Illinois House Floor Debate — May 21, 2008

"Good morning, everyone. The Illinois House of Representatives will come to order. Members are asked to please be at their desks. We shall be led in prayer today by Reverend Ben Johnston, who is the pastor of the Grace Presbyterian Church of Peoria in Peoria, Illinois. Reverend Johnston is the guest of Reverend (sic- Representative) Schock. And again today we'll be honored, from also from Grace Presbyterian Church, Rachel Kramer will sing God Bless America. Members are asked to please silence their desktops. And Members and guests in the gallery are asked to please refrain from turning on cell phones or pagers and also rise for the invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance. Reverend Johnston."

"And from the Speaker's Gallery, we'll be led in God Bless America by Ms. Rachel Kramer."

"We'll be led in the Pledge of Allegiance by Representative Danny Reitz."

"Roll Call for Attendance. Leader Barbara Flynn Currie, Democrats."

"Thank you, Speaker. Please let the record show that Representatives Will Davis and Harry Osterman are excused today."

"Representative Michael Bost, GOP."

"Thank you Representative. Mr. Clerk, take the roll. There are 114 Members responding to the Roll Call, we have a quorum present. Representative Dan Brady."

"Dan, do you have any idea how long you will be down there, approximately?"

"Hour, hour and a half?"

"About an hour."

"Thereabouts, okay. So, we'll stand at ease to the call of the Chair."

"The House will come to order. Mr. Clerk, Rules Report."

Speaker Turner: "The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Dunkin, for what reason do you rise?"

"A point of personal privilege."

"State your point."

"Members of the Illinois House of Representatives, good morning. Today is a very distinguished honor for me to present for the very first time the wonderful sorority and fraternity, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority in our gallery to my left, and the brothers… the great brothers of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated, right here behind me as well. Welcome to Springfield."

"Welcome to Springfield."

"This is an honor and a huge privilege for someone like myself to welcome them here for the first time, because the members of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated, are one of the world's renowned organizations that do a tremendous job of culture for service and service for humanity in every aspect of the community wherever they are, as well as the Zeta Phi Betas. And just a brief history of the Zetas and the Sigma. The… I'll start with the Zetas. From the sorority's inception the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, has had a long… has demonstrated an 09500271.doc 4  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008 interest in the serving the needs of the community, spanning the sorority's nearly thirty-year partnership with the March of Dimes to its relationship with the Human Genome Project, Zeta Phi Beta has been at the forefront of anticipating the ever-changing needs of society. It is within this framework that the International Grand Basileus Barbara C. Moore, proudly introduced the International Service Initiative for Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, called Z-HOPE, Zetas Helping Other People Excel. Z-HOPE is an outreach service program that has six (6) primary objectives, corresponding measures of success and a mechanism for chapter recognition. The primary objectives are to provide culturally appropriate information activities according to the Z-HOPE program format, to foster collaborative partnerships between community organizations with shared goals, to promote the opportunities for expansion in the Stork's Nest program, to facilitate community service and mentorship opportunities for members of the organization, to provide an equitable chapter recognition program for community service (sic- services rendered) and rendered, to provide a standard reporting format to concentrate efforts and demonstrate the organization's impact. The founders of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority were women who believe in the need for a new and different type of Greek-lettered organization and acted upon that need. To these women, Zeta was more than just an organization, it was a movement, a belief system that reflected at its core value the desire to provide true service, to embrace scholarship, to set a standard for 09500271.doc 5  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008 sisterly love, and to define the noble concept of finer womanhood. This belief has sustained and encouraged Zetas around the world to hold fast to the ideals initiated and developed by its earliest members. Today, we'd like to thank the women of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority for their service to the community. On the brothers' side of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated, a speech given by Abraham McCarthy Walker, who was also a charter member of our beloved fraternity said, 'I believe in the principles of Phi Beta Sigma and I will hold… I will herald and defend it against the world.' Our motto, culture for service and service for humanity."

"Representative Dunkin. Representative Dunkin, there's a Resolution you were supposed to do. I don't know what you're reading, but we're going to ask the Clerk if he'll read that Resolution right now…"

"I'm wrappin' up, your honor."

"…and we'll adopt the Resolution and you're through. Clerk, will you read the Resolution."

"Yes, Sir."

"Finish up, Mr. Dunkin. Go ahead, finish up."

"Our motto, culture for service and service for humanity. Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity has a long history of men in service, not only in this country, but the international community as well. A. Philip Randolph, the late great Harold Washington, who served right here in this chamber. Kwame Nkrumah, the former and late president of Ghana, sports figures such as Emmitt Smith, Jerry Rice, Karl Malone, and many, many more. It's our sister 09500271.doc 6  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008 sorority, that being that we're the only fraternity and sorority that is constitutionally bound to each other and that… that royal bond would have been remiss if I would not have concluded (sic-included) the great women of Zeta Phi Beta Sigma… Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated and this great day of resolution. Just as Phi Beta Sigma has a great history of members, so goes the wonderful grace and beauty of beautiful women of Zeta Phi Beta, Zora Neale Hurston, Esther Rolle, as well as a host of other influential women that have dedicated their life to bringing justice and a voice to all people. I stand here proud to be a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated, not only to service for community but servicing all over here in the world. So with that, Ladies and Gentlemen, again, I'd like to welcome the Zetas and the Sigmas to the Capitol here for this historic and first annual visit. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, you can now read the Resolution."

"Thank you, Mr. Dunkin. Mr. Clerk."

"The Lady from Cook, Representative Howard, for what reason do you rise?"

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, I join with my legislative colleagues today in welcoming Zeta Phi Beta Sorority and Phi Beta Sigma 09500271.doc 7  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008 Fraternity to Springfield. It is wonderful to see that my fellow members of the Panhellenic Council have come to meet and discuss with us issues affecting communities across our state. My Greek brothers and sisters, may this day be a productive one for each of you. I urge you to continue working to improve the quality of life for all of us. My best wishes especially go to staff members, Kish and Kelly, to my colleague, Representative Ken Dunkin and to my constituent, Judge Carl Anthony Walker. Thank you."

"Ladies and Gentlemen, we're going to move to the order of budget. And if you would take your seats and listen attentively… Mr. Clerk, on page 29 of the Calendar, we have House Bill 6377. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"The Gentleman from Montgomery, Representative Hannig."

"Yes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If… if it would please the Chair, I would simply ask that we adopt the Amendment and then we would debate the Bill on Third Reading."

"Gary Hannig… Mr. Hannig moves for the adoption of Amendment #1 to House Bill 6377. All those in favor should say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Amendment's adopted. Further Amendments?"

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

"The Gentleman from Montgomery, Representative Hannig."

"Yes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members of the House. Let me begin by simply reminding everyone about the process that we've undertaken so far in putting together our FY09 budget. I think most of us are aware that as early as March we've had a number of regional hearings around the State of Illinois where we took our show on the road to visit various parts of the State of Illinois and seek out input as to what people wish to have in this state budget. We didn't simply ask them to come to Springfield and testify, we tried to go to them and get their input and I think we recognized that the nineteen (19) regional hearings were successful, that over forty-three hundred (4300) citizens attended, we had over twelve hundred (1200) witnesses, we had Representatives and Senators from both Parties participate. We had the normal hearings that the House of Representatives have where each and every agency came and presented their budget to the chairman and Members of the committee and all those other interested parties who wished to attend. We had the chance to ask questions, to get answers, to try to find options. We had an opportunity for advocates and opponents of proposals to come in and make their stat… their case as well. So now that time has gone and it's important for us as we face the last few weeks of this Legislative Session to begin the process of 09500271.doc 9  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008 actually crafting a budget that we can send to the Senate and on to the Governor. The approach that we're taking today in these budgets is a bit different than what we've done in the past. In the past, we often came here with one budget and one Bill that was agreed to by the House and the Senate and the Executive branch. But this is a different approach today, which reflects the views from the Members of the appropriation committee, the Members of this House chamber, and the members of people and groups who gave us input in this budget. The first budget that we're going to debate is what I would call frontline services budget, and this is the budget to pay for the salaries of those people who answer the phone, who send out the mail, who process the paperwork. These are people who are not in management, but these are the people that show up every day and do the work. It also includes a portion of the expenses that are necessary to keep these agencies open. It includes the rent, the utilities, some of the travel, those kind of items. So, in fact, if you take this operational budget and the next one that follows for management people, you'll have essentially put together… So, I understand that we have an important guest and so, Mr. Speaker, could I take this out of the record for a moment and we'll resume shortly."

"The Gentleman asks leave to take the Bill out of the record and the Bill will be taken out. Mr. Speaker in the Chair."

Speaker Madigan: "Ladies and Gentlemen, if everyone could please take their seat, if the staff would retire to the 09500271.doc 10  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008 rear of the chamber. If everyone could please take their seats. We have a special guest today. We're very pleased today to greet the Consul General from Mexico to Chicago and to the Midwest region. We are all aware of the increasingly… the increasing relationship between not only the State of Illinois and Mexico, but the entire United States of America and Mexico. This has been reflected in the NAFTA agreement. It's been reflected in relationship between the countries regarding fighting the drug trafficking. In addition, the countries are working together concerning immigration and documentation of those living both here and in Mexico. Manuel Rodriguez Arriaga has recently been appointed as the consul from the Government of Mexico, stationed in Chicago. He's relatively new to this area, but he has a long history in the Mexican foreign service, serving in various locations all across the world and in Mexico City. He's come here today to offer remarks concerning the current relationship and the relationship into the future between the government of Mexico, the country of Mexico and the State of Illinois. So, it is my pleasure to give you Manuel Rodriguez Arriaga."

"The consul general will be down in the well for a short time for those that may wish to visit with him before he leaves the Capitol Building. Mr. Turner in the Chair."

"Representative Moffitt, for what reason do you rise?"

"State your point."

"Welcome back, Eddie. Mr. Clerk, read House Bill 6377."

"The Gentleman from Montgomery, Representative Hannig to continue."

"Yes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members of the House. Just to briefly reiterate. We started the process back in March with hearings around the state. We've had appropriation hearings here in Springfield, where the agencies have had an opportunity to testify and we've had hearings here where advocates and opponents of proposals had an opportunity to testify, as well. In the past, I often presented a budget that was agreed to by the Legislative branch and the Executive branch. This is a different approach. This is an approach that we here in the House of Representatives are taking, because we believe it's time that we move forward with the budget process. We believe that what happened last year, when we stayed 'til the middle of August and went on, and on, and on, served no purpose. We believe that it's important that we get this budget done on time and we're prepared today to move forward. So, we put together this budget in several components. This Bill, along with the companion Bill that will follow, will deal with the operations of State Government. This particular Bill will deal with the operations that we would associate with those individuals who are not in management roles and the expenses associated with running the agencies, as well. The next budget will deal with the management personnel and the operations of the agency as well, and the third component of this budget will be a series of Bills that will deal with the grants that State Government make. Those items where we send 09500271.doc 18  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008 money out the door to schools or nursing homes or other providers to do work that we authorize them to do and reimburse them to do. So, this is what I would call the day-to-day operations of State Government. This runs across all the budget lines, except for higher education which will be handled in a separate budget. The total for this budget as amended, this budget as amended is six billion, seven hundred and twenty-seven million, four hundred and fifty-four thousand, two hundred and forty-two dollars ($6,727,454,242) in GRF and fourteen billion, six hundred and seventy-three million, six hundred and fifty- one thousand, nine hundred and sixteen dollars ($14,673,651,916) in all funds. This is an important part of keeping the doors open in State Government. I think most of us who've gone to appropriation hearings and looked at the Governor's proposed budget will not see anything in here that's new or unusual or surprising. It's really the nuts and bolts of what we need to do to keep State Government operating. So, Mr. Speaker, I'd… I'd ask for a 'yes' vote and I'd be happy to answer any questions."

Speaker Turner: "The Gentleman from Lake, Representative Beaubien, for what reason do you rise?"

"Indicates he will."

"I think you're in the ballpark. I certainly wouldn't dispute it, Representative."

"I think that we would agree and I hope that you would agree that about 1.2 to 1.3 would be the number of increased revenue that would be available. That would include the sale of the tenth license, the impact of the loophole closures that we passed last year and is now law, the integrated tax program that the Department of Revenue believes will generate forty-seven million (47,000,000), and then the Federal Economic Stimulus Package are the components that I would put on the table. We also know that there were Member initiatives that were in the budget last year that were not in there this year. So there will be some additional room in that respect."

"Representative, we're really not addressing any shortfall in '08. We're just looking at an '09 budget as we move forward."

"Well, Representative, we passed…"

"Yeah. So, we passed a budget last year and I don't think that the Governor ever said that it was out of balance. Now, some would acknowledge, including myself, that the economy nationwide has slowed down. The times are tougher and that perhaps some of those budget assumptions will not be met, but we haven't really even closed out this fiscal year. We're still in May. So, it's not totally possible to say, you know, whether or not we'll meet those revenue assumptions."

"Well, I think that when we talk about higher ed that certainly we can… we can give you that number. I don't 09500271.doc 21  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008 have it in front of me at this moment. This particular Bill and GRF comes to about 6.7 billion (6,700,000,000), if… if that's the question."

"I think there'll be an opportunity in some later Amendments. This… this… If you're talking about the general budget, the overall budget and not just this Bill, I think there'll be an opportunity to vote on increasing some Medicaid lines, but that would…"

"Yes. And… and I'm certainly willing to answer questions on… on the broad… the broad budget questions. This… this one (1) will deal with the day-to-day budgets. The next budget will deal with the… what we would call management budgets and those two (2) together, I would say are generally the… the nuts and bolts, the day-to-day operations of keeping the doors open here in the State of Illinois, with the exception of higher ed, which will be in the third budget and stand alone. And then we'll have some others after that."

"It's down the list a little bit, Representative."

"There is… there's a budget that will deal with that, but not in… not in this one."

"Well, this is a spending Bill, so it doesn't authorize any sweeps, but… The answer is that we don't anticipate any sweeps. We certainly have always said we're open to the idea of working with your side of the aisle and the Senate and the Governor to look at reasonable sweeps for reasonable purposes, but there's nothing assumed in this budget."

"This is… this is only the operations. It doesn't deal with grants."

"There'll be some opportunities, I think, as we go forward to deal with some grants that some would argue and will argue help address… will address that shortfall."

"Yeah. This… this budget… these two (2) budgets, these first two (2), these operational budgets are relatively flat. There may be some minor increases in a place here or there. We certainly have to annualize the AFSCME contract and I think you alluded to that. I don't know if it's a hundred million (100,000,000), but certainly it adds up to something. And I think we'd also concede on the front end, Representative, that it's not possible for us to put any kind of number in here for the ongoing negotiations between AFSCME and the Governor's Office. We are not a party to that in the Legislative branch. Typically, when those two (2) come to an agreement, they come to us with a number, and if it's a reasonable number we'll do a supplemental to insure that all state employees are paid at the rate that is agreed to."

Speaker Turner: "The Gentleman from Kane, Representative Schmitz, for what reason do you rise?"

"Indicates he will."

"There is… there's not an agreement between anyone at this time, Representative. This is simply an effort by the House of Representatives to move the budget process along. We believe that… that these budgets make sense, that they address the needs of the citizens, and we'd like to move them to the Senate. It's a little bit like what we do with almost every other Bill in this chamber. We introduce it. We debate it. We pass it. What happens in the Senate, we're not sure of. We hope for the best. We encourage our colleagues over there to move those Bills. Sometimes they do and sometimes they don't and sometimes they change our product."

"Well, Representative, this is our work product. We are obligated as Legislators to pass a budget. If we could bring the Senator… the Senators on-board with that and the Governor on-board with that, I think that's a good thing to do. I prefer, in spite of the criticism that I often get, when I present a budget that's agreed to by the Executive 09500271.doc 25  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008 branch and the Legislative branch, I prefer that, but that's not the only way to do a budget. And… in the early days when I came to Springfield, this is how we always did the budget and it seemed to work pretty well and sometimes I hear people on both sides of the aisle yearn for those old days when we could vote on all the Bills and today we're going to get a chance."

"Well, Representative, it's… it isn't up to the Leaders to necessarily pass a budget. That's simply one approach, and it has its critics. But another approach is that we, 09500271.doc 26  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008 as Members of this House with the Appropriation Committees, are empowered and I would argue obligated to pass a budget. Now, that's our obligation, to pass a budget before the end of May. Now, we can sit around this chamber like we did last year until August, waiting for the Leaders to come to an agreement and in the end they did not bring in the Governor. We had… we had a budget that only took in the Legislative branch and the Governor vetoed some of those items and held some of that money. But the point is there's a lot of ways that you can construct a budget, we think it's time to move forward with a budget and that's why we're here today."

"If the Members could please bring down the noise level, it may make future questions not necessary. So, if we could just have a little quiet. Proceed."

"Certainly."

"Well, Representative, I think what you said is… is correct. We're going to send a budget over to the Senate for their consideration. It's a House Bill. They'll have an opportunity to amend it. We would hope they could pass it without Amendments. But they'll send some Bills over here and we'll take a look at them. We've said publicly that if they send us Bills on a timely basis that are reasonable, that we would consider them. So, you know, that's all I think you can ask for from the other chamber, that they give you a reasonable opportunity to present your Bill and make your case and if it's a good case, that they pass the Bill."

"Well, Representative, if you would help us pass all these Bills, it would make the Senate's life easier and we could avoid any potential problem that you might see."

"It'll help… it'll help avoid a potential problem that you spelled out, Representative."

"We… we tried to construct a budget that would stand on its own by itself, but also in conjunction with the rest of the budget. So, for example, these first two (2) budgets deal with operations, across all lines. If we pass them we know we can keep the doors open on State Government and then we're going to look at grants. So, then you have the various grants and there's going to be some opportunities for level granting… grant or higher grants. And this chamber can decide. Perhaps we'll send them both to the Senate, give them an opportunity to pick. But this is what we get elected to do, make choices."

"I'm sorry, I didn't hear the last part of the question."

"Well, Representative, I think our choices are we can do nothing and then we can become part of the train wreck that we went through last year and we can wait for, you know, lightning to strike and a budget to appear…" 09500271.doc 30  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008

"Mr. Smith (sic-Schmitz), bring your remarks to a close. Continue Gary, but bring your remarks to a close."

"Well, I would just simply point out that in a discussion that I had with the Speaker, a few days ago, he advised me that… that prior to the 1990s that his involvement as the Leader of our caucus in a budget was zero. That the budgeteers hammered it out, the chairman hammered it out, the committees hammered it out, and that's what we're trying to do here. We don't have to have the Leaders come to us and say that, you know, we… we reached an agreement. We can do it ourself and that's what this budget's about."

"The Gentleman from Crawford, Representative Eddy, for what reason do you rise?"

"Indicates he will."

"That's correct."

"I'm sorry, repeat the…"

"For front-line operations."

"Right. And then they be a third… a series of third…"

"…budgets for grants." 09500271.doc 32  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008

"Yes. That's correct."

"That's correct."

"Yeah. That's gen… essentially correct."

"Representative, we… we've tried to listen to the agencies and where they could make a case, we would occasionally put some additional head count in, but, you know, thi… the numbers that we're looking at are not 09500271.doc 33  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008 significantly higher than last year for these budgets. The operations are essentially along a flat line."

"Right."

"So, I would just say that with… with education funding we know that the State Board of Education, the headcounts are below where they were in the 1970s, we would simply say that they made a compelling case that we need to increase those headcounts."

"Seeing no further questions, Representative Hannig to close."

"Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members of the House. I would just remind people what we saw last year, when we were here 'til the middle of May and we were unable to come to any agreements between the four (4) Leaders and the Governor. We ultimately passed a budget that was all legislative in content. So, that certainly was a difference from what we had done in the past and this is a difference from what we've done in the recent past, but I've been here long enough to tell you that this is not so different from what we used to do back in the 1980s under Governor Edgar. So, folks, this is a beginning of a budget process. This particular budget helps us fund those day- to-day operations of State Government. It helps keep the doors open, it ensures that on July 1, there'll be money to make payroll, to pay the rent, to pay the utilities, to pay the postage, so that people who have to travel out into the State of Illinois and serve clients will have some money to do that. It's an important part of government and I'd ask for your 'yes' vote."

"Seeing no further questions, the question is, 'Shall the House pass House Bill 6377?' All those in favor should vote 'aye'; all those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is now open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? The Clerk shall take the record. On this question, there's 63 voting 'aye', 51 voting 'no', 0 'presents'. And 09500271.doc 35  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008 this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. On page 29 of the Calendar, we have House Bill 6378. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"The Gentleman from Montgomery, Representative Hannig."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. With the indulgence of the Body, I would ask that we adopt Amendments 1 and 3 and then we could debate the Bill on Third, so…"

"Representative Hannig moves for the adoption of Floor Amendments 1 and 3 to House Bill 6378. All those in favor should say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair is the 'ayes' have it. And both Amendments are adopted. Further Amendments, Mr. Clerk?"

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

"The Gentleman from Montgomery, Representative Hannig."

"Yes. So, could we clarify with the Clerk, Mr. Speaker, as to what Amendments were adopted?"

"Mr. Clerk, we want a clarification in terms of what Amendments were adopted." 09500271.doc 36  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008

"Okay. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is the companion Bill to the first Bill that we passed. This is what I would call the management side of the equation. This is to fund the people who work in merit comp or work in other management kind of positions. It's to fund the amounts of money that we need to pay the rent, to pay the postage, to pay the operations of State Government for those individuals who we would generally say are in management but are certainly an important part of the overall positions in State Government. This budget is one billion, forty-three million, four hundred and ninety-three thousand, nine hundred eighty-six dollars ($1,043,493,986) in GRF. Two billion, two hundred seventy million, four hundred and eighty-four thousand, six hundred and ninety- six dollars ($2,270,484,696) in all funds. So, I would be happy to answer any questions and I'd ask for your 'yes' vote."

"Seeing no questions, the question is, 'Shall the House pass House Bill 6378?' All those in favor should vote 'aye'; all those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is now open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? McCarthy? The Clerk shall take the record. On this question, there are 63 voting 'aye', 51 voting 'no', 0 'presents'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Mr. Clerk, we have House Bill 6488. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk." 09500271.doc 37  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008

Speaker Turner: "The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Miller."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to withdraw Amendment #1."

"The Gentleman asks leave to withdraw Floor Amendment #1. All those in favor say 'aye'; those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And Amendment #1 is withdrawn. Mr. Clerk, further Amendments?"

"The Gentleman from Cook… I mean, the Gentleman from Montgomery, Representative Hannig, on Floor Amendment #2."

"Yes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again, I'd ask the indulgence of the Body to adopt the Amendment, which is an agreement that Representative Miller worked out in the education… Higher Education Committee. And then I'd ask for the Gentleman to present the Bill."

"Representative Hannig moves for the adoption of Floor Amendment #2 to House Bill 6488. All those in favor say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. Floor Amendment #2 is adopted. Further Amendments, Mr. Clerk?" 09500271.doc 38  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008

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

Speaker Turner: "The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Miller, on House Bill 6488."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Ladies and Gentlemen of the House, today I want to present House Bill 6488. It is the FY09 budget for higher education. Before I sort of present the budget I want to just comment on how we approached this budget in our committee. A few years ago when I became committee chairman, I realized and actually the committee realized, both sides of the aisle realized the fact that when the universities testified in front of us it really didn’t reflect their need of their particular university or particular school. What he did was present what the administration had offered in terms of what they needed. So it didn't really reflect their true needs. And that the Board of Higher Education just really reflected what the administration wanted versus what the universities needed. Since that time, we have talked to the universities to say, look, we're here to advocate on behalf of you in a bipartisan effort. All of us want to make sure that we have some of the finest universities in the State of Illinois but also some of the affordable universities in the state of… in the whole country. And so with that, the Board of Higher Education came back with a different plan, a level plan of different levels, that we said to them, if you want more money from the State of Illinois basically, 09500271.doc 39  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008 what are you going to do with it? How are you going to spend the money and what is the plan for higher education in the state, particularly since this administration has given them flat line levels of… of funding over the past few years. With that the Board of Education came back with a step… a five-step plan. Step one was a flat level plan. Step two was a 2… a 1 percent increase, totaling about 12.9 million dollars ($12,900,000). Step three was a 2.8 percent increase, totaling 35.7 million dollars ($35,700,000). Step four was a 5 percent increase, 64.5 million dollars ($64,500,000). And step five was… 5.5 percent increase with a 71 percent… with a seventy-one million dollar ($71,000,000) increase. And so, through our discussions we had initiatives, too, in a bipartisan effort in the committee. There were issues of trying to match and gain federal matching dollars which is needed and only makes good public policy and good sense. There was issues from the committee that we wanted to try to diversify the bodies of the faculty of the university system. There was issues concerning… trying to make sure that a pipeline program was created to increase the graduation rates, from not just only children from the City of Chicago but children from all across the state, because truly if we're going to try to be competitive in a global market we have to make sure our higher education institutions are able to equip these students. And so with that and trying to be responsible and trying to work with Members on both sides of the aisle, we chose something at step level three (3). We had another series of hearings saying that to the 09500271.doc 40  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008 university system these are our desires as a committee what we want. The Board of Higher Education has laid out a step level funding and how can we collectively come together to try to deal with the needs and be responsible to… to the children of the State of Illinois. So they were informed. Everybody was informed that we would come in at step level three (3), which is 2.8 percent level funding. Now, we have one of the finest community colleges systems in the country because the community college is the bastion of those children who are not going to attend a four-year education system and try to make sure that they have an opportunity to succeed, too. With that, we offered a 3 percent increase to our community college system. And so with that said, that is the methodology in which we approached the higher education budget. And I'm very proud of that. I'm very, very proud of that overall. With a 2.8 percent increase to the universities, universities will receive thirty-seven million, six hundred and seven thousand, five hundred and seventy-five (37,607,575). Delineated, each university will get based on that percentage. In addition, there are other programs that were added. MAP funding was overwhelmingly supported by Members of our committee. That helps the most vulnerable population that was cut by this administration. We added and restored five million dollars ($5,000,000) in MAP funding, excuse me, of Student Success funding back into… back into this budget. We offered the Health Science Education grant of four million dollars ($4,000,000). Once again, that was an initiative brought to our committee. 09500271.doc 41  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008 MAP funding which helps every child in the State of Illinois and particularly those who are most vulnerable. Eighteen million dollars ($18,000,000), we can get the best bang for the buck. And something I'm very proud of is 9.5 million dollars ($9,500,000) of federal matching funds. By every dollar that we invest into this, we receive twelve dollars ($12) back. It only makes good sense and it's good public policy. So overall, the university system will receive thirty-seven million, (37,000,000)… Excuse me. Overall the universities will receive forty-six million, eight hundred and eleven thousand, six hundred seventy-five dollars ($46,811,675). The community college system will receive approximately 10.7 million dollars ($10,700,000) and the additional add-ons, excuse me, and that total will be ninety-seven million, three hundred sixty-nine thousand, two hundred dollars ($97,369,200). This I believe helps every child in the State of Illinois. It provides a sense of direction where we want to go as a state for higher education and I would ask for support for this Bill."

"The Gentleman from McDonough, Representative Myers, for what reason do you rise?"

"To the Bill."

Speaker Turner: "The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Patterson, for what reason do you rise?"

"Will the Sponsor yield? I have a question."

"He indicates he will."

"Committee Chair Miller, I was wondering if any of that 2.4 million (2,400,000) for various programs would go toward apprenticeship-type training?"

"I'm not clear… excuse me. I'm not clear on what apprentice… apprenticeship-type, excuse me, type training…"

"Any kind of apprenticeship training. Vocational- type training."

"Well, at this point, there's nothing been designated in terms of a specific program in terms of apprenticeship- type training. However, with the increase, the universities have some flexibility to create, promote, continue any program that they've established. Part of what we've tried to do is to make sure that sectors from all different walks, whether it's through the community college system or through the four-year universities, have some type of training program."

"Okay. Thank you."

"Representative Miller to close."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. I just want to comment on the… on where we are in terms of higher education. As Representative Myers had mentioned, the introductory budget was flat for higher education in the universities and that's what they 09500271.doc 45  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008 presented as… as what they wanted. Now, we certainly could pass that and it, to me, is unrealistic and in terms of that's not what they really need. And what happens is, just so everyone understands, when we don't put our state coffers into higher education, then it becomes a tax on our kids who attend the schools. Tuition goes up, fees goes up, that's just the way it is and that's just reality. As far as guarantees are concerned, the Governor has proposed to hold back one-twelfth of payments already. And that's what we have now. So I can't argue what the Governor will or will not do. Whether the hundred million (100,000,000) will stay in. Will the Senate stay in, as arguments that Representative Hannig had made earlier. I don't know. But I think if anything we're trying to do is make sure that our children are educated in a global market and our children have… are still able to attend some of the finest universities and also that the university systems are economic engines in our… in certain communities, but our children all go to these universities. This only makes sense. We talk about investments in the future. We talk about trying to do the right thing. We try to talk about good public policy. This is good public policy. It was wisely crafted and supporting this is… is having higher education, your state university, your community college going to the right direction. By not supporting this you are in an argument of what's going to happen. At some point, when somebody is already said that we deserve level flat line funding, you're already at a disadvantage. By not supporting this, you're saying we're going to increase 09500271.doc 46  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008 that disadvantage more. This only makes sense. This was done in a bipartisan way with support and hopefully… hopefully support and input from parties on both side of the… sides of the aisle. I would ask Members for a favorable vote."

"Seeing no further questions, the question is, 'Shall the House pass House Bill 6488?' All those in favor should vote 'aye'; all those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is now open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? The Clerk shall take the record. On this question, there are 63 voting 'aye', 50 voting 'no', 1 'present'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. On House Bill 6455. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Representative Hannig moves for the adoption of Floor Amendment #1. All those in favor should say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Amendment is adopted. Further Amendments?"

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

"The Gentleman from Montgomery, Representative Hannig."

"Yes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members of the House. This begins the portion of the budget that deals with grants. And in House Bill 6555 (sic-6455) these grant levels are essentially flat and they're for the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Employment Security, Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Commerce Commission, Military Affairs, and Labor. The total amount of GRF appropriated by this Bill is thirty-six million, three hundred and eighty-one thousand, four hundred dollars ($36,381,400) and six hundred and ninety-eight million, ninety thousand, five hundred and twenty dollars ($698,090,520) from all funds. So, this is a number of grants for these agencies that are essentially at a flat level compared to last year. I'd be happy to answer any questions and I ask for your 'yes' vote."

"Seeing no questions, the question is, 'Shall the House pass House Bill 6455?' All those in favor should vote 'aye'; all those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is now open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Clerk, shall take the record. On this question, there are 63 voting 'aye', 5… 51 voting 'no', 0 'presents'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Mr. Clerk, we have House Bill 6421. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Representative Hannig moves for the adoption of Floor Amendment #1. All those in favor say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair is the 'ayes' have it. And Floor Amendment #1 is adopted. Further Amendments, Mr. Clerk?"

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

"The Gentleman from Montgomery, Representative Hannig."

"Yes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members of the House. This Bill addresses grants for the same agencies. The Financial and Professional Regulation, Employment Security, Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Commerce Commission, Military Affairs and Labor, but it has some increases and so the total that we would appropriate in this budget is forty-eight million, one hundred and seventy-one thousand, nine hundred (48,171,900) in GRF and seven hundred ninety- two million, seven hundred eighty-six thousand, and fifty- three dollars ($792,786,053) in all funds. The appropriation committees met. They've heard testimony. In some cases they've told groups that they would try to accommodate their needs and in other cases not, that they could not. But this is the product that this committee wished us to adopt on this House Floor and send to the 09500271.doc 49  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008 Senate. So, I'd be happy to answer any questions and I'd ask for your 'yes' vote."

Speaker Turner: "The Gentleman from Kane, Representative Schmitz, for what reason do you rise?"

"Indicates he will."

"That's… this is the total, Representative. I think the… the previous budget, which were the same agencies at the flat level, was thirty-six million (36,000,000) and some change and this one is forty-eight million (48,000,000) and some change. So, if you do the math there's an extra twelve million (12,000,000)."

"That's correct."

"Yeah, I'll read them again. The Financial and Professional Regulation, Employment Security, Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Commerce Commission, Military Affairs and the Department of Labor."

"The Gentleman from Crawford, Representative Eddy, for what reason do you rise? Seeing no further questions, the question is, 'Shall the House pass House Bill 6421?' All those in favor should vote 'aye'; all those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is now open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? The Clerk shall take the record. On this question, there's 61 voting 'aye', 53 voting 'no', 0 'presents'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Mr. Clerk, we have House Bill 6433. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Representative Hannig moves for the adoption of Floor Amendment #2. All those in favor say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And Floor Amendment #2 is adopted. Further Amendments?"

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

"The Gentleman from Montgomery, Representative Hannig." 09500271.doc 51  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008

"Yes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members of the House. These are the flat grants. Or that is, these are grants that are essentially at the same level as the '08 budget for the Department of Natural Resources, the Department of Agriculture, the Environmental Protection Agency, Emergency Management, and the Historic Preservation. The total GRF is twenty-three million, four hundred and seventy-six thousand, eight hundred (23,476,800), the total in all funds is two hundred and thirty-nine million, seven hundred and fifty dollars ($239,000,750). Sorry, two hundred and thirty-nine million, seven hundred and fifty thousand, four hundred and seventy-eight dollars ($239,750,478). And so that's the grants for these agencies. I'd be happy to answer any questions."

Speaker Turner: "The Gentleman from Jasper, Representative Reis, for what reason do you rise?"

"Indicates he will."

"So, there are a couple of reapprops that are… that are significant in number. There's urban fishing program, the federal grant for resources, conservation workshop, the reclamation of surface-mined lands, U.S. Geology Survey, National Flood Insurance Program, and the flood plain map modernization. Those are the ones that…" 09500271.doc 52  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008

"It's essentially the same amount, Representative, under this proposal."

"Well, Representative, we've assumed for purposes of revenue that none of the proposals that the Governor has given us in Agriculture and Natural Resources become law. So, we… we made it clear, that if it required a vote of this Legislature, it wasn't going to happen."

"Well, Representative, this is… this is an appropriation Bill and we couldn't increase fees in this Bill. But to answer your question, it's not the intention of… it's not my intention to increase any of those fees. And I've tried to speak clearly on behalf of my caucus that we're opposed to them."

"No. It's… it's in here, as well, Representative." 09500271.doc 53  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008

"It's essentially the same, as well, Representative, in this particular proposal."

"Well, Representative, I think one of the things that…"

"Representative, if there's a way we can avoid it I'd be happy to work with you to do that. I think what we have to recognize is that in the checks and balances that exist in the Constitution, the Governor has the right to veto items and the Governor has the right not to spend items, unless they're driven out the door by some kind of formula. So, the budget only acts as an upward break on what the Governor can spend. He can't spend more than we authorize, but he often can spend less."

Speaker Turner: "The Gentleman from Kane, Representative Schmitz, for what reason do you rise?"

"Indicates he will."

"Yes. That's correct." 09500271.doc 54  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008

"Essentially, no additional new money."

"From Crawford, Representative Eddy, for what reason do you rise?"

"Indicates he will."

"Virtually?"

"Is that better?"

"Well, we… we do include reapprops, Representative and… and, you know, so what I'm trying to say I guess, is that it's… it's… the purpose of this Amendment to be as close as we can to last year's level. It may disagree by some small amount, so that's why it's not always an exact…"

"Correct."

"Yes."

"So, I'm advised that the answer to your question is 'yes'. That they're all at least at last year's level."

"That would be correct."

"But we tried very hard in this particular budget to be even with last year."

"Seeing no further questions, the question is, 'Shall the House pass House Bill 6433?' All those in favor should vote 'aye'; all those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is now open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? The Clerk shall take the record. On this question, there are 63 voting 'aye', 51 voting 'no', 0 'presents'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Mr. Clerk, Rules Report."

"Mr. Clerk, we have House Bill 6415. Read the Bill."

"Representative Hannig moves for the adoption of Floor Amendment #2 to House Bill 6415. All those in favor should say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Amendment's adopted. Further Amendments?"

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

"The Gentleman from Montgomery, Representative Hannig."

"Yes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members of the House. This Bill would appropriate grants for the same agencies as the previous Bill: Natural Resources, Agriculture, EPA, Emergency Management, and Historic Preservation, but at a higher level. This Bill would appropriate a total of thirty-five million, one hundred and fifty-four thousand, five hundred dollars ($35,154,500) in GRF and two hundred sixty-three million, five hundred and six thousand, five 09500271.doc 57  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008 hundred (263,506,500) from all funds. This is after the agency… this is after the appropriations committee took hearings… had hearings, took testimony, they made a determination as to what they thought was reasonable for these budgets and this is the product of that decision. And so I'd be happy to answer any questions and I'd ask for your 'yes' vote."

"The Gentleman from Crawford, Representative Eddy, what do… for what reason do you rise?"

"Indicates he will."

"Yes. It's… this is thirty-five one (35.1) and the previous one was twenty-three four (23.4)."

"About twelve (12). Yeah."

"About twelve (12). Yes. In round numbers."

"In the Natural Resources would be up by five million (5,000,000). Historic Preservation by a little under five million (5,000,000). And Agriculture by almost two million (2,000,000). So, that's roughly your twelve million (12,000,000)."

"That's correct." 09500271.doc 58  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008

"That's correct. Yes."

"Seeing no further questions, the question is, 'Shall the House pass House Bill 6415?' All those in favor should vote 'aye'; all those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is now open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? The Clerk shall take the record. On this question, there are 60 voting 'aye', 54 voting 'no', 0 'presents'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Mr. Clerk, we have House Bill 6566. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Representative Hannig moves for the adoption of Floor Amendment #1. All those in favor say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And Floor Amendment #1 is adopted. Further Amendments?"

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

"The Gentleman from Montgomery, Representative Hannig."

"Yes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members of the House. Again, these are grants that are as close as we could appropriate to the 2008 budget level. It's for the Attorney General's Office, for the Department of Corrections, Juvenile Justice, Fire Marshal, State Police, Criminal Justice Information Authority, and Violence Protection. The total in GRF is nineteen million, two hundred thirty-seven thousand, one hundred dollars ($19,237,100) and the total from all funds is one hundred and twelve million, seven hundred and twenty-four thousand, four hundred dollars ($112,724,400). So, I'd be happy to answer any questions and I'd ask for your 'yes' vote."

Speaker Turner: "The Gentleman from Kane, Representative Schmitz, for what reason do you rise?"

"Indicates he will."

"No. This is… this is the grants. So, these would… these would not deal with those operations, but I think I tried to make clear in the opening… in my opening that if and when the AFSCME union settles with the Governor that, as we have in the past, we will honor that contract and we will make adjustments in the budget."

"The next one will be the same agencies at a higher level."

"Seeing no further questions, the question is, 'Shall the House pass House Bill 6566?' All those in favor vote 'aye'; all those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is now open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? The Clerk shall take the record. On this question, there's 63 voting 'aye', 51 voting 'no', 0 'presents'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. The Gentleman from DuPage, Representative Biggins, for what reason do you rise?"

"We'll have them check it out."

"Mr. Biggins, there are… there's a way we can correct it immediately if you want to vote oral, we can take your oral vote while your switch isn't working. The Gentleman from Lake, Representative Sullivan, for what reason do you rise?"

"The same offer to you. We will take oral verified Roll Call if you'd like to, you know, vote 'green'. No. The Gentleman from McHenry, Representative Franks, for what reason do you rise?"

"My learned colleague, Mr. Biggins, I didn't have a 'green' switch for my first six (6) years here. It's really overrated. You don't need it. It's okay."

"Okay. Back to work. Mr. Clerk, we have House Bill 6565. Read the Bill."

"And Representative Hannig moves that the House adopt Floor Amendment #1. All those in favor say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And Floor Amendment #1 is adopted. Further Amendments?"

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

"The Gentleman from Montgomery, Representative Hannig."

"Yes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members of the House. This proposal would deal with the same agencies that we just mentioned in the previous Bill: the Attorney General's Office, the Department of Corrections, Juvenile Justice, Fire Marshal, State Police, Criminal Justice Information 09500271.doc 62  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008 Authority, and Violence Protection. It would appropriate a higher dollar amount as determined by the appropriation committee after they've heard testimony from agencies and from advocates, as well. The total amount that would be appropriated under this proposal would be forty-one million, five hundred and seventy-two thousand, one hundred dollars ($41,572,100) in GRF and one hundred and thirty- five million, fifty-nine thousand, four hundred dollars ($135,059,400) from all funds. I'd be happy to answer any questions and I'd ask for your 'yes' vote."

Speaker Turner: "The Gentleman from DuPage, Representative Biggins, for what reason do you rise?"

Speaker Turner: "Na… Na… The Gentleman from Crawford, Representative Eddy, for what reason do you rise."

"Indicates he will."

"Actually I… I would say more like twenty-two (22,000,000). Perhaps your abacus is missing a bead there but…"

"It was a trick question, wasn't it?"

"Yes, Sir."

"Yeah. This is just about the grants. So that isn't exactly the right place to ask the question, but to answer it, the answer is yes, you're correct."

Speaker Turner: "The Gentleman from Kane, Representative Schmitz, for what reason do you rise?"

"Indicates he will."

"Well, it went from…"

"I had from 19.2 to 41.5 which to me is, and just without my calculator, is around 22."

"I'm sorry. Which one did you wish? The community…"

"All right. So, I've been advised that this is a statewide program for forty (40) statewide community-based reentry programs to deal with… to help people who are coming out of the penitentiary deal with the transition into the… into the real world."

"It's new; that's correct."

"Yes. So… so, for example, in this item, in these grants, that the previous budget we passed for these items were rough… roughly baseline. That is, if you mean 09500271.doc 65  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008 baseline to mean at last year's level and then this is an approach that the committee would suggest would be higher. And I think we've tried to make that clear."

"I think it was not in the '08 final budget because it got that magic Veto pen."

"Yeah."

"Yes, that's correct."

"On the grants… on the grants we're going to have approach of what is relatively flat and then what is… what committee Members feel is more appropriate."

"Well, Representative, we're open to suggestions, if you would like to share some thoughts with us."

"So, Representative, these are… Yes. These are spending Bills and these are multiple approaches. I think we're trying to move them to the Senate so that they have some options. Obviously, the end game is that we have to have a balanced budget, but I think in the beginning as we work through this, the Senate may propose any number of alternatives that makes the numbers work or in the final analysis, the Governor does have an obligation to make the balance… to make the budget balance through his Veto pen. But what we're trying to do at this part of the… of the budget negotiations or the budget debate is to simply provide some options to the Senate."

"Well, Representative, yeah, the Senate, I'm… I'm advised that the Senate is looking at a number ways to find additional revenue through pension obligation bonds. Perhaps, they're interested in some things, as well, that they haven't shared with us, but it's certainly possible that they might." 09500271.doc 67  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008

"It seemed like a good idea to me. We'll provide them with some help on how to spend it."

"Seeing no further questions, the question is, 'Shall the House pass House Bill 6565?' All those in favor should vote 'aye'; all those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is now open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? The Clerk shall take the roll. On this question, there's 60 voting 'aye', 54 voting 'no', 0 'presents'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. We have House Bill 6361. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Representative Hannig moves for the adoption of Floor Amendment #1. All those in favor say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Amendment's adopted. Further Amendments?"

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

"The Gentleman from Montgomery, Representative Hannig."

"Yes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members of the House. This proposal would appropriate moneys for the Comptroller, the Court of Claims, the Department of Revenue, the Secretary of State, State Board of Elections, the Supreme Court, the State Treasurer, the Law Enforcement Training Standards Board, the Department of Transportation, the Arts Council, and the Appellate Prosecutor. These would be the grants that these agencies make roughly at the same level as last year. So, I'd be happy to answer any questions and I'd ask for your 'yes' vote."

Speaker Turner: "The Gentleman from Kane, Representative Schmitz, for what reason do you rise?"

"Indicates he will."

"I'm sorry. I couldn't hear your question."

"No, it does not, Representative."

"Yes, that's correct."

Speaker Turner: "The Gentleman from Jasper, Representative Reis, for what reason do you rise?"

"Reis." 09500271.doc 69  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008

"Indicates he will."

"Yes. That's correct."

"Well, Representative, I think there's… first of all, there's a continuing approp. I understand that… that's associated with that, but this was a flat budget. So, I mean, for the most part, we tried to look at grants and hold them flat in this proposal. Now, there'll be some increases in the next item that I… that I speak of but…"

"Well, Representative, in this proposal the RTA and CTA grants are flat as well, but the advantage that we have as downstaters is we have continuing appropriation. So, if this part of the proposal would become law, we would still get our money."

"Continuing appropriation would mean that the… that the people who are entitled to the money don't need the appropriation, they can simply go to the substantive law 09500271.doc 70  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008 and they'll get their money. It's the same as with our pensions. We… if we didn't… even if we didn't appropriate a penny's worth of money to the pension systems, they would still collect the money under the continuing appropriation language."

"No. They will go and collect it under the continuing appropriation, continuing appropriation. So, they've got a…"

"Pardon me."

"I think the way the continuing appropriation works is that someone who believes that they're entitled to the money can present their case to the Comptroller along with the case law that says that you're entitled to the money and the Comptroller will pay the money. He's obligated to pay the money. The same thing would happen with our… our contribution to the pension systems. If we appropriated something less than the certified amount, then they would come in and ask for the certified amount."

"Seeing no further questions, the question is, 'Shall the House pass House Bill 6361?' All those in favor should vote 'aye'; all those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is now open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? The Clerk shall take the record. On this question, there are 62 voting 'aye', 52 voting 'no', 0 'presents'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. The Gentleman from Bond, Representative Stephens, for what reason do you rise?"

"The Gentleman from McDonough, Representative Myers, for what reason do you rise?"

"On page 31 of the Calendar, we have House Bill 6429. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"And Representative Hannig moves that the House adopts Floor Amendment #1. All those in favor say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And Amendment #1 is adopted. Further Amendments?" 09500271.doc 73  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008

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

"The Gentleman from Montgomery, Representative Hannig."

"Yes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members of the House. This deals with the department… I'm sorry. This deals with the Comptroller's budget for his grants that he would make as well as the Court of Claims, Department of Revenue, Secretary of State, and the Elections, Supreme Court, Treasurer, Law Enforcement Training Standards Board, Transportation… the Department of Transportation, Arts Council, and the Appellate Prosecutors. And I would simply add that these amounts are what the committee would reflect to be the appropriate amounts. It would include full funding for the downstate mass transit districts as well as the RTA and CTA. And I'd be happy to answer any questions and I'd ask for your 'yes' vote."

"The Gentleman from Kane, Representative Smith (sic-Schmitz), for what…"

"Indicates he will."

"I'm actually advised that the amounts that we spend on GRF decline and the reason for that is because when we did the RTA deal last year we created some dedicated funds that are now being used to displace what used to be GRF money 09500271.doc 74  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008 that went to the mass transit systems. So, according to the numbers that I have, the budget for GRF would be three hundred and thirty million, twenty… three hundred and thirty million, twenty-two thousand, nine hundred and thirty-three dollars ($330,022,933) versus a flat grant budget of three hundred and thirty-three million, eighty- one thousand, seven hundred and sixty-one dollars ($333,081,761). And I specifically asked our staff about that, because it didn't look right to me that that number would decline. But they explained to me it was because of the RTA/CTA Bill that we passed last year, dedicating funds for that purpose."

"I don't think the General Assembly's in this particular budget, but when we get to it… Yeah. The COLAs…"

"These… I'm sorry. These are their distributed grants. You're… you probably were right to ask the question, but the answer is 'no'."

"6378."

"House Bill. Those would be the cost-of-living adjustments, yes. Not a raise, but the cost-of-living adjustments that are calculated."

"The Gentleman from Crawford, Representative Eddy, for what reason do you rise?"

Speaker Turner: "Representative Eddy moves the previous question. And the previous question… 'Shall the main question be put?' All those in favor say 'aye'; those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair is the 'ayes' have it. And the previous question's put. The Gentleman from Montgomery, Representative Hannig to close on House Bill 6429."

"Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members of the House. As I suggested when I began to debate the Bill, that the Comptroller, the Court of Claims, the Department of Revenue, the Secretary of State, the Department… the State Board of Elections, the Supreme Court, the Treasurer's Office, the Law Enforcement Training Standard Board, the Department of Transportation, the Arts Council, and the Appellate Prosecutors are all a part of this Bill. Now, when the committees met over the course of the spring, they were faced with any number of options… I got a southern Illinois drawl. So, the committees met. They've heard a lot of… they've heard a lot of debate on these agencies. Clearly, there's some important issues that they had to try 09500271.doc 76  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008 and define, the advocates for any number of these groups were here. They talked about the needs. We debated, for example, the importance of the downstate mass transit system. What it would mean to those Legislators who lived south of I-80. What it would mean to us as downstaters in our effort to try to get mass transit in the State of Illinois up to the standards that we had all wished for and hoped for. And it seemed to me that the committee initially had some concerns as to whether or not that was an appropriate way to address the issue, but in the end I'm very happy and proud to know that the committee was willing to fund the downstate transit system at the appropriate amount as… as we agreed to last year as part of the RTA and CTA deal. In fact, the staff has advised me that after much consideration and thought that the committee actually raised the amount that would be available for our downstate districts. Suggesting that they do understand the importance that this provides, not only to the downstate districts that we as downstaters represent, but through the… throughout the State of Illinois in general, as we try to make this state competitive on a world stage. So, I would ask, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House, that you consider this appropriation, that you recognize that in one of the rarest cases we are presenting a budget that we would term the higher budget, the inflated budget or whatever someone might say about it. But it's actually at a lower level than the flat grant budget. So, this is one of the few times I think that those of you, on either side of the aisle, who've been perhaps unwilling to vote for 09500271.doc 77  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008 additional appropriations could actually vote 'yes' on this Bill and clearly make the argument that this is the smaller of the two (2) Bills dealing with these agencies. So, Ladies and Gentlemen, it seems to me that we need to move forward with this budget. We need to send this Bill over to the Senate in a timely basis, so that they'll have an opportunity to consider it on a timely basis. It is only a House Bill in the House. But I think that if we do that in good faith, that if we send this… these budgets to the Senate and take the time to explain to them what it is we're trying to do here, what it is we're trying to avoid here, and how important it is to the people of the State of Illinois that we have a budget in place by the end of May, perhaps not a perfect budget, but certainly a budget that we can ensure will allow us to open the doors of State Government on July 1, to ensure that our school districts will get their money, to ensure that senior citizens and those who are in need can provide… will be provided with the state services that are so important to them that many of them have come to rely upon. When I think… if we can do that, I think, Ladies and Gentlemen, the people of the State of Illinois will understand that perhaps this budget or no budget is a perfect budget. That's why we have supplemental appropriations to change those items as we go along, but that this budget does address the fundamental needs that we in the House of Representatives and I believe our colleagues in the Senate and I certainly hope our Governor shares, so that we can pass this and be in a position to adjourn come the end of May. So, Ladies and 09500271.doc 78  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008 Gentlemen, I would hope that you would join me and overwhelmingly approve this budget and send it to the Senate for their consideration. And I'd simply ask for your 'yes' vote."

Speaker Turner: "So the question… Seeing no further questions, the question is, 'Shall the House Bill 6429 pass?' All those in favor should vote 'aye'… Well, let me first of all say that there has been a request for verification. So, every Member should vote his or her own switch and their switch only. So, the question is, 'Shall House Bill 6429 pass?' All those in favor should vote 'aye'; all those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is now open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? The Clerk shall take the record. On this question, there are 63 voting 'aye', 51 voting 'nay' and 0 'presents'. And a request for a verification has been requested. Mr. Clerk, read the names of the affirmative."

"I request that the staff retire to the rear of the chamber, that every Member be in their seat and we will now proceed with Representative Smith (sic-Schmitz) with the verification. If the Members will be in their seat, we can move through this verification relatively easy. Staff to the rear of the chamber. The Gentleman from Kane, Representative Schmitz."

"Representative Acevedo, the Gentleman's in…"

"…the Gentleman's in his chair."

"The Lady's standing in… near her chair."

"Gordon is in the podium."

"The Gentleman's in his chair."

"And on this question, there are 63 'ayes', 51 'noes', 0 'presents'. This Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Mr. Clerk, we have House Bill 6519. Read the Bill."

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

Speaker Turner: "The Lady from Cook, Representative Feigenholtz." 09500271.doc 81  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008

"Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. House Bill 6519 are… is the Department of Aging budget. These are grant lines as passed in last year's budget, including the Governor's Vetoes, without caucus projects. I'd be glad to answer any questions."

"The Lady from Cook, Representative Mulligan, for what reason do you rise?"

"She indicates she will."

"Yes. It is."

"Correct. Just the Aging budget."

"That will be in the next one."

"The growth budget is…"

"Correct."

"I've had ongoing discussions on various aspects of the Aging budget, on and off."

"I think that you and I have both been reviewing this budget very, very carefully because there are some programs that are very important to us and Members of our committee. I think that advocates make it very clear where their needs are, where the growth in program is. So, there's been ongoing discussion with them."

"That is not in House Bill 6519; however, it will be in the next budget that we do."

"Seeing no further questions, the question is, 'Shall the House pass House Bill 6519?' All those in favor vote 'aye'; all those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is now open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? The Clerk shall take the record. On this question, there are 63 voting 'aye', 51 voting 'no', 0 'presents'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Mr. Clerk, we have House Bill 6520. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Representative Hannig moves for the adoption of Floor Amendment #1. All those in favor say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And Amendment #1 is adopted. Further Amendments?" 09500271.doc 83  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008

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

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

"Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. House Bill 6520 is the '09 introduced basically with additions based on hours of hearings that the Human Services Appropriations Committee held. And I'd be glad to answer any questions."

"The Lady from Cook, Representative Mulligan, for what reason do you rise?"

"Indicates she will."

"Representative Mulligan, I would rather refer to this Bill and other growth Bills as growth Bills. As you know, we have great needs and we have advocates that come to our committee and articulate what is going on in their not-for-profits, the kind of services that they are providing and it is my belief that many of the elements of this legislation and this budget include many things that all Members of the Human Services Appropriations Committee would be interested in supporting."

"One hundred and forty-five million dollars ($145,000,000) ish."

"It's a little ishy."

"It is."

"Well, we'd be glad to entertain any revenue enhancement suggestions that you or any of your caucus Members might have, Representative."

"Eleven (11) months."

"Right. Night times and weekends."

"Yes."

"Right. And this year we had about as many hours worth of hearings that you were a very active participant of, most of the time, when you didn't have laryngitis, and asked many questions and listened hours at a time, as we do 09500271.doc 85  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008 every year in the Human Services Appropriations Committee, to the specific needs of various providers."

"Seeing no further questions, the question is, 'Shall the House pass House Bill 6520?' All those in favor should vote 'aye'; all those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is now open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? The Clerk shall take the record. On this question, there are 61 voting 'aye', 53 voting 'no' and 0 'presents'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Mr. Clerk, we have House Bill 6523. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

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

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

"Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. House Bill 6523 is the Human Services budget, flat from '08, and the Illinois Council of Developmental Disabilities. I'd be glad to answer any questions."

"The Lady from Cook, Representative Mulligan, for what reason do you rise?"

"Indicates she will." 09500271.doc 87  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008

"These are flat grant lines as passed in last year's '08 budget, including the Governor's Vetoes and without any caucus projects, Representative."

"Without any caucus projects."

"Correct."

"We're hoping the Senate will pass it and that we'll be home on May… on June 1, Representative, for a host of reasons that you and I discussed a little earlier. I dare not speculate what the Senate will do."

"Seeing no further questions, the question is, 'Shall the House pass 6523?' All those in favor should vote 'aye'; all those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is now 09500271.doc 88  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008 open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? The Clerk shall take the record. On this question, there are 63 voting 'aye', 51 voting 'no', 0 'presents'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. We have House Bill 6524. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

Speaker Turner: "And Representative Hannig moves for the adoption of Floor Amendment #1. All those in favor say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And Floor Amendment #1 is adopted. Further Amendments?"

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

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

"Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. House Bill 6524 is… begins at the '09 introduced, basically, with additions based upon the hours of hearings that we had in the Human Services Appropriations Committee over the last few months. I'd be glad to answer any questions."

"The Lady from Cook, Representative Mulligan, for what reason do you rise?"

"He indicates he will. She will."

"Roughly, five hundred million dollars ($500,000,000) ish."

"Correct. There's a lot of things in this budget, Representative Mulligan, that we intended on funding in the '08 budget that were vetoed by the Governor, things that you and I and the Members of the committee have been interested in funding, as well as some additions. The DASA, COLA, and waiting list is addressed. We're removing people from the PUNS waiting list so that we can serve more people living with developmental disabilities. We're funding more capacity for mental health and addressing issues of their waiting list, and as you can see, certainly, the children's mental health partnership… We've included the Governor's introduced four million (4,000,000) for supportive housing and a long list of others." 09500271.doc 90  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008

"Seeing no further questions, the question is, 'Shall…' Representative Feigenholtz to close."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a great deal of respect for the Minority spokesperson of the Human Services Committee, but I would like to respond very quickly to some of her comments. I don’t disagree with the fact that we have issues with people anticipating payment. I think that we've had some very difficult days with people getting paid in the State of Illinois. I'm sorry that you look at this Bill the way you do. I look at it completely differently. I look at it as an opportunity to put providers in the game to work with the Senate and try and get some of these issues that have been for years ignored and unaddressed to the forefront. As you know, all of these Human Service providers are constantly competing for dollars. Very often they fall into second place to the education funding budget and so now they have their first opportunity to get up to the plate and try and get some funding for the programming that they work hard on and for the people of the State of Illinois to try and get more kids off of the disability list and to try and get more people mental health services. So, I see this differently. I see it as the glass being 09500271.doc 93  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008 half full, Representative Mulligan, and I'm sorry that you feel the way you do. I encourage everyone to vote… to vote 'yes'."

"So the question is, 'Shall the House pass House Bill 6524?' All those in favor should vote 'aye'; all those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is now open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? The Clerk shall take the record. On this question, there are 62 voting 'aye', 52 voting 'no', 0 'presents'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. We have House Bill 6521. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Third Reading. Move the Bill… Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

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

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Bill 6521 is the HFS flat budget. These are grant lines that pretty much passed in last year's budget, including the Governor's Vetoes, without any caucus projects. I'd be glad to answer any questions."

"Lady from Cook, Representative Mulligan."

"Indicates she will." 09500271.doc 94  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008

"It is."

"Payment cycle will increase by about twenty-four (24) days."

"The value of a day, as you know, is twenty-five million dollars ($25,000,000). So, it's calculated on twenty-five million dollars ($25,000,000)."

"No."

"Flat budget, Representative Mulligan. Twenty- four (24) day increase in the payment cycle."

"Hundred (100) days."

"Could be."

"Representative Mulligan, this legislation keeps the lights on and keeps providers paid. If we don’t pass this budget, they will not get paid."

"I… I agree with you."

"We've inquired… we've requested that number from HFS and have yet to receive it. I think you and I both asked that question in committee about two (2) months ago."

"We… you and the director and I met in my office a while back. Do you recall that?" 09500271.doc 96  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008

"Right. But this is a flat budget, Representative Mulligan, there's really nothing to negotiate."

"That was with the last Governor."

"Representative Mulligan…"

"The Lady from DuPage, Representative Bellock, for what reason do you rise?"

"To the Bill." 09500271.doc 97  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008

"Seeing no further questions, the question is, 'Shall the House pass House Bill 6521?' All those in favor should vote 'aye'; all those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is now open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? The Clerk shall take the record. On this question, there are 63 voting 'aye', 51 voting 'no', 0 'presents'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Mr. Speaker in the Chair."

"Ladies and Gentlemen, we're going to take a brief break. And we have a special treat for everybody. Those of us in Illinois who followed the championship seasons of the Chicago Bulls, Michael Jordon, Scottie Pippen, you probably remember the man to my right who was the man in the middle, as they used to say, Bill Cartwright. So Bill, as you can see, everybody appreciates what you did for the Bulls and for Illinois and your time 09500271.doc 98  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008 with the Bulls and we would like you just to render some brief remarks."

"For those of you that would like to spend some time with Bill, he's going to be right down here in the well. Representative Turner in the Chair."

Speaker Turner: "The Gentleman from Cook (sic-Crawford), Representative Eddy, for what reason do you rise?"

"State your point."

"That's a good point. In fact one of the Senators are here, Senator Raoul, who has asked for that 09500271.doc 99  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008 challenge. I wasn't quite certain that we were going to be ready today, but it's certainly worth considering. Mr. Clerk, I think we can proceed while the photos are being taken here. We have House Bill 6526. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Representative Hannig moves for the adoption of Amendment #1. All those in favor should say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And Amendment #1 is adopted. Further Amendments?"

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

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

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Bill 6526, it's the HFS growth budget. It is essentially the '09 introduced basically, with some additions after hours and hours of hearings in the Human Services Approps Committee. I'd be glad to answer any questions."

"The Lady from Cook, Representative Mulligan, for what reason do you rise?"

Speaker Turner: "Just consulting with staff right now. Representative, she said she will yield. Your question."

"Representative… Turn on Representative Cross. Leader Cross."

Speaker Turner: "Leader Cross, I believe Representative Feigenholtz was prepared to answer the question that she had asked." 09500271.doc 101  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008

"Leader Cross, we will stand at ease 'til the call of the Chair."

"Members should not leave the chamber. The Gentleman from Cook, Representative McCarthy, for what reason do you rise?"

"A point of information, please."

"State your point."

"A point of personal privilege, actually, so. Thank you and I appreciate your attendance… I appreciate listening up during the recess here. But I did want to recognize a group that came down from Chicago today from the Saint Bede Catholic School, at 83rd and Kostner, with their principal, Rick Guerin. So, let's give them a warm House of Representatives welcome."

"Welcome to Springfield. The Gentleman from Bond, Representative Stephens, for what reason do you rise? Turn Representative Stephens on."

"Very well."

"About 3." 09500271.doc 102  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008

"Been here too many minutes. The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Molaro, for what reason do you rise?"

"Thank you. Point of personal privilege."

"State your point."

"I just think we'll be remiss and we have Bill Cartwright here, if we didn’t mention for those of you, and Art, I know you're one of us, just like myself, '91, '92, and '93 was the first three (3) years that they won. And I got to tell you, I don't think I missed a game. Definitely not miss a playoff game. For those of you who missed those three (3) years, it had to be the most exciting time in Chicago sports, watching the Bulls play. And I… Michael Jordan did not do it alone and Bill Cartwright was a big part of that. But the reason I am standing is I have a daughter that goes to the University of San Francisco. And I was out at the University of San Francisco and I know Bill is busy taking his pictures, but they have this big banner of Bill Cartwright that they retired his number at the University of San Francisco, nice Catholic university. And I just want to say that the people down there haven't forgot him… forgotten him and what a great time it was those three (3) years. What a great time. Thank you."

"The House will come back to order. Mr. Clerk, we have House Bill 6521. Read the Bill. Mark? 6526. I apologize, 6526. Read the Bill." 09500271.doc 103  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008

"The Lady from… Third Reading. Read the Bill again, Mr. Clerk, or was that the Third Reading? The Lady from Cook, Representative Feigenholtz."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Bill 6526 is the HFS growth budget. Again, the Governor's '09 introduced with some additions based on hours of hearings in the Human Services Appropriations Committee. I'd be glad to answer any questions."

"The Lady from Cook, Representative Mulligan, for what reason do you rise?"

"Representative, this is the same Bill we were on, right."

"This is the HFS Bill."

"Representative Feigenholtz."

"House Bill 6526 is the Department of Health Care and Family Service growth budget, Representative Mulligan."

"I'm sorry."

"Nine hundred and fifteen million, five hundred and ten thousand and three hundred dollars ($915,510,300)." 09500271.doc 104  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008

"That's correct."

"Yes."

"No."

"This includes the liability. It will be at seventy (70) days after we pass this budget, just like we are now."

"Yes. This will bring cycle down and deal with liability."

"Rosemary, our staff will be more than glad to share the math with your staff." 09500271.doc 105  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008

"I believe that they have shared it."

"We can hope."

"I'm sure I'll be the first they show that to, too."

"Well, as I said earlier, Representative Mulligan, since the Governor has a propensity to exact reduction Vetoes, this Bill gives the providers an opportunity to petition both the Senate and Governor to keep them at this 09500271.doc 106  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008 level. It's a framework. It's a way… it's a place to start. And at least it's out there. As you know, some of the rate increases for physicians, for pediatric specialists, for hospitals, for long-term care, we've had people come to our committee year after year after year and ask for rate increases that they have not received in over a decade. So, I think the fact that we have a document that actually can articulate how huge the Human Services needs are in the State of Illinois is a good thing."

Speaker Turner: "Represent… The Gentleman from Bond, Representative Stephens, for what reason do you rise?"

"And your 5 minutes is accepted if she needs it. Representative Mulligan."

Speaker Turner: "The Gentleman from McHenry, Representative Franks, for what reason do you rise?"

"I was enjoying the speech. I'd like to yield 5 minutes to Representative Mulligan."

Speaker Turner: "The Lady refuses. Now, Representative Mulligan."

"Seeing no further questions, the question is, 'Shall the House pass House Bill 6526?' All those in favor should vote 'aye'; all those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is now open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who 09500271.doc 110  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008 wish? The Clerk shall take the record. On this question, there are 62 voting 'aye', 52 voting 'no', and 0 'presents'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is declared passed. The Gentleman from Crawford, Representative Eddy, for what reason do you rise?"

"State your point."

Speaker Turner: "The Gentleman from Bond, Representative Stephens, for what reason do you rise?"

"Thank you…"

"Thank you, Representative."

"Thank you, Representative, and you should not be recommending that people come in here and spill stuff on the carpeting. We know the rules. Thank you. Mr. Clerk, we have House Bill 6542. Read the Bill."

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

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

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Bill 6542 is the Illinois Department of Public Health budget. These are flat grant lines that where passed in last year's budget, including the Governor's Vetoes, without caucus projects. I'd be glad to answer any questions, again."

"The Lady from Cook, Representative Mulligan, for what…"

"Indicates she will."

"Flat." 09500271.doc 113  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008

"For what, though?"

"What particular…"

"Did they lose it for FY09? Do you know what cycle they're on? If it's…"

"Rosemary, it's my belief that this…"

"I would imagine that every department loses federal grants all of the time. I don't know typically how they compensate for those losses and how they correct them. I've not heard anything about it."

"This was… I did not talk to them. Again, any conversation that I had with the Department of Public Health aside from perhaps a few personal conversations with mutual friends are… were had in front of you, Representative."

"'08"

"Member or…"

"…caucus project."

"Seeing no further questions, the question is, 'Shall the House pass House Bill 6542?' All those in favor should vote 'aye'; all those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is now open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? The Clerk shall take the record. On this question, there are 63 voting 'aye', 50 voting 'no', 0 'presents'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Mr. Clerk, we have House Bill 6543. Read the Bill."

Speaker Turner: "And Representative Hannig moves for the adoption of Floor Amendment #1. All those in favor should say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And Floor Amendment #1 is adopted. Further Amendments?"

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

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

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Bill 6543 is the Illinois Department of Public Health growth budget. It's essentially the Governor's '09 introduced with some additions. I'd be glad to answer any questions."

"The Lady from Cook, Representative Mulligan, for what reason do you rise?"

"Indicates she will."

"The total is an additional thirty-six million, three hundred and seventy-six thousand, five hundred dollars ($36,376,500), exactly."

"Is… is that the number you have?" 09500271.doc 116  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008

"Representative, there are so many things in this Bill that you are interested in that were in the '08 budget that were vetoed by the Governor from RMED to perinatal, access to health, all kinds of wonderful things that we've been fighting for together. It's unfortunate that you are unable to support this."

Speaker Turner: "The Gentleman from McHenry, Representative Tryon, for what reason do you rise?"

"She will yield."

"Representative Tryon, there's an additional five million dollars ($5,000,000)… the good news is there's an addition five million dollars ($5,000,000) in this… in this budget for local health protection grants, based on the formula."

"That's exactly how the formula is constructed, yes."

"The new five million (5,000,000)."

"It's both."

"But that is the funding formula, Representative Tryon. The way the funding formula is structured, it's both by county and by population."

"Correct."

"And formula."

"Seeing no further questions, the question is, 'Shall the House pass House Bill 6543?' All those in favor should vote 'aye'; all those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is now open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? The Clerk shall take the record. On this question, there's 61 voting 'aye', 52 voting 'no', 0 'presents'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Mr. Clerk, we have House Bill 6546. Read the Bill." 09500271.doc 119  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008

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

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

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Bill 6546 is the DCFS budget… flat budget which are grant lines as passed in last year's budget, including the Governor's Vetoes, without any caucus projects. I'd be glad to answer any questions."

"The Lady from Cook, Representative Mulligan, for what reason do you rise?"

"She indicates she will."

"It is."

"It does not. It's flat."

"I think that… we could both have staff make that inquiry. I don't have that number right off the top of my head." 09500271.doc 120  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008

"Well, we're in the hole 'cause it's flat."

"Correct."

"Yes."

"The Senate Democrats have a chart of all of these budgets that we're passing and yes, there's been ongoing conversation."

"Are you asking me again what the crystal ball of the budget is going to… what's going to happen?"

"As I said earlier, Representative Mulligan, I think that this… the next budget, the growth budget, for DCFS is an opportunity for providers and foster care families as we will discuss when House Bill 6547 is up on the board. We'll have an opportunity to petition and discuss some of the long-awaited needs of foster care parents, as well as the needs of group homes. I know that people have been wearing the carpet out in your… on their way to visit you about these issues for sixteen (16) years and here's an opportunity for them to do diligence and try and keep these items in the budget and convince the Senate and the Governor that they are worthy."

"Seeing no further questions, the question is, 'Shall the House pass 65… House Bill 6546?' All those in favor should vote 'aye'; all those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is now open. Have all voted who wish? Have all 09500271.doc 122  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008 voted who wish? The Clerk shall take the record. On this question, there are 63 voting 'aye', 50 voting 'no', 0 'presents'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Mr. Clerk, we have House Bill 6547. Read the Bill."

"Representative Hannig moves that the House do adopt Floor Amendment #1 to House Bill 6547. All those in favor should say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Amendment's adopted. Further Amendments?"

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

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

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Bill 6547 is the DCFS growth budget. It is basically the '09 introduced with some additions based on hearings that the Human Services Appropriations Committee held, not only here in Springfield but across the state. The essential additions that are noteworthy are a twelve million dollar ($12,000,000) foster care rate increase and some additional supports for adoption and group homes."

"The Lady from Cook, Representative Mulligan." 09500271.doc 123  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008

"She indicates she will."

"The growth budget, I like to call it, Rosemary, growth budget."

"Was that a question? What was this… this…"

"The total cost of House Bill 6547 is one billion, sixteen million, two hundred twenty-nine thousand, two hundred dollars and thirty-seven cents ($1,016,229,200.37)."

"I'm sorry?"

"Thirteen million, six hundred eighty-six thousand, one hundred (13,686,100)… and no cents."

"Right. Foster…"

"…care was twelve (12) and there was a little bit more growth in adoption lines."

"Rosemary, you're starting to hurt my feelings. You know, you always can call me. I always answer your calls and e-mails and most are very late at night. We're both working very hard and I don't recall getting any in the last few months. So, you know, my door is always open to you."

"Seeing no further questions, the question is, 'Shall the House pass House Bill 6547?' All those in favor should vote 'aye'; all those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is now open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? The Clerk shall take the record. On this question, there are 62 voting 'aye', 51 voting 'no', 0 'presents'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. We have House Bill 6544. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

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

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

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Bill 6544 is the Veterans' Affairs flat budget. These are grant lines passed in last year's budget, including the Governor's Vetoes without any caucus projects. I'd be glad to answer any questions."

"The Lady from Cook, Representative Mulligan."

"Indicates she will."

"That is correct." 09500271.doc 126  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008

"We already… There's eight million (8,000,000,000) in this budget and we passed the other eight million (8,000,000,000) in the Ops budget."

"The nonfrontline worker operations budget."

"The Warrior Assistance Program was in the nonoperationals budget that we already passed."

"Seeing no further questions, the question is, 'Shall the House pass House Bill 6544?' All those in favor should vote 'aye'; all those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is now open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? The Clerk shall take the record. On this question, there are 63 voting 'aye', 50 voting 'no', 0 'presents. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Mr. Clerk, we have 65… House Bill 6545. Read the Bill."

"Representative Hannig moves for the adoption of Amendment #1. All those in favor say 'aye'; all those 09500271.doc 127  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008 opposed say to… say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And Amendment #1 is adopted. Further Amendments?"

Speaker Turner: "The Gentleman from… The Lady from Cook, Representative Feigenholtz."

"Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker."

"Representative, hold on. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill a third time."

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

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Bill 6545 is the Veterans' Affairs growth budget. It's essentially the '09 introduced with some additions based on hearings. Especially noteworthy, there's an additional six million dollars ($6,000,000) of general revenue to finally fully fund LaSalle Veterans' Home headcount, so that we can actually open up the beds in this facility. I'd be glad to answer any questions."

"The Lady from Cook, Representative Mulligan, for what reason do you rise?"

"Indicates she will."

"The total is sixteen million, nine hundred and seventy-seven thousand (16,977,000)." 09500271.doc 128  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008

"Six million (6,000,000) over."

"And that's for the LaSalle Veterans' Home."

"Seeing…"

Speaker Turner: "The Gentleman from Bond, Representative Stephens, for what reason do you rise?" 09500271.doc 129  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008

"Seeing no further questions, the question is, 'Shall the House pass House Bill 6545?' All those in favor should vote 'aye'; all those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is now open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? The Clerk will take the record. On this question, there are 63 voting 'aye', 50 voting 'no', 0 'presents'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. We have House Bill 6347. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

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

"The Gentleman from Montgomery, Representative Hannig." 09500271.doc 130  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008

"Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members of the House. This would be the grants that the State Board of Educations makes to our local school districts. This would be at a level that would reflect no growth: seven billion, twenty- three million, four hundred sixty-five thousand, three hundred dollars ($7,023,465,300) of GRF; two billion, one hundred and sixty-four million, fifty-nine thousand and nine hundred dollars ($2,164,059,900) of non-GRF would be in this budget. I'd be happy to answer any questions and I'd ask for your 'yes' vote."

"The Lady from Cook, Representative Bassi, for what reason do you rise? The Gentleman from Crawford, Representative Eddy, for what reason do you rise?"

"He indicates he will."

"It would incre… it would include the basic amounts, but if there are increases that we would anticipate we would get from the Federal Government, it does not include 09500271.doc 131  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008 those. But those are projections and if they… if the money's actually here we can always do a supplemental."

"In fact, we've got a supplemental from the Governor, not on this issue, but on a number of issues where we've captured more federal money and we need to spend it and appropriate it."

"That's correct, Representative."

"Yes. That's correct."

"Yes, that's correct. The cost will go up and if we continue j ust to appropriate the sta… a static amount, then it will be prorated."

"Yes, Representative, so when… when the Governor vetoed an item and we restored it, we considered it as part of the budget."

"The Lady from Cook, Representative Bassi, for what reason do you rise?"

"Indicates he will."

"Could you… I couldn't hear your question."

"Yes. We've already passed the first two (2) Bills that we've passed included the operations over at the State 09500271.doc 133  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008 Board of Education. So these are the grants that would go out to our school districts."

"We think it's about seven hundred thousand (700,000) in GRF, roughly, but…"

"Well, Representative, the… the last two (2) payments are actually… will be from the '09 budget that the Governor advances to the school districts in '08. Now, that's his choice and some Governors, most Governors choose to make that advance payment. But the statute doesn't require it and that's why Governor Edgar in tough times decided not to. And we don't know what this Governor will do. He still has time to make the payment and I urge him to make the payment. I think your side of the aisle would agree with that."

"Well, Representative, we will appropriate under this Bill an amount equal to what we appropriated last year and in the Bill to follow some additional moneys and so…"

"Well, in this Bill. Yes, in this Bill."

"But…"

"Well, Representative, that… that's… that's a decision that the Governor makes on the '08 budget that actually will come from this budget. So, we have to appropriate that amount of money so he can advance those payments."

"No, I think, Representative, if we don't pass a budget, then he has a hard time advancing payments when he doesn't have a…"

"…budget, but if we pass a budget then he has a choice. He can either advance the payments or not advance the payments. So, it's important that we have passed a budget to him to give him at least the choice, otherwise, he'll simply say it's our fault 'cause we didn't give him a choice."

"So, this is a budget that would reflect spending for '09."

"Only."

"Well, Representative, this fiscal year will not end 'til June 30, and then there'll be a fiscal period of about thirty (30) days where lapsed period items can still be processed. So, I don't know that it's fair to say that 09500271.doc 136  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008 they… I mean, it is fair to say they haven't gotten their money yet…"

"…but we don't know what will happen in the next forty- five (45) or sixty (60) days. So, they still have an opportunity to make their case to the Governor to release their money for this year. Now, with the budget we're looking at now would do, would provide for additional money for '09 for July 1, and on. So, it's two (2) different fiscal years."

"The Gentleman from Crawford, Representative Eddy, for what reason do you rise?"

"I didn't realize you had spoke already, but go ahead."

"And so… As we go forward, we're trying to appropriate money for '09."

"So that there'll be…"

"Well, see… and we don't know that, Representative."

"So… so if the Governor… you know, we went for a period of time where the Governor was saying we're not going to release money to Soil and Water Conservation District…"

"…that they can close their doors. That the Extension Service wouldn't get any money, but he changed his mind."

"Okay. So, I think that what we would need to do is first of all we have to see how it plays out."

"And if the Governor makes the payment I think we can all say thank you, Governor, but if he doesn't make the payment then we'll be back and probably have to urge the Governor to make the payment and do a supplemental."

"Right."

"That's correct."

"Seeing no further questions, the question is, 'Shall the House pass House Bill 6347?' All those in favor should vote 'aye'; all those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is now open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? The Clerk shall take the record. On this question, there's 63 voting 'aye', 51 voting 'no'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Mr. Clerk, we have House Bill 6348. Read the Bill."

"Representative Hannig moves for the adoption of Floor Amendment #1. All those in favor should say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the 09500271.doc 139  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008 Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Amendment it adopted. Further Amendments?"

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

"The Gentleman from Montgomery, Representative Hannig."

"Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members of the House. This budget would increase the amount that we send to our public school districts by about five hundred and fifty million dollars ($550,000,000). We would increase the foundation by four hundred and eight dollars ($408) per student. We would man… we would fund the mandated categoricals at 100 percent. We would increase the reimbursement rate for special education teachers from their current level ninety-five hundred (9500) to the current… from the current level to ninety-five hundred (9500) and noncertified teachers would be increased as well. So, we go from ninety-five hundred (9500) to ten thousand (10,000) and from thirty-five hundred (3500) to four thousand (4,000) for the noncertified. We'd also increase the ADA block grant and along with a number of other items, including gifted education, special education transportation, and others. And I'd be happy to answer any questions. And I'd ask for your 'yes' vote."

"The Lady from Cook, Representative Bassi, for what reason do you rise?"

"Indicates he will."

"I'm advised that ADA would increase under this proposal by ten million, one hundred thousand (10,100,000)."

"Yes, so this would get us up to the thirty-nine dollars ($39) per pupil that… that we have statutory set."

"I'm advised that this is a Bill that… that the committee worked out. It is about five hundred and fifty million dollar ($550,000,000) increase for schools."

"I think it came straight to the floor, Representative, a shell Bill with advance from committee."

"Three hundred dollars ($300), that's correct." 09500271.doc 141  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008

"Yeah. So, if you didn't like the previous one, this one's much better."

"Representative, we fund these out of general… out of the General Revenue Fund."

"Well, Representative, I think we'll collect probably twenty-five billion dollars ($25,000,000,000) or so for our General Revenue Fund in the next twelve (12) months so hopefully, we could… we could find this money in there."

"Well, Representative, I think that if it becomes… if it becomes State Law, then you can tell them that you'll get the money. We still have to pass it in the Senate. We have to pass the 'bimp' Bills."

"Well, Representative, we're looking at the… the spending Bills. And we're giving Members a chance to debate them. We're giving them some choices. We had a Bill that was at a lower level. Many people on your side of the aisle didn't like that. I assume that they wanted to see more money, so this gives them an opportunity to vote for that."

"Representative, it's along the lines of what we passed last year. It's actually less than what we passed last year and everybody voted for it, that I'm aware of, for the most part last year."

"The Gentleman from Crawford, Representative Eddy, for what reason do you rise?"

"Indicates he will."

"It's up… it's up by forty-five million (45,000,000)."

"Right."

"So, just… just so you understand, they wanted like sixty-eight (68)."

"Yeah. So…"

"Well, I would hope so, Representative, but I mean the pur… the process is that we have an obligation to pass a budget, we, in the House. The Senate has an obligation and the Governor has an obligation. Now, all three (3) of those are separate and I would say if the Governor signs the Bill, then we have an obligation to send the money to the school districts."

"Well, Rep…"

"So, Representative, what we've tried to do is put together budgets that we believe address the needs of the state. We've also recognized that even within our caucus and within this House, there are differences of opinion. So, in the grants line, we've tried to look at grants that are generally flat and then grants that are at a higher level. Now, that's the plan that the House Democrats put together. Now, I have yet to see a plan from the House Republicans on what they want us to do. They're against spending more. They're against spending less and they're 09500271.doc 145  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008 against staying the same. Now, you can be against all you want to, but we have a obligation to pass a budget and that's what we're doing today."

"Well, then show us what you think would be a good budget, Representative."

"We have not seen a single budget on any subject from your side of the aisle."

"Representative…"

"Compared to your budget, this is the best that we have, Representative, because you have no budget."

"So we're working to work to put a budget together that makes sense."

"It is not, Representative." 09500271.doc 146  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008

"Where is it?"

"Representative…"

"Seeing no further questions, the question is, 'Shall the House pass House Bill 6348?' All those in favor should vote 'aye'; all those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is now open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? The Clerk shall take the record. On this question, there are 62 voting 'aye', 51 voting 'no', 1 voting 'present'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. The Gentleman from DuPage, Representative Biggins, for what reason do you rise?"

"State your question."

"No."

"Mr. Clerk, we have House Bill 6349. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Representative Hannig moves for the adoption of Floor Amendment #1 to House Bill 6349. All those in favor should say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Floor Amendment's adopted. Further Amendments?"

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

"The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Lang."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen. This Amendment deals with the problem with special education. As you know, special education costs are eating up the budgets of our local school districts. Particularly in the suburbs, where I live, where we have very little in the way of state aid. The mandates from the State and Federal Government to our local schools are making it very difficult. This is why school districts all over the state have had to go to referendum over the last many years, because of the high cost of special education. This Bill will deal in many ways with that by raising the personnel reimbursement substantially so that school districts can afford to provide the services that kids so desperately need. I urge your 'aye' votes."

"Seeing no questions, the question is, 'Shall the House pass House Bill 6349?' All those in… all those in favor should vote 'aye'; all those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is now open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Nekritz. The 09500271.doc 148  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008 Clerk shall take the roll. On this question, there's 64 voting 'aye', 49 voting 'no', 1 voting 'present'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. The Gentleman from Kane, Representative Schmitz, for what reason do you rise?"

"State your point."

"On the Order of… On page 35 of the Calendar, we have House Bill 6516. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Third Reading. Read the Bill again."

Speaker Turner: "We'll move it. So, adop… Representative Hannig moves for the adoption of Floor Amendment #1 to House Bill 6516. All those in favor should say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Amendment's adopted. Further Amendments?"

"Third Reading. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk." 09500271.doc 149  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008

"The Gentleman from Montgomery, Representative Hannig."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members of the House. This Bill is a request from the University of Illinois to fund the campus in Chicago that is used for medical purposes. And it would appropriate 25.5 million dollars ($25,500,000) for the purposes of the teaching labs that exist in that community, some of the finest in the world, where they train doctors and even dentists to… to practice in the State of Illinois and throughout the country and throughout the world. So, this is the request from the University of Illinois. We put it in a stand-alone Bill. It's an important item on their agenda and I think that we need to move forward with it. So, I would be happy to answer any questions and I'd ask for your 'yes' vote."

"Seeing no questions, the question is, 'Shall the House pass House Bill 6516?' All those in favor should vote 'aye'; all those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is now open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? The Clerk shall take the record. On this question, there are 60 voting 'aye', 54 voting 'no', 0 'presents'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Mr. Clerk, we have House Bill 6561. Read the Bill."

"Representative Hannig moves for the adoption of Floor Amendment #1. All those in favor should say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Amendment #1 is adopted. Further Amendments?"

"Representative Hannig moves for the adoption of Floor Amendment #2. All those in favor should say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And Amendment #2 is adopted. Further Amendments?"

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

"The Gentleman from Montgomery, Representative Hannig."

"Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker, Members of the House. Each year we have a certain amount of money that's available for what's called pay-as-you-go capital and this Bill would appropriate and reappropriate the amounts from the previous years for those type of items. And so that's all the Bill does. And I'd be happy to answer any questions and I'd ask for your 'yes' vote."

"The Gentleman from Crawford, Representative Eddy." 09500271.doc 151  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008

"Indicates he will."

"Yeah. This is… this is non-GRF's funding… funding. These are items that…"

"Yeah. These are pay-as-you-go capital projects…"

"…and the reapprops."

"The Lady from Lake, Representative May, for what reason do you rise?"

"Question, please. Yes. I'd just like to check, Representative, that OSLAD and NAAF were funded at the thirty-four and fifteen million (34,000,000 and 15,000,000), is that correct?"

"Yes. That was on Amendment #2."

"Okay. And there will be no sweeps in the 'bimp' Bills. Is that correct?"

"Not in this Bill. That's correct."

"Okay. But it's… Okay. So this is full funding of OSLAD and NAAF. Thank you very much."

Speaker Turner: "The Gentleman from Kendall, Representative Cross, for what reason do you rise?"

"Indicates he will."

"Yes."

"I'm advised it was for classroom improvements, Representative."

"Pardon me."

"Laboratory improvements."

"Seeing no further questions, the question is, 'Shall the House pass House Bill 6561?' All those in favor should vote 'aye'; all those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is now open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Coulson. The Clerk shall take the record. On this question, there's 62 voting 'aye', 52 voting 'no', 0 'presents'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. The Lady from Grundy, Representative Gordon, for what reason do you rise?" 09500271.doc 153  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008

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

"State your point."

"Mr. Speaker, I'd just like to point out that at 3:17 p.m. Central Standard Time, that at this point in the nation, in our wonderful United States country our… our war debt for the Iraq war is over six hundred billion dollars ($600,000,000,000). Thank you."

"And the Gentleman from Bond, Representative Stephens, for a rebuttal."

"On page 62 of the Calendar, we have House Resolution 1199. Read the Resolution, Mr. Clerk."

"The Lady from Cook, Representative Jefferies. Take it out of the record. We'll come back. We'll come back. On page 50 of the Calendar, Representative Howard, 09500271.doc 154  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008 Connie Howard, we have Senate Bill 2474. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. House Bill 24…"

"…74."

"…74, it calls for the renaming of one of the special games of the lottery for the late Carol (sic-Carolyn) Adams. Carol (sic-Carolyn) Adams was the head of the lottery and she died after a long breast cancer illness. She had been in that position for four (4) years and she helped implement the special lottery games including Ticket for The Cure. She was especially proud of this game which generated, prior to her death, nearly three million dollars ($3,000,000) for research. We think that it would be a fitting tribute to Carol (sic-Carolyn) Adams for the Ticket for The Cure lottery game to be renamed the Carol (sic- Carolyn) Adams Ticket for The Cure lottery program. Thank you."

"Seeing no questions, the question is, 'Shall the House pass Senate Bill 2474?' All those in favor should vote 'aye'; all those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is now open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? The Clerk shall take the record. On this question, there are 106 voting 'aye', 5 voting 'no', 3 voting 'present'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. We have House Resolution 1199, Representative Jefferies. Read the Resolution, Mr. Clerk." 09500271.doc 155  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008

"Thank you, Speaker. And to…"

"The Lady from Cook, Representative Jefferies."

"Thank you, to the Chair. And to my Members, I ask for an 'aye' vote on this. This is congratulatory to eighteen thousand (18,000) members of the Chicago-based Institute of Real Estate Management on their seventy-fifth anniversary and for proclamations to be done for June 1 through the 7. Thank you and I ask for an 'aye' vote. Thank you."

Speaker Turner: "Representative Jefferies moves for the adoption of House Resolution 1199. All those in favor should say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Resolution is adopted. Representative Biggins, on House Bill 4699… 4699. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Seeing no questions, the question is, 'Shall the House pass House Bill… Representative Biggins."

Speaker Turner: "The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Patterson. Hold on." 09500271.doc 157  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008

"Mr. Speaker, I urge an 'aye' vote on this piece of legislation. It is very important. I am a witness to why this Bill is so important. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, but I would like to add one thing. If you're transported to a hospital that does not… that is not equipped for taking care of a stroke patient you will not receive help. I was fortunate and blessed to have a relative who had completed an internship in a particular Chicago hospital and she was familiar with stroke patient care. If it were not for that, I would have been allowed to lie right there on the table and pass away and I would not be here today seeking words to express how important this Bill is. So I'm asking my colleagues to join with me and give an 'aye' vote to the Sponsor's Bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker."

Speaker Turner: "The Gentleman from DuPage, Representative Biggins to close."

"Seeing no further questions, the question is, 'Shall the House pass House Bill 4699?' All those in favor should vote 'aye'; all those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is now open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? The Clerk shall take the record. On this question, there are 114 voting 'aye', 0 'nays', 0 'presents'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is 09500271.doc 158  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008 hereby declared passed. We have House Bill 5126, Representative Acevedo. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Okay. The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Acevedo."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. House Bill 5126 amends the Vehicle Code to require scrap processor, a recyclable metal dealer, to require a vehicle or junk vehicle to record name, address and driver's license number of the persons from whom the vehicle is received. I'd be happy to answer any questions."

"The Gentleman from Cook… or the Gentleman from Crawford, Representative Eddy, for what reason do you rise?"

"He indicates he will."

"Yes, Representative, only 1 and 2. I mean, 1 and 4. I apologize."

"No. I… I believe the reason we took out 2 and 3 so… the… we wouldn't have no opposition and I believe it's a agreed on Bill."

"I… I believe so."

"Seeing no further questions, the question is, 'Shall the House pass House Bill 5126?' All those in favor should vote 'aye'; all those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is now open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? The Clerk shall take the record. On this question, there are 114 voting 'aye', 0 'noes', 0 'presents'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Mr. Clerk, Rules Report."

"Mr. Clerk, read House Bill 6380."

"The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Riley, on Amendment #1." 09500271.doc 160  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008

"I'd like to withdraw Floor Amendment #1."

"The Gentleman requests to withdraw Amendment #1. Further Amendments?"

"The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Riley, on Amendment #2."

"…ask adopt Amendment #2."

"The Gentleman asks leave to adopt Amendment #2 to House Bill 6380. All those in favor should say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Amendment's adopted. Further Amendments?"

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

Speaker Turner: "The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Riley."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. Amendment #2 of House Bill 6380 is a very important one, actually for the entire metropolitan area. And what it does is allocate moneys to the Cook County tax reactivation project, which is a project that has done wonders in terms of getting delinquent properties back on the tax roll and helping to make communities viable. Especially communities that, you know, have had some problems with development. So I would ask for the adoption 09500271.doc 161  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008 of this Bill and if there's any questions, I'd be more than happy to answer them."

"The Gentleman from Crawford, Representative Eddy, for what reason do you rise?"

"It does appropriate moneys for this purpose. That's correct."

"One million, five hundred thousand dollars ($1,500,000)."

"Tax reactivation project."

"Well, as I spoke to earlier, Representative, this is a program which benefits all of the Cook County area and what it endeavors to do, it allows the purchase of properties, essentially by the Cook County Assessor's Office and it allows them to go back on the tax rolls. This is something that communities have taken advantage of, both 09500271.doc 162  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008 disadvantaged communities and other communities to be able to put delinquent properties back on the roll. And it's…"

"Well, this pro… this project specifically helps communities that are a part… say, there's about twenty (20) communities that are a part of this project and this project has expanded over the years. The actual communities who participate in it actually have, you know, their own financial participation with it. So this is just an assistance program."

"Well actually, Representative, you can say that the participating communities are the ones that will gain. Because first of all, they'll have… they'll have blighted properties changed into viable businesses, number one. Number two, they will get a tax benefit by having these properties back on the tax roll and incidentally, there will be a benefit to Cook County, but to all of the other taxing bodies that can avail themselves of the fact that these properties will be back on the roll."

Speaker Turner: "The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Miller."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield? Representative Riley, this is… this program has been established how long?"

"As far as I know, it goes back to, I believe, the year 2000."

"And it… and it affects southern Cook County?"

"I'm sorry."

"If affects southern Cook County?"

"Well, it affects southern Cook County. Originally, it was to benefit just southern Cook County. The program has done so well it's been, you know, just aggregated up to be able to benefit the entire county."

"To the Bill. I would… I'm in strong support of this legislation. This is something that's been very important to our communities: Representative Will Davis, Al Riley, Bob Rita, myself, and others, George Scully and others, in which we've taken properties that have been dilapidated 09500271.doc 164  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008 been able to give them a little boost and have benefited the community. One for instance, I can think of, is a Dunkin Donuts in the City of Harvey, which if Representative Davis was here he'd articulate the point, that it has become a profitable business and has been added to the community, one of the poorest communities in the State of Illinois. This is good investment. It's smart and we need to do this. I ask for 'aye' votes."

Speaker Turner: "The Gentleman from DeKalb, Representative Pritchard, for what reason do you rise?"

"Indicates he will."

"Well, Representative, I'm sure that that… that that can be done and probably has been done, but you know, there are properties… If you drive down… Well, really any community. Maybe any community in this state, but certainly in the southern suburbs you'll see parcels of land that have just, you know, laid fallow for a long time. You'll see other properties that have just… nothing… nothing has been done with them at all and not only is it a blight and an eyesore, but we know all the other attendant social problems that go along with it. And so, this is just an endeavor…"

"Well, it's my understanding that that has been done before, frankly. So, I'm, you know, I'm just wanting to continue the… the project on, but the private sector is, in fact, involved. A matter of fact, there have been times where communities have been able to provide, you know, abatements to private corporations that have come in. One of the examples that Representative Miller has given and they've been able to put a blighted property, changing it to a very viable business. So the private sector is involved in this."

"I'm sorry."

"It would stat… Well, partially with state money, Representative."

"Partially with state money and with the work of a lot of different units of government."

"I would think that it would be good. Though geographically and demographically, last time I checked, I think Cook County represents a large chunk of population in the state. To the extent that it's replicatable (sic- replicable), I think it would be good."

"Seeing no further questions, the question is, 'Shall the House pass House Bill 6380?' All those in favor should vote 'aye'; all those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is now open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? The Clerk shall take the record. On this question, there are 62 voting 'aye', 52 voting 'no', 0 'presents'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Mr. Clerk, we have House Bill 3738. Read the Bill."

"Representative Hannig moves for the adoption of Amendment #1 to House Bill 3738. All those in favor should say 'aye'; all those opposed say 'no'. In the 09500271.doc 167  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008 opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Amendment's adopted. Further Amendments?"

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

"The Gentleman from Montgomery, Representative Hannig."

"Yes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members of the House. This is… this is the budget implementation Bill that would be parallel with the no growth budget items that we passed earlier in the day. It would provide for transitional assistance to our schools. It would increase the foundation level by the one hundred and twenty-eight dollars ($128). It would provide for the poverty grant hold harmless, it freezes the Medicaid rates after we adjust it for them this year. It has a University of Illinois Hospital Service Fund, and a number of other items that I believe that we did in the past that we're doing again this year, including some mental health contract language that's in the Bill for the first time. So, I'd be happy to answer any questions and I'd ask for your 'yes' vote."

"The Gentleman from Crawford, Representative Eddy, for what reason do you rise?"

"Indicates he will."

"Okay." 09500271.doc 168  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008

"This… this would be the budget implementation we would need if the Senate were to adopt all the lower grants that we just passed."

"Well, Representative, I think as the budget process moves along we may very well see a different one to reflect changes that may be made in the Senate. So, let's say for example, that the Senate goes with the higher state aid formula, well, we would have to adjust the general state aid number upward. Right?"

"Right. So, today this 'bimp' Bill will be the only one that we would debate today and this would be at the lowest spending level and that would allow us to keep the doors open. That would be a budget that at the very least would keep the doors open."

"I… I would just simply say that if… if the final version of a budget would be different than what we passed today or some variations of what we passed today, then we 09500271.doc 169  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008 would make adjustments accordingly, Representative. But this would assume that the lowest grant levels were accepted by the Senate and we could keep the doors open with that level and this budget implementation."

"That's correct."

"That's all this is intended to do, Representative."

"Well, it would only require that we change that part of the Bill, the other parts in the budget implementation Bill that don't relate to school funding, for example, would still remain the same." 09500271.doc 170  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008

"Right."

"Well, it would… it would take an additional action by this House. Now, perhaps they could send it back for a concurrence, perhaps we would do it on a different Bill as a stand-alone adjustment. But clearly, you're correct, Representative, that we would have to adjust it upward and this House would need to take a vote."

"This would be the minimum. Thank you."

"The Lady from Cook, Representative Mulligan, for what reason do you rise?"

"Indicates he will."

"For doing it which way, Representative?"

"You know, I'm…" 09500271.doc 171  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008

"I think that most of this language is almost boilerplate things that we do every year and I tried to highlight that there were a few items that I thought were different, that dealt with the University of Illinois Hospital Service Fund and the mental health contracts. But I think the rest of it, which my staff says was shared with your staff earlier and some of which actually came straight from… from the Governor's budget implementation language, I think a lot of this we do every year, Representative."

"Was that a question?"

"Was that a…"

"This is re… this is the budget implementation language that would correspond with those grant lines that were at the lower levels, Representative." 09500271.doc 172  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008

"Yes."

"Representative, if we pass this, we can say that we've got all the budget Bills and the budget implementation language in the Senate. That we've finished effectively passing a budget here in the State of Illinois from the House of Representatives' point of view."

Speaker Turner: "The Gentleman from Bond, Representative Stephens, for what reason do you rise?"

"Indicates he will."

"Yes, Representative."

"Well, Representative, I think that the… the Governor's Office gave us their language for this today and our staff had prepared a budget implementation language with some changes in the drafts sometime this week. I don't… my days seem to run together."

"Have I… Could you repeat the question, Representative?"

"Yes, Representative."

"The staff provided me with copies of the budget Bills and the budget implementation Bills from time to time and I try to read them. I'm not certain which day."

"I seem to be rereading it from time to time."

"Well, it seems sometimes the same questions are asked and I give the same answers and I reread the same parts. Very complicated Bill."

"Representative, I'm… I'm not a constitutional expert, so I would have to say I don't know the answer to that question."

"Perhaps the parliamentarian…"

"Perhaps the parliamentarian could help you with your answer."

"Hold on Representative, we're trying to buy a little time."

Speaker Turner: "Representative, you want to state that question one more time?"

"Turn him…"

"The Gentleman from Winnebago, Representative Winters, for what reason do you rise?"

"Indicates he will."

"This is the same as last year, Representative."

"Seeing no further questions, the question is, 'Shall the House pass House Bill 3738?' All those in favor should vote 'aye'; all those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is now open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? The Clerk shall take the record. On this question, there are 65 voting 'aye', 49 'noes', 0 'presents'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Lyons in the Chair."

Speaker Lyons: "Mr. Clerk, on page 47 of the Calendar, Representative Frank Mautino has House Bill 5578. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk." 09500271.doc 178  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008

"Mr. Clerk, take that Bill out of the record on the request of the Sponsor. Mr. Clerk, on page 51 of the Calendar, Representative Connie Howard has Senate Bill 2879. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Recognize the Lady from Cook, Representative Connie Howard."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Senate Bill 2879 amends the Department of Human Services Act requiring that the Illinois Department of Human Services and the Illinois Department of Corrections work cooperatively with community organizations and service providers to identify local providers of services and to develop informational material for families and children of incarcerated parents. These materials would be designed to inform those children and families about the social services that are available to them, including visitation programs, family counseling, mentoring, school-based programs, and other programs identified by community organizations that work with families and prisoners. I will take questions at this time."

"Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, 'Should Senate Bill 2879 pass?' All those in favor signify by voting 'yes'; those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take 09500271.doc 179  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008 the record. On this Bill, there's 114 Members voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no'. This Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Mr. Clerk, Barbara Flynn Currie has House Joint Resolution 113. The Chair recognizes the Lady from Cook, Representative Barbara Flynn Currie."

"Thank you, Speaker and Members of the House. ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease is a fatal illness of the neurodegenerative kind. People who are diagnosed with ALS are generally dead within two (2) to five (5) years. It is a disease that causes the loss of motor function and creates atrophy of mus… of the muscle system. It makes it difficult for people who are victims to breath, to talk, to eat. It's a heartbreaking disease, a tragic disease for victims and their family. This Resolution names the month of May ALS awareness… Public Awareness Month and it memorializes Congress and the President to increase funding for research so that one day there might be a cure for this dread ailment. I'd appreciate your support for adoption of the Resolution."

"Is there any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor of the adoption of House Joint Resolution 113 signify by saying 'yes'; those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the House Joint Resolution 113 is adopted. Mr. Clerk, on page 52 of the Calendar, Representative Marlow Colvin has Senate Bill 1879. What's the status of that Bill, Mr. Clerk?"

Speaker Lyons: "Third Reading. Clerk, on page 18 of the Calendar, Representative Colvin has House Bill 5467. What's the status of that Bill, Mr. Clerk?"

Speaker Lyons: "Third Reading. The Chair recognizes the Gentleman from Cook, Representative Colvin."

"Excuse me, Mr. Speaker, on the subject of House Bill 5467, it's my intention to leave that Bill on Second Reading for the time being."

Speaker Lyons: "Mr. Clerk, on the request of the Sponsor, remove… return House Bill 5467 to the Order of Second Reading. Mr. Clerk, on page 45 of the Calendar, Representative David Reis has House Bill 4403. Representative David Reis. Clerk, take that Bill out of the record. Mr. Clerk, on page 51 of the Calendar, Representative Fritchey has Senate Bill 2872. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"The Chair recognizes the Gentleman from Cook, Representative John Fritchey."

"Thank you, Speaker. I request an 'aye' vote."

Speaker Lyons: "The Chair recognizes the Gentleman from Crawford, Representative Roger Eddy." 09500271.doc 181  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008

"The legislation would codify the Attorney General's ability to file lawsuits on behalf of the state as parens patriae, essentially allowing them to bring certain antitrust actions, et cetera, on behalf of the people of Illinois. We believe they have the authority to do this already, but this will simply clarify that when they maintain that class action antitrust suit that they would do so on… on the behalf of the state and its respective municipalities, townships, and other subdivisions."

"Yes, Sir."

"For good… for good reason."

"Representative Fritchey to close."

"As I said before."

Speaker Lyons: "The question is, 'Should Senate Bill 2872 pass?' All those in favor signify by voting 'yes'; those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this Bill, there's 114 Members voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no'. This Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Mr. Clerk, on page 48 of the Calendar, 09500271.doc 182  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008 Representative Art Turner has Senate Bill 2275. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"The Chair recognizes the Gentleman from Cook, Leader Art Turner."

"Thank you, Mr. Chairman and Ladies and Gentlemen… Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Assembly. I bring to you today Senate Bill 2275 and I know we've been talking a lot about budget and budget busters and what these… the various appropriation Bills are going to cost the state and there's been some question and concern as to if this legislation is actually going to cost the state. But I think that the money figure put on what we're trying to do for our youth, in particular our juveniles, under the age of eighteen (18), there is no dollar figure that we can discuss. And what House… what Senate Bill 2275 does is that it raises the age to bring the seventeen-year-olds into juvenile court for misdemeanor offenses only and I repeat it is for misdemeanor offenses only. The effective date of this Bill would be January 2010. So, it would be not… be an immediate implementation. The minors charged with misdemeanors and a felony would be… minors charged with a misdemeanor and a felony would be charged in the adult court, but a minor charged with just felony… with misdemeanor only would remain in a juvenile court if he is under the age of eighteen (18). And that's the reason… I should say and I move for the passage of this legislation. There are thirty-eight (38) other states in the nation who, 09500271.doc 183  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008 right now, have this practice and I think that Illinois ought to be one that's doing the same thing. The other thing that this Bill does is it provides a task force that will look at… to develop a plan as to raise the age for felonies. This is not a requirement that this plan would ever be implemented, but this task force will study looking at whether we should raise the age for felonies. This Bill in particular only deals with misdemeanors and it would say that a kid eighteen (18) and under would be remanded to the juvenile court system and not the adult system, if, in fact, he commits a misdemeanor. And I move for the adoption of Senate Bill 2275."

"This Bill's on Short Debate. We have numerous Representatives looking to speak. The first person is Representative Patti Bellock, the Lady from DuPage."

"To the Bill."

"The Chair recognizes the Gentleman from DuPage, Representative Dennis Reboletti."

"Sponsor yields."

"Representative, I did not get a number from the State's Attorneys Office regarding the cost and I know that there's been some debate as to what the actual numbers are. I know that in 2005 there were only two hundred eighty-five (285) seventeen-year-olds that were on probation statewide for misdemeanors. I'm not certain what that number is, I'm just… and I understand what you're saying and you tend to be emphasizing the cost and how much this is going to cost and I keep saying that the cost, whatever the cost is for the dealing with a juvenile… dealing with our kids who are not adults, but to not… to put them… keep them in a juvenile system, whatever the cost is that it's worth it. To put them in the adult system, although we may save a few bucks, the kid that we lose going to that system. I don't think it's fair for us here in Illinois to do that."

"Representative, we're not trying to remove that provision, in fact, we're encouraged when the state's attorney does that, especially if the kid warrants supervision. So we're not trying to remove that provision, we, in fact, would like to see that stay in place."

"It's just our belief that we should not be moving these kids into the adult court system. That… that's the premise from which we're introducing this legislation."

"Well, if the gangs are doing something or the crime is a misdemeanor crime, then that says that it's not the most serious crime in town and so I… I would, you know, I'd be… I would question whether the gangs are going to do that. I mean, I just… it would still allow us the opportunity to help that seventeen-year-old. If we got him in the juvenile system we could do some things that might be able to help him and deter him from listening to the gang members. Now, if the gang members have him do something 09500271.doc 187  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008 that's a felony, then that kid will be treated or moved to the adult court. But I think in the case of misdemeanors, that we are better served. As you say in regards to the cost, this Bill will not be implemented 'til the year of 2010, so we've got a little time yet to continue to work on numbers and I venture to say that if I've got a vote on a capital Bill, which I'm still questioning as to what I may intend to do. That if I got to vote on a capital Bill, I think that the money that we spend in this state that we ought to spend some on human capital and I think our kids are the best investment in terms of capital, if there's any dollars that'll be spent in this state."

"We… we currently have…"

"Representative Reboletti, your 5 minutes are up. Representative Turner, please respond to that final question." 09500271.doc 188  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008

"Yeah. First of all, I'm not an attorney so when you start talking constitutionality I just let my high-priced lawyers argue that before the Supreme Court or the Appellate Court. But I'm just… we… right now, we have mandatory transfer and that doesn't appear to be a question of constitutionality. You know, it doesn't stop the… And this is a state rights issue, so how we handle our kids is an issue that varies from state to state and I just think that this is the right thing to do for us here in Illinois."

"The Chair recognizes the Gentleman from DeKalb, Representative Bob Pritchard."

"Sponsor yields."

"Representative, I agree with you, there should be some concern, but should we then not… should we just send them 09500271.doc 189  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008 to the adult penitentiary and drop them in there where we're doing nothing to help that population currently? I agree, there is probably some fiscal concerns. We've got from now 'til 2010 to figure those concerns out. I think that our kids should be a priority and we should not be waving this banner of how much this is going to cost when we look at the long-term affect of what it means to our kids and trying to deal with them as kids versus throwing them into the adult penal pop… penal population."

Speaker Lyons: "The Chair recognizes the Gentleman from Champaign, Representative Chapin Rose."

"He's ready for questions. The Sponsor yields."

"Representative, I appreciate your comments and I did have a off the record discussion with you about also trying to look at some other ways in which we can improve the criminal justice system. The question, and I understand what you're saying regarding this cost factor and I tell you that there's another cost when you put these kids in the adult criminal… in the adult penitentiaries and that's a cost that we're not talking about. I'm telling you and having been around here a few years and to the former speaker also when we talk about policy. I've seen policy changes happen because if it makes the headlines in the Chicago Tribune or the Chicago Sun-Times or the local papers we tend to come in here and respond. We've had disasters. We don't have money, but if a tornado runs through town we'll find twenty-five (25)… we'll find ten, fifteen million dollars ($10,000,000-$15,000,000) to help in terms of relief. As far as I'm concerned, this is a tornado. This is an issue that we need to address. I believe and I'd be willing to work with you, I understand that there's going to be… I'm hearing you say that there's going to be an impact regarding counties. I'd be more than 09500271.doc 192  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008 supportive to cosponsor with you legislation or appropriation to help… help those counties with the unfunded mandate, as you call it, with this particular piece of legislation. But I think that the… the value… we now don't, you know, we tell our sixteen (16)… we tell our seventeen-year-olds that they can't vote. We tell them they can't drink. We passed legislation here telling sixteen-year-olds…"

"…how they can drive and when they can drive."

"If a DUI is a misdemeanor, then that's different. We don't allow them to go to war. We're only talking misdemeanor cases here."

"The Chair recognizes the Gentleman from Cook, Representative Durkin."

"Ladies and Gentlemen, this Bill was on the Order of Short Debate. We'll extend it to Standard Debate. So, we've had three (3) speakers speak in favor of it, three (3) speakers speak against it. The next person to speak will be Representative Sullivan. Are you a proponent or opponent to the Bill, Representative?"

"Representative Reboletti, you've already spoken to the issue. We did give you 5 minutes and an opportunity for him to respond. Do you have one question or something that you had to do on this, Representative Reboletti, in all fairness to those people who have not spoken? One question. The Chair recognizes Representative Reboletti."

"Representative, I'm not sure about that, I would think that… Representative, I don't have the answer to that 09500271.doc 195  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008 question. I would think if you're charged with a DUI, the Secretary of State maintains that… that… the driving record would speak for itself, but I… I… in farness I can't answer that question, Representative."

"Representative, I appreciate your willingness and we will continue on this… on this path, because I do believe that diversions are necessary and that incarceration that… isn't… should be the very final solution to dealing with these problems."

"We've had four (4) people speak in response, three (3) in support. Next person scheduled to speak would be State Representative Roger Eddy. Proponent or opponent? Proponent, Representative?"

"Proponent. Representative Roger Eddy."

"That's correct, Representative."

"Violent offenses are not covered in this Bill, Representative. Nothing in this Bill changes current law regarding transfers to adult court."

"That would be my assumption, Representative. Right."

"You're an educator and it's quite obvious and we appreciate your tutelage here today."

"Thank you, Representative, and you're absolutely right regarding the cost. As I said, it costs you more to incarcerate an individual. I think we're spending anywhere from twenty-seven to thirty-five thousand dollars ($27,000 to $35,000) a year to incarcerate them. Juvenile system does not spend that kind of money and so right away, you're absolutely right. It would be a cost savings on the other end."

"We've had four (4) people speak in response and four (4) in favor. Representative Cultra, Shane Cultra, Iroquois County. Proponent or opponent, Representative?" 09500271.doc 198  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008

"Proponent?"

"Sponsor yields."

"That's correct, Representative."

"We had a thorough discussion on this Bill. I call on Representative Art Turner to close."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As you say, I think the discussion has been plentiful. I do understand and have heard what the Members are saying in terms of cost. I'm willing to work with them, as again I stated earlier this Bill does not get implemented until 2010. I would hope by that time that we would have a better handle on the numbers, but regardless of what that number is I think the cost… the savings for what we spend to save our children is worth every bit of it. And I would move for the passage of Senate Bill 2275." 09500271.doc 199  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008

Speaker Lyons: "The question is, 'Should Senate Bill 2275 pass?' All those in favor signify by voting 'yes'; those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. Representative Turner."

"Can I have Postponed Consideration, Representative… Mr. Speaker, please?"

"Mr. Clerk, on the request of the Sponsor, we'll put that Bill on Postponed Consideration. Mr. Clerk."

"Mr. Clerk. Speaker Madigan in the Chair. Mr. Clerk."

"Mr. Clerk, on page 34 of the Calendar, there appears House Bill 6485. What is the status of that Bill?"

"Mr. Miller moves for the adoption of the Amendment. Those in favor say 'aye'; those opposed say 09500271.doc 200  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008 'no'. The 'ayes' have it. The Amendment is adopted. Are there any further Amendments?"

"Put the Bill on Third Reading and read the Bill for a third time."

"Mr. Miller."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. House Bill 6485 is a ri… a revised version of the FY08, excuse me, FY09 higher education budget consisting of one billion, three hundred and sixty-six thousand dollars ($1,000,366,000). I ask for a favorable vote."

"The Gentleman moves for the passage of the Bill. The Chair recognizes Mr. Eddy."

"Sponsor yields."

"We can do that, Mr. Eddy. The Sponsor's available for questions…"

"…if you wish to ask questions."

"The… what's still in there is the 2.8 percent increase that we talked about at level three (3) funding. What's still in there is the five million dollars ($5,000,000) for student success grant, four million dollars ($4,000,000) for health services education grant… grant, eighteen million (18,000,000) going towards the MAP formula increase, 9.5 million (9,500,000) towards the federal matching fund. What has been taken out and what the difference is various initiatives."

"Well, listening to the debates earlier, it talked about how the earlier budget was inflated. So, we're trying to get more in tune to some of the… what are comments I've heard earlier in the day. That includes eight hundred and sixty-nine thousand (869,000) for SIU cancer center, one million, two hundred (1,000,200) for Western Illinois for a nursing program, two hundred and eighty-five thousand (285,000) Eastern Illinois for nursing, two hundred thousand (200,000) for a S.T.E.M. program at Northern Illinois, two hundred thousand 09500271.doc 202  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008 (200,000) for health care professional education program at Northern, to name a few."

"Yeah, let me… That was it, Representative Eddy."

"What I commented on…"

"…that was it; that was removed."

"Yeah, I'm sorry."

"That's true. I believe… I believe that's it."

"That's correct. Plus the 3 percent going towards community colleges."

"The 2… no, the 2.8 percent increase at level three (3) funding recommended by the Board of Higher Education is still in existence is this language." 09500271.doc 203  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008

"That's correct. Under 2.8 percent increase University of Illinois will re… will receive twenty million, one hundred and eighty-nine thousand, three hundred and sixty dollars ($20,189,360). Western Illinois will receive one million, six hundred and two thousand, nine hundred dollars ($1,602,900). Northern Illinois will receive two million, eight hundred and ninety-two thousand, one hundred dollars ($2,892,100). Eastern Illinois will receive one million, three hundred and fifty-two thousand, seven hundred dollars ($1,352,700)."

"That's correct."

"Those…"

"Two (2) things. One is that… that hearing the comments earlier, they talked about what we were proposing was a lot of money for… for higher education. And so it seemed that there wasn't support for these initiatives on the local component, but nevertheless, the committee's mission was on certain global issues concerning MAP funding, concerning student phon… affordability, concerning matching federal grants, that is still in place. That is 09500271.doc 204  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008 what the charge of the committee has been, even though Members on this side of the aisle have supported it. Even though, Members in our committee have said that's what we would like to see in higher education and I believe them."

"Let me cut you off."

"This is not… this is not…"

"First off… Let me cut you off. First off, the program's not being eliminated. Second point of, this is higher than the recommended level that Eastern Illinois came in and requested to our committee. It is higher than University of Illinois's requested amount. It's higher than the Governor's initial amount that he stated in his budget address. And so working with both sides of the aisle, this is what we came up with, with a 2.8 percent increase. University of Illinois, Eastern Illinois, Northern Illinois can still use discretion to fund those programs. What this is, by using this, is to try to help offset some of the tuition increases, meet the salary 09500271.doc 205  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008 demands, and provide the economic stimulus that the universities apply… give to our state."

"No. There was… there was a request from the… from North… Western Illinois, just like any others. We asked them in addition to the 3 percent what else are your initiatives. So, this program is one of their initiatives and so to say that…"

"No. Yeah, it was in the original budget that we passed earlier. It was…"

"…one of their initiatives that we could have put in or we couldn't. But however…"

"…being more fiscally responsible…"

"…it was removed."

"And let me respond to that. It would be something if… if we supported that when it was in the budget. If you supported it when it was in the budget, I understand. Okay. I can… I would agree with you. But it wasn't. And… what are we to do?"

"Mr. Myers."

"Sponsor yields."

"Not that I know of."

"Yes. Yes, it is."

"As I approached the Higher Education Appropriations Committee, as you know, we work pretty well together and we want to achieve the same goal. Part of the discussion is saying, look, I believe in everybody being inclusive into a process, particularly if we're going to support it at the end of the day. If I'm hearing comments about earlier from other colleagues, not yourself, but other colleagues saying, 'We weren't at the table.' Well, we sat down and talked. That there was no input. Well, I would argue you just had… you had and Mem… other Members had as much input on the 2.8 percent increase that Western and other universities get. We simply could have said, let's do a flat line budget, which was asked by the universities and responded to that. I think this is more responsible. But to direct your question, is the fact of the matter is I don't think it's penalizing anything. It's hearing the 09500271.doc 208  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008 comments of saying there's an inflated budget. Coming back and saying that… that if there's no support from Legislators who… who are from that district, then why keep it in?"

"Because I think the way we approached it was the fact that trying to get bipartisan for… I can't speak on any other committee and how they handled their committee as chairman or chairperson. I know the fact of the matter is, is that I care about the… the kids at Western Illinois just as much as you do. I understand that Western Illinois is… is an economic engine and needs the fine arts center as has been articulated. As you know, I entered… I was in band camp as a kid at Western Illinois where we all make jokes about, in committee. And so if we're trying to get to the same goals, we're trying to meet the same needs, then at least let's try to move in the same direction. And I think in our… in terms of higher education appropriation we've been able to at least try to move us down the field at the '02 level which is a high mark that's been historically mentioned over and over again. But yet, listening to some of the comments is saying that, you know, that… that there has been input from Members on both sides of the aisle on this and that at least we're tying to be a little more fiscally responsible."

"No. That's a capital…"

"…that's an example."

"That's an example. That's an example."

"Higher education as… as we articulate it, I think some of the Members talked about we need to try to maximize federal dollars. I think there's no disagreement in this chamber on that. We need to try to decrease… or increase the number of graduates from low-income and minority and disadvantaged areas. I think there's been no disagreement on that. We looked at universities as economic engines. I think there's no disagreement on that. I think we've looked at pipeline programs to try to make sure that those graduation rates increase and we also looked at trying to have affordability. And so, when we talked about the Student Success grant, we talk about MAP funding, I think those go into those goals. I think those goes in… goes into those universal principles. I think there would be no argument from either side of the aisle on."

"Two (2) things is. You're right. We're probably the only committee that… that had a uniform support on most of the Bil… I think it was one dissension vote on all the Bills. However, that still doesn't speak to the votes on the floor. It's not that I'm against nurses at Western Illinois or nursing students at Western Illinois. There's still money in the Health Sciences grant that's listed at four million dollars ($4,000,000). However, you know, at looking at the support that was given at least on the floor, I think this is at least responding to an action that was… that was presented earlier today."

"No. Higher education still receives thirty-seven million, six hundred and seven thousand, five hundred and seventy-two thousand (sic-hundred) dollars ($37,607,572). The City Colleges, excuse me, the community college system receives a ten million (10,000,000), almost eleven million dollar ($11,000,000) increase. To me that's a winner. Now if we want to look at specific districts, I mean, you're still Western Illinois, since you brought that up, still receives one million, six hundred and two thousand, nine hundred dollars ($1,602,900) in this program. If they choose to do…"

"Well…"

"…if they've asked for no increase… if they've asked in front of our committee, initially at no increase, then…"

"In defense of the universities, they all have signed on… and this is the environment that we're dealing with 'cause I don't really true… truly think we're debating, but trying to get to a better end. They all signed on to the initial Governor's statement. They all signed on to the 09500271.doc 212  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008 Board of Higher Education's level, which is not true. We created this. The General Assembly… the Legislators in the House, the Members on our committee created this level funding. And so, yes, the board of trustees can make any recommendations they can. All of them do and they should, to… as far as what the state support should be. The state support should be more, but this is the environment we're in, we're trying to have a responsible budget."

"Mr. Stephens."

"Sponsor yields."

"I heard earlier in debate a few things. One was that… that this… that the budget was inflated, that we were sending over basically large amounts of money over and this is a reaction to it."

"No, what I'm saying…"

"Did you support the initial budget?"

"In higher education?"

"Did you support the budget in higher education? If you did, then at least…"

"…there's some argument… there's some argument that we can… are going in the right direction. That the 2.8 percent means something…"

"…that the ten million dollars ($10,000,000) for community colleges means something."

"Gentlemen."

"Gentlemen… Gentlemen… Gentlemen, one person at a time, please."

"Mr. Stephens is recognized."

"I'm sorry, I didn't hear you."

"Nobody."

"Mr. Fritchey… Fritchey. Mr. Joyce."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To the Bill. The previous speakers have talked about politics, but the fact of the matter is, this is my sixth year in this House. All six (6) years I have served as the vice chairman of this committee, Higher Ed Appropriations. And I have served under different chair… as a… under a different chairman of this committee before Representative Miller took over and to accuse him of playing politics is plain wrong. And what the previous speakers are trying to do is flip the table because this chairman has worked and worked and worked to bring both sides of the aisle together to accomplish the 09500271.doc 216  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008 needs, the requests of the universities, of the community college and yes, of the Members of both Democrats and Republicans. And to personally attack him is wrong. Doesn't belong on the House Floor. This is not a political campaign. And he has tried to accommodate the needs of every Member of that committee. And you're trying to turn the table because, in fact, it was your Members that agreed and I stood with your Members under a different chairman. I stood with you and voted against other Bills that the Governor and the previous chairman wanted to pass and we defeated that. And he's extended… this chairman has extended every courtesy to your Members. And we had what we thought was an agreed Bill. It came out of committee that way. You can yell all you want. It came out of committee that way, but now because you've decided to take a caucus position that's fine. But you can't take a caucus position and then say that this chairman is playing politics, because that's not the case. This chairman made available to every single Member of that committee a chance to request initiatives, to request funding levels, and he put it in those Bills and you didn't want to support it. But the chair… to accuse this chairman of take… locking you out of the process, not including you, that's wrong because he has been the most inclusive chairman in the six (6) years I've been here and the many more years that I've been watching this process since I was about seven (7) or eight (8) years old. And the personal attacks are wrong and uncalled for on the floor of the Illinois House."

"Mr. Rose." 09500271.doc 217  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008

"Sponsor yields."

"I'm sorry, I didn't hear your question."

"I thought this was the right thing to do."

"Yes."

"Most likely, yes."

"Mr. Cross."

"Sponsor yields."

"Yes."

"Democrats, you just heard the Gentleman's request for a verification, so if all Democrats could please be in their seats. All Democrats please be in their seats and I think Mr. Miller would like to get in the last lick. Mr. Miller."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. First, I want to respond to a few comments. I would never call Representative Pritchard or Representative Rose, or Representative Myers stupid. To even say that is insulting. To say I would say that to them, clearly maybe you need to come in and listen to our committee. I think we do still work very well together. I think we will still work together very well, but to use that kind of language, I don't think is… is correct. Second thing is, I've heard a place at the table. It was me who went to Members on the other side of the aisle and said what is your interest, as they've asked me for my interest. And so, you know, so we're looking at a… a situation where someone had said that we didn't listen to 09500271.doc 222  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008 them. We did, we listened, we tried to incorporate the needs and concerns that has affected their particular interests and communities involved. Because the truth is, as Leader Cross had mentioned, these are our kids going to, regardless of whatever part of the state you represent, to some of the finest universities in the country. Even if they're in your community, even in the backyard of mine. And I think we all respect that. It was us, though, on this side of the aisle who voted for the cancer center. It was us who voted for the nursing center at Eastern Illinois. It was us who voted for Western Illinois nursing center. We voted for that. We voted positive for it, on the other side of the aisle did not. Now you may have a global issue with it. I can't argue that. I can't argue your global issue. The goal in higher education what I heard over and over again from the universities was that we've had level funding over the years, that the '02 mark was the highest state funding and that our kids are suffering because of high rise in tuition. It's been our charge and this budget represents those values. And so you can look at the cup half full… half empty for what wasn't included in. You always have that alternative, but I'd go back to what I like to look at is at half full because I'm an optimist. The university systems do win under this budget with 2.8 percent increase. The community colleges do win at a 3.3 percent increase. They do win. Now, if your university wants to augment those funds or shift those funds into what your program is on that side of the aisle, they can still do it, because we on the Democratic side are 09500271.doc 223  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008 providing the funding to do it for you. So if you want to do it, fine. That's up to them. But let's get in the game, because what higher education is really fighting… higher education is fighting with human services and fighting with the other budgets that passed and elementary and secondary education. So whatever passes over to the Senate we can at least get in the game so all of our kids are educated. So all our kids can compete in the global market. So all our kids can have an opportunity that they deserve based on the efforts of their heart. I ask for a favorable vote."

"The question is, 'Shall this Bill pass?' 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 64 people voting 'yes', 32 people voting 'no'. There's a request for a verification. To those doing the verification, every Democrat except Mr. Hoffman, Mr. Osterman, and Mr. Will Davis are recorded as 'yes'. Are there questions? I just told you, they're all in their seats and the only people recorded 'no' are Hoffman, Osterman, and Davis are not recorded because they're excused. Will Davis. Are there questions? Turn on Mr. Cross."

Speaker Madigan: "Representative Flowers. Remove Representative Flowers from the Roll Call."

"Collins. There's Collins in the back." 09500271.doc 224  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008

"Hamos. Hamos. Remove Hamos from the Roll Call."

"Mr. Dunkin. Remove Mr. Dunkin from the Roll Call. Restore Representative Hamos to the Roll Call."

Speaker Madigan: "Representative Jakobsson is in her seat. Restore Representative Flowers to the Roll Call."

"Yarbrough is in the rear of the chamber."

"There being 63 people voting 'aye' and 32 people voting 'no'. This Bill, having received a Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Mr. Lyons in the Chair."

"The Chair recognizes the Speaker of the House Michael Madigan."

"Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. First, let me compliment all of you for such hard work that you did today, whether you supported these budget Bills or whether you opposed them. This has been a long, grueling day. All of you are to be complimented for being here and for staying the course until we had finished our work. To the Democrats, I want to congratulate you and compliment you, because through our action we have sent twenty-eight (28) appropriation Bills to the Senate. We have sent spending authority for the '09 budget to the Senate. The Senate is now in a position to work with those twenty-eight 09500271.doc 225  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008 (28) Bills to choose from among those Bills and to determine a spending level that they can send to the Governor. If the Governor chooses to disagree with the combined action of the House and the Senate, as we learned last summer, the Governor has authority under the Constitution to reduce the level of spending and actually to remove lines from the appropriation Bills. Most of us who serve in the Legislature today have served here since 1991, which was the year when Governor Edgar and the Republican Leaders chose to go to a one-Bill budget process, and since '91 we've worked with a one-Bill budget process. It started because Governor Edgar wanted more control over budget making and it's continued because certain people wanted more control. Now, over the last few years we've heard complaint, complaint, complaint that the state budget is drafted by five (5) people: the Governor, the Speaker, the Senate President, and the Minority Leaders. And you all know there's been a high level of complaint about that budget making process. And what we've done here is to revert back to the way budget making was done before 1991. So, I can tell you, 1971 and coming forward there'd be sixty (60), seventy (70) appropriation Bills. Every agency would get an appropriation Bill. The Bill would move through the House, the Senate, it would go to the Governor. The Governor would use his authority under the Amendator… under the reduction Veto or the line item Veto, make his changes, send the Bills back to the Legislature. The budget would not be finalized until the last week of the Veto Session in the fall. That was budget 09500271.doc 226  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008 making prior to 1991. Budget making subsequent to 1991 has brought on all of this complaint. Well, the complaint about closed-door budget making by the Governor and the four (4) Leaders has ended today. Our action today comes after we had scheduled regional hearings. All across the state there were regional hearings over a one-week period. There were over four thousand (4,000) witnesses that appeared at those hearings. Later there were hearings here in the Capitol building. So in terms of participation… participation by the Members of the House, by the people of Illinois, we've had it. Today is the culmination of all of that. There were some who said we don't like the idea that we only get one choice. Whether it's one choice in one Bill or one choice in fifteen (15) or twenty (20) Bills and so our action today gave everybody in this House multiple choices, multiple choices. If you wanted a flat budget it was there for you, vote 'yes'. If you wanted a growth budget it was there for you, vote 'yes'. If you didn't like the flat budget, vote 'no'. If you don't like the growth budget, vote 'no'. Okay. You had your opportunity. You had your choice. What's the complaint? There's never been since 1991 so much participation in budget making as there has been over the last several weeks and now the matter is in the Senate. They'll have the same opportunity. They'll do as they please and then go on to the Governor where he can take his action. Again, we want to compliment everybody for their hard work and for those of you that are still a little angry and for those of you who are very happy with what we've done, the plan is that 09500271.doc 227  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008 we're going to cancel Session on Friday and we will… You Republicans can clap, that's okay. You won't get taken to the woodshed. Cancel Session on Friday, return late on Tuesday… late on Tuesday. Monday is Memorial Day. Everybody should be advised when we return next week be prepared to be here through the end of the month. That means Saturday. Saturday is the last day of the month. So… again, thank you for your hard work. Enjoy the Memorial Day weekend. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House stand adjourned until, I believe, 10 a.m. tomorrow morning."

"11, Speaker."

"11 a.m. tomorrow morning."

"Speaker, before we adjourn, Members, the Clerk will read the committee assignments and times. So, stay tuned for a few minutes before we adjourn. Mr. Clerk."

"The Chair recognizes the Gentleman from Peoria, Representative David Leitch."

Speaker Lyons: "The Gentleman asks for the waiving of the postings. Are there any objections? Hearing none, the posting has been waived on the Bills… Representative Leitch had recommended. The Chair recognizes the Gentleman from McHenry, Representative Mike Tryon."

Speaker Lyons: "Representative Tryon, the Journal will so reflect. The Chair recognizes Representative Randy Ramey. The Gentleman from DuPage, Randy Ramey."

"Representative Ramey, we'll let you know that by tomorrow morning."

Speaker Lyons: "And now allowing perfunctory time for the Clerk, Speaker Madigan Motions to adjourn the House 'til the hour of 11 a.m. tomorrow, Thursday, May, 22. All those in favor of adjournment signify by saying 'aye'; those 09500271.doc 229  STATE OF ILLINOIS 95th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 271st Legislative Day 5/21/2008 opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. Everyone have a restful, peaceful, enjoyable evening. We'll see you tomorrow at 11:00."