"The hour of 1:00 having arrived the House will be in order. Members will be in their seats. Members and guests are asked to refrain from starting their laptops. Turn off all cell phones and pagers and rise for the invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance. We shall be led in prayer today by Reverend Keith Harris who is the associate pastor for the campus ministries at McKinley Presbyterian Church in Champaign. Reverend Harris is a guest of Representative Jakobsson."
"I bring you greetings from the people of the 103rd District, in which I reside. I'm also thankful to Namoi Jakobsson, who is one of my Representatives, and the important work that you all do, for this opportunity to be here this afternoon. John Galbraith, a U.S. economist coined or said this in his book The Age of Uncertainty. 'All the great leaders had one characteristic in common: It was their willingness to confront unequivocally the major anxiety of their people in their time. This, and not much else, is the essence of leadership.' As we pray this morning… or this afternoon, I am grateful for your leadership. Let us pray. We ask You, Oh God, for help to give our individual and collective gifts to our community. To regularly renew our intentions. To give of ourselves in ways that make a difference to our families, to our town, to our nation, to a world grown so small that it can be explored and conquered with a click of a mouse. To keep our wits during times that have distractions and uncertainty. To maintain our focus, Oh God, with determination and with a sense of humor born of the 09500236.doc 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 236th Legislative Day 3/6/2008 knowledge and the reality that we indeed are human and very much mortal. To be guided this afternoon and inspired by the invaluable lessons of history, the honest insights of science, the guileless wisdom of logic and the heart and soul of our shared humanity that is compassion and tolerance. And Oh God, we ask that You would fuel our work with vigor, stamina, and hearty spirit. May we remember the words of Peter Drucker, who was one of many to say that, 'management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things.' This day, with all integrity and wisdom, may we be about doing the right things for the right reasons. For all of this and so much more, Oh God, we give You our thanks and ask Your blessings on the work done today and every day. And with a loud voice let God's people say, Amen."
"Representative Brauer, will you lead us in the pledge?"
"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
Speaker Hannig: "Roll Call for Attendance. Representative Currie."
"Thank you, Speaker. Please let the record show that Representatives Dugan, Gordon, Joyce, Patterson, Washington and Rich Bradley are excused today."
"Representative Bost." 09500236.doc 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 236th Legislative Day 3/6/2008
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Let the record reflect that Representative Durkin, Tracy, Tryon, and Watson are excused today."
"Mr. Clerk, take the record. There are 106 Members answering the Roll Call. A quorum is present. Representative Sacia, for what reason do you rise?"
"Point of personal privilege, Mr. Speaker."
"State your point."
"Ladies and Gentlemen of the House, if you would join me in welcoming. We have FFA students here from Dakota, Forreston, Eastland, which is actually Lanark and Shannon, as well as Orangeville and their advisors. In the essence of time, I won't name all of them, but if you would make them feel welcome to Springfield I would be most grateful."
"Representative Mitchell, for what reason do you rise?"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Point of personal privilege."
"State your point."
"Right behind me in the Republican… over the Republican side, I have my home FFA folks from Maroa/Forsyth. Would Maroa stand up and give them a big Illinois House welcome. Thank you."
"Representative Mautino."
"Like to join my colleagues in welcoming the FFA members and especially those from Amboy and I believe they're joining us in the back of the gallery. Please give them a round of applause as well. You guy all do great."
"Representative Black." 09500236.doc 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 236th Legislative Day 3/6/2008
"Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. I have the distinct privilege and pleasure of introducing to you today Miss Molly Reeves, the 19… 2008 Miss Illinois County Fair Queen, in the gallery on the right side. She and I… if you'll give her a warm welcome to Springfield. Delightful young lady."
"Representative Reis."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A point of personal privilege."
"State your point."
"I, too, would like to welcome my FFA chapters here today. I'm not sure which ones are in the balcony, but Carmi High School, West Richland High School, Olney High School, and some members from the Cisne FFA chapter are here today, so let's give them a welcome."
"Representative Rose."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A point of personal privilege."
"State your point."
"Ladies and Gentlemen we're so privileged to have so many FFA young people here today. I have Cerro Gordo High School in the balcony to my right and also Representative Flider and I represent Arthur, the line runs right down the middle between two (2) counties and we together also have Arthur High School here as well. So if we could wel… welcome Cerro Gordo and Arthur. Thank you very much."
"Representative Reitz."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Point of personal privilege."
"State your point."
"Same as the others, I'd welcome everyone from FFA here. I know up in the balcony here I have Marissa High School 09500236.doc 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 236th Legislative Day 3/6/2008 and I also had I know Trico and Sparta High School here also so we'd like to welcome all the FFA chapters to Springfield. Thank you."
"Representative Phelps."
"Point of personal privilege please."
"State your point."
"Same as the others, I just want to also thank Harrisburg and Eldorado for coming and also Representative Bost and I have… in Union County, Shawnee, so we want to thank you to Springfield as well."
"Representative Verschoore."
"Yes. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I think there's some FFA members from my district, Sherrard, Illinois. If they're up in the balcony, if they'd please stand up I'd appreciate it and give them a warm welcome."
"Representative Molaro."
"Yes. It's a point of information on a different topic. Completely."
"Why don't you let me finish with…"
"That's what I'll do."
"…one (1) more announcement. I have one (1) more announcement I have a young lady here from my district who happens to be the president of the FFA, Kaitlin Weitekamp. Why don't she stand up. She's a very wonderful lady and she's going to be a student at the University of Illinois next year, so we wish her well. And now, Representative Molaro."
"Yes. Thank you. Mr. Speaker might be interested in this. You know, Denny Hastert was here yesterday and it 09500236.doc 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 236th Legislative Day 3/6/2008 was nice talking about… there was a time when there wasn't all this acrimony in this building about this and that, so I actually thought we were going to have a better session this year. But I want to report that yesterday morning I spied on Tom Cross and Tom Cross was working out at 6:00 a.m. and he did about an hour on the stair master. Now those of you who don't know, the StairMaster, we call it the beast. I can't even look at it, let alone work out for an hour. And when I asked him what he was doing he said 'Well I'm trying to get into fighting weight.' Now, I don't know what that meant, but I hope it didn't mean anything to do with this building, that it doesn't forbear ill will as we move forward. I hope it's just personal that he want's to look like Denny Hastert. So I just wanted to point that out."
"Mr. Clerk, read the Committee Reports."
Clerk Mahoney: "Committee Reports. Representative Molaro, Chairperson from the Committee on Judiciary II - Criminal Law, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on March 06, 2008, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'recommends be adopted' is House Resolution 629; 'do pass as amended Short Debate' House Bill 4139, House Bill 4198, House Bill 4203, House Bill 4206, House Bill 4318, House Bill 4320, House Bill 4402, House Bill 4466, House Bill 4649, House Bill 4651, House Bill 4692, House Bill 4738, House Bill 4755, House Bill 4791, House Bill 4927, House Bill 4964, House Bill 5229, and House Bill 5739; 'do pass Short Debate' is House Bill 4207, House Bill 4289, House Bill 4290, House Bill 09500236.doc 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 236th Legislative Day 3/6/2008 4477, House Bill 4613, House Bill 4693, House Bill 4877, House Bill 5230, House Bill 5603, House Bill 5684, House Bill 5802, and House Bill 5901; 'do pass Standard Debate' is House Bill 4319. Representative Colvin, Chairperson from the Committee on Personnel and Pensions, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on March 06, 2008, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' is House Bill 4342, House Bill 4383, House Bill 4469, and House Bill 5197; 'do pass as amended Short Debate' is House Bill 1223. Representative McAuliffe, Chairperson from the Committee on Veterans Affairs, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on March 06, 2008, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' is House Bill 5618; 'do pass as amended Short Debate' is House Bill 5647. Representative Nekritz, Chairperson from the Committee on Railroad Safety, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on March 06, 2008, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'recommends be adopted' is House Joint Resolution 94. Representative Howard, Chairperson from the Committee on Computer Technology, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on March 06, 2008, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass as amended Short Debate' is House Bill 5000. Representative Flider, Chairperson from the Committee on Least Cost Power Procurement, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on March 06, 2008, reported the same back with the following 09500236.doc 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 236th Legislative Day 3/6/2008 recommendation/s: 'do pass as amended Short Debate' is House Bill 4919. Representative Feigenholtz, Chairperson from the Committee on Appropriations-Human Services, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on March 06, 2008, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' is House Bill 4807, House Bill 4926, House Bill 5151, and House Bill 5306. Representative Franks, Chairperson from the Committee on State Government Administration, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on March 05, 2008, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'recommends be adopted' is House Resolution 930, House Resolution 953, House Resolution 988, and House Resolution 1026; 'do pass as amended Short Debate' is House Bill 4165, House Bill 4527, House Bill 4726, and House Bill 5115, House Bill 5368, House Bill 5534, House Bill 5614, and House Bill 5668, and Joint Res… House Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 28; 'do pass Short Debate' House Bill 4127, House Bill 4176, House Bill 4192, House Bill 4416, House Bill 4716, House Bill 4723, House Bill 4866, House Bill 4981, House Bill 5521, House Bill 5546, House Bill 5596, House Bill 5607, House Bill 5655, House Bill 5666, House Bill 5898, House Bill 5930. Representative Monique Davis, Chairperson from the Committee on Appropriations-General Services, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on March 05, 2008, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' is House Bill 5701, House Bill 5942; 'do pass as amended Short Debate' 09500236.doc 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 236th Legislative Day 3/6/2008 House Bill 5861. Representative McCarthy, Chairperson from the Committee on Higher Education, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on March 05, 2008, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass as amended Short Debate' is House Bill 4625, House Bill 4790, House Bill 4890, House Bill 5109, House Bill 5116, and House Bill 5493. Representative Yarbrough, Chairperson from the Committee on Appropriations-Public Safety, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on March 05, 2008, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' House Bill 5671; 'do pass as amended Short Debate' is House Bill 4826. Representative Ryg, Chairperson from the Committee on Disability Services, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on March 05, 2008, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass as amended Short Debate' is House Bill 4822. Representative Collins, Chairperson from the Committee on Juvenile Justice Reform, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on March 05, 2008, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass as amended Short Debate' is House Bill 5326. Representative Holbrook, Chairperson from the Committee on Environment & Energy, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on March 05, 2008, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass as amended Short Debate' is House Bill 4172, House Bill 4367, House Bill 4762; 'do pass Short Debate' is House Bill 09500236.doc 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 236th Legislative Day 3/6/2008 4133; 'recommends be adopted' is House Resolution 1009. Representative Chapa LaVia, Chairperson from the Committee on Local Government, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on March 05, 2008, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' is House Bill 4132, House Bill 4157, House Bill 4175, House Bill 4936, and House Bill 5022, House Bill 5196, House Bill 5282, House Bill 5288, House Bill 5981; 'do pass as amended Short Debate' is House Bill 4262, and House Bill 4545. Representative Mendoza, Chairperson from the Committee on International Trade & Commerce, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on March 05, 2008, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' is House Bill 5585; 'do pass as amended Short Debate' is House Bill 5906. Representative Yarbrough, Chairperson from the Committee on Housing and Urban Development, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on March 05, 2008, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' is House Bill 5170, and House Bill 5238. Representative Osterman, Chairperson from the Committee on Labor, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on March 05, 2008, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' House Bill 4583; 'do pass as amended Short Debate' is House Bill 4278, and House Bill 5319. Representative Saviano, Chairperson from the Committee on Registration and Regulation, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on 09500236.doc 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 236th Legislative Day 3/6/2008 March 05, 2008, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' is House Bill 4845, House Bill 5064, House Bill 5073; 'do pass as amended Short Debate' is House Bill 4778, and House Bill 5067. Representative Dunkin, Chairperson from the Committee on Tourism & Conventions, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on March 05, 2008, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' is House Bill 4464. Referred to the House Committee on Rules is House Resolution 1059, offered by Representative Acevedo. House Resolution 1060, offered by Representative Granberg. House Resolution 1062, offered by Representative Poe. House Resolution 1067, offered by Representative Osterman. Introduction to House Bills-First Reading. House Bill 6304, offered by Representative Madigan, a Bill for an Act concerning appropriations. First Reading of this House Bill."
"On page 12, of the Calendar under the Order of Senate Bills-Third Reading, is Senate Bill 1863. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."
"Senate Bill 1863, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. Third Reading of this Senate Bill."
"The Lady from Cook, Representative Currie."
"Thank you, Speaker and Members of the House. This measure is a supplemental appropriation that would make the final payment to hospitals across the State of Illinois to be the final payment of the current Hospital Assessment Program. I know of no opposition and I know the hospitals need this money. Many of them otherwise would be forced to 09500236.doc 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 236th Legislative Day 3/6/2008 go to the bank to borrow and we all know that would mean interest charges. So I'd appreciate your support on this measure. I'd be happy to answer your questions."
"The Lady's moved for the passage of Senate Bill 1863. This is on Short Debate. Does anyone stand in response? Then the question is 'Shall this Bill pass?' All in favor vote 'aye'; opposed 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Representative Golar. Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 106 voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no'. And this Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. We're going to go to page 10 of the Calendar. We're going to start with House Bills-Third Reading, with House Bill 228 and we're just going to go down the list and try to work our way through the Calendar this afternoon. So, House Bill 228, Representative Bradley. Out of the record. Representative Graham, on House Bill 731. Out of the record. Representative Flider, on House Bill 946. Representative Flider. Out of the record. Representative Saviano, on House Bill 3679. Do you wish us to read this Bill? Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."
"House Bill 3679, a Bill for an Act concerning regulations. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"Representative Saviano."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Members of the House. House Bill 3679 is a proposal which was brought to us by the electrologists. It's some clean up language in the Bill. I'm going to send it over to the Senate, I want to get a 09500236.doc 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 236th Legislative Day 3/6/2008 little more input from the Med Society. But right now, everything should be good with the Bill and I would ask for a favorable vote."
"This is on the Order of Short Debate. Does anyone stand in response? Then the question is, 'Shall this Bill pass?' All in favor vote 'aye'; opposed 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Representative Molaro, Mitchell, Bradley, do you wish to be recorded? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 107 voting 'yes', and 0 voting 'no'. And this Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Dugan, you have House Bill 4130. Out of the record. The Lady's excused today. Representative Lindner, on House Bill 4294. Representative Lindner. Did you wish us to read this Bill. Out of the record. Representative Colvin, you have House Bill 4379. Do you wish us to read this Bill? Out of the record. Representative Karen May, on House Bill 4390. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."
"House Bill 4390, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"Representative May."
"Yes. Thank you, Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. This is a preventative health care Bill to have our comprehensive health insurance plan cover office visits for preventative health care items. It's the same as House Bill 2285, which passed almost unanimous last year. It 09500236.doc 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 236th Legislative Day 3/6/2008 came out of committee unanimously and I know of no opposition."
"This is on the Order of Short Debate. Does anyone stand in response? Then the question is 'Shall this Bill pass?' All in favor vote 'aye'; opposed 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Representative Mitchell, do you wish to be recorded? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 106 voting 'yes', and 0 voting 'no'. And this Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Beaubien, you have House Bill 4454. Do you wish us to read this Bill? Out of the record. On page 11 of the Calendar, Representative Eddy, you have House Bill 4457. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."
"House Bill 4457, a Bill for an Act concerning education. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"Representative Eddy."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Bill 4457 provides that certain contracts that are awarded by competitive bid may include an electronic process for accepting those bids. It contains provisions that set the rules and the safeguards necessary that are… are part of accepting electronic bid. I would appreciate an 'aye' vote and be happy to answer any questions."
"This is on the Order of Short Debate. Does anyone stand in response? Then the question is, 'Shall this Bill pass?' All in favor vote 'aye'; opposed 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all 09500236.doc 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 236th Legislative Day 3/6/2008 voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Representative Osterman, do you wish to be recorded?"
"No."
"Okay. Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 105 voting 'yes', and 0 voting 'no'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Jefferies, you have House Bill 4513. Out of the record. Representative Pritchard, you have House Bill 4523. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."
"House Bill 4523, a Bill for an Act concerning appropriations. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"Representative Pritchard."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Ladies and Gentlemen of the House, there has been a program for the last few years in the State Board of Education where they've had grants to assist schools in aligning their curriculum with state standards. It's very critical that districts are teaching the important lessons that they'll be tested on so they can see if they're meeting the No Child Left Behind requirements. These grants have been funded by the State Board of Education. And a year ago they had placed in the budget as a separate line item a request for 1.4 million dollars ($1,400,000) to… to a provide these grants. As the budget moved through the process this line item was dropped and the board only continued the grants at a very small level this last year. This Bill would allocate that 1.4 billion… million dollars ($1,400,000) to help provide 09500236.doc 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 236th Legislative Day 3/6/2008 grants across the state so that districts can align their curricula with state standards, teach students appropriately the things they need to know and be able to do, and therefore when they're tested be able to pass and do the kind of work that they're capable of doing. I will ask for your support in this Bill. Thank you."
"This is on the Order of Short Debate. Does anyone stand in response? Representative Franks."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Indicates he'll yield."
"Representative, is this Bill basically to restore funds that have been cut by the Governor's office to the regional office of… to the… I think there's twenty-two (22) regional offices of superintendent. Is that what this is about?"
"So this… the grant funding is allocated through the regional offices of education, yes. The dollars were not appropriated in the full appropriate amount this last year as the budget was adopted. Therefore they weren't able to allocate them. And I think it was more a process of the budget negotiation than something that the Governor had removed. At least that's my understanding."
"What do they do with this money and why do they need an additional seven hundred thousand dollars ($700,000)?"
"There are a number of school districts that have multiple sections and classes and different teachers that deal with a particular subject that's a part of our state standards. They don't often have an opportunity to collaborate to make sure that all of those sections and all 09500236.doc 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 236th Legislative Day 3/6/2008 of that… those courses are aligned exactly with the classroom. And I've got one district in particular that has found this very helpful and has aloud that type of calibration and that type of alignment that was not possible before and their students are doing much better as a result of that."
"I'm concerned though about the efficiency of this. If we have twenty-two (22) separate regional superintendents woul… I'm sorry forty-five (45). Wouldn't it be easier to do it through the Illinois State Board of Education and have one uniform policy, if you're trying to align curricula? Because it seems to me there could be duplication of efforts here with, you know, forty-five (45) different regions that would be splitting approximately seven hundred thousand dollars ($700,000) additional."
"Well, there wouldn't be duplication because the state board has designated that the ROEs would be that administering of the grants to make sure the go to the most needy or the most able to take advantage and… and benefit from this. There is, though, you know, a need for this type of alignment to make sure that those classes are being taught appropriately and I think it's been demonstrated through the history of this program that it does produce the desired results."
"Okay. Thank you. I want to… if anyone else has a question I'll listen, but thank you for your answers."
"Thank you."
"Representative Eddy." 09500236.doc 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 236th Legislative Day 3/6/2008
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To the Bill. Representative, I strongly support this simply because of the fact that it has proven to be such a good program. The reason the additional appropriation is needed is because the program is expanding from a small number of schools where a pilot occurred and success was shown. This is work done by a Dr. Richard Stiggans and it's very well accepted in educational circles as one of the premiere programs in school improvement. So last year during the budget negotiations the expansion money was taken out. This is an opportunity to include it so that the program can be expanded and actually it's pretty efficient program. It's a train the trainer program where teachers… teams of teachers get trained, come back to the building, and train additional… So, I would strongly support the appropriation. Hopefully, it's something we can expand on in future years. Thank you."
"Representative Pritchard to close."
"Ladies and Gentlemen, this appropriation would definitely be the front-line delivery of educational services and help our students achieve to the level that they're capable. I would ask for your support."
"The question is, 'Shall this Bill pass?' All in favor vote 'aye'; opposed 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Representative Schock and Osterman, do you wish to be recorded? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 102 voting 'yes', and 3 voting 'no'. And this Bill, having received a Constitutional 09500236.doc 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 236th Legislative Day 3/6/2008 Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Feigenholtz you have House Bill 4574. Did you wish… Out of the record. Representative Flider you have House Bill 4588. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."
"House Bill 4588, a Bill for an Act concerning elections. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"Representative Flider."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. This Bill just simply allows municipal officers, who are members of electoral boards, to conduct their hearings at the location where the governing body regularly meets. So, for example, in the city council chambers instead of at the county court house. And this law is already in effect for townships and we just like it also to apply for municipal electoral boards, and ask for your support."
"This is on Short Debate. Does anyone stand in response? Then the question is, 'Shall this Bill pass?' All in favor vote 'aye'; opposed 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 105 voting 'yes', and 0 voting 'no'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Currie, you're recognized on House Bill 4590. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."
"House Bill 4590, a Bill for an Act concerning State Government. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"Representative Currie." 09500236.doc 19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 236th Legislative Day 3/6/2008
"Thank you, Speaker and Members of the House. This measure deals with the… with the problem that Illinois foster care rates are not meeting the standards set by national organization. So by the year 2012, sometime down the road, this measure would require that the state meet those standards, which would require some increases in foster care rates, but those… those numbers come from the University of Maryland, some important social service groups and they do define what it cost to take care of a child at various ages and stages of that child's life. The standards do not include everything. They don't include, for example, the cost of transporting a child to see other relatives or to go to medical care, but it does offer what you might call a Chevrolet standard of living for foster care children. And I would be happy to answer your questions and I think that it is important that we give our foster parents the wherewithal they need to do the job our foster children need doing for them."
"This is on the Order of Short Debate. Does anyone stand in response? Then the question is, 'Shall this Bill pass?' All in favor vote 'aye'; opposed 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Representative Sullivan and Osmond, do you wish to be recorded? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 105 voting 'yes', and 0 voting 'no'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Mr. Clerk, read House Bill 4603." 09500236.doc 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 236th Legislative Day 3/6/2008
"House Bill 4603, a Bill for an Act concerning public employee benefits. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"Representative Beiser."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Bill 4603 corrects an inequality that exists currently between two (2) previous public acts. Public Act 094-0356 and 095-0530. Like I said, this the inequality is that under the first Bill that we passed that a transfer from police to IMRF there was… it only allowed them to transfer whatever the cost equaled to in terms. So it didn't give them the full service benefit if they wanted to pay the difference, it does not allow that. So that's what this does. Be happy to answer any questions. If not, I would like for an 'aye' vote."
"This is on the Order of Short Debate. Does anyone stand in response? Then the question is, 'Shall this Bill pass?' All in favor vote 'aye'; opposed 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Representative Fritchey, do you wish to be recorded? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 105 voting 'yes', and 0 voting 'no'. And this Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Leitch you have House Bill 4627. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."
"House Bill 4627, a Bill for an Act concerning public employee benefits. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"Representative Leitch." 09500236.doc 21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 236th Legislative Day 3/6/2008
"Tha… thank you, Mr. Speaker. Would you please return this Bill to the Order of Second-Reading."
Speaker Hannig: "Certainly, Representative. So Mr. Clerk, return this to the Order of Second-Reading at the request of the Sponsor. Representative Acevedo, has House Bill 4628. Out of the record. Representative Coulson, on 4641. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."
"House Bill 4641, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"Representative Coulson."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Bill 4641 amends the Barber, Cosmetology, Estheticist (sic-Esthetic), and Nail Technology Act and it's essentially aligning our rules about refund policies with the rest of the Bill and I can answer any questions."
"This is on the Order of Short Debate. Does anyone stand in response? Then the question is, 'Shall this Bill pass?' All in favor vote 'aye'; opposed 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Representative Lyons, do you wish to be recorded? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 105 voting 'yes', and 0 voting 'no'. And this Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Leitch you have House Bill 4648. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."
"House Bill 4648, a Bill for an Act concerning transportation. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"Representative Leitch." 09500236.doc 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 236th Legislative Day 3/6/2008
"Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. This Bill would provide for the creation of a Distinguished Service Cross license plate. It comes to me from a constituent in Metamora, Illinois, Mr. Jim Underwood, who with many of his colleagues from the greatest generation have long wondered why we don't have such a plate. I would suggest this would be a very important thing to do since so many of the World War II veterans, especially are aging and won't be with us for much longer. So, I would ask for your support."
"This is on the Order of Short Debate and in response, the Gentleman from Bond, Representative Stephens."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just briefly to… to alert the Body that… that the Distinguished Service Cross is the award that's given if you are nominated for the Congressional Medal of Honor and for some reason you fall short of that qualification, the Distinguished Service Cross is the second highest award for valor that a solider, sailor, marine can… can be awarded. I would urge the Body's support."
"Any further discussion? Then the question is, 'Shall this Bill pass?' All in favor vote 'aye'; opposed 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Representative Lang, do you wish to be recorded? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 101 voting 'yes', and 4 voting 'no'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared 09500236.doc 23 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 236th Legislative Day 3/6/2008 passed. And Representative Leitch you have House Bill 4653. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."
"House Bill 4653, a Bill for an Act concerning land. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"Representatives Leitch."
"Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. About six (6) or eight (8) years ago the State closed down the Hanna City work camp, located outside Hanna City, Illinois, six (6) miles from the Peoria County jail. The Peoria County Sheriff is very interested in securing this thirty-five (35) acre tract for a series of uses, not the least of which is to deal with jail overcrowding, as well as potentially develop some beds for incarcerated individuals who are suffering mental illness. It's a very exciting program that's being developed in the community and I would ask for your support."
"This is on the Order of Short Debate. Does anyone stand in response? The Lady from Cook, Representative Hamos. Stands in response, Representative Hamos."
"Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Indicates he'll yield."
"Are you proposing to sell it to Peoria County or what is the mode of conveyance here? What is this?"
"At the moment, the Department of Corrections either has or is in the process of acquiring this as surplus property."
"I'm sorry, the Department of Corrections is what?" 09500236.doc 24 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 236th Legislative Day 3/6/2008
"I believe this property is been declared surplus property."
"Oh. It's been abandoned as surplus property?"
"I'm not sure technically where it stands in that process, but it is the Department of Corrections signed in in committee in favor of this Bill."
"But… so is it… again, I think my question was are we selling this land, are we giving it away, or the property this land with a building. Are we giving it away?"
"Well, there… Let me say that the structures that are on this are in various states of extreme disrepair because of their disuse for the last six (6) or eight (8) years. This is also the case, while the state had invested some money in the sanitation system and so forth, all that has deteriorated. The good buildings that are there have asbestos. So we are in the process of working with the Department of Corrections to transfer the property to Peoria County so that this property can be restored to productive use. There is a provision that were this not to be used for public purpose, it would be returned to the State."
"Well, I think that's what I was looking for, Representative Leitch, is some kind of limitations on this because the last time I looked you're one of the people who always points out that our state budget is in kind of tenuous position, and I was wondering why we giving land away instead of trying to sell it. And secondly, what limits there would be put on this property so that Peoria County couldn't just decide to sell it for a condo 09500236.doc 25 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 236th Legislative Day 3/6/2008 development. Or thirdly, whether you were going to come back to the Legislature to get state funding to restore and rehab this for some other use. I… it just… none of this seems to be really spelled out."
"Well, it's clearly spelled out because of the reversion clause that's in the Bill. And secondarily, you're one of the persons in this House that allegedly is very interested in mental health reform and in our jails, especially throughout Illinois and the correction system we have got to do a better job of taking care of mentally ill people who don't belong going in jails."
"Well, you were… you were doing great…"
"Out of the eighteen thousand (18,000) bookings in Peoria County, our sheriff will tell you that at least 30 percent of those individuals should not be in jail. Our state's attorney will tell you that 30 percent of the customers that he has don't belong in the criminal justice system, they belong in a community treatment center. We are working very hard with the county, the sheriff, the state's attorney, and other community members to create a comprehensive system in our community that extends from the judicial system, to the police chief, to the sheriff, to the jail, to the whole system and deal perhaps as a model one day for the rest of the state in having a very effective system."
"Well, I… I… that's why I wanted to stand to ask those questions, because I did now find on page 9, I did find some language that the land reverts to the State. And you were doing great with that answer until you said I was 09500236.doc 26 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 236th Legislative Day 3/6/2008 allegedly interested in mental health. I did pick that up. Thank you."
"Thank you."
"Representative Franks."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Indicates he'll yield."
"Representative, could you tell us again what's this land going to be used for by Peoria County?"
"I'm sorry, Sir, I didn't hear your question."
"What will the land be used for by Peoria County once they receive it?"
"The land right now is in a very poor condition. There are some facilities that had been used at the Hanna City work camp. Those two (2) are in great disrepair. To specifically answer your question, what the County of Peoria wants to do is to have this property so that over time it can address overcrowding and mental health issues in the criminal justice system."
"It will be for public use."
"Yes."
"It won't be for private…"
"Absolutely."
"…they won't be selling it."
"Absolutely not."
"Well, I… I stand in favor of your Bill. We had a very similar issue in McHenry County and you helped me on it. At that time we had a fish hatchery, which Department of Natural Resources could no longer uphold, because it cost them too much for the fish hatchery. So, we passed a Bill 09500236.doc 27 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 236th Legislative Day 3/6/2008 here that allowed the local municipality, Spring Grove, to get that fish hatchery. Because if taxpayers have already paid for it…"
"Right."
"…there's no reason for them to have to pay for it twice. This is basically an intergovernmental loan, because if they don't follow up with what they promised then it reverts back to the State. So, I don't believe, and the previous speaker was talking about the State receiving money, I think that would be improper since the taxpayers have already paid for it and it's remaining to be a public use. So, I wish you very… I wish Peoria County well on this endeavor."
"Thank you very much."
Speaker Hannig: "Representative Fritchey. Representative Fritchey."
"After the Bill. I'll wait."
Speaker Hannig: "Okay. Any further discussion? Then the question is, 'Shall this Bill pass?' All in favor vote 'aye'; opposed vote 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 104 voting 'yes', and 0 voting 'no'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Fritchey, did you wish to make your announcement now? Proceed."
"Thank you, Speaker. It's on a point of personal privilege. Ladies and Gentlemen, if we'd all just give a warm welcome to a gentleman who has been a frequent visitor 09500236.doc 28 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 236th Legislative Day 3/6/2008 and a welcome visitor to the House Floor, our State Treasurer, Alexi Giannoulias."
Speaker Hannig: "Representative Leitch, you have an appropriation Bill. Would you like us to read that? Shall we read that? Representative… Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."
Clerk Mahoney: "House Bill 4664, a Bill for Act making appropriations. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"Representative Leitch."
"Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. In our community we have about one hundred and sixty million dollar ($160,000,000) Peoria river front program that is in the course of being developed and funded. Of that amount, over fifty million (50,000,000) of it is a Caterpillar Visitor Center. The bulk of the funds for this will be matched and raised privately. It's my hope that we can secure funding through the same fund that has for many years funded the museums in Chicago. And to that end I have introduced this Bill. I might also add that I had a conversation with Larry Suffredin this week and in the Senate it's my intent to hold this Bill as well for other projects that might be helpful to other parts of the State. So I would ask that you help me send this Bill to the Senate. Thank you."
"This is on Short Debate. Does anyone stand in response? Representative Franks."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Indicates he'll yield."
"Representative, our analysis indicates that this Bill will appropriate twelve million dollars ($12,000,000) from 09500236.doc 29 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 236th Legislative Day 3/6/2008 the Capital Development Bond Fund to the Department of Natural Resources. Is that correct?"
"Well, it's actually through the… yeah, ultimately that's the case and I would… you're… probably your next question is where's the money. Well, this would anticipate hopefully, at some point a capital Bill. But at the… My goal in doing this was to get this out now so that there where… it was in the hunt if you will. And to secure other museum interests around the state so that we might have a critical mass of vision to accomplish it."
"How much of the twelve million (12,000,000) would go towards a new Lakeview Museum in Peoria?"
"The entire twelve (12) out of about a hundred and thirty to a hundred and forty million dollar ($130,000,000 - $140,000,000) project."
"Okay. I just… thank you, it's in the Bill. I just wanted to make sure that we understood that this was a twelve million dollar ($12,000,000) appropriation for a museum in Peoria. So, thank you."
Speaker Hannig: "Representatives Leitch to close. I mean Representative Bost."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We just need to make the record… have the record reflect that Representative Sacia is now excused for the day."
"So the record will so reflect. And now, Representatives Leitch, would you like to close?"
"I would ask for an 'aye' vote. Thank you."
"The question is, 'Shall this Bill pass?' All in favor vote 'aye'; opposed 'nay'. The voting is open. 09500236.doc 30 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 236th Legislative Day 3/6/2008 Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Rep… Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 80 voting 'yes', and 23 voting 'no'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Osmond, you have House Bill 4702. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."
"House Bill 4702, a Bill for an Act concerning education. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"Representative Osmond."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Bill 4702 was very similar to the Bill that was run last year. It amends the School Code and the Juvenile Court Act requires the cost of educational services for an out of district student attending a residential facility, designed to correct alcohol or drug dependency, to be paid by the district of the student's residence regardless of the manner in which the student was placed in the residential facility. This passed our House with 99 votes 'yes' and 1 'no'. There is no know opposition to this Bill."
"This is on the Order of Short Debate. Does anyone stand in response? Then the question is, 'Shall this Bill pass?' All in favor vote 'aye'; opposed 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Representative Brauer and Poe, do you wish to be recorded? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 104 voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. 09500236.doc 31 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 236th Legislative Day 3/6/2008 Representative Reitz, you have House Bill 4727. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."
"House Bill 4727, a Bill for an Act concerning education. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"Representative Reitz."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Bill 4727 amends the School Code. This simply changes the term from a school term to grading period to allow for more flexibility for school districts to charge tuition if someone does happen to move out of the district during the school year. And I'd be happy to answer any questions."
"This is on the Order of Short Debate. Does anyone stand in response? Representative Monique Davis." Davis, M.: "Thank you, Mr. Chairman… Mr. Speaker. My I ask will the Sponsor yield?"
"Gentleman will yield." Davis, M.: "Is this the legislation in which if a student is found to be living outside of his or her district that at the end of the marking period they will be transferred?"
"Yes. It allows school districts the flexibility to do this during a grading period instead of using the entire year. It's the same Bill we talked about in Education Committee. Correct." Davis, M.: "So rather than at the end of the year, it's now the grading period."
"Correct. After one grading… if someone moves out in the middle of the grading period, by the end of the next grading period they would be able… given there aren't 09500236.doc 32 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 236th Legislative Day 3/6/2008 extenuating circumstances to charge tuition for that next semester or whatever the grading period is." Davis, M.: "Say for example, most school districts' grading periods are every ten (10) weeks. So are you saying that the say the first ten (10) weeks the student is in a particular school and the next ten (10) weeks you find that the school… the student has moved or his or her residence has changed, so is it that… during that second period they have to move or pay tuition?"
"They don't…" Davis, M.: "They have to transfer."
"…have to move. They would have already moved. They would of… They can either transfer or pay… or pay tuition. That's correct. It simply allows the flexibility to the school district to ask those people to pay tuition if they've moved and they're not transferring to another district." Davis, M.: "How do you know they've moved? How do you know that their residency has changed?"
"We haven't changed any of that. It's up to the school district, whatever means they use to determine if someone has moved or does not live in a district. That all stays the same. The only thing we're doing is allowing them to use the grading period instead of waiting the entire year before they can make a change." Davis, M.: "Well… to the Bill, Mr. Speaker. In all due respect to the Sponsor and I do know the problem that he's attempting to alleviate. I believe it will be disruptive to two (2) schools. It'll be disruptive for the school 09500236.doc 33 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 236th Legislative Day 3/6/2008 where the student is being forced to leave and it'll be disruptive to the school who must take in a new student during the middle or the second or third grading period. Now, I think the current practice of having student be allowed to remain until the end of a school year was so that we could protect the stability of a classroom and the stability of enrollment in a school. Now I know there are many districts that are having problems with people coming in living… because of family situations, because of divorce a child may live with one parent for awhile and then have to stay with another parent for a certain period of time. Because of working situations a child may have to stay with grandma during the day because mother doesn't get home from work at night. And I know the speaker, the Legislator has very excellent intentions and I may be the only 'no', but I think this is not a good piece of legislation. I think the Legislators in this Body need to really think out how to deal with residency issues in the State of Illinois. How do we deal with residency issues. A lot of mistakes will be made. A lot of families will be hurt. And the education of children will be disrupted through no fault of their own. A teacher in a classroom will find, I thought I had thirty (30) children, I have prepared for thirty (30). Now I have two (2) new ones and it's just the tenth week of school. It is not a wise move at this time. I urge a 'no' vote."
"Any further discussion? Representative Eddy."
"Ladies and Gentlemen of the House, I strongly support the Representative's Bill. It will provide for school 09500236.doc 34 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 236th Legislative Day 3/6/2008 districts the flexibility they need locally to address an issue that's become a problem, when someone moves into a school district simply to establish residency and then leave. Right now the law allows them to stay one day and then move out of the district, but that district then becomes responsible for that nonresident student for the rest of the school term. What Representative… what the Representative's language does is allow the school, it doesn't require them, it allows them on an individual basis, to look at the situation and after a residency hearing, which can be held, they may or may not be able to stay. It doesn't automatically send them out. They have all the due process that they have always been entitled to. What it does, though, is in those egregious situations where people do move into school districts for one day or establish residency for one day to take advantage to being able to stay for the rest of the year it allows districts to challenge that in an appropriate due process manner. I think it's a good Bill and I… I believe that it will cut down on what is now a situation that really… sometimes unfortunately, people take advantage of that residency issue. I urge an 'aye' vote."
"Any further discussion? Then Representative Reitz, you're recognized to close."
"Thank you. Appreciate your remarks on both sides of the argument and appreciate an 'aye' vote."
"The question is, 'Shall this Bill pass?' All in favor vote 'aye'; opposed 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have 09500236.doc 35 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 236th Legislative Day 3/6/2008 all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 98 voting 'yes', and 6 voting 'no'. And this Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Kosel, you have House Bill 4838. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."
"House Bill 4838, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"Representative Kosel."
"Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. House Bill 4838 prevents for profit water companies from using any money that they spend on advertising in their rate pace. It is the exact same provision that applies to natural gas and electric companies. And I would ask for your approval."
"This is on Short Debate. Does anyone stand in response? Then the question is, 'Shall this Bill pass?' All in favor vote 'aye'; opposed 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Representative Flowers, do you wish to be recorded? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 104 voting 'yes', and 0 voting 'no'. And this Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. And Mr. Clerk, read House Bill 4839."
"House Bill 4839, a Bill for an Act concerning transportation. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"Representative Kosel."
"Thank you. House Bill 4839 is a trailer Bill to last year's House Bill 1491 in which we inadvertently left out the abilities of the counties to post the speed limits that 09500236.doc 36 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 236th Legislative Day 3/6/2008 they have now the authority to pass an ordinance to put into effect. I would ask for your approval."
"This is on the Order of Short Debate. Does anyone stand in response? Then the question is, 'Shall this Bill pass?' All in favor vote 'aye'; opposed 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Representative Yarbrough, do you wish to be recorded? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 104 voting 'yes', and 0 voting 'no'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. On page 12 of the Calendar, under the Order of House Bills-Third Reading, Representative Froehlich. Out of the record. Representative Lang, you have House Bill 5226. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."
"House Bill 5226, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"Representative Lang."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. House Bill 5226 simply add financial exploitation to the section of the Nursing Home Care Act requiring the responsibilities of nursing home owners to report exploitation of their residents to the Illinois Department of Public Health. I know of no opponents."
"This is on Short Debate. Does anyone stand in response? Then the question is, 'Shall this Bill pass?' All in favor vote 'aye'; opposed 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Representative Poe, do you wish 09500236.doc 37 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 236th Legislative Day 3/6/2008 to be recorded? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 104 voting 'yes', and 0 voting 'no'. And this Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Fritchey, you have House Bill 5511. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."
"House Bill 5511, a Bill for an Act concerning regulations. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"Representative Fritchey."
"Thank you, Speaker. I've been informed that the Gentleman to my left may know a little bit about this issue. So in the deference to the Body I would like to turn it over to Representative Miller to discuss the Bill. Thank you."
"Representative Miller."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. Today, I present House Bill 5511 it essentially does three (3) things and I would ask for a favorable vote. Number one, it removes the requirement or the indication that… on a prostheses that… current law indicates that you can put a Social Security number or the person's name on a denture or prostheses. We want to remove the fact that you can put the Social Security number based on identity theft. The other provisions of this Bill indicate that… that prohibits hygienists who sit on the Illinois State Board of Dentistry from participating in rulemaking or disciplinary cases involving clinical standards or clinical judgment. And the third provision in this Bill would allow that dental hygienists maintain by… and the department maintain that with the emergence of technology that their sense of 09500236.doc 38 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 236th Legislative Day 3/6/2008 education and technical standards. I'd be happy to answer any questions regarding this legislation."
"Is there any discussion? Then the question is, 'Shall this Bill pass?' All in favor vote 'aye'; oppose 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Representative Kosel. Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 101 voting 'yes', and 0 voting 'no'. And this Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. On page 11 of the Calendar, under the Order of House Bills-Third Reading, is House Bill 4574. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."
"House Bill 4574, a Bill for an Act concerning public aid. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"Representative Feigenholtz."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Bill 4574 is an initiative of health and disability advocates and AARP. Many of you remember voting on a Bill last year, House Bill 652, that addressed the issue of persons with disabilities and seniors. This amends the Public Aid Code in relation to claims against the states who are in this program. And I would be glad to answer any questions."
"This is on the Order of Short Debate. Does anyone stand in response? Then the question is, 'Shall this Bill pass?' All in favor vote 'aye'; opposed 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 104 voting 'yes', and 0 voting 'no'. And this Bill, having received a 09500236.doc 39 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 236th Legislative Day 3/6/2008 Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. On page 12 of the Calendar, under the Order of Postponed Consideration, is House Bill 796. Mr. Clerk, return that to the Order of Second Reading at the request of the Sponsor. On page 15, under the Order of Resolutions Representative Mendoza, you have House Resolution 288. Representative Mendoza, do you wish to present… No. Out of the record. Representative Davis, Monique Davis, on House Resolution 669. Representative Davis." Davis, M.: "Thank you, Mr. Chairman. House Resolution 669 is a Resolution that urges the state and local law enforcement agencies to share information. They already provide this data for the Federal Government and we're asking them to provide it for the Illinois officials once a year. It imposes absolutely no substantial additional administrative cost and it helps Illinois to qualify for federal criminal justice funds and that's what we're attempting to seek. The Resolution asks that the State will receive from local law enforcement agencies the total number of civilians killed by police officers, the race and ethnicity of the officer, the race and ethnicity and gender and age of the victim, and the method by which the victim was killed. This data is already collected and reported and, we as a state, if we require it, we can capture a grant from the Federal Government on the criminal justice issues. And I ask for your support."
Speaker Hannig: "The Lady moves for the adoption of House Resolution 669. Is there any discussion? Then all in favor of the Resolution say 'aye'; opposed 'nay'. The 09500236.doc 40 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 236th Legislative Day 3/6/2008 'ayes' have it. And the Resolution is adopted. House Joint Resolution 111, on page 14 of the Calendar. Representative Fritchey."
"Thank you, Speaker, Members of the Body. House Joint Resolution 111 is really a necessity dictated by the Illinois Constitution with the fact that the Constitutional Convention question will be on the ballot this fall. The General Assembly is required to convene a commission to prepare a objective report as to the pros or cons of a Constitutional Convention. The Constitution provides for us putting together this committee and for the composition of the committee. This is really more a procedural matter than anything else. This is not anybody taking a position on, the question of a Constitutional Convention, but simply us fulfilling our obligation under the Constitution to give voters information on the question. Thank you."
"The Gentleman moves for the adoption of the Resolution and on that question, the Gentleman from Crawford, Representative Eddy."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Indicates he'll yield."
"Representative, I have a question about the April 4 date in the Resolution. Do you feel like that, that date that's listed is something that's realistic, that's possible, if you take a look at the language of it?"
"Representative, that's an excellent question. I… I wish I had an answer as good as the question. I imagine every effort will be made to get something prepared. My personal opinion, I think that may be a tough day for us to 09500236.doc 41 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 236th Legislative Day 3/6/2008 meet. And if it is not meetable we'll do what we have to do to act accordingly."
"Thank you. The other question I have has to do with the… the exact language. Is it the intention that the exact question that would be placed on the ballot be the subject of this group?"
"Yes. That is something that is envisioned by the Resolution. And obviously, I think if you look at years past and I think you know my feelings on this, but we will try to pose that question in as judgment neutral of form as possible."
"Okay. So… so to be clear the April 4, date you agree is aggressive and may not be attainable. However, the specific goal would be that the exact language that is to be placed on the ballot would be produced via this Resolution."
"Representative, again, I've been informed by our crack staff over here that with cooperation with crack staff over there that… we believe that we can get this report done in time by April 4. There's a lot of work that will need to be done in the next month, but as you know when people down here put their minds to it we can actually get a lot of work done in a little bit of time."
"All right. Thank you very much, Representative for clearing that up."
"Thank you."
"Any further discussion? Then Representative Fritchey to close." 09500236.doc 42 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 236th Legislative Day 3/6/2008
"As I said, Ladies and Gentlemen, this is a Constitutional requirement. I simply request an 'aye' vote so that we can fulfill our obligation to the voters. Thank you."
"The question is, 'Shall the Resolution be adopted.' All in favor vote 'aye'; opposed vote 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 104 voting 'yes', and 0 voting 'no'. And the Resolution is adopted. Representative Mathias, you have House Resolution 703."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Resolution 703 urges the United States Congress to increase funding to the National Institutes of Health for research to discover a cure for food allergies to benefit individuals who have them today. And in fact, more than eleven million (11,000,000) Americans currently suffer from food allergies. The average school has ten (10) children suffering from food allergies. Common foods like peanuts, eggs, milk, and wheat can trigger life-threatening reactions and there are currently no medications to cure or control these allergies. Children with food allergies must have an EpiPen nearby to counteract the effects, which are expensive and have a limited shelf life and this is the only way to counteract life-threatening reactions. Research right now funding for research is inadequate. Scientists do believe a cure, if properly researched and funded, can be found within a decade. We're just asking for a modest increase in food allergy funding. And this 09500236.doc 43 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 236th Legislative Day 3/6/2008 will go a long way to assisting research into potential cures and treatments and I ask for your 'aye' vote."
"Is there any discussion? Then all in favor of the Gentleman's Resolution say 'aye'; opposed 'nay'. The 'ayes' have it. And the Resolution is adopted. On page 16 of the Calendar, under the Order of Resolutions. Representative Mendoza, you have House Resolution 862."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. House Resolution 862 directs the Auditor General to investigate the awarding of the statewide ten (10) year beverage vending and pouring program contract that was awarded to PepsiAmericas, Inc. The chief procurement officer in the state personnel serving with respect to this procurement activity failed to provide Coca-Cola with the documented information that the state said it would send to them. Also, Coca-Cola was not asked for it's best and final pricing. I think it's important to recognize that this is a ten (10)-year beverage vending contract and Coca- Cola feels as though the state procurement bidding process violated the spirit of the true competitive bidding. I think it's extremely important to have transparency and full transparency and certainly when we're talking about a contract of this size, make sure that it was at all times done the way it's supposed to be handled with no exceptions ever to that rule. So, the winning bid does provide this contract to all state buildings except for the Secretary of State buildings, and I would certainly ask for an 'aye' vote on this." 09500236.doc 44 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 236th Legislative Day 3/6/2008
"The Lady has moved for the adoption of the Resolution. And on that question, the Gentleman from Cook, Representative Fritchey."
"Thank you, Speaker. To the Bill. I rise in strong support of this Resolution. Ladies and Gentlemen, this is an important contract that has some very interesting and curious questions surrounding it. I believe that Auditor General Holland is the exact, right person to take a look at this. If it turns out that everything was done the way it should be then we have piece of mind and certainty that things went as they should. But there are some curious aspects to this and I think we'd all be interested to see the results of the report and I'd urge an 'aye' vote. Thank you."
"Representative Rose."
"To the Resolution. There were some, as Representative Fritchey pointed out, certainly some very curious… Whoa, yeah. Hello. To the Resolution. There were some very curious… there were some very curious, why can't…"
Speaker Hannig: "You need to clarify your thoughts, Representative."
"All right. Thank you. Thank you. Hey. All right. All right. There were some very cur… To the Resolution. There were some very curious things that occurred with the awarding of this bid. And namely one of the bidders did not have an opportunity to respond that would presumably be available to a bidder in such circumstance. Again, this doesn't overturn anything. It just asks the Auditor General to take a look at it, and if things were handled 09500236.doc 45 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 236th Legislative Day 3/6/2008 properly, sobeit, if they weren't handled properly, sobeit. So, it's a very important Resolution. I salute the Sponsor and have a nice day."
"Representative Franks."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To the Resolution. I want to echo what the prior speakers have said and I want to thank Representative Mendoza for bringing this forward. We have an obligation to make sure that the State is getting the best deal and to make sure we're getting the most income for the residents of the state and when a provider had not had a chance to make a final bid, a provider that had been doing state business for many years, it does raise some red flags. So, I encourage an 'aye' vote, so we can get to the bottom of this and to make sure that the taxpayers are getting the best deal possible."
Speaker Hannig: "Is there any further discussion? Representative Mendoza, you're recognized to close."
"Thank you. I just want to thank all the previous speakers for joining me on this Resolution and would urge the rest of the Body to do the same. Thank you, and I ask for an 'aye' vote."
"The question is, 'Shall the Resolution be adopted?' All in favor vote 'aye'; opposed 'nay'. The voting in open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Representative Schmitz. Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 104 voting 'yes', and 0 voting 'no'. And the Resolution is adopted. Representative Coulson, you're recognized on House Resolution 1001." 09500236.doc 46 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 236th Legislative Day 3/6/2008
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Resolution 1001 is a recommendation to Congress to encourage older women in Medicare to be able to have access to cervical cancer screening for the human papilloma virus and I would encourage an 'aye' vote."
"Is there any discussion? Then all in favor of the Resolution say 'aye'; opposed 'nay'. The 'ayes' have it. And the Resolution is adopted. On page 16 and 17 of the Calendar, there are a number of Motions in writing to table Bills. So, Representative Froehlich moves that House Bill 203 be tabled. Representative Black moves that House Bill 1110 be tabled, 4118 be tabled, 4155, 4270, 4739, 4740, 5185, Representative Froehlich moves be tabled. Representative Saviano moves that we table House Bill 5499. Representative Black asks that we table House Bill 5862. And Representative Krause moves to table House Bill 5929. So, you've heard those Motions. All in favor say 'aye'; opposed say 'nay'. The 'ayes' have it. The Motions are adopted. And those Bills are tabled. Representative Lyons. Joe Lyons, you're recognized for an announcement, an important announcement."
"Thank you, Speaker. Ladies and Gentlemen a very important phone call I just got. I want you to heads up now on Tuesday… All right. Kenny, you'll be there, no problem pick him up about 7-7:30. Okay. Folks just got the word it's okay, stay hungry. When you come down Tuesday, Harrington's corned beef sandwiches are on their way." 09500236.doc 47 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 236th Legislative Day 3/6/2008
Speaker Hannig: "Mr. Clerk, read any additional Committee Reports."
Clerk Mahoney: "Committee Reports. Representative Molaro, Chairperson from the Committee on Judiciary II - Criminal Law, to which the following measure/s was/were referred, action taken on March 06, 2008, reported the same back with the following recommendation/s: 'do pass Short Debate' is House Bill 5082, House Bill 5082."
"Mr. Clerk, read the Agreed Resolutions."
"On the Order of Agreed Resolutions is House Resolution 1061, offered by Representative Chapa LaVia. House Resolution 1063, offered by Representative May. House Resolution 1064, offered by Representative Howard. House Resolution 1065, offered by Representative Howard. And House Resolution 1066, offered by Representative Coulson."
"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. Representative Sullivan, for what reason do you rise?"
"I rise for a moment of personal preference. Something like that. In the sprit of Irish Week the Sullivan Caucus will be having their annual charity event at Sammy's Sports Bar at 5:30. We welcome all staff and Legislators."
"Mr. Clerk, read the Adjournment Resolution."
Clerk Mahoney: "House Joint Resolution 114, offered by Representative Currie. 09500236.doc 48 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 236th Legislative Day 3/6/2008 RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that when the two Houses adjourn on Thursday, March 06, 2008, they stand adjourned until Tuesday, March 11, 2008 at 12:00 o'clock noon."
"Representative Currie moves for the adoption of the Adjournment Resolution. All in favor say 'aye'; opposed 'nay'. The 'ayes' have it. The Adjournment Resolution is adopted. We've got one more order of business to do before we can adjourn. On page 13 of the Calendar, under the Order of concurrence, is House Bill 1058. Representative Burke."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Very briefly, House Bill 1058 I move for the concurrence of the Senate Amendment. It just changes and adds two (2) matters the forest preserve district and conservation district, just two (2) additional words. And I'd ask for the Body's favorable consideration."
"Is there any discussion? Then the question is, 'Shall the House concur in the Sen… Senate Amendment and shall this Bill pass?' All in favor vote 'aye'; opposed 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this question, there are 104 voting 'yes', and 0 voting 'no'. And the House does concur on Senate Amendment #1. And this Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Are there any announcements? Then allowing perfunctory time for the Clerk, Representative Currie moves 09500236.doc 49 STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 236th Legislative Day 3/6/2008 that the House stands adjourned until Tuesday, March 11 at the hour of 12 noon. All in favor of the Motion say 'aye'; opposed 'nay'. The 'ayes' have it. The Motion is adopted and the House stands adjourned." 09500236.doc 50