3/27/2007

"Well…"

"Well…"

"Well, I think… I think that may be a good suggestion, but let me just tell you, Representative, that I've done a lot of work on this. I've done a lot of research on this and…"

"Representative Eddy, your… your 5 minutes have run out. Could you bring your remarks to a close?"

"Representative Winters."

"Indicates he'll yield."

"Representative Winters."

"Yes, I… I've had discussions with them and… and I've amended it to the point that they're not gonna fight it anymore because we disqualified any positions such as law enforcement. And we disqualified… and we made sure that it's clear in this Bill that it states that if the state disqualifies someone for a position, then the question can still be asked on the application. So, it wouldn't be separate applications, just amendments to the application attachment."

"I'm…"

"But they filed a slip prior to me amending it."

"Well, maybe they just oversighted it. But I know that… I know now that I've had dis… discussions with them and I…"

"…haven't heard any other complaints about it."

"Yes."

"Yes, thank you."

"No. It was always nonviolent."

"Thank you very much."

"Representative Stephens."

"Representative Molaro."

"Thank you. To the Bill. I just read the Bill and the way everybody's talking about what it prohibits or doesn't prohibit. And all it does is say that if you're gonna ask a question whether or not you're convicted of a crime, the question should be whether or not you were convicted of a violent crime. But it also says in the Bill, if you read the Bill, it basically says that the state could do a criminal background check. They could refuse to hire anybody who has a criminal record. None of that's changed. 09500031.doc 36  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 3/27/2007 And if there's a State Law that says you cannot get this certain job if you were convicted of fraud, then you cannot get this certain job. It opens up nothing. It doesn't give anybody anything. All it does is say, on the application itself, all you can ask is whether or not you were convicted of a violent crime. Now, that made… seeing sense to make sense to me because right now if you're convicted of shoplifting, you'd have to list that and go through it even if you were convicted of shoplifting 24 years ago. All they're asking is if you were convicted of a violent crime. Now, if you were in those job titles where fraud is prohibited, right? Then… then, it says right in the Bill that if fraud or… if you are prohibited from State or Federal Law from holding that job, then you're still prohibited. It also says you can do background checks, and if you find out that there was this conviction for shoplifting and you don't wanna hire the guy, then you don't hire him because it states that the… the applicant can't do anything if you decide not to hire him. All this does is when someone's filling out an application if you're convicted of a… a violent crime, we wanna know it. If it's a minor crime, you don't have to be asked that question. But they're always gonna do background checks. They always can stop the employment if they want. The… it doesn’t stop CMS from proglimating (sic-promulgating) their own rules. It does nothing except just narrow the question that's on the application. So, if you read the Bill, that's all it does. Thank you."

"Representative Washington." 09500031.doc 37  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 3/27/2007

"Will the Sponsor yield?"

"Indicates he'll yield."

"Representative Ford, I looked at this Bill and… and I wanna say on behalf of a lot of people in my district, this is a good piece of legislation. And it reminds me of the days of the Civil Rights Movement, the early stages of it. And when little people who make mistakes want to turn around and go a different direction and do something different and add to their life and justify their life, the only recourse at that time was hoping that 'big brother', the Federal Government, would do the right thing."

"Right."

"Though the Federal Government was a lot of time a part of the problem and still is a part of the problem, but without the effort and collaboration of the Federal Government to turn things around and make things more accessible for people who needed a second chance, I doubt very seriously we would've gotten where we've got at the time we got there. We would've got there, but not at the time. So, this particular legislation, I think, is a good piece and I've signed on to it. And I'm hoping my colleagues can see that compassion given is compassion received. And if the state doesn't open up avenue for individuals who've made mistakes and wanna turn their life around, then who will? So, to the Bill. Mr. Speaker, I hope very wholeheartedly that we look at this Bill as a chance to do something for those that are stuck at the bottom who've made mistakes in their life but wanna turn it 09500031.doc 38  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 3/27/2007 around. And I intend to support the Bill and hope that my colleagues do likewise. Thank you."

"Representative Bost."

"He indicates he'll yield."

"Yes."

"Am I opposed to…"

"A violent crime, yes. Violent, yes."

"Nonviolent."

"Well…"

"Well, I think that, without a doubt, we've learned that whenever you put that down that the door is closed to those people. And if you think about it, just think about when you walk down the street, someone asks you for a dollar and you say, 'Why don't you just get a job?' They can't get a job because no one wants to give them a chance. This Bill will not exactly help just the ex-offenders, but it's gonna help you and everyone in the State of Illinois."

"And I've done… I've done a lot of work. This Bill has come a long way. And I've waited for the right time to call the Bill. The staffers did a lot of work on it. And it came out on leave in committee. I have the Speaker of the House supporting this Bill. I have people on your side 09500031.doc 40  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 3/27/2007 supporting the Bill. And I've… and trust me, as your colleague, that I have done the work."

"And… and…"

"Yes."

"Yes."

"It… it… it is true… So that you know, I did get a leave in the committee. But I do want you to know, and I think that everyone should know, that it is very important that you can still ask the question in the interview. And you can still…"

"…do a criminal background check."

"You're not withholding anything. You… What… what this simply does…"

"What it simply does… Tell me, do you think people will get hired in the State of Illinois because they may tell a lie? And they're… and they're hired…"

"Excuse… Okay."

"Right. But we… This is just about being straight upfront and allows people to…"

"Right."

"Well, you know, I've just gotta tell you that there was a lot of work done on the Bill. And trust me, I don't think the Speaker of the House would've even signed on if he didn't think that it was done, nor the people on your side, nor the other Sponsors with much seniority in the House. This is a great Bill. And I urge you to…"

"…support it."

"No one was opposed to it in committee. It got leave." 09500031.doc 42  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 3/27/2007

"Oh, I know why CMS… CMS…"

"I can answer that."

"But I'm here to clarify it. I… I know every… Just ask me any question."

"I'll clarify it."

"I… I think that if you…"

"…if you don't look at the face of the Bill…"

Speaker Hannig: "Representative Bost, your… your five (5) minutes have expired. Could you bring your remarks to a close?"

"Representative Rita."

"I move to the previous question." 09500031.doc 43  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 3/27/2007

"The Gentleman moves the previous question. The question is, 'Shall the main question be put?' All in favor say 'aye'; opposed 'nay'. The 'ayes' have it. Representative Ford to close."

"Well, I… in all… with all due respect to all the Members of the House, Speaker, everyone, this is a very important Bill. And I sort of have to apologize to anyone that feels that this Bill is not ready. And I urge you to vote for House Bill 1332 because the Bill is ready and this Bill will have a positive impact on all of our paychecks because we won't have to worry about incarcerating people. We don't have to… or we could make sure people go back to work and reduce the tax burden, put more money in education and less in the jail systems. I… I've been working with both colleagues; the House Republicans, the Democrats. And I urge a 'aye' vote today and you won't regret it."

"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? Have all voted who wish? Last call. Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are… Representative Ford, you request Postponed Consideration?"

"Yes. I request a Postponed Consideration, with the request of the red. Thank you."

"Yeah. So, thank you, Representative. So, this to go on Postponed Consideration. On page 37 of the Calendar, Representative Graham, you have House Bill 318. 09500031.doc 44  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 3/27/2007 Out of the record. Representative Hamos on House Bill 1300. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Representative Hamos."

"Thank you. Ladies and Gentlemen, I'm pleased to present today the Illinois Food, Farms, and Jobs Act is what we call it. And if you look up and see the cosponsors, you will see a most interesting and creative group of cosponsors. This is a coalition of city folks who value organic food and locally grown food grown in Illinois, consumers who want more fresh produce, especially in those food deserts that we worry about in low-income neighborhoods, and downstate… downstate farmers who recognize that there is a very active market up in the urban area if we can just create a plan for how we make those connections. And that's what this Bill does. This Bill requires the state to set up something that we're calling the Illinois Local and Organic Food and Farm Task Force. And again, the operative words are organic and local. So, we’re talking about locally grown foods, valuing the smaller farms, and trying to figure out distribution systems to get the foods from downstate into some of the new urban markets. One thousand five hundred miles (1,500) is the average travel distance for food items now consumed in this state. So, we're talking about food that's traveling from one part of the country to the other. Illinois should be the Midwest leader in local and organic food and fiber production. This Bill would have a task force work together, all the key 09500031.doc 45  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 3/27/2007 stakeholders, creating a plan that would be then presented to us in about a year. And then we can figure out what the policy recommendations are that require further review and funding. And I seek your 'aye' vote."

"This is on the Order of Short Debate. And in response, the Gentleman from Vermilion, Representative Black."

"She indicates she'll yield."

"Well, that's why I'm so proud to be actually sponsoring this Bill because it really is a coalition effort."

"I don't think I have any."

"Well, I don't know. And this isn't just about organic farming either."

"It's about locally grown foods and trying to figure out distribution systems."

"Well…"

"Well, Representative, like other ways to proceed, getting the stakeholders around the table…"

"…to work on a plan is what this Bill is about."

"That's a good question."

"I liked your question the first time I heard it. I think it could be either."

"Well, as I said in my opening, this is a coalition effort and it really has to do with making connections between consumers in the north part of the state and farmers and other consumers in the south part of the state."

"You know, at… we had a hearing, Representative. I don't believe you're on the committee, but in the hearing itself, most of the people sitting…"

"We had a hearing in Agriculture and Conservation Committee. And most of the people sitting round the table were farmers that we had…"

"…that had come to Springfield to work on this Bill."

"Yeah. It's called the Agriculture and Conservation Committee."

"I… I don't know what you're getting at, Representative. I'm down here every single day that we have a Legislative Day. And I take my Bills through the very committees that you do. And we had a committee hearing and we brought in people who were farmers who worked on this Bill. And I was proud to represent them as the Sponsor of this Bill."

"Well, I'm sorry very much."

"Representative Black, I'm really sorry if I didn't contact every single farmer in the State of Illinois, but…"

"Well… well, it was I who brought them in."

"To the Bill."

"Rep… Representative, your time has expired. Representative, I'm just trying to manage the rules of debate, so… So, we'll move this to the Order of Standard Debate so we can have some additional debate. Representative Cultra, you're the next Gentleman seeking recognition. You have five (5) minutes." 09500031.doc 49  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 3/27/2007

"To the Bill."

"Representative Winters."

"Representative Dugan."

"Thank you, Speaker. To the Bill. I also, as… as a Legislator from downstate who do have farmers in my district, I also wanna say as the Representative prior to me, I had farmers that called me. In fact, I told the Sponsor of the Bill it was quite a shock to me because when I got the phone call they wanted me to get on a Bill for the… the Food, Farms, and Job Act that Representative Hamos was carrying. And I thought they had the wrong name because of course certainly we do normally think it's someone from the downstate area. But my farms are very supportive of it. I do have organic farms in an area that… It's an economic development tool that's used right now in the Pembroke Hopkins Park area which of course we all know is… is one of the poorest communities in the state. And so, as we look forward to… and… and I think others had mentioned about who should be on this task force. And I think if it is looked at completely you will see that there is a wide array, not just organic farmers. But it certainly is a… an economic 09500031.doc 51  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 3/27/2007 development product that some farmers use and I think it's very… a very positive move to bring these groups together for something that we see that is successful and… and it's not there to hurt the other farmers. But I stand in… and rise in support of this Bill. Farmers throughout my district had called me and asked me to support it. They think it is a move in a good direction and… and I certainly ask for people to give the 'aye' vote to this particular piece of legislation. Thank you."

"So, we've had three speak in support, two in response. Representative Meyer, the rules would provide you could speak in response. Would you like to do that?"

"Okay. So, proceed, Representative."

"Well, I… I… I was asked before that, Representative Meyer and I guess I never even considered it. I think that this gives it the validity, it gives it the push, it gives it the timetable, and it gets the job done. And that's all we're trying to do here and this is really the first step to creating a statewide plan."

"Well, it pretty much sunsets because the… the task force goes out of business 2 years after it's appointed. And the 09500031.doc 52  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 3/27/2007 next step really is to create a plan and we… we will do with the plan what we… what we think is… is important."

"Well, it says… Representative, it says that 'All members of the task force shall be appointed for a 2-year term. They are to create a plan by September 30, 2008.' And we don't really provide for any continuing responsibilities for the task force except as… except as we later determine pursuant to their policy recommendations."

"Well, again, they would come back to us in the spring of 2009 with their policy recommendations and recommendations for funding further initiatives and the Bill itself does not really provide for any ongoing responsibilities."

"No."

"No, but they have a very specific role in this Bill and that's their entire responsibility."

"I'm sorry. What is your question, Representative?"

"I think that there is a lot of work being done at the universities, research, on different forms of production. And I think that was the goal as to involve some of the university-based research… researchers."

"Well, Representative, I think that all of the members of this task force will be people who care about this agenda and this subject. And I think the education… I think this was a recognition that…"

"…some creative work is being done in educational…" 09500031.doc 54  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 3/27/2007

"Again, I think that there is a… some known philanthropies that are very interested in this whole concept. We… I went to a… actually a… an expo on Saturday and there was somebody there who's really following the farm Bill."

"You know, I… I think you're asking these specifics. I… I think there was a…"

"Representative, your five (5) minutes have expired. Could you please bring your remarks to a close?"

Speaker Hannig: "Representative Hamos, you're recognized to close." 09500031.doc 55  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 3/27/2007

"Thank you. Ladies and Gentlemen, there is no opposition… no known opposition to this Bill, not a single person had come to me to express that. As you can… as you heard from some of my cosponsors, there are downstate farmers who are very interested and their Representatives have been very supportive. I do want to say that this Bill is created with the best of intentions and it's really to make connections between farmers and consumers for the purposes… for the greatest benefit that every food dollar be spent in this state. And that's what this Bill is about. It's a new, creative approach to getting there. And I… I seek 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 who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 108 voting 'yes' and 8 voting 'no'. And this Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Poe, for what reason do you rise?"

"State your… state your point."

"Representative Rose, you have House Bill 324. Do you wish us to read that Bill on Third? And Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"The Gentleman from Champaign, Representative Rose."

Speaker Hannig: "We're going to use the rules of Standard Debate. And Representative Dunkin, you're recognized for five (5) minutes."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"

"He indicates he'll yield."

"Representative, just curious, how much would this sunshine cost?" 09500031.doc 58  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 3/27/2007

"Yeah, but do you have any idea monetarily 'cause obviously, postage, ya know, man and one in power, as it relates to administering such a program?"

"Any idea?"

"So, I'm just curious of why, ya know, in some of the previous administrations over the last, let's say, 26 or 30 years, why this hasn't been an issue or discussed or even…"

"…introduced as such a legislation?"

"So, Representative, who are the opponents to this legislation?"

"Again, Rep… and really, ya know, I… I'm not here vouching for the Governor, anyone or any particular state agency. I'm just trying to understand the legislation, the cost factor, and why there's such a… a stringent amount of opposition towards this legislation." 09500031.doc 60  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 3/27/2007

"But if a… if an individual here is doing his or her due diligence in terms of research, can't they find that information out already maybe by way of the Internet or…"

"…or going to the… to a… a library and looking at our state budget?"

"Or asking for FOI?"

"So, is it fair to say that maybe we should look at some legislation that says all those individuals who are purchasing these collegial license plates, we should have… have that information disclosed appropriately. Is that fair compared to listing… listing every state agency?"

"Is… is truth in government, I mean, is that relative to whose eyes are reading what? Again, we… we have a…"

"Representative Dunkin, your five (5) minutes have expired. Would you bring your remarks to a close, please?"

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I… ya know, this Bill, I certainly see the intention of it and the Representative has good intentions. I just don't see the possibility of a… ya know, I've yet to really have a clear answer on the costs of such program and I… I don't know where we're going with this, quite frankly, given that we have freedom of information, we have budget books that are available at 09500031.doc 62  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 3/27/2007 libraries we have the access to Internet and we're disclosing a number of our activities here. And people have ample access to get to any information across… towards any agency. And I would encourage, strongly encourage, a 'no' vote on this here for good government sake."

"Representative Mulligan."

"The Bill."

"Representative Winters."

"We've had three in response, one in opposition. Representative Black."

"I… Either one."

"The rules would provide for one additional speaker in opposition… op… in opposition to the Bill. Representative McCarthy, are you in opposition? Opposition to the Bill, Representative McCarthy."

"Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. My friend from Danville made some very good points and if that was what the Bill did, I think that we could all say let's stand up and support it. But this Bill does much more than just put things on the Internet, make sure that the general public knows. Our votes are public here. All of us who voted for those fund sweeps, whether we took the time to make sure we knew what each one did the first time, we certainly did it the second time. And the last couple budgets we've looked them over, we've removed some of the funds that were near and dear to our heart, and we made our votes accordingly. Some of us supported the fund sweeps, some of us did not. But this Bill here does not do what Rep… the Representative from Danville said as far as just mandating that it goes on the Internet for a couple days so that we can look it over. This Bill has a mandate that says you have to notify every person who ever paid into any of these funds. Well, that is nothing more than just a delaying tactic, maybe an embarrassing tactic to the Governor's Office, the Office of Management and Budget. I don’t think it's something we want to do to bring it into the system. I think it's over… overly increasing the paperwork. It's probably going to cost more money than the money that's swept out of the funds and I don't know where the money for that would come, whether it just comes out of 09500031.doc 68  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 3/27/2007 regular GRF or comes out of the fund itself. I know what the Sponsor's intent is. He'd like to see the stop of these fund sweeps. There's a lot of them that I personally hate to see swept. Last year we were able to work together and stop some of those. Maybe this year we can do even a better job and stop a few more. But this is money that is swept by an Act of the General Assembly, by all of us here who vote for it. It's not something we're trying to hide. We live up to our votes. We go home; we tell our constituents which way we voted on things when they request that information. And I think this is just a unnecessary paperwork, unnecessary delay, and definitely deserves a 'no' vote. So, thank you, Mr. Speaker."

"So, Representative Rose, you're now recognized to close."

"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 81 voting 'yes' and 33 voting 'no'. And this Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Phelps, on page 38 of the Calendar, you have House Bill 824. Okay. Out of the record. Representative Graham, on… on page 37 of the Calendar you have House Bill 318. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"The Lady from Cook, Representative Graham."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. House Bill 318 allows the utility companies to continue to report to your credit, but it's not used as a determinant to your credit score. I'll take any questions at this time."

"This is on the Order of Short Debate. In response, the Gentleman from DuPage, Representative Meyer."

"She indicates she'll yield."

"That's… that's correct."

"Initially, when I was lobbying on House Bill 318 with my colleagues, they expressed to me an interest in wanting to know whether or not people had paid their utility bills and this was a way of opening up the door. And when I initially talked with the groups, they said to me, 'This is concealing bad behavior.' So, I said, well, I don't want to appear as though I'm concealing bad behavior. So, I allowed them to continue to report and it not be used as a determinant to the score."

"This… this Bill does not prohibit people from paying their bills. We do… I do encourage people to pay their utility bills…"

"…because it's a necessity."

"No, because the utility companies still have the option of dis… discontinuing the utility service."

"If people simply cannot pay their bills or won't pay their bill, the utility companies still have the option of taking away the service…"

"…as a punishment as to not paying."

"Mr. Speaker, I actually can't hear the Gentleman."

"This does not prohibit any other practices currently in place by the utility companies from doing collection practices. All of that is still in place. Let me…"

"Credit score is used as a… as a tool to determine whether or not people are eligible for credit. But let me take this a step further."

"Okay."

"That's one way of looking at it, Representative, but let me… let me take you in this direction. When you apply for a loan you know what the payments of that loan is gonna be before you exited the place of business. You know if it's gonna a hundred dollars ($100) or two hundred dollars 09500031.doc 72  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 3/27/2007 ($200). You know what the bill is gonna be. When you purchase a car, you know what that car payment is gonna be before you walk outside of the place. When you get a mortgage, you know what those payments are gonna be. But for utility bills, with the current rate increases we don't know what those bills are gonna be. And initially, when the utility companies were allowed to report to the credit, it was seen as a way to help people establish some credit. But this was not foreseeable that utility rates would be as high as it was."

“Sure.”

"Representative…"

"Sure."

"Representative, if a person applies for a loan, the utility companies still are able to report to your credit so that the credit… your credit is opened up. It is on your credit record whether or not you're paying your bills; it is there visible for a person to see whether or not you're…”

"Representative Meyer, your five (5) minutes have expired. Could you bring your remarks to a close?"

"Representative Molaro."

"Thank you. To the Bill. I think this is a terrific Bill. The Sponsor worked hard on it. As a matter of fact, I liked her original Bill. But actually what this Bill now does is say that you can still keep them in the credit report. But I think what people failed to realize is this. When you talk about a credit report or a credit score, it's the word ‘credit’. So, when someone asks, Experion or any of these company, TransUnion, the question becomes, 'How are people when they borrow money or they borrow on a credit card… borrow credit… how are these people on paying it 09500031.doc 74  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 3/27/2007 back?' So, you have a credit score. You borrow money. How you pay it back.? Are you late? Do you pay back the money you borrow? So, if I'm a mortgage company, just like the Representative just asked, well, I'm gonna go do a bank loan or I'm gonna ask for a credit card or a car loan, it seems to make sense to me that those companies should find out how are you on paying money that you borrow. Your credit, and I'll repeat that for the third time, your credit report. However, when you go out and you buy a service, whether it be your electric bill, your gas bill, whatever it may be, you're not borrowing money from anybody. There's just you going up to your… your… your… anybody and just saying, 'Hey, provide this service and I'll pay you.' Whether it be somebody who's a painter who comes up and says, 'Hey, I'll paint your house, but it's six hundred dollars ($600).' And he comes for the six hundred ($600) and I say, 'Well, here's four ($400). I'll pay you two ($200) later.' That's not borrowing money. So, all this Bill does is have one heck of a compromise. It comes up and says, in your credit score you will be shown how you're doing with your credit. But if you're a bank and you wanna see how someone's doing with their utility bills, it's also there for you to see. It's just not part of your credit score. So, again I'll just underline that when it comes to credit reporting, the Sponsor has changed nothing. When you borrow money for a bank, a credit… for a credit card, you're always gonna see in your score how you've done when you borrow money. All this changes that when it comes to your utility bill which has nothing to do with credit or borrowing money. Paying 09500031.doc 75  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 3/27/2007 your utility bill or paying off your gas bill or your phone bill has nothing to do with borrowing money. So, I'm just letting you know that. So, I think it's a great Bill."

"Representative Black. Representative Black."

"She indicates she'll yield."

"Representative, that's a little different than what you're saying. You're saying if you are paying it with a credit card. That… that's different. A person is using a different source to pay their credit, their utility bill, with. So, I'm addressing people who do not have credit cards, but theirs… their utility bills are being reported to their credit bureau. There's an agency, Brookings Institute out of I think Massachusetts, ran a survey. And they were evaluating…"

"Okay."

"Mmm mmm."

"You do have to pay your bills in a timely fashion, but utility bills are nontraditional credit. You don’t sign… sign up for an agreement on whether or not… For instance, Representative, I can't just say I wanna… I only wanna use a hundred dollars ($100) of my utility bills this month. I only wanna use a hundred dollars ($100) of the gas bill this month. The bills are what they are. And in the current climate where low-income housing where people are now converting the housing that… that they are paying their own gas bills, those people are drowning. They're drowning. And… and this… this… the way that the process is now, they won't ever be able to get any credit, period, if their income doesn't change."

"Mm Hm."

"And that doesn’t change, Representative. People who agree to get electric services because it's a necessity, you don't agree to a price. You don't agree to a price. You don't never know. Every month is a gamble on how much your utility bills are gonna be. And when the summer months hit and those utility bills hit when people turn on their air conditioners, you think that hearing that we had from 1:00 to 2:30 in the morning… If we have another one of those, we'll probably be here all week long."

Speaker Hannig: "Could you bring your remarks to a close, Representative? Representative Black."

"Representative Flowers."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. I rise in support of the Lady's Bill. Amendment #2 provide that the credit bureau that receives personal consumer information from a utility service, the provider may not use that information to determine the credit score. What the Lady is trying to do, and I would assume… and maybe I shouldn't assume. Let me just say that I'm glad that she brought this Bill forward because in the last few months we've all been here debating the high utility bills of Commonwealth Edison and Ameren. And a lot of the people across this state was not prepared… their budget was not prepared for the 100 percent, the 200 percent, and the 300 and upwards of 500 percent increases of their utility bills. So, it's not that they're trying to be deadbeat, it's not that they are not trying to be responsible in payin' their bills, but they were not monetarily repair… prepared. They were not aware of the high increase in which Ameren and ComEd was going to raise their rates. And I heard the last speaker say that he was on a budget. Now if you want to be on a budget with one of these utility companies, you have to take out a loan, a 3 percent loan. So, once again, the people of this state was not prepared for that and as a result of not being prepared, they may now have bad credit. And I don't think it's their fault, and they should not be 09500031.doc 80  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 3/27/2007 penalized for this. So, I stand in support of the Lady's Bill. Thank you."

"So, we've now had three speak in support and two in opposition. The rules would provide one additional opponent. Representative Sullivan, are you in opposition?"

"Okay. So, you have five (5) minutes."

"…Bill."

"So, we've had three on each side and the rules would provide Representative Graham, you're recognized to close."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When I brought this piece of legislation, I was really thinking about the constituents back at home who were having problems paying their utility bills. And I thought it was unfair that we would allow utility companies to report to the credit bureau of how well we were paying our utility bills, seeing that it's nontraditional credit. Like I said, when you walk out of a bank you know what the payment is gonna be before you sign the papers, before you agree to it. A group out of Washington… there was a… a summit held not too long ago and they strongly recommended that we passed the piece of legislation that would allow our constituents to opt out because of… they were not applying for credit. When I put that suggestion forward, the group declined that Amendment and I continued to work for something that was palatable. 09500031.doc 82  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 3/27/2007 Right now with this piece of legislation, ComEd is neutral and Ameren is neutral on this piece of legislation. Also, there is an alternative credit bureau. The name of the bureau is Payment Recording Builds Credit. This group is out of Indianapolis. And if you are reporting to this particular credit bureau, the banks have to recognize a per the fair recorded… Fair Reporting Credit Act. So, I think the groups like this that are alternative because it's nontraditional credit, this database can be used to help people build credit. I think to continue to allow it to be done this way is a disservice to our constituents considering the cur… current climate. The group also recommended that if there could be a sunset on the measure, that was an option. Well, I have not heard back on whether or not that was something that was palatable, but I didn't think that they would go for that either. So, I was… ask this Body to consider this measure and to give our constituents some relief. Again, this information will appear on the credit score. We're not concealing bad behavior. So, if a person wants to know whether or not they're paying your utility bills, it is there visible for a person to see. So, they just can't use it as a determinant to your credit score. I would 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 who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. Representative, would you request Postponed?"

"Yes, Sir." 09500031.doc 83  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 3/27/2007

"Okay. So, we're gonna put this on Postponed Consideration. Representative Phelps, do you wish us to read House Bill 824? 824? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Representative Phelps."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. Today, I bring before you House Bill 824. This is the initiative of Alexi Giannoulias, the new State Treasurer. It's his investment transparency Bill. And what this Bill does in more or less is just shine light on the details of the investment strategy undertaken by the State Treasurer's Office and to let taxpayers know how their money is being invested. And I'd appreciate an 'aye' vote."

"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 Franks, 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 Stephens, for what reason do you rise? Okay. Representative Crespo, you have House Bill 876? Do you wish us to read that Bill on Third? Out of the record. Representative Franks on House Bill 1553 on Third, do you wish us to read that? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill." 09500031.doc 84  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 3/27/2007

"Representative Franks."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This Bill comes to me from our local… our local sheriff's department in McHenry County. And what I was told by the gentleman who was running the marine unit is that oftentimes when the police were stopping a… a boat or in pursuit of a… or in pursuit of a boat, that other boats would not yield. And as a result, they would have trouble trying to board these boats because of the wake. So, what he'd like is that the same type of laws… It's not… it's not antipiracy law. Same type of laws we're requiring motorists to yield, we'd have the same on our waterways. I'd be glad to ans… answer any questions."

"This is on Short Debate. And in response, the Gentleman from Jackson, Representative Bost."

"Indicates he'll yield."

"We haven't defined ‘yield’ except if you look on subsection(b) of Section 522, it says, 'they shall yield the right-of-way and shall immediately reduce the speed of the watercraft so as not to create a wake and shall yield the way to the emergency watercraft, moving to the right to permit the safe passage of the emergency watercraft and shall stop and remain in that position until the authorized emergency watercraft has passed unless otherwise directed by a police officer.’"

"We… we define here, they have to be equipped with alternatively flashing red, red and white, red and blue, or red in com… combination with white or blue lights while engaged in official duties."

"Sure. Just like with… they'd have the same discretion as if we were on a highway." 09500031.doc 86  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 3/27/2007

"But we're just trying to make the… the same analogy as to being on a highway to give the officer the same discretion."

"Sure."

"It's really a safety issue where…"

"…I'm worried about the… the police officers who are trying to board another watercraft. And if someone's whipping by them at fifty (50) miles an hour and throwing…

"…up a three (3) foot wake, you're gonna throw them right off the boat."

"Any further discussion? Representative Franks to close."

"I'd appreciate an 'aye' vote."

"Oh… okay. 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 Meyer, do you wish 09500031.doc 87  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 3/27/2007 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 Reis, you have House Bill 297. Do you wish us to read that? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Representative Reis."

"This is on Short Debate. And in response, the Gentleman from Bond, Representative Stephens."

"He indicates he'll yield."

"Representative Reis, would you like to close?"

"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 Rita and Pritchard. Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 115 voting 'yes' and 0 voting 'no'. And this Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Lindner, for what reason do you 09500031.doc 89  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 3/27/2007 rise? Representative Lindner, are you seeking recognition? Were you seeking recognition, Representative? No? Representative Tracy, for what reason do you rise?"

"State your point."

"Welcome to Springfield. We're gonna move to the Order of Second Reading for a period now. And Representative Berrios, you have House Bill 1964. Out of the record. Representative Boland on House Bill 1460. Representative Boland? Out of the record. Representative John Bradley on 494. Do you wish us to read this? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Third Reading. Representative Burke, you have House Bill 1059. Representative Burke, do you wish us to read House Bill 1059 on Second Reading? Yeah. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Third Reading. Representative Chapa LaVia on House Bill 3393. Do you wish us to read that? Out of the record? Okay. Out of the record. Representative Collins on House Bill 1050. House Bill 1050, Representative Collins? Excuse me, she's excused today. Representative Colvin has House Bill 1663. Do you wish us to read that, Representative, from Second to Third? No? Out of the record. Representative… Yes, we'll go back to that. 1663, Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Third Reading. Representative Currie on House Bill 1509. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Third Reading. Representative Davis, Will Davis, on 2781. Do you wish us to read this Bill on Second? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Third Reading. And Representative Dugan on House Bill 877. Do you wish us to read this on Second Reading? Out of the record. Representative Dunkin on 615. Representative Dunkin? Out of the record. Representative Flowers on House Bill 392. Shall we read that on Second 09500031.doc 91  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 3/27/2007 Reading? No? Out of the record. Representative Ford on House Bill 1360. Representative Ford? Do you wish us… Okay. Out of the record. Representative Gordon on House Bill 516. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Third Reading. Representative Graham on House Bill 731 from Second to Third. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Third Reading. Representative Hamos on House Bill 1842. Representative Hamos, shall we read this on Second Reading? Shall I read this on Second? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill. Excuse me, let's take this… take it out of the record. Okay. I misunderstood. So, Mr. Clerk, let's take this out of the record. Representative Eddy, you have House Bill 3377. Okay. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Third Reading. And Representative Brady on House Bill 1822. Representative Brady? Representative Brady, shall we read this Bill? Okay. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill." 09500031.doc 92  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 3/27/2007

"Third Reading. And Representative Brauer, you have House Bill 1654. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"On the Amendment, Representative Brauer."

"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?"

"Third Reading. Representative Hassert on House Bill 735. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Third Reading. Representative Reis on House Bill 179. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Third Reading. Representative Schock on House Bill 414. Representative Schock on… There he is. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Representative Schock."

"Is there any discussion? Then, all in favor of the Amendment say 'aye'; opposed 'nay'. The 'ayes' have it. The Amendment is adopted. Any further Amendments?"

"Third Reading. Representative Lindner on House Bill 254. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Third Reading. Representative Bellock on House Bill 1268. 1268. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

Speaker Hannig: "Third Reading. And Representative Jerry Mitchell on House Bill 285. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Third Reading. Representative Mulligan on House Bill 1535. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Third Reading. Representative Reis on House Bill 196. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Third Reading. Representative Sacia on House Bill 1407. Wish us to read this on Second? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Third Reading. Representative Tryon on House Bill 3729. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Third Reading. Representative Bost on House Bill 1919. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Third Reading. Representative Jerry Mitchell on House Bill 1648. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Third Reading. Representative Mulligan on House Bill 1539. Representative Mulligan on House Bill 1539. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Third Reading. Representative Stephens on House Bill 617. Shall we read that? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Third Reading. Representative Acevedo, you have on page 20 of the Calendar House Bill 1557 on Second Reading. Do you wish us to read the Bill? Representative 09500031.doc 96  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 3/27/2007 Acevedo, do you wish us to read 1557 on Second? On Second to Third? Okay. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"I have to hold this, Representative, pending these notes. So, Representative May, you have House Bill 691. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

Speaker Hannig: "So, 2, 3, and 4 have been approved, Representative. And this is 2."

"Okay. Actually, Amendment 2 is just a technical change."

"Is there any discussion? Then, all in favor of the Lady's Amendment say 'aye'; opposed 'nay'. The 'ayes' have it and the Amendment is adopted. Further Amendments?"

"Representative May."

"This is a gut and replace, creating a new Act. Instead of trying to put it elsewhere in the statute, we're creating its own spot in the statute and changing any other parts of the statute that relate." 09500031.doc 97  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 3/27/2007

"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?"

"Representative May."

"Yes. Floor Amendment 4 is actually a drafting error being corrected, changing it from the Illinois Physical Therapy Act to Physician Assistants because physical therapists don't prescribe."

"Is there any discussion? Then, all in favor of the Lady's Motion to adopt Floor Amendment #4 say 'aye'; opposed 'nay'. The 'ayes' have it and the Amendment is adopted. Any further Amendments?"

"Third Reading. Representative May, you also have House Bill 3425. Shall we read that on Second? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Representative May."

"Yes. Amendment 2 gives a sunset of 6 years and adds one little phrase as approved by the department relating to the Department of Natural Resources."

Speaker Hannig: "The Lady moves for the adoption of Floor Amendment #2. Is there any discussion? All in favor, then, 09500031.doc 98  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 3/27/2007 say 'aye'; opposed 'nay'. The 'ayes' have it. And the Amendment is adopted. Any further Amendments?"

"Third Reading. Representative Holbrook on House Bill 616. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Third Reading. Representative Will Davis on House Bill 2781. Representative Davis? I'm advised this already moved to Third. Representative Monique Davis on House Bill 466. Representative Monique Davis, do you wish us to read this on Second? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Third Reading. Representative Feigenholtz on House Bill 1529. Out of the record. Representative John… Okay. You wish us to move that to… So, Mr. Clerk, read House Bill 1529."

"Third Reading. Representative Bradley on… John Bradley on House Bill 1956. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill." 09500031.doc 99  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 3/27/2007

"Third Reading. Representative Molaro on House Bill 1687. Representative Molaro? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Third Reading. Representative Flider, you have House Bill 1119. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Representative Flider."

"Yes, Mr. Speaker. I believe there should also be Amendment #3 which had been recommended be adopted."

"The Clerk advises me that's correct."

"Okay."

"So, what is it your pleasure on Amendment #2?"

"We'd like to table Amendment #2."

"Okay. So, the Gentleman withdraws Amendment #2. Is there any further Amendments?"

"Representative Flider." 09500031.doc 100  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 3/27/2007

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Floor Amendment #3 is a technical Amendment to the Bill. And I ask for its adoption."

"Is there any discussion? Then, the question is, 'Shall the Amendment be adopted?' All in favor say 'aye'; opposed 'nay'. The 'ayes' have it. The Amendment is adopted. Any further Amendments?"

"Third Reading. Representative Ryg on House Bill 1646. Do you wish us to read this, Representative? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Third Reading. And Representative Flider on House Bill 3586. Out of the record. Representative Bassi, you have House Bill 3509. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Representative Bassi."

"Is there any discussion? Then, the question is, 'Shall the Amendment be adopted?' All in favor say 'aye'; opposed 'nay'. The 'ayes' have it. And the Amendment is adopted. Any further Amendments?"

"Third Reading. Representative Black on House Bill 1382. Representative Black on 1382. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Third Reading. Representative Coladipietro on House Bill 3767. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Third Reading. Representative Stephens, for what reason do you rise? Representative Stephens, are you seeking recognition? Okay. Representative Col… Representative Coulson on House Bill 981. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Third Reading. Representative Cross on House Bill 3730. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Third Reading. And Representative Cross on House Bill 3406. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Third Reading. Representative Eddy on House Bill 592. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Third Reading. Representative Fortner on House Bill 1080. Mr… Do you wish us to read that on Second? Read it on Second? Or out of the… which way? Representative Fortner."

"Yes. Amendment… The Clerk advises me the Amendments are… are out. So, Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"The Amendment, Representative Fortner."

"Is there any discussion? Then, the question is, 'Shall the Amendment be adopted?' All in favor say 'aye'; opposed 'nay'. The 'ayes' have it. And the Amendment is adopted. Any further Amendments?"

"Third Reading. Representative Kosel on House Bill 1303. Representative Kosel on 1303. Shall we read it on Second? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Third Reading. Representative Lindner on House Bill 3022. Representative Lindner? Do you wish us to read this on Second? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Third Reading. Representative Bill Mitchell on House Bill 1983. Do you wish us to read this on Second, Representative Mitchell? No? Out of the record. 09500031.doc 104  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 3/27/2007 Representative Moffitt on House Bill 2918. Shall we read this on Second? Are you… Mr. Clerk, is the Amendment… no? So, why don't we just wait, Representative? We'll wait for your Amendment… we'll wait for your Amendment to come out. Yeah. Representative Munson on House Bill 1978. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Third Reading. Representative Myers on House Bill 291. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Third Reading. And Representative Pritchard on House Bill 3597. Representative Pritchard, 3597? So, I'm advised you're still waiting on Amendments on that Bill. So, that'd be out of the record. Representative Ramey on House Bill 1864. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Third Reading. Representative Reboletti on House Bill 3621. Shall we read the Bill? Shall we read the Bill on Second? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill." 09500031.doc 105  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 3/27/2007

"Third Reading. And Representative Rose on House Bill 420. Representative Rose, do you wish us to read 420? Okay. You wish us to read that Bill? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Mr. Clerk, let's take that out of the record at the request of the Sponsor. Representative Dunkin, did you wish us to read House Bill 615? Representative Dunkin? Representative Dunkin, do you wish us to read this Bill on Second Reading? Okay. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

Speaker Hannig: "Shall we move that to Third Reading? Representative Dugan on House Bill 877. Oh, do you wish us to read this. Okay. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Third Reading. Boland, do you have… we have House Bill 1460. Do you wish us to read that Bill? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"The Amendment, Representative Boland."

"Yes, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to table Amendment 2."

"The Gentleman withdraws Amendment #2. Is there any further Amendments?"

"Do you wish to hold this, Representative?"

"Pardon me, I couldn't hear you."

Speaker Hannig: "The… the Clerk said that there are still Amendments pending in Rules or somewhere."

"Oh."

"So, you wish to hold the Bill?"

"Okay. I'll just keep it then."

"Okay. So, we'll take that out of the record. And Representative Berrios, you have House Bill 1964. There she is. Okay. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Third Reading. Representative Scully on House Bill 3463. Do you wish us to read this Bill on Second? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Third Reading. And I'm advised that on House Bill 1504 that Representative Howard will… will handle that for Representative Patterson. So, Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Third Reading. Representative Reis, for what reason do you rise? Let's go to page… or go back to page 6 of the Calendar, House Bill 420 for Representative Rose. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Representative Saviano."

Speaker Hannig: "And on the Amendment, the Gentleman from Champaign, Representative Rose."

"So, that he doesn't wish to speak. So, all in favor of the Amendment say 'aye'; opposed 'nay'. The 'ayes' have it. And the Amendment is adopted. Are there any further Amendments?"

"Third Reading. All right. Representative Munson… Representative Munson, for what reason do you rise? No? Okay."

"Representative Turner in the Chair. Mr. Clerk, what's the status of House Bill 3586?"

"Would you read the Bill?"

"Third Reading. On the Order of Third Readings, on page 37 of the Calendar, we have House Bill 439. Representative McAuliffe. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk." 09500031.doc 109  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 3/27/2007

Speaker Turner: "The Gentleman from Cook, Representative McAuliffe."

Speaker Turner: "The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Fritchey, for what reason do you rise?"

"Thank you, Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"

"Indicates he will."

"Representative, the Bill does something else as well. And this is according to the reading I've… I've got here unless this was amended out, that an assault against a Department of Healthcare and Family Services worker which used to be in the State Department of Public Aid, that then becomes an aggravated battery or an aggravated assault as opposed to a simple assault. Are you aware of this?"

"All right. This isn't adding another category. This is something that will reflect in the name change from the Department of Public Aid to Healthcare and Family Services, correct?" 09500031.doc 110  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 3/27/2007

"Okay. Thank you."

"Seeing no further questions, the question is, 'Shall the House pass House Bill 439?' All those in favor should vote 'aye'; all those opposed vote 'no'. This is Third Reading. The voting is now open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? The Clerk shall take the record. On this question, there are 114 voting 'aye', 0 'noes', no… 1 'present'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. The Lady from Cook, Representative Flowers, for what reason do you rise?"

"Mr. Speaker, I would like for the record to reflect that if my button had been working, I would've voted 'yes' on House Bill 439. But since my button was not working I could not vote."

"The record will so reflect your intent. And the electrician will be at your desk shortly."

"Thank you."

"On the Order of Second Readings, we have House Bill 1030, Representative Pihos, on page 13 of the Calendar. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk. House Bill 1030."

Speaker Turner: "Third Reading. On the Order of Second Readings, we have House Bill 1960, Representative Poe. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk." 09500031.doc 111  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 3/27/2007

"Third Reading. Mr. Clerk, on Second Readings we have House Bill 270, Representative Wait. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Third Reading. We have Representative Mathias on House Bill 2786. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Third Reading. On the Order of Second Readings we have House Bill 412, Representative Poe. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Third Reading. On the Order of Second Readings we have House Bill 271, Representative Wait. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Third Reading. On the Order of Second Readings we have House Bill 830, Representative Mathias. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Third Reading. On the Order of Second Readings we have House Bill 1559, Representative Pritchard. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Third Reading. Page 20 of the Calendar we have House Bill 1555, Representative Acevedo. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

Speaker Turner: "Third Reading. We have House Bill 984, Representative Berrios. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

Speaker Turner: "Third Reading. We have House Bill 1769, Representative Boland. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

Speaker Turner: "Third Reading. We have House Bill 3476, Representative Chapa LaVia. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

Speaker Turner: "Third Reading. We have House Bill 1662, Representative Colvin. Read the Bill, Mr… Oh, I'm sorry. Representative Chapa LaVia, you want Amendment #2? The Lady from Kane."

"Thank you, Speaker. I apologize. I'm running around doing the people's business. Amendment #2 just clarifies… well, where are we at? Amendment #2 just clarifies that any community college can be used as part of this piece of legislation as long as there is a college intergovernmental, if you will, agreement that the scholarship can be used at different college… community colleges outside the General Assembly Member's area."

"Seeing no questions, the question is, 'Shall the House adopt Amendment #2?' All those in favor should say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'no'. The opinion of the 09500031.doc 114  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 3/27/2007 Chair is the 'ayes' have it. And Amendment #2 is adopted. Further Amendments?"

"Third Reading. On the Order of Second Readings we have House Bill 1662, Representative Colvin. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

Speaker Turner: "The Gentleman wants to leave the Bill on Second. We have House Bill 1711, Representative Molaro. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Third Reading. On page 26 of the Calendar we have House Bill 1921, Representative Moffitt. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Third Reading. On page 34 of the Calendar we have House Bill 3721, Representative Bill Mitchell. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk." 09500031.doc 115  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 3/27/2007

"Third Reading. On the Order of Second Readings we have House Bill 3667, Representative Moffitt. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Third Reading. On the Order of Second Readings we have House Bill 1608, Representative Ramey. Read… read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Third Reading. On the Order of Second Readings we have House Bill 622, Representative Rose. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Third Reading. On the Order of Second Readings we have House Bill 449, Representative Tracy. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk." 09500031.doc 116  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 3/27/2007

"Third Reading. On the Order of Second Readings we have House Bill 3628, Representative Tracy. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Third Reading. On the Order of Second Readings we have House Bill 185, Representative Winters. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"The Gentleman would like to keep the Bill on Second. On the Order of Third Readings we have House Bill 3672, Representative Watson. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Third Reading on Watson's Bill. Mr. Clerk, move House Bill 3672 to Third Reading. On the Order… the Order of Second Readings we have House Bill 486, Representative Watson. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk." 09500031.doc 117  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 3/27/2007

Speaker Turner: "Third Reading. We have House Bill 117, Representative Winters. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Third Reading. And then we wanna go back to House Bill 3628. Mr. Clerk, read the… What is the status of House Bill 3628?"

"The Sponsor asks leave to bring that Bill back to Second for purposes of an Amendment. Leave is granted. Representative Pritchard on House Bill 1559. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk. Representative Pritchard. Out of the record. Representative Will Davis on House Bill 1674. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"…Reading. On the Order of Second Readings we have House Bill 3583, Representative Dugan. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"The Lady from Kankakee, Representative Dugan on Amendment #1."

"Thank you, Speaker. Yes. Amendment #1 was drafted by the Secretary of State and it was just to address …they wanted to make sure the wording was right in the Bill to address their database recordkeeping. So, it's really nothing more than just so the Secretary of State, who supports the Bill, just wanted to make sure the wording was right for the record… the reporting part of the Bill. So, I would ask for an 'aye' vote."

"Seeing no questions, the question is, 'Shall the House adopt Floor Amendment #1 to House Bill 3583?' All those in favor should say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair is the 'ayes' have it. And the Amendment's adopted. Further Amendments?"

"Third Reading. On the Order of Second Readings we have House Bill 736, Representative Flider. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Third Reading. On Second Readings we have House Bill 407, Representative Flowers. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk." 09500031.doc 119  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 3/27/2007

"Third Reading. On the Oder of Second Readings we have House Bill 3653, Representative Golar. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Third Reading. On the House… on the Order of Second Readings we have House Bill 1462, Representative Gordon. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Third Reading. On the Order of Second Readings we have House Bill 1842, Representative Hamos. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"That Bill shall remain on Second. Mr. Clerk, that Bill shall remain on Second Reading and take it out of the record. On the Order of Second Readings we have House Bill 147, Representative Harris. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Out of the record. He just said out of the… Mr. Clerk, read House Bill 147."

"The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Harris on Amendment #2."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This Amendment clears up some errors made in the drafting process. We've been working with the Illinois Medical Society and the department on this Amendment to clear up those errors. And I ask that the Amendment be adopted."

"Seeing no questions, the question is, 'Shall the House adopt Floor Amendment #2 to House Bill 147?' All those in favor should vote 'aye'; all those opposed vote… No. Should say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And Amendment #2 is adopted. Further Amendments?"

"So, the Bill shall remain on Second Reading. Representative Hernandez on House Bill 1072. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Third Reading. Is Representative Dunkin in the House? How about Representative Franks on House Bill 1756. Jack Franks. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

Speaker Turner: "The Gentleman from McHenry, Representative Franks."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This Bill simply states that any license plates that are to be done in the State of Illinois have to be approved by the General Assembly. I'd be glad to answer any questions."

Speaker Turner: "The Gentleman from Cook, Representative McCarthy, for what reason do you rise?"

"Thank you, Mr… thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"

"…cates he will."

"This isn't a special plate. This is a rule for all special plates?"

"Right. What we're saying is if there was going to be …there was a study that was done last year by the Secretary of State and it indicated that they wanted to have these additional plates, these vanity plates or these special plates like the autism plate that Representative Bellock will be bringing through committee later today. What we're saying with this Bill is that any plate done in the State of Illinois has to come through the General Assembly."

"So, are there some plates now that do not?"

"Well, there was a recent court decision that's on appeal right now by a judge who said, hey, if people 09500031.doc 122  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 3/27/2007 actually sued to have a plate, we're saying judges shouldn't determine whether there's going to be a plate or not, the General Assembly should."

"Okay. 'Cause there are some plates that are only available for like a couple weeks."

"Oh, yeah."

"Are those the ones you're going after now or…"

"No, no. We're just saying any plate whatsoever that's issued has to have approval by the… by the State of Illinois… by the General Assembly."

"Now, this Bill… Yeah, okay. Is there any… is there any chance that this Bill is gonna be used as a vehicle to go over to the Senate in order to abolish all of these special plates?"

"That's not the intent whatsoever."

"Can we pray for that Bill, if we would like to…"

"You could pray for that."

"Okay. Thank you, Mr. Franks"

"Pray for me while you're at it, will ya?"

"Seeing no further questions, the question is, 'Shall the House pass House Bill 1756?' All those in favor should vote 'aye'; all those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is now open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Hamos. On this question, there are 116 voting 'aye', 1… 1 voting 'no'… Oh. Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 116 voting 'aye', 1 voting 'no', 0 'presents'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. On the 09500031.doc 123  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 3/27/2007 Order of Second Readings we have House Bill 132, Representative Sullivan. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Third Reading. On the Order of Second Readings we have House Bill 3614, Representative Sullivan. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Third Reading. On the Order of Second Readings we have House Bill 3658, Representative Currie. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Third Reading. On the Order of Sec… Sorry. Representative Currie on Amendment #1."

"Thank you, Speaker, and Members of the House. This is a measure that would require adult supervision of children using portable cans containing combustible material like gasoline, kerosene and so forth. In committee, a Member, in fact Representative Cole, suggested that it might make sense to bring the requirement down to children under the age of 09500031.doc 124  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 3/27/2007 12 rather than under the age of 14. That's what this Amendment does and I'd appreciate your support."

"Seeing no questions, the question is, 'Shall the House adopt Floor Amendment #1 to House Bill 3658?' All those in favor should say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And Amendment #1 is adopted. Further Amendments?"

Speaker Turner: "Third Reading. The Gentleman from Lake, Representative Sullivan on House Bill 170. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Seeing no questions, the question is, 'Shall the House pass House Bill 170?' All those in favor should vote 'aye'; all those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is now open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Feigenholtz. The Clerk shall take the record. On this question, there are 117 voting 'aye', 0 'noes', 0 'presents'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. On the 09500031.doc 125  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 3/27/2007 Order of Second Readings we have House Bill 1728, Representative Joyce. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Third Reading. On the Order of Second Readings we have House Bill 480, Representative Lang. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Out of the record. Out of the record. On the Order of Second Readings we have House Bill 1900, Representative Mendoza. Out of the record. On the Order of Second Readings we have House Bill 1958, Representative Mendoza. Out of the record. Representative Miller on House Bill 801. Mr. Miller. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"What does this mean? Out of the record. Out of the record. Representative Miller, what is your wishes with House Bill 801? There's a Floor Amendment that's still in Rules. Out of the record. Mr. Miller on House Bill 1438. Out of the record. Representative Molaro on House Bill 1319. Out of the record. Representative Nekritz on House Bill 680. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk. Out of the record. Representative Osterman on House Bill 1795. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Representative Osterman. Representative, move it to Third?”

“Yes.”

“Third Reading. Representative Howard on House Bill 1503. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Third Reading. Representative Phelps on House Bill 3569. Out of the record. Representative Phelps on House Bill 1847. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Third Reading. Representative Reitz on House Bill 3571. Take it out of the record. Representative Rita on House Bill 1467. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Third Reading. Representative Rita on House Bill 1466. Out of the record. Representative Ryg on House Bill 1881. Take it out of the record. Representative Smith on House Bill 1988. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk." 09500031.doc 127  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 3/27/2007

"Third Reading. On the Order of Second Readings we have House Bill 1743, Representative Soto. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Third Reading. Representative Verschoore on House Bill 333. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Third Reading. Representative Soto on House Bill 1744. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Third Reading. Representative Verschoore on House Bill 1716. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk. The Bill should… Take the Bill out of the record. Representative Biggins on House Bill 792. Biggins on 17… on 792. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

Speaker Turner: "The Gentleman from DuPage, Representative Biggins."

"Seeing no questions, the question is, 'Shall the House adopt Amendment #1 to House Bill 792?' All those in favor should say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And Amendment #1 is adopted. Further Amendments?"

"Third Reading. Representative Younge on House Bill 1605. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Third Reading. Representative Eddie Washington on House Bill 656. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

Speaker Turner: "The Gentleman from Lake, Representative Washington."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is a simple piece of legislation, if we can call it that. It amends the Illinois Vehicle Code and allows dismissal of the equipment violation changed for a first time offender. And I'm proud to say that my colleague over to the right I don't… oh, there he is over there… the big guy in the back over there. I told him I think he's trying to go to heaven. He brought me this sensible piece of legislation and it was good to work with him. And what is does is gives a chance for people who might otherwise get stopped and fined out on the expressway or whatever they might be driving for an equipment violation. And it merely says that if they can correct that violation within a reasonable amount of time and show forth that that particular violation in which they've been ticketed for has been corrected then they will be given some consideration in terms of the money that they would have to pay. So, I'm open for any questions from anybody, right or left."

Speaker Turner: "The Gentleman from DuPage, Representative Meyer, for what reason do you rise?"

"Well, you don't get a probation, Representative…"

"…you get consideration…"

"…that …that your intent was to correct the problem and you still may pay but you won't pay the maximum costs."

"Since you don't have the Bill before you."

"Well, I think they already keep track of the first time, second time when you have any violation with a motor vehicle."

"Well, yes, Sir. Well, my understanding of it, Representative, number one, first of all, I didn't… I didn't feel you were working against me. I wasn't trying to be defensive, but I was trying to merely explain to you the best I could. My understanding is that if it's a first time offender, of course it's logged in the court's record whether you’ve had a number of traffic violation, any 09500031.doc 131  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 3/27/2007 prosecutor can bring up that record. And so this is basically talking about a first time offender correcting the problem, wouldn't go on your record or against you for any other future violation you may have."

"Yes, Sir. Thank you."

"The Gentleman from Champaign, Representative Rose, for what reason do you rise?"

"He indicates he will."

"The Gentleman from Vermilion, Representative Black, for what reason do you rise? Mr. Black."

"Indicates he will."

"Yes, Sir."

"Thank you."

"The Gentleman from Rock Island, Representative Verschoore, for what reason do you rise?"

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"

"…cates he will."

"Representative Washington, I was looking here. Last week Representative Black passed a law or passed legislation that allowed the farm vehicles up to eighty thousand (80,000) pounds during harvest season. I see in here it says, ‘will include… exemptions will include having a gross weight of thirty-six thousand (36,000)’. How will that affect his Bill or will it?"

"Well, Representative, I rightfully don't know, but my colleague who joined me with this legislation, I would hope that he might can provide you an answer. Well, that's just like my colleague on my right. They're never around when you need 'em."

"Representative Rose."

"Where did he go?"

"Representative Rose, there was a question. Representative Verschoore, you wanna ask the question again?"

"Yes. Last week Representative Black passed legislation that said during harvest season farmers could have up to eighty thousand (80,000) pounds and here it says exemp… exemptions include having a gross weight not to exceed thirty-six thousand (36,000) pounds." 09500031.doc 134  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 3/27/2007

"And what's your question?"

"How will that affect his Bill if it becomes law? Will it be in conflict or…"

"Representative, you're patient. Representative Rose is going to try to give you an answer for that question."

"Better turn on Representative Rose."

"No. It's just on… It's on the summary here. It says, having a gross weight not to exceed thirty-six thousand (36,000) pounds’."

"Yeah, but if he's loaded and they pick him up on a violation?"

"Okay. That's fine."

"Okay. Thank you."

Speaker Turner: "The Gentleman from Jackson, Representative Bost, for what reason do you rise?"

"…cates he will." 09500031.doc 135  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 3/27/2007

"Representative, forgive me for not having… and Mr. Speaker forgive me for not having an answer. I don't even know what to do in this situation seeing I'm a freshman in my junior year. Will you take it out of the record and we'll get back with an answer?"

"Does the fact that you're counting money in your hand and does that have anything to do with this take it out of the record now? Representative Black, do you notice what Representative Washington standing here? Ask leave to take the Bill out of the record. We'll take the Bill out of the record. On the Order of Second Readings, we have Representative Black on House Bill 918. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

Speaker Turner: "The Bill shall remain on Second Reading. Representative Mautino on House Bill 678. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk." 09500031.doc 136  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 3/27/2007

"Third Reading. Representative Winters on House Bill 1855. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"The Gentleman from Winnebago, Representative Winters on Amendment #1."

"The Gentleman wants to take the Bill out of the record. Representative Tracy on House Bill 3628. Out of the record. Representative Schmitz on House Bill 3132. Out of the record. Representative Reboletti on House Bill 3662. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk. No. Out of the record. Representative Lindner on House Bill 224. Out of the record. Representative Eddy on House Bill 1400. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Representative Eddy on Amendment #2."

"Seeing no questions, the question is, 'Shall the House adopt Floor Amendment #2 to House Bill 1400.’ All those in favor should vote 'aye'… should say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'no'. The opinion of the Chair is the 'ayes' have it. And Amendment #2 is adopted. Further Amendments?"

"Third Reading. Representative Fortner on House Bill 3766. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Third Reading. Representative Colvin on House Bill 1069. Out of the record. Representative Crespo on House Bill 3477. Out of the record. Representative Graham on House Bill 415. Deborah Graham. Out of the record. Representative Gordon on House Bill 3588. Representative Gordon. Out of the record. Representative Granberg on House Bill 161. Out of the record. Representative Holbrook on House Bill 614. Out of the record. Representative Howard on House Bill 1021. Out of the record. Representative Howard on House Bill 3627. Out of the 09500031.doc 138  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 3/27/2007 record. Representative Fritchey on House Bill 3578. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Third Reading. Representative Fritchey on House Bill 317. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Third Reading. Representative Fritchey on Amendment #2."

"Floor Amendent… Floor Amendment #2 is a… it's an Amendment from the trial lawyers that has to deal with not having an exemption or immunity from prosecution for willful and wanton misconduct by a medical professional. I've spoken with members of the Medical Society, they have no objection to the language. We know of no other objection to the language. I ask for its adoption."

"Seeing no questions, the question is, 'Shall the House adopt Floor Amendment #2 to House Bill 317?' All those in favor should say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And Amendment #2 is adopted. Further Amendments?"

"Third Reading. Mr. Clerk, read House Bill 1855. Representative Winters."

"The Gentleman from Winnebago, Representative Winters on Amendment #1."

"Seeing no questions, the question is, 'Shall the House adopt Amendment #1 to House Bill 1855?' All those in favor should say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion… the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And Amendment #1 is adopted. Further Amendments?"

"Third Reading. Mr. Clerk, what's the status of House Bill 246?"

"The Lady ask leave to bring that Bill back to Second Reading. Leave is granted. The Bill will be on Second Reading. Mr. Clerk, on Supplemental Calendar #1 we 09500031.doc 140  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 3/27/2007 have Senate Bill 423. Representative Hernandez. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Third Reading. Mr. Clerk, we have Senate Bill 611. Representative Washington. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Third Reading. On the Order of Resolutions we have House Resolution 187. Representative Hoffman. Read the Resolution, Mr. Clerk."

Speaker Turner: "The Gentleman from Madison, Representative Hoffman."

"Yes, we would like to congratulate SIU-Edwardsville for 50 years."

"Seeing no questions, the question is, 'Shall the House adopt House Resolution 187?' All those in favor say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair is the 'ayes' have it. And Amend… and the Resolution's adopted. Representative Reis on House 09500031.doc 141  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 3/27/2007 Resolution 200. Reis, sorry. Read the Resolution, Mr. Clerk."

Speaker Turner: "The Gentleman from Jasper, Representative Reis."

"The Gentleman moves for the adoption of House Resolution 200. All those in favor should say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Resolution is adopted. Clerk, we have House Bill 1671. Representative Dunkin. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Durkin, for what reason do you rise?"

"There is a substantial difference. Yours… you are an 'r'."

"The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Dunkin, for what reason do you rise?"

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members of the chamber. I'm so happy that Representative Dunkin, ya know…"

"Durkin."

"…clarified matters for us. He is an 'r'… Well, there is an 'r' in his name and in front of his name as well. I would like… I think this is very positive legislation. I think the Dunkins and the Durkins need to stick together 09500031.doc 143  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 3/27/2007 here in this chamber. And I'd like to be a cosponsor, Representative Dunkin, if that's okay?"

"There's 'b' and 'b' and now there's 'd' and 'd'. Representative Durkin."

"The question is, 'Shall the House adopt House… Floor Amendment #1 to House Bill 1671?' All those in favor should say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And Amendment #1 is adopted. Further Amendments?"

"Third Reading. Mr. Clerk, read House Bill 161."

"Third Reading. Representative Nekritz on House Bill 680. Representative Nekritz. Out of the record. Representative Ryg on House Bill 1881. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Third Reading. The Gentleman from St. Clair, Representative Holbrook, for what reason do you rise?"

"Purpose of an announcement. Thank you, Speaker. I just wanna remind everybody that's on Environment & Energy there's been a… the room has moved to D-1 and as soon as we adjourn, we'll be there. We only have one Bill and one Amendment, so if we can get there and get our work done, the sooner the better. Thank you."

"Mr. Clerk, what's the status of House Bill 375?"

"Read the Bill."

"Third Reading. Mr. Clerk, Agreed Resolutions." 09500031.doc 145  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 3/27/2007

"Gentleman asks leave for the adoption of the Resolutions. All those in favor say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Resolutions are adopted. Mr. Clerk, would you read the committee schedule."

"Can I have your attention? Members, tomorrow at 10:00 we will be taking our group photo. Everyone should be here at 10:00 and wear your Sunday best. We're taking 09500031.doc 146  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 31st Legislative Day 3/27/2007 group photos at 10:00 tomorrow and it's important that everyone is here on time at 10:00 for the group photos. Representative Stephens, for what reason do you rise, the Gentleman from Bond. Cut him off. Representative Soto from Cook County, what… for what reason do you rise?"

"Thank you, Speaker. For point of an announcement. Just for the record, for the Elementary & Secondary Appropriations Committee, we will be convening at 8:00 in the morning, tomorrow morning. Thank you."

Speaker Turner: "Okay. Seeing no further questions, Representative Currie moves that the House stands adjourned 'til the… on Wednesday, March 28 at the hour of 10 a.m. I'm sorry. Representative Flowers, for what reason do you rise?"

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to inform the Body that Health Care Committee is canceled for tonight. Thank you."

"The Health Care Committee is canceled for tonight. Seeing no further announcements, Representative Currie moves that the House stands adjourned Wed… 'til Wednesday, March 28 at the hour of 10 a.m. Allowing perfunctory time for the Clerk, the House now stands adjourned 'til Wednesday, 10 a.m. and please be on time."