"The hour of 12:00 having come and gone, the House will be in Session. We shall be led in prayer today by Reverend Dr. James Rhea who is the Pastor of First United Methodist Church in Mattoon, Illinois. Reverend Rhea is the guest of Representative Rose. Members and guests are asked to refrain from starting their laptops, turn off all cell phones and pagers and rise for the invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance. If the members in the gallery will also stand. Pastor Rhea."
"Please join me in prayer. Oh eternal source of creative power and wisdom, we seek Your blessing. While we gather in this place of rich history, may we have a sense of rich opportunity as we partner with You and one another in creating the future of a more just society. You set into motion the timeless processes of life and light. And we dare to trust in You that there is enough creative power left in the universe that our most sincere efforts here may shine with creativity, possibility, and promise. Keep our Leaders sensitive to the transcendent power of creative compromise that sometimes even overcomes political clout. Remind us that our various faith traditions would have us represent even the least of our constituents, more than those of means and status. And give us, this day, all that we need to do our work for them, for You and for our dear State of Illinois. Amen."
"We will be led in the Pledge today by the Gentleman from Cook, Representative Ford."
"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, 09500054.doc 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/16/2007 one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
"Roll Call for Attendance. The Gentleman from Jackson, Representative,… for what reason do you rise?"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Let the record reflect that Representative Pihos is excused today."
"The record will so reflect. The Lady from Cook, Representative Currie, for what reason do you rise?"
"Thank you, Speaker. Please let the record reflect that Representative Patterson is excused today."
"The record will so reflect. There are a 116 Members answering the Roll Call, a quorum is present and we shall proceed with business. Mr. Clerk, Committee Reports."
Clerk Bolin: "Committee Reports. Representative Boland, Chairperson from the Committee on Financial Institutions, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on May 15, 2007, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass as amended Short Debate' for Senate Bill 1674. Representative Flowers, Chairperson from the Committee on Health Care Availability & Access, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on May 15, 2007, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass as amended Short Debate' Senate Bill 547; 'do pass Short Debate' Senate Bill 545, and Senate Bill 1226. Representative Verschoore, Chairperson from the Committee on Ethanol Production Oversight, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on May 15, 2007, 09500054.doc 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/16/2007 reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' Senate Bill 649. Representative Washington, Chairperson from the Committee on Prison Reform, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on May 15, 2007, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' for Senate Bill 1026; 'do pass as amended Short Debate' for Senate Bill 1627. Representative Colvin, Chairperson from the Committee on Consumer Protection, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on May 15, 2007, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' for Senate Bill 1464; 'do pass as amended Short Debate' Senate Bill 34. Representative Nekritz, Chairperson from the Committee on Elections & Campaign Reform, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on May 15, 2007, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' for House Bill 1451. Representative Mautino, Chairperson from the Committee on Insurance, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on May 15, 2007, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' for Senate Bill 21, and Senate Bill 1208; 'do pass as amended Short Debate' for Senate Bill 935; 'recommends be adopted' Floor Amendment #1 to House Bill 1006. Representative May, Chairperson from the Committee on Environmental Health, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on May 15, 2007, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'recommends be adopted' Floor 09500054.doc 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/16/2007 Amendment #2 to House Bill 3424. Representative Hoffman, Chairperson from the Committee on Transportation & Motor Vehicles, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on May 15, 2007, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' for Senate Bill 71, Senate Bill 308, Senate Bill 514, Senate Bill 639, Senate Bill 682, Senate Bill 1265, and Senate Bill 1460; 'do pass as amended Short Debate' for Senate Bill 577; and 'recommends be adopted' House Joint Resolution 48. Representative Collins, Chairperson from the Committee on Public Utilities, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on May 15, 2007, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' for Senate Bill 215, and Senate Bill 680. Representative Jakobsson, Chairperson from the Committee on Human Services, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on May 16, 2007, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'recommends be adopted' Floor Amendment #3 to House Bill 980; 'do pass as amended Short Debate' for Senate Bill 6, Senate Bill 19, Senate Bill 244, Senate Bill 1350; 'do pass Short Debate' for Senate Bill 715, Senate Bill 731, Senate Bill 776, Senate Bill 1580, and Senate Bill 1739. Representative Burke, Chairperson from the Committee on Executive, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on May 16, 2007, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' for Senate Bill 374, Senate Bill 523, Senate Bill 688, Senate Bill 1409; 'do pass as amended Short Debate' 09500054.doc 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/16/2007 for Senate Bill 336, Senate Bill 599, Senate Bill 1625; and 'recommends be adopted' Floor Amendment #1 to House Bill 3106. Representative D'Amico, Chairperson from the Committee on Drivers Education & Safety, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on May 16, 2007, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass as amended Short Debate' Senate Bill 300. Representative Scully, Chairperson from the Committee on Electric Utility Oversight, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on May 16, 2007, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'recommends be adopted' House Resolution 304. Representative Smith, Chairperson from the Committee on Elementary & Secondary Education, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on May 16, 2007, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'recommends be adopted' Floor Amendment #3 to House Bill 1466; 'do pass as amended Short Debate' for Senate Bill 397, Senate Bill 446, and Senate Bill 841; 'do pass Short Debate' for Senate Bill 79, Senate Bill 396, Senate Bill 850, and Senate Bill 1702. Representative Fritchey, Chairperson from the Committee on Judiciary I-Civil Law, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on May 16, 2007, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass as amended Short Debate' for Senate Bill 355, Senate Bill 404, Senate Bill 435, and Senate Bill 486; 'do pass Short Debate' for Senate Bill 148, Senate Bill 333, Senate Bill 452, Senate Bill 478, Senate Bill 481, Senate Bill 528, Senate Bill 09500054.doc 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/16/2007 671, Senate Bill 1296, Senate Bill 1306, and Senate Bill 1545."
"The Gentleman from McDonough, Representative Meyer for what reason do you rise?"
"A, point of personal privilege, Mr. Speaker."
"State your point."
"With us today… I'd like to call the Body's attention to the gallery, the center gallery behind the chamber. With us today is Jillian Weingart who was recently crowned Miss Macomb and her platform is suicide awareness and prevention in high school and college kids. She will be representing the Macomb community in the Miss Illinois pageant later this summer. So let's give Jillian Weingart a round of welcome."
"Welcome to Springfield. The Gentleman from Duka… DuPage, Representative Ramey, for what reason do you rise? House Resolution 415."
"Yeah. House Resolution 415…"
"The Resolution, Mr. Clerk."
"House Resolution 415, offered by Representatives Ramey, Coladipietro, and Fortner WHEREAS, BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, established in 1907, is a worldwide socio-spiritual organization dedicated to the spirituality of the individual while promoting harmony between individuals, within families, and within diverse communities; and WHEREAS, BAPS North America, established in 1970, serves local communities, families, and individuals by promoting various 09500054.doc 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/16/2007 spiritual, cultural, and humanitarian activities through a network of 126 centers across the United States; and WHEREAS, BAPS Shree Swaminarayan Mandir & Cultural Complex in Bartlett, established in 2001, serves as a venue for promoting universal morals, family values, and interfaith harmony thereby helping shape a community of positive role models and contributing citizens; and WHEREAS, BAPS Centenary is celebrated by thousands of families throughout Illinois; and WHEREAS, BAPS Centenary celebrations are inspired by His Divine Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the Spiritual Head of BAPS; therefore, be it RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we proclaim June 17, 2007 as the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha Centenary Day; and be it further RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to His Divine Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj as a symbol of our respect."
Speaker Turner: "The Gentleman from DuPage, Representative Ramey."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to offer my sincere congratulations on the centenary celebration of the first BAPS Mandir Bakasan. Upon its establishment in 1907, the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha has continued to provide the world with a socio-spiritual outlet where individuals can seek harmony and peace within their families and communities. I have been privileged to take part in several ceremonies including the creation of the BAPS 09500054.doc 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/16/2007 Swaminarayan Sanstha Mindir and cultural complex in Bartlett. And I look forward to celebrating their centanet… centennial with his divine holiness, Pramukh Swami Maharaj, this June. It is an honor to be included in their… their event and I extend my support of not only the local chapter of the BAPS, Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, but its existence worldwide. I would like to introduce to you today, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House, members of BAPS up in the gallery, Darshan Patel, a volunteer with BAPS, Praksah Patel also a volunteer, A.J. Patel, and a good friend of mine, Niam Mehta, director of public relations. Give them a nice warm welcome to Springfield."
"Welcome to Springfield, guys. Representative Ramey moves for the adoption of House Resolution 415. All those in favor say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'nay'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Resolution is adopted. The Gentleman from Jasper, Representative Reis, for what reason do you rise?"
"Point of personal privilege."
"State your point."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Ladies and Gentlemen of the House, joining me on the House Floor today, and joining us here at the Capitol today to testify before the Education Committee, is Joe Fatheree, who is from my district in Effingham, who is currently the Teacher of the Year in Illinois. And he offered some good insight as to what he's visiting around the state. So, please give Joe a welcome. Thank you." 09500054.doc 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/16/2007
"Welcome to Springfield, Joe. We're going to do a few Seconds and a few Thirds and who knows, whatever. We'll start out with Seconds. And the first Bill we'll do today is House Bill 3475, Representative Chapa LaVia. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."
"House Bill 3475, a Bill for an Act concerning public aid. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee."
"Out of the record."
"No Floor Amendments… "
"Sorry. Out of the record. Representative Collins on House Bill 790. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."
"House Bill 790, a Bill for an Act concerning criminal law. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed."
Speaker Turner: "Third Reading. Representative Collins on House Bill 791."
"House Bill 791, a Bill for an Act concerning education. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed."
"Out of the record. Representative Flowers on House Bill 1334. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."
"House Bill 1334, a Bill for an Act concerning education. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. Floor Amendment #1, offered by Representative Flowers, has been approved for consideration." 09500054.doc 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/16/2007
"The Lady from Cook, Representative Flowers on Amendment #1."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Amendment #1 makes it applicable to Chicago only. Can you take…"
"Do you want to repeat that?"
"Can you take the Bill out of the record for a minute, Mr. Speaker?"
Speaker Turner: "Take the Bill out of the record. Representative Biggins. House Bill 3270. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."
"House Bill 3270, a Bill for an Act concerning elections. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. Floor Amendment #2, offered by Representative Biggins, has been approved for consideration."
"Representative Biggins on Amendment #2."
"Yes. It's a great Amendment. This… this Amendment simplifies the process by which names would be able to get on the ballot, reducing the number of signatures from the original proposal. I'd be glad to answer any questions anybody has on it."
"Seeing no questions, the question is, 'Shall the House adopt Amendment #2 to House Bill 3270?' All those in favor shall say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair is the 'ayes' have it. And the Amendment is adopted. Further Amendments?"
"No further Amendments. No Motions filed."
"Third Reading. Representative Cultra on House Bill 1736. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk." 09500054.doc 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/16/2007
"House Bill 1736, a Bill for an Act concerning wildlife. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed."
"Third Reading. Mr. Clerk, the Gentleman asks to hold the Bill on Second Reading. Hold the Bill on Second. Representative Meyer on House Bill 1365. Out of the record. Representative Munson on House Bill 441. Out of the record. Representative Rose on House Bill 323. Rose. Out of the record. Representative Rose on House Bill 1118. Out of the record. Representative Wait on House Bill 3675. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."
"House Bill 3675, a Bill for an Act concerning civil law, which may refer to as the Child Homestead Stability Act. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. Floor Amendment #1, offered by Representative Wait, has been approved for consideration."
"Representative Wait on Amendment #1."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. The Amendment simply takes out 'shall' and just says it 'may'."
"Seeing no questions, the question is, 'Shall the House adopt House Amendment #1 to House Bill 3675?' All those in favor should say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Amendment is adopted. Further Amendments?"
"No further Amendments. No Motions filed."
"Third Reading. Representative Eddy on House Bill 2017. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk." 09500054.doc 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/16/2007
"House Bill 2017, a Bill for an Act concerning education. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed."
"Third Reading. Mr. Clerk, read House Bill 1334, Representative Flowers. Read the Bill."
"House Bill 1334, a Bill for an Act concerning education. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. Floor Amendment #1, offered by Representative Flowers, has been approved for consideration."
"The Lady from Cook, Representative Flowers."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Amendment #1 makes this Bill permissive rather that mandatory and I move for its adoption."
"Seeing no questions, the question is, 'Shall the House adopt House Amendment #1 to House Bill 1334?' All those in favor should say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Amendment is adopted. Further Amendments?"
"No further Amendments. No Motions filed."
"Third Reading. Representative Flowers, on House Bill 230. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."
"House Bill 230, a Bill for an Act concerning imprisonment. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. Floor Amendments #2, 3 and 4 have been approved for consideration. Floor Amendment #2, offered by Representative Flowers, has been approved for consideration." 09500054.doc 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/16/2007
"Representative Flowers on Amendment #2."
"Mr. Speaker, can you just take this Bill out of the record for one second? Thank you."
"The Sponsor requests you take it out of the record. The Sponsor requests you put it back in the record. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."
"House Bill 230, the Bill has been read a second time today. Floor Amendment #2, offered by Representative Flowers, has been approved for consideration."
"Withdraw Amendment #2, Mr. Speaker."
"She asks leave to withdraw Amendment #2. All those in favor say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it and leave… Amendment #2 is withdrawn. Amend… further Amendments?"
"Floor Amendment #3, offered by Representative Flowers."
"Representative Flowers on Amendment #3."
"Withdraw Amendment #3, please"
"The Lady asks leave to withdraw Amendment #3. All those in favor say 'aye'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And Amendment #3 is withdrawn. Further Amendments?"
"Floor Amendment #4, offered by Representative Flowers."
"Representative Flowers on Amendment #4."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. Amendment #4 becomes the Bill and it talks about the people who were unjustly imprisoned in regards to job training and education and the amount of monies that 09500054.doc 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/16/2007 they should receive because of their false incarceration. And more importantly, it speaks of the… because the men were not guilty of a crime that they should not require the pardon of the Governor in order to get their compensation and they should only receive the certificate of innocent in order to start the compensation. I'll be more than happy to answer any questions you have in regards to Amendment #4."
"Seeing no questions, the question is, 'Shall the House adopt Amendment #4 to House Bill 230?' All those in favor say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And Amendment #4 is adopted. Further Amendments?"
"No further Amendments. No Motions filed."
Speaker Turner: "Third Reading. Representative Phelps, on House Bill 3569. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."
"House Bill 3569, a Bill for an Act concerning real property. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed."
"Third Reading. We're going to go to the Order of Third Readings. Representative Scully, we have House Bill 2070. House Bill 2070. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."
"House Bill 2070, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. This Bill is an Amendment to the Collection Agency Act to specifically make this Act applicable to electric utility companies. Over the past six (6) or seven (7) 09500054.doc 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/16/2007 months we've had a great deal of concern by the people of the State of Illinois concerned about their electric increases in electric utility bills, their ability to pay those bills, their fear that their service will be shut off, as well as their fear that unusual collection techniques will be used to collect the money. This… the State of Illinois has a Collection Agency Act which does regulate the activities of collection agencies. This simply makes that very Act applicable to the electric utility companies. I'd be happy to answer any questions."
Speaker Turner: "The Gentleman from DuPage, Representative Myers (sic–Meyer), for what reason do you rise?"
"Representative, I understood that you indicated when you were explaining the Bill that… if you could explain, what is the actual purpose of what you're trying to accomplish? I understand what you said you are doing, but why?"
"What I'm specifically doing is making the Collection Agency Act applicable to electric utility companies. Right now, those companies are not subject to the Collection Agency Act. The Collection Agency Act, among other things, specifically prohibits certain types of inappropriate collection techniques. As I said, right now the collection agencies are not subject to this Act, there is a great deal of concern among the people of the State of Illinois. People calling my office here in Springfield today, asking what is going to be done, their inability to pay their collect… their electric bill. They are concerned about what is going to happen to them. I want to continue the 09500054.doc 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/16/2007 debate on the most appropriate way to procure electricity in the future. I don't want that debate to be in the atmosphere of fear and emotion about the existing bills. I want people to be able to relax and listen to a rational debate on what's the best way for us to move forward. Therefore, I think one of the most appropriate things for we… for us to do here in the House to create that atmosphere of rational debate is to make this Act applicable to the electric utility companies."
"Representative, under that Act what right does the utility have to collect money that's owed to it?"
"They have the right to do everything that a collection agency can do. They can call at reasonable hours, they cannot call at unreasonable hours. They can seek recourse through the court system. And what it does is specifically prohibits certain harassing activities."
"Under that Act, do they have the right to terminate for nonpayment?"
"This Act does not regulate in any manner their ability to terminate."
"What are they doing today that does not follow this Act? I guess I'm not getting any calls, that's why I'm…"
"Well, we don't… we're not sure what they're doing because the Act doesn't apply to them today."
"Well, you said… you indicated you're getting a number of calls asking…"
"Yes, I am."
"I was asking you what type of calls are you receiving. I'm not receiving any." 09500054.doc 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/16/2007
"Oh, and Representative, I'm not receiving calls from the Cook County area, from the Commonwealth Edison area, I'm getting calls from downstate Illinois."
"Well, Representative, what practices are you trying to keep utilities from conducting that they're now conducting even though they're not regulated by this Act?"
"Specifically, I want to make sure the people of Illinois understand that an electric utility, a debt collection agency, as defined under this Act, cannot make false threats, cannot make telephone calls at unreasonable hours, cannot call a person's employer and identify them as a collection agency. There's a list of specifically prohibited activities. I want to assure the people of the State of Illinois that those types of collection techniques are… which are not permitted to collection agencies, will also not be permitted to the public utilities."
"Well, what kind of false… I guess this gets at the heart of then what I was asking before. You're… you're getting calls that are complaining about certain actions by utility companies, wherever they might be located, and what false threats, what actions… what is driving this whole thing, what are they doing?"
"One of the most important… one of the most important provisions of this Act is a provision that prohibits a collection agency from making a false threat."
"Are they making false threats today?"
"I don't know whether the threats are false because I don't know whether they intend to carry their threats out. Under the Collection Agency Act, you are not allowed to 09500054.doc 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/16/2007 make a threat that you have no intention of carrying out. You're not allowed to make a threat that you are legally incapable of carrying out. Right now, the collection… the collect… excuse me, the utility companies are allowed to bluff. They are allowed to make threats that they have no intention of carrying out. Under the Collection Agency Act they would be prohibited form doing that."
"There must be some underlying evidence here that… and I'm not a lawyer, I'm not trying to be evidence in court but then there must be something here that is… that they've relayed to you that some kind of false threat… what kind of false threats…"
"Your time has expired, Representative. Bring your remarks to a close."
"I was just asking a question. I'm still trying to determine what kind of false threats are being made. So far I haven't heard that, I've asked the question for a good part of 5 minutes."
"You might not hear it."
"Did you hear it? I thought something was wrong with my loud speaker over here that I wasn't getting the feedback. Well…"
"The Lady from Cook, Representative Krause, for what reason do you rise?"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, will the Sponsor yield?"
"Indicates he will."
"Thank you. Representative, I supported this Bill in committee and I will support it on the floor, although I was aware that there were several 'no' votes. What 09500054.doc 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/16/2007 benefits or advantage is granted to a consumer if this legislation were passed?"
"The primary benefits are the… a list of prohibited activities that a collection agency is not allowed to conduct, which the public utility companies are presently allowed to do in furtherance of their efforts to collect a debt. For example, right now, the utility company is not… the Collection Agency Act prohibits a false threat. It prohibits a collection agency from threatening a lawsuit unless the company has the intention of filing a lawsuit. It prohibits utility companies… the debt collection agency from making phone calls at unreasonably early hours or unreasonably late hours. It prohibits a collection agency from making telephone calls to a person's place of employment and identifying itself as a collection agency in a manner that would be embarrassing to the consumer. The collection agency and the electric utility companies still have the right to pursue their rights in a court."
"All right. Does this in any way affect their rights on collection, being utilities?"
"No."
"All right. If this legislation is not adopted what disadvantage, if any, are there to a consumer? Where is a consumer left without this legislation?"
"Without this legislation, a public utility company can make false threats, it can make threatens… threats to file a lawsuit when, in fact, it might have no intention of filing the lawsuit. They can threaten various types of prosecution that they have no legal ability to pursue. 09500054.doc 19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/16/2007 They can make telephone calls at unreasonably late hours, unreasonably early hours. There are a variety of things that I… an entity that is not subject to this Act is permitted to do. I want…"
"All right. What demands are placed on the utilities if this legislation is enacted? Are there any?"
"First, the agency… the utility company would have to register with the Department of Professional Regulation as a collection agency. Second, they… there are a series of prohibitions, prohibited activities, prohibited collection techniques, that the collection agencies… excuse me, that the utility companies are presently legally permitted to do, under the Collection Agency Act, they would become prohibited activities."
"All right. Thank you. To the Bill. As I stated I supported legislation in the committee, I support it on the House Floor. I am aware that the utilities, Ameren and ComEd, put in slips on that they opposed it. However, if you look upon this legislation on balance, it comes down as to the need for consumer protection, particularly at a time that we want to resolve some of the unsettled issues that we do have in the utility area. I think the issues that have been raised are legitimate and on balance. I do believe that we should come down as on the side of the consumer. And I will support the legislation."
Speaker Turner: "The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Durkin, for what reason do you rise?"
"Will the Sponsor yield?
"Indicate…" 09500054.doc 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/16/2007
"George, this is just a follow-up on Representative Jim Meyer, to my right. What exactly are the threats that are being conveyed? I just want to get a sense of what exactly are… where are the problems, 'cause I… I… we do have a tendency of over legislating here and I just want to know exactly if there is a issue out there in the State of Illinois."
"Okay. First of all, as I tried to respond to the other Representative, presently the utility companies are threatening civil action to collect their debt. And the Collection Agency Act does not prohibit that so long as the collection agency, in fact, does intend to file a lawsuit. The Collection Agency Act prohibits an agency from bluffing, from saying they're going to file a lawsuit when, in fact, they have no intention of filing a lawsuit. So, in terms of threats that are being made, we do not presently know whether these utility companies intend to carry out those threats. Under the Collection Agency Act, they cannot make a false threat. They cannot threaten to do something that they have no intention of doing."
"Well, all right. Presently… I mean, first of all, what utilities specifically would fall under this House Bill?"
"The utility companies that serve at least a hundred thousand (100,000) customers as of December 31, 2005."
"Can you name those, Representative?"
"I know for certain it would be Ameren Illinois and Commonwealth Edison and some of the smaller utility companies might also be subject to that benchmark." 09500054.doc 21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/16/2007
"Would the electrical co-ops be subject to this?"
"If they serve at least a hundred thousand (100,000) customers, yes."
"I… I… George, I mean, I… I… you know, as I said earlier, sometimes we… I understand what you're doing but we have a tendency of over legislating and if you… if I look behind me I see about ten (10) volumes of Illinois Statutes. At this moment, if anybody has the ear of Ameren and ComEd, it is you. Do you really need to pass legislation to have this part of a comprehensive settlement with the utility companies?"
"Representative Durkin, I represent that as being a separate and distinct issue. I… I'm not thinking of this as part of the negotiations that are in process. I'm think… as I stated at the outset, I consider this to be a matter of consumer protection and to give people of the State of Illinois some assurance that they can allow us the leeway to conduct these discussions in a rational manner without the fear of extraordinary collection techniques being used for delinquent bills…"
"Well…"
"…which in many cases have gone up by 300 and 400 percent."
"I understand. What about the other utilities, not just the electric utilities? How about telecommunications and every other entity that's defined as a utility in the State of Illinois? Why not bring them into this legislation?" 09500054.doc 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/16/2007
"Because I'm not getting calls from their customers about the… their utility bills."
"I'm not getting calls either from customers in my district as well."
"Again, I'm not getting calls from customers within my legislative district. I'm getting calls mainly form southern Illinois."
"Would you be amenable to an Amendment which takes in the telecommunications industry, the… every other utility that operates in the State of Illinois that would wrap them into this Act… in this legislation?"
"I would not be willing to amend this Bill to do so. If you… if you were to file such an Amendment, I would review it on its merit. If you were to propose such a Bill, I would review that Bill on its merit."
"Well, I just think…"
"As I said, I don't… I am not aware that… I'm not getting any calls from customers of utilities other than Ameren right now."
"All right. Thank you."
Speaker Turner: "Seeing no further speakers, Representative Scully to close."
"Ladies and Gentlemen, I want to thank all the Members of the House for the very healthy debate on this issue, expressing the current concerns on a piece of legislation that does, in fact, affect Illinois commerce. But I think the net benefit to the State of Illinois, the relief that we hopefully will give the people… the customers, is… is a 09500054.doc 23 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/16/2007 benefit that greatly outweighs the cost. And I ask for your support for this Bill."
"The question is, 'Shall the House pass House Bill 2070?' All those in favor should vote 'aye'; all those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is now open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Representative Kosel, Pritchard and Sacia. The Clerk shall take the record. On this question, there are 93 voting 'aye', 18 voting 'no', 5 voting 'present'. This Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. On the Order of Third Readings, we have House Bill 2072. Representative Scully, 20… Out of the record. We have Representative Younge on House Bill 2352. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."
"House Bill 2352, a Bill for an Act concerning State Government. Third Reading of this House Bill."
Speaker Turner: "The Lady from St. Clair, Representative Younge."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members of the House. House Bill 2352 establishes a commission that would make recommendations in reference to community investment corporations. A community investment corporation is a for- profit, citizens-owned, professionally managed real-estate planning and development agency or land cooperative that is located in St. Clair County. The commission would be able to make recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly in reference to the establishment of community investment corporations. And I ask for your support in reference to this." 09500054.doc 24 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/16/2007
"Seeing no questions, the question is, 'Shall the House pass House Bill 2… I'm sorry. The Lady from Cook, Representative Mulligan, for what reason do you rise?"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Indicates she will." Mulligan: Representative, how much money do you think this is going to cost?"
"When the commission is appointed by the Governor, that would be one of the things that they would come to a conclusion. The Bill is written in such a way it is subject to appropriations. So, it would… we would have an answer to that at a different time."
"So, if this Bill comes to DCEO it would be a decision of what they wanted to spend on it if there actually was an appropriation?"
"It would… DCEO would have to come back to the General Assembly in reference to an appropriation."
"Actually, the Bill is subject to appropriation, I see that. I cannot hear the Lady's answer, but I am not quite sure what the amount of money would be. It seems like a limited thing to help her community, but I don't see the money being there to cover it, although we may want to vote for it and help her out I don't see the money being appropriated."
"Seeing no further questions, the question is, 'Shall the House pass House Bill 2352?' All those in favor should vote 'aye'; all those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is now open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who 09500054.doc 25 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/16/2007 wish? The Clerk shall take the record. On this question, there are 115 voting 'aye', 0 'noes', 1 voting 'present'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. On the Order of Second Readings, Representative Meyer, we have House Bill 1365. Out of the record. Representative Mulligan, on House Bill 1534. Second Reading. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."
"House Bill 1534, a Bill for an Act concerning insurance. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions filed."
"Third Reading. Representative Will Davis from Cook County, what reason do you rise, young man?" Davis, W.: "Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A point of personal privilege."
"State your point, Will." Davis, W.: "Thank you very much. I'd like to welcome to the chamber, and ask the Members to acknowledge, a gentleman from my district. He's the executive director of the Good Shepherd Center which provides a variety of services for children. Some of those children have… are suffering from mental illness and developmental disabilities. His name is Brendan McCormick, he's sitting in the chamber in the gallery. If you stand up, Brendan, let the Members see you, he and his wife. They're here supporting Autism Day and before I sit down, I just want to acknowledge many of you saw on ESPN the story about a young man named Jason McElwain, who has autism. He played basketball and he had that remarkable game in the very last game of the season. 09500054.doc 26 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/16/2007 Well, he was speaking here in Illinois and Brendan was kind enough to get me a basketball and have it signed by Mr. McElwain, that he gave to me today. So, I want to thank him for that and thank him for his work and the work of his wife in the issues of autism. Thank you very much."
Speaker Turner: "Welcome to Springfield. On the Order of Second Readings, Representative Cultra, we have House Bill 3106. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."
"House Bill 3106, a Bill for an Act concerning civil law. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. Floor Amendment #1, offered by Representative Cultra, has been approved for consideration."
"The Gentleman from Iroquois, Representative Cultra, on Amendment #1."
"Floor Amendment 1 becomes the Bill. It grants quick- take authority to the county of Champaign, Village of Savoy, in the City of Champaign for the improvement of Curtis Road."
"Seeing no questions, the question is, 'Shall the House adopt Amendment #1 to House Bill 3106?' All those in favor should say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And Amendment #1 is adopted. Further Amendments?"
"No further Amendments. No Motions filed."
"Third Reading. Representative McCarthy on House Bill 2632. Out of the record. Representative Lindner, on the Order of Third Readings, we have House Bill 09500054.doc 27 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/16/2007 3010. 3010. Out of the record. Representative Coulson, on House Bill 3765. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."
"House Bill 3765, a Bill for an Act concerning elections. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen. House Bill 3765 amends the Election Code. It prohibits gubernatorial appointees and state department heads from soliciting campaign contributions for an incumbent for the duration of his or her appointment. And I can answer any questions."
"Seeing no questions, the question is, 'Shall the House pass House Bill 3765?' All those in favor should vote 'aye'; all those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is now open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? The Clerk shall take the record. On this question, there are 116 voting 'aye', 0 voting 'noes', 0 voting 'presents'. This Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Molaro. We have House Bill 3652, on the Order of Third Reading. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."
"House Bill 3652, a Bill for an Act concerning transportation. Third Reading of this House Bill."
Speaker Turner: "The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Molaro."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is perhaps… let me put my jacket on for this Bill."
"Take your time."
"All right. I appreciate that. This Bill, I just wanted you to know, is one of my favorite Bills of the 09500054.doc 28 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/16/2007 Session. For those of you who actually follow in the newspapers, in the City of Chicago about maybe thirty (30) years ago they started a program where they… You know what? This is the wrong Bill."
"Do you need a comb?"
"No, we got to take it out of the record. Sorry."
Speaker Turner: "Take the Bill out of the record. Representative Saviano, how about it on House Bill 920? It's on the Order of Third Reading. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."
"House Bill 920, a Bill for an Act concerning revenue. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Members of the House. House Bill 920 is simply an extension of the sunset for the film production tax credit. We've been doing this year to year and we've seen a large improvement and an increase of filmmaking in the City of Chicago and the State of Illinois since we put this through. It's creating a lot of jobs; it's creating a lot of tourism for our state. And I would ask that we pass the Bill to extend this one-year sunset. Thank you."
Speaker Turner: "The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Dunkin, for what reason do you rise?"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Indicates he will."
"Wonderful. You know, I just want to say this is our fourth (4th) year that we have extended this and this is a wonderful testament of how effective certain legislation is down here and how it impacts all Illinoisans from the 09500054.doc 29 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/16/2007 southern end to the northern end of the state as it relates to the film industry. And we should be very proud that we have seven (7) major feature films in the State of Illinois all over. We have three (3) major television shows that are going… in existence right now. And I think this Body really ought to be commended in its support for the film industry. And I'm happy that my colleague Skip Saviano started this way before I got here and that we're continuing to add some value in putting Illinoisans to work. So I would ask and encourage an 'aye' vote as well. Thank you."
Speaker Turner: "The Gentleman from Jackson, Representative Bost, for what reason do you rise?"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Indicates he will."
"And if you'd permit me, Representative, I'd like to play the devil's advocate here, if I can. Why is it that the people in the film industry are… are deserving of these evil corporate loopholes and that the other people that work in the State of Illinois, whether it's in the transportation industry, the mass production industry or any of the other industries out there, then they're evil and the corporate incentives that we give like this shouldn't be passed, or should be taken out of the budget?"
"'Cause this involves celebrities."
"Oh well, I understand. You know… you know, that's important for us to know that… that we are tallying to celebrities or to something that we can wave a great big flag about. About, oh see, we're wanting the movie 09500054.doc 30 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/16/2007 industry to come in, but yet we take people like in the transportation industry, we continue to tax them at a higher level. If we give them an incentive that was offered in this state, like rolling stock and we take that away, well then, that is those evil corporate loopholes that… that this administration wants to get rid of. Now, I want to tell you, Representative, as you know I'm just joking with you here on this, I do support this. But I think and… and… if I can, to the Bill, Mr. Speaker."
"To the Bill."
"I think that every industry and every job should be encouraged in this state, not just the movie industry but every job and every industry should be encouraged to come and provide jobs, to provide good-paying jobs for our families to encourage the growth of business. And by doing that in the State of Illinois, what we can do is, is we can plan on figuring a way to work our way out of the problems that exist in this state, instead of strangling those people who provide the jobs we should be doing things like this. I encourage not only this in the movie industry but… but try to bring back some of those things that were beneficial to the employers around the state."
"The Gentleman from Vermilion, Representative Black, for what reason do you rise?"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield? Representative…"
"Indicates he will." 09500054.doc 31 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/16/2007
"Representative, how much… what was the total amount of tax credits that were provided to the film industry in the last year?"
"Well, according to DCEO in 2004, 6.9 million (6,900,000) in tax credits were provided to the film industry and in return we had about seventy-five million dollars ($75,000,000) in total production spending in the Illinois economy. Now, that may not include hotel rooms and things like that, and that's why we do a year-to-year so we could gauge it and make sure that it's worth our while as a state and we started this whole film credit trend back before we got in this debacle that we're currently in. And it's one… one of the credits that actually we've seen a benefit from, but we still do it year-to-year and that's the reason why."
"Okay. I appreciate your answer. And Mr. Speaker to the Bill."
"To the Bill."
"We probably have one of the few Governors, in the State of Illinois, who has fund-raisers in Hollywood. And it's no… there's no question that he is fascinated with Hollywood and there's no question that he could probably make a living as an actor. But I have noticed, it's all right for our Governor to demonize, criticize and rail against fat cat corporations who don't pay their share of taxes, who rip off the people of the State of Illinois, but because we're talking about Hollywood and there are actresses to schmooze with and there are fund-raisers to attend and they are the beautiful people of the United 09500054.doc 32 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/16/2007 States. And when you need to pass a Bill that's controversial and put people out of work, it certainly doesn't hurt if you can have a Hollywood actress come to Springfield to lobby on behalf of said Bill. And the Governor, one of the few times he was in Springfield, he had to make sure he was here when the actress came down. Wouldn’t be… just wouldn't be the courteous thing to do to not come down and share his appreciation for the political expertise of an actress that appeared in films some time ago. Well, I have businesses and corporations in my district and I sat in my office with Speaker Tim… Turner and Representative Dunkin some years ago when we first came up with this Bill. And I've had a movie filmed in my district and it can be… it can be an economic shot in the arm. But you know, I… I'm going to mention Representative Fritchey by name because I think he summed up my feelings fairly accurately a couple of weeks ago when he said, 'I'm tired of being demonized, I'm tired of being criticized, I'm tired of being painted with a broad brush and say that the Legislature, the General Assembly, is the problem. I'm tired of not being consulted. I'm tired of not being an equal part of the process. I'm tired of the legislative branch of Government being relegated to some kind of comic book villain.' We've sought a meeting with the Governor for weeks, the last time the four (4) Leaders met was more than two (2) years ago. We have critical issues on the table. What about some rate relief, a tax credit if you will, for the taxpayers in my district who got ripped off by their utility companies. When are we going to take that 09500054.doc 33 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/16/2007 up? Well, we can't take that up because one chamber says don't put in ComEd only put in Ameren and the other chamber said, oh no, oh no, you got to put in ComEd or we're not going to give rate relief to Ameren. Well, I've had enough. If I'm going to be demonized, at least I'm going to stand up and say if all of the businesses in my district aren't fat cats, even though some of them only employ eight (8) or nine (9) people, and if they aren’t paying their full share, well I'll be damned if I'm going to give multi billion dollar Hollywood production companies a tax credit to film a movie…"
Speaker Turner: "Seeing no questions, no other questions, Representative Saviano to close."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Members of the House. We’ve seen this has worked for the last five (5) or six (6) years. And one little side advantage is, we've got a great college in downtown Chicago called Columbia College which produces and trains students from Illinois on how to get into the movie business and anybody knowing how tough the movie business is to get in, to go to Hollywood, it's… it's a tough start. This allows them to get a springboard in Chicago and offer employment opportunities that… that we wouldn't see if we didn't have this credit. I would ask for your approval. Thank you."
"Seeing no further questions, the question is, 'Shall the House pass House Bill 920?' All those in favor should vote 'aye'; all those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is now open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? The Clerk shall take the record. On this question, 09500054.doc 34 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/16/2007 there are 99 voting 'aye', 17 voting 'no', 0 'presents'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Crespo, on House Bill 2671. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."
"House Bill 2671, a Bill for an Act concerning elections. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"Thank you, Speaker, Members of the House. House Bill 2671 amends the Election Code to prohibit a person from serving as an election judge if the person's required to register as a sex offender. This comes in response to a recent occurrence of a sex offender serving as a election judge in a Chicago school. Currently, the City of Chicago Board of Elections and the Cook County Clerk's Office cross referenced the election judge list against the sex offender registry. I'll answer any questions."
"Seeing no questions, the question is, 'Shall the House pass House Bill 2671?' All those in favor should vote 'aye'; all those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is now open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? The Clerk shall take the record. On this question, there are 116 voting 'aye', 0 'noes', 0 'presents'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Dugan on House Bill 2043. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."
"House Bill 2043, a Bill for an Act concerning public health. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"Thank you, Speaker, Members of the House. House Bill 2043 creates the Quality Nursing Home Care Survey Act. And all it does is it requires the Department of Public Health 09500054.doc 35 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/16/2007 to develop and implement a pilot consumer satisfaction survey to determine if residents and families are satisfied regarding the quality of care of living in nursing home facilities. And the Department must make the results available to the public and report the results to the General Assembly. This was brought to me from some constituents and also organizations that just look at making sure that our nursing home facilities and that things are going well and that the families and the people that live there have no issues and the quality of care is what we expect it to be. So, I'll answer any questions. And I would appreciate an 'aye' vote."
"The Gentleman from Vermilion, Representative Black, for what reason do you rise?"
"Will the Sponsor yield?"
"She indicates she will."
"Thank you. Representative, there were some concerns expressed in committee about the oversight and the guidelines that would be used to set up this program and that it might be amended on the floor. I see that no Amendment has been filed so let's… let's talk a little about… a bit about how the oversight and the guidelines for the program will be established in your opinion."
"Well, the… I've talked to the Department and… and I… I do remember, of course, Representative Riley was the one that brought it up just to make sure that as we go forward that we look at how the rules and what it is that we want to try to get out of it. This legislation, it's kind of loosely modeled after Colorado law and what they did in 09500054.doc 36 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/16/2007 Colorado, and it's my hope, that as we go forward in working with the Department, that we can come up with what it is we want to accomplish and… and how to go about that. I do remember, as you said Representative, the Representative that brought it up in the committee but I… I was kind of under the impression, and maybe I was mistaken, that it was just… we wanted to make sure that as we went forward with this we put into place what we thought we needed to have through the department."
"So how will the… how will the… how will the legislation be administered? Is it just another… just another mandate on long-term care or how… how's this going to work?"
"No, it's just going to require the Department of Public Health to develop and implement. So, I think it's… and I plan to work with the department, of course, with the long- term care facilities to determine what kind of survey and what we need to look at or what we want to look at and try to come up with the responses. So I don't think it's actually a… to put any kind of mandates on the long-term health facilities. I think what it is is to just get a survey done so that we can see what is there and if there is something that we need to look at further, we can also… we can certainly do that later."
"All right. So, you're going to put consumer comments and… and/or I assume complaints on a database about a facility. Will the facility have any ability to refute the charges, or to refute a negative review? Somebody could write on there my grandmother was treated terribly, the food was not fit for human consumption and the home was 09500054.doc 37 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/16/2007 dirty. Will the administrator of the home have an opportunity to say, we disagree and we invite you to come out and look or is it just going to be comments that one may post after… maybe they're upset, maybe they get angry, maybe something didn't go their way. Now, I want to make sure that it's as fair to the consumer as it is to the person offering the… the service."
"And I certainly agree with you, Representative. I think, at least from the Colorado law that we're kind of… that this is kind of looking at, how they did it, the facility does have the comment… you know, has the opportunity to comment on any results of the commun… consumer satisfaction survey and have those comments included in any publication or distribution of the results of the Department. So I think… and I certainly understand your concern as I would also have that concern and we can certainly work with the Department before we go forward or making sure that we have something in place before we allow them go forward with the survey. I'm going to assume this is going to be a collaborative effort, not just the Department going out doing a survey and not having the facilities involved."
"Okay. All right. Well, I appreciate that and I'm sure you'll follow through just to make sure that it's fair. I mean, if I'm going to put one of my parents or grandparents in a facility, I need to know accurate information, but I also need to be able to contact somebody to make sure that information is in fact accurate and up to date. So with that assurance, I… I thank you for your answers." 09500054.doc 38 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/16/2007
"Thank you, Representative."
"Seeing no further questions, the question is, 'Shall the House pass House Bill 2043?' All those in favor should vote 'aye'; all those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is now open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? The Clerk shall take the record. On this question, there are 115 voting 'aye', 1 voting 'no', 0 'presents'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Flider on House Bill 3657. That Bill is on the Order of Second Reading. Representative Flider. Out of the record. Representative Ford on House Bill 980. The Bill's on Second Reading. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."
"House Bill 980, a Bill for an Act concerning public health. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. Floor Amendments #2 and 3 have been approved for consideration. Floor Amendment #2, offered by Representative Ford, has been approved for consideration."
"The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Ford on Amendment #2."
"I need to… it's Amendment 3 that should be…"
"Do you want to withdraw Amendment #2?"
"Withdraw 2 and I want to…"
"The Gentleman asks leave to withdraw Amendment #2. All those in favor say 'aye'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And Amendment #2 is withdrawn. Further Amendments, Mr. Clerk?" 09500054.doc 39 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/16/2007
"Floor Amendment #3, offered by Representative Ford."
"Representative Ford on Amendment #3."
"I would like to offer Amendment #3 to the floor. This Amendment now is agreed with all parties, all stakeholders of the HIV and AIDS community. And the department is now in favor of it and I ask that we move this to Third Reading for immediate consideration."
"Seeing no questions, the question is, 'Shall the House adopt Amendment #3 to House Bill 980?' All those in favor should say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And Amendment #3 is adopted. Further Amendments?"
"No further Amendments. No Motions filed."
"Third Reading. Representative… Representative Franks, on House Bill 1548. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."
"House Bill 1548, a Bill for an Act concerning criminal law. Third Reading of this House Bill."
Speaker Turner: "The Gentleman from McHenry, Representative Franks."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This Bill here goes farther in requiring those people who are convicted of a criminal sexual assault or an aggravated criminal sexual assault of a child to require them to have a GPS tracking device for the duration of the defendant's natural life. We're adding two more categories which will require this. That would be criminal sexual abuse and aggravated criminal sexual abuse. We're filling in a loophole that had… that we discovered 09500054.doc 40 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/16/2007 subsequent to the prior Bill passing. I'd be glad to answer any questions."
"Seeing no questions, the question is, 'Shall the House pass…' The Gentleman from Morgan, Representative Watson, for what reason do you rise?"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Indicates he will."
"Representative Franks, has the administration… funding, do we have an idea of how much this is going to cost? I mean, I think it's a great idea, by the way."
"I have… I've written a note. I'm not sure where I got it, but I believe the cost is around nine million dollars ($9,000,000), but I'm not sure if there was ever a fiscal note done. I might have just met with the administration on it."
"Okay. I carried a similar Bill last year and… and you helped with that. I encourage everybody to support this Bill and hopefully, we'll get it through the Senate as well."
"Thank you."
"Seeing no further questions, the question is, 'Shall the House pass House Bill 1548?' All those in favor should vote 'aye'; all those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is now open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? The Clerk, shall take the record. On this question, there are 116 voting 'aye', 0 'noes', 0 'presents'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. On the Order of Third Readings, we have Representative Graham on 09500054.doc 41 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/16/2007 House Bill 731. Out of the record. We have Representative Hoffman on House Bill 818. Out of the record. Representative Jakobsson on House Bill 313. Out of the record. Representative Joyce, on House Bill 1040. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."
"House Bill 1040, a Bill for an Act concerning State Government. Third Reading of this House Bill."
Speaker Turner: "The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Joyce."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. House Bill 1040 would establish the scratch-off lottery ticket for multiple sclerosis. The instant lottery game would benefit research pertaining to multiple sclerosis and the Department of Revenue would make the game available beginning July 1 of '08. All net revenues would be transferred to the Multiple Sclerosis Research Fund. Multiple sclerosis is a problem that has been around for a long time and have… many great strides have been made, but one of the interesting things about this is that real people would be able to use this for things like physical therapy that gets… that get denied by insurance companies today after a doctor has determined that the patient cannot get any better. I'd be happy to answer any questions on the Bill."
"The Gentleman from Vermilion, Representative Black, for what reason do you rise?"
"Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. I don't think anyone here doubts the sincerity of the Sponsor. I doubt… I doubt that anyone 09500054.doc 42 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/16/2007 would doubt the efficacy of… of the cause. Multiple sclerosis if you've ever seen it or had it in your family you know what a debilitating illness it can be. I'd simply rise, as I have on the others, on a matter of what I consider to be a matter of principle that goes back about… almost twenty (20) years when this General Assembly said 'all profits of the lottery will go to the Common School Fund', and this year that will be about six hundred and forty million dollars ($640,000,000). Now in the two (2) previous scratch-off games, if the Department of Revenue figures are accurate, we have taken out approximately or not deposited about twelve million dollars ($12,000,000) in profits from those scratch-off games. Instead of going to the Common School Fund, as the law clearly states it should, they go to causes, good causes. I won't… I won't belabor that point, but as I said when this first came up once you find a way to fund something that needs funding, I haven't any question about that, but you turn to the lottery, it will become like the license plate business. Pretty soon, we'll have a hundred and sixty (160), two hundred and fifty (250) license plates. Pretty soon we'll have fifty (50) or sixty (60) lottery scratch-off games that will go, all I'm sure, to very good causes but then you are not putting the money from the lottery into the Common School Fund which is a public policy statement this General Assembly said in 1986 and it was signed into law. In a budget year where we are going to have to literally scratch with our fingernails to find any significant money to put into education, every dollar that you transfer from 09500054.doc 43 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/16/2007 the lottery Common School Fund, where the profit's supposed to go, to another source, even though is a good source and… and the Sponsor is certainly sincere and serious and dedicated to this cause, I'm not going to vote for any of these because I think until we get the educational situation resolved, which may be this year but begins to look like we wont, I just don't think I can stand here in good faith and watch twelve, fifteen, eighteen million dollars ($12,000,000,$15,000,000,$18,000,000) that would have gone to the Common School Fund be allocated to another purpose, even though the purpose, maybe very noble and necessary and vital. We made a public statement twenty- some years ago, I think we should hold to that statement and let the lottery profits go to the Common School Fund, particularly in a year when it's going to be very difficult, from… from the way it looks today, to put significant money into education. It's… it's not that I take any great pleasure in opposing this, I do not. I think the cause is certainly one that we would all like to help, but I would also be remiss to my constituents. I believe in education, I believe it should be our number one (1) priority and when we dilute any money that should normally go to the Common School Fund, no matter how valid or valuable the cause, then we can't have that both ways. The money should go to education, we made that public statement and because I signed on and voted for that, I intend to vote 'no' for any scratch-off game or any lottery game that takes money away from the Common School Fund. I intend to vote 'no'." 09500054.doc 44 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/16/2007
Speaker Turner: "The Gentleman from Lee, Representative Mitchell, for what reason do you rise? Representative Mitchell, for what reason do you rise?" Mitchell, J.: "Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To the Bill. I agree wholeheartedly with Representative… the Representative that just spoke. We have to solve the education funding crisis, that's true. We have tried to do that in this chamber several different times; however, the difference I see in… in a Bill like this is, quite frankly, when we create a lottery scratch-off for an individual cause, and Kevin, it is a good cause, it specifically goes to that. And people that normally play scratch-off are going to play anyway; people that have a concern with multiple sclerosis would take that particular scratch-off ticket, they might not play otherwise. So basically, the Common School Fund wouldn't get that money anyway. That money is going for a cause that… that needs every dollar it can possibly get. I don't believe that when we create a special ticket, exceptional for a particular cause, that we're actually taking money away from the Common School Fund because I don't think that scratch-off would be created and so they wouldn't play that game. So, what the Representative's trying to do is to help out another cause that needs more money than we could ever give it for the research that's needed to try to solve this particular health problem. So, I stand in support of the Gentleman's legislation even though I agree with the former Representative that we must solve the education crisis and trust me, we're not going to do it with scratch-off tickets. Thank you, Mr. Speaker." 09500054.doc 45 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/16/2007
"The Lady from Cook, Representative Mulligan, for what reason do you rise?"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to speak to the logistics of some of the scratch-off things are on the lottery. So far, we have breast cancer and we have veterans. The way that money is spent comes through JCAR if they… if they decide to and then it's determined by rule. So when you put the scratch-off on, you don't necessarily know exactly where the money's going to go until they promulgate the rules for it, number one (1), number two (2), I agree with Representative Black about where the money should go. And when we did the first one (1) for breast cancer we said that's going to be the only one (1) and then we moved on to veterans. If the state's not going to adequately fund human services that's a problem, but the other… there's a third issue. The third issue is in the prebudget meeting when the Governor just decided that he was going to lease the lottery game. One of the questions I asked about if the lottery was leased, what would happen to the statutory requirements? There's a requirement that the lottery has to have across the bottom, which was legislation that I passed, a 1-800-number for problem and compulsive gambling. There's a statutory requirements of the breast cancer and the veterans' fund. Those would go along with whatever the lease would be and the lessor, I think that's the right word, would have to give that money back to the state. But what the Governor did this year, what the lottery did this year with the veterans' money, is they went back in and they let less 09500054.doc 46 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/16/2007 tickets for the veterans and then they changed the front of the lottery ticket so it so patriotic and my feeling was, and the feeling of many other Representatives was they changed the way it appeared so that it would appear that the statutory obligation for veterans would be less money than it actually could be. So, it's something that will be games and although I certainly stand up for people with disabilities in Illinois, and I think my record's pretty clear on that. The fact of the mat… the problem is we're not paying our bills on time for agencies, a scratch-off for the lottery isn't going to compensate the fact that we don't adequately fund human services. And I understand Representative Joyce's intention in this to help people that we all want to help, but I think that people should understand the games that are being played with the scratch-off and that you may not necessarily know where the money's going because the rules will be promulgated."
"Representative Joyce to close."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, previous speakers, I appreciate your comments your concerns. This is, you know Representative Black mentioned, this is a personal issue. I experienced the first twenty-one (21) years of my life with my grandmother with multiple sclerosis in a wheelchair. Lived a phenomenal life, probably for it was spent… had more happy times dealing with multiple sclerosis than some people could spend in a lifetime. And I agree with Representative Mitchell, I don't think the impact and the taking away from school funding is nearly as great as people might think it would be because I think that when 09500054.doc 47 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/16/2007 people are buying this lottery ticket might otherwise not be playing the lottery. I know there are a lot of great causes, I know a lot of people in here have pushed great causes forward and I would appreciate an 'aye' vote. And I believe that the whole lottery education funding issue is much bigger than one scratch-off game. Thank you."
"The question is, 'Shall the House pass House Bill 1040?' All those in favor should vote 'aye'; all those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is now open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Cultra? The Clerk shall take the record. On this question, 91 voting 'aye', 23 voting 'no', 2 voting 'present'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. On the Order of Third Readings, we have House Bill 2425, Representative Mendoza. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."
"House Bill 2425, a Bill for an Act concerning State Government. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"The Lady from Cook, Representative Mendoza."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. House Bill 2425 requires the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to establish a program that would provide annual grants to women entrepreneurs. The program would award ten (10) women a five thousand dollar ($5,000) grant. The grant recipients would be women who had been nominated by their local Chambers of Commerce and then DCEO would collect the nomination forms from these local Chambers of Commerce and decide who the recipients of those five thousand dollar ($5,000) grants are. The program is 09500054.doc 48 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/16/2007 subject to appropriation. And I would be happy to answer any questions. And would ask you for an 'aye' vote. Thank you."
Speaker Turner: "The Gentleman from Jackson, Representative Bost, for what reason do you rise?"
"Will the Sponsor yield, please?"
"Indicates she will."
"Representative, our analysis says, that the… that it is subject to appropriation… is not subject… Which is it? Is it not subject to appropriation or is it subject to appropriation?"
"You know what? Actually, I'm really glad you just asked that, because in my mind it is, but it has to be amended in the Senate. I completely forgot about that, so I will make sure, you all have my word, that it will not move until it has been amended to say 'subject to appropriation' in the Senate."
"All right. That's what I thought."
"Thanks for clarifying that, I completely forgot."
"Thank you."
Speaker Turner: "The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Miller, for what reason do you rise?"
"Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Indicates she will."
"On our analysis here it says that these grants are for women entrepreneurs for five thousand dollars ($5,000). What are the… what… what is that to be used for?"
"The five… the five thousand dollars ($5,000), Representative, could be used for a whole litany of 09500054.doc 49 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/16/2007 purposes: start-up costs, a payroll. It's a good opportunity for people who need a little bit of extra help, in particular start-up businesses, to be able to pay some expenses whether it's, you know, new computers or phone bills, both of that nature in terms of the implementation of their business."
"I guess my concern is you said 'local Chamber of Commerce'. So for instance, the Austin lo… Chamber of Commerce or the Dalton Chamber of Commerce could nominate a woman entrepreneur, but basically what you just said as a start-up cost, how could they… how could they establish themselves with a local Chamber of Commerce on, just honestly, a five… for a five thousand dollar ($5,000) grant for businesses for start-up? That doesn't make a lot of sense."
"Well, it doesn't have to only be used for start-up costs but if you're a relatively new business, you've been working closely with the local Chamber of Commerce… as a matter of fact, local Chambers of Commerce in many instances are very helpful in helping women or not just women, but anybody start their businesses and work closely with them. That's one example of who could benefit from this, but it doesn’t have to be a start-up company it could be somebody who's already been working within the community for a good time and that the local chamber feels that they would be a good nominee for this program."
"Are there any safeguards that the person just doesn't look at this as a five thousand dollar ($5,000) award? You know, like a stipend for their own pocket? I mean what… 09500054.doc 50 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/16/2007 what in the legislation says that this person's going to use it for business purposes versus buying a new car?"
"Thanks for the question. The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity would be in charge of formulating the rules of the grant. So, you know, we would encourage, obviously, the Department and work with them to make sure that… that it is exactly not what you're talking about."
"So DCEO's going to go through JCAR to be able to adopt rules in which the criteria of the grant program will be issued."
"Yeah. We want to make sure that people use… the Department will adopt the rules and the criteria for which the people would be given the grants."
"Okay. Thank you."
"Sure."
"The Lady from Cook, Representative Mulligan for what reason do you rise?"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Indicates she will."
"Representative, I went back to our staff to ask them about our analysis because I was questioning what was in our analysis. It says that your ten (10) grants of five thousand dollars ($5,000) each would be fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) and that the total cost of the program would be a hundred and twenty thousand dollars ($120,000) a year and that DCEO told them this. So, for fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) for five (5) grants we're going to it's going to cost us seventy thousand dollars ($70,000) to administer them. I can't believe they don't have some 09500054.doc 51 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/16/2007 programs out there that aren't better than this, that's not… that aren't going to cost or the reason why they are costing. Not only that, DCEO has been administering the Workforce Development Board, it's my understanding that they haven't met and I don't think they're complying with the federal rules which means we're losing federal money. Then there's many other grants that they have out there and I've passed things before for… for DCEO and for women's economic funding, particularly in being able to get bonds or to have first-time business owners women and minorities underwrite bonding issues for insurance and other things. So, what we're doing is we're adding a program here that's going to cost more than what we are giving out in grants. I don't think the department is complying with things that get us additional federal funding. And I don't know where we're going and… and you're saying it's not subject to appropriation or it's going to be subject to appropriation?"
"It will be subject to appropriation and… and I like you actually, asked DCEO why it would cost seventy thousand dollars ($70,000) to implement this program. I disagree with their numbers and they said they'd be happy to sit down and try to work out… they wanted to give a larger number than what they realistically think it would be. I don't necessarily agree with that, but… but I think that, you know, what we're talking about is just another new program that we can add to stuff that might target some of the women who currently are not eligible for the programs that we do have out there, many of which target larger size 09500054.doc 52 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/16/2007 businesses and women that are already a little bit more, you know, are more competitive in that marketplace. So, we'd like to have the department sit down, which is what came up during the testimony in committee and be able to craft the rules that would target a group of women who perhaps right now have been left out by the other programs that are existing. I would tend to believe or agree with you that, you know, my… my indication to Mr. Meister, to the department, is that I'd like to see why it would cost seventy thousand dollars ($70,000). I don't think you need to hire new people to administer the change in this, what we're asking for. So, I… I would tend to not believe the seventy thousand dollar ($70,000) figure."
"They… they told our staff that they would have to hire one person. The Congress of Women Legislators does their own grant program where the women's… We don't charge anything to administer the money, I can… and it doesn't take that long."
"I agree with you, so I think that would be a separate issue that we take up with DCEO. But, you know, I think there's a lot of positions in the state that are a little extraordinary and getting too much money, quite frankly and we can talk about those all day but…"
"Having worked on the budget for the last fifteen (15) years, being in the General Assembly, the moment this Governor took office was the last time that we ever had accurate figures from any agency. And I really have a problem with that, quite frankly, we can't tell… that they're told to do reserves; they're told to hire other 09500054.doc 53 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/16/2007 people. We don't have accurate budget figures; we don't get accurate budget figures; from them when we do appropriations hearings. So I think it's really hard to figure out exactly what it would cost, but I think that they're padding it."
"I agree, I totally think it's being padded."
"And fifty thousand dollars ($50,000)… "
"Fifty thousand (50,000) is the legitimate number that I would say this should cost, give or take a couple bucks for administration of it. But what we're looking at are ten (10) grants at five thousand dollars ($5,000). I'd like for the department to tell me how it is that they come up with seventy thousand dollars ($70,000) for one (1) additional job. That is not what's in the Bill. What's in the Bill, says we want five (5) grants per ten thousand dollars ($10,000). And it's subject to an appropriation. Hopefully, that could happen. But that's what we're looking to."
"And it's going through the Chamber of Commerce's?"
"It would go through… the nominations would go through the local Chambers of Commerce."
"All right. So you e-mail the local Chamber of Commerce, this is available, e-mail your members and e-mail us back with…"
"Exactly, yeah, I agree with you. I think that the extra cost attached to this Bill is pretty much… it's up for dispute, put it that way."
"There's a lot of things up for dispute here. Thank you." 09500054.doc 54 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/16/2007
"Yeah. I agree with you on that."
"The Gentleman from Vermilion, Representative Black, for what reason do you rise?"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker Turner. It's good to see you in the Chair. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Indicates she will."
"Representative, I'm looking at Amendment #1, only about fourteen (14) lines. I see nothing in the Amendment that says this is subject to appropriation."
"Yes, I… I think… maybe I wasn't clear enough Representative, but when I started my debate I said that it was subject to appropriation. I made a mistake. I forgot that we have, not amended the legislation yet to say, 'subject to appropriation'. But I've given my word that I will not let it move out of the Senate until it has been amended to say, 'subject to appropriation'. So that is the intent of what I'm trying to do here today."
"Oh… okay. Did the Department of… what's it called now?"
"DCEO."
"Oh, that's right, Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Have they talked with you about this Bill?"
"Yes, I spoke with Mr. Meister."
"He actually sat down and talked with you about it, huh?"
"I know."
"You… you must be very lucky."
"Well, I know you, that's lucky enough. What more could I ask for?" 09500054.doc 55 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/16/2007
"Well, I… I take it they don't like your Bill."
"Why not? Everybody likes my Bills."
"We all like you; sometimes we don't like your Bills."
"You love my Bills."
"Mr. Speaker, does that constitute entrapment? You know with that kind of language, as one of my colleagues just said, you may have to register as an offender if you're not careful."
"Oh, no way."
"All right. I… it's an interesting Bill and I appreciated the comments of my colleague, Representative Mulligan, because I think she hit many of the issues on the head. It's going to take a seventy thousand dollar ($70,000) a-year-person to run this program? Come on, a seventy thousand dollar ($70,000) person to give away ten (10) grants?"
"I disagree with that entirely. Yeah, I'm with you, I disagree on that, but that's not what the Bill says."
"All right, right."
"The Bill says five (5) grants for ten thousand dollars ($10,000) or…"
"Yeah."
"I'm sorry, ten (10) grants for five thousand dollars ($5,000). I would argue with you that, you know, prove it to me that we need a seventy thousand dollar ($70,000) position to administer this program. I don't agree with those numbers, that's what they say."
"Okay. Well, I…" 09500054.doc 56 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/16/2007
"I think that we could make sure that that's not the case."
"…I don't agree with the numbers. I don't agree with that number either and if it's accurate then obviously you and I are not working in the right agency of State Government."
"That's correct."
"So… I… I was… I had to leave the chamber for just a moment, refresh my memory. How will they be selected? I missed that part of your answer."
"Yes, Representative, the local Chambers of Commerce would submit nominations…"
"Okay."
"…of women who they think are…"
"All right."
"You know, meritorious of this grant. And then the department would also have to establish the rules as to what… the eligibility requirements would be of the nominees…"
"Okay."
"And then they would ultimately determine who the ten (10) women are that get the five thousand dollar ($5,000) grant and how that money can be used."
"And it would be statewide, right?"
"Yes, statewide, so ever region in the state would hopefully be…" Black: And it's not… it's not allocated two (2) from this district…"
"No… no… no." 09500054.doc 57 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/16/2007
"Okay, fine."
"Yeah."
"Thank you very much, Representative."
"Sure. Thank you."
"No further questions, Representative Mendoza to close."
"Just ask for an 'aye' vote. Thank you."
"The question is, 'Shall the House pass House Bill 2425?' All those in favor should vote 'aye'; all those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is now open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mautino? The Clerk shall take the record. On this question, there are 116 voting 'aye', 0 'noes', 0 'presents'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Molaro, for what reason do you rise?"
"Well, two (2) points of personal privilege. First, Sammy Bruce and Mike Brazika from that… I think are from my order out here. Thank you for coming. And the second thing is, we might need the sergeant at arms. I see Minority Leader Frank Watson is in the chamber. And we have Leader Rickey Hendon and he keeps bothering me about this softball game and what he's going to do to us next week, next Wednesday. And I see you in the Chair and I want to know, do I have to take this from Senator Hendon or can we have him removed? I know they have floor privileges, but I don't know if he has the privilege to come here and give me a hard time. And I really don't want to get physical with the man, so I'm hoping that maybe we 09500054.doc 58 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/16/2007 can get the sergeant at arms or you could say something about our softball game next Wednesday and we'll be ready for him and Frank Watson… Leader Watson."
"It is a fact the trophy is in this chamber and shall remain here for the next few years. Some things are not going to change and I'm certain that Representative… I mean, Senator Hendon is here trying to recruit a Member or two (2) but it's… won't help. The game is next Wednesday everybody knows. Showdown will be at about 5:00 and by 7:00 I think it'll be history and we will know that nothing has changed. Mr. Doorman (sic–Doorkeeper), escort the guy out of the chamber. On the Order of Third Readings, Representative Molaro, we have House Bill 1687. Put your coat on. And read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."
"House Bill 1687, a Bill for an Act concerning local government. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"Thank you. I'll be as brief as I possibly can. This is my favorite Bill of the Session, not necessarily one that is the most caring but certainly my favorite. The City of Chicago we have the zone parking. We've had this for about thirty (30) years, as you well know you have a zone you have to live there… I mean, you have to have a sticker to park on it. Now the amazing part about it is, it's on public property. They're basically making public property that we all pay taxes on, pay our city stickers, and you can only park there if you live in the neighborhood. Now, it was initially started for Cubs games, Sox games. It was started, I think, by the grandfather of John D’Amico where they actually had 09500054.doc 59 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/16/2007 colleges where it was hard to park. After thirty (30) years they have every possible zone they could possibly ever use ever at any time. Now all they're doing is neighbors are coming to the aldermen and saying, 'Hey, listen, I want zone parking on my block 'cause I don't like anybody else living there… or parking there.' So, all this does, is say, if they have zone parking in the city, terrific, they can keep it, but for the next two (2) or three (3) years we're going to do a moratorium. It's sort of just the pilot program because the aldermen… and I've had thirty (30) aldermen come to see me, there's been all kinds of newspaper articles… the aldermen can't say 'no' to their constituency because the three (3) or four (4) people come in, they're usually biddy… busybodies and they do this. We have enough zone parking in the city. This is just to let the city know that they have to stop this. The had lukewarm, tepid opposition because it's that old Home Rule stuff that they're a little nervous down that slippery slop, but in reality, almost every Chicago alderman is for this Bill. Very difficult for them to police themselves and as I said, there is no zone in the City of Chicago that needs it. We've done it for twenty (20) years and now all we're doing is taking private parking spaces and make'em public. And that's what the Bill does, Mr. Speaker."
"The Lady from Grundy, Representative Gordon, for what reason do you rise?"
"Thank you Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Indicates he will." 09500054.doc 60 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/16/2007
"Representative Molaro, do you live in an area where there's restricted parking on your street?"
"My street, where I live? No."
"Yeah."
"No."
"So… so, you don't have a special permit parking for your neighborhood?"
"Not where I live, no."
"Okay. And did you say in your introducing the Bill and saying what it does that the aldermen can't say 'no' to their constituents?"
"Very hard for them to do."
"So, they're asking the General Assembly to say what's going on in Chicago because the aldermen can't say 'no'?"
"I'm asking the General Assembly."
"Oh."
"See, they don't get to introduce Bills. They can introduce them only in the city council."
"And you said all the aldermen are… are pretty much for this?"
"Yeah. There's been newspaper articles quoting twenty (20), thirty (30) different aldermen."
"Okay. But I don't see any of their names as proponents of the Bill on… on the legislation."
"Well, I did give it to staff and I gave them their phone numbers so they could call. Alderman Dick Mell, Eddie Burke, all those people I've talked to."
"Okay. Do you think this is setting a very dangerous example for village boards, city councils, township boards, 09500054.doc 61 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/16/2007 county boards, who… they're just afraid to say 'no' and… and potentially do the right thing, so they're going to make us do it for all round the state? Is this a dangerous precedent to be set?"
"It… it might not be the best precedent. I don't know if I'd call it dangerous."
"Okay."
"I mean, I don't see any danger to it."
"All right. Well, Representative, I appreciate what you're doing. I think it takes a lot of courage to do this, but I do think it sets a very dangerous precedent and it does preempt Home Rule authority, isn't that right?"
"We'd have to ask the Parliamentarian, but it probably does."
"Thank you."
"The Lady form Cook, Representative Mulligan, for what reason do you rise?"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Indicates he will."
"Representative, I certainly understand what you're trying to do for your home community and I don't say this to be facetious but, what are the Chicago aldermen paid?"
"The new ones… I think the new ones that just got sworn in it's… it's over six (6) figures. I mean, it is a six- figure salary."
"I'm sorry what is it?"
"It's a six-figure… it's either a hundred and eight (108) or a hundred and eighteen (118) something like that." 09500054.doc 62 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/16/2007
"Right. And how far do they have to drive to go to work?"
"Some live a couple of blocks from their office."
"Golly, gee whiz. And we get paid about half of what they get paid and we drive, for me, it's a couple hundred miles (200) to go to work and we're supposed to take care of this for them? I think they should take care of it for themselves. They get paid to take this grief, that's why they get the big bucks. So perhaps they ought to be… stand up to the plate and vote for it on their… in their own communities."
"The Gentleman from Vermilion, Representative Black, for what reason do you rise?"
"Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. To the Bill. I wish I'd had Representative Molaro here about fifteen (15) years ago when I passed a Bill out of the House that said Chicago parking tickets weren’t valid if they were given to a nonresident of the City of Chicago. It created quite a furor, but we passed it. That was back in the days when Chicago parking tickets were what we commonly, south of I- 80, referred to as phantom tickets. I never will forget… I think I've still got the file in my district office, they gave a ticket to a… I don't remember the make of the car, a Chevrolet, what difference does it make, license number et cetera, et cetera, et cetera, double parked on such and such a street at 2:00 in the morning. And when I… I was getting twenty (20) and twenty-five (25) of these requests every month from constituents who said, 'I haven't been to 09500054.doc 63 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/16/2007 Chicago. I don't drive to Chicago. I haven't been to Chicago in years.' When we we're checking this ticket out, the son of the lady… of the… it was his mother's car. His mother had died seven (7) years, previously. He had taken the wheels off the car, drained it and was going to store it because it would someday be an antique. So I went in the garage to see this car, it was up on jacks, the tires were off, it was covered with a cover, it had all the of the oil drained and all of the preservatives that a person who knows how to restore a car takes care of it. I took a picture of that car that still had the license plate on it which had been expired for seven and a half years. I sent that to the city and I got back a form letter that the picture proved that the car was drivable and therefore was probably in the City of Chicago on the date in question. Well, obviously, it was not and we got that straightened out and I will give credit to the mayor, Mayor Daley, who sent his director of the department of revenue down and met with many downstate Legislators, as well as some suburban Legislators and we got… we got that worked out. We had a number to call and we had a due process situation and I'm… I'm glad that that was cleared up, because we went from twenty (20) of those parking complaints a month down to maybe two (2) a year, now. But this is an interesting Bill and I… I think my colleague, Representative Mulligan, has said it all. This is a problem that the city aldermen must take care of. It's their city, they know why they create these parking zones. I parked in a residential zone at a Cubs game one night and had you been in the House, 09500054.doc 64 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/16/2007 Representative, I would have called you for a ride to the tow lot because when I got out of the Cub game my car was gone. And I never will forget the guy at… at the tow lot. It cost me a hundred and seventy-five dollars ($175) to get the car out. And he said, 'What kind of license plate is that on that car?' I said, 'It's a legislative plate." He said 'Well, I ain't never seen a number as low as that, it's 41, do you know somebody?' And I said, 'No, I don't know anybody, I just serve in the General Assembly and that's a General Assembly plate.' And he said, 'Well, I never heard of that,' he says, 'I thought maybe you was a private detective.' So I paid the hundred and seventy-five dollars ($175) and got the car out and learned a bitter lesson about residential parking permits. But this is not an issue for us to solve in the General Assembly. If the Chicago aldermen who create these residential parking zones have a problem with these zones, let the Chicago aldermen settle it. You're asking me to vote on something I don't know, well… I do know where one residential parking zone is and I learned never to park there again at a Chicago Cubs night game. But I don't know why they were created and if you don't live in the City of Chicago you don't know why they were created. You don't know what kind of pressure the neighborhood puts on. You don't know whether the neighborhood wants it or doesn't want it. If… if you run for a political office and you get paid a six-figure salary and you can't take the heat on whether or not to freeze or eliminate or change a residential parking area…"
"Representative Black? Representative Black?" 09500054.doc 65 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/16/2007
"Yes, Sir."
"Representative Molaro, I think, has religion."
"Well, hopefully…"
"Representative Molaro."
"…hopefully, not before we vote because…"
"Well, he's got his hands up."
"…in all do respect to the Sponsor and he's a wonderful man, this is a problem that the City of Chicago has created. It's a problem that the City of Chicago needs to resolve and I think the General Assembly should recuse themselves from any potential conflict of interest and vote 'no'."
"Let's hear the Gentleman out. Representative Molaro."
"Well, first of all, he called me a wonderful man. I mean, nobody's ever called me that before, Bill. I gotta… and for that reason, I'm going to take this out of the record. He convinced me."
"The Gentleman requests to take the Bill out of the record. On the Order of Third Readings, we have House Bill 471. Representative Ryg. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."
"House Bill 471, a Bill for an Act concerning State Government. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"The Lady from Lake, Representative Ryg."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Bill 471 adds four (4) Members, one from each caucus of the General Assembly, to the Illinois Coordinating Committee on Transportation. Coordinated Human Services… Coordinated Human Service Public Transportation plans are now a requirement under the 09500054.doc 66 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/16/2007 Federal Transportation Plan and this committee's work is part of that framework. Participation by Legislators is expected to facilitate the communication and coordination. I'm open to any questions."
"Seeing no questions, the question is, 'Shall the House pass House Bill 471?' All those in favor should vote 'aye'; all those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is now open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Representative McCarthy. Representative Colvin. The Clerk shall take the record. On this question, there are 116 voting 'aye', 0 'noes', 0 'presents'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Colvin, for what reason do you rise?"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would hope my colleagues would join me in welcoming to Springfield a group of ministers from the City of Chicago representing the Illinois faith-based association led by Reverend Walter Turner. They're in the gallery. Welcome to Springfield."
Speaker Turner: "Welcome to Springfield. Representative Colvin, did you say they were led by Representative Turner?"
"Did I say Representative Turner? I meant… I didn't want to elevate you to that high of a status; you're not there yet."
"Well, welcome to Springfield."
"That's Reverend Walter Turner."
"Representative Holbrook, the Gentleman from St. Clair, you have an announcement?" 09500054.doc 67 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/16/2007
"Thank you, Speaker. I'd like to announce that the St. Louis Cardinals are going to bring the world championship trophy here tomorrow. It's going to be on the floor at 12:45 if you'd like to come in and get a picture with it. We're going to do a Resolution and the president of the ball team, Mark Lamping's going to be here and he'll make a short presentation. Anybody who'd like to get on a Resolution honoring this great team that has won world series, after world series, after world series, after world series and would like to enjoy backing a winner as Jack Buck would say, 'Please let me know and we'll get you the name on… get your name on the list as a cosponsor of the Resolution. Thank you."
"The Lady from Cook, Representative Mendoza, for what reason do you rise?"
"Point of personal privilege, Mr. Speaker."
"State your point."
"Members of this fine chamber, I think it's time we put our hands together and give a big round of applause and a happy birthday to the man who's turning thirty-two (32) years old today, Representative Fred Crespo. Happy birthday."
Speaker Turner: "Representative Crespo, happy birthday, Representative. Representative Brosnahan, you have an announcement?"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. For everyone on the House Telecommunications Committee, tomorrow's meeting will be canceled." 09500054.doc 68 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/16/2007
"Representative… Telecommunications Committee is canceled for tomorrow. Representative Dunkin, the Gentleman from Cook, what reason do you rise?"
"Point of information, Mr. Speaker."
"State your point."
"Today at… immediately after Session the Tourism & Conventions Committee will meet in Room 115. That's 115 to hear a Bill, looking forward. Thank you."
Speaker Turner: "Tourism Committee will meet in 115. The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Burke, for what reason do you rise?"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen. At a point of personal privilege."
"State your point."
"I'd like to invite the Body to congratulate my colleague, my seatmate, Susana Mendoza on her thirty-fifth (35) birthday."
"Representative Mendoza, happy birthday. The Gentleman from Crawford, Representative Eddy, for what reason do you rise?"
"Purpose of an announcement."
"State our purpose."
"Ladies and Gentlemen of the House, if you remember, this spring there was a Virtual Charter School Bill that was discussed and debated in the House. Tomorrow there will be a demonstration of the Chicago virtual charter school from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. They will be teachers and staff available to demonstrate exactly how that works. They will be located in the first floor of the north hallway, just off 09500054.doc 69 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/16/2007 the first floor rotunda. I would strongly urge you to take a few minutes and view that demonstration as we will likely consider legislation in the future regarding virtual schools and this would be a good chance for you to see how they work."
"The Gentleman from Rock Island, Representative Verschoore, for what reason do you rise?"
"Point of interest, Mr. Speaker. I'd like the chamber to wish my former seatmate, Jack McGuire, happy birthday. He had a birthday Saturday; he was a whopping 74."
Speaker Turner: "Jack McGuire, happy birthday, Jack. The Gentleman from Peoria, Representative Leitch, for what reason do you rise?"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It's my privilege to introduce a group of very distinguished people from Peoria today, about forty-seven (47) from my district. Stand up and have a good House welcome."
"Welcome to Springfield. The Gentleman from Champaign, Representative Rose, for what reason do you rise?"
"Ladies and Gentlemen, included in that group from Representative Leitch's district, is my aunt and uncle, Nellie and Gene Wineland, right here."
"Welcome again, Nellie and Gene. The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Will Davis, for what reason do you rise?" Davis, W.: "Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Tomorrow the Health & Healthcare Disparities Committee will meet. I'd like to 09500054.doc 70 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/16/2007 add to the agenda… or ask leave of the Body to add to the agenda just the state of health care disparities in the State of Illinois. Testimony will be given by an organization called the Healthcare Consortium of Illinois."
"The Gentlemen asks leave to announce the… suspend the posting requirements so that the Healthcare Disparities Committee can meet tomorrow morning. All those in favor say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the posting requirement is suspended. Representative Joyce, the Gentleman from Cook, what reason do you rise?"
"For the purpose of an announcement, Mr. Speaker."
"State your purpose."
"Ladies and Gentlemen of the House, tomorrow night Pat Ryan, who is the chairman of Aon Corporation and also the Chairman of the Chicago 2016 Olympic Committee will be in Springfield at the Springfield Center for the Arts, which is located at Sixth and Capitol, at 6 p.m. to give a briefing on the Chicago plans for obtaining the Olympics in 2016. We'd really appreciate if anyone that is available if they could be there for the briefing. Thank you."
"The Lady from Cook, Representative Bassi, for what reason do you rise?"
"For the purposes of an announcement, Mr. Speaker."
"State your purpose."
"I would like to add to the fact that we've got a Tourism Committee meeting this afternoon. I'm asking all Members of the Tourism Committee to show up because not only are we going to be listening to a Bill, but we are 09500054.doc 71 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/16/2007 going to have a hearing on the sorry state of tourism at the moment in the State of Illinois and the fact that we have lost 5 percent of capital. Now, that… well, some people are down this week. So, please, all Members show up."
Speaker Turner: "The Gentleman from DeKalb, Representative Pritchard, for what reason do you rise?"
"Point of personal privilege, Mr. Speaker."
"State you point."
"Also as an announcement, tomorrow is going to be a busy day for us. There is no issue that is more important to us than education. The education caucus is going to try to meet right after Session and after any party caucuses that may be held and hopefully before the Olympic stirring event. So stay tuned, there is an announcement on your district office… or on your Springfield office desks that will explain our agenda and where we'll be meeting. Thank you."
"The Chair would like to announce, also, and I think you heard comments earlier, on Wednesday of next week the House-Senate… the annual Pete Miller House-Senate softball game will take place. And to that end, tomorrow at 5:00 the softball team and anybody interested in practicing should be ready for practice tomorrow evening at 5:00. There will be a practice tomorrow and there will be another practice on Monday and anybody that needs any practice in between, we'll work that out. The location will be announced tomorrow morning. Agreed Resolutions, Mr. Clerk." 09500054.doc 72 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/16/2007
"Agreed Resolutions. House Resolutions 417 and 418, offered by Representative Coulson. And House Resolutions 419, 420, 421, and 422, offered by Representative Rose."
"Representative Franks moves for the adoption of the Agreed Resolutions. All those in favor should say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Agreed Resolutions are adopted. And now, allowing perfunctory time for the Clerk, the House stands adjourned until Thursday, May 17, at the hour of 1 p.m. The House will stand adjourned until Thursday, May 17, at the hour of 1 p.m. The House stands adjourned."
"House Perfunctory Session will come to order. Introduction and reading of Senate Bills-First Reading. Senate Bill 26, offered by Representative Pritchard, a Bill for an Act concerning transportation. Introduction and reading of House Bills-First Reading. House Bill 4097, offered by Representative Black, a Bill for an Act concerning revenue. House Bill 4098, offered by Representative Black, a Bill for an Act concerning revenue. And House Bill 4099, offered by Representative Tryon, a Bill for an Act concerning revenue. Introduction and reading of these House Bills-First Reading. There being no further business, the House Perfunctory Session will stand adjourned." 09500054.doc 73