"The House shall come to order. The Members shall be in their chairs. We ask the Members and our guests in the gallery to turn off laptop computers, cell phones, and pagers. And we ask our guests in the gallery to rise and join us 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 in Springfield."
"May we pray. Most gracious and most kind God, who is the author and the finisher of our faith, we pray that You would bestow Your most precious blessings upon its august Body. We pray Your blessing upon this Leader as well as all of its Members that You have chosen to serve here. May they serve well. May they serve with great and noble intentions. May they serve with a sense of grace, a sense of integrity. May they serve even as You have served, with a sense of compassion and a sense of love. May it be a love which is unconditional. May it be a love which is unselfish. This we ask, in Your Son's name. Amen."
"Amen. We shall be led in the Pledge of Allegiance by Representative Moffitt." Moffitt – et al: "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
"Roll Call for Attendance. Representative Currie."
"Thank you, Speaker. Please let the record show that Representatives Berrios, Boland, Rich Bradley, Brosnahan, Collins, Colvin, Dunkin, Franks, Fritchey, Graham, 09500083.doc 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 83rd Legislative Day 6/29/2007 Jefferies, Joyce, Lyons, Mendoza, Molaro, Osterman, Patterson and Scully are excused today."
"Mr. Bost."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We are trying to turn on Representative Leitch's present light; it's not working, so if we could mark that. Oh, never mind, he's not here. So I'll add that… add him to that list. Eddy, Mathias, Hassert, Biggins, Black, Schmitz, Durkin, Leitch, Kosel, Pihos and Schock. That's it."
"The Clerk shall take the record. There being 87 Members responding to the Attendance Roll Call, there is a quorum present. Mr. Clerk."
"Referred to the House Committee on Rules is House Resolution 562, offered by Representative Black."
"Mr. Reitz, did you wish to call Senate Bill 17? Mr. Clerk, read the Bill. Mr. Clerk, Senate Bill 17, put that Bill on the Order of Second Reading. Are there any Amendments?"
"Floor Amendment #3, offered by Representative Reitz, has been approved for consideration."
"Mr. Reitz on the Amendment."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Floor Amendment #3 is just a technical Amendment to change in the statutes citation in the Bill."
"The Gentleman moves for the adoption of the Amendment. Those in favor say 'aye'; those opposed say 'no'. The 'ayes' have it. The Amendment is adopted. Are there any further Amendments?"
"No further Amendments." 09500083.doc 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 83rd Legislative Day 6/29/2007
"Put the Bill on the Order of Third Reading and read the Bill."
"Senate Bill 17, a Bill for an Act concerning revenue. Third Reading of this Senate Bill."
"Mr. Reitz."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Senate Bill 17 is a Bill we've been working on for quite a while. A couple years ago we had the Department of Revenue send out a memo that urged the assessors to move all of their wooded property to fair cash value. Since then we… we passed a Resolution. They have withdrawn that at least until we reach some tar… sort of compromise. We had a task force that met this… Representative Watson, Senator Jones, Representative Granberg and Senator Sullivan were all a part of that task force. And this is the compromise that… that we've reached. We know of no opposition. Most of the groups are in support. This would create a new conservation program that would allow people that are currently taxed at fair market value to go into a… a managed land conservation program that we taxed at 5 percent for… and we've used this opportunity to expand that also to woodlands and grasslands to help protect our open spaces. The… the main emphasis of the Bill was to protect the taxpayers that are currently taxed at wooded land. This legislation now would allow us to convert the property that's taxed under farmland assessment into a fair market value percentage and freeze it at that percentage until it transfers ownership. That's the Bill and I'd be happy to answer any questions." 09500083.doc 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 83rd Legislative Day 6/29/2007
"The Gentleman moves for the passage of the Bill. There being no discussion, the question is, 'Shall this Bill pass?' Those in favor signify by voting 'yes'; those opposed by voting 'no'. This Bill shall require 71 votes. The Clerk shall take the record. On this question, there are 87 people voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no'. This Bill, having received a Supermajority, is hereby declared passed. Mr. Jerry Mitchell. Jerry Mitchell, did you wish to call House Bill 1648 on the Order of Concurrence? Mr. Mitchell." Mitchell, J,: "Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. House Bill 1648 is the P-20 Council Bill. You all voted for before. There was additional people added to it in the Senate and it needs concurrence. There's still some work that needs to be done with that, although we'll do it with a trailer Bill. I'd like to put meeting dates solidly into that Bill and give some more people a voice, but other than that, it looks like it's pretty well ready to go. And I… I'd like to concur. Thank you, Mr. Speaker."
"The Gentleman moves that the House concur in Senate Amendment #1. There being no discussion, the question is, 'Shall the House concur in Senate Amendment #1?' Those in favor signify by voting 'yes'; those opposed by voting 'no'. This Motion will require 60 votes. The Clerk shall take the record. On this question, there are 87 people voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no'. The House does concur in Senate Amendment #1. And this Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Mr. Brauer, HR 467." 09500083.doc 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 83rd Legislative Day 6/29/2007
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. This Resolution very simply encourages Historic Preservation to look at their policy not allowing political debate in the museum and library here in Springfield. When you look at the debate that was just held at the Lincoln… I'm sorry, at the Reagan Library with Republicans, imagine what it would be like here in Springfield to have Obama with a backdrop of the White House and the other Democrats debating the issue of the day. So it makes a lot of sense with moving up the Primary that we allow not only Democrats but Republicans to make use of our state facilities. I'll answer any questions."
"The Gentleman moves for the adoption of the Resolution. There being no discussion, the question is, 'Shall the House adopt HR 467?' Those in favor vote 'aye'; those opposed vote 'no'. Have all voted who wish? The Clerk shall take the record. On this question, there are 87 people voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no'. The House does adopt HR 467. Representative Coulson, do you wish to call HR 474? Representative Coulson."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Resolution 474 urges the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation and the Department of Human Services in consultation with insurance companies to study habilitative services for children. Unfortunately, there are children who are born with brain anomalies and other injuries that are not receiving physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech. And we'd like to encourage that they do. And I would appreciate an 'aye' vote." 09500083.doc 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 83rd Legislative Day 6/29/2007
"The Lady moves for the adoption of HR 474. There being no discussion, the question is, 'Shall the House adopt HR 474?' Those in favor signify by voting 'yes'; those opposed by voting 'no'. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? The Clerk shall take the record. On this question, there are 87 people voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no'. The House does adopt HR 474. Representative Ryg. Ryg. Representative Ryg. Mr. Mautino, did you wish to do HR 484? Mr. Mautino."
"Thank you. This is a Resolution which recognizes and congratulates Lincoln School in Spring Valley on their 70th anniversary. Ask for an 'aye' vote."
Speaker Madigan: "Gentleman moves for the adoption of the Resolution. Those in favor signify by voting 'yes'; those opposed by voting 'no'. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? The Clerk shall take the record. On this question, there are 87 people voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no'. The House does adopt HR 484. Representative Yarbrough, do you wish to call HR 487?"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members of the House. House Resolution 487 says that the State and Federal Government has passed laws intended to end discriminary practices in the sale, rental and financing of housing. And despite the progress we've made towards the goal of fair housing for all citizens, research shows that segregation and lack of access still exists. This Resolution provides that the State of Illinois and all housing, community development and economic development grants and programs shall promote fair housing, enforce fair housing laws and 09500083.doc 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 83rd Legislative Day 6/29/2007 apply an affirmative a standard to assure compliance with state and federal requirements. I move for its adoption." Speaker Madigan: "The Lady moves for the adoption of HR 487. There being no discussion, the question is, 'Shall the House adopt the Resolution?' Those in favor signify by voting 'yes'; those opposed by voting 'no'. The Clerk shall take the record. On this question, there are 87 people voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no'. The House does adopt HR 487. Representative Bellock."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move to table HR 300."
"The Lady requests leave to table HR 300. Is there leave? Leave is granted and the Resolution is tabled. Representative Coulson, do you wish to call HR 511? Representative Coulson."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Resolution 511 creates a Safe Patient Handling Task Force to study safe patient handling policies and create recommendations for guidelines for all health care facilities to eliminate the manual lifting of patients by direct care nurses and other health care providers. This is an Illinois Nurse Association initiative in order to decrease injuries to health care providers. And I'd appreciate an 'aye' vote."
"The Lady moves for adoption of HR 511. There being no discussion, the question is, 'Shall the House adopt HR 511?' Those in favor signify by voting 'yes'; those opposed by voting 'no'. The Clerk shall take the record. On this question, there are 87 voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no'. The House does adopt HR 511. Representative Osmond on HR 515." 09500083.doc 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 83rd Legislative Day 6/29/2007
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. HR 515 designates August 11, 2007 as the 6th Annual National Marina Day in the State of Illinois. I'd appreciate a favorable vote."
Speaker Madigan: "The Lady moves for the adoption of the Resolution. Those in favor signify by voting 'yes'; those opposed by voting 'no'. The Clerk shall take the record. On this question, there are 87 voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no'. The House does adopt HR 515. Mr. Reitz on HR 517. Mr. Reitz."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Resolution 517 will support the creation of an historical center for interpretation of French Colonial History at Fort Char… Fort Chartres State Park. And I'd appreciate your support."
Speaker Madigan: "Gentleman moves for the adoption of the Resolution. Those in favor signify by voting 'yes'; those opposed by voting 'no'. The Clerk shall take the record. On this question, there are 86 people voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no'. The House does adopt HR 517. Mr. Hannig on SJR #1."
"Yes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members of the House. This Resolution expresses our support for the People of the Mountains in their effort to become a federally recognized part of the Cherokee Indian Tribe. I'd be happy to answer any questions and move for the adoption."
"The Gentleman moves for the adoption of SJR #1. Those in favor signify by voting 'yes'; those opposed by voting 'no'. Have all voted who wish? Has Mr. Dunn voted? Has Mr. Sullivan voted? Clerk shall take the record. On this question, there are 85 voting 'yes', 33 voting 'no'. The House… excuse me… 85 voting 'yes', 0 09500083.doc 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 83rd Legislative Day 6/29/2007 voting 'no'. The House does adopt SJR #1. On Page 15 of the Calendar, on the Order of Total Vetoes, there appears Senate Bill 1397. Mr. Jefferson, 1395. 1395, Mr. Jefferson."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Members of the General Assembly. I would move to override the Governor's Veto as it relates to Senate Bill 1395. This Bill is very important to Rockford. It had to do with a referendum that was passed a few months ago as it relates to the City of Rockford to collect a 1 percent sales tax so that we would be able to fix our streets, roads, bridges in Rockford. The people voted overwhelmingly to do this. There was also a Resolution presented by the City Council to say that if we were given a permission to start collecting five months earlier, we would cease collecting five (5) months earlier. So than the Resolution was presented. The people supported it overwhelmingly. The Governor chose to turn his back on the people of Rockford. He decided to veto the Bill. I'm asking you to help me overturn this Veto. It's very important to Rockford. It's very important to the people who voted overwhelmingly for this sales tax. And all we're doing is collecting five (5) months earlier, but we will cease collecting five months earlier. This is very important to Rockford. As a lot of you can relate, when you go to your perspective areas, you’re here to represent them. And when you come to Springfield, you're doing the bidding of the people. And that's simply what I'm trying to do. They have asked me to make sure, along with Representative Winters, Representative Wait, the people in the House of 09500083.doc 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 83rd Legislative Day 6/29/2007 Representatives, along with all of you, to do this as it relates to the City of Rockford. It's unfortunate that the Governor took the position that he took. And to turn his back on the citizens of Rockford, but I'm asking you not to follow in his footsteps and do the right thing as it relates to the people in Rockford. I would encourage a vote to override this Veto. Thank you."
"The Gentleman moves to override the Veto of the Governor. And the Chair recognizes Mr. Winters."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To the Bill. This is not the Railroad Authority Bill for Rockford. This is one that is supporting the… the will of the people. I've talked to most of the people on my side and many on the Democratic side. We would certainly appreciate your vote. Thank you."
"Mr. Lang."
"Thank you. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Sponsor yields."
"Representative, could you… Representative. Representative. Representative Jefferson, could… could you tell us what the Governor said in his Veto Message? Why did he veto the Bill?"
"The Governor took… the Governor took the position that this was a tax increase, even though the people of Rockford had presented the Resolution to say that they supported this. I mean, the City Council presented the Resolution saying that a… they would cease collecting five months earlier if they start collecting five (5) months sooner, and the Governor chose to go the opposite direction. I have no clue as to why he chose to do that. I was… 09500083.doc 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 83rd Legislative Day 6/29/2007 thought he was representative of all the people of the State of Illinois. But he chose not to sign this Bill, which would've been the simplest of the solutions to do that."
"So when the Governor indicated that he thought this was a tax increase, he was simply wrong. Is that correct?"
"That's exactly correct."
"This is not a tax increase?"
"This is not a tax increase."
"So, just one more time. This is not a tax increase."
"This is not a tax increase."
"And just one more time. The Governor was wrong when he vetoed the Bill?"
"Absolutely."
"I stand with you, Representative."
"Thank you."
"The question is, 'Shall Senate Bill 1395 pass, the Veto of the Governor notwithstanding?' This Motion requires 71 votes and would be final action. Those in favor signify by voting 'yes'; those opposed by voting 'no'. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? The Clerk shall take the record. On this question, there are 74 voting 'yes', 13 voting 'no'. This Motion, having received the required Three-fifths Majority, the Motion to Override prevails and Senate Bill 1395 is declared passed, notwithstanding the Veto of the Governor. Mr. Clerk, are there Agreed Resolutions?"
Clerk Mahoney: "Agreed Resolutions. House Resolution 563, offered by Representative Myers. House Resolution 564, offered by Representative Monique Davis. House Resolution 09500083.doc 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 83rd Legislative Day 6/29/2007 565, offered by Representative Dugan. And House Resolution 566, offered by Representative Yarbrough."
"The Clerk has read the Agreed Resolutions. Representative Currie moves for the adoption of the Agreed Resolutions. Those in favor say 'yes'; those opposed say 'no'. The 'ayes' have it. The Agreed Resolutions are adopted. Mr. Clerk you have an Adjournment Resolution."
Clerk Mahoney: "House Joint Resolution 74, offered by Representative Currie. RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that when the two Houses adjourn on Friday, June 29, 2007, the House of Representatives stands adjourned until Monday, July 02, 2007, in perfunctory session; and when it adjourns on that day, it stands adjourned until Tuesday, July 03, 2007, in perfunctory session; and when it adjourns on that day, it stands adjourned until Friday, July 06, 2007; in perfunctory session; and when it adjourns on that day, it stands adjourned until Monday, July 09, 2007; in perfunctory session ;and when it adjourns on that day, it stands adjourned until Tuesday, July 10, 2007; and when it adjourns on that day, it stands adjourned until Wednesday, July 11, 2007; and when it adjourns on that day, it stands adjourned until Thursday, July 12, 2007; and when it adjourns on that day, it stands adjourned until Friday, July 13, 2007; in perfunctory session; and when it adjourns on that day, it stands adjourned until Monday, July 16, 2007; in perfunctory session; and when it adjourns on that day, it stands adjourned until Tuesday, July 17, 2007; and when it adjourns 09500083.doc 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 83rd Legislative Day 6/29/2007 on that day, it stands adjourned until Wednesday, July 18, 2007; and when it adjourns on that day, it stands adjourned until Thursday, July 19, 2007; and when it adjourns on that day, it stands adjourned until Friday, July 20, 2007; in perfunctory session; and when it adjourns on that day, it stands adjourned until Monday, July 23, 2007; in perfunctory session; and when it adjourns on that day, it stands adjourned until Tuesday, July 24, 2007; and when it adjourns on that day, it stands adjourned until Wednesday, July 25, 2007; and when it adjourns on that day, it stands adjourned until Thursday, July 26, 2007; and when it adjourns on that day, it stands adjourned until Friday, July 27, 2007; and when it adjourns on that day, it stands adjourned until Saturday, July 28, 2007; and when it adjourns on that day, it stands adjourned until Sunday, July 29, 2007, and when it adjourns on that day, it stands adjourned until Monday, July 30, 2007; and when it adjourns on that day, it stands adjourned until Tuesday, July 31, 2007; and when it adjourns on that day, it stands adjourned until Tuesday…”
"The Clerk has read the Adjournment Resolution. Representative Currie moves for the adoption of the Adjournment Resolution. Those in favor say 'aye'; those opposed say 'no'. The 'ayes' have it. The House does adopt the Adjournment Resolution. Ladies and Gentlemen, let me have your attention. I think you’ve all got the schedule for the month of July. And so we will not be in Session the first week of the month, but starting in the second week of the month, why we're scheduled to be here every week for the first two weeks three days a week and then for the last two 09500083.doc 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 83rd Legislative Day 6/29/2007 weeks beginning on Tuesday, July 24, right through the end of the month. My plan is to proceed week by week and day- by-day, pretty much as we did during the month of June. This is the established schedule and you should plan to be here on July 10. If there's a change, you'll be given adequate notice. Our plan for today is to stand in recess and wait for the Senate to take action on the Appropriation Bill, which would provide for a 30-day budget. My expectation is that they will pass that Bill, and when they do, I'll come back out to the podium and adjourn the House. But for now, we will simply stand in recess. Enjoy your time in Springfield."
"The House shall come to order. Representative Washington moves that the House stand adjourned until Tuesday, July 10, at 3 p.m. You've all heard the Motion. Those in favor say 'aye'; those opposed say 'no'. The 'ayes' have it. The House stands adjourned until Tuesday, July 10 at 3 p.m., providing perfunctory time for the Clerk. Have a good holiday, everybody." 09500083.doc 14