Illinois House Floor Debate — May 18, 2007

"The House will be in order and the Members will be in their seats. Members and guests are asked to refrain from starting their laptops, turn off all cell phones and pagers and rise for the invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance. We shall be led in prayer today by Lee Crawford, the Pastor of the Cathedral of Praise Christian Center here in Springfield."

"Representative Sacia, would you lead us in the Pledge."

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

"Thank you, Speaker. Please let the record reflect that Representative Patterson is excused today. So also is Representative Graham, and the reason Representative Graham is excused is because last night her daughter gave birth to 09500056.doc 1  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 56th Legislative Day 5/18/2007 a fine new Democrat. Terry Jeremiah Cook, 7 pounds 9 ounces."

"And Representative Bost."

"Mr. Clerk, take the record. There are 112 Members answering the Roll Call; a quorum is present. Representative Reis, for what reason do you rise? Representative Reis, for what reason do you rise?"

"State your inquiry."

"So I'm advised that we need to bring the appropriate amount of clothes and be prepared to stay the weekend."

"On Page 30 of the Calendar under House Bills- Third Reading. Representative Dugan, you have House Bill 3626. Do you wish us to read that Bill? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill." 09500056.doc 2  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 56th Legislative Day 5/18/2007

"Representative Dugan."

"Chairman (sic-Speaker), Members of the House, House Bill 3626 addresses the issue of residential competition in Illinois for electrical suppliers. And what this Bill does is it actually requires the ICC to submit to the Governor and the General Assembly within 30 days a formal proposal for the creation of a competitive residential electric market. The ICC sen… shall implement the proposal within 45 days after it's submitted. It's… this is an initiative of one of the companies in Illinois that has been trying to become a residential supplier-competition to a… a… Commonwealth Edison and Ameren and those that supply the power now. And so I wanted to a… I certainly will take any questions. We talked about this in committee and there was actually testimony by Blue Star. And so I would just ask for a favorable vote. It's something that we should've had in this State for quite awhile since the deregulation, and that was actually a plan in place in order to move forward with competition in the residential market."

"The Lady moves for the passage of House Bill 3626. This is on Short Debate. And in response, the Gentleman from Champaign, Representative Rose."

"She indicates she'll yield."

"The… the… There was a question that came up from the ICC as far as the time frame of 30 days to 120 days, and we discussed that and I didn’t have a problem with doing that. After the committee, we passed it. The ICC has not necessarily said that they have a problem either way, but I did talk to them, and I will be glad to do that in the Senate if we need to do that, Representative."

"Well, they haven’t… they haven’t said either way. When I had… When I had said to them that I would be glad to make an Amendment if they wanted us to do that, I never heard from the ICC…"

"…that they definitely wanted it. So…"

"Yes."

"Any further discussion? Then Representative Dugan to close."

"I would again just ask for an 'aye' vote. We need to get a plan into place for residential competition for electrical utilities. So, this would be at least the step that we need to take in that direction. Thank you."

"The question is, 'Shall this Bill pass?' All in favor vote 'aye'; opposed 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all 09500056.doc 4  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 56th Legislative Day 5/18/2007 voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 112 voting 'yes' and 0 voting 'no'. And this Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Feigenholtz. You have House Bill 2353. Out of the record. Representative Flider on House Bill 1786. Representative Flider. Out of the record. Representative Flowers, you have House Bill 230. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Representative Flowers."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. House Bill 230, as amended by House Amendment #4, addressed the issues of compensating individuals who have been wrongfully incarcerated. It provides job training and continuing education through the Department of DCEO if a person was unjustly imprisoned and received a pardon from the Governor based on innocence or a certificate of innocence from the Circuit Court. House Bill 230 also creates a procedure for obtaining a cert… a certificate of innocence from the Circuit Court. It increases the amount of monies that a person who is unjustly imprisoned may seek from the Court of Claims if they first receive a pardon from the Governor based on innocence or a certificate of innocence from the Circuit Court. It also includes the automatically filing of a claim with the Court of Claims. I have attempted to address the concerns of Jud II Criminal Law Committee that the process of petitioning for a certificate of innocence would force the court to try to 09500056.doc 5  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 56th Legislative Day 5/18/2007 make the original criminal case… will try to… try the original criminal case over again. I added language that says that the court may take judicial notice of prior sworn testimony or evidence admitted in the criminal court pre… proceeding. And I'll be more than happy to answer any questions regarding House Bill 230."

"And on that question, Representative Rose."

"Representative Reboletti."

"She indicates she'll yield."

"A… Representative, there's quite a few other states that have something like the certificate of innocence and I'm just trying to… I think about seven or eight other states have something similar."

"That is the problem."

"A… the standard of proof is clear and convincing evidence."

"Yes. Yes, it is."

"A… that was something that I looked into. In the 1983 doesn’t apply to this type of action. It deals with a… You would have to have a an… an improper act done by the elected official or State's Attorney or something like that. But this is totally different; this was a case where everybody actually thought this guy was, or a woman was, guilty."

"But… But… But remember, Representative, that's not the nature of this legislation. This legislation is about men and women who have been wrongfully convicted of a crime; they never should have been in jail in the first place. And in the absence of the Governor pardoning them, they cannot get what's rightfully theirs. So technically they're still incarcerated because their name is not cleared. They cannot get a job and they cannot get the rightful compensation that they truly deserve because the pardon is not there. And so 09500056.doc 7  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 56th Legislative Day 5/18/2007 that's the reason why the certificate of innocence is very important."

"Representative Rose."

"Yes."

"Indicates she'll yield."

"Representative, that would… that would automatically trigger the opportunity that I would begin to get the process of getting to the Court of Claims."

"No. No. The Court of…"

"The Court of Claims still has to approve the award. Whatever the process is, it will continue to be."

"Okay. Well let's talk about the job training…"

"Right."

"Absolutely."

"And we… we already have in this State job training for specific groups of people to reeducate and retrain those who may have lost their job because the job phaseout. But this would be a right of passage, Sir, for men whose lives have been turned upside down through no fault of their own and… and the job, and women, and the jobs that they may have had 09500056.doc 9  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 56th Legislative Day 5/18/2007 fifteen (15), twenty (20), twenty-five (25) years ago is no longer in… in existence…"

"Well, you… a… again, let me just elaborate on that, please. Again, you’re talking about people that have spent a vast majority of their youth incarcerated. You’re talking about a marked man. You’re talking about a person who still… who have to relearn how to maneuver around the system, who do not know the programs are out there. So we’re merely saying upon his release that the… someone will be able to give this individual a package of information that these are the things that you will be entitled to if 09500056.doc 10  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 56th Legislative Day 5/18/2007 you so choose to. And one of them is, if you would like to sign up for the job training force, you should go here or call this number in order to get involved, not that someone have to do it or someone has to take them by their hand. This person must initiate that call just like the average person would have to do so."

"Representative, that’s… that’s exactly what they shall do if that person wants it to be done."

"But you’re assuming that they know about it. You’re assuming and so my point… my point is just like there's places that you and I know to go, these people have been incarcerated and there's places that they don’t know."

"Whatever continuing education may be. It may be a…"

"Representative, could you bring remarks to a close, please."

"Representative Flowers, to close."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. I want to bring to your attention an editorial that was a… ran in the Chicago Tribune newspaper August 12, 2006. And it talks about a Gentleman by the name of Michael Evans who spent 27 years in prison. He was free because DNA showed that he did not do the crime. Illinois put the value of a mere six thousand dollars ($6,000) as far as compensation for his 27 years in prison. Six thousand dollars ($6,000)-that is unconscionable. Michael… I mean Mr. Evans left prison in 2003 and received little more than a hug from his families. No money, no job training, no placement, no therapy, no apology. It took two more years and a Governor's pardon before the State coughed up a hundred and sixty-two thousand dollars ($162,000) to compensate Evans for his loss of life or loss to his life. Evans has distributed most of that money to his family members and to the lawyers who helped him to get his freedom. Ladies and Gentlemen, this is a disservice to the men and women that have been falsely incarcerated through no fault of their own, a mere six thousand dollars ($6,000), a mere a hundred and sixty-two thousand dollars ($162,000) I don’t think it’s fair. These people are in… they are… they are entitled to the monies that they deserve. They are 09500056.doc 12  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 56th Legislative Day 5/18/2007 entitled to job training. They are entitled to therapy. They are entitled to be completely set free and given their good name back for a crime that they did not commit, and I urge your 'aye' vote. These are innocent men and women, innocent, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. Innocent."

"The question is, 'Shall House Bill 230 pass?' All in favor vote 'aye'; opposed 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Representative Schock, Leitch, Cultra, do you wish to be recorded? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 78 voting 'yes' and 34 voting 'no' and this Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Flowers, you also have House Bill 1334. Representative Flowers. Mr. Clerk. Representative Flowers, do you wish us to read 1334 as well?"

"Yes, Mr. Speaker."

"Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Representative Flowers."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. Once again I bring you House Bill 1334. We've heard of the tragedy that's been in our school systems lately. And a lot of it is because a lot of children are walking around suffering quietly to themselves without having anyone to understand the troubles that they’re going through. And without understanding that there's other children that are going through the same types of problems, and this program 09500056.doc 13  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 56th Legislative Day 5/18/2007 is a… a program for Chicago youth that would allow them the opportunity to talk to everybody so the school, everybody in the school will realize that there's someone else with the same problem that they have. There's somebody else in the same situation, and they don’t have to walk around being angry and having their frustrations pent up inside them and cause them to do some ill to someone else because they think they’re suffering alone. And where this challenge program has been established in other states, the crime rate has gone down. The children have benefited from this type of youth program. All of us know that most of the school days are shortened and a lot of children are home alone and there's drugs and other things that’s going on in the home, so I would appreciate an 'aye' vote on House Bill 1334." Speaker Hannig: "And on that question, the Gentleman from Crawford, Representative Eddy."

“She indicates she’ll yield.”

"Thank you very much. The Challenge Day program is designed to help stop violence and the alle… alienation that students face in the school. It consists of a one day workshop filled with roll playing and music, and the program is primarily geared to middle and high school students. And it's permissive." 09500056.doc 14  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 56th Legislative Day 5/18/2007

"Oh… Oh, absolutely. When I watched this program on Oprah, it really brought tears to my eyes because there was a… one kid in the program, and he was a very rich kid, and everybody thought that his life was so easy because he had all the monies. And quite frankly, he had the biggest problem. And once they began to talk to each other and have an understanding of each other, all nationalities, they all embraced. They cried and they had a better understanding. And I think that's what's lacking in our school system. It is the understanding because these children don’t get the opportunity to talk to each other-they’re always being talked at."

“Thank you. Thank you.” 09500056.doc 15  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 56th Legislative Day 5/18/2007

"Representative Flowers, you’re recognized to close."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. I would appreciate an 'aye' vote for our children. Thank you."

"The question is, 'Shall this Bill pass?' All in favor vote 'aye'; opposed 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 111 voting 'yes' and 1 voting 'no'. And this Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Repres… Mr. Clerk, read House Bill 2353."

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

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Bill 2353 is a… somewhat of a trailor Bill that cleans up an effort on the part of Majority Leader Currie dealing with an issue at the Department of Children and Family Services. When it comes to providing gap payments for children whose adoptive parents or guardians have died, and until a second subsequent adoption is finalized, the money doesn’t follow them. It kind of gets lost. This is an effort to remedy that problem. I'd be glad to answer any questions."

"Any discussion? Then the question is, 'Shall this Bill pass?' All in favor vote 'aye'; opposed 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all 09500056.doc 16  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 56th Legislative Day 5/18/2007 voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr… Representative Acevedo, do you wish to be recorded? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 112 voting 'yes' and 0 voting 'no'. And this Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Smith, you have House Bill 1026. Do you wish us to read that Bill? Out of the record. How about House Bill 2470, Representative Smith? 2470. You wish us to read that Bill? No. Okay, so that’s out of the record. Representative Boland, you have House Bill 1451. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Before we begin debate, Representative D'Amico, for what reason do you rise?"

"A point of personal privilege."

"State your point."

"I'd like to wish Representative Rich Bradley a happy birthday today."

"And, Representative Boland, you’re recognized for five minutes."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is an initiative of the Lieutenant Governor. We passed it before in the House; the Senate just has never acted on it. What it basically does is give the same right to people outside of the City of Chicago, which currently has the right to put a… a… advisory referendums on the ballot by precinct. And this would extend that same right to area… precincts outside of Chicago." 09500056.doc 17  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 56th Legislative Day 5/18/2007

"The Gentleman moves for the passage of House Bill 1451. And on that question, the Lady from Cook, Representative Mulligan."

"Indicates he'll yield."

"Yes, this is exactly the type of thing, or if in a certain precinct, I believe in Chicago where they already have this right, they’ve done it involving you know taverns in there… in their neighborhood and things like that. So, it would be a way for a… a neighborhood, a precinct, to express their opinion about something like this. It’s purely advisory though."

"No. No."

"It… In other words, the… I guess maybe I'm not clear on what you asked, but…" 09500056.doc 18  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 56th Legislative Day 5/18/2007

"It would be voted on in the precinct where eight percent of the voters in the last gubernatorial election had signed a petition to put it on in that precinct. But it's advisory. This is not a… It's not binding."

"Representative McCarthy."

"Thank you, Mr. Sponsor (sic-Speaker). Will the Sponsor yield? Thank you, Mr. Chairman, (sic-Speaker) I guess.”

“Indicates he’ll yield.”

“Little rusty here today. We had questions about this in committee, about the size, and it’s still that way that there is no minimum or there's no minimum size to this a… legislation?"

"It would be whatever a precinct size is. You know that may vary, I'm guessing, from county to county."

"Now in committee, you did not give that qualification about the precinct. You said it could be a part of a precinct and it doesn’t have to be a full precinct. So you’re saying now it is a full… at least the minimum of a full precinct?" 09500056.doc 19  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 56th Legislative Day 5/18/2007

"Yes, the ballot question would be on the precinct level. Yes. Right. There was some misunderstanding by one of the staff."

"Okay. That wa… so it wasn’t changed; it was just that there was misinformation at committee."

"The key thing here is that 8 percent of the a… last gubernatorial vote, 8 percent of those voters signed a petition in that precinct to put that advisory referendum on that precinct."

"Okay. But in committee, we said as long as it’s a conti… contiguous section, we all touch each other, there wouldn’t be any qualifications outside. But you’re saying since that time, you've reread it and it does say at least has to be a precinct size."

"It… it would have to be in the precinct. It does not extend outside the precinct. Now the question, the question could be some big question, ya know, should there be a… a highway extension through, ya know, East Moline or something. And a… just maybe one precinct might wanna put a referendum on the ballot giving their viewpoint, but no, they don’t want it going through their… their neighborhood or whatever."

"Okay. But… I think you understood my problem in committee though was that I thought this could be as small as like ten households get together as long as they’re contiguous and say we want to have an advisory referendum on the ballot. And being that small would really be of no significant value, and yet it would be expensive to the 09500056.doc 20  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 56th Legislative Day 5/18/2007 election authority to have to hold a… advisory referendum of a very small group."

"Right."

"So we're saying today, and your intent to say, at lease a precinct size."

"Yeah. It is precinct level. Right."

"Okay. Thank you for that."

"We've had one in support and two in response, and the Rules would provide one additional speaker in response and two in support. And, Representative Pritchard, you’re next. Would you like to be in support or response?"

"Okay, so proceed."

"He indicates he'll yield."

"At present, only precincts within the City of Chicago. What this Bill will do is allow that same right to people in precincts outside of Chicago. So in East Moline or De Kalb or wherever, if 8 percent of the registered voters, 8 percent of the a… people who voted in the last gubernatorial election, that number signed petition, they could put something on the ballot in that precinct-an advisory- advisory referendum only. No… not binding."

"In the… those units of Government can already by previous law, in fact I passed those bills that a… they can put referendum on the ballot at present now. This extends it to the precinct level outside of the City of Chicago."

"Well, I believe a… there are… there's a limit of three on the ballot and if some other body puts it on… let’s say the City Council of… of East Moline or De Kalb put a question on the ballot ahead of time, you know, and there's the… the ballot slots are filled up, that’s it. They would just have to wait and try it again next time."

"First come, first served, yes. Yes."

"Here… here is the language on page 2, line 9, it states about the precinct level is what we're aiming for. This is what the intent is. At present time in the City of Chicago, they've used this on precinct level, usually as I recall dealing with locations of bars, types of things like that, that people in a precinct neighborhood get to express their opinion on."

"So, we've had three in response and one in support. Representative Meyer, would you like to speak in support?"

“Why don’t we grant you five minutes and you can proceed, okay.”

“It’s on Standard Debate.” 09500056.doc 23  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 56th Legislative Day 5/18/2007

"No. School districts…"

"School districts can do that now as of legislation that I passed previously. A school board can put advisory referendum on the ballot."

"I… a… The governing body has precedence over a… questions…"

"Well, I've just been informed by my Staff that that's the way it goes."

"A governing body has the preference."

"I believe so. Yes. Yes."

"Yes, for example, in as I recall in the last election…"

"In… in my… in the last election, in my area for example, I don’t believe there were any advisory referendums on the ballot, period."

Speaker Hannig: "Representative Eddy, would you like to contribute on the positive side?"

"Okay, proceed."

"You mean if there's already an advisory question on the ballot or not?"

"Well, all this is, is advisory and what it is just within one precinct if, for example, a proponent or an opponent decided that they wanted to a… have people a… vote on this issue ahead of time, give their opinion a… you know, then they would have to gather the signatures and… and put it on the ballot."

"Yeah. And… and I…"

"Yeah. It wouldn’t necessarily even… it would… the binding may or may not come, you know. As you may… and it would be only that precinct’s opinion. For example, in my area…"

"Well, yeah. If… if several decided to do this, yes. Right. For example, in my area we've long talked about a consolidation into a unit district. It's never happened, mainly because one particular small school district is happy the way they are. They don’t want to be part of it. And so if… if they saw this was coming down or something or… or they thought this was gaining momentum, that particular district, a… a precinct there may decide you know we want… we want everybody to know how we feel about it."

"Right."

"Representative Boland, to close."

"Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. And thank you all who a… spoke on the issue. It's a very important issue I think and really in guaranteeing to people outside the City of Chicago that they would be allowed to put advisory referendum on the ballot in a precinct to express some opinion that they choose. You know advisory referendums are 09500056.doc 27  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 56th Legislative Day 5/18/2007 probably the most a… basic part of democracy. And we ought to have it extended to all parts of the State of Illinois, not just to the City of a… Chicago. Thank you. I'd appreciate an 'aye' vote."

"The question is, 'Shall this Bill pass?' All in favor vote 'aye'; opposed 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 83 voting 'yes' and 29 voting 'no'. And this Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Eddy, you have House Bill 3733. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Representative Eddy."

"Is there any discussion? Then the question is, 'Shall House Bill 3733 pass?' All in favor vote 'aye'; opposed 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 112 voting 'yes' and 0 voting 'no'. And this Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared 09500056.doc 28  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 56th Legislative Day 5/18/2007 passed. Representative Burke, do you wish us to read House Bill 1478? Okay. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Burke."

"Mr. Speaker, I'd like this matter brought back to the Order of Second Reading. I do have another Amendment."

"Clerk, let's return this to the Order of a… of Second Reading. Are there Amendments pending?"

"Okay. So we'll wait for that meeting to occur. Why don’t you go ahead, Mr. Clerk, and read the Rules Report."

"And now on the Order of House Bills-Second Reading. Mr. Clerk, we have House Bill 1478 and are there any Amendments?" 09500056.doc 29  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 56th Legislative Day 5/18/2007

"Representative Burke."

"Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. Amendment #3 would make minor technical changes that were suggested by the various interested parties, and it would also clarify that the duty to verify borrowers income and the duty to provide a borrower with a copy of the appraisal apply only to residential mortgage license act licensees. Be happy to answer any questions."

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

"Third Reading."

Speaker Lyons: "Representative Joe Lyons in the Chair. Representative Hannig has House Bill 2254. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

Speaker Lyons: "The Chair recognizes the Gentleman from Montgomery, Representative Gary Hannig."

"Yes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members of the House. This is the single prime Bill which would provide… this is an initiative of the Capital Development Board. And the 09500056.doc 30  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 56th Legislative Day 5/18/2007 Bill allows that CDB for a period of three years and subject to safeguards that they could contract and deal directly with general contractors in construction projects. It will temporarily eliminate the problems that are… that is associated with separate contracting and dealing with subcontractors involved in a construction project. We authorized the a… State to enter into two of these projects a few years ago. One of them was the emergency services building that was recently constructed, as well as the air conditioning project here in the House of Repres… actually in the capitol. And both of those projects went so well that they came to us with this proposal for some limited single prime contracts in the State of Illinois. So this Bill would allow us to save money by minimizing the change orders that frequently occur when we have multiple contractors working on a project and to optimize the scheduling because we'd have one person, one contractor, in charge. The labor and management groups have worked with CDB to ensure that these safeguards are fair to all concerned. We heard the Bill in committee and there was no opposition. And I'd be happy to answer any questions and I'd ask for the passage of House Bill 2254."

Speaker Lyons: "The Chair recognizes the Gentleman from Crawford, Representative Roger Eddy."

"He indicates he will."

"As long as they meet the prevailing wage requirements, Representative, that's all they’re required to do."

"I do not believe so, Representative. It does not change that. You’re correct."

"Yes."

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

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

"Indicates he will."

"Representative, a… I'm just looking through this with my analysis. I'm… This is just for you know… from Capital Development Board. Did they participate, for example, with the reconstruction of this chamber here? Did they authorize or administer that?"

"Representative, the projects, all the big construction projects for the most part, except for road projects, are done by the Capital Development Board, the State projects."

"Okay. Is there any programs that encourage minorities to participate in such programs because oftentimes there's a disconnect with some of these major construction projects 09500056.doc 32  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 56th Legislative Day 5/18/2007 and I want to see if this… I want to know if the State's Capital Development Board is at least taking the lead…" Hannig: So… so, Representative, one of the things that you'll see in the analysis on… on the first page on the bottom it says specifically in… that… that these items would need to be done specifically in writing as a public record that the project shall comply with the disadvantaged business practices of the Businesses Enterprise for Minorities, Females and Persons with Disability Act and certain equal opportunity practices with the Illinois Human Rights Act. So it doesn’t… this is not an effort to try to bypass any of the protections that currently exist in current law for a… any of those groups. They would still be there, Representative."

"What would you say… What would you say is sort of the… the standing today in this regard?"

"It's my understanding… it's my knowledge of how these projects works is that there are certain… there's certain methods where we can provide… there's certain preferences that are in the law that exist for businesses that are disadvantaged businesses, enterprise, minority businesses, female businesses, persons with disability businesses and so these practices would still be in the Bill, Representative."

"Okay. But… again, is there a record of the… of the actual practice, whether it's been successful and to what extent or percent they've been successful in this regard? We know they want to do it or at least the intent is there, but is there a history of them doing it, and if so, what is that history?" 09500056.doc 33  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 56th Legislative Day 5/18/2007

"Well, Representative, I think that under this administration that the history has been good. And certainly that was the intent of the law. And we certainly wouldn’t want to do anything, when we change this, to water down that proposal in any way. But again, that's… you know that's the Capital Development Board’s a… that's… that's part of what they’re required to do by law. So, I guess I'm not, maybe I'm not answering your question?"

"Correct. I just want to know if… we know that they’re required. We know there is intent in the law, but what has been the historical practice? I mean if there's some documentation. I… I certainly see the efficiency into this. I certainly see the a… you know, the streamline and etcetera, but I'm trying to get a sense of history and time, or at least where they've been with a track record as it relates to minority participation at… with a board that authorizes major construction across the State, given that we're suppose to be the leaders here. I'm just trying to get a semblance or some sense of understanding in that regard."

"Well, Representative, the… the Bill doesn’t change the underlying law. It doesn’t water it down. It doesn’t even do anything except reference that we still have to comply with those laws. I think I… I can try to get that information from the agency, and I'm certain that they would provide it for us at our request, and I'd be happy to do that for you, Representative. But I don’t know the answer right now."

"Thank you, Representative." 09500056.doc 34  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 56th Legislative Day 5/18/2007

"Representative Hannig, to close."

"Yes, this is a way for the State of Illinois to provide a more efficient method with safeguards to do some major construction projects in the State of Illinois. I know of no opposition and I would ask for your 'yes' vote."

"The question is, 'Should House Bill 2254 pass?' All those in favor signify by voting 'yes'; those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Representative Currie, Osterman. Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this Bill, there are 112 members voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no', 0 voting 'present'. This Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Beth Coulson, you have House Bill 3633. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Third Reading. Representative Ed Sullivan, you have House Bill 154. Representative Sullivan? Out of the record. Representative Flider, you have House Bill 1786. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

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

"Mr. Speaker, I'd like to pull the Bill out of the record." 09500056.doc 35  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 56th Legislative Day 5/18/2007

"Mr. Clerk, take that Bill out of the record. Mr. Clerk, House Bill 2377. Representative Currie? Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

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

"Thank you, Speaker and Members of the House. This has been approved by the State Government Administration Committee. The idea is to create an historic commission to work on historic preservation, renovation and rehabilitation of the Illinois Supreme Court. The Illinois Supreme Court building turns one hundred (100) in the year 2008 and we'd like people to get started understanding ways to commemorate that important anniversary and work on the building as it is."

"Is anyone seeking recognition on Amendment #1 to House Bill 2377? Seeing none, the question is, 'Should the Amendment be adopted?' All those in favor signify by saying 'yes'; those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it and Amendment #1 is adopted. Mr. Clerk, Amendment #2."

"Representative Currie." 09500056.doc 36  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 56th Legislative Day 5/18/2007

"Thank you, Speaker and Members of the House. There was concern in the committee that there might not have been adequate representation for Members of the minority political parties in both chambers and this Amendment will correct that oversight."

"The Chair recognizes the Gentleman from Morgan, Representative Jim Watson."

"She indicates she will."

"Yes, indeed."

"No one seeking further recognition, the question is, 'Should Amendment #2 be adopted?' All those in favor signify by saying 'yes'; those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. Amendment #2 is adopted. Mr. Clerk, on Amendment #3."

"Madam Currie."

"Thank you, Speaker. This just corrects a drafting error so that the right year is referenced in the Bill, rather than the wrong."

"No one seeking recognition, the question is, 'Should Amendment #3 be adopted?' All those in favor signify by saying 'yes'; those opposed say 'no'. In the 09500056.doc 37  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 56th Legislative Day 5/18/2007 opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it and Amendment #3 is adopted. Anything further, Mr. Clerk?"

"Third Reading. Representative Rose, for what purpose do you seek recognition?"

"Please proceed, Representative."

"Mr. Clerk, Representative Monique Davis has House Bill 235. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Representative… Representative Davis, Monique Davis." Davis, Monique: "Third Reading."

"Move that Bill to Third Reading, Mr. Clerk, on the request of the Sponsor. Mr. Clerk, Representative McCarthy has House Bill 1017. 1017. What's the status of the Bill, Mr. Clerk?"

"Representative McCarthy, on Amendment #2."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I did take over a… sponsorship of both Amendments so… House Amendment 2 is basically an agreement between the a… Associated Firefighters of Illinois and the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association. It has to with assessments and their portion of their promotion process. It passed unanimously out of Labor the other day and a… was also supported by the Municipal League."

Speaker Lyons: "There’s no one seeking recognition. The question is, 'Should Amendment #2 be adopted?' All those in favor signify by saying 'yes'; those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. Amendment #2 is adopted. Mr. Clerk, Amendment #3."

"Representative McCarthy."

"Thank you, again, Mr. Speaker. Amendment #3 was just a small definition change about what constituted a bargaining unit. It was also unanimously supported in committee and supported by both groups as well as the Municipal League."

Speaker Lyons: "There's no one seeking recognition. The question is, 'Should Amendment #3 be adopted?' All those in favor signify by saying 'yes'; those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it and Amendment #3 is adopted. Anything further, Mr. Clerk?" 09500056.doc 39  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 56th Legislative Day 5/18/2007

"Third Reading. Ladies and Gentlemen, there are a few Senate Bills that have been approved for Amendment adoption. So we'll call them as we have them here. The first is Senate Bill 935, Representative Ryg. Representative Cathy Ryg, on Senate Bill 935. Mr. Clerk, on Senate Bill 935. What's the status of the Bill?"

"I recognize the Lady from Lake, Representative Cathy Ryg, on Amendment #2."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This Amendment is per the agreement to remove a… food allergies from the language of the Bill, which made it acceptable to the insurance industry."

"No one seeking recognition, the question is, 'Should Amendment #2 be adopted?' All those in favor signify by saying 'yes'; those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it and the Amendment is adopted. Mr. Clerk, anything further?"

"Third Reading. Mr. Clerk, Representative JoAnn Osmond has Senate Bill 214. What's the status of the Bill, Mr. Clerk?"

"Representative Osmond, on Floor Amendment #2."

"Anyone seeking recognition on Amendment #2? Seeing none, the question is, 'Should Amendment #2 be adopted?' All those in favor signify by saying 'yes'; those opposed say 'no'. The opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it and the Amendment is adopted. Anything further, Mr. Clerk?"

Speaker Lyons: "Third Reading. Mr. Clerk, Representative Holbrook has Senate Bill 1257. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"The Chair recognizes the Gentleman from St. Clair, Representative Holbrook."

"Thank you. The Floor Amendment #2 is just a… a small change to where this is a regulation Bill, and we inadvertently included the pest control people, who are already licensed under another program and bonded. I know of no opposition to the Bill and I'd ask for its… this Floor Amendment adoption." 09500056.doc 41  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 56th Legislative Day 5/18/2007

Speaker Lyons: "There’s no one seeking recognition. The question is, 'Should Amendment #2 be adopted?' All those in favor signify by saying 'yes'; those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it and the Amendment is adopted. Anything further, Mr. Clerk?"

"Third Reading. Mr. Clerk, Representative Burt Hassert has Senate Bill 705. The status of the Bill, Mr. Clerk?"

"The Chair recognizes the Gentleman from Will, Leader Brent Hassert."

"On Amendment #1, Representative… Representative Yarbrough has a question. The Chair recognizes the Lady from Cook, Representative Karen Yarbrough. Representative Yarbrough."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Point of personal privilege."

"A… let’s adopt that Amendment and I'll get right back to you, Representative."

"Okay."

Speaker Lyons: "Anything… Any questions on the Amendment? Seeing none, the question is, 'Should Amendment #1 be adopted?' All those in favor signify by saying 'yes'; those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it and the Amendment is adopted. Your wish is to leave it on Second? Adopted Amendment is complete. We'll leave that Bill on Second Reading on request of the Sponsor. Representative Yarbrough, for what reason do you… you rise?"

"Personal Privilege."

"Please proceed, Representative."

"I want to acknowledge one of the greatest Staffers here in Springfield, John Mirkovic’s birthday today. So give him a happy birthday. So he's embarrassed."

"Mr. Clerk, Representative Holbrook has Senate Bill 1366. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Representative Holbrook, we’re going to take that Bill out of the record. There’s additional Amendments waiting to… for committee work. Representative Sacia, for what purpose do you seek recognition?"

"Please proceed, Representative."

"Thank you, Representative Sacia. Mr. Clerk, Representative Beth Coulson has Senate Bill 1226. What's the status of the Bill, Mr. Clerk?"

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

"No one seeking recognition, the question is, 'Should Amendment #1 to Senate Bill 1226 be adopted?' All those in favor signify by saying 'yes'; those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it and the Amendment is adopted. Anything further, Mr. Clerk?"

"Third Reading. Mr. Clerk, Representative Sid Mathias has Senate Bill 148. 148. What's the status of the Bill, Mr. Clerk?"

"Representative Sid Mathias."

"Mr. Clerk, we're going to take Senate Bill 148 out of the record. Mr. Clerk, on Page 53 of the Calendar, Representative Sandy Pihos has House Joint Resolution 24, Representative Pihos."

"Representative Pihos."

"Representative… Representative, wait one moment… one moment."

"Representative Pihos, I believe you have an Amendment on the Resolution. Proceed, Representative."

"Representative Pihos moves for the adoption of the Amendment to House Joint Resolution 24. All those in favor of the Amendment should say 'aye'; those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it and the Amendment is adopted. Representative Pihos, on the Resolution."

Speaker Lyons: "The Chair recognizes Representative Bob Pritchard."

"She indicates she will." 09500056.doc 46  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 56th Legislative Day 5/18/2007

"No one else seeking recognition, the question is, 'Should House Joint Resolution 24 be adopted?' All those in favor should vote 'yes'; those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Representative Dunn, Durkin, Joe Dunn. Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this Resolution, there are 112 Members voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no', 0 voting 'present'. And House Joint Resolution 24 is adopted. Mr. Clerk, Representative Roger Eddy has House Joint Resolution #36. Representative Roger Eddy. There's an Amendment on this one, Representative? Representative Eddy, on the Amendment."

"Are there any questions on the adoption? Seeing none, the question is, 'Should the Amendment be adopted to House Joint Resolution #36?' All those in favor signify by saying 'yes'; those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it and the Amendment is adopted. Representative Eddy, on the Resolution as adopted."

"No one seeking recognition, the question is, 'Should this Resolution be adopted?' All those in favor should vote 'yes'; those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Representative Durkin, Morrow. Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this Amendment… On this Resolution, there's 112 Members voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no', 0 voting 'present' and House Joint Resolution 36 is hereby adopted. Mr. Clerk, we'll get back to Senate Bill 148. What's the status of the Bill."

"The Chair recognizes the Lady from Cook, Leader Barbara Flynn Currie."

"Thank you, Speaker and Members of the House. This is identical to the House Bill we worked on just a little bit ago. It creates a commission to investigate, advice and implement historic preservation and renovation programs at the Illinois Supreme Court. That court building would be a hundred (100) years old next year, and we're getting ready for the celebration. I'd appreciate your support and happy to answer your questions."

"Is anyone seeking recognition on the Amendment? Seeing none, the question is 'Should the Amendment be adopted?' All those in favor signify by saying 'yes'; those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it and Amendment #1 to Senate Bill 148 is adopted. Anything further, Mr. Clerk?"

"Third Reading. Mr. Clerk, what's the status of House Bill 1831?"

"On request of the Sponsor, move that Bill back to the Order of Second Reading. The Chair recognizes the Gentleman from Cook, Representative Art Turner. Representative Turner. Representative Turner, for an announcement. Representative Turner." 09500056.doc 49  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 56th Legislative Day 5/18/2007

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just… a friendly reminder to let all of the a… Cardinal fans and the Cub fans know and all those baseball wannabes that on Monday we're going to have another practice in preparation for the annual House- Senate softball game on Wednesday, and a… that you should bring down practice clothes so they'll be ready for the game on Wednesday. Practice will be Monday after Session at Lincoln… not Lincoln Park, at Amos and Washington Street. Right across from Sacred Heart School. It will be immediately after Session on Monday. Thank you."

"Thank you, Representative Turner. Mr. Clerk, Agreed Resolutions."

"You heard the Agreed Resolutions. All those in favor of their adoption signify by saying 'yes'; those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it and the Resolutions are adopted. Adjournment Resolution, Mr. Clerk."

"Ladies and Gentlemen of the House, for the purpose of an announcement, all House Bills and Senate Bills… Alright, before we go on to that message, the Adjournment Resolution has been read. All those in favor of the adoption of the… Resolution signify by saying 'yes'; those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it and the Adjournment Resolution has been adopted. The announcement, of course, is that the deadline has been extended for… House Bills and Senate Bills will be extended until Friday, May 25. Seeing no further business to come before the House, Representative Barbara Flynn Currie moves that the House stand adjourned until the hour of 3:00 pm on Monday, May 21, allowing perfunctory time for the Clerk. All those in favor of adjournment, signify by saying 'aye'; those opposed say 'no'. Opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it and the House stands adjourned until the hour of 3:00 P.M. on Monday, May 21. Have a safe and enjoyable weekend, everyone."