Illinois House Floor Debate — January 10, 2008

"The hour of 11:30 having arrived, the House will be in order. The Members will please 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 Wayne Padget, the assistant doorkeeper."

"Representative Dunkin, will you lead us in the Pledge."

Speaker Hannig: "Roll Call for Attendance. Representative Currie." 09500206.doc 1  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 206th Legislative Day 1/10/2008

"Thank you, Speaker. Please let the record show that Representatives Hernandez and McGuire are both excused today."

"And Representative Bost."

"Mr. Clerk, take the record. There are 115 Members answering the Roll Call, a quorum is present. The Clerk will read the Committee Reports."

"Mr. Clerk, do we have any Agreed Resolutions?"

"Representative Currie moves for the adoption of the Agreed Resolutions. All in favor say 'aye'; opposed 'nay'. The 'ayes' have it. And the Agreed Resolutions are adopted. On page 3 of the Calendar, under the Order of House Bills-Second Reading, Representative Dunkin, you have House Bill 2482. Mr. Clerk, would you read the Bill?" 09500206.doc 2  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 206th Legislative Day 1/10/2008

"Representative Dunkin on the Amendment"

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members of the chamber. I ask that we adopt the Amendment."

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

"Third Reading. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Representative Dunkin,"

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members of the House. House Bill 2582 (sic-2482) simply extends the film tax credit for another year, which expired this… last year, December 31. I ask for a favorable vote. Thank you."

"The Gentleman has moved for the passage of House Bill 2482. And on that question, the Gentleman from Vermilion, Representative Black."

"He indicates he'll yield."

"Absolutely. We… since 19… since 2005 we didn't collect about twenty seven million dollars ($27,000,000)."

"Yes."

"I'm not exactly sure. I'll ask him when I see him, Representative."

"Yes."

"I saw him in the newspaper the other day."

"I'm not sure, maybe… I'm not sure"

Speaker Hannig: "The Gentleman from Cook, Representatives Lang."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen. I rise in support of House Bill 2482. The film industry in Illinois has been lagging and the film tax credit that Representative Dunkin passed previously and is now trying to extend has helped bring this business to Illinois. The best example about why we needed to do this was raised some years ago when the movie entitled Chicago was filmed in Toronto, Canada. There are many film companies that would like to come to Illinois, that would like to spend their money here, would like to create jobs here, but have found it necessary to go elsewhere to other states and other locations that have provided incentives for these film companies. It's no longer to be considered a corporate loophole but a rather a business incentive to entice these folks here, otherwise they simply won't come to our state. So, Representative Dunkin is right on the right track here. This is a Bill we should pass. It will create jobs. It will improve this industry in our state and that can only be good for economic development. Please vote 'aye'."

Speaker Hannig: "The Gentleman from Jasper, Representative Reis." 09500206.doc 5  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 206th Legislative Day 1/10/2008

"He indicates he'll yield."

"Representative, this year for some reason, I'm not on the Rules Committee, so I can't answer that question of why your Bill is not coming out of Rules. But I can tell you that in Ottawa, in Starved Rock, Highland Park, Alton, Illinois, in other places here in our great state there's production that has gone on, that’s taken place and that’s proposed or projected to take place there. This is not a…

"This is not a Chicago Bill, Representative. This is a State of Illinois jobs Bill."

"No, that is not true."

Speaker Hannig: "The Gentleman from Bond, Representative Stephens"

"Indicates he will yield."

"Again, I haven't spoken with him personally. I know that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is very supportive."

"No, I think…"

"Yes, he signed this… he has… as he signed major economic incentives such as…"

"Representative, I can't respond to something that I have no idea whatsoever, on a subject that’s… I'm concerned 09500206.doc 8  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 206th Legislative Day 1/10/2008 about pass… putting Illinoisans… keeping Illinoisans working, having our state benefit, places such as Jasper County, Effingham, Vandalia benefit…"

"The Lady from Grundy, Representative Gordon."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move the previous question."

"The Lady has moved the previous question. The question is, 'Shall the main question be put?' All in favor say 'aye'; opposed 'nay'. The 'ayes' have it. The 09500206.doc 9  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 206th Legislative Day 1/10/2008 main question is put. Representative Dunkin, you're recognized to close."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members of this chamber. This House Bill is a Bill that has proven its success over the last four (4), five (5) years. We have experienced a tremendous growth here in the State of Illinois. I mean, we're projected in just in '07, and we haven't gotten all the numbers, to go from ninety-six million dollars ($96,000,000) in film production in the great State of Illinois to one hundred and sixty-seven million dollars ($167,000,000). That is since 2005, three hundred and fifty-five million dollars ($355,000,000) that’s been expended here. And then there's a multiplier of about three (3) times that gets us close to a billion dollars ($1,000,000,000) in direct spending here in our State of Illinois. That's three hundred and fifty-five million dollars ($355,000,000) projected, when we conclude next year's numbers, to have been spent in Illinois since this chamber has took the lead in sponsoring this jobs Bill. Over five thousand (5,000) Illinoisans received full-time employment. They patronize stores. They buy paint, they buy wood, union jobs, carpenters, electricians, teamsters, putting Illinoisans to work. Batman alone has projected to spend over forty-eight million dollars ($48,000,000). This is what we should be doing down in the great State of Illinois. I encourage all of my colleagues to help us extend this tax credit for one more year. Thank you."

"The question is, 'Shall House Bill 2482 pass? All in favor vote 'aye'; opposed 'nay'. The voting is 09500206.doc 10  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 206th Legislative Day 1/10/2008 open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Representative Coulson and Gordon, do you wish to be recorded? Last call. Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question there are 108 voting 'yes' and 7 voting 'no'. And this Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Mautino, on page 7 of the Calendar, you have House Bill 4163. Mr. Clerk, would you read that Bill?"

Speaker Hannig: "The Gentleman from Bureau, Representative Mautino."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. House Bill 4163 is a supplemental appropriation Bill for the court reporters and this would put in place the funding that was structured within the union contract. I know of no opposition. It has a cost of 2.2 million dollars ($2,200,000) and this would let us meet our contractual obligations. Be happy to answer and questions."

"The Gentleman has moved for the passage of House Bill 4163. And on that question, the Gentleman from DuPage, Representative Meyer."

"Is there any further discussion? Then the question, is, 'Shall this Bill pass?' All in favor vote 09500206.doc 11  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 206th Legislative Day 1/10/2008 'aye'; opposed 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Representative Rita and Pritchard, do you wish to be recorded? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 115 voting 'yes' and 0 voting 'no'. And this Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Mendoza, you have House Bill 4170. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."

"Lady from Cook, Representative Mendoza"

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. House Bill 4170 is an appropriation Bill that would appropriate 12.5 million dollars ($12,500,000) to the CeaseFire programs. CeaseFire is a program that is in twenty-five (25) communities throughout the State of Illinois, seventeen (17) of those within the City of Chicago, has seen drastic reductions in shootings as a result of their efforts in intervening and working within the community to prevent gun violence. This is a program that is absolutely critical to the needs of the state, to the safety of the constituents that we serve; and unfortunately, what fell victim to the Governor's Veto pen back in May. I would argue that this not a program that we can afford to cut, because by doing so we are adding a significant number of gunshot victims and dead victims to the toll that we should not be proud of increasing that number. I would ask that you please stand with me today in sending a message that we cannot afford to gamble with 09500206.doc 12  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 206th Legislative Day 1/10/2008 people's lives anymore. We talk about issues of gaming, we talk about important issues that could potentially bring funds to this state. We can talk about that but I think we cannot afford to gamble on the lives of the people that we represent. Eliminating these funds does exactly that. And not only do you need to restore them, but we need to improve upon them. Just so you know the last year when CeaseFire was in full operation, this state had seen a reduction of one hundred and fifty-nine (159) shootings in those seventeen (17) communities in Chicago from the previous year… compared to the previous year. Since the Governor cut those funds, within the last six (6) months we have seen an increase in those same communities of over a hundred and four (104) shootings. That is absolutely unacceptable. There was a woman in my district who was within a CeaseFire community that no longer has CeaseFire, who you all know about, was shot dead when she was trick or treating with her children on Halloween, eight (8) months pregnant. That’s ridiculous. The Logan Square community, who had seen a drastic reduction in their shootings when they had CeaseFire. They no longer have CeaseFire and they open up the new year with a triple homicide and just three (3) days ago, a fifteen-year-old boy was gunned down and killed as well. This is not the direction that this state needs to go in. I think that the Governor made a drastic and tragic mistake when he cut those funds and today I ask you to stand with me and vote 'aye' on appropriating these twelve and a half million dollars ($12,000,000), which are critically important. Thank you." 09500206.doc 13  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 206th Legislative Day 1/10/2008

"The Lady moves for the passage of House Bill 4170. And on that question, the Gentleman from Vermillion, Representative Black."

"She indicates she will yield."

"Is that a trick question or are you being serious?"

"No, the Governor has not given me many indication whatsoever, other than he unrolled a new plan that came from the Governor's Office to deal with the issue of violence prevention, a plan that has not been tested, a plan that will also appropriate millions of dollars. Yet, does not by any means substitute or create the type of effectiveness that the CeaseFire program creates. I would anticipate Senator… I mean, Representative, that that's a result of all the heat that has been… he's had to be taking for all the shootings that has increased so drastically since he made this Veto. I have just as hard a time hearing anything from the Governor, unless if I'm watching TV or reading the papers as you do, Sir."

"I… I guess it's entirely possible…"

"…but I would like to see him, actually, I challenge him to go ahead and explain how he could possibly veto an initiative that pretty much, I think, will be unopposed from this chamber, I would hope. And that the media understands it's critically important as well, because they've been following the statistics of what these results are from this program. It is difficult to argue against a program that has proven results. Not… it's not often that we can actually tally from a year-to-year perspective the successfulness of a program. This is one of those exceptions to the rule. CeaseFire program gives immediate results that not only on a human and social perspective, Representative, we can say is a good thing to do, but fiscally saves the state tens if not hundreds potentially of millions of dollars in health care costs. When we're talking about the fact that it costs over three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000) to even treat a gunshot victim that makes it to the emergency room. So, if you multiply that by over a hundred (100) cases, I mean we're talking about many, many millions of dollars. So it's fiscally responsible as well as, you know, humanely, the right thing to do, and obviously, creates great social benefits to society."

"Well, the money is absolutely critical. The reason we need to do that is because these communities that I just mentioned have seen massive spikes in shootings and murders since this money was vetoed. Not only do we need to reinstate the money that he cut, but now we have to double up the efforts in those same communities because things have gotten completely out of control. The money is necessary. We need to repair the damage that the Governor has done and potentially, use funds to expand the program into areas that are critically needed right now that do not have this type of program benefiting them. It's critical. These are not funds that are being spent unwisely."

"I spoke with… and Representative Graham actually spoke with her Senate Sponsor, Senator Harmon, and I believe that Senator Claiborne, as well, both of them have agreed to take the legislation. I'm not sure which one of the two (2) is actually going to carry it, but both of them are fine Sponsors who have given a commitment to work this issue very, very hard in the Senate and hopefully get it to the Governor's desk."

"To the Bill."

Speaker Hannig: "The Gentleman from Macon, Representative Flider."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To the Bill. The previous speaker makes some valid points, with regard to… you know, should we be looking at legislation appropriation measures on a case-by-case basis, piecemeal basis. And indeed, given what the Governor had done, given his Veto and given the fact that he took the wind out of the sails of a program that statewide was saving lives and making a difference this may be an exercise in futility, but I don’t think that’s a good reason for us to not go forward with this legislation. In fact, the reason we need to go forward with this legislation is that we know that this program did in fact save lives. It did make a difference and it was unique in that the originator of the legislation, a professional epidemiologist, understood full well that much of the violence is… comes from people who just simply want to resolve their disputes through violent means. And this program was able to hire people who could intervene in those kinds of situations to stop violence from occurring, to stop killings from occurring. And when those killings are stopped, when they're thwarted, it is better for our communities obviously, but also has a major impact on the cost to a community and it has been estimated that when somebody commits a murder or a crime, when you add up the hospital costs, when you add up the medical costs, when you add up the law enforcement costs, 09500206.doc 19  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 206th Legislative Day 1/10/2008 incarceration, everything associated with it, it had been estimated that such crimes could cost upwards of a million dollars ($1,000,000). So, this really what we're talking about here is a small investment in… in our future, in not only saving lives, but also reducing our costs to the community and improving the quality of life in our community. I was very saddened in Decatur, Illinois, where we put together a coalition of groups, including churches, community leaders, law enforcement, elected officials who came together like they've never ever come together before to support a program, and a program that was working, and this is hard work. The people who were hired in this program are people who would intervene at two or three in the morning to stop the violence. Now those among us… there is very few among us who would actually go out into a neighborhood where there's a threat of a shooting or a crime to talk somebody out of committing a crime, but that’s what this program has done. So it's a good program has done. So it's a good program. We need to continue to fight for these dollars, for this program. So many people have been disheartened by the veto of these funds, no mention has ever been made of why, other than savings were needed for a health care program. To my knowledge, these dollars are not going into a health care program, in fact, if you look at the fact that people were laid off who were employed under CeaseFire, now they were obtaining unemployment benefits. So where's the savings in that? So I want to thank those of you in advance for supporting this legislation who believe in what we're doing and I want to 09500206.doc 20  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 206th Legislative Day 1/10/2008 thank Representative Mendoza for leading the charge here. This is very important. We need to fight for these funds and if it's futile, let's put it on the Governor's desk and if he wants to veto it, he can do that, but let's at least not stop fighting for what's right. Thank you."

"The Gentleman from Winnebago, Representative Sacia."

"She indicates she'll yield"

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

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

"Indicates she'll yield."

"A couple of questions and I'm going to try not to be redundant on some of the things that were previously said. You know, it's been said that this is a doubling of the prior appropriation request. It's actually as I see it a 09500206.doc 22  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 206th Legislative Day 1/10/2008 quadrupling of that request, because it's a doubling of the amount for half of the fiscal year. So, I'm just trying understand what your rationale is in seeking essentially a quadruple… a quadrupling in the funding per fiscal year?"

"Well, we're asking for double the money that will be allocated for the year. Now, in the event that we… there's no way that they're going to through twelve and a half million dollars ($12,500,000) in a quarter of the fiscal year. So that money would just be rolled over to the next quarter, and the next quarter, and the next quarter. The purpose is to have twelve and a half million dollars ($12,500,000) for a yearlong program. And we will work with the Sponsors in the Senate, whoever we need to work with to insure that that is the way that the program is run."

"But if the initial request was for six million dollars ($6,000,000)…"

"Six point two five."

"Six point two five million dollars ($6,250,000) and that was deemed to be sufficient at the time, why are you now seeking twelve million dollars ($12,000,000)?

"Well, we need to repair the damage that’s been done. The 6.25 million dollars ($6,250,000) was a result of… this program's been around for years. When they first started they were not funded at that level and every year that this program has been in place it has either expanded or redoubled their efforts in certain communities that needed it. That funding has gone up. Now that the funding was so drastically cut and it was basically immediate, these 09500206.doc 23  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 206th Legislative Day 1/10/2008 communities have seen huge spikes in crime, specifically gun-related crime and a large amount of increase in murder. I mean, the City of Chicago had just been commended for their reduction in crime, which goes contrary to most large cities across the nation. And just in the last six (6) months alone, we have seen a huge spike in murders and in gunshot victims and we feel that the money is absolutely necessary that it increase, because now the problem has grown to be so severe that it's not going to take a normal amount of funding to just keep it going. It's basically like taking the initiative and starting over, regaining the trust of the community, which unfortunately at this point because of what was done, is going to take more money to be able to do. That is why we feel it's important to not just go back with the six and a quarter million (6,250,000), but to double up our efforts because, frankly, that’s what it's going to take to do. We're going to have to do double the job at this point to get back on track. And then hopefully, this money will be able to be enough to not have to come back and beg and plead to do the right thing by creating programs that can sustain themselves and do the job that they're intended to do. That is why we're asking for the extra money, and again, if you break it down to how much the State would be saving by not having to spend on health care costs related to direct shooting victims, you know, makes a lot of fiscal sense as well to invest this money for this specific purpose."

"Can I ask what you're basing your statistics on? A report just came out about a month ago that actually showed 09500206.doc 24  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 206th Legislative Day 1/10/2008 the murder rate in Chicago has declined to one of its lowest levels in recent memories."

"Yes."

"There are no… official semi-annual statistics to support a spike in the murder rate for the city. To the contrary it has shown that it has gone down."

"That is absolutely right. And it's gone down over the last three (3) to four (4) years since CeaseFire has been active in these communities."

"No, no, no, it went down this past year."

"Exactly, I just said that in my earlier in my comments, Representative, that the during the last year that was measured and the year before that and the year before that we have seen a reduction in the City of Chicago which runs contrary to most other large cities. However, these new shootings have not been a part of that number and we will… I guarantee you if we do not restore these funds the next study that comes out about… since May to the next May will have a vast increase in the amount of shootings that the City of Chicago has seen and specifically, in those seventeen (17) communities that are served by CeaseFire. That statistic only proves to reinforce why we need CeaseFire back in the communities, because I don't want next year's study, that would include the last six (6) months, to say that we have now seen a massive turnaround in the positive direction that we had been going in. We're going to see a reversal of that and that to me is unacceptable." 09500206.doc 25  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 206th Legislative Day 1/10/2008

"Well I… I'll respectfully disagree with your representation of the figures as well as what you're attributing are the short-term numbers on. Let me see… there was… there was an audit done of CeaseFire about a year ago that showed several hundred thousand dollars to be unaccounted. Do you know what happened with that audit since then?"

"Yes. My understanding and according to the testimony that was given yesterday in the Public Safety Appropriations Committee, the University of Illinois is now completely redoing their… their process, I guess, for the accounting within the individual community groups that are reporting how they're spending that money, where it's going. The testimony said that during the course of the last few years, the groups had reported their fiscal status to the state and the state had accepted that without any other kind of further recommendation or complaint. And it was not until the audit came out that the group was told that they were in effect falling short or had shortcomings and it was only in a couple of those community groups. It was certainly not in all twenty-five (25) communities. So that problem has been addressed internally and the director of CeaseFire said that… like as of yesterday, I think, they were in meeting, specifically through the University to create what the new format is going to be to address that so that is not… no longer an issue."

"Well, wait… but wait, what you said."

"I would certainly not be supporting a group." 09500206.doc 26  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 206th Legislative Day 1/10/2008

"But when you say it's no longer an issue, they acknowledged themselves that they have several hundred thousand dollars that they could not account for."

"They acknowledged that their reporting could have been much better done and that is what they need to fix. I mean, if the State had not been informing people that they weren't reporting sufficiently well, then I guess these groups… I mean they're not accountants by nature, they did not… they were not aware that they weren't meeting the standard of expectation that they frankly should have been meeting. So I think that issue has been resolved and I think all of us should know and be vigilant in insuring that there are no, you know, lack of transparency issues when it comes to the taxpayer dollar."

"So what…"

"I support that."

"You say there's no lack of transparency issues. What happened to several hundred thousand dollars that they said themselves they couldn't account for, though?"

"Yeah, I personally do not know that. Representative, I would be happy to look into that and report that back to you directly or to anybody else who's interested in that. I can't answer that question at this time. But I know that in the broader scope of things that was the one issue that was brought up and my understanding is that it is immediately be addressed by the directors of CeaseFire as a whole outside of that specific community group and also by the University of Illinois, so that there are no further issues and that that issue gets resolved." 09500206.doc 27  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 206th Legislative Day 1/10/2008

"Well, I guess, I would submit that the fact remains that that money's not accounted for, be that as it may. Who's the Senate Sponsor going to be on this Bill?"

"The Senate Sponsor, I believe in well, let me see if it's up yet, but as of yesterday it was going to be Senator Harmon and then this morning I heard that it may potentially be Senator Clayborne, but both are interested in carrying the legislation."

"Have any of them had discussions with Senator Jones about whether or not he would call this Bill?"

"I have not spoken with Senator Jones. We just passed this out of committee yesterday and so I asked… and Representative Graham spoke with her Senator and both are interested, but I have not had a meeting personally with Senator Jones. We do have two great people, though, that would like to be a Sponsor of this important legislation and for that I'm very proud and happy."

"I've been advised by the appropriation chairman on the Senate side that this Bill will not be called in the Senate. So, to that end, other than, and… let me be really clear, you know… you… bring the same passion to this that you do to all of your Bills and I… respect that to no end. I really mean that. I respect, as everybody on the floor does, the laudable goal of reducing violence in our communities. As I've said on other issues, you know, what are the only things worse you can do than offering no hope to people is to offer false hope to people. So we have a situation here where we have a Governor, who I think made a mistake, but we have a Governor that vetoed six million 09500206.doc 28  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 206th Legislative Day 1/10/2008 dollar ($6,000,000) appropriation for ostensibly worthwhile program. We have an appropriation seeking double that amount that will likely have the votes to come out of this Body. I've been informed by the approp. chair in the Senate that it's dead on arrival in the Senate, but a number of people may have the impression when they see the House pass the Bill that more money is going to be on the way. And listen, I know what it's like to have Bills die in the Senate, trust me. I've got more than my share over there. But I just… I don't know what we are accomplishing by trying to move a substantive appropriation Bill on the second day of this Session when we're being informed that’s it not even going to be called on the Senate side. That… you know, it's… not I don't even know that it's a question and if it is, it's not a fair question to you because I don't think it's one that…"

"I'd like to answer that, actually."

"Well, here, if you… if you want to respond, I appreciate it. That's fine."

"I would… I would like to respond to that because I think that… you know, it's not a situation of offering false hope, if that were the case then all of us should just pack our bags and go home. Let's go home, because the day I let the Governor tell me what I can or cannot support in this chamber and what should or should not make it to the other chamber is the day I don't want to work here anymore. It's that simple. It's that simple. Any of us should never live by the expectation of I've got to ask the Senate President whether or not my Bill may see the light 09500206.doc 29  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 206th Legislative Day 1/10/2008 of day in the Senate. There are a heck of lot of Bills that are really great for the people of this State that end up getting caught in politics across the other chamber. That is ridiculous. It's unacceptable. And fine, I think what we're doing here is sending a message when we pass this that we think this is an important issue and that we're not going to be told what to do by the Senate or by the Governor because they have not gotten it right yet this year. That’s why we're still here on what is today, January 10. We were supposed to be done May 31. So I plan on continuing to keep… what do they say that hope is the last thing to die, right? Let's keep hope alive, but I'm here to work and I'm here to stand up for what I believe in and I don't… I'm not going to let somebody else tell me from across the aisle what I can or can't believe in because it may or may not pass. We're going to pass this thing out of there and let them go up to the people, let them go back to their communities who are sick and tired of getting shot and explain why they think it's not a good idea. Let them do that. But I am not about to come back to this chamber, not a single second more and ask permission on what I can or cannot support. That’s what we're saying here. Oh, it's not going to be called in the Senate. I've had lots of issues not get called in the Senate, but I'm still going to fight for them. My community is going to know what's important to me because what's important to them is what matters to me. That’s why were here in this chamber and if any of us feel that we need to ask permission by the Senate staff, the Senate 09500206.doc 30  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 206th Legislative Day 1/10/2008 staff or the Senate President or the Governor or his staff then I think we should just pack our bags and go home. That's not me. I'm not going to beg. I'm going demand that they listen and they better start listening now, because I've listened to my community and I've listened to people across this state who have this program in their districts and they want action. They don't want rhetoric. They don't want politics. They want action and that’s what I'm asking you all to stand with me and show a little bit of action. Show a little bit of backbone sometimes and let's send it on over to the Governor and have him say why he doesn't think it's a good idea. Have Emil explain why it needs to sit in committee."

Speaker Hannig: "Representative Fritchey could you kind of bring your remarks to a close?"

"To the Bill. Ladies and Gentlemen, I may not be the typical person that you expect to see in opposition to a Bill like this. I do mean… I do mean the positive comments that I said to the Sponsor. I will tell you that my comments are really based on the feedback that I've got from my community. She's listening to her constituents. The feedback that I've got back from CeaseFire operations up in my area has not been positive. They have been, they have been troubled by… Representative, if you, if you have a question about that I'd be happy to show you the e-mails and letters I have from my community. There have been questions about their operations. There have been questions about their accounting and their finances. I do not believe at this point based on representing my 09500206.doc 31  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 206th Legislative Day 1/10/2008 constituents for a number of reasons or that this something that should… be supported. I appreciate her indulgence in answering the questions, though. Thank you."

Speaker Hannig: "The Gentleman from Bond, Representative Stephens."

"The Gentleman moves the previous question. The question is, 'Shall the main question be put out?' All in favor say 'aye'; opposed 'nay'. The 'ayes' have it. The main question is put and Representative Mendoza, you are recognized to close. To close, Representative."

"You know, I think I pretty much said everything and more than I was planning originally to address, but I do think that again that the issue of that we're trying to do here is send a message that this program is very, very important. It's… every dollar that we spend on this is a dollar well spent that is an investment in the people that we serve in this state. We are saving the state tens if not hundreds of millions of dollars potentially by doubling up this money. It is an increase that will be well spent and I just ask for your support for a program that at this point we cannot afford to not have in place. Thank you."

"So the question is, 'Shall House Bill 4170 pass?' All those 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 Jefferson, May, do you wish to be recorded? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 108 voting 09500206.doc 32  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 206th Legislative Day 1/10/2008 'yes' and 1 voting 'no'. And this Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. On page 7 of the Calendar, under Senate Bills-Third Reading, is Senate Bill 437. Excuse me, we got… Representative Graham, for what reason do you rise? Representative Watson, for what reason do you rise? Representative Mulligan, for what reason do you rise?"

Speaker Hannig: "Recognize you on a point of personal privilege, Representative. Proceed."

"On page 7 of the Calendar, under the Order of Senate Bills-Third Reading, is Senate Bill 437. Mr. Clerk read the Bill."

"Representative McCarthy."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. Senate Bill 437 is an initiative to require the Illinois Student Assistant Commission to provide for a thousand dollar ($1,000) grant for each Illinois state scholar who attends a higher education institution in our state. The Bill is subject to appropriation. It passed unanimously out of committee and was also passed unanimously out of the Senate about seven (7) months ago. I'd appreciate your consideration."

"The Gentleman has moved for the passage of Senate Bill 437. Is there any discussion? The Gentleman from Crawford, Representative Eddy"

"He indicates he'll yield."

"Correct."

"Correct"

"I think when they figure it, the ones that are already eligible under the merit scholarship program, which we haven't funded, but you can't get both. So if they take them out they went back to that eleven million (11,000,000), I agree with you, though, and I think that’s the fight we fight during the appropriation process. If we decide that we want to do this we have to look at it, 'cause there is some conflicting data, but like I say, this is not an appropriation Bill. This is just to get the idea on the books and then we can decide later whether we want to appropriate it or not."

"It certainly is."

"Thank you."

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

"Indicates he'll yield." Davis, W.: "Representative, if I understood what you said correctly, this Bill will provide every student selected as a state scholar a thousand dollar ($1,000) scholarship to attend state schools or any school in the State of Illinois?"

"Any institution of higher learning in the state." Davis, W.: "In the state."

"Community colleges or any four-year university in the state." Davis, W.: "In the state. Now, I guess my question is and just so I understand, what is the process by which a student is selected as a state scholar?"

"Well, it has to do with their performance in high school as well as a combination with their ACT score." Davis, W.: "So, is it a…

"It’s a current formula, that’s not changing at all. And like in 2005, 2006, we have sixteen thousand (16,000) of our graduates were considered Illinois State Scholars." Davis, W.": "So it's a very cut-and-dried process?"

"It's… it's pretty cut-and-dried. It's been there ever since I graduated from high school quite a few years ago, so." 09500206.doc 37  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 206th Legislative Day 1/10/2008 Davis, W.: "Okay. That’s… what I was curious about. Thank you."

"Thank you."

"The Gentleman from Vermilion, Representative Black."

"Indicates he'll yield."

"Well, all I would say is that, and I told others, that I would be very cautious of promising these people until the appropriation process…"

"…is going forward. 'Cause in my early time I had that merit recognition list and actually sent it out, including what I thought was the thousand dollar ($1,000) scholarship and we've had one our local Senators…"

"…do basically the same thing and it's come back to haunt him. So, I've told the people who've asked me to be very clear that this is not an appropriation yet. If we come in the future where we have a chance to do it, I think it's a worthy cause, because while we're doing a good job of maintaining a lot of our students staying in our Illinois institutions, the ones we are losing the… largest group that we're losing are the ones that are most ready for, you know, performance in college. Those are the ones we want to keep here more than anybody else and those are a lot of the Illinois State Scholars."

"…Bill"

Speaker Hannig: "The Gentleman from McLean, Representative Brady."

"Sponsor will yield."

"What happens if it's… not appropriated?"

"Well, then the legislation sits there hoping that in some future date there will be an appropriation. I think what I… the first thing that I said in my presentation was that this is subject to appropriation, didn't wait for the question to come because I want to make it clear that… so no one runs out and tells their state scholars today that their going to get this grant because they're not, until we find the money."

"It definitely is subject to appropriation."

"I've been told by staff that the merit program is, I think, '72 or '73 was the last time it was funded."

"I am somewhat aware of it, yes."

"I think so."

"Yes"

"Thank you."

Speaker Hannig: "Is there any further discussion? Representative McCarthy to close."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have made it very clear that it is subject to appropriation. I do want to thank my friend from Danville for his comments. I hope my mother and father were listening. Yesterday they were mad at him for making a bad remark about our brother, Charlie McCarthy, and that was completely unforgivable, but after the nice things he said today, I'll forgive him, so. But I do think it's a good program to have it in place, so that if we do get fortunate enough at one point to have money that we can reward these scholars, we can give them an incentive for more of the best of the best to stay here in our state. It would be a worthy project and I hope that before I leave here we will be able to appropriate for both this and the Merit Scholarship Program. Thank you." 09500206.doc 43  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 206th Legislative Day 1/10/2008

"The question is, 'Shall Senate Bill 437 pass?' All those in favor vote 'aye'; opposed 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Representative Hoffman and Scully, do you wish to be recorded? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 106 voting 'yes' and 0 voting 'no', 9 voting 'present'. And this Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. We're going to for just a moment stand at ease while we move into the Seventeenth Special Session. And now the Regular Session of the House of Representatives will resume. Representative Fritchey, for what reason do you rise?"

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

"State your point."

"Ladies and Gentlemen, there seems to be a theme over these last couple of Bills and it's something that I want to follow up on for a second. We've had a couple pieces of legislation that have both tried to promote laudable and worthwhile programs, but there's a real question as to how to fund it. And it gets down to the very basic notion that we have tough decisions to make and we only have a finite amount of money with which to make those decisions. As many of you are aware, for many months now there has been… I guess there's no other way to phrase it than an ongoing battle between the Governor's Office and JCAR. The Governor had sought a massive expansion of his… of one of his health programs, JCAR objected and prohibited the rules. The Governor's Office and the Department of 09500206.doc 44  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 206th Legislative Day 1/10/2008 Healthcare and Family Services, nevertheless, decided to proceed. Yesterday in JCAR, Ladies and Gentlemen, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services put forth rules for another insurance expansion. It's a very laudable one, one that would extend the provision of preventive services to everybody that's covered under the state rather than those that's under the age of twenty-one (21) right now. As I said, a laudable purpose, but one that's going to cost a lot of money. Ladies and Gentlemen, when we finally did get around to passing a budget, we appropriated a sum certain to all the state agencies as we're required to do. We're require… we appropriated a sum certain to the Department of Healthcare and Family Services. The amount of programs and services that they are presently undertaking is far outstripping what we ever envisioned or authorized them to do. And the point of this comment right now is this, Ladies and Gentlemen, I could be wrong, but I don't think I am. I think that you are going to see at least one department, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, come back before this Body for a very significant supplemental appropriation for moneys that we don't have. They are going to come to us I think with the health care version of a doomsday scenario like the CTA has been doing and being chided for. They are going to come back to us and tell us that if the General Assembly doesn't give them hundreds of millions of more dollars, if not billions of more dollars, then all of our constituents are going to go without very basic services. I want you all to be on notice of this; I want you all to 09500206.doc 45  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 206th Legislative Day 1/10/2008 be prepared to respond to this. That it is not the actions of the General Assembly that has acted responsibly. It is not the actions of Democratic Leadership or Republican Leadership. It is the actions of the administration that has refused to heed the directives of this General Assembly, that has refused to heed the appropriation realities, that has refused to heed the actions of JCAR and that is going to continue to spiral this state into a fiscal crisis and then try to lay it out into the public that it's going to be our fault. Ladies and Gentlemen, it's not going to be our fault and please don't say that you didn't see it coming. Mark my words; it's going to happen sooner rather than later. Thank you."

"On page 7 of the Calendar, under the Order of House Bills-Third Reading, is House Bill 4191. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill.

"The Gentleman from Cook, Speaker Madigan."

"Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House, this Bill is concerned with predatory lending. The first part of the Bill would accelerate the effective date on legislation, which is already law, signed by the Governor in which was designed to combat the practices of predatory lenders. So, again, the first part of the Bill just changes the effective date. The new effective date would be the date that the Governor signs the Bill. The second part of the Bill is concerned with a program already operated by the office of the State Treasurer where there 09500206.doc 46  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 206th Legislative Day 1/10/2008 is a relatively minor change and that will be explained and that will be explained by Representative Yarbrough."

"The Lady from Cook, Representative Yarbrough."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Amendment #1 to House Bill 4191 is designed to reduce predatory lending practices. It expands the Our Own Home Program administered by the Treasurer's Office. The program offers an incentive for lenders to approve loans that they would normally reject. The lender offers the loan in exchange for the state securing 10 percent of the loan and it amounts for the first five (5) years of the loan at a reduced rate of interest on deposits of the state moneys and financial institution. House Amendment #1 permits the Treasurer to approve an application regardless if the borrower has missed a payment. The current language of the Amendment simply removes that requirement that a borrower missed a payment. I'd be happy to answer any questions."

"The Lady has moved for the passage of House Bill 4191. Is there any discussion? The Lady from Cook, Representative Graham."

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

"She indicates she'll yield."

"Representative Yarbrough, as amended for House Bill 4191, does this Amendment allow the State Treasurer within this Our Own Home Program the flexibility to seek out and help victims of predatory lending practices?"

"Yes." 09500206.doc 47  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 206th Legislative Day 1/10/2008

"For instance, will this Amendment allow the Treasurer to assist anyone who is currently in an adjustable mortgage?"

"Certainly. The change in the law will allow the Treasurer's Office the ability to identify existing borrowers who are in trouble with loans that automatically adjusted exurbanite rates and helped those borrowers to refinance those loans."

"I want to thank you guys for bring forth this piece of legislation. As we know, that predatory lending and foreclosure has swept our state and people are in desperate need of help; so I stand in full support of this legislation. Thank you."

"The Gentleman from Vermilion, Representative Black."

"She indicates she'll yield."

"First of all, this is an existing program. And what it will do… under the current law, the borrower is seeking a home loan and the lender would not under normal circumstances offer them a loan without an incentive if the borrower has failed to miss a payment or if they're behind in mortgage payments. So this… this current program is already into effect. The only thing we're really doing is 09500206.doc 48  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 206th Legislative Day 1/10/2008 removing the requirement that a borrower miss a payment and that goes to Representative Graham's questions.

"First of all, currently, people can use this program. What we're trying to do… the situation you just shared, this program would help that person to refinance that loan." 09500206.doc 49  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 206th Legislative Day 1/10/2008

"That would that would provide help for them. The person who's been making payments and they're in this loan already, but they see, like in for instance in an ARM, they now that right down the road a train wreck is coming because that loan is going to adjust upwardly and they really can't pay that. They could contact the Treasurer's Office and get help and work with participating banks."

"I'm sorry, I didn't…"

"Yes."

"The 10… these… these are funds that are already sitting in on an account. They are set aside for this program."

"Yes, that's correct."

"No."

"No."

"Okay, it's my understanding…" 09500206.doc 50  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 206th Legislative Day 1/10/2008

"Okay. Let me… I have some information here. First of all, the Treasurer's Office has approved three hundred and fifty-seven (357) applicants, totaling twenty-one million dollars ($21,000,000) in loan guarantees. To date, the program has only experienced one loss and that has been of twenty-two hundred dollars ($2200). The account currently has 5.6 million (5,600,000), which roughly two million (2,000,000) earmarked for current outstanding loans, and 3.6 million (3,600,000) available for new participants. And the money that was lost was mostly interest on that loan."

"We're guaranteeing… Okay. Okay. We're only spending if the mortgage goes bad and that's only happened once."

"We're only guaranteeing this for five (5) years."

"Yes." 09500206.doc 51  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 206th Legislative Day 1/10/2008

"No."

"It's a guarantee. That's correct."

"Yes."

"And again, let me… let me remind you, that’s only happened once of the…"

"…three hundred and fifty-seven (357) loans that…"

"This is a guarantee on an origination." 09500206.doc 52  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 206th Legislative Day 1/10/2008

"No, that’s not correct. That's not correct."

"If you are in trouble, if you have a current mortgage now and you are in trouble, you simply would contact the Treasurer's Office and ask for this help. They would try to identify a lending institution to help you get into a new loan and they would guarantee it, the 10 percent for five (5) years. So, it doesn't matter whether that loan has been sold over and over again. You're coming for help at that particular time."

"And the bank that's going to take over, you know, refinance your loan, that's what we're talking about here."

"Yes."

"Yes."

"Ten percent of the loan amount."

"They are not going to guarantee any amount… in any amount over the amount in the program."

"We got 3.6 million (3,600,000) available…"

"…for new loans."

"I've not heard from anyone. And as far as I know there are no opponents to this Bill."

"Thank you."

"The Lady from Cook, Representative Mulligan."

"Indicates she'll yield."

"That's correct."

"Yes."

"Yes."

"That's correct."

"Yes."

"That's correct. Representative, again, this is an existing program and we're expanding it to allow for people who maybe have not missed a mortgage payment, people who are in ARMs, people who are headed towards the train wreck of foreclosure."

"I agree. I agree."

"I agree. I agree."

"Thank you."

Speaker Hannig: "The Gentleman from Lake, Representative Sullivan."

"To the Bill." 09500206.doc 56  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 206th Legislative Day 1/10/2008

Speaker Hannig: "The Gentlemen from DuPage, Representative Meyer."

"She indicates she'll yield."

"No."

"Yes. The only thing we've done here is remove that requirement so we can include more people so that we can help more people, who in fact, have in fact, you know, missed payments."

"This Bill only is trying to expand the Treasurer's Our Own Home Program to help more people not become victims of foreclosure."

"There's nothing else that's changed in the program."

Speaker Hannig: "Excuse me, Representative. Excuse me, Representative Madigan, I think, would like to speak to that as well."

"To answer the Gentleman's question. The underlying Bill, which is now law, effective July 1 of '08, would deal with those practices. And so, the purpose of the first part of the Bill is just to accelerate the effective date."

"Thank you."

Speaker Hannig: "Is there any further discussion? Then Representative Yarbrough, would you like to close?"

"Yes. Thank you so much for all of your questions. This language was brought to me by the Treasurer earlier last year and I thought it was a phenomenal program. And all of you I'm sure in your districts if you're having the same trouble that I'm having with foreclosures, I want to be able to offer some… people something at the state level that they can… before they hit what I'm calling the train wreck of foreclosure. So, I ask for a favorable vote on this Amendment and would just enlist all of your support. Thank you."

"The question is, 'Shall House Bill 4191 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 Kosel, do you wish to be recorded? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 111 voting 'yes' and 2 voting 'no'. And this Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. So on page 13 of the Calendar, 09500206.doc 59  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 206th Legislative Day 1/10/2008 we have House Resolution 883. Now, Mr. Clerk, what is the status of that? Did we adopt that?"

"At this time, I would ask for your attention. We're going to ask the Clerk to read a Resolution that mourns the death of a soldier lost in Iraq. And then we'll ask Representative Riley to say a few words and be joined by others. So, Mr. Clerk, read the Resolution."

"Representative Riley."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Ladies and Gentlemen of the House, just indulge me for a moment. Some of us in this Body have done this and when you tell us about your fallen soldier, many of us have choked up, our chests were tight and maybe, just maybe, we said to ourselves, I just hope I don't have to do this. Well, I have to do this. Langston Hughes once said, what happens to dream deferred? Does it dry up and shrivel like a raisin in the sun? Private White's dreams will be relegated to eternity. I think about his life and the things that he did, the people that he touched, and when I heard about his death with all of the things that all of us have to think about at one particular time, my mind just started racing. And often, you know, art imitates life, life imitates art and I thought about the famous film Apocalypse Now, where one of the protagonist was a young innocent soldier named Clean, many of you remember. And the part that he played, it was almost, you know, like a Greek play. The part that he played was innocence, juxtaposed against this… this massive war and all of the contradictions attended to it. He got killed and his chief petty officer was holding him in his arms, crying about his loss as a tape was playing in the 09500206.doc 62  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 206th Legislative Day 1/10/2008 background of his mother telling him about what was happening back home. What they we're going to do when they saw him again and how she told him take care of yourself and bring your little hiney back home. That never happened in the movie. It will not happen now. What's the best way to honor a young man like that whose… whose life and dreams were not deferred, but they were taken away from us because of his service. He will not see twenty-eight (28). His hair will not get gray. The best way is to remember him as he was. There will be future honors. Matter of fact, the mayor of Country Club Hills was here today, I don't know if he's up in the gallery, but there will be a monument to Private White. But I just wanted to, along with your help, immortalize his life by dint of this Resolution as we keep him forever young in our hearts. The 101st Airborne Division is an air assault division and I remember they have a little song that they sing, which I will not sing, but I will tell you the words. And it basically goes, 'one oh worst, patch on my shoulder, one oh worst, Airborne Infantry'. Rest in peace, Private White, we will all remember you. God bless you. Thank you, Members of the House."

"Representative Riley moves for the adoption of the Death Resolution. All in favor say 'aye'; opposed 'nay'. The 'ayes' have it and the Resolution is adopted. On page 6 of the Calendar, under the order of House Bills- Third Reading, is House Bill 1841. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill." 09500206.doc 63  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 206th Legislative Day 1/10/2008

"Representative Hamos."

"Thank you, Ladies and Gentlemen. This is a very small Bill. It just requires cooperation in planning between the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning and RTA. That's all this Bill does. There's nothing controversial in this Bill at all. I seek an 'aye' vote."

"The Lady has moved for the passage of House Bill 1841. Is there any discussion? The Gentleman from Vermilion, Representative Black."

"She indicates she'll yield." Black: Representative, what will the purpose of this Bill be? I don't think it has anything to do with the Amendment in the long run. Is this… do you plan to use this as a vehicle or a shell Bill in future negotiations?"

"I'm trying to keep some options open in case we need to have something next week, to be honest."

"Well…"

"Well, I hope that in just a few minutes we'll be calling a Motion to Concur, but… but we never what happens on the second floor." 09500206.doc 64  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 206th Legislative Day 1/10/2008

"It's a little… a little nicer than a shell Bill."

"It has a… it has a valid purpose."

Speaker Hannig: "Is there any further discussion? Representative Hamos, do you wish to close?"

"I just seek an 'aye' vote. Thank you."

"So the question is, 'Shall House Bill 1841 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 Sommers, Schmidt, Kosel, do you wish to be recorded? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 73 voting 'yes' and 42 voting 'no'. And this Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed."

Speaker Madigan: "Speaker Madigan in the Chair. On Supplemental Calendar #1, there appears House Bill 656, Representative Hamos. Representative Hamos, on a Motion to Concur."

"Thank you, Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen. I move to concur with Amendments 1, 4, and 5 to House Bill 656. I'm proud to be presenting what I hope will be final action on comprehensive, long-term transit funding and reform. Something we have worked on for over three (3) years. It's 09500206.doc 65  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 206th Legislative Day 1/10/2008 been quite the effort. We hope this will be the final product the Governor will be able to support it. The only difference… this is a Bill that came out of the Senate and it almost mirrors the Bill we voted on yesterday, Senate Bill 572. Senate Bill 572 is again comprehensive funding and reform. The funding of transit in this Bill is a one quarter of one percent sales tax increase in the six-county region, a Chicago based real estate transfer tax, a state match that will compliment that, plus a one quarter of one percent increase in the sales tax for the five (5) collar counties for their own uses. Amendment 5 as it comes out of the Senate is a change from the Bill we had here yesterday. Amendment 5 allows the five (5) collar counties to use their quarter percent increase in sales tax not only for transportation, but also for public safety. All five (5) collar counties may do that at their own discretion. Just to remind everybody, I don't think we need much of a reminder, the way that we are thinking about the funding of this Bill is that one hundred million dollars ($100,000,000) will be set aside to provide for ADA paratransit needs. This will carry us long into the future for disabled riders. We have a twenty million dollar ($20,000,000) Suburban Mobility Community Fund, something that will assist especially the suburban areas with their mobility… their riders with mobility needs and this service will be provided by Pace. We have a ten million dollar ($10,000,000) RTA Innovation, Coordination and Enhancement Fund to be able to finally test out some of those innovative transit solutions that are being worked on all 09500206.doc 66  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 206th Legislative Day 1/10/2008 over the country. We have in here new bonding authority for of one billion dollars ($1,000,000,000) for Metra, again, to provided much needed, especially, suburb-to- suburb service and to be able to even match some of those federal dollars, really a capital program, within this Bill. The Chicago-based real estate transfer tax must be enacted by the mayor and city council if they wish to enact it, but if they do all of those dollars will be sent to the CTA for their CTA pension and retiree health care reforms. Ladies and Gentlemen, we've also provided for much needed reforms not only of the pension system, but for the RTA itself. This is based on some of the solutions of recommendations that were developed and were… by the auditor general that we adopted, but it's really to provide for better regional planning, fiscal oversight, and fare and service coordinations. So, this is a comprehensive Bill, this is an important Bill. This is for our world- class region. To maintain our world-class region we need to have a world-class transit system. This is the Bill that will move us into the future that will allow us to be very competitive as a region for the International Olympics Committee. This is the Bill that will provide for better access to jobs for the people who depend on transit and who use transit. This is the Bill that will help keep us in a manageable state of congestion. Right now, we are already the second most congested region in the country. This is the Bill that really helps not only our region, but also downstate. We've also provided for better service, better operating assistance for the downstate transit agencies and 09500206.doc 67  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 206th Legislative Day 1/10/2008 again, for those people downstate it may not be the two million (2,000,000) rides a day we have in our region, but for the people downstate who depend on transit and they often are seniors, disabled, workers, those are the people who need transit, this Bill will help them, too. This is a Bill for the state. It's not only for our area this is not a CTA bailout. It achieves regional balance and this is a Bill with fiscal restraints and it's fiscally responsible with a funding source. Again, I'm proud to be presenting this. I want to thank again the very excellent, hardworking House Mass Transit Committee, the unions that have been sitting at our side and really giving up and playing a role in accomplishing, first time ever, pension reforms of a public employee pension system. And of course, the hardworking executives and staff at all three (3) transit agencies and the RTA. I seek a strong 'aye' vote."

"Mr. Mathias."

"Mr. Miller."

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

"Sponsor yields."

"A question regarding the Suburban Mobility Fund. In the previous legislation, it was ramped up throughout the years and I think on our analysis it says that it's a twenty million dollar ($20,000,000) grant. Just wanted… if you can sort of elaborate on the difference of how that's going to work?"

"I believe we still have a twenty million dollar ($20,000,000) from the fund within the RTA for the Suburban Community Mobility Fund. In addition to that, there will be a south suburban job access program that it also has made some commitments and will be ramped up over a couple years." Miller: That… that is still included in…"

"Oh, yes."

"…in this legislation. The ramping up part is still there? And not to get into discussion about it, but that piece is still there?"

"Yes."

"The issues regarding minority procurement, it's still there?"

"Yes." 09500206.doc 69  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 206th Legislative Day 1/10/2008

"With the additional bond authority from the CTA, the CTA makes those decisions. That provision is still there?"

"Yes."

"To the Bill, Mr. Speaker. I would like to compliment the Sponsor for her hard work. I was Vice Chair of Mass Transit when the committee first began. What she's been able to do in working with Members on both sides of the aisle and with both chambers is to expand the pie. When we looked at mass transit and trying to change the formula it was a situation where trying to take from Peter to pay Paul. But in this scenario we've been able to do what the people of the State of Illinois has asked us to. The meaningful reforms that have been required and needed by the CTA and other transit boards and the concessions by the union and the fact that the General Assembly is acting responsibly to meet the needs of our constituents, of our riders, no just in the City of Chicago, but in south suburban, where I represent, and all northeast Illinois including downstate. Once this Bill passes, which I hope it does, it's up to the Governor of the State of Illinois to sign this legislation expeditiously. Citizens of the State of Illinois need this. We demand it and we expect it. I ask for an 'aye' vote."

"Mr. Rose."

"Wonder if I might exercise a prerogative of the Chair and state for the record that I think I played a significant role in the FutureGen project and I'm from Chicago. Mr. Joyce."

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

"Sponsor yields."

"Julie, I just have one question. What is the purpose of the having a shell Amendment?"

"Well, you mean House Amendment 1… Senate Amendment 1?"

"Correct." Hamos: Senate Amendment 1 should have been withdrawn, but accidentally wasn't, so we we're required to do something with it."

"Okay then, so I understand if we don't concur with it then they'd have to go and take action again."

"Correct."

"The question then is sending a shell Amendment to the Governor does allow him anymore leniency in acting on the final… taking final action on this?"

"We believe that the Bill is engrossed and what the Governor receives is all of the Amendments engrossed together as one Bill." 09500206.doc 71  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 206th Legislative Day 1/10/2008

"So, there's no extra lines or anything that he can play with?"

"No."

"Thank you."

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

"Sponsor yields."

"This is essentially the same Bill." Mulligan: So, basically this is a pretty good Bill for the people that supported all the work that was done by the committee over the past several years to come together with a really good Bill."

"I think this is a really serious piece of public policy. I think one of the Members on your side acknowledged that yesterday. And that's what this Bill does. It's fiscally responsible and it creates a real balance in the system for moving forward on transit."

"That's correct. We still need a capital Bill." 09500206.doc 72  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 206th Legislative Day 1/10/2008

"I think this a very important point and I want to make sure that people do understand that this is for operating budget. For the people in our communities who are worried about slow zones, who are impacted by slow zones, that requires a capital investment. And that's why they really do go hand in hand."

"Yes. This is…"

"We're asking them to be partners in this effort, yes."

"Mr. Eddy."

"Sponsor yields." Eddy: Representative Hamos, I just want to make sure I understand the changes. You mentioned that this Bill allows for all collar counties to… excuse me, I have a Senator that has lost his way and I can't see the Sponsor. Could you explain specifically what types of leeway or flexibility we're providing those collar counties as far as 09500206.doc 75  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 206th Legislative Day 1/10/2008 spending revenue from the sales tax increase and what portion of it?"

"Under this Bill, the collar counties will have an additional half percent increase… half of one percent increase in the sales tax. Half of that, in other words one quarter of one percent, goes to the RTA for the transit system. And then half of that, the other quarter of one percent, is sent to the county directly for their own uses and we've identified for their… spent according to their own digression and we've identified two uses under Amendment… Senate Amendment 5. One is transportation purposes and second is public safety. And I'd like to point out that if they choose they could decide to bond the portion that they receive for transportation purposes for local road projects. That's an example, but that will be in their discretion."

"Well, we are providing for two kinds of uses for the five (5) collar counties. That is correct."

"Mr. Osterman."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To the Bill. I want to commend the Sponsor, Representative Hamos, for her efforts over these many, many months. I want to thank my downstate colleagues for their vote yesterday and hope that they will 09500206.doc 77  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 206th Legislative Day 1/10/2008 be here today and to each Member of this Body who has articulated the need for a capital program for our state. As a Chicago Representative, I share that feeling. And I think that we as a Body need to work towards that end. I want to use that to repair the infrastructure for transit in the Chicagoland area in my community, but that's something that we need to work on together. As my colleague, Representative Miller, touched on earlier, the Senate has acted on this. It is my hope that we collectively will act favorably on this legislation and then it will leave it with the Governor of our state and this message is simply to him. Governor Blagojevich, on behalf of my constituents, on behalf of the hundreds of thousands of transportation riders in our state that rely each day on transportation, we demand that you sign this Bill when it gets to your desk."

"Mr. Joe Lyons."

"Speaker, I move the previous question."

"The Gentleman moves the previous question. Those in favor say 'yes'; those opposed say 'no'. The 'ayes' have it. The previous question is moved. The Chair recognizes Representative Hamos to close."

"Thank you. Ladies and Gentlemen, I feel like we've had a very good discussion. We've debated this Bill. We've considered this Bill. I did want to point out that I added all of the cosponsors from the initial Senate Bill 572. You're now cosponsors of this Bill, because this is the Bill that we plan to pass today and it will go to the Governor's desk. And if all goes well, he can be the hero 09500206.doc 78  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 206th Legislative Day 1/10/2008 and we will have a strong transit system going into the future. And if all goes well, we will never have to discuss mass transit again. Please vote 'aye'. Thank you."

"The question is, 'Shall the House concur in Senate Amendments #1, 4, and 5?' 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 62 people voting 'yes', 51 people voting 'no'. The House does concur in Senate Amendments # 1, 4, and 5. And this Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Mr. Bost."

"Let the record reflect the excused absence of Representative Kosel. On page 13 of the Calendar, on the Order of a Mandatory Veto Motions, there appears Senate Bill 783. The Chair recognizes Mr. Hannig."

"Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members of the House. I would move that we concur or accept the Governor's Amendatory Veto, an action that would allow us to…"

"Mr. Hannig. Mr. Hannig."

"We need to get the right the Bill… Okay, we got the right Bill on the board, now."

"Senate Bill 783, it's on page 13 of the Calendar. Mr. Black. Black. Mr. Hannig."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members of the House. This… I would move that the House accept the Amendatory 09500206.doc 79  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 206th Legislative Day 1/10/2008 Veto of the Governor, an action that the Senate has already taken. And this will then be the final step that we need to take to enact the changes that we made last year for our FY08 budget. This will conclude that long, rocky, and sometimes winding road that we went down as we put together an FY08 Budget. Now, most of what is in the 'bimp' Bill remains unchanged. The Governor made two changes. The first had to do with a date for special education reimbursements. The State Board of Education had given us the language, but upon further review it was found that that was incorrect and so the Governor simply corrected that through his Amendatory Veto. The second item had to deal with an inconsistency, where the amount of money that was appropriated differed from the amount of money that we had authorized under the Road Fund cap. The Governor's amendatory change simply makes those consistent. And so, by accepting the Governor's amendatory change we will once and for all finalize the FY08 budget and that will mean, for example, that the State Board of Education will then be able to recalculate the amounts of money that they owe to our schools and to finally make them whole by providing the four hundred dollar ($400) increase in the per pupil that we had agreed upon back in August. There are other things in this that deal with the Long-term Care Provider Fund, rate increases for IMDs and nursing homes, the Poverty Hold Harmless Grant language. These are all items that we're in the 'bimp' Bill originally and were not changed by the Governor. But again, by taking final action here today we can put this on the statute book and our school districts 09500206.doc 80  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 206th Legislative Day 1/10/2008 can begin to receive the additional moneys that we promised them back in August. So, I would move that we accept the Governor's Amendatory Veto."

"Mr. Black. Please be brief."

"Black."

"Mr. Lyons in the Chair. See you, Mr. Black."

Speaker Lyons: "Chair recognizes Gentleman from DeKalb, Representative Bob Pritchard."

"He indicates he will."

"Yes. The intent would be that all the money would… that were due school districts would be paid. And so, I think they will have to devise a methodology where they can look at what a school district really should have received by January of '08 versus what actually received and then make up the difference."

"I'm not sure that we actually addressed that issue in the 'bimp' Bill. I didn't see it in there, Representative. So, I guess I'm uncertain how to answer your question." Pritchard: Well, that's certainly going to be an issue that my school districts have already alerted me as a concern that we have this perennial battle about whether the payments are going to be made in this fiscal year to avoid some of the financial watch issues. So, I think that's something this Body is going to have to deal with."

"I would agree with you, Representative. Maybe that's something we ought to put in statute in a way that we are comfortable with."

Speaker Lyons: "Chair recognizes the Lady from Cook, Representative Rosemary Mulligan."

"Sponsor yields."

"Yes, that's my intention. The Governor made two changes: One to dealt with the Road Fund cap and one to dealt with the date for special education reimbursements. I think we agree with both of those and everything else remained the same."

"I think…"

"That's correct, Representative."

"Or we could change the statute."

"Yes, that's correct, Representative. The budget implementation Bill did not address that and would not change it for the better or the worse."

"Representative Hannig to close."

"Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members of the House. Indeed, this is the Budget Implementation Act that with our vote at this time will finally put this Bill on the statute books and finalize this chapter of our FY08 budget debate. So, I would simply ask for your 'yes' vote."

Speaker Lyons: "The question is, 'Shall the House… Representative Dunkin. The question is, Ladies and Gentlemen, 'Shall the House accept the specific recommendations of the Governor as to Senate Bill 783?' All those in favor should signify by voting 'yes'; those oppose vote 'no'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? 09500206.doc 85  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 206th Legislative Day 1/10/2008 Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this Bill, there are 114 Members voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no', 0 voting 'present'. This Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Chair recognizes the Gentleman from Cook, Representative Bob Molaro."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Seeing that Representative Lang is still in the room, now that we have solved mass transit and we just agreed with a unanimous vote with the Governor, I would call on Representative Lang. Let's call the gaming Bill right now while we're in the mood and do gaming for capital and then we could be done for the whole year. So… and… while… while Jim is still here, too…"

"I think, Representative, we'll quit while we're ahead for today. The Chair recognizes Representative David Reis, David."

"State your point."

Speaker Lyons: "Chair recognizes the Gentleman from Cook, Representative John Fritchey."

"Thank you, Speaker. Inquiry of the Chair. Now, that the 'bimp' has been finalized, does this mean the last Session is now officially over?"

Speaker Lyons: "I don't have a direct answer for that, Representative Fritchey, but we'll… we'll look into that and get back to you."

"So, Groundhog Day continues."

"Chair recognizes the Gentleman from Vermilion, Representative Bill Black."

"State your inquiry." 09500206.doc 87  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 206th Legislative Day 1/10/2008

"I think between slim and none, but we could also check with Representative Molaro, if he's still on the floor."

"Just keep the checkbook handy, Representative Black."

"Representative Mike Bost."

"State your inquiry, Representative."

"An awfully good idea, Representative, we'll take that under consideration."

"Representative Black."

"State your inquiry, Representative." 09500206.doc 88  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 206th Legislative Day 1/10/2008

"Representative, I think it's always a good time to thank the wonderful staffs that the Democrats and Republicans have in the House of Representatives, but I don't know if this will be the actual final time…"

"…that we will be coming together under this Session."

Speaker Lyons: "Ladies and Gentlemen, seeing no further business to come before the House of Representatives, the House will stand adjourn… Representative Currie moves that the House stand adjourned into perfunctory schedule and we'll retire… we'll go into Perfunctory Session at the conclusion of this Session. All those in favor signify by saying 'aye'; those opposed say 'no'. The 'ayes' have it. And the House stands adjourned. Safe trip." 09500206.doc 89  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 206th Legislative Day 1/10/2008