"We will now convene our Regular Session, and with leave of the Body we'll use the Quorum Roll Call from Special Session Number 1 for the Regular Session. Leave is granted, a quorum is present, we will now proceed with business. Mr. Clerk, Rules reports."
Clerk Mahoney: "Representative Barbara Flynn Currie, Chairperson from the Committee on Rules, to which the following legislative measures and/or Joint Action Motions were referred, action taken on August 07, 2007, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: approved for floor consideration, recommends 'be adopted' Amendment #2 to Senate Bill 770. Representative Barbara Flynn Currie, Chairperson from the Committee on Rules, to which the following legislative measures and/or Joint Action Motions were referred, action taken on August 07, 2007, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: approved for floor consideration, recommends 'be adopted' Amendment #2 to Senate Bill 689."
"Page 9 of the calendar, on Second Readings we have Senate Bill 689. Read the Bill Mr. Clerk."
"Senate Bill 689 has been read a second time, previously. No Committee Amendments. Floor Amendments 1 and 2 have both been approved for consideration."
Speaker Turner: "The Gentleman from White, Representative Phelps, on Amendment #1."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. This is just a technical Amendment. I'd like to ask for its adoption." 09500112.doc 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 112th Legislative Day 8/7/2007
"The Lady from Cook, Representative Krause, for what reason do you rise?"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As the Sponsor, it was agreed that Amendment #1 would be tabled. Amendment #1 would be tabled."
Speaker Turner: "The Gentleman from White, Representative Phelps."
"Could you take this out of the record for a moment so I can talk to the Sponsor please?"
"Mr. Clerk, take the Bill out of the record. The Gentleman from Vermilion, Representative Black, for what reason do you rise?"
"Yes, Mr. Speaker. I was concerned that Representative Phelps, who appears to be in his undershirt and Representative Bost were both up at the podium at the same time. If a part of the ceiling had fallen, half of southern Illinois would be without representation. You need to separate those Gentlemen from southern Illinois. I was worried about that. And I know… would you be willing to share what Representative Phelps was talking about? He was rather animated."
"He's actually admiring the plaster job here and he didn't appear to have any worry or concern. He thought that the remodeling was excellent and he thought it was up to par."
"I don't know why he'd have any worry and concern down there in the… down there in God's country, in deep southern Illinois. There is rumor that he is also a Legislator in the State of Kentucky, but I'm trying to check that out." 09500112.doc 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 112th Legislative Day 8/7/2007
Speaker Turner: "The Lady from Kane, Representative Chapa LaVia, for what reason do you rise?"
"Point of personal privilege."
"State your point."
"I'd like the General Assembly to acknowledge these two wonderful men in front of me. Mr. O'Brian and Mr. Mautino, give a hug. It's their birthdays today, so everybody give a round welcome. Happy birthday guys. First time they've ever been in Session together so…"
"The Gentleman from Williamson, Representative Bradley, for what reason do you rise?" Bradley, J.: "Point of personal privilege."
"State your point." Bradley, J.: "Mr. Speaker, it's August 7, 2007. Electric rates increased on January 1, 2007. Now maybe that legislation wasn't everything that everybody wanted, but it was something, and it provided relief to people. And the bottom line is, regardless of whatever kind of deadline or politics are going on, our people still do not have relief. Seven months later and people still do not have relief, they need it now. This is not over until they get relief. It's August 7, lets get it done."
Speaker Turner: "The Gentleman from McLean, Representative Brady, for what reason do you rise?"
"Thank you very much Mr. Speaker. I see where we can purchase our former House chairs. And I see also on this that we're to contact Polly O'Brien regarding this. My seatmate, Roger Eddy, has graciously donated his pickup truck, and my thought was if you could check for us that if 09500112.doc 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 112th Legislative Day 8/7/2007 each Member could come up with gas money, is there any reason why Ms. O'Brien cannot drive around the State of Illinois delivering these chairs? Can you just check on it for us?"
"We'll get back to you on that."
"Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker."
"We're checking to the cd… we're checking her CDLs. The Lady from Cook, Representative Mulligan, for what reason do you rise?"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Although I mentioned the Representative's name so that he may speak again, he obviously has wonderful things to say, I do not know why Representative Bradley suddenly thinks that the Governor will become a rational human being that does things that he ought to do. At this point, I would think at this point he would absolutely understand that whatever the Governor does is to obtain the most publicity he can, and for that matter probably not do what he thinks he should do or what would be rational. But I think that Representative Bradley ought to know that by now, he's been here long enough, and that perhaps he'll understand that. Even jogging him is giving the guy publicity. Even me speaking gives him publicity and that’s what he lives for."
"The Gentleman from Vermilion, Representative Black, for what reason do you rise?"
"Mr. Speaker, just to add my voice of support to the Gentleman from Marion, the honorable Representative Bradley. I share his concern, I find it shocking, shocking, that the Governor has not taken action. Do you 09500112.doc 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 112th Legislative Day 8/7/2007 realize that if we still had the electric chair, cause we don't do that anymore and we don't execute anybody, but if we did have the electric chair and had an execution scheduled today, we probably couldn't afford to turn it on. So I stand in strong support of Representatives Bradley's comments. I find it shocking, absolutely shocking, that Governor Kilowatt hasn't signed the relief Bill. But I'm sure he will in due time, in due time, in due time."
"Page 10 of the calendar, Second Readings, we have Senate Bill 770, Representative Moffitt. Read the Bill Mr. Clerk."
"Senate Bill 770 has been read a second time, previously. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. Floor Amendment #2, offered by Representative Moffitt, has been approved for consideration."
"Representative Moffitt."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. This goes back to the original Bill. It's a transfer of 2 parts…"
Speaker Turner: "Representative, you should be tabling Amendment #1."
"I move to table Amendment #1."
"That's correct. The Gentleman asks leave to table Amendment #1. All those in favor say 'aye'; opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair the 'ayes' have it, Amendment #1 is tabled. Mr. Clerk, further Amendments."
"Floor Amendment #2, offered by Representative Moffitt." 09500112.doc 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 112th Legislative Day 8/7/2007
Speaker Turner: "Mr. Clerk, take the Bill out of the record. The Lady from Cook, Representative Krause. Representative, do you want to call Senate Bill 689?"
"Yes I do. Thank you. Mr. Chairman… Mr. Speaker, SB 689…"
"Just a minute. Representative Krause, on Floor Amendment #1."
"Well if I could just on the underlining Bill, which is on Second Reading, it amends the Municipal Code and provides that the corporate authorities of a municipality may take up to ten years rather than one year to repay a loan from a bank. It's an initiative of the Illinois Municipal League. Mr. Phelps can proceed with Amendment 1."
Speaker Turner: "The Gentleman from White, Representative Phelps, on Amendment #1."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. I'd still like to ask for the adoption of Amendment #1. It just clarifies the Bill. It's a technical Amendment and I ask for its adoption."
"The Gentleman asks leave to adopt. The Gen… sorry, the Gen… the question is, 'Shall the House adopt Floor Amendment #1 to Senate Bill 689?' All in those in favor say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair the 'ayes' have. And Amendment #1 is adopted. Further Amendments?"
"Floor Amendment #2, offered by Representative Hannig, has been approved for consideration." 09500112.doc 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 112th Legislative Day 8/7/2007
"The Gentlemen from Montgomery, Representative Hannig, on Amendment #2."
"Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members of the House. This is very similar to a Bill that we passed earlier in the Assembly. It deals with the Springfield medical district. Number it changes the name. Number two, it provides that a number of counties that surround Sangamon County would be a part of this group. Number three, it gives the Governor two additional appointments and suggests… or demands that he make the appointments from the outlying area. So I worked with Representative Brauer and Representative Poe and they're in agreement with this, and so I move for the adoption."
"The Gentleman from Vermilion, Representative Black, for what reason do you rise?"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor of the Amendment yield?"
"Indicates he will."
"Representative, why… why is it necessary to give the Governor two more appointments?"
"Well Representative, in the effort to try to work with the district here in Springfield, and to expand it into the areas that are outside of Springfield, and give him an opportunity to appoint some members from outside of that area, we felt that is was… that the best way to do it is simply give him two more appointments. So what it boils down to is my area is one of those areas, Representative Watson's is one of those areas, we would like to see someone from these… outside of Sangamon County appointed, 09500112.doc 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 112th Legislative Day 8/7/2007 and we think that that would be quicker than to simply wait for some…"
"All right."
"… of these other appointments to expire."
"How many counties do you envision being included in this Springfield medical district?"
"It's not a… first of all let me point out it's not a taxing district, and it will have no authority to tax…"
"Well, I understand that."
"But it would add… it would add… okay, it would add five counties I'm advised."
"So what… correct me if I'm wrong. But I thought when we started it the Springfield medical district was basically the City of Springfield and Sangamon County. What… was it expanded or did I just… do I not recall the original Bill correctly?"
"Yes Representative, the district… for example, the area that I live in to a large degree, if we go to a local hospital, and we're in need of a specialist, usually we're told to either go to Springfield or St. Louis. So what his would do is to say that it would recognize that the Springfield area serves a number of these counties outside of Sangamon County and consequently try to… try to bring us into this medical district. So what we're asking is that the district, that we include a number of these counties that are normally served by the Springfield medical district."
"Okay."
"…and that they get an appointment." 09500112.doc 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 112th Legislative Day 8/7/2007
"So you're actually changing the name to the, from what staff tells me, to the Mid Illinois Medical District, correct?"
"That's correct. It would be a more of a regional approach."
"Okay."
"That's correct."
"And then were giving the Governor two more appointees to this. The five counties don't go anywhere near Cook right?"
"They all touch Sangamon County I believe, or very close to Sangamon County."
"I find it somewhat amusing that the Governor will get two more appointments to a Mid Illinois Medical district, five Counties around Springfield. Does he know some people in the Springfield area?"
"Well Representative, I'm going to send him some names…"
"Ah, well…"
"…and probably Representative Watson…"
"All right."
"… will probably send him some names, and Senator Demuzio will send him some names."
"You're going to call him some names?"
"No."
"Or you're send him some names by calling him?"
"We will give him some recommendations and advise him as to what we…"
"I see. So…" 09500112.doc 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 112th Legislative Day 8/7/2007
"… would think are good appointments and then he will make a decision."
"Yes. Well then that begins to make sense because I… I thought it was on almost a contradiction of terms that the governor would appointment somebody to a district that basically exists in the City of Springfield. So you're going to give him some names and Representative Watson will give him some names, just as an aside, just between you and I off the record. Does the Governor listen to your recommendations?"
"I hope so Representative."
"All right, well could you see me afterward and tell me how you get that done? I could use a pointer or two. And I appreciate your indulgence. Thank you."
"Seeing no further questions, the question is, 'Shall the House adopt Floor Amendment #2 to Senate Bill 689? All those in favor say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair the 'ayes' have it. And the Amendment is Adopted. Any further Amendments?"
"No further Amendments. No Motions filed."
"Third Reading. Read the Bill Mr. Clerk."
"Senate Bill 689, a Bill for an Act concerning local government. Third Reading of this Senate Bill."
"The Lady from Cook, Representative Krause."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And at this time after discussion of the legislation, I would ask for support of Senate Bill 689."
Speaker Turner: "The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Fritchey, for what reason do you rise?" 09500112.doc 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 112th Legislative Day 8/7/2007
"Thank you, Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Indicates she will."
"Representative, just for my edification, maybe that of the Body, the gist of what you're doing here is extending the ability to borrow from a one year period to a ten year period. Is that correct?"
"Correct."
"Isn't that a very fundamental change in the borrowing authority of these municipalities? What you're borrowing and the concept of needing cash for a short term project is one thing, but to allow municipalities to engage in borrowing for up to ten years, which would that theoretically not just obligate the municipality but future administrations of that municipality, is a very different shift, no?"
"I don't think so. This is patterned after the authority we gave to the townships in the past. And I think the Amendment establishes and addresses the concerns that you have raised."
"I understand that, but it may well be in… it may be in the municipalities consistent with that of the townships, but it's a pretty significant shift though, I think. Now would the municipalities have to go… they would still be obligated under whatever restrictions they have, as far as getting the authority from their voters, correct?"
"That is correct, and it's a discretionary and gives them flexibility, but that is correct."
"Okay. Thank you, thank you for your answers." 09500112.doc 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 112th Legislative Day 8/7/2007
"The Gentleman from Vermilion, Representative Black, for what reason do you rise?"
"Yes. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"She indicates she will."
"Representative, is there anything magical about the ten year term? Or is that just one that the Municipal League thought was reasonable?"
"I think that is where they thought it was reasonable. There was nothing magical."
"Okay, then why don't they just… why don't they just borrow money like the current state administration? You don't put any date that you have to pay it back, and maybe you don't ever pay it back. Kind of like the pensions."
"No, I don't think so. I think that the ten year does give a limit. It gives them an opportunity for an extended period of time. It does give the municipality that right of flexibility and discretion."
"Okay."
"I think that's important."
"So the municipalities intend to pay this money back?"
"Very much so."
"What a novel idea for the State of Illinois to follow. What an outstanding… could we just amend the Bill on its face to include the State of Illinois in this?"
"I'm all in favor."
"Thank you."
"Seeing no further questions, the question is, 'Shall the House pass Senate Bill 689?" All those in favor 09500112.doc 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 112th Legislative Day 8/7/2007 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 100 voting 'aye' and 0 'noes', I should say 1 'no', and 0 'presents'. And this Bill having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. The Gentleman from Jackson, Representative Bost, for what reason do you rise?"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Could the record reflect that with the excused absences today also Representative Sullivan was excused."
"Record will so reflect. On the Order of Resolutions on page 15 of the calendar, we have House Resolution 292. Representative Wyvetter Younge."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members of the House. House Resolution 292 establishes the 7th of September 2007, as the Liturgical Dance Day. I move for the adoption of the Resolution."
"Seeing no questions, the question is, 'Shall the House pass House Resolution 292?' All those in favor should say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair the 'ayes' have it. And the Resolution is adopted. Agreed Resolutions Mr. Clerk."
"On the order of Agreed Resolutions is House Resolution 643, offered by Representative Granberg. House Resolution 644, offered by Representative Tryon. House Resolution 645, offered by Representative Sacia. House Resolution 646, offered by Representative Smith. House Resolution 647, offered by Representative Smith. House 09500112.doc 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 112th Legislative Day 8/7/2007 Resolution 648, offered by Representative Barbara Flynn Currie. House Resolution 649, offered by Representative Granberg. House Resolution 650, offered by Representative Granberg. House Resolution 651, offered by Representative Granberg. And House Resolution 652, offered by Representative John Bradley."
"Representative Currie 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, Representative Currie now moves that the House stands adjourned until Wednesday August 8, at the hour of 11 a.m. The House stands adjourned until the hour of 11 a.m." 09500112.doc 14