Illinois House Floor Debate — April 19, 2007

(recording malfunction) "The House shall come to order. The Members shall be in their chairs. Members and our guests in the gallery 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 Lee Crawford the pastor of the Cathedral of Praise Christian Church here in Springfield."

"Representative Mendoza, would you like to lead us in the Pledge?"

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

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

"And Representative Bost." 09500038.doc 1  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007

"Mr. Clerk, take the record. There are 116 Members answering the Roll Call, a quorum is present. Mr. Clerk, read the Committee Reports."

"Representative Brauer, for what reason do you rise?"

"…point."

"Welcome to Springfield. We're going to begin on the Order of Second Reading. And I've got a list of Bills that are on Second that are priority for the Members and we'll try to move down the list in alphabetical order as best we can. And so, Representative Bellock, you're first on the list with House Bill 2808. Do you wish us to read that Bill? On Second to Third? Read the Bill? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Representative Bellock."

"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 Boland, you have House Bill 1460. Would you like us to read that on Second? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Representative Boland."

"Thank… thank you, Mr. Speaker. Amendment 3… Amendment 3 what it does is changes the wording from fluorescent basically adds the… the words 'where practicable', which was suggested by one of the committee Members and uses Energy Star labeled light bulbs as defined by the Energy Star Program of the United States EPA."

"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 Brady, you have House Bill 572. Out of the record. Representative Brauer, you have House Bill 1832. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Third Reading. Representative Coladipietro on 3767. Out of the record. Representative Cole… Representative Cole on House Bill 1242. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Third Reading. Representative Collins on House Bill 790. Out of the record. Representative Cross on House Bill 2858. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Representative Cross."

"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 Colvin, 1662. Out of the record. Representative D'Amico on 2749. Representative… Okay. So, that'll be out of the record. 09500038.doc 6  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007 Representative Monique Davis on 1359. Do you wish us to read this Bill on Second? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill. House Bill 1359."

"Representative Davis." Davis, M.: "Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Amendment 1 merely changes the time period, I think, from five (5) years for filing a complaint, I think, to one (1) year. And it changes the ten (10)-year limitation, I believe, to five (5) years."

"The Lady has moved 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 Dunkin on 1351. Out of the record. Represent… Representative… Oh, Representative… Representative… Why don't we go back to Representative Brady. You have House Bill 572. Mr. Clerk, would you read that Bill."

"Third Reading. Representative Durkin on House Bill 448. Out of the record. Representative Flowers, 1759. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Representative Flowers on the Amendment."

"Thank you, Mr. Chairman… Mr. Speaker. Amendment #2 is an agreed to Amendment that makes minor changes. And I'll be more than happy to answer any questions you have regarding the Amendment."

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

"Third Reading. Representative Ford, you have House Bill 980 on the Order of Second Reading. Do you wish us to advance that from Second to Third? Out of the record. How about House Bill 3602, Representative Ford? 3602 from Second to Third? Okay. So, Mr. Clerk, read that Bill, 3602."

"On the Amendment, Representative Ford. Present the Amendment briefly, Representative Ford, and then we'll 09500038.doc 8  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007 adopt it. Out of the record. Representative Fritchey on House Bill 8. Do you wish us to read that on Second? No. Out of the record. Representative Hassert on House Bill 39. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Third Reading. Representative Golar on House Bill 3653. Out of the record. Representative Gordon on House Bill 3588. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Third Reading. Representative Graham on House Bill 415. Out of the record. Representative Granberg. Out of the record. Representative Hamos. Out of the record. Representative Harris on House Bill 147. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Representative Harris."

"Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Amendment #3 is an agreed Amendment clarifying who must establish the CPT or Common 09500038.doc 9  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007 Practice Terminology codes, that being a national responsibility not a state responsibility."

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

"So, Representative Harris, the Bill has to remain on Second Reading until you can get the notes answered, so… so we'll hold it here for the time being. Representative Harris, you also have House Bill 1286. Do you wish us to read that Bill? Okay. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Do you wish us to move it to Third? Okay. Third Reading. Representative Hernandez on House Bill 1641. Representative Hernandez, do you wish us to read 1641? Out of the record. Representative Hoffman on 2133. Out of the record. Representative Holbrook, you have House Bill 614. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Third Reading. Representative Howard, you have House Bill 3627 on Second Reading? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Representative Howard."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Amendment #1 is an agreed Amendment between the Sponsors and others who were initially opposed. It provides that on the June 30 occurring in the third year after the transfer to these funds that the Treasurer would transfer the amount of one million dollars ($1,000,000) from the Charitable Trust Fund to the General Revenue Fund. If, on that date, the amount is less than… than a million dollars ($1,000,000), than the trans… the Treasurer would transfer the remaining balance of the fund, the General Fund, on each June 30 thereafter. I will, at this point…"

Speaker Hannig: "The Lady moves for the adoption of the Amendment."

"I'll… I'll wait for questions."

"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. And Representative Howard, you also have House Bill 1639. Do you wish us to read that? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill." 09500038.doc 11  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007

"Third Reading. Representative Jefferson, you have House Bill 3428. Out of the record. Representative Krause, you have House Bill 2973. Representative Krause, 2973. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Representative Krause."

Speaker Hannig: "Is there any discussion on the Lady's Amendment? Then all in favor say 'aye'; opposed 'nay'. The 'ayes' have it. And the Amendment is adopted. Any further Amendments?"

"Representative Lyons, you have House Bill 2304. Excuse me. Mr. Clerk, move House Bill 2973 to Third Reading. And Representative Lyons, you have House Bill 2304. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill." 09500038.doc 12  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007

"Third Reading. Representative May… May, you have House Bill 684. Out of the record. Representative Mathias, you have House Bill 1327. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill. 1327."

"Third… Third Reading. Representative Mendoza. Excuse me. Representative McCarthy, you have House Bill 2632. Representative McCarthy, 2632. Representative McCarthy, do you wish us to read this Bill? Okay. So, out of the record. And now, Representative Mendoza, you have House Bill 1635. Do you wish us to read that? It's on Second Reading and the question is, do you wish us to move it to Third? Okay. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"So, Floor Amendment #1 has been approved for consideration, Representative, would you like to present it?"

"Yeah, that's fine. Thank you, Mr. Chairman or Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. House Bill 1635 is a very straightforward Bill. It passed out of the 09500038.doc 13  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007 Agriculture Committee unopposed. And basically, would ask that… it provides for…"

"Representative…"

"Yes."

"…we're on Amendment #1."

"Yes, the Amendment."

"Okay."

"I think the Amendment simply is… hold on, let me get that… Now, you know what. Let me pull it out of the record. Sorry. I don't have the Amendment in front of me. Sorry. I'll get back to it."

"You have also two other Bills, Representative, on the list. House Bill 1958. So, Mr. Clerk, read that Bill, please. I'm sorry, 1958."

"On the Amendment, Representative Mendoza."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Amendment to House Bill 1958 is some cleanup language that I agreed to do in committee. Very simply, just clarifies some of the language where we removed the provision that deals with a twenty-five dollar ($25) credit. That is no longer in the Bill, at the request of the committee. As well as clarifies what constitutes customer fault on the cell phone lemon laws. So, I don't think we should have any objection to this. I did it based on the committee's request and would just ask for your support." 09500038.doc 14  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007

"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. And Representative Mendoza, you have House Bill 2242. 2242. Do you wish us to read that on Second?

"Yeah."

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

"Representative Mendoza on…"

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This Amendment necessitates the Department of Public Health to promulgate rules and regulations to include the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine with other six… routine childhood immunizations for children that are enrolled in state-licensed daycare centers. The pneumococcal vaccine… or the pneumococcal disease is responsible for the largest amount of deaths in children who are at the age of immunization. And we would appreciate that… I would anticipate that the Body would agree that we should probably do whatever we can to protect these children from diseases such as meningitis and other bacterial diseases that could prove to be fatal. Would ask for your approval." 09500038.doc 15  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007

"Is there any… 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 Meyer, you have House Bill 3091. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Representative Meyer."

"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 Mitchell, Bill Mitchell, you have two Bills. House Bill 1983. Okay. Out of the record. We'll go to Representative Jerry Mitchell on House Bill 822. Out of the record. Representative Munson, you have House Bill 1235. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

Speaker Hannig: "Representative Munson on the Amendment. Explain the Amendment briefly and then we'll adopt it, Representative."

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

"Third Reading. Representative Myers on House Bill 290, Rich Myers. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill." 09500038.doc 17  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007

"Third Reading. Representative Mendoza, we're going to go back to 1635. And Mr. Clerk, would you read that Bill."

"Representative Mendoza."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Amendment is very simple. All it does is include a definition and will constitutes 'wood'. It defines 'wood' as whole logs, lumber, or any wood products that are made in whole or in part from any living or dead tree. Would ask for your support."

"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 Jerry Mitchell, you have ous… House Bill 822. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Third Reading. Representative May, Karen May, you have House Bill 684. Do you wish us to read that Bill 09500038.doc 18  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007 on Second? Out of the record. Representative Nekritz, you have two Bills. House Bill 680. Would you like us to read that one? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Representative Nekritz."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Amend… this is a Bill to create a… establish a feasibility study for a biomonitoring program in Illinois. And this Amendment is something that we've worked out with the Chemical Industry Council, so it's an agreed Amendment."

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

"Third Reading. And Representative Nekritz on 1421. Out of the record. Representative Poe, you have House Bill 3218. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Representative Poe."

"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 Ramey on House Bill 472. Wish us to read 472? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Third Reading. Representative Reboletti on House Bill 3662. Out of the record. Representative Reis on House Bill 3289. Out of the record. Representative Reitz on House Bill 282. Do you wish us to read that one? Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Third Reading. Representative Rose on House Bill 2036. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Third Reading. Representative Ryg on House Bill 1717. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Third Reading. Representative Schock, you have House Bill 699. Out of the record. Representative Smith, you have House Bill 1026. Out of the record. Representative Stephens, you have House Bill 617. That's out of the record. Representative Sullivan on House Bill 3165. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Representative… Representative Sullivan."

"Does… 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 Washington on House Bill 656. Do you wish us to read that? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Okay. Third Reading. And Representative Granberg, you have House Bill 3638. Is that correct? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Representative Granberg."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Amendment #1 reflects an agreement between all the interested parties in the Bill. And I would move for its adoption."

"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 Wyvetter Younge, you have House Bill 1580. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Representative Younge."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Amendment #1 changes the time that the Department of Human Services has to complete a plan for substance abuse treatment among the homeless. I move for the adoption of the Amendment."

"Is there any discussion? Then all in favor of the Lady's Amendment say 'aye'; opposed 'nay'. The 'ayes' 09500038.doc 22  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007 have it. And the Amendment is adopted. Any further Amendments?"

"Third Reading. Representative Cross, for what reason do you rise?"

"Representative Golar, you have House Bill 3653. Do you wish us to read that Bill? You wish… to read the Bill? Hold the Bill. Okay. So, that's out of the record. How about House Bill 3383, Representative? Representative Golar, 3383. Do you wish us to read that Bill? From Second to Third? Out of the record. Okay. Representative Graham, you have House Bill 415. Did you wish us to read that Bill on Second? No. Okay. That's out of the record then. Representative Hamos on House Bill 742. You wish us to read that on Second Reading? Is that ready to go? Okay. So, out of the record. Representative Coladipietro, you have House Bill 3767 on Second. Okay. We'll keep it there then. Out of the record. Representative Cultra, you have House Bill 1736. Did you wish us to read that on Second? 1736. Okay. Oh, I'm sorry. Out of the record. Representative 09500038.doc 23  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007 Durkin on 448. Out of the record. Okay. Out of the record. Mr. Clerk, read House Bill 3383."

"Third Reading. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of House Bill 587?"

"Return that to the Order of Second Reading at the request of the Sponsor. Representative Jefferson, you have House Bill 3428. Do you wish us to read that on Second Reading? From Second to Third? Do you wish us to read that on Second and move it to Third? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"So, Representative Jefferson, you're recognized on the Amendment."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Amendment certainly… it just clarifies the language as it relates to IDOT who had some concerns. With this Amendment, it clears up those concerns."

Speaker Hannig: "You've heard the Gentleman's introductory comments. Is there any discussion? Then all in favor of 09500038.doc 24  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007 the Amendment say 'aye'; opposed 'nay'. The 'ayes' have it. And the Amendment is adopted. Any further Amendments?"

"Third Reading. Mr. Clerk, read House Bill 742."

"Okay. So, we'll hold that pending those… Mr. Clerk, read House Bill 1557."

"Third Reading. We're going to go to the Order of Third Readings for a while. And we'll try to follow the alphabet as best we can. And the first Bill that I have on the list is Representative Bradley, John Bradley, on House Bill 1775. Okay. So, that's out of the record. Rich Bradley on 1231. That's out of the record. Representative Bost, would you like for us to read 3618? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill. Clerk, read House Bill 3618."

Speaker Hannig: "The Gentleman from Jackson, Representative Bost." 09500038.doc 25  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007

"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? Representative Flowers and Rita. 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 Coladipietro, you have House Bill 42. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill." 09500038.doc 26  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007

Speaker Hannig: "The Gentleman from DuPage, Representative Coladipietro."

"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? 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 Joyce, for what reason do you rise?"

"Thank… Inquiry of the Chair. Inquiry of the Chair."

"Yes, state your inquiry." 09500038.doc 27  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Could you give us some… are we still going alphabetical order here?"

"I'm doing my best, Representative."

"Well, I didn't… I didn't… I was just wondering what the…"

"Yeah."

"…process was here. You know, we left off at…"

"So…"

"…at the… at the beginning of the Js yesterday, just for your information."

"Well, we're up to the Fs… F right now, so Representative Feigenholtz is next. So, we're movin' right along. Representative Feigenholtz, you have House Bill 652. Okay. So, we'll move… move to Representative Flowers on House Bill 192. Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't you, Sara. Mr. Clerk, read House Bill 652."

Speaker Hannig: "The Lady from Cook, Representative Feigenholtz."

"Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. House Bill 652, which many of the Members are cosponsors of, is a piece of legislation that further improves the Community Care Program by creating more flexibility in the program for seniors who are wanting to stay home prior to unnecessary institutionalization. We worked hard with the department and we have an agreement on this Bill. And I'd be glad to answer any questions." 09500038.doc 28  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007

"Is there any discussion? Then the question is, 'Shall this Bill pass?' All in favor… Excuse me. Is there discussion? Then the question is, 'Shall this Bill pass?' All in favor vote 'aye'… Oh, pardon me. Ramey, Representative Ramey, did you wish to ask a question?"

"Yeah."

"She indicates she'll yield."

"Certainly, I'd be glad to. Currently… last year we raised the asset limit in the Community Care Program from ten thousand ($10,000) to 17.5 thousand dollars ($17,500) and we… we, as in a lot of Members of the Appropriations Committee and people who are concerned about seniors who have limited choices in the Community Care Program, have been working to enhance this program. Essentially, what this Bill does is expand the program so that it's… it's more reflective of the personal assistance program in the DORS budget. There are… so that seniors have more flexible hours. That… and there's been discussion about having these seniors being able to choose who their caregiver is to get adequate training. There's an element in it that will maximize federal participation for Community Care participants in the program so that more seniors can participate."

"Yes."

"I'm sorry. I can't hear you."

"Yes. Yes. Absolutely. There's training and oversight. There was a lot of discussion about that. And I know that one of the things we were trying to avoid, as I think you and I discussed, is we don't want the department to have to employ additional people on an ombudsmans program. We're trying to avert fraud and deception and we felt that the best way to do that would be to have the providers do that training and oversight."

"You know, I'm not sure I can answer that question clearly."

"We'll put this on the Order of Standard Debate. And Representative Mulligan, you're recognized for 5 minutes."

"She indicates she'll yield."

"I'm sorry, Rosemary."

"It did… it went to Aging." 09500038.doc 30  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007

"Yes, they are. They helped draft it."

"I don't think that we removed any services, Representative Mulligan. Are you talking about services that were removed from the original Bill?"

"These were already… You know, if you took a look at the Aging budget this year, you'll notice that there had been some changes in the budget because last year the Department of Aging got an infusion of money and we worked around the Community Care portion of their budget so that they would have more flexibility. Included in that were home services programs and other elements that seniors were actually requesting. That we're allowing the CCP money to go farther so that clients could essentially, along with their case coordination units, have more services that were more appropriate for them."

"Nothing is eliminated."

"No."

"No, ser… No, no, no. This is really more of trying to make this a more client-driven, flexible program that the case coordination units can use, so that they can better determine the needs of an individual in the program."

"No."

Speaker Hannig: "Any further discussion? Representative Feigenholtz, you're recognized to close."

"Thank you, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. This is a continued effort to try and give Illinois seniors an opportunity to stay in their homes and age in place. I appreciate all the work that we did with the Jane Addams Senior Caucus who has brought this issue to the General Assembly, as well as AARP and the providers who participate in this program and work with the homemakers. I would appreciate your 'aye' vote."

"The question is, 'Shall this Bill pass?' All in favor vote 'aye'; opposed 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 115 voting 'yes' and 1 voting 'no'. And this Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is 09500038.doc 32  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007 hereby declared passed. Representative Durkin, for what reason do you rise?"

"Proceed."

"Representative Black, for what reason do you rise? The Gentleman does not seek recognition. So, back on the Order of Third Reading. Representative Flowers, you have House Bill 192. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill." 09500038.doc 33  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007

"Representative Flowers."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. I bring to you House Bill 192 for the recommendation of the Association for Professionalism in Infection Control and Epidemiology. House Bill 192 would improve infection and control practices in all health care facilities and address the significant problems of community acquired infections. And I'll be more than happy to answer any questions you have in regards to House Bill 192."

"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 Acevedo and Black, do you wish to be recorded? Have all voted who wish? 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 Fritchey, you have House Bill 317. Out of the record. Representative Hernandez on House Bill 1072. Out of the record. Representative Hoffman on 1911. Representative Hoffman. Out of the record. Representative Jakobsson on House Bill 313. Out of the record. Representative Jefferies, House Bill 949. Representative Jefferies, do you wish us to read House Bill 949 on Third Reading? Okay. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill." 09500038.doc 34  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007

"The Lady from Cook, Representative Jefferies."

"Thank you, Speaker and Members of the House. Today I'm presenting House Bill 494 (sic-949) and House Bill 494 (sic-949) would increase the TANF grant amount and effective as of June 30 by 15 percent. This particular Bill will help families in need and as the cost of living goes up, it is deserving. Okay. Those families that receive TANF funds must develop a plan for becoming self-sufficient and follow so it is not… this is not a limitless handout. So, I have… you have any questions, I will entertain them."

"The Lady has moved for the passage of House Bill 949. And on that question, the Gentleman from Vermilion, Representative Black."

"She indicates she'll yield."

"That was for fiscal reasons."

"Because… because that is not… it's not in his budget."

"No."

"It would all cost approximately twenty million dollars ($20,000,000)."

"To the Bill."

Speaker Hannig: "The Gen… the Gentleman from Cook, Representative Lang."

"Thank you. Will the Sponsor yield?"

"She indicates she'll yield."

"Representative, I just want to get this straight. There's been some conjecture over here. Is this your first Bill?"

"Yes, it is."

"And did you write this Bill yourself, Representative?"

"Did I… No, I did not write the Bill. I made some diversions to it."

"What… what changes did you make in it, Representative?"

"Well, the date." 09500038.doc 37  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007

"I'm… I'm sorry? You changed the date?"

"Right. It was a technical recovery that I made."

"So… so, somebody came to you with this Bill. Is that correct? Hello?"

"Well, this Bill, even though I didn't… the process of going through my district and the ones in the State of Illinois who are under this program, I felt that with the cost of living and they have not had this increase since 1994. There was a 5 percent increase in 205 (sic-2005). And it's well below the poverty level for these people to sustain a decent living."

"So, did that answer my question about who drafted the Bill?"

"Okay. I have the Sargent Shriver Poverty Law Center is one, the Heartland Alliance is another."

"So, they're pretty good at what they do, aren't they?"

"Yes, they are."

"So, why… why did… why did the Bill originally have a date of June 3 as the date to be used and you changed it to June 30. What was that date change business all about?"

"That was a drafting error."

"Oh, it was a drafting error."

"Yes."

"Which, of course, is somebody else's fault 'cause you didn't draft the Bill, right?"

"Not the original."

"Ah, okay. So, what… Do you have some breakdown, Representative, as to how this affects each of those district by district?" 09500038.doc 38  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007

"No, I do not."

"Don't you think… I know you're a freshman and all that, Representative… don't you think it might be a good idea if you took this Bill out of the record and provided all that to us? You can say 'no' if you want."

"I do not."

"I'm sorry?"

"No, I do not."

"Okay. I just wanted to know what ya thought. I just… just an idle question. Is there anything else you think we should know about this Bill ya haven't told us already? Ya got to a lot of staff hangin' around you over there, Representative."

"Well, I can tell you… Okay. The average TANF cash grant statewide is two hundred and fifty-three dollars ($253) a month. That's approximately thirty-seven thousand (37,000) families that receive TANF monthly. Approximately ninety-one thousand (91,000) persons receive TANF monthly with 79 percent of those being children. More than 45 percent of families receiving TANF have just one child, 29 percent have two children. Families with four or more children represent about 11 percent of all families on TANF. More than 57 percent of TANF cases include children the age of under six."

"Thank you, I think, Representative. So, under the Bill, a person could be homeless and still qualify. Is that correct?"

"Would you repeat that, please?" 09500038.doc 39  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007

"Under the Bill, as I read it, a person could be homeless and still qualify. Is that correct?"

"They would have to have a dependent at home."

"Right."

"It's for women and children."

"Well, then, if they can have a dependent at home, how can they be homeless?"

"They wouldn't necessarily be homeless."

"But they could be homeless, if I'm reading the Bill correctly. Our analysis says that a person could be homeless and get these benefits, so I'm just trying to make sure that's correct."

"Okay. There has to be a residency… you have to have a residence somewhere where they have a mailing address."

"So, our… our staff analysis has an error in it?"

"Well, it could."

"Yeah. I think it could, also. Representative, I've completed my question. Thank you very much for putting up with me."

Speaker Hannig: "Is there any further discussion? Then Representative… Pardon me. Representative Jefferies, you're recognized to close."

"I ask for an 'aye' vote. Thank you."

"The question is, 'Shall House Bill 949 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? Representative Mitchell, Beaubien, Cultra, do you wish to be recorded? Last chance. Have all voted who wish? 09500038.doc 40  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007 Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there 96 voting 'yes' and 17 voting 'no'. And this Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Monique Davis, for what reason do you rise?" Davis, M.: "Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise for a point of personal privilege."

"State your point." Davis, M.: "Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House, I'd like to introduce to you a very good friend and an excellent educator. She is Mrs. Clarice Berry, the president of the Chicago Principals Administration Association. She's in the balcony up to my left. Clarice. Mr. Speaker, we also would like to introduce Faye Terrell-Perkins who is the senior executive director of CLASS who is an organization that does principal training and we're looking for principals similar to these two women in the balcony. Would you stand, Ms. Perkins. Thank you very much."

"Representative Jefferson, you have House Bill 362. Would you like us to read that Bill on Third? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Representative Jefferson."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. This is a Secretary of State's Bill… I'm sorry. I'm going to figure out where I'm at. This is a Secretary of State's Bill that we ran last year and passed out of the House almost unanimously. And what it does is it penalizes 09500038.doc 41  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007 individuals for implying that they are past veterans when in fact they're not. We had a situation up in the… in my area where they caught a young… a gentleman displaying military plates as a veteran and he was, in fact, not a veteran. So, this just puts the penalties in place to address those situations. And I would ask for a favorable 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? 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 Joyce, you have House Bill 1888. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Representative Joyce."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. House Bill 1888 deals with qualified solid waste energy facilities and deals, in particular, with the Retail Rate Law. And what it simply states is that if a unit of government allow… purchases electricity and… from a utility company in which a qualified waste energy… solid waste energy facility is located, but does not purchase that utility… does not purchase that energy from the utility company that is the qualified solid waste energy facility then the amount paid would reflect what they would have paid 09500038.doc 42  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007 under the Retail Rate Law to the qualified solid waste energy facility. Methane gas plants that are generated from… that generate electricity from methane gas is the oldest and most… greatest amount of renewable energy that is… that is produced in the State of Illinois. I'd be happy to answer any questions. This just insures that that will continue. That those process for the existing plants will continue to take place for years to come."

"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? Mr… Representative Rose and Reboletti, 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 Joyce, you have House Bill 1727. You want to return that to Second? Okay. So, Mr. Clerk, return House Bill 1727 to the Order of Second Reading at the request of the Sponsor. Representative Lang, you have House Bill 3762. Do you wish us to read that on Third Reading? Okay. Out of the record at the request of the Sponsor. Representative Miller, you have House Bill 1497. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Representative Miller." 09500038.doc 43  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. The House Bill 1497 creates the Illinois Urban Development Authority similar to other Development Authorities across the state. It is comprised of various members appointed by the Governor, mayor… president of Cook County… president of the Board of Cook County, the Governor and mayor of Chicago, among other members. It has the ability for communities of lower income, below the poverty level, to come together to initiate projects on their behalf in their… to try to improve their communities. I ask for a favorable 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 Biggins, Lyons, Osterman, Rose. Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 116 voting 'yes' and 0 voting 'no'. And this Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Moffitt, you have House Bill 2918. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Representative Moffitt."

"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 Schock and Hoffman, do you wish to be recorded? 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 Mulligan, you have House Bill 1539. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Representative Mulligan."

"This is on the Order of Short Debate. Does anyone stand in response? The Gentleman from Vermilion, Representative Black."

"She indicates she'll yield."

Speaker Hannig: "Is there any further discussion? Then Representative Mulligan, you're recognized to close."

"The question is, 'Shall House Bill 1539 pass?' All in favor vote 'aye'; opposed 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 116 voting 'yes' and 0 voting 'no'. And this Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Mitchell, for what reason do you rise?" 09500038.doc 49  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007 Mitchell, J.: "Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise on a point of personal privilege."

"State your point." Mitchell, J.: "Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Ladies and Gentlemen of the House, in my final year as superintendent of Dixon, I had the fortunate event happen that we passed a referendum and built a middle school addition, which relieved overcrowding in all of our schools. That brings us to today. Today, the winner of the poster contest sponsored by the Illinois State Board of Education in coordination with the Illinois Alliance for Arts Education and the office of Governor Blagojevich, the winner of that contest was Jacob Corning a 12-year-old sixth grader at Reagan Middle School in Dixon. Jacob… he was chosen the winner of the statewide contest celebrating the 2007 Illinois Arts Education Week. Jacob's entry included five (5) cats drawn in ancient Egyptian style. I'm very proud to announce and to my right in the gallery is Jacob and his mother and dad, Doug and Tracey Corning, as the winner and here is the poster. Please give him a big round of applause. He did a super job. Thank you, Jacob. Thank you, Doug. Thank you, Tracey."

"Representative Munson, you have House Bill 1979. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Representative Munson."

"This is on the Order of Standard Debate. And on that question, the Gentleman from Cook, Representative Fritchey."

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

"She indicates she'll yield."

"Representative, I happen to be in committee the one day that when you were presenting this Bill. About a decade 09500038.doc 51  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007 ago I had passed legislation creating the offense of solicitation of minor via the Internet for improper purposes. You're seeking to… you're seeking to criminalize luring a minor from their home… I guess I'm looking at subsection 3, which is Amendment 2, for an 'unlawful purpose'. This is… it's a much broader departure than what we had done before. You have the law on the books now says that, you know, if you use electronic means to lure a minor in furtherance of the intention or the commission of a sexual offense, et cetera. You're now going to do it for any unlawful purpose and I'm wondering if, despite the best of intentions, that you might not be casting a net that is too wide. For example, and I'm going to try to come up with an example on the fly, but let's say that you have an adult… let's say you… you have a 19-year-old that IMs a 17-year-old friend and says, hey, come over to my house, we're going to go down to 7-Eleven and go get a six-pack of beer and sit in the park and drink some beer. Well, the minor drinking beer is an unlawful purpose. Is this the type of thing that we want to charge a 19-year-old with luring a minor?"

"Has to be a stranger to the parents."

"A stranger to the parents."

"I… I am a parent and many of us… I know a lot of my daughter's friends; I don't know all of them. And again, 09500038.doc 52  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007 and staff is smiling, he knows me too well here. I'm not trying to derail a well-intentioned idea here. But, if we're talking about luring a minor for any unlawful purpose and I… listen, I can… I can see in the Amendment, you put a lot of work into address the concerns that I heard the Jud II Committee bring up at the time and I appreciate you doing that. But what… the problems that we're reading about in the paper, the problems that we're seeing on the news, the problems that are unfortunately occurring are the use of social sites, are the use of the Internet to set up a rendezvous with a minor for a sexual encounter or whatever it may be. But any unlawful purpose, this presents a very, very heavy hammer to be used by prosecutors in what might not be a very heavy case. Again, the friend contacting the other friend to go get a six-pack of beer, I'm in no way condoning the consumption of alcohol by minors, but that would subject this person to criminal penalties under this Act."

"Representative, I agree with you entirely. This is not a predator Bill. It's… it's not… You have worked on, I have worked on, you and I together have worked on and a number of people in here some very, very good legislation to give law enforcement all the tools that they need to go after some very heinous offenders. This is not a predator Bill. This could be something as innocuous as come pick, 09500038.doc 53  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007 you know, I'm going to come pick you up. We're going to go take a ride. You know, we have laws now about how many kids can be the car when one of them is still on a restricted driver's permit. So, if the law is you and one friend and they IM you and say, come on, we're all going to go over to the football game and we're going to pick you up and we're going to have four minors in the car. Technically, that is luring a minor away for an unlawful purpose. Representative, can I ask you… can I ask you a sincere question, if you were to indulge me? Okay. I think we may be able… I promise I will work with you to get this problem right. Can ya take it out for a second so we can talk about this? Do you mind?"

"I would appreciate it. Thank you."

"We'll take… we'll take this out of the record for the moment, come back to it at a later time. Representative Myers, you have House Bill 291. Excuse me. Representative Rose, for what reason do you rise?"

"Certainly."

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

"Representative, I think the Clerk is telling me that there's an Amendment that's pending, so you want to move this back to Second at this time?"

"Okay."

"Oh, so, we'll do that. Okay. So, Mr. Clerk, do we have the Amendment?"

"Okay. So, on the Amendment, Representative Myers."

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

"Third Reading. And we'll just hold it here for a while, Representative, but we'll get back to it at some point. Representative Osmond, you have House Bill 263. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Representative Osmond."

"This is on the Order of Short Debate. And on that question, the Lady from Grundy, Representative Gordon." 09500038.doc 56  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007

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

"She indicates she will."

"Representative, is there a notice requirement? I mean, how are they going to know?"

"How are they going to know who's a sex offender in that precinct? I mean, are the clerks… Is it their responsibility to look it all up and find out so that they know if the person comes into the school on Election Day that they can have them arrested? I mean, what's the notice?"

"So, they would be… So, if they came in on Election Day and the school was the polling place, it would be up to the sex offender to… to register at the school before they walked in?"

"Okay. So, what if they don't do it? Let's just say they happen to break the law, which is why they're convicted in the first place, they walk in… no, no, no… they walk in, they vote on Election Day, what… what… I mean, they would be…"

"It's a criminal penalty, but what about their vote?"

"Does it count?" 09500038.doc 57  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007

"Is there any question that constitutionality of we're putting certain restrictions on a class of people that they can't vote in certain ways, on certain days? Is there enough of an openness to it that we're not concerned about that or is there… this too much of a restriction? Has there been anything that looked into that at all?"

"It's restricting their… their place that they can vote and when they can vote. Is that correct?"

"I understand that, but we're talking about voting and that's a constitutional situation here. Okay. We have… we have both U.S. and state. And so, is this too restrictive from a constitutional basis that it's going to get tossed out? Has there been any research by your staff into that specific question?"

"Okay. And… and Representative, I guess, if they… if they do violate this law, if that does occur, in the end does the vote still count or is that part of the penalty that their ballot gets thrown out as well?"

"Okay. Thank you. Ladies and Gentlemen, to the Bill. Ladies and Gentleman…"

"To the Bill."

"…this is a very slippery slope. In… in the situation that we have I understand that sex offenders are dangerous. I understand that we want to protect our children from these offenders. We want to protect them from coming into a school. But when you approach the constitutional right to vote and to potentially restrict that right, it's questionable. And this may not pass constitutional muster because of that. Please choose very, very carefully when you make this vote because when we are stepping on someone's right, their constitutional rights to vote, it becomes very, very dangerous. Thank you."

Speaker Hannig: "We're going to put this on the Order of Standard Debate to accommodate some of our Members. Representative Black, you're recognized for 5 minutes."

"Indicates…"

"Representative Dunkin."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?" 09500038.doc 60  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007

"She indicates she'll yield."

"Thank you. You know, Representative, where is she? There she is. Hi, Representative. You know, this Bill, you know, it's very difficult for Legislators, responsible Legislators, to vote against issues of sex offenders, in this matter and other matters that we've addressed over the years. And it seems as if a lot of us tend to find issues along this sex offender line, some of us, maybe because it's popular in our district or in the state and we really want to have an impact, the other part, and I agree, we should have a major impact as it relates to individuals who prey on kids. I have three kids myself and so the last thing that I want to experience is having someone remotely close to offending them along these lines. But the real deal is there's a number of legislation in this chamber and the other chamber that we entertain. I think we should come up with one comprehensive sex offender legislation that addresses the entire gamut of what is that we're going to do here in the State of Illinois. We go from A to Z when it comes to sex offender laws. So, my question to you, Representative, is would you be willin' to sit down and to be a part of a comprehensive sex offender commission, committee, as a Legislator and help craft something that addresses, in a more comprehensive form, laws that affect or relate to sex offenders?"

"So, would you… Do you see how this sort of collab… collab… corroborates what I'm trying to get…"

"So, I think, really, all of us, I'm sure there's probobaly one out of six of us here has a sex offender Bill or that… maybe one out of two of us are probably on a number of sex offender Bills. But I think until we address this again in a more comprehensive form, we're going to keep comin' up with piecemeal approaches towards what it is that we're tryin' to do and that's to make sure that we… that this society is protected from sex offenders and that we come up with a responsible legislation that impacts that community as well as it relates to makin' sure that we move in the right direction. So, I'm glad to hear that. I plan on supportin' your Bill."

"Thank you."

"Representative Eddy."

"To the Bill."

Speaker Hannig: "We had three speak in favor and two in opposition. The rules of debate would provide that one additional speaker can speak in opposition or in response. Representative Lang, are you in opposition or response?" 09500038.doc 63  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007

"Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker. I've a couple questions."

"Yeah. Well, that would be response, so…"

"Thank you. Will the Sponsor yield?"

"She indicates she'll yield."

"Representative, I missed part of this debate and so if this question was asked, I apologize. But don't we have a Bill floating through here somewhere that would just simply end the practice of voting at schools because of school superintendents’ concern for school safety?"

"So… so, if we had done that Bill, we wouldn't have needed this Bill, presumably, correct?"

"All right. Well, as long as we're on the subject, what was the reason that Bill might have been defeated? What were people saying?"

"I'm sorry. Say that again, I didn't hear you."

"So did… so… so, I wasn't talking about a Bill that would close schools. I was talking about a Bill that said there would be not voting at schools. Don't we have a Bill around here like that?"

"Sure."

"Right. And the schools… would… the schools opposed it?"

"Well, now you've twisted…"

"Isn't there a Bill somewhere, maybe it's Representative Eddy that has a Bill to prohibit schools from being polling places at all?"

"All right. 'Cause I've had some school districts… schools in my district talk to me about that. They're trying to get away from the bringing people into the schools that don't have school business. That would… that would resolve this issue as well, wouldn't it?"

"Right. So, do you think it would be appropriate for us to have a Bill that would prohibit schools from being polling places?" 09500038.doc 65  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007

"All right. So, I'm not necessarily opposed to your Bill, but I have this question and every time we have a sex offender Bill that's similar to this, I have really the same question. Why do we just limit this to sex offenders? So, murderers can come into the school un… if we pass this Bill and they can vote. Arsonists can come into the school and vote if you pass this Bill. Why just sex offenders?"

"Well, what if someone had murdered a children… a child or burned down a school? They wouldn't be sex offenders, but they'd be allowed to come in and vote, right?"

"Explain that."

"I'm not goin' anywhere. We're going to be here 'til August or September. Don't… Take your time."

"Sure. How are you, Mr. Speaker? Maybe I could talk to you while we're waiting. You doin' all right?"

"Yes."

"Well, so are there sex offenders that are not felons?" 09500038.doc 66  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007

"I'm still here, really."

"I'm sure the Speaker will fill in this time for me."

"Representative Lang, your time has expired."

"Well, could… could…"

"Please bring your remarks to a close."

"Well, I don't have any remarks yet, Mr. Speaker."

"Okay."

"Perhaps you could give me back the time that has sort of been waiting time, as they say. But I think I can complete my comments as soon as I get an answer to the question. Thank you."

"We'll have the Lady answer your question and then you can conclude your remarks."

"All right. So, now we're getting down to it. So, all felons can't vote, correct?"

"Right. And… and not all sex offenders are felons…"

"So what you're really doing here is adding that one niche of sex offender that is a… not a felon to the list of people that can't vote, in precinct?"

"Right. All right. Thank you. Mr. Speaker, I've nothing further to say. The Representative's answered all of my questions. Thank you, Representative."

"So, we've now had three speak in favor and three in response and the rules of debate would provide that, Representative Osmond is recognized to close."

"So, the question is, 'Shall this Bill pass?' All in favor vote 'aye'; opposed 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 110 voting 'yes' and 3 voting 'no'. And this Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Munson, did you get things worked out so we can read your Bill? Okay. So, we're going to go back to House Bill 1979 and Representative Munson is recognized."

"So, Representative Fritchey."

"Well, thank you, Speaker. Ladies and Gentlemen, this is how the process is supposed to work. The woman has a very, very good Bill that had one provision that I thought was troubling. She was gracious enough to pull it out of the record. I met with her and staff and she has agreed to work over on the Senate side to have some language put in which will make a very, very good Bill an excellent Bill. I 09500038.doc 68  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007 thank her for her professionalism, her work on this, her fine staff. And I strongly support an 'aye' vote. Thank you."

"Representative Collins."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is a Bill that I cannot support, again. And the thing is is that at some point we're luring a mar… minors… at some point we have gotten away from being parents and we want the law to take advantage. So, this Bill is just another Bill to… kids now are on the computer all day long and then people get on the computer, girls raise their age, boys raise their age, people pretend to be people who they are not and they are all kinds of things and then we say now that we're going to send kids to jail for dating or meeting people or luring them when, first of all, the very first thing is that we should be teaching our kids not to be on the computer trying to date anyway and not raising their ages and pretending to be somebody that they're not. And with… every day we're passing more and more sex offender laws. First, we got to define what a sex offender is. Everybody's a sex offender and so we're creating more and more laws that we're putting people in jail because we are failing as a parent. I just urge a 'no' vote."

"Representative Munson 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 Jefferies, do you wish to be recorded? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 115 voting 'yes' and 1 voting 'no'. And this Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative… Representative Howard, would you like to handle House Bill 1503 for Representative Patterson? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Representative Howard."

"Yes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Amendment #1 changes the age from 13 to 18 for the legal purchasing or public possession of an air rifle. A person under the age of 18 may still possess or own an air rifle with parental consent. It also deletes the ability of these individuals to carry an air rifle in public places even if it's unloaded."

"This is on the Order of Short Debate. Does anyone stand in response? Okay. We got a couple of people that wish to speak, so we'll put it on Stan… on Standard Debate. And Representative Black, you're recognized for 5 minutes."

"To the Bill."

Speaker Hannig: "Let's give the Gentleman some attention, please. Representative Black."

Speaker Hannig: "Representative Monique… Excuse me. Representative Howard, did you…"

"Yes, I'd like to respond to something that…"

"Representative… Representative Howard, I…"

"…Representative Black says."

"This… this is… He had a chance to speak. You'll get a chance to close or someone may ask you a question, but the next…"

"Very… very well."

Speaker Hannig: "…the next… the next speaker will be Representative Monique Davis." Davis, M.: "Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"

"She indicates she'll yield." Davis, M.: "Representative, I'm trying to understand. Are we increasing or decreasing the age from thirteen (13) to eighteen (18)?"

"Initially, we indicated that it would be thirteen (13), now it's eighteen (18). So, we're increasing the age." Davis, M.: "So, if a 13-year-old has one of these airguns or paintguns, would that person be guilty?"

"The Bill does not preclude anyone who's under the age of eighteen (18) from possessing the… the gun if there is parental consent." Davis, M.: "And what happens with the 18-year-old?" 09500038.doc 73  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007

"Well, they're… they're considered to be responsible enough to have such a weapon." Davis, M.: "So, an 18-year-old will be capable of purchasing and carrying an air rifle, a BB gun, a paintgun. Is that correct?"

"Yes." Davis, M.: "But a 13-year-old has to have parental consent?"

"That would be correct." Davis, M.: "And what are the penalties?"

"It would be a Class B misdemeanor." Davis, M.: "Which… What kind of offense is that? How much jail time?"

"We don't have that information right at our disposal." Davis, M.: "Did you say a Class…"

"Class B misdemeanor." Davis, M.: "Not a Class A, a Class B misdemeanor. Maybe that's no jail time, I'm not sure. Some of the lawyers in here can tell us. To the Bill, Mr. Speaker."

"…Bill." Davis, M.: "I know that the Sponsor and also the Lady carrying this Bill has all the best intentions in the world, but I know that there are children and young people in suburban areas who do play with that paintball plastic gun and so forth. I'm not sure that they do cause bodily harm, but I just wonder if it's illegal for people to have, shouldn't it be illegal for people to sell? You know, it concerns me that we are only going to punish the person who purchase it or… purchases it or have it. We're not going to purchase (sic-punish) the seller and that really does concern me. If 09500038.doc 74  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007 you have the… the legal ability to sell it, I should have the legal ability to buy it and if not, I'm really concerned with what the objective of this legislation really is. Is this objective… is this another objective to sweep up young people and give 'em a criminal record, another criminal record because a kid or someone bought a toy? Connie, because you're carrying this Bill I'm going to vote 'yes', but this is very bad legislation. It is very bad legislation that once again allows a person to sell something, but when I buy it I can be arrested. There's something wrong with that kind of legislation. Giving a criminal record to people who did nothing but buy a toy, a toy that was legally sold. Connie, I'm going to vote 'yes' because you're carrying the Bill."

"Representative Rose."

"No, there is no paintball exception."

"Okay. We've had three speak… three speak in opposition. The rules would provide that two additional speakers could be in support of the Bill. So, we're looking for support. Representative Mautino."

"No… This would be in response if you have a question, right?" 09500038.doc 75  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007

"Well, no. Unfortunate…"

"A technical question on the Bill drafted it as it is because I think it may be also drafted wrong."

"If you want to ask a technical question, I'll…"

"Okay. Of the Sponsor, here is a… if you look on… on the… in the language of it itself, it says that a person under the age of eighteen (18) may not sell, lend, transfer… Are you with me there?"

"I think I am."

"Okay. Yeah. If you look in the Bill there, basically, if my 15-year-old son lets his cousin who is thirteen (13) borrow his paintball gun, he has technically committed a Class B misdemeanor, the way it's drafted. So, we've actually made my son letting his cousin borrow his extra paintball gun to play in the back of my yard a Class B misdemeanor. Is that correct? This is my technical question. That would be a 'yes'?"

"If it is within the backyard, there's an exception."

"That isn't defined. It says may not transfer… Well, just the act of giving it to his cousin then, who's on the other side of the road, is a… it's a misdemeanor? Is a Class… Okay. That's my technical question. According to our attorneys in the back row here, the answer is 'yes'. So, a Class B for anyone under eighteen (18), cousin to cousin, friend to friend, to give 'em a BB gun, a pellet gun, a paintball gun, we've made them a Class B… That may be a technical error, but if it is, I'm not actually in response then I'd be opposed. Thanks for letting me ask that question." 09500038.doc 76  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007

"So, the rule would provide that two additional speakers could be in support of the Bill. So, we're looking for supporters. Representative Winters, are you in support?"

"For the parliamentarian?"

"Okay. So, say…"

"Representative Howard."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As always is the case when my colleague calls upon me to assist, I'm ready to do that. It appears that the… the support is… is not there and I'm going to be in touch with him and ask him what he wants me to do at this point. So, I would like the Bill to be pulled out of the record."

Speaker Hannig: "Thank you, Representative Howard. So, Representative Phelps, you have House Bill 1847. Representative Phelps. Out of the record. Representative Pihos, you have House Bill 1647. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Representative Pihos."

"This is on… 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? 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 Black, for what reason do you rise?"

Speaker Hannig: "Thank you, Representative Black. Also, Representative Pihos, you have House Bill 1684. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Representative Pihos."

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

"Will the Sponsor yield for one question?"

"Yes. She indicates she'll yield." 09500038.doc 79  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007

"Great. This is probationable, though. We didn't make it nonprobationable, did we?"

"Was it… So, this is probational?"

"All right. Thank you. And then if the Speaker will yield. Representative, did you just have the last Bill?"

"What'd you get two in a row?"

"Is there any further discussion? Then Representative Pihos to close."

"The question is, 'Shall House Bill 1684 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 Brosnahan, do you wish to be recorded? 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, you have House Bill 1959. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"The Gentleman from Sangamon, Representative Poe."

"This is on the Order of Short Debate. Does anyone speak 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 Hoffman and Osterman, do you wish to be recorded? Have all voted who wish? 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 Poe, are you seeking recognition? Okay. The Gentleman is not seeking recognition. Representative Reitz, you have House Bill 1780. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Representative Reitz."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Bill 1780 changes the name for the Conservation 2000 Fund and the Conservation 2000 Project Fund to Partners for Conservation and Partners for Conservation Project Fund. It also expands the use to include natural resource restoration and preservation, water quality protection, a number of other things. And it extends the sunset date. And it's an initiative of the department and the soil and water conservation districts, park districts, a number of environmental groups and I know of no opposition."

"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 09500038.doc 81  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007 voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Representative Hernandez, 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. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of House Bill 2304?"

"Return that to the Order of Second Reading at the request of the Sponsor. Representative Rita, you have House Bill 559. Would you like us to read that on Third? Representative Rita. Out of the record. How about House Bill 1467, Representative Rita? Out of the record. Representative Sacia, you have House Bill 1407. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Representative Sacia."

"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 Collins 09500038.doc 83  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007 and Jefferies, do you wish to be recorded? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 115 voting 'yes' and 1 voting 'no'. And this Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Sacia, you have House Bill 1403. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Representative Sacia."

"This is on the Order of Short Debate. And in response, Representative Winters."

"He indicates he'll yield."

"Okay. We've got a couple additional Members wishing to speak. So, we're going to put this on Standard Debate. And Representative Nekritz, you're recognized for 5 minutes."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Representative, I'm just curious why it should be aggravated if it's next to a church, relative to or religious institution, versus any other building?"

"But don't we want a strong message that we don't want a meth labs anywhere and why… so why shouldn't we, if we're just going to… if we're going to enhance the penalty for religious institutions… I guess I just don't see a distinction between having it at a religious… near a religious institution versus any other place where the meth lab can cause danger to the community."

"So, I just don't know. Do we… do we have an… an aggravated penalty for it being near a school or a stadium or some other place where people congregate?"

"So, your… your… your legislation though doesn't amend something that already said ‘school’ and you just added ‘religious institution’?"

"Okay."

"Okay. Thank you." 09500038.doc 86  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007

Speaker Hannig: "Any further discussion? Representative Molaro."

"Well, I'll just be real quick. You know, it has here worship, parsonage or former church facility. What's a 'former church facility'?"

"No, no, no. I guess what I'm getting at, ya just asked, you know, it's near a church where people congregate, Representative Nekritz and that sounded like a pretty good answer. People are congregating there and there's a lot of people."

"Now, we… you know, when I look at 'former church facility', maybe an abandoned facility where no one is gathering. So, why… why would we make it that you can't do it within a thousand (1,000) feet of a former church facility, but we can't do it within a thousand (1,000) feet of your house? I'd rather protect you and your family in your home than some former church facility that doesn't even exist. Why should that be nonaggravated?"

"Yeah. Well…"

"…yeah, I just want to… I'm trying to figure it out, that's all. I mean, I'm not going to stop the Bill, but 09500038.doc 87  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007 just… What was the reasoning where we would make it aggravating if it was a former abandoned church as opposed to your or my house where our family sleeps? Why is it more important to protect a former church than it is to protect a thousand (1,000) feet of my house?"

"Right."

"But it was a former church, right? So, now, it's an abandoned building like any other abandoned building."

"I know."

"Okay. So, then… Well, then, I don't want to say read it with me 'cause, so and your Bill is only three sentences. Says, the manufacturing of methamphetamine occurs within a thousand (1,000) feet of a place of worship, makes sense, parsonage, makes sense, or a former church facility. Now, that makes no sense."

"All right. Perfect. And then, this…" 09500038.doc 88  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007

"…this is the same Bill as the tire Bill that you just had. So, you now have two…"

"Representative Molaro, could you bring your remarks to a close. Okay. The Gentleman is finished. Representative Graham."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. I'm sorry, Representative Sacia. I may have been outside or I don't know if it had been… the question had been asked. What is the origin of this piece of legislation?"

"Okay. Are there laws, I'm sure there are, but I'm just going to ask the question, laws on the books right now for manufacturing methamphetamine?"

"What are the penalties in place right now for the manufacturing in a particular home? Let's say that the home was on a neighborhood block. What are the current penalties for that?"

"Okay. Again, I'm sorry to be asking these questions again." 09500038.doc 89  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007

"Does this legislation… this legislation increases the penalties already on the books for a church… meth labs near churches?"

"Okay. It simply says you cannot do it, but we already have a law on the books that says you can't do it in the first place but we… we're putting a law on the books that says you can't do it near a church and you're not increasing the penalties?"

"Are you saying that… maybe you… maybe you can't answer this question but maybe you can, the increased sitings of methamphetamine labs in your area?"

"Yes."

"I'm just concerned that I, too, don't want meth labs in the community…"

"…you know, I support you in that effort. I'm just concerned that, you know, this would be… people who are in 09500038.doc 90  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007 the grips of substance abuse do things that we just don't want them to do."

"I would agree with that. But when are we going to really, really get on the stick about providing programs and the money to help get people out of these situations. And I know it's a tough market because… we've been fighting heroin and crack cocaine in our area for a long time and now meth is on the scene and I do understand the fight. I don't want to minimize the terror and the health risks that this causes. So, I commend for the thought of this piece of legislation. I just think that, you know, this is just to be near a church, you know, I mean what are we doing here? I mean… I mean, why would the penalties be different… and I heard the Representative asking about it… why would the penalties be different from near a church than next door to somebody's home?"

"Well, I guess… I guess I would disagree with that because of people making crack cocaine have burned down buildings…"

"…you know, in the manufacturing of that. There has been a recent epidemic in the City of Chicago where heroin 09500038.doc 91  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007 production has killed a number of people. I mean, there were maybe about…"

"…thirteen (13) deaths related to the production of, you know, and the use of the… the heroin. People getting the drug and walkin' away and dieing from it and not gettin' a second chance to, you know, make a different decision."

"Well, I'm undecided about where I'll, you know, I'll continue to listen to the debate…"

"Representative, your… your time has expired. Do you need to bring your remarks to a close."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just think that since we have a law on the books already. This is just create… you know, increasing some penalties that I'm not sure how they really come into play, but thank you."

"The rules provide for one additional speaker in favor of the Bill. Representative Franks, would you like to speak in support?" 09500038.doc 92  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007

"Yes."

"Okay. Proceed."

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

"Indicates he'll yield."

"Representative, I'm looking at our analysis and what it indicates is that there already are some certain situations where the manufacturer would get aggravated count. And what we are showing is it's a multiunit dwelling, in a structure with a child under eighteen (18), in a structure with a pregnant woman, in a structure protected by firearms or other dangerous means. Those are the… Right now, those are aggravated."

"My understanding is what you're trying to do is to include places of worship, parsonage or a former church facility."

"Okay. So, right now, we do have the aggravated, this is in additional."

"I'd like you to look at the text of the Bill on page 4, and I was reading and it's paragraph H. And it's…"

"…your Amendment to the existing aggravated statute. It's simple. It says that… it says that if the manufacture occurs within a thousand (1,000) feet of place of worship, parsonage or former church facility."

"Okay. Now, Representative Molaro had brought out some issues and I think you would agree that it could be changed on the Senate side."

"And I'd agree with him as I'm reading this here and I know it's simil… where I… we live very near each other and where we have like former church facilities I've seen they're antique stores now."

"So, I don't think that's what you're trying to accomplish…"

"…but the thousand (1,000) feet near a place of worship would take care of what you needed, correct?"

"So, as long… with that understanding, that it would be corrected on the Senate side, I think you have a very strong Bill and I think you'll get to where you need to go."

"Thank you."

"Representative Sacia 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 114 voting 'yes' and 1 voting 'no'. And this Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is 09500038.doc 94  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007 hereby declared passed. Representative Watson, for what reason do you rise?"

"State your point."

"Representative Stephens."

"Representative Bill Mitchell." Mitchell, B.: "Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. I, too, would like to join in my appreciation to Josh. I've worked with Josh over the years in terms of different things; he does a great job. In particularly, on Sunday at 2:30 we're going to be sending the 1144th and sending them a farewell in Delavan. I have the good fortune of representing Delavan, a small community of about eleven hundred (1100) folks in Tazewell County. So, Congressman LaHood, Senator Brady, and I have the honor to be able to wish Josh and his colleagues well. We will be doing that at 3:00, Sunday afternoon in Delavan, Illinois. Certainly, anyone who'd like to come we'd be more than happy to have you there. Regardless of what we think of… of the conflict we're engaged in now, we wish our thoughts and prayers go with all the brave young men and women who are going over to the Middle East to fight for our freedom. So, I want to 09500038.doc 96  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007 thank Josh for your dedication to the United States as well as to the 1144th who I will be saying goodbye to on Sunday. Thank you."

"Returning to the Order of House Bills-Third Reading. Representative Osterman, you have House Bill 1795. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

Speaker Hannig: "The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Osterman."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. House Bill 1795 deals with the growing problem of misclassification of employees as independent contractors in the construction industry in the state. It's a situation that's been studied and is a problem that is continuing to grow. The issue at hand is that some contractors in our state are using a system of having individuals act as independent contractors when in actuality, in all shapes and forms, they should be employees of that contractor. By doing this, this has several negative effects: 1) to general contractors and contractors that are playing by the rules and hiring employees, they are on an uneven playing field. And they are being underbid and losing jobs because people can undercut using this individual… independent contractor. It's for its employees who lose out on benefits and rights and protections under State and Federal Law who are asked to be independent contractors and should be employees. And lastly, this hurts the State of Illinois who loses out on millions of dollars in income tax on an annual basis and is 09500038.doc 97  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007 continuing, according to the study, to lose more and more based on this problem. What House Bill 1795 seeks to do is to have people that are employees in the… in the construction industry be deemed employees and it also sets a criteria by which people that are genuinely independent contractors, the sole proprietors, are defined and as a criteria established for that. But ultimately, Ladies and Gentlemen, what this will do is that for those people that are misusing this system, they will have to change the system or have penalties against them. And with that, I'm prepared to answer any questions."

"The Gentleman moves for the passage of House Bill 1795. And on that question, the Gentleman from Winnebago, Representative Winters."

"It's a very good question and a good point that you bring up. It's up to fifteen hundred dollars ($1500) for a first-time offense and up to twenty-five hundred dollars ($2500) for a second offense within 5 years. And the reason I say 'up to' because you and others have brought that point 09500038.doc 98  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007 up and the Department of Labor will have the discretion in the legislation it talks about them reviewing this and having the discretion to look at the scope of the problem when determining a… a penalty. And if someone mistakenly, a mom and pop contractor, has someone who they have as an independent contractor that should be an employee and if there's an investigation and they say, you know what, we should have hired this person as an employee. That'll be taken into consideration with the Department of Labor when they look at penalties and that's something that we've talked to the Department of Labor. We do not want to hurt the innocent people that are… that are contractors. We want to go after those people that are misusing the system."

"There's two steps. There's a 12-part test that identifies if someone is an independent contractor or a sole proprietor or partnership and if someone needs that criteria, they would be exempt from this legislation. If they fail that criteria, we would then go to a 3-part test 09500038.doc 99  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007 that would identify: are they acting on their own, are they solely responsible for what they've been contracted to do, are they, in fact, a… an employee of the… of the person, but that's been, you know, identified in the legislation. I want to point out that this legislation takes effect in January of '08. It would be my hope that when this is passed that everyone would have a… an interest in making sure that they know what the rules are and the criteria, and so that people aren't caught up with a mistake."

"If you met… if you met all twelve (12) of those, you'd be a sole proprietor or partnership and it would be exempt from this legislation. If you failed any of those twelve (12), it would then go to a 3-part determination. If someone passed that 3-part determination, they would be, again, exempt from that. So, if they are truly an independent contractor that's doing something free and separate, they would not be under this… covered under this legislation."

"The individual has been and will continue to be free of control and direction of the performance, service of the contract, both under the individual's contract and service and in fact, service performed by an individual's outside the usual course and services performed by a contractor and the individual's engaged in an independently established trade occupation, profession or business. So, the 12-part test, Representative Winters, I think, goes to really show that someone, an independent contractor, do they have their own equipment, do they provide services to the general public so that if you, as a business person, wanted to contract them you could look in the phonebook or go on a Web site and see that. The situation that's come up is that these people have been put on as independent contractors. If the… if the contractor puts 'em on, closes up shop one day, they're not a freestanding group. They are part of that… the larger…"

"Representative Winters, your time has expired. Could you bring your remarks to a close, please?"

"Representative Leitch."

"We've had one in support and two in opposition. Representative Black, you're recognized for 5 minutes."

Speaker Hannig: "Bring… could you bring your remarks to a close."

"Representative Osterman to close."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I want to respond to a couple things that were said by the previous speakers who I have great respect for. This is a good Bill for Illinois; it's a good Bill for the workers in Illinois; it's a good Bill for the contractors in Illinois. It levels the playing field and says that if an employee is an employee that they should be treated as such and have the benefits as such. It says that companies should not be skirting the law in their responsibility to pay income tax to our state that we all know we desperately need. This deals specifically with the construction industry and contractors are neutral on this legislation. But I ultimately think this is a good thing for the workers; it's a good thing for the business in the state. And I would respectfully ask for an 'aye' vote."

"The question is, 'Shall this Bill pass?' All in… 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 64 voting 'yes' and 51 voting 'no'. And this Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Okay."

Speaker Lyons: "Representative Lyons in the Chair. Representative Saviano, you have House Bill 129. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"The Chair recognizes the Gentleman from Cook, Representative Skip Saviano."

"No one seeking recognition. The question is, 'Should House Bill 129 pass?' All those in favor should signify by voting 'yes'; those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Jerry Mitchell. Representative Mitchell. Jerry, you want to vote? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this Bill, there are 116 Members voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no'. This Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Schmitz, you have House Bill 3132. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Representative Tim Schmitz."

"Anybody seeking a request to speak regarding House Bill 3132? Seeing not, the question is, 'Should House Bill 3132 pass?' All those in favor signify by voting 'yes'; those opposed vote 'no'. 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 Bill, there are 115 Members voting 'yes', 1 voting 'no'. This Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Washington, we have House Bill 1563. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"The Chair recognizes the Gentleman from Lake, Representative Washington."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Bill 1563 comes out of the genesis of consumers not having to pay for services that they have not actually received. This incident surrounds the utility of gas in particular where a meter was put on a piece of property, was not fully installed yet several bills had came from the utility company to the consumer and those bills were paid in good faith by the consumer until later on it was realized that none of the service or the commodity had been received. The gas company's response at that point in time with that the bills received were for meter installation, but that proved not to be valid as well, because none of the prior bills that were 09500038.doc 108  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007 sent and paid said anything about these bills were for installation of a meter. It said estimated reading. So, that's the genesis of the Bill. The utility should bill the customer for the legally obtained commodity only and after the service meter has been connected or if the service is to a new construction after the meter has been connected to the service line. And I'm open for any questions as it relates to this legislation."

"The Chair recognizes the Gentleman from Jackson, Representative Michael Bost."

"Indicates he will."

"That's correct. As I stated a few minutes ago, the genesis of the Bill was in particular in this particular situation dealing with the gas company. And there was several bills sent and several bills paid in good faith and it came to be found out later that the meter that was installed by the gas company was not fully connected and there were estimated bills to new construction. So, after the error was brought to the attention of the utility company, it was said that the bills were legitimate because they were for the meter installation. But upon further 09500038.doc 109  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007 investigation, it was discovered that none of the bills that were sent said anything about that the estimated cost was for our meter. It said estimated gas usage. And so, that's at the genesis of this Bill to make sure that consumers are not ever charged for anything based on an estimate when they haven't received the service nor the commodity yet payment was received by the utility company. And also, the reimbursement or the correction did not come until several months later in terms of makin' the correct changes that were necessary."

"That's correct, Representative. I see nothing wrong with the way it reads because this is a consumer friendly Bill that protects people from paying for things they didn't receive. In some instances…"

"…people are getting charged estimated bills for services that haven't been connected…" 09500038.doc 110  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007

"…or they have to pay rate."

"So, knowing that the… the value of a dollar for a family business could go to other uses other than pay for something they did not get."

"To my understanding the answer is yes."

"This is to protect the customers."

"It does not affect the customers in any other way and if you notice, and I'm sure you already have, that there is no position taken by any of the utility company that you're advocating your question."

"Well, Representative, I don't think you would be more concerned than the utility company who put the money in their pockets and being that they have no position, that quite… that quite is self-explanatory, I would think."

"And eventually no position states that that language was satisfactory to the interests of those that we're talking about here today."

"Thank you, Sir."

"The Chair recognizes the Gentleman from Macon, Representative Flider."

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

"Indicates he will." 09500038.doc 112  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007

"Thank you. Representative, this seems to me like a pretty clear cut kind of solution to an issue that you probably found in your district, which, I think, would have been a problem. And that is that somebody moves into a house, there may already have been service and then they get an estimated bill as if they had had a month of service already and they never even used the… a therm or a kilowatt hour of service. Is that correct?"

"Yes, Sir."

"And then in the instance of somebody who builds a house and they were to move in and then they, in this case, it prohibits the utility from providing them an estimated bill, which would estimate that they may use a hundred (100) or two hundred (200) therms or three hundred (300) or five hundred (500) kilowatt hours before they every used it, so this makes sure that the utility can't do that as well. Is that correct?"

"Yes, Sir."

"Okay. I think it's a great Bill. Thank you."

"Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Mautino."

Speaker Lyons: "The Chair recognizes the Gentleman from Vermilion, Representative Bill Black. Representative Black's light's on; I don't see Representative Black. Representative Black, you seek recognition?"

"Representative Washington to close."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I thank the Members for their comments. And urge a positive passage of this legislation."

"The question is, 'Should House Bill 1563 pass?' All those in favor should vote 'yes'; those opposed vote 'no'. 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 Mulligan. Rosemary, Rosemary Mulligan. Mr. Clerk… Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this Bill, there are 83 Members voting 'yes', 30 voting 'no', 2 voting 'present'. This Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Soto, you have House Bill 1744. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

Speaker Lyons: "The Chair recognizes the Lady from Cook, Representative Cindy Soto." 09500038.doc 116  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007

"Thank you, Speaker, Members of the House. House Bill 1744 amends the Right to Privacy at the Workplace Act. Provides that the employers are prohibited from enrolling in any Employment Eligibility Verification System, including the Basic Pilot program, as authorized by Federal Law until the Social Security Administration and Department of Homeland Security databases are able to make a determination on 99 percent of the tentative nonconfirmation notices issued to the employer within three (3) days, unless otherwise required by Federal Law. And I urge an 'aye' vote and open for any questions."

"Anyone seeking recognition regarding House Bill 1744? Seeing none, the question is, 'Should House Bill 1744 pass?' All those in favor signify by voting 'yes'; those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Representative Krause. Representative Osterman. Carolyn. Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this Bill, there are 76 Members voting 'yes', 39 Members voting 'no'. This Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Schock, you have House Bill 1708. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"The Chair recognizes the Gentleman from Peoria, Representative Schock."

"Any discussion on House Bill 1708? Seeing none, the question is, 'Should House Bill 1708 pass?' All those in favor signify by voting 'yes'; those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Representative Dunn. Representative Sullivan. Representative Watson. Ed, somebody votin' your switch? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this Bill, there are 116 Members voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no'. This Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Sommer. Representative Keith Sommer. Representative Sullivan, House Bill 132. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"The Chair recognizes the Gentleman from Lake, Representative Ed Sullivan."

"Anybody seeking any recognition regarding House Bill 132? Seeing none, the question is, 'Should House Bill 132 pass?' All those in favor signify by voting 'yes'; those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Representative Golar. Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this Bill, there are 116 Members voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no'. This Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Tracy, you have House Bill 3628. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"The Chair recognizes… recommend… Representative Tracy."

Speaker Lyons: "Is anyone seeking… Representative Tracy, finished with your presentation? Is anybody seeking recognition regarding House Bill 3628? Seeing none, the question is, 'Should House Bill 3628 pass?' All those in favor should signify by voting 'yes'; those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have 09500038.doc 119  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007 all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Representative Feigenholtz. Flowers. Granberg. Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this Bill, there are 115 Members voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no', 1 Member voting 'present'. This Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Tryon, you have House Bill 909. Mr. Clerk, read… read the Bill."

"The Chair recognizes the Gentleman from McHenry, Representative Mike Tryon."

"As there's no one seeking recognition, the question is, 'Should House Bill 909 pass?' All those in favor signify by voting 'yes'; those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Jerry Mitchell. Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this Bill, there are 116 Members voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no'. This Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. 09500038.doc 120  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007 Representative Tryon, you also have House Bill 576. Mike. Mr. Clerk, read the… read the Bill."

"Representative Tryon."

"Is there any discussion on House Bill 576? Seeing none, the question is, 'Should House Bill 576 pass?' All those in favor should signify by voting 'yes'; those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Representative Flider, and Representative McCarthy. Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this… on House Bill 576, 116 Members voted 'yes', 0 voted 'no'. This Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Wait, you have House Bill 271. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk." 09500038.doc 121  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007

"The Chair recognizes the Gentleman from Boone, Representative Wait."

"No one seeking recognition on House Bill 271. The question is, 'Should House Bill 271 pass?' All those in favor signify by voting 'yes'; those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Representative May. Representative Granberg. Representative Ryg. Would you like to be recorded? Granberg, Ryg. Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this Bill, there's 116 Members voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no'. This Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Ron Wait, you also have House Bill 273. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Representative Ron Wait."

"Is no one seeking recognition? The question is, 'Should House Bill 273 pass?' All those in favor signify by voting 'yes'; those opposed vote 'no'. 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 Bill, there's 116 Members voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no'. This Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Mathias, you're recognized on a Motion."

"Representative Mathias moves to, under Rule 61, to… having voted on the prevailing side, to reconsider House Bill 1795. The Chair recognizes the Gentleman from Cook, Representative Harry Osterman."

"I'm missing some people. I'm missing some people. I would ask the ruling of the Chair as to… how to proceed."

"Representative, the standard rules of the House on your Bill would take 60 votes for your Bill to pass the chamber on the Motion. And the Motion will take 60 votes."

"So, do we debate the Bill again, do we vote on the Bill… vote on the Motion?"

"This'll be a vote on the Motion to reconsider the Bill, Representative."

"I would simply ask for a 'no' vote on the Motion to reconsider." 09500038.doc 123  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007

"So, the question is, Ladies and Gentlemen, 'Should the Motion to reconsider House Bill 1795 pass?' All those in favor of the Motion to reconsider should vote 'yes'; those opposed should vote 'no'. And the voting is open. Mr. Clerk, take the record. Mr. Black, you seeking recognition?"

"Representative Rosemary Mulligan."

"Representative Bost."

"Representative Stephens."

"Representative Leitch."

"On the Motion, there are 51 'yeas', 65 'nays'. The Motion fails. Representative Riley."

"Every day, you know, there's… there's individuals who work for IDES that go out and do audits of all of the businesses in the State of Illinois. No, I was in the back. And what they do is they try to find out whether or not people are being misclassified as a part of what they do on a daily basis. So, to say that no one understands the process of the Bill, I think is… is somewhat of a stretch. People do understand it. And what they're trying to do is to find out revenues that really should be going to this state, simply said."

"Representative Leitch. Representative Leitch was asked for a Republican Caucus. Representative Black, we'll put your microphone on. You can speak to the last speaker."

"The Republicans will caucus in Room 118 for approximately 45 minutes. Leader Cross, 45 minutes in Room 118. Representative… The House will stand at ease to the call of the Chair. The House shall come to order. We'll be returning to the alphabetical list of Thrid Readings and the first Bill that we'll be discussing will be. Representative… Representative Bost."

"Be so recorded, Representative. Thank you. Representative David Phelps… Representative Phelps, Brandon Phelps, you have a House Bill 988. Out of the record. Representative Berrios, you have House Bill 984. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

Speaker Lyons: "The Lady from Cook, Representative Toni Berrios."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. This… House Bill 984 is a cleanup Bill. It's cleaning up a statute that was mandated for DCFS in 1989. The mandate has been met, but every time they get audited 09500038.doc 129  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007 this question pops up. So, we're just cleaning up the statute and they're not deleting the concept because DCFS still does the report. They just don't want it in the statute. I'd ask for a favorable vote."

"Any questions on House Bill 984? The Lady from Cook, Representative Rosemary Mulligan."

"She indicates she will."

"DCFS asked me to present this Bill."

"It just deletes… It repeals a section in their statute just because of the time limitations on there. It was a study that they had to do."

"Yes."

"No, there's…"

"They still do the trainings and they said they don't want to delete the concept because it's something they do, it's just they want it out of the statute because every time 09500038.doc 130  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007 they get audited this question comes up and they have the information, it's just they get attacked for it."

"I'm really not too sure, Representative."

"I can give you the reason for the proposal. Will that… It says…"

"Yeah. It was in 1989. And then as these reports… like the state mandates relating to the department have not been updated. So, as these reports have due dates going back some years and the reports can no longer be located, audit reports issued since 2002 by the Auditor General's Office have recommended the statutes be updated or repealed. They were one-time only reports so that's why they just want to repeal this part."

"Right."

"I'll do that. I'll take it out of the record…"

"Mr. Clerk…"

"…and we can get that question answered."

"Mr. Clerk, take this Bill out of the record at the request of the Sponsor. Representative Will Davis, you have House Bill 1675. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Representative Davis." Davis, W.: "Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. House Bill 1675 creates the State Employment Credit Check Act to provide that if a credit check is required by a state agency as part of the employment application process, that the credit check must be conducted during the interview process and not at the end of the process as it generally is. I simply feel that if that that's a necessary part of the application process and that in and of itself that something can… that can disqualify an individual, that we give them the opportunity to possibly have that disqualification on the front end versus the back end so if 09500038.doc 133  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007 they are disqualified, they can, of course, move on to try to seek other employment. I'd be more than happy to answer any questions."

"The Chair recognizes the Gentleman from DuPage, Representative Jim Meyer."

"He indicates he will."

"Representative Davis to close." Davis, W.: "Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the Gentleman's concerns. If CMS has, you know, any ideas on how to further amend it, I'll be more than happy to work with them in the Senate. But again, I know for my constituents' sake, again, they would rather know early on in the process whether or not they can be considered for a job versus at the end… toward the end of the process and they run a credit check and unfortunately, individuals are in some of these situations because their… they don't have employment. Maybe they've had a job and they've been doing very well, but they lost the job for whatever reason and they've had to deal with a number of different issues which may indeed impact their credit. So, if that is indeed the case and an individual is going to be affected by this process, I think they would rather know it a little earlier on in the process so they can continue to seek employment versus the hope and dreams of getting a job and then to find out at the very end that, oh well, your credit is too bad, you can't have a job. Go, you know, go do something else. So, I, again, appreciate the Gentleman's concerns. I ask for an 'aye' vote."

"The question is, 'Should House Bill 1675 pass?' All those in favor signify by voting 'yes'; those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? 09500038.doc 137  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007 Representative Cole. Mulligan. Representative Mulligan. Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this Bill, there are 62 Members voting 'yes', 52 voting 'no'. This Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Pihos, you have House Bill 1289. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Representative Pihos."

"As no one is seeking recognition, the question is, 'Should House Bill 1289 pass?' All those in favor signify by voting 'yea'; those opposed vote 'no'. 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 Bill, there's 114 Members voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no'. This Bill… this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Sacia, you have House Bill 502. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"The Gentleman from Winnebago, Representative Sacia."

Speaker Lyons: "The Chair recognizes the Lady from Cook, Representative Graham."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. Will the Sponsor yield?"

"Sponsor will yield."

"Representative Sacia, just for clarity. Now, will these…"

"…weapons are… they're just for a special group?"

"And they're not going to be sold in the… the stores?"

"What do these… I'm sorry, go ahead." 09500038.doc 139  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007

"Now, what type of guns were you referring to?"

"Question: now, will these weapons be actual weapons that can discharge? What… you know…"

"…you know, are they…"

"…are they mock weapons?"

"They… they are. So…"

"So, what sort of demonstration will they be going to, I guess, to exhibit, I guess, some time of era… some time frame and they would actually use these weapons, you know, discharge 'em if they were, you know…" 09500038.doc 140  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007

"Thank you, Representative."

"The Chair recognizes the Gentleman from Cook, Representative Lang."

"Thank you. Will the Sponsor yield?"

"Indicates he will."

"Representative, I don't think I have too much of a problem with your Bill but I do have a couple of questions."

"So, tell us what these reenactors do and how they do it?"

"And so, these reenactments do… are these live guns with live ammunition?"

"Well, who would be in possession of the weapons? Would it be the individual actors, if you will, who are doing the reenactment or would the weapons be in the possession and ownership of the company or group that's doing the reenactment?"

"And so, each individual person who is in the group would take care of a weapon?"

"And so, we would be turning over live weapons which would… which could be shortened in ways that would not be legal outside of the reenactment, then these people would have these guns in their possession in their homes in between the reenactments."

"They… they have the authority to have the weapon…"

"…but you need this Bill because to be…" 09500038.doc 142  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007

"…authentic and genuine they need perhaps shorter barrels which are not legal today."

"And so… Let me go back where I was. They would be taking weapons back to their home that are not legal today under any other purpose. Is that correct?"

"And so then I would presume these people have to have FOID cards if they have weapons."

"But what is to keep these people from using these weapons in other ways? They… So, they could… they could take a weapon… let's… they could take a weapon that would be legal for other purposes and have it in their home but now you've got a weapon that's illegal for other purposes, basically out on the streets of Illinois. Does this concern you at all?"

"All right. What… Go ahead."

"Does the Bill say that they could not use this weapon for any other purpose other than the reenactment?" 09500038.doc 143  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007

"Can you tell me where that is in the Bill?"

"Surely."

"Thank you. Are there any penalties for doing something other than that?"

"All right. One other question. I need just one more minute, Mr. Speaker."

"There's still… Mr. Lang, we'll give you one more minute…"

"Thank…"

"…to finish your…"

"…thank you very much. I did not see any definition in the Bill of 'historical reenactors' or whatever the exact term is. Is there… am I… am I missing that? Is there a definition of what this group is so we know who… who has the right to do this?"

"And is that in the statute someplace?"

"So… so…"

"I understand. I see that, but there…"

"You will agree with me that there's no definition of that in here."

"All right."

"So, I'm prepared to vote for your Bill. I can see why this would be interesting for people, but I would urge you strongly to have… when this Bill gets to the Senate… to put some definitions in here so we know who can have these weapons and who cannot have these weapons."

"Thank you very much."

"Ladies and Gentlemen, this Bill was on Short Debate and we'll put it on Standard Debate. Mr. Graham… Miss Graham and Mr. Lang have spoken in response to it. Mr. Black, the Gentleman from Vermilion. Mr. Black passes. Representative Riley." 09500038.doc 145  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007

"This a question that… Well, will the Sponsor please yield?"

"Sponsor yields."

"This is a technical question 'cause I'm really familiar with reenactments that deal with the Civil War. Not so much later conflicts and as you know, different kinds of weapons, you know, were used in the later conflicts."

"Can you give me an idea of the kinds of weapons that would come under your legislation?"

"The M1 carbine?"

"The M1-A1."

"Oh."

"The M1 Garand."

"Okay."

"Okay." 09500038.doc 146  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007

"Okay. So, you're not talking about the… the carbine M1- A1, the M… the M… the M2?"

"Yes."

"Okay. Because I am somewhat concerned, as you know, I am sure you know about these things. Those carbines have in the past been modified to make them fully automatic."

"Also, along with what Representative Lang said, I am concerned… I don't know how loose or how tight the regulations of recognized reenact… reenactors are. I know there's another class of federal license for people who collect weapons, but I think that there has to be some specificity as to what groups would be typified as being military reenactors because there's a lot of groups out 09500038.doc 147  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007 there that I don't think any of us would agree that we would want to come under this legislation."

"Thank you."

"I believe we've had two people speak in favor of the Bill and two ask questions on it. We have three speakers who are requesting opportunity to speak to the Bill. Representative Osterman, question?"

"A question of the Sponsor."

"Representative Osterman."

"Representative Sacia, how does this legislation affect the transportation of these weapons from a home to a reenactment?"

"On page 8, under Section 5 and at the bottom of page 8, there's language specifically that states, 'during transportation such weapons shall be broken down into a nonfunctioning state and not immediately accessible.' So, my question to you is, you're taking recommendations today. You've been very forthright in your answers to the questions. In an effort to make sure that the 09500038.doc 148  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007 transportation of these firearms is done in the right way, in a way that also protects the individual that you're trying to affect, what I would ask you to do is to specifically add that language when it goes to the Senate. I'm not asking you to hold the Bill. I'm not asking you to pull it from the record. I'm asking you and I take you on your word adding that language specifies further the transportation of how those weapons are so that they're not accessible, so that the people that are doing this know what they're doing and law enforcement, they may pull them over, understands this as well."

"Thank you."

"The Gentleman from St. Clair, Representative Holbrook. A question or point of clarification."

"I have a… ask a question. Will the speak… will the speaker (sic-Sponsor) yield?"

"Indicates he will."

"We have several historic reenactments in our area. We even have the World War II and World War I. Our biggest are the French-Indian Wars and American Revolution 'cause we have the furthest west American Revolutionary site in the nation. And we even do Civil War reenactments: the Sons of the Confederacy and the Sons of the Union. You know, they roll out their 12-pound cannons and do their cavalry charges. They do all that sort of thing. Some of these, like down in Representative Reitz's area, we'll have fifteen, sixteen thousand (15,000-16,000) people show up and maybe five hundred (500) to a thousand (1,000) reenactors, 09500038.doc 149  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007 especially the French-Indian War time. Would they be covered under this also?"

"Okay. 'Cause these reenactments are huge tourism draws."

"We draw thirty, forty, fifty thousand (30,000, 40,000, 50,000) people down there for these things. When they attack the fort, you know, that sort of thing. Okay. You answered my questions, but if their… their weapons came under this criteria and their part of a national organized group, they would come under this even though they're not World War I or II or Korea?"

"They would actually come under the French-Indian War organization or the Sons of the Confederacy or whatever."

"Thank you so much. Thank you."

"The Gentleman from Vermilion, Representative Bill Black." 09500038.doc 150  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007

"Proceed."

"You're the last speaker, Repre…"

"Representative Sacia to close."

"The question is, 'Should House Bill 502 pass?' All those in favor signify by voting 'yes'; those opposed vote 'no'. 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 Bill, there are 113 Members voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no'. This Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Franks, House Bill 374. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill. On the Order of Postponed Consideration, Representative Franks has House Bill 374. Representative Franks."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is a Bill we had up a few days ago and I've had a chance to speak with some of them… folks and I think we've… they understand the Bill better. And what we're doing here with the Family Medical Leave Act is allowing it to apply to in-laws as well as straight lineal descendants. I'll be glad to answer any questions."

Speaker Lyons: "The Chair recognizes the Gentleman from Vermilion, Representative Bill Black."

"He indicates he will."

"Correct."

"Correct. Yes, Sir."

"Yes, Sir."

"Yes, Sir."

"Not that I'm aware of."

"This Bill is on Standard Debate, we've had one person talk in favor, one in response. We have three 09500038.doc 155  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007 speakers. Representative Jim Meyer, are you speaking in response to the Bill or in favor of the Bill?"

"Proceed, Representative."

"Yes, Sir. It's the immediate family."

"Correct."

"No, Sir. No, Sir. It would still be only the twelve (12) weeks of unpaid job-protected leave per year. How you chose to apply that or to ask for it would be your discretion. You… It happens all the time. You have to have some flexibility. God forbid, your… your father should have a heart attack and you would have to take some… let's say he's a farmer. Okay. And you need to get the crops in this year. So, you say, you know what, I'm going to take 09500038.doc 156  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007 four (4) weeks now so I can help get the crops going. Then you go back to work. Then it might be an, God forbid, a child gets sick and you need to take some time off. You can do that as long as you're within the twelve (12) weeks per year. You don't get any extra time; it's the same amount of time, but you'll have the flexibility of if you can't take care of your father or your son, that your wife would be able to do so. That's all we're asking in this Bill."

"Right now, the way the law is, and we're not changing anything else, you have to be an employee of an employer that has fifty (50) or more employees to be eligible. So, the vast majority of the businesses in the state are not affected whatsoever."

"That wouldn't change at all. It'd be… still be the exact same. It was… it just allows flexibility within a family to allow either you or your spouse to be the caregiver to either your parents or her parents or your children."

"It would just be to your in-laws, that's all for you. The only extra people who you'd be able to help would be 09500038.doc 157  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007 your in-laws and as well as for your spouse, she'd be able to take care of your folks."

"Yeah, two (2) on each side, assuming they're all alive."

"A verification request is so noted. We've had two people speak in response. We have room for one more person in response. Representative Bellock, speaking in response to the Bill…"

"…or in favor of?"

"In response. Representative Bellock."

"Indicates he will."

"No. You're only… We're not changing anything. You only get twelve (12) weeks per year. You're not going to get a day more, you're not going to get an hour more off. It's just giving you more flexibility to be realistic on what really happens in today's society. The previous speaker from Vermilion talked about that. We're not this… it's not a one-person… Today's families, it's not a one- person earner who goes out there and the other spouse stays home. That does not… that's not what it is anymore. The middle class, in order to make ends meet, have both parents working or both spouses working. That's the reality of what we have in our society. This just gives flexibility. It's not allowing any more time off, not another minute. It's just letting people be able to manage their lives better that would help them and help their families get through a difficult time. The employers won't have any more exposure. The folks… the employees don't get any more time off. It's just dealing with the reality that we have that has been ignored and been swept under the rug."

"Representative Kosel, we've had three (3) people speak in response."

Speaker Lyons: "For the purpose of a question. Proceed, Representative Kosel."

"Indicates he will."

"I don't know the answer. I don't think there's a limit. I just know that this only applies to companies that have fifty (50) or more employees."

"We're not changing anything in the Family Medical Leave. We're not changing anything else."

"So, I'm not…"

"I'm not… No, I didn't say that."

"I don't know, I said. I don't know that answer."

"I don't know whether there is, but we're not changing the Family Medical Leave Act at all to…"

"Exactly."

"Right."

"Representative Jakobsson, you speaking in favor of the Bill? You're the last…"

"Yes."

"…last speaker. Representative Jakobsson."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of this Bill. My mother-in-law lived with us for the last five (5) years of her life and in the last several months, she was in home hospice care. And certainly, my husband… his mother… spent a lot of time with her, but I did too, as well as our children. And I think this is very important because when families can be together they need to be together."

"Representative Franks to close."

"Thank you. I appreciate the comments from my friends on the other side of the aisle. What we have to remember, this isn't costing a company anything. The argument is, they're giving something for nothing, you're not, because right now every person has the ability to take off for up to twelve (12) weeks. We're not changing that. And should you choose to take off time to help a family member, you are not getting paid, not a penny. I think we have to accept the reality that there's not a one-earner family anymore in this state, it's a rarity. It's the exception, it's not the rule. And when this law was passed, it was the other way. 09500038.doc 161  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007 Now, the reality is both mom and dad have to get out and work. The reality is mom and dad are often in the sandwich generation. They're helping their parents and they're helping their kids and they're trying to save for retirement and they're trying to pay the mortgage. They're trying to do all these things. Let's help our families. This isn't going to hurt any business, this is going to help business. This is going to allow people to be flexible. It's going to allow people not to have to quit their jobs. This is a Bill we all oughta be voting for. The arguments I heard, I know they were well-intentioned, but I… they're hollow. This will not hurt business, it will help business. And more importantly, it will help all of our families. I ask for an 'aye' vote."

"Ladies and Gentlemen, there's been a request for verification. I ask Members please vote their own switches. And on that note, the Motion is, 'Should House Bill 374 pass?' All those in favor signify by voting 'yes'; those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Representative Flider, in the chamber? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this Bill, there are 62 Members voting 'yes', 50 Members voting 'no', 1 Member voting 'present'. Staff, I'd ask you to please retire to the rear of the chamber. A verification request has been made by Representative Meyer. Mr. Clerk, read those Members voting in the affirmative."

"Mr. Meyer, we've called the roll on the Members voting 'yes'. Your…"

"Representative Hernandez, she's sitting next to Representative Lang. Raise your hand, Representative Hernandez."

Speaker Lyons: "She's sitting next to Representative Lang. She's there."

"Representative Kevin Joyce. Kevin Joyce is not here. We'll take Representative Joyce off… off the Roll Call. Wait a minute."

"He's walking in the chamber."

"He's walking in the chamber, Representative Sacia (sic-Meyer)." 09500038.doc 163  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007

"Representative Will Davis, he's behind you, Representative. He's on your Republican side."

"Representative Hoffman did not… did not vote on the affirmative."

Speaker Lyons: "Representative Patterson is absent, Representative."

"Further, Representative?"

"All right. Again, this Bill, having received… House Bill 374, having received the Constitutional Majority by a vote of 62 'yea' and 50 'nay', is hereby declared passed. Representative Gordon, you have House Bill 1105. Representative, could you wait one second. Representative Black."

"We are going to take your words under very serious consideration, Representative Black. Thanks for bringing that to our attention."

"On the Order of Postponed Consideration, we have House Bill 1105. Representative Gordon."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Ladies and Gentlemen, House Bill 1105 allows for a very narrow expansion of the Prevailing Wage Act dealing with workers that aggregate… who haul aggregate to worksites. We debated this in the past, all questions have been answered and I know that further explanations have been made to certain Members of the House. I would be happy to answer any further questions, but I would also be happiest with your 'aye' vote."

"The Chair recognizes the Gentleman from Jackson, Representative Mike Bost."

"She indicates she will."

"The Teamsters have said 'no' to that, Representative, the answer's 'no'."

"Well, Representative, the question was to clarify, what you said there were some questions last time and the people who I've gone to are the experts in this, the people who're going to deal with it. So, the answer's 'no'."

"Representative, my understanding is that that is not in the normal definition of aggregate material and so, the only thing I can tell you is the answer's 'no'."

Speaker Lyons: "The Chair recognizes the Gentleman from Winnebago, Representative Winters."

"She indicates she will."

"No, Sir."

"The Gentleman from Vermilion, Representative Black."

Ladies and Gentlemen, there's been a request for verification on this Bill. Representative Gordon to close."

"Thank you. Ladies and Gentlemen of the House, this Bill is about fairness. While I appreciate the arguments of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, especially Leader Black, I do believe when he asked for a trial lawyer earlier, he possesses the qualities that I admire in many trial lawyers and with exception as a trial partner whenever possible because what he just threw out with the collective bargaining argument is known as a red herring. So, thank you very, very much, Representative Black, but this is not about collective bargaining; it's about fairness. It's about making sure that workers are paid the proper wage by the people that they contract with. This is about making sure that the workers who have projects with public… on 09500038.doc 171  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007 public work sites are paid a fair wage, that they can go home and take care of their family. That's what this is about, making sure that people can live day-to-day and meet those requirements that are put on every single one of us in this country. Also, we talked about the list of opponents being as long as Representative Black's arm. However, I believe that the list of proponents may be about as long as the Houston Rocket's Yao Ming's seven foot six inch tall arm because Ladies and Gentlemen, this is about taking care of the people who work very, very hard every single day. I would ask for your 'yes' vote. This is important for workers, this is important for their families and this is about fairness in this Body. Thank you."

Speaker Lyons: "Ladies and Gentlemen, again, there is a verification request from Representative Black, therefore, please punch your own button. The question is, 'Should House Bill 1105 pass?' All those in favor should signify by voting 'yes'; those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Representative Kosel. Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this Bill, there are 64 Members voting 'yes', 48 Members voting 'no', 1 Member voting 'present'. And Mr. Black has requested a verification. I would ask all staff to please remove to the rear of the chamber. I would ask all those Members who were voting in the affirmative to please be in their seats. Mr. Clerk, read the list of those Members voting 'yes'."

"Representative Black."

"Representative Froehlich."

"He's a little closer to you, Representative."

"He's right there."

"Representative Black, Representative Saviano would like to be verified, he's walking off the floor."

"Back to his office."

"Representative, we…"

"Absolutely, Representative."

Speaker Lyons: "Is Representative Granberg in the chamber? Representative Granberg. Believe he's in… coming up the backstairs. Mr. Black, he's in the rear of the chamber."

"Representative Molaro's here."

"Representative McCarthy is sitting in my chair, Representative."

Speaker Lyons: "Is Representative Fritchey in the chamber? Representatives… Representative John Fritchey, coming in the backdoor, here he is. He was at the… out in the lobby. Representative Fritchey's here. Representative… Representative Black, anything further?"

"It's not easy, but thank you, Mr. Black. House Bill 1105, having received 64 'yes' votes, 48 'no' and 1 'present', is hereby declared passed. Representative Ford, you have House Bill 1685. Representative Acevedo, you have a… seek recognition?"

"Mr. Speaker…"

"Representative Acevedo."

"…on the previous Bill I was recorded as a 'present', I'd like to change it to 'yes', please."

"The record will so reflect. Representative Ford on House Bill 1685. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Representative Ford."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members of the House. House Bill 1685… I ask for your consideration… it expands the high school election judge program to include junior high school students in good standing. Under the current law, an election authority may only appoint high school seniors in good standing to serve as election judges. To serve as the election judge, the student must have at least a 3.0 to a 4.0 grade point average, obtain permission from the parent or legal guardian and obtain permission from the school principal. Additionally, high school students are more technically inclined and savvy, which would benefit all voters using the new electronic equipment. And I ask for an 'aye' vote." 09500038.doc 175  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007

Speaker Lyons: "The Chair recognizes the Lady from Will, Representative Renee Kosel."

"Indicates he will."

"High school junior students."

"That's right. Thank you."

"That's right."

"The Chair recognizes the Gentleman from DuPage, Representative Jim Meyer."

"Indicates he will."

"At this time there's no age limit."

"I know that your 17-year-old… did you say your grandson is 17 years old?"

"Okay. Yes, I encourage him to be…"

"That's good. I encourage him to participate in the process and I think he may be very well inclined to deal with the equipment that's used today almost better than some people…"

"I don't think they're going to determine whether or not it's a fair election. I think…"

"Respond. Yes."

"No. But I didn't say that I want them to be there, put people in charge. I think that it's a great opportunity for the students to have elders there as well to teach them 09500038.doc 177  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007 about the process and… and that's what this does also. They're not going to be totally responsible."

"Yes. There is election judge training that the county requires."

Speaker Lyons: "Ladies and Gentlemen, this one's on Short Debate. We'll put it on Standard Debate. There are eight (8) people seeking recognition. We've had two people speak in response: Representative Kosel, Representative Meyer. Representative Ford has spoken in favor of his Bill. The next speaker is Representative Moffitt. Are you in favor of the Bill or are you speaking in response, Representative? Representative Froehlich, are you in… speaking in response to the Bill or in favor of the Bill? In favor, proceed, Representative."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. First of all, we currently allow high school seniors who can be as young as sixteen (16) to be election judges. They aren't, obviously, not registered to vote. So, that question came up, that's under current law. Here's our problem. There's a shortage, at least in Cook County, of sufficient people willing to be judges. So, that's why we brought in the first judge program in the first place. And I think it's a great… as a former high school social studies teacher, I think it's a great day of civic education to get high school kids into the polling place to see how the process works. And… so, I stand in support of this Bill both because it's needed, we don't have enough judges, at least in Cook County, even paying a hundred and fifty (150) bucks on the day. I have a responsibility to find enough judges and because we currently allow judges as young as sixteen (16) and because of the educational benefits, the civic education for any young people who participate. Thank you." 09500038.doc 179  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007

"Again, Ladies and Gentlemen, we've had two people speak in favor of the Bill, two (2) spegal… two (2) people speak in response. There are still six (6) speakers: Representative Bassi, Dugan, Nekritz, Black, Fritchey, and Sullivan. So, Representative Bassi, you're next. Do you wish to speak in favor of the Bill or in opposition?"

"You'll be the last speaker in favor of the Bill."

"Proceed, Representative."

"Indicates he will."

"Thank you, Members, for your cooperation on this. Representative Ford to close."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank all the people… all the honorable people that spoke in favor of the Bill. I think that the juniors that were here today showed behavior that proved that they could serve as judges and hopefully, 09500038.doc 180  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007 we didn't influence them today with our behavior. And I ask for a favorable vote for House Bill 1685. Thank you."

"The question is, 'Should House Bill 1685 pass?' All those in favor should signify by voting 'yes'; those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Representative Bradley, Davis. Monique. Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this Bill, there are 105 Members voting 'yes', 8 voting 'no'. This Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Saviano, you have… Representative Monique Davis, for what purpose do you seek recognition?" Davis, M.: "There was a horrible mistake on my machine. I meant to hit the green button and I'm a cosponsor on this Bill and accidentally hit the red. I wish to be recorded as voting 'yes'. I wish to be recorded as voting 'aye' on this Bill that is the Bill of my seatmate and this was his first Bill."

"Representative, the Journal will so reflect. Representative Saviano, you have House Bill 1281. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

Speaker Lyons: "The Gentleman… the Gentleman from Cook, Representative Saviano."

"No one seeking recognition on House Bill 1281, the question is, 'Should it pass?' All those in favor should signify by voting 'yes'; those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk… Representative Acevedo. Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this Bill, there are 111 Members voting 'yes', 2 voting 'no'. This Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. On the Order of Postponed Consideration, Representative Graham has House Bill 318. The Lady from Cook, Representative Graham."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. I have before you again House Bill 318, which allows the utility companies to continue to report to your credit how well you're paying your credit… how well you're paying your utility bills, but it won't be used as a determinant to your score. I'll try to answer any questions at this time."

"The Chair recognizes the Gentleman from Lake, Representative Sullivan."

"…Bill."

Speaker Lyons: "The Chair recognizes the Gentleman from Vermilion, Representative Black."

"Representative, if you could bring your remarks to a close. Give you one… another minute."

"So noted, Representative. Verification will be enforced. Ladies and Gentlemen, this Bill is on Standard Debate. We've had two people speak in response to the Bill. The Sponsor has spoken in favor of the Bill. We'll take one more person in response, two more people in favor. The next person is Representative Mulligan. Representative Mulligan, are you in response to the Bill or in support?"

"Proceed, Representative."

"Indicates she will."

"That's correct."

"Yes."

"What they… they would still benefit because the world would know that they have not paid their utility bills. 09500038.doc 186  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007 They still benefit because they want people to know that this person hasn't paid their utility bills, so that hasn't stopped."

"Yes. It's a threat."

"Ladies and Gentlemen, we've had two people speak in response, two people in favor. We'll take one more speaker on each side of the issue. Representative Jefferson, do you seek recognition in response to the Bill or in support?"

"In support."

"Proceed, Representative Jefferson."

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

"She indicates she will." 09500038.doc 189  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007

"First of all, I rise in support of this Bill. I think it's a good Bill. I think that I concur with the Representative that just spoke previous to me. We shouldn't penalize people who sometimes aren't in a position to pay their bills, because you might miss one payment it doesn't mean that your credit should be bad or be penalized. I think at one point, if I could ask of Representative Graham, at one point were the utility companies opposed to this legislation?"

"I'm sorry. I was…"

"At one point were the utility companies opposed to this legislation?"

"Yes."

"And now they take no position, right?"

"ComEd and Ameren took no position on the Bill."

"Okay."

"And they… and they seem to be listed on the analysis as no position, but I'm not sure what they're saying otherwise to the utility companies."

"Okay. I think this is a good Bill. I think it's a good Bill simply because people are in a position sometimes where they can't pay their utility bills. Sometimes people need assistance with their utility bills. Should they be penalized because they can't pay their utility bills? I think not. It's hard enough sometimes that we can't buy things because we got credit… we don't have good credit because of situations like this. This needs to be eliminated as far as your credit score goes and let people stand on their own merits. I applaud the, Representative 09500038.doc 190  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007 for this Bill because I know it's a good Bill. I deal with this every day in my district and it's just going to alleviate some of the problems that the people would ordinarily have if, in fact, you didn't present this Bill. So, I stand in support and I hope that everyone in the General Assembly will support this legislation. It's good legislation. Thank you."

"Ladies and Gentlemen, we've had three people speak in support of the Bill. Is anybody seeking recognition to… in response to the Bill? Represen… Representative, are you speaking in response to the Bill?"

"Well, yeah, if there's nobody else left in response. Is there anybody else left in response that wishes to speak?"

"We have you and Representative Dugan. We've had three people speak in favor of the Bill. We have room for one person to speak in response."

"Good."

"I've had Standard Debate enforced on this Bill."

"All right. Well, I'll be in response then. I don't want to take anybody's spot, but I'm… I'm going to… I'm going to question her and right now I'm not for the Bill, but I don't know what she's going to say when I ask her questions."

"Ask a question."

"Okay. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When did… when did we have it where they actually started reported them to the credit bureau because it was never… it never was always like that, right. When did that start?" 09500038.doc 191  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007

"That's correct. I under… my understanding from the gas companies, they started with the gas companies back in 1997 and then in 2003 or 2004 my colleague, who is no longer with us, put the legislation in."

"Okay. So… I don't mean to cut you off, but they're going to cut…"

"Sure."

"…me off so… so let me do this. So… so, therefore, they just started reporting 'em maybe four (4) or five (5) years ago."

"Yes."

"So, these… these Experian and Trans Union and all them, been around thirty (30), forty (40), fifty (50) years…"

"Yes."

"…in some how they'll be giving credit histories…"

"Yes."

"…all those years without knowing what's going on with utility companies."

"Mmm mmm, yes."

"Now, let me ask you this question. Don't… Wouldn't it be a fair statement to say that when you talk about credit like a credit card or a bank somebody gives you money and then you have to pay back the money?"

"Yes."

"Okay. And you have a credit history, that's what credit is, right?"

"Yes."

"You have a credit history that says here's the kind of money she borrowed, say it's you…" 09500038.doc 192  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007

"Yes."

"…and here's how her payment schedule was, her payment history. And if you borrowed money and you didn't pay it back, then you'd be a bad credit risk."

"That's correct."

"And if you paid it… you paid… you borrowed money, credit card, bank, mortgage, loan company and you didn't pay it back in thirty (30) or sixty (60) or ninety (90) days, that would be in your credit history."

"That's correct."

"Now, when you're bor… when you go out and you get your electric bill, you're not borrowing money are you?"

"No."

"So, it's not credit; you're not borrowing any money."

"Mmm mmm."

"Well, you know what, I stood in response, but you've convinced me now that this is not… credit is borrowing money. You convinced me it's just not about borrowing money. It really shouldn't be in your credit history. Now, it could be in something on how you pay your utility bills, maybe we should have something different for that. But in your credit history, when you are saying if you're borrowing money it should be in there how you pay back that money and you don't want that changed."

"No, I don't want that changed."

"But you're not borrowing money when you pay your utility bill, so why should it be here. You convinced me. I'm going to vote 'yes' on your Bill."

"Thank you." 09500038.doc 193  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007

"Representative Graham to close."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. Again, I brought this legislation forward to help constituents. Again, when you walk in and you pick up… apply for a car loan, a mortgage, or any of those things, you know what the payment is going to be before you leave there. With the recent rate increases and the announcement from Peoples' Energy with them seeking a rate increase, people could get bills up into… upwards of four and five and seven hundred dollars ($400 and $500 and $700), which are another car note or mortgage, and you're expected to pay that money in its entirety. The… they do, in fact, have plans to work with you, buy if you deviate from that plan even one inch, you're kicked off of it, you can't get back on it for another six (6) months or even up to a year. So, yes, they have programs out there but once you're trying to kick… catch up with the back payment and paying forward on the current payment, the… even the fixed payment may be too much for you. So, again, my intentions here were to… is to help our constituents and not cause a friction that this piece of legend hit… legislation has caused. I, again, urge an 'aye' vote."

"Ladies and Gentlemen, there's been a request for verification, so once again Representative Black will be verifying the 'aye' votes. The question is, 'Should House Bill 318 pass?' Vote your own switch. All those in favor should vote 'yes'; those opposed vote 'no'. 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. 09500038.doc 194  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007 Clerk… Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this Bill, there are 59 Members voting 'yes', 52 Members voting 'no'. This Bill, having failed to receive a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared failed. Mr. Clerk, what's the status of House Bill 611?"

"On the request of the Sponsor, move that Bill back to Second Reading. Mr. Clerk, what's the status of House Bill 736?"

"On the request of the Sponsor, move that Bill back to Second Reading. Ladies and Gentlemen, we're going to be turning to page 37 of the Calendar, on the Order of Resolutions. We'll start in the middle of the page, page 37. Mr. Clerk, you have House Joint Resolution Amendment 1. Representative Meyer."

"Anybody seeking any recognition on House Joint Resolution 1? Seeing none, the question is, 'Should House Joint Resolution 1 pass?' All those in favor signify by voting 'yes'; those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Representative Colvin. Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this Resolution, there's 113 Members voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no', 0 voting 'present'. This Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. House Joint Resolution #2, Mr. Clerk. Representative Granberg. Is Representative Granberg in the chamber? Out of the record. House Joint Resolution #4, Representative Reis. Representative Reis… Reis in the chamber? Mr. Clerk, take that Bill out… take that Resolution out of the record. House Joint Resolution… House Joint Resolution #5. The Chair recognizes the Lady from Cook, Representative Flowers on House Joint Resolution 5. Representative Flowers."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. I urge the passage of House Resolution 5. There's a serious problem in the State of Illinois in re… in regards to hospital infection and this is just urging the cleanup. And I would appreciate the passage of House Resolution 5."

"Nobody seeking recognition in response to House Resolution #5? Representative Ryg. Representative Kathy Ryg."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A point of personal privilege, just for an announcement to remind all the Members that the COWL organizing meeting for our… this year's Capitol Capers 09500038.doc 196  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007 will be held immediately following Session in Room 118. All Members are invited to come and participate at whatever level they are comfortable, but again, bring your talents and thoughts because this is the opportunity for us to put on another great show. Thank you."

"Representative, the question was on House Joint Resolution 5. Anybody seeking recognition? Seeing not, the question is, 'Should House Joint Resolution 5 be adopted?' All those in favor signify by saying 'yes'; those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And House Joint Resolution #5 is adopted. Mr. Clerk, on page 37 of the Calendar we have House Joint Resolution #7… #11. House Joint Resolution #11, Representative Connie Howard. Representative, out of the record? Take that Resolution out of the record, Mr. Clerk. On page 38 of the Calendar, under Joint Resolutions, Representative Yarbrough has House Joint Resolution #14. The Chair recognizes the Lady from Cook, Representative Karen Yarbrough on House Joint Resolution 14."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Members of the House. This Resolution simply allows the Slave Commission to report by 2008, December 31, 2008. I'd be happy to answer any questions."

"No one seeking recognition regarding House Joint Resolution #14, the question is, 'Should House Joint Resolution 14 pass?' All those in favor signify by voting 'yes'; those opposed vote 'no'. 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 09500038.doc 197  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007 the record. On this Resolution, there's 110 Members voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no'. This Bill… this Resolution, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Page 38 of the Calendar, Representative Washington has House Joint Resolution #17. Representative Washington. Representative, I believe we have an Amendment on House Joint Resolution 17."

"Mr. Speaker, I want to adopt #2. House Bill Amendment #2."

"Representative, I think you have to withdraw Resolution… Amendment #1 should be withdrawn. Is that your Motion?"

"Yes."

"Okay. Amendment #1 is withdrawn. All those in favor say 'aye'; those opposed vote 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And Amendment #1 is withdrawn. Now, we wish to adopt Amendment #2 to House Joint Resolution 17."

"Yes, Sir."

"The Motion is to adopt House Amendment #2 to House Joint Resolution #7… on House Joint Resolution 17. All those in favor signify by saying 'yes'; those opposed vote 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the adoption… the Amendment is adopted. Representative, on the… on the Resolution."

"Yes, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker and Members of the House, this is something I attempted to do a couple years ago and I really just messed it all up. And I just think that the State of Illinois is much better off in having 09500038.doc 198  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007 residents such as the one that we are honoring here today and that's Miss Oprah Winfrey and I… and I can't say enough about her. I mean, the critics can criticize all they want, but her goodness will outlast time. And I just think for someone who does so much unselfishly and doesn't have to do it, not only is she a good ambassador in Africa and other places, when you just count the number of things and the educational information of her program and her magazine, the list goes on and on and on. I just think she's such an awesome human being and should be highly favored and highly recognized. And I ask this Body in joining me in sharing that every year the… in the month of February, during Black History Month, not only should the first but the last week in February should be recognized as Oprah Winfrey Week throughout the State of Illinois. Thank you."

"The Chair recognizes the Gentleman from Cook, Representative Ken Dunkin."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield for this Joint Resolution?"

"He indicates he will."

"You know, he's absolutely correct, Oprah Winfrey has played such an incredible role here, not only in this state but in this country. She has done a tremendous job in terms of donating money to causes that really a lot of us down here feel so… feel very strongly about: homelessness, schools, scholarships, housing, so this is great. I think this is exactly what we should do. We should give people their flowers while they're livin'. So, thank you, Representative Washington, for this Joint Resolution and I'd 09500038.doc 199  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007 be happy to be a host or excuse me, a cosponsor for this House Joint Resolution. Thank you."

"The question is, 'Should House Joint Resolution 17 as amended be adopted?' All those in favor signify by saying 'yes'; those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And House Joint Resolution 17 is adopted. Page 38, we have House Joint Resolution #19. The Chair recognizes Representative Barbara Flynn Currie."

"Thank you, Speaker and Members of the House. This Resolution would cause the… the part of the Illinois Tollway System from the State of Illinois between the intersection of Interstate 294 and the state line with… with Wisconsin would designate it as the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway. As you know, Jane Addams was an early important Illinois woman born in Cedarville. She went to the Rockford College for Women. She was the founder of the Settlement House movement and she was the major figure in helping to lift women and their children out of poverty. She was the first woman to win the Nobel Prize for Peace in 1931. I'd appreciate your support for designating this Tollway… this portion of the Tollway in her honor."

Speaker Lyons: "The Chair recognizes the Gentleman from Vermilion, Representative Black."

"She indicates she will."

"I think you were mistaken."

"I don't think we've named it that yet."

"We may still, but we haven't yet."

"The Chair recognizes the Gentleman from… from Cook, Representative Riley. Representative Riley."

"Will the Sponsor please yield?"

"Indicates she will."

"Representative… Representative Currie, I think this is a great Bill. I also just want to mention, of course, that she is the namesake of one of the… the greatest schools of social work in the country, Jane Addams School of Social Work at UIC, which I sit on a couple of boards at UIC. So, it's a tremendous idea and hopefully the road will be clear on 294 to honor the work that she's done. So, I'm in support of your Resolution."

"Thank you for those comments."

Speaker Lyons: "The Chair recognizes the Lady from Lake, Representative Osmond."

"Indicates she will."

"It's going from the intersection of 294 to the state line and I'm not… I think… I thought that was the county 09500038.doc 201  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007 that includes Rockford rather than Lake County. Maybe Representative Wait can help us with the geography."

"I think it's Winnebago."

"Representative Wait is nodding in the affirmative."

"Seeing no further discussion, the question is, 'Should House Joint Resolution 19 be… House Joint Resolution #19 be adopted?' All those in favor should signify by voting 'yes'; those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Representative Ryg. Representative Leitch. David. Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this Resolution, there are 113 Members voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no'. This Resolution, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby adopted. Mr. Clerk, on page 38 of the Calendar we have House Joint Resolution #21. Representative Art Turner. Out of the record. Mr. Clerk, on page 38 of the Calendar we have House Joint Resolution #22. The Chair recognizes the Gentleman from Vermilion, Representative Bill Black."

"The Chair recognizes the Gentleman from Cook, Representative Will Davis." Davis, W.: "Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Sponsor yield?"

"Indicates he will." Davis, W.: "Representative, in the… in the Calendar it says that this report should be… it shall be reported to the General Assembly no later than July 1 of this year? Is that enough time to study what you're talkin' about?"

"The Chair recognizes the Gentleman from Cook, Representative Bob Molaro."

"Thank you. Will the Sponsor yield?"

"Indicates he will."

"I know this is the response to what happened, Bill, when we talked about…"

"…that other Bill. So, but with it I got to say maybe we should put it back to July 1… I got to tell ya why… of this year. It's going to take us that long to know what distracted driving is. We almost kinda know it. You know, I mean…"

"…and wait I'm not saying the task force because we have to go through it, there's no doubt about it, we always got to do these kind of dances here. But I think we should come back with something as soon as we can because it's a problem and I'd like a law to stop me from driving distracted. No, I'm not kidding. I mean, I'm not saying it to be funny. I do things I shouldn't do all the time; it took a law for me to put on a seatbelt, to put my kids in the backseat. I mean, it's a shame that we have to do it. I just hope we get it as quickly as possible 'cause we really need it 'cause accidents… one of the worst accidents used to be, you know, road debris. You know, trying to hit it in your car. Now, it is definitely coffee, eating… I mean, it's really is becoming a mess. So, I mean, it gets to the point almost where I think people think they… because they're in the safety of the car and sometimes seatbelts almost make ya think you're even safer, that you're really not out on the road doing seventy-five (75) miles an hour. That you're actually in some video game, let's eat, let's drink, let's talk. And so, I think ya should get to this as quick as you can 'cause it is… this is a heck of a safety factor. Thank you." 09500038.doc 204  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007

"No one seeking further recognition, the question is, 'Should House Joint Resolution #22 be adopted?' All those in favor signify by voting 'yes'; those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Representative Mautino, to be recorded? Representative Mautino. Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this, there are 112 Members voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no'. This Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared adopted. Page 38 of the Calendar is House Joint Resolution #23. Representative Mike Tryon."

"The question is, 'Should House Joint Resolution 23 pass?' All those in favor signify by saying 'yes'; those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And House Joint Resolution 23 is adopted. On the bottom of page 38 is House Joint Resolution #25. Representative David Winters. Representative Winters, you have House Joint Resolution 25." 09500038.doc 205  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007

"No one seeking recognition, the question is, 'Should House Joint Resolution 25 be adopted?' All those in favor signify by saying 'yes'; those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And House Joint Resolution 25 is adopted. On the top of page 39, Representative Will Davis, you have House Joint Resolution #26. Representative Davis." Davis, W.: "Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Joint Resolution 26 simply urges the Illinois Delegation of the United States Con… United States Congress to ensure the timely reauthorization of the States Children's Health Insurance Program, affectionately known as SCHIP, to ensure federal funding for the All Kids program."

"No one seeking recognition, the question is, 'Should House Joint Resolution 26 be adopted?' All those in favor signify by saying 'yes'; those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And House Joint Resolution 26 is hereby adopted. Page 39 of the Calendar is House Joint Resolution 27. Representative Karen Yarbrough."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members of the House, I have for your consideration today Joint Resolution… House Joint Resolution 27, which calls on the Congress of the 09500038.doc 206  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007 United States to reconsider and repeal the Real ID Act of 2005. In 2005 Congress acted, without meaningful hearings and debates to adopt the Real ID Act. This measure requires the Secretary of State's Office to digitize and store all documents submitted in support of a driver's license or state ID card. Moreover, Congress has not provided the necessary funds to implement this law. The measure is an unfunded mandate creating a bureaucratic nightmare for Illinois drivers and residents while threatening the privacy and information securing millions of mil… millions of Americans. If the Real ID Act becomes law, the people of Illinois will simply have to act on faith and hope that every other state or territory provides the same protections. I'd be happy to answer any questions."

"The question is, 'Should House Joint Resolution 27 be adopted?' All those in favor signify by saying 'yes'; those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And House Joint Resolution 27 is hereby adopted. Page 39 of the Calendar, Representative Stephens has House Joint Resolution #28. Representative Ron Stephens. Out of the record. Page 39 of the Calendar, House Joint Resolution 30. Representative Michael Smith. Representative Mike Smith."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen. This Resolution would designate… excuse me… the last Sunday in September and then the week following that as Gold Star Families Week and would encourage everyone in the state to display the flag in reverence for the Gold Star families and of course, Gold Star families are those families who… who 09500038.doc 207  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007 have had members pay the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our country. So, I would ask for your approval of this Resolution."

"The question is, 'Should House Joint Resolution 30 be adopted?' All those in favor signify by voting 'yes'; those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is open. All those in favor signify by voting 'yes'; those opposed vote 'no'. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Representative Mitchell. Osterman. Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this Bill, there are 112 Members voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no'. House Joint Resolution 30 is adopted. Representative Hernandez, you have House Joint Resolution 31. Representative Hernan… House Joint Resolution 31. Representative Hernandez. Out of the record, Representative? Out of the record. Page 39… Representative Miller has House Joint Resolution #32. Representative David Miller."

"Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Ladies… Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. House Joint Resolution 31 (sic-32) asks the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, in cooperation with other concerned parties, to assess the needs for independent students in terms of the Monetary Assistance Programs. That report is to be given to us in the General Assembly by December 31. I ask for a favorable consideration."

"Seeing as no one's seeking recognition, the question is, 'Should House Joint Resolution 32 be adopted?' All those in favor signify by voting 'yes'; those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? 09500038.doc 208  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007 Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Representative Hernandez. Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this Resolution, there are 112 Members voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no', 0 voting 'present'. House Joint Resolution 32 is adopted. Mr. Clerk, we'll go back to page 38 of the Calendar, Representative Turner, House Joint Resolution 21. Representative Art Turner."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen. I apologize that we had to take it out of the record a minute ago, but this is a Resolution that deals with changing the reporting date for the long-term prisoner study committee. The report initially was due July 1, we're moving it to a December 1, 2007. And I move for the adoption of House Joint Resolution 21."

"Seeing no one's speaking… seeking recognition, the question is, 'Should House Joint Resolution 21 be adopted?' All those in favor signify by voting 'yes'; those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Representative Jakobsson. Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this Resolution, there's 112 Members voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no', 0 voting 'present'. This… and Resolution… House Resolution 21… House Joint Resolution 21 is adopted. Page 38… 39 of the Calendar, Representative Monique Davis has House Resolution 11. Representative Davis, Monique Davis." Davis, M.: "Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Resolution 11 urges the United States Congress to require the United States Department of Agriculture to conduct a study and report on 09500038.doc 209  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007 the nutritional value of the country's school lunches, elementary and secondary education."

"No seeking recognition, the question is, 'Should House Resolution 11 be adopted?' All those in favor signify by saying 'yes'; those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And House Resolution 11 is adopted. Page 40 of the Calendar, Representative Fritchey has House Resolution 25. Representative Fritchey in the chamber? Out of the record. House Resolution 46, Representative Chapa LaVia. Page 40 of the Calendar, Representative Chapa LaVia."

"Thank you, Speaker and Members of the House. You know, there… there is all we… we always talk about the heroes, the veterans, the servicemen and women that are active Army, the individuals that are our law enforcement and fire department, but we don't often think of our postal workers as doing that job. Yeah, I know. So, I would recommend a 'yes' vote. Thank you."

Speaker Lyons: "The Chair recognizes the Gentleman from Vermilion, Representative Black."

"Indicates she will."

"I thought I'd e-mail it."

"All those in favor of the adoption of House Resolution 46 indicate by saying 'yes'; those opposed say 09500038.doc 210  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. House Resolution 46 is adopted. Representative Beth Coulson, you have House Resolution 47. The Chair recognizes Representative Beth Coulson."

"And the question is, 'Should House Resolution 47 be adopted?' All those in favor signify by saying 'yes'; those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And House Resolution 47 is adopted. Representative Chapa LaVia, you have House Resolution 50."

"Thank you, Speaker. This Resolution urges the United States Congress and President to make each federal election day a national holiday. What better way to get the constituency more involved in… in the process of this representative democracy. Thank you."

"The question is, 'Should House Resolution 50 be adopted?' All those in favor signify by saying 'yes'; those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And House Resolution 50 is hereby passed. House 09500038.doc 211  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007 Resolution 54, Representative Jack Franks. House Resolution 54."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It's past the fact, but we had filed it before. This is a Resolution that would declare February 14 as a tribute to Kathy Posner. She was a 'Heart of Gold' Award recipient for Shaare Zedek Medical Center out of Jerusalem. It raised a lot of money for that. Had a wonderful lunch on Valentine's Day and raised hundred of thousands of dollars for the hospital that treats both Palestinians and Israelis for trauma and it's a wonderful organization."

"All those in favor of the adoption of House Resolution 54 signify by saying 'yes'; those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. House Resolution 54 is adopted. Representative Franks, don't sit down, you have House Resolution 55, Representative Jack Franks."

"Hou… Lou Lang joins me in asking that you support House Resolution 55, which proclaims February 6 as Ronald Reagan Day in the State of Illinois."

"The Chair recognizes the Lady… Representative Chapa LaVia, the Lady from Kane."

"Will the Sponsor yield? Why did… why did you pick February 6 as the day to honor President Ronald Reagan?"

"Because February 6, 2007 was the 96th anniversary of Ronald Reagan's birth and the third since his passing."

"Thank you."

"The Chair recognizes the Gentleman from Cook, Representative Harry Osterman. Out of the record. The 09500038.doc 212  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007 Chair recognizes the Gentleman from Vermilion, Representative Bill Black."

"Indicates he will."

"Yeah. There was an issue this year where they're trying to do a special one throughout the entire country and that's why we wanted to have this Resolution done to join the other states that were honoring Ronald Reagan this year."

"That means we… we really mean it."

"The question is, 'Should House Resolution 55 be adopted?' All those in favor signify by saying 'yes'; those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And House Resolution 55 is adopted. Representative Winters, you have House Resolution 71. Representative Winters in the chamber? Out of the record. Representative Meyer, you have House Resolution 96. Representative Jim Meyer."

"The question is, 'Should the House Resolution be adopted?' All those in favor signify by saying 'yes'; those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And House Resolution 96 is hereby adopted. On the top of page 41 of the Calendar, Representative Poe has House Resolution 97. Representative Raymond Poe."

"The question is, 'Should House Resolution 97 be adopted?' All those in favor signify by saying 'yes'; those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And House Resolution 97 is adopted. House Resolution 109, Representative Bill Black."

"The question is, 'Should House Resolution 109 be adopted?' All those in favor signify by saying 'yes'; those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And House Resolution 109 passes… is adopted. Representative Tryon, you have House Resolution 115. Representative Mike Tryon."

"No one seeking recognition, the question is, 'Should House Resolution 115 be adopted?' All those in favor signify by voting 'yes'; those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Representative Dunn. Representative Watson. Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this… on this Resolution, there are 112 Members voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no'. And House Resolution 115 is hereby adopted. House Resolution 121, Representative Chapa LaVia."

"Yes… yes, Speaker. This is… Resolution deals with the Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans, the new veteran's 09500038.doc 215  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007 home shelter, which opened within the last year in Wheaton, Illinois and was dedicated on January 20. It urges that the Veterans' Affairs department makes good on their promise and keeps on reimbursing them."

"Seeing that no one's seeking recognition, the question is, 'Should House Resolution 121 pass?' All those in favor signify by saying 'yes'; those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And House Resolution 121 is adopted. House Resolution 123, Representative Chapa LaVia."

Chapa LaVia: "I'm sorry. I've exceeded my allotment of Resolutions. No, I'm… Okay. This one is a very serious issue… they're all serious issues… but this one urges the Federal Government to meet all of its financial obligations of veterans' service from the GI Bill and subsequent laws. Thank you."

"No one's seeking recognition, the question is, 'Should House Resolution 123 be adopted?' All those in favor signify by saying 'yes'; those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And House Resolution 123 is adopted. Representative Will Davis, House Resolution 126." Davis, W.: "Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Resolution 126 encourages the Department of Health Care and Family Services to reduce the financial and clinical burden of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease otherwise known as COPD by including this condition in its disease management and chronic care improvement plan. COPD also… commonly known as chronic bronchitis and emphysema is the fourth leading cause 09500038.doc 216  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007 of death in the United States and one of the top five that is rising in prevalence. It is a chronic progressive disease that impacts over 5.3 million (5,300,000) Illinois residents and 24 million (24,000,000) Americans. The annual cost to the nation was estimated to be about 37 billion dollars ($37,000,000,000). Early diagnosis and management of COPD can effectively reduce the overall financial burden of the illness within public programs such as Medicaid. Proper management can lead to improved quality of life and self-sufficiency of patients and disease management has proven to be very cost effective. I ask for its adoption."

"Seeing as no one's seeking recognition, the question is, 'Should House Resolution 126 be adopted?' All those in favor signify by saying 'yes'; those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And House Resolution 126 is hereby adopted. House Resolution 127, Representative Art Turner."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Assembly. I move for the adoption of House Resolution 127. It simply declares the week of February 25 through March 2, 2007 as the Illinois State Historical Society Markers Awareness Week in Illinois."

"All those in favor of the adoption of House Resolution 127 signify by saying 'yes'; those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And House Resolution 127 is adopted. Representative Acevedo, you have House Resolution 128. Representative Ed Acevedo."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I ask for adoption of House Resolution 128. It congratulates Harry W. Jones Jr. being 09500038.doc 217  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007 the Senior Lobbyist with the ComEd Legislative Strategies on his thirty-three (33) years of service."

"The question is, 'Should House Resolution 128 be adopted?' All those in favor signify by saying 'yes'; those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And House Resolution 128 is hereby adopted. Representative Bob Molaro, you have House Resolution 134. Representative Bob Molaro."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This encourages and asks Congress to act on something that has been long overdue and that's the Social Security offset to government pensions. For those of you who don't know, who'll eventually be on government pension, you've also been paying into Social Security through other jobs or jobs that you had earlier in life, when you get your pension from government, Social Security takes an offset. Now, for maybe the employee… the employee himself it doesn't matter, but for your spouse, who may be living on very fixed income and they only get half of our pension, if it turns out that they do Social Security offset it really causes one heck of a burden for these people. So, we want to encourage Congress to act and eliminate that offset."

"The question is… this recognition is seeked by Representative Will Davis. Representative Davis." Davis, W.: "Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To the Resolution. Very quickly, in one of my previous lives I served as a… assistant to Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. and one of the case areas that I did in his office was Social Secur… was Social Security and I dealt with a lot of… a lot of our 09500038.doc 218  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007 constituents in the 2nd Congressional District that were affected by that offset provision. Many of them had worked for years and were… and were in two different pension systems and when it came time to apply for those pensions, one was offset by the other. So, if you worked and you… and you paid into those systems, you should be entitled to receive whatever's available to you. So, I do support your Resolution wholeheartedly in terms of eliminating this provision of the Social Security Administration. Thank you."

"Representative Molaro."

"Can… this is obviously is a serious Resolution. And I saw you laughing right in the middle of it, Sir. Do I… do I amuse you like a clown? I mean…"

"Representative Davis." Davis, W.: "Representative, I'm sorry. My colleague here in front of me made a… a comment that… that was… that was extremely jocular, so I wasn't laughing at your Resolution. And there's no need to take your jacket off; it's all good. No, I didn't call you a… I didn't call you that. No, not at all, Representative. Thank you very much."

"The question is, 'Should House Resolution 134 be adopted?' All those in favor signify by saying 'yes'; those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And House Resolution 134 is adopted. On top of page 42 is House Resolution 149. Representative Bob Pritchard. Representative Pritchard on House Resolution 149." 09500038.doc 219  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007

"The Chair recognizes the Gentleman from Cook, Representative John Fritchey."

"Inquiry of the Chair, Speaker. We seemed to have skipped over House Resolution 25. Was I gone? I apologize, Speaker."

"John, we did… we did call that, but you were missing in action at the time. We'll come back to that."

"Hey, that tends to happen sometimes. Thank you."

"We'll come back to that. No one else seeking recognition? Then the question is, 'Should House Resolution 149 be adopted?' All those in favor signify by saying 'aye'; those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And House Resolution 149 is adopted. Representative Jack Franks, House Resolution 169 on the top of page 42. Representative Jack Franks."

"Thank you. This Resolution honors actually my aunt, Helen Lindow. She received the award on March 10 through the Teachers Institute for the Women of Hebrew Theological College and they… I do have a conflict, but I'm stating it openly. Ask for the adoption."

"The question is, 'Should House Resolution 169 be adopted?' All those in favor signify by saying 'yes'; those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' 09500038.doc 220  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007 have it. And House Resolution 169 is adopted. Back to page 40 of the Calendar, on the top of page 40, Representative Fritchey has House Resolution 20… Out of the record. Mr. Clerk, Agreed Resolutions."

"All those in favor of passage of the Agreed Resolutions signify by saying 'aye'; those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Agreed Resolutions are hereby adopted. Ladies and Gentlemen, the gold sheet was passed out here with the schedule for the remainder of the next two weeks and obviously, Monday has been canceled so take note of that. And seeing there's no further business is to come before the Illinois House of Representatives tonight, allowing perfunctory time for the Clerk, Representative Barbara Flynn Currie moves that the House adjourn to the hour of 10 a.m. tomorrow, at Friday… Recognize Representative Bassi."

"And now, allowing perfunctory time for the Clerk, Barbara Flynn Currie moves that the House stand adjourn to the hour of 10 a.m. tomorrow, Friday, April 20. Thank you, Ladies and Gentlemen." 09500038.doc 221  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 38th Legislative Day 4/19/2007