"The hour of 10:00 having arrived, I'd like to call the House to Order. Members and guests are asked to refrain from starting their laptops, turn off all cell phones, and rise for the invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance. We shall be led in prayer today by Pastor John E. Collins Senior, who is with True Vine Baptist Church in Chicago, Illinois. Pastor Collins is the guest of Representative Lilly."
"Let us pray. Oh Lord, our God, we come today thanking You for Your blessings. We thank You for this Legislative Body. We ask that You look on us. We thank You for bringing us safely today. I ask that You continue to cover us. We ask that You look at everyone here today and give them courage and strength, that we're here to work for the people of the State of Illinois. We ask Your blessings on their lives, their families, while they're here making right decisions for us. We ask that You touch right now. Thank You for being good, thank You for being kind. This we pray, Amen."
Speaker Mautino: "We shall be led in the Pledge today by Representative Lilly."
"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
Speaker Mautino: "Roll Call for Attendance. Representative Currie." 09600153.doc 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010
"Thank you, Speaker. Please let the record show that Representative Dugan is excused today. Representative Bost."
"Representative Bost."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Let the… let the records reflect that Representative Myer… Meyers, and Rice are excused today."
Speaker Mautino: "Mr. Clerk, take the record, 114 having answered the Roll, a quorum is present and the House is prepared to do its business. On the Calendar page 3, under the Order of House Bills-Second Reading is House Bill 1915, Representative Zalewski. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."
"House Bill 1915 has been read a second time, previously. Floor Amendment #1, offered by Representative Zalewski, has been approved for consideration."
"Representative Zalewski, on Floor Amendment #1 to House Bill 1915."
"Thank you Mr. Speaker. Floor Amendment #1 makes a technical change to a Bill we did in the spring related to Child Passenger Safety. I simply ask for approval of the Amendment."
Speaker Mautino: "The Gentleman moves adoption of Floor Amendment #1. No one seeking recognition, the question is 'Shall the House adopt?' All in favor say 'yes'; opposed 'no'. The 'yeses' have it. And the Amendment is adopted. Mr. Clerk, further Amendments?"
"No further Amendments. No Motions filed."
"Third Reading. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill." 09600153.doc 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010
"House Bill 1915, a Bill for an Act concerning transportation. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"Representative Zalewski."
"Thank you Mr. Speaker. House Bill 1915 is in a technical change to a Bill we did in the spring to encourage compliance with the Child Passenger Safety Act. It simply changes the way a… an offender would prove compliance by producing a form created by the Illinois Department of Transportation instead of placing that information on a letterhead. I ask for an 'aye' vote."
"Gentleman moves passage of House Bill 1915. And on that question the Gentleman from Crawford, Representative Eddy."
"Thank you. Would Sponsor yield?"
"He indicates that he will."
"Representative, what… what's the change… you said it's a technical change…"
"Yeah."
"What… what specifically is the change that's made in how the letter looks?"
"Rep… Representative, approximately three weeks ago, Illinois State Police and IDOT asked me for… to change the Bill. There is a form that is universally used by these technicians that goes through the… sort of a check list, whether the cars… the seat's in… installed properly, whether the parent knows how to install the seat. That form is more appropriate to show to a judge or a clerk of the court than a letter that leads digression to the technician 09600153.doc 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 of what's right in the letter. So, this will provide a little more uniformity in the process."
"Now this was… this was a technical change made to a House Bill that passed out of this chamber in the spring?"
"Correct."
"What did that what did the underlying Bill do?"
"What the underlying Bill did was encourage compliance, not only with purchasing a car seat if an offender was ticketed for violation of the Act, but ensuring that the parent and/or the guardian understood how the car seat should be installed and secured in the vehicle. It added an extra step to the process of compliance."
"What… what was that step? Cause I'm looking at the history of that Bill, and that Bill received about 20 'no' votes in this chamber, so I would just caution Members that this is a technical change, excuse me, to a Bill that you may have voted against."
"Sure."
"And you… and you might want to take a look at that. What… what would that change?"
"Representative, that… what we did in the spring was simply request that if… if a person receives a citation for violation of the Car Seat Safety Act, right now, they buy the car seat, they go to court, they show they buy… they bought the car seat, ticket's disposed of. Well, what we're… what we did effective next year was say that you buy the car seat, you go to a… a technician at your local fire department, police department, Illinois State Police 09600153.doc 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 Headquarters, or IDOT facility, get the… get the one hour safety course, prove that up in court, and the… and the fine is waived. So, we added an extra step. The concern was, in the spring was not enough certification points throughout the State and that… that was what was… was the concern in the spring."
"Okay. Representative, I appreciate that. I just think it's important that if we're going to… when we're doing a technical change like this that individuals understand that they may not have been in support of the underlying Bill, which means that they may want to vote that way on your change. Thank you very much for answering the questions."
"No problem."
Speaker Mautino: "Further discussion? The Gentleman from Vermilion, Representative Black."
"Thank you very much Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"He indicates he will."
"Yep. Representative, I appreciate the… the fact that we had a committee meeting on this yesterday and you answered some of my concerns very similar to what Representative Eddy was talking about, and I think one of the most important things that we got straightened out, my fear back last spring was that you could get out of this by just so simply borrowing a car seat and then you give the borrowed car seat back and you could be ticketed again and again and again, and the ticket might be abrogated. So, the arresting officer might not know that you have been ticketed for… lack of child restraint five times. They may think it's the 09600153.doc 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 first time. But under this new procedure, and the new form, while you may be able to escape the first fine, the ticket stays on your record. So, the officer will in fact know if they stop you again, hey, you've been stopped by… for this before and… and then the fine goes up exponentially. And I also for the Body's edification, these people who will be trained, and they aren't IDOT people or State Police people. Yes, they can do it, but they'll train a number of people throughout the State of Illinois. In my district, it might be volunteer firemen, volunteer ambulance people, people who work at garages, local police officers, because they're all short of people. And if they look at that seat and they find out the plastic is broken, that it's obviously been used for years, they may decide rather than abrogate the fine, to tell that individual you're going to have to get a new car seat. This is not safe, it doesn't meet the law. And that while there's enough libertarian in me to say I don't think it's our business because I grew up without child seats, my children grew up without child seats, and thank God they survived, but it is the law. And I think you've tightened it up. I think it's… it makes more sense now, and I think it's easier to do, and I appreciate you answering the questions yesterday in committee."
"Thank you Representative."
Speaker Mautino: "No one seeking further recognition, the Gentleman moves passage of House Bill 1915. All in favor vote ‘yes’; opposed vote ‘no’. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk… Representative Mulligan, do wish to be 09600153.doc 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 recorded? Mr. Clerk, take the record. 112 voting ‘yes’, 2 voting ‘no’, 0 voting ‘present’. House Bill 1915 having received the Constitutional Majority, is declared passed. Page 7 of the Calendar is House Bill 3962. Mr. Clerk, place that on the Board. Representative Mell. Out of the record. Mr. Clerk, Committee Report."
Clerk Bolin: "Committee Report. Representative Currie, Chairperson from the Committee on Rules, reports the following committee action taken on December 01, 2010: recommends be adopted Floor Amendment #2 for House Bill 1721. And approved for consideration and referred to Third Reading is Senate Bill 2271."
"On page three of the Calendar appear… under House Bills-Second Reading, is House Bill 1721. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."
"House Bill 1721, the Bill was read a second time on a previous day. No Committee Amendments. Floor Amendments 1 and 2 have been approved for consideration. Floor Amendment #1, is offered by Representative Holbrook."
"Representative Holbrook."
"I'd like to table Floor Amendment #1."
"You mean withdraw it. The Gentleman…"
"Withdraw it. Withdraw it."
"…wishes to withdraw Amendment #1. Mr. Clerk, further Amendments?"
"Floor Amendment #2, offered by Representative Holbrook, has been approved for consideration."
"Representative Holbrook on Amendment 2." 09600153.doc 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010
"Thank you. Amendment #2 makes a technical change to the original Amendment that we presented in committee last night. We talked about it then. It met a concern of public health. All this… total Amendment does, which becomes the Bill, is allow the Illinois Health Care Association, Southern Illinois Health Care Association, to operate within a current hospital to help both of them out, both financially. We have a struggling hospital there, and it will provide behavioral care for folks at a better rate and a better facility. I know of no opposition to the Bill, I'd like to adopt the Amendment."
Speaker Mautino: "The Gentleman moves adoption of Floor Amendment #2 to House Bill 1721. All in favor say 'yes'; opposed 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'yeses' have it. The Amendment's adopted. Mr. Clerk, further Amendments?"
"No further Amendments. No Motions are filed."
"Third Reading. And Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."
"House Bill 1721, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"Representative Holbrook."
"Thank you. I just explained the Bill. I'll take any questions. I'd ask for an 'aye' vote."
"Gentleman's moved passage of House Bill 1721. No one seeking recognition, the question is 'Shall this Bill pass?' All those in favor vote 'yes'; opposed vote 'no'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Representative Crespo, Mitchell, Mulligan, do you wish to be recorded? 09600153.doc 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 Jerry Mitchell. Mr. Clerk, take the record. 114 voting ‘yes’, 0 voting ‘no’, 0 voting ‘present’. House Bill 1721 having received the Constitutional Majority, is declared passed. Page four of the Calendar under Senate Bills-Third Reading appears Senate Bill 2559. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."
"Senate Bill 2559, a Bill for an Act concerning revenue. Third Reading of this Senate Bill."
"Representative Harris."
"Thank you Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. This piece of legislation cleans up an err… a situation that was caused last year when we passed House Bill 6126. This refers to the sale of delinquent property tax bills, only in the County of Cook. So, I just want to emphasize this only effects the County of Cook. It would provide that the time that is available to taxpayers to pay their second installment would not end in March before their taxes could be sold, but would be extended 'til August, so that they have a reasonable amount of time to come into compliance with the amount of property taxes they have due. It's a one year fix only for this situation, and I'd be happy to answer any questions."
"The Gentleman moves passage of Senate Bill 2559. No one seeking recognition, question is, 'Shall this Bill pass?' All in favor vote ‘yes’; opposed vote ‘no’. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Representative Feigenholtz, do you wish to be recorded? Mr. Clerk, take the record. 101 voting ‘yes’, 13 voting ‘no’, 0 voting 09600153.doc 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 ‘present’. Senate Bill 2559, having received the Constitutional Majority, is declared passed. Page four of the Calendar is Senate Bill 678. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill. Representative Holbrook."
"Senate Bill 678, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation. Third Reading of this Senate Bill."
"Representative Holbrook."
"Thank you. Senate Bill 678 does nothing more than extend the sunset and make a couple small technical changes for the project known as FutureGen. This will allow the State of Illinois not to lapse in its authorization… its participation. It's our goal here just to do this extension and come back after the first of the year and do a rewrite on this program so that all the communities that wish to participate will get a chance to be able to come in and make their case and can be included in the new legislation. I've had… FutureGen supports this, and Senator Sullivan and the Senate is ready for this Bill if we can get this thing over to them, so it can be done before the end of the year."
"The Gentleman moves passage of Senate Bill 678. No one seeking recognition, all in favor vote ‘yes’; opposed vote ‘no’. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Representative Froehlich, Representative Mulligan, do you wish to be recorded? Mr. Clerk, take the record. 114 voting ‘yes’, 0 voting ‘no’, 0 voting ‘present’. Senate Bill 678 is declared passed. Page 5, Senate Bill 3708, Representative Sente. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill." 09600153.doc 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010
"Senate Bill 3708, a Bill for an Act concerning State government. Third Reading of this Senate Bill."
"Representative Sente."
"Thank you, Speaker. Senate Bill 3708 is a committee Amendment that creates five technical clarifications for a vital piece of budget reform legislation we passed in May 2010. It merely clarifies the format in which the Governor's Office will provide our quarterly budget reports. It includes items like posting on the GO… NB website versus the Comptroller's website listing revenue types versus all sources, posting 45 days after the quarter ends and providing reports on all appropriated funds. I'm happy to take questions and I urge an 'aye' vote."
"The Lady moves passage of Senate Bill 3708, and on that, the Gentleman from Crawford, Representative Eddy."
"Would the Sponsor yield?"
"Indicates that she will."
"Representative, this has to do with the quarterly budget statements that the Governor is to submit to the General Assembly?"
"Yes it does."
"Was that part of the budget reforms that were included last spring?"
"Yes, absolutely. As part of Amendment 12 to Senate Bill 3660."
"So, if this was part of Amendment 12, did that… did the Amendment not get attached and pass as part of the reforms?" 09600153.doc 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010
"The Amendment passed, it is into law, and so what the Governor's Office has been doing is following that legislation. But the quarterly report, and they've produced the first one based on that legislation, is a forty-some paged document and it's a monumental task. So, what we’re trying to do here is clarify a few technical changes that allow us to have the transparency we were looking for but not make the process so burdensome. So, to get at the data we want."
"So, based on… so this legislation extends the time that the Governor has to provide the quarterly report?"
"It provides the amount of time that the office needs to do an accurate… to accurately produce that report, cause we want to get it correct. So, it's the shortest amount of time we can get 45 days after the end of the quarter."
"So, that… that's as quickly as we can get information related to spending is 45 days after the end of the quarter, that's reform?"
"It's a 45 day report Representative… or 45 page report."
"Well, I… there's a printer at the back of the chamber that could do 45 pages in five minutes. I… do we use any type of a accounting system that includes technology?"
"Yes."
"I understand what you're doing, and I think the idea that we get some reports is a good idea, but 45 days is a long time to produce a report that… I would think a 45 page report is not that burdensome." 09600153.doc 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010
"We don't get all the information from all the various agencies the minute the quarter has ended. They have to submit their information of the Governor's Office, the office produces the report, they calculate what's needed, and they get it on the website."
"Okay. I understand that there are con… there are things involved in gathering but we're living in a technology age where you ought to be able to get reports a lot quicker than that. I mean… it seems to me like we're taking what you intended to be a reform that would provide us timely information on spending, and we're going back to we can't do that, it's not going to be available, we're not able to… we're talking about producing documents that I would hope by this time our word processing and spreadsheet in nature and they're not scribing their stuff by hand and trying to run off copi… I just don't understand… I don't know why it's not in a PDF file and sent out some how. I… It seems like we’re watering down your original intention. I know… I know you've work hard on this, but…"
"Well, actually in truth, Representative Eddy, there's three parts to this Bill. The first part passed, these are technical changes that make it possible, and the third part will come in January that will actually make this Bill more stringent and more purposeful and more transparent. So, we're on the road to actually improving it and not going backwards, but we're also working closely with all parties. I've been speaking with your side, with the Governor's Office, with Speaker Madigan to make sure that this is a 09600153.doc 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 Bill that we want delivered and I don't want to really go backwards…"
"I don't know."
"…either."
"Well, why… what's the purpose behind the switch from the Comptroller to the Governor?"
"They don't have authority to post the border labor report on their website, or we don't have the authority to post on their website. So, it has to be on the Governor's website to the GOMB link."
"Is that statutory, that authority statutory, or is it by rule?"
"I don't know."
"Statutory?"
"We don't run the website, so we don't know."
"Yeah, I understand…"
"But we're putting… we're putting the document on a website that everyone has access to. I think that's the important thing we need to focus on here."
"Appreciate that. I understand the transparency. I'm just not sure this really advances us from where we were. It seems like we could do this much more quickly than… than the Governor's Office has indicated."
"No one seeking further recognition, excuse me, the Lady from Cook, Representative Coulson."
"Yes, Mr. Speaker. Would the Sponsor yield?"
"She indicates she will." 09600153.doc 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010
"I just have a quick question. Is this a report that is already currently available, and now you're just going to be posting it online, or is this a new report?"
"This is a new report that came as part of the Amendment 12, so we're getting more information than we got before."
"Right. So, in the past, it's always been very difficult to get actual expenditures rather than appropriations, and based on the reading in this Bill, I'm having a little bit of a hard time figuring out what we're going to get in this report that will actually make it useful to us, and then the timeline seems long if it's not actual expenditures."
"We're actually now going to get all appropriated funds, that is not something we got before. We will get that now and the 45 days is actually very standard for how long most reports are generated. They need to be reviewed by the accountants and the information compiled."
"And I understand that, but appropriated funds doesn't tell me that I'm going to get the actual expenditures on this report, I'm just going to get the appropriated funds. Which…"
"It's…"
"…in… in… I've been on the Appropriations committee 14 years and whenever I ask for the actual expenditures we never get them. So, that what I'm trying to differentiate. If this is just appropriated funds, it shouldn't take 45 days." 09600153.doc 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010
"This is a… basically a cash flow statement, cash in, cash out, what's happening in that quarter. So, that would include all expenditures."
"It… It's really… you're mixing…"
"The expense…"
"…You're mixing apples and oranges I guess, is what I'm trying to calculate and figure out. If it's just cash flow, 45 days is an awful long time. If we're going to actually know where we are in the budget process, and actual expenditures that have been sent out already, or are we just going to know, kind of, the checks have been in the mail type thing. That's part of the reason you need to know those kinds of cash flow issues. So, I guess my question then is what is the intent of this, and how do you feel it will be used?"
"What is the intent of this, the quarterly report? Is that what you're referring to?"
"Or this change in the quarterly report."
"The intent of this change is to further promote the legislation that was passed in May. The idea in May was to get a performance base, zero base budget, that sets a revenue ceiling: goals, accountability. So now, what we're doing is increasing the transparency and we're getting the actual expenditures, not just general funds, but all appropriated funds, the use in what was spent and brought in. That quarter will be produced into a report and put on the website. We did not have that before, this is an advancement." 09600153.doc 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010
"So, but in this particular Bill, you're just adding putting it on the website. We've already passed the other."
"In this particular Bill, we… we clarified five technical changes. One of the changes was to get not just general funds, but all appropriated funds into the quarterly report. We… we further clarified some things, like we talked about revenue sources versus revenue types. Small details like that."
"All right. Well, then I guess I would a… to the Bill, I would agree with the previous speaker, 45 days seems like an awful long time for us, if we're trying to use this in a fashion to complete the budget or work with the budget or help with budgeting, a quarterly report due six weeks later which is 45 days, it seems like we're going to be getting just as we're trying to get the next quarterly report. So, I'm a little concerned on the timing, but obviously I'm for the transparency. Thank you."
"The Lady has moved passage of Senate Bill 3708. Representative Sente to close."
"I appreciate the comments, but I think what we need to focus on here is this is a work in progress. This is part two of part three series of legislation. We're trying to add transparency and accountability to how we budget. The budget as we all know is the biggest problem we have in the state and we're trying to get our spending under control, and we're really moving to an entirely new way to budget, and so I do urge an 'aye' vote." 09600153.doc 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010
"Lady's moved passage of Senate Bill 3708. All in favor will vote 'yes'; opposed vote 'no'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Representative Beiser, Collins, Dunkin, Harris, Hoffman, do you wish to be recorded? Mr. Clerk. Representative Dunkin. Mr. Clerk take the record. 115 voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no', 0 voting 'present'. Senate Bill 3708, having received Constitutional Majority, is declared passed. Page seven of the Calendar appears House Bill 3962. Mr. Clerk, place that Bill on the Board. Representative Mell."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. I'd like to concur with Senate Amendment 1 and Senate Amendment 2 to House Bill 3962. Senate Amendment 1 was… shelled the Bill and then Senate Amendment 2 currently is cleaned up language to the Public Act 96-1217 to protect against any constitutional challenges."
"The Lady moves that the House do concur and Senate Amendments 1 and 2 to House Bill 3962. And no one seeking recognition, the question is, 'Shall the House concur?' All in favor vote ‘yes’; opposed vote ‘no’. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Representative Golar, Representative Mitchell. Mr. Clerk, take the record. 114 voting 'yes', 1 voting 'no', 0 voting 'present'. And the House does concur with Senate Amendments 1 and 2 to House Bill 3962. Page four of the Calendar, under House Bills-Third Reading appears House Bill 6862. Representative Chapa LaVia. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill." 09600153.doc 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010
"House Bill 6862, a Bill for an Act concerning education. Third Reading of this House Bill."
Speaker Mautino: "The Lady from Kane, Representative Chapa LaVia."
"Good morning, Speaker and Members of the House. House Bill 6862 is a joint effort by Aurora University, four school districts, and what it does it would create a multi-school district charter school. Right now we do have laws for charters, and they can start their own right now, just gaining one of those applications, but what we've created and the… the law allows it, is a multi-district charter school. So, therefore we wanted to bring it to the House, have it put into law, so other districts can learn from it, but specifically the legislation states that Aurora University Charter School may maintain attendance to only residents… it attains only to residents of municipality, which is a Aurora shared by school districts and a select students… it selects students to attend the Aurora charter schools based on quite a few different criteria in the areas of science and math. The four school districts, which have agreed to jointly issue a charter as a partner in the math and science educational center for Aurora University, would be Aurora West, and that's District 129, which is 44 person Hispanics, 16 percent African American, East Aurora School district 131, which is 83.6 percent Hispanic, and 89 percent African American, Indian Prairie School District 204, which is 9 percent Hispanic and 4 percent African American, Oswego School District 308, 10 percent Hispanic and 10 percent African 09600153.doc 19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 American. I would hope that we would support this. This is a brand new idea. We've talked about certain reforms. All the four school districts are in agreement. The unions are in agreement. And all those schools would be IFT and IEA, and I would take any questions and would request an 'aye' vote."
"The Lady has moved passage of House Bill 6862. On that question, the Lady from Cook, Representative Bassi."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Lady yield?"
"Says yes."
"Ladies and Gentlemen, this is an excellent idea. I know that Representative Cross had worked long and hard on this as well. It is a tremendous idea to do best practices with the number of people for grades three through eight, and then take those best practices back to their individual schools. I strongly urge an 'aye' vote. Thank you."
"Further discussion? The Gentleman, or the Lady from Cook, Representative Davis. Representative Monique Davis." Davis, M.: "Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Indicates she will." Davis, M.: "With great respect and admiration for this Legislator and this mother, I must ask the following questions. Is it possible that we or you guys could do the very same thing with a magnet school? If you had a magnet school, you would not be diverting money from the math and science area in the public school." 09600153.doc 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010
Chapa LaVia: "Well, we're not doing that Monique, and I understand, I'm sorry Representative, I understand that it could be done in a magnet because the state has allowed charter schools out there and get the applications for a charter schools, we don't have a multi-district charter school program yet in the state, and it was with the recommendation from Illinois State Board of Education, ISBE, that we do this so there would be ground work and foundation to work off of to create the best example of what we want in the state as a charter school, which is also supported by unions. So, I think that it's really important…" Davis, M.: "Well, I think…"
"…that we understand that no dollars are going to be taking away from the school districts. The teachers that are employed in this charter school will be union teachers under contracts from IEA AND IFT from the four districts. They will be paid the same salary that they're paid with in that school and the children that would be selected are very… every child in the district. I mean it's not focused… it's focused on training somebody through math and science. As you can tell in today's Tribune, which they… a print, give to the child… the kids a chance. We are not doing so well in this country in math and science and stem areas." Davis, M.: "Linda, I'm going to ask you not to make a speech on my question. If you want to answer my question…"
"I answered your question…" Davis, M.: "Answer my question." 09600153.doc 21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010
"I'm not taking money away from…" Davis, M.: "Please don't make a speech."
"I would ask the Members of the chamber to please bring the noise level down, so we may hear the debate. Please continue." Davis, M.: "First of all, we're going to … you're going to have teachers from four or five different districts…"
"There's just four of them… just four districts." Davis, M.: "…four districts, and at this point you're saying that each of the teachers will be paid according to the district they come from."
"Right, in their contract." Davis, M.: "That may not be allowed in the Chicago Teachers Union. The Illinois Federation of Teachers are very much opposed to that kind of concept because it sets up a disparity. Because a teacher perhaps comes from a poor area, their salary could be much lower. A teacher who might be from a higher tax district, their salary would be higher. But you're saying they're going to be in the same building. Have you picked a location yet?"
"The location will be on the west side of Aurora." Davis, M.: "It's going to be outside of Aurora?"
"No, it's going to be on the west side of Aurora." Davis, M.: "On the west side of Aurora. And how will the students be picked or selected?"
"Well, we're… during the process of getting this formatted there'll be a governance board that would be created from the four districts and the university and input from the teachers and administration." 09600153.doc 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 Davis, M.: "But exactly how will the students be selected? According to the charter school law, that's in existence, which your Bill takes you out of. Your Bill is opposed and against the charter school laws that have been set up by this Body and you don't have the kind of selection process that will be fair to all children."
"Well, that's…" Davis, M.: "You say you're going develop it. It should be developed. I think some groups are asking that you sit down at the table with them."
Chapa LaVia: "They will be sitting down with us as this progresses, Representative Davis." Davis, M.: "Well, you're asking us to pass legislation that is really not ready, if you're going to sit down with them…"
"It is ready. The Governance board has created it." Davis, M.: "It can't be ready if you haven't decided how you're going to select your students."
Chapa LaVia: "The selection right now is as it reads on students, is parents recommending their child, teachers recommending a child. It's based on it… covers any child from English second language, special ed. It's kids that the teachers the students select them. There's some academics and interest in science and math areas of how kids learn and…" Davis, M.: "How does… Let me ask this question. How does the money follow the child?"
"It will go through the school district." Davis, M.: "The school district that they're coming from…" 09600153.doc 23 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010
"Right." Davis, M.: "…or the school district they're going to?"
"The school district that they'll be coming from will pay for that slot for that child." Davis, M.: "And what party or what group is responsible for the teacher's salaries and their pensions?"
"That would be the school districts in which they come from." Davis, M.: "So they're going to go to one location, but another location will decide their salary and their pension. That's a disparity. To the Bill Mr. Speaker. I realize that…"
"To the Bill." Davis, M.: "…that the honorable Legislature has the greatest intentions for the children in her district. I understand that she wants what is best for them, as most of all want for all the children in the state. However, we do know that we passed a Bill and we said last year, a year or, that we wouldn't put forth any more charters until the year 2013. If for some reason something fell outside of what we had done, people would sit down and negotiate. This is a piece of legislation that could very well harm four districts and the children. The selection process is not in place, and this charter schools are not to be a location for special or privileged people. All children are supposed to have equal opportunity to attend a charter school. It is with great regret, sincere regret, that I ask the Sponsor to take this Bill out of the record and allow those groups that are still very concerned about the points that 09600153.doc 24 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 take this charter school outside of Illinois' State's Charter School Law. The teachers will not be paid according to where they are, they'll be paid according to where they come from, which will probably allow some of them to set up a suit. What happens when the teacher decides to go back to his or her school? Will new teachers be hired, and if so, from what district? There's so many unanswered questions and I know that Linda Chapa LaVia has the best intentions of the world to give science and math to all children, not just a select few. If a magnet school is developed, it would not divert science money from the public schools. It would still be available in the public school system. With this Bill, what it will do is divert science dollars to a special location, and leaving a great hole where the majority of the children are. The Bill is work… it's being worked on, but it's not quite ready. And my suggestion would be that we just continue to work a little harder, get some of these questions answered. Who will be responsible for what? We can't say we're working that out. When you bring that Bill to this Legislator… this legislation, Legislature, it should be worked out. We should know who's going to be responsible. And with that, I just urge a 'present' or 'no' vote. Thank you, Mr. Speaker."
"Thank you. Further discussion? I would ask the Members to take some of the side conversations and lower the… lower the noise level in the chamber. Seeking recognition, the Gentleman from Kendall, Republican Leader Tom Cross. Please give the Gentleman your attention." 09600153.doc 25 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise in strong, strong, strong support of this Bill. I started working on this concept over a year ago with Sherry Eagle, who is the former Superintendent of schools of the West Aurora school district, located in Aurora, Illinois. She came to me over a year ago with this idea and this concept and it made an incredible amount of sense and I think as we work through this Bill and we, I hope support this Bill and pass this Bill, and continue to work on it as it moves over to the Senate, it may very well be one of those ideas that is duplicated around the state, in fact, perhaps around the country. I think it's one of those ideas that when Artie Dunkin talks about Race to the Top, but how can we be innovative, how can we be creative, this is exactly what he is talking about us needing to do as a state of Illinois, as a state. If you didn't hear because of the noise in this chamber, Linda's explanation of this Bill, four school districts in the City of Aurora have come together, Oswego, East Aurora, West Aurora, and Indian Prairie. They… they teach and are responsible for educating over 70,000 kids. It is as diverse of population of kids as you will find anywhere in the State of Illinois. Over 75… 70,000 kids. They have come together along with Aurora University, along with the mayor, the city council, the Quad-County Urban League; the Chamber of Commerce with this fantastic idea. Locally and within this region, the support is almost 100 percent, if not 100 percent in support of this idea. Everywhere we go as Legislators, we hear people say, we need to create an interest in math and science for our 09600153.doc 26 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 kids. This will do that. In addition to what this will do for our kids, it will be a training ground for our teachers. So, they can learn to teach and do an even better job in the math and science world. Understand that the goal of this project in this university, in the selection process, is to have a student body of approximately 500 kids that will reflect the diversity of the district. African American students, Hispanic students, kids with special needs, and the list goes on and on. They recognize the diversity that exists in this area. Aurora's a unique city, and the goal is to reflect that diversity within this school, and the people at this project and in this school, and within those four school districts understand that. Why not a magnet school? We cannot do a magnet school because it does not allow for multi-districts to come together and create that magnet school. The charter school legislation allows for multi- districts… multi-school districts to come together. We are not creating a new charter; it is the utilization of one of the existing charters. This is an incredibly innovative idea, it's not my idea, it's not Linda's idea, it's an idea of Sherry Eagle's and a collaborative effort of the… of the community of Aurora and the school districts that are contained within the City of Aurora. Well, actually, two other school districts that are a part of this, but… that that's a decision they have made on their own. You are going to hear from people that this is unconstitutional. Darren Weisberg, who is the general council for the State Board of Education, State Board of Education supports this 09600153.doc 27 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 concept, has said on its face this legislation is indeed constitutional. Clearly, the implementation and the structure and the protocol as we move forward will need to stay within the confines of a constitutional process and the school district in Aurora University and all the other districts understand that. But this legislation as it's drafted is indeed constitutional. This is a plus for the kids. It's a plus for the teachers. It is a plus for our State; in fact it may indeed be a plus for the whole country once this thing gets up and running. It's an opportunity to highlight math and science. It's an opportunity for kids with an interest and the capacity to get even better at math and science where we can make it something that is… to use a… maybe a kid's term sexier and something that will help them as they move forward. It is not something we want to hold back on. It is not something we want to not move forward on. I would hope and I would encourage the passage of this Bill. Is there always room for improvement on every legis… piece of legislation? Usually there is. Linda understands that, I understand that. We will work with that. But the concept as it has been presented, and the goal of this collaborative effort should not be shattered, should not be damaged; should not be undermined. It is a good concept in the way it's been drafted. We need to move forward. We are dealing with people that have been in education all their lives, they are friends of education, they are friends of teachers, they want to do the right thing, and this is a concept that we do definitely need to pass. And I appreciate Linda's 09600153.doc 28 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 Sponsorship on this, and hope that you will be inclined, and will support this very good piece of legislation. Thank you."
Speaker Mautino: "Further discussion? The Gentleman from Macon, Representative Flider."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"She indicates that she will."
"Thank you. Representative, is this a permanent… would this create a… permanently create a charter school or is this a sort of a pilot program or a project?"
"It would permanently create the charter multi- district school…"
"Okay."
"…but we look at it as more like a lab 'cause teachers will be coming in for a couple years, around five years, and then going back to their districts and teaching what they learned from this institute. So, there'll be a recycling and in… the exciting thing about this representative Flider is they… the… what they've gained in knowledge and tools goes back with them into their home districts. So, right now we see it as a charter for us there and a lab, but there's no saying in where this is going to grow to. The… the university has taken this to the Federal level and showed our administration there, and they're very excited about the concept because the third to eighth grade unit, 'cause kids usually, if we don't get them engaged in science and math, they kind of lose that aptitude for it once they get into junior high." 09600153.doc 29 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010
"I feel like this is pretty significant reform proposal, and… but… and I commend the people in your district for… for coming to you with this idea, because it… it is a novel idea. And, you know, the folks in my district haven't come to me with this idea, but I could tell you that, you know, listening to the debate and the philosophy here, thinking that, you know, why wouldn't we enable kids from Decatur or Macon County, or other counties in my area and other parts of the State to be able to participate in a charter school program much like this. You know, we always hear about how wonderful Indiana is, they got county schools and everything, and for a variety of reasons they have these geographic areas, but yet this is a proposal that could be looked at, not only from the standpoint of helping kids learn and doing a better job and advancing education, but also from the standpoint of, you know, could areas bring their school district together to do much better things for their children…"
"Yep."
"…and… but the challenge that I have here… the problem that I have with the legislation, I think it's a great proposal and good idea for reform, is that I see each of us with an idea like this having to come to the General Assembly and say oh… I'd like my district included. Oh, I'd like to do this with this district or that district. Pretty soon you're going to have a hodgepodge or a sort of smattering of areas where some can do it, some can't, and it… as a philosophy or a policy throughout the State of Illinois, if we don't get off if… we don't solve it on the 09600153.doc 30 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 right footing, that's all we're going to have in Illinois. And I'm really concerned about that, and I'm concerned about, you know, people in Decatur, the kids in Decatur never being able to take advantage of it because others will fight this tooth and nail every time we have an individual piece of legislation."
"And they're going to have the resources, I mean right now Aurora University is very creative about sharing their knowledge, especially in the master program with their teachers on math and science. I see us in five years doing more of a teleconference, visual kind of thing with other schools throughout the state to allow more knowledge into the classroom. We… we as the United States have to be quite fit, I mean we're serious but we don't have the tools to take that to the next step, as far as teaching our third to eighth graders more about science, more about math, how to get into those areas, because right now we're farming in scientists here in the United States. We're farming in people to take over the med… in medical fields. We're farming in people. I want to farm our kids here and make sure that they know what they… they need to do for a higher paying job."
"And I feel the same way…"
"So, there's some…"
"…about the kids in my districts."
"There's some opportunity. There's going to be opportunity in the future. I know this to be true. I will be at the table on this. We will be working with a lot of people on the ability. Right now, Illinois Math and 09600153.doc 31 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 Science Academy, which we created here, is part of the partnership here as well. And they do virtual reality school room, and teaching the teachers throughout the State of Illinois. So they are going to be in a big partnership with this school. So, we see how we can utilize this best for the entire state, for every child in the State."
"I'm just… I'm just suggesting to you to seriously think about this, that you know, there's other school districts who could and might want to participate in this and that if that's not included in this legislation, that could make it much more difficult for others who want to do this in the future. And I'm seriously considering or asking you to consider think about making it broader and making it so that it could apply statewide."
"Thank you."
"Further discussion? The Gentleman from Lee, Representative Mitchell. Jerry."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Sponsor yield?"
"She indicates she will."
"Thank you. Representative, why do we need this legislation?"
"Because the fact that we were working in tandem, actually it's been a process for the last two years, but the last year where ISBE has been at the table, and they said that they would prefer so there was a little bit more input from the state board that we work on this together because it is a multi-district charter school, we don't have anything like this which utilizes four districts, and that's why we have it this way." 09600153.doc 32 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010
"Representative, there's language right in the charter school Bill that says you can have multi-unit authorizers so, there's no question about that. Why is the legislation here?"
"For… for that fact. That we want to put it into the foundation of law."
"But that fact is already in law. Your… you know, I think what happened was somebody at the state board took a look at this proposal and was very concerned about the fact that maybe it didn't answer the charter school rules, therefore they wanted the General Assembly to give it its blessing. Now, if that's the case then we've got some problems with this maybe modifying or changing or being outside the rules of the charter school. If it does fit the charter school rules, then this is a moot point. We really don't need this, because the way the charter school language was set up was if you have a good concept, if you have unauthorizing public school that wants to be the authorizing agent, you don't need to come back here. This sets a precedent that may wind up every time a school district wants to start a charter, they're going to have to come back here and get our blessing. That's exactly what we don't want to do. We already do that with the waiver Bill, and we certainly don't want another one of those, even though that was a concept that started on this side of the aisle, it's very cumbersome and it makes us a kind of a legislative school board. I think what happened with this Bill is somewhere on the road toward a charter school, some things ran a muck with the charter school language. I look 09600153.doc 33 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 at this concept; I still think it would be excellent as a magnet school. You made references to the math and Science Academy. I have to remind you the Math and Science Academy is not a charter school. The Math and Science Academy is a school that stands alone, on its own, as this one could and should. There's been reference to the magnet school language not fitting the Bill either. You know, this legislation… legislative Body is the one that sets the rules and standards. This is a chain system… needed the magnet school language, then let's do that. And one of my colleagues made mention of the fact that we agreed through a long and laborious negotiations to get charters back in Chicago, to get charters downstate, that we would agree not to run charter language until 2013. I understand that you and Aurora University was not a part of that… that negotiating process. But I do notice that none of the charter school folks are here clamoring for this Bill or advocating for this Bill. The problem with this concept is it adds a step to the charter school language that's unnecessary, if in fact you do answer the charter. I think the state board is passing the buck to us when they should be making a decision or ruling on this, so that we are not in the process again. I think the concept is fantastic. I don't have a problem with the concept. I don't have a problem with these districts picking out those kids with a high aptitude for math and science, unfortunately, it's still to me, no one's convinced me, that you're not cherry picking the best and brightest and sending them to an elite school on their own. That's a concern of mine that is not 09600153.doc 34 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 in the charter school language, and maybe that's why the state board said oh, we better back away from this and have the legislative Body make a determination. I think it needs some work. I think the Representative that spoke earlier is right in the fact that it’s really not soup yet. There's some more work that needs to be done, all of the groups that are interested in education need to be a part of this. I think it's, you know, it's an idea that certainly has merit. But I don't think it's ready to become a charter school. I would have to urge respectfully a 'no' vote. Thank you."
"Further discussion? Representative Currie."
"Thank you Speaker. Please let the record show that Representative Ford is excused for the remainder of the day."
"Further discussion? Representative Burns."
"Thank you very much Mr. Speaker, I'd like to speak to the Bill."
"To the Bill."
"I have tremendous respect for the Bill's Sponsor and her work on education reform, I appreciate serving with her and I understand what she's trying to do here for her district. Those of us who live in Chicago and represent communities in Chicago face interesting pressures. A lot of people in my district are very concerned about the quality of their public schools. They're looking for public school options, and what I fear is that this Bill, although the Bill is silent about the City of Chicago and other areas of the state, is the camel's nose under the 09600153.doc 35 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 tent. And I fear that if this Bill passes, there will be people in the City of Chicago who will seek selective enrollment schools for charter schools in the city, which undermines the intention of charter schools, which is to be an option for all children. So, with that in mind, and as a supporter of charter schools and I've been on the record in support of charter schools, I regrettably must vote no on this Bill, and I encourage my colleagues to do the same."
"Further discussion? Representative Ramey."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Yes."
"Thank you. Representative, are you tired?"
"No."
"No. In your opening statement, did you state IEA and IFT were in favor?"
"The local teachers there in my district are…"
"Just the teachers in your district."
"The teachers that are unionized in the district."
"I understand that that may not be all true."
"They've been brought to the table and they've discussed…"
"The local groups we're not all in favor."
"Well, Mothership might not be okay with it."
"Mothership. Okay. I'm just stating…"
"Okay, but my…"
"…some notes told to me. I'm just going to say."
Chapa LaVia: "Within my district and the teachers in my district are extremely excited about this opportunity." 09600153.doc 36 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010
"Is it…"
"And they are union teachers."
"Was there not already a Math and Science Academy on the West side of Aurora?"
"There still is a… an Illinois Math and Science Academy. It's for every student in this state which can get in there through test scores and they live throughout the State of Illinois."
"Correct. And why are we creating another one then?"
Chapa LaVia: "It's not… it's not the same. It's not a residential program. It's just a school."
"Is Aurora University a private school?"
"Is Aurora University a private school? Correct."
"It is. So… so being the charter, then that's where… where the question was earlier about the money following the child. It comes out of the school district, it'd go to…"
Chapa LaVia: "Right. It would go through the school districts…"
"…to that private school."
"…and the governance board. It wouldn't go to the university. The dollars wouldn't go to the university. It'd go through the governance board, which is made up of the school districts and the money they receive for each student."
"Correct. Okay. And the… the option for which students attend has not been decided yet?"
"Yeah. No, it has. It's a multi-criteria that will be used. There are multiple ways a student 09600153.doc 37 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 demonstrate talents in math and science. There's no single criteria that will make or break a student's application, therefore, there's no cut off score for… the multiple criteria will include teacher's recommendation, checklists of observing behaviors, trades, and skills, and try to advance this student's interest in math or science, a parent or guardian recommendation, the student's grades, the student achievement, cogitative ability in math and science. But the way that we've been talking about the selection, any child that has an interest or an aptitude for span… for… for math or science, they're… they're not at all straight A students. There could be a C student who has some interest, but doesn't have the tools or extra training to help them get that A. So, it's very important to me that it is not the cream of the crop of every school district. That's not my intent here. It is to allow every child in my… those four districts the ability to excel in… in math and science. Not solely based on their grade, but their interest in those fields."
"So, there's no percentages of race?"
"There are no percentages at this point, but it will reflect the district itself."
"So, if the… the number won't be restricted to Hispanic or African American, or any other…"
"Every child…"
"…application."
"Every child can apply to come to this school. There's not going to be…"
"Only every child in the school districts." 09600153.doc 38 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010
"From those four school districts, correct."
"All right. Thank you."
"Further discussion? The Lady from Cook, Representative Mulligan."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Indicates she will."
"Representative, did you say that Aurora University is a private university?"
"Yes it is, Ma'am."
"Is that why you're using legislation to put public school dollars into a private university?"
"We're not putting it into the university. We're putting it in… we're taking it from the school districts, and the student will follow the dollars, and so will the teacher who'll come from those districts. They're part of this project."
"So, they're only going to have the classes at Aurora University?"
"No they're not going to have the classes at Aurora University. Through our partnerships, we will develop a site with private dollars to help fund this new building, or whatever we create as far as where the base will be for them."
"Where…"
"Do you want me to tell you what some of the partners that are…"
"Yeah. I'd like to know where some of the private dollars are coming from." 09600153.doc 39 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010
"Okay. The Aurora Regional Chamber of Commerce, Cities and School, City of Aurora, Exelon Corporation, Gateway Foundation, Google, Illinois Math and Science Academy, Nicore, Old Second Bank, Parker Foundation, Center for Applic… Applications Base Learning, Quad Counties Urban League, the Robert Crown Center for Health Education, Scitech Hands on Museum. We'll be receiving a lot of private dollars to help create this school mortar, the building itself."
"All right, and then the Illinois dollars that go for education for those students would also go there?"
"The… well the school would be the charter itself, the multi-district charter. And it… East Aurora we get 6900 per foundation level 204 could get 12. I don't know what their numbers are right now, but those dollars that they are expanding in the kid in the classroom in their prospective districts would follow the child to the new charter."
"And what happens with the other subjects that are normally taught?"
"The… the children will be taught all of the subjects, but it would be focused on math and science."
"Some children who are bright… are universally across the board bright in everything, so if you don't teach them English, someone who may have some kind of a aptitude for math and science my also ultimately end up being a reader or a creator of how you would apply math and science because of their writing skills. So…"
"Right." 09600153.doc 40 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010
"…how will that be accounted for at school?"
"The teachers that know their students the best, as far as finding out where they can spark that ingenuity and where they feel that the student grasps on to more, where they learn further from. The teacher's recommendation, as far as, it's not… it's going to be based on the way the teacher feels the student learns best. And that child will then be, if the other applicate… if the other components are in place be selected for a position at that school, but we will have if it's special needs, we will have the personnel to back that up. Aurora University is a training school, so a lot of those teachers there have to do practical work. So, they're going to be highly involved in the components where we might not have money or raise money to be able to pay for people. They'll be doing those certain areas to help with the development."
"And what if you excel in one area, like I'm a math brain person, but I'm really not that great in science. So, I wouldn't qualify perhaps to go to the math part of it, which is also interesting because in my era girls weren't considered to be good for math or science."
"Right."
"We were kind of overlooked. So, say your good at one area and not the other, does that disqualify you? You don't have to be good in both; you could be good at one or the other."
"No. Correct."
"And then they would be able to get the recommendation." 09600153.doc 41 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010
"Right. And once again, it's third to eighth grade. Those years are extremely important because they're still working together as groups. They haven't become so individual that they want to peel off from that. And I think it's such an innovative, creative idea. I know that there are a few people on the floor that, I mean I'd love to take time to explain even in fuller, but it… it's so important we capture these young minds that could go from being no interest in math and science to the next scientist or the next person who discovers the cure for cancer, you know. So…"
"Right. That they or they discover if they're good at one but they haven't been actually encouraged to be good at the other."
"To do the other. Yeah."
"And this is not a pilot program, this would be a permanent program?"
"Correct. Correct. And in the four participating districts, a combination, there's actually 71,611 students and the charter school would take in 75 students, or 12.5 per grade from each participating district. So, the third through eighth grade levels."
"Have they put a dollar amount per pupil on these students as opposed to the dollar amount per pupil in your regular school district?"
"No, because…"
"Grant the Lady an extra minute to complete the remarks." 09600153.doc 42 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010
"At… at this point what they're this concept is that the dollars would just follow the… that amount of dollars and the holes that we see would be filled with volunteer work from the teachers that have received their degrees or that are working on their Masters to go in and help out."
"All right. Thank you."
"Further discussion? The Lady from Cook, Representative Golar."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Sponsor yield?"
"Indicates that she will."
"I would like to say to this Body in regards to charter schools, and also will pose the question to Representative Chapa LaVia. Can you explain, Representative, why it's necessary to ignore the current charter legislation in the formation of this school? I think this… this question was somewhat posed by Representative Mitchell, in regards to this legislation."
"Well, the difference here Representative Golar, is what we're trying to create is an incubator for math and science, and focus in on those two areas, with given now the other elements within the third and eighth grade curriculum, but the majority of the charters are by lottery. Okay. So, what we're trying to do is go to the people, besides the parents, that know the children the best, to see where we can help those children that want to, or look like they would be… we could engage them more in the math and science arena. So, that was one of the areas that I didn’t get to explain over there and why it had to 09600153.doc 43 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 be under state law because we're… we're traveling away from the lottery system to more specific to… to find those children that the math and science there's an interest and we as a teacher see that the kids learn quicker are more engaged 'cause we're using those tools to advance the other areas. So, that's why it had to come to this Chamber for a foundation of legislation."
"Okay. Thank you for that explanation, however, it, the original language, of charter schools was created of course, and Representative Burns alluded to this, that you have… have that parents would have options. And when you change the entire language of the 1995 language in the charter school Bill, which states… Because there are certain things that you are doing, that goes against why… why schools, charter schools, were created. One, of course you say you're getting away from the lottery. That to me, even though you're not looking at or changing it… And you also have it restricted to a certain boundary, which is your four districts which is fine. Do you know that in District 299, which is Chicago public schools, we would love to just choose an area where we could just go and choose a specific area of the 600 and some odd schools and just say well we want to work in this area. We want to work on those students that are not doing well where their curriculum to work, and emphasize math and science. This is good, but it goes against the charter legislation. That's number one. Number two is, is that you say that your teachers are excited about this program in your district. We all would be excited about it if we had the 09600153.doc 44 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 opportunity to of course change it. Four districts. Could you tell me Representative, what is your criteria for selecting the students?"
"The criteria, again, is and just make me… I'm very clear on this for the intent of the Bill is that there is not a break or make for any school student application. There'll be no cut off score. There's not a 10 gets in and a one doesn't get in, okay? It's a multi-criteria, which includes teacher recommendation, checklists of observing behavior traits with the talented or the child that is talented in certain math and science receives more… gets excited about learning by doing things there. So, it's a teacher recommendation, with the evidence of interest in math and science, a parent or guardian recommendation, the student's grades, student achievement and cognitive ability in math and science. So, it's not if a person… a kid comes in they have an A. If a kid is English second language learner, and they have interest in math and science and have a C and the teacher sees that they learn better working with math and science…"
"Please grant the Lady an additional minute on here then to bring your remarks to a close."
"That child could be chosen too. But the… the interesting thing is the… throughout the four districts, we are an extremely diverse community. I mean we have an 86 percent… 83 percent Hispanic population in the school district in which I live in. Across the road, it's high African American, Hispanic, and the other… all four of them. So, it'll be a very… like I said, every child can 09600153.doc 45 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 apply. And we're not looking for straight A students, we're looking to engage kids and give them the tools to get highly qualified jobs in this country and help us out."
"Well, thank you, Representative. To the Members of the General Assembly. Right now, Representative Chapa LaVia is trying to make her districts better. And that's what we all want. However, the formation of the charter school language in 1995 was to create options, and right now this Bill goes against about four or five things in the original legislation. And so I would urge this Body to vote 'no'."
"Further discussion? The Lady from DuPage, Representative Senger."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To the Bill. This is a concept that almost everybody here agrees is a good… good idea and I know we’re working out the details. The one piece here that hasn't been recognized well enough is this is an incubator for teachers also. And you really can’t train a teacher in math and science, unless you have the right environment of students in it. So, this is a win for teachers. The teachers want this. And it's a win for the school districts, and hopefully it will be a win for the rest of the State as a model, which we all know is so important for math and science. So, I want to reemphasize again that this is a positive for education going forward. I know it's something new, and it's something different, but it's something all the schools want and I think we should be in favor of it, to let this thing move forward. Thank you." 09600153.doc 46 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010
Speaker Mautino: "Further discussion? The Gentleman from Crawford, Representative Eddy. Our final questioner."
"Thank you. Would the Sponsor yield?"
"She indicates that she will."
"Representative, I understand that this is going to be somewhat controversial, but there's a couple of things I think that were mentioned that we need to clear up that are important. First of all, the application, for a third through eighth grader is open to any student?"
"Any student that wants to apply."
"Any student and their parents, any… anybody that wants to apply can apply for this. So this isn't selective as to that application process?"
"No."
"And… and the criteria will be not only based on their math and science scores, but on letters of recommendation, a student submitted portfolio. This is not about selecting just based on their ability in math and science?"
"Correct, 'cause if we wanted to that we'd send them over to the Math and Science Academy."
"So, right. So, what we come up with, I mean in any charter situation, usually there are more applications than there are spots available."
"Speaker, could you… can you get the noise level down please out of respect for the Speaker."
"I would ask the Members in the Chamber to please bring the noise level down so we may hear the debate. Please continue." 09600153.doc 47 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010
"In any charter situation, there are going to be more applications than there are openings, right?"
"Correct. Correct."
"I mean there… there are usually waiting lists. So, there might be more applications than there are openings, but everyone is eligible to apply."
"Correct."
"Okay. I think that's important because I think there was kind of notion here that there was going to be a… a lead us movement here. I don't see that all in this Bill. I see an open application system to create a science technology and mathematic center using an existing charter. You're not expanding the number of charters. The major change here is it's multi-district, correct?"
"Correct."
"And you have a lot of partners, some are private partners that are in business in industry, one is a private University, but we're using the money that follows the student not to support a private university here, but to support a public charter."
"Correct."
"Okay. I… I'm not sure what… what all of the sky is falling rhetoric is about with this. It is creative. It gives us an opportunity. And my understanding is also that when the original legislation went through, it was open to the entire charter. Any charter in the State, but you we're asked to limit this?"
"Correct." 09600153.doc 48 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010
"And now that you've limited it, some of the… some of the argument against this is that it's limited."
"Correct."
"So, the people that are against the notion are going to be against the notion whether you open it up to all charters or if you limit it to one charter."
"Correct."
"Okay. Honestly, I… I think that this… this is something that has a lot of details to be worked out. We have to know who the authorizing school is going to be. But it's going to be a public school."
"Correct."
"We got four boards of education that have to work together here to work out the details of who's going to be representing, who's going to answer the questions that were brought up about who's going to be employed. Teachers are not going to lose seniority, tenure, or any other…"
"Or pension. No they will not loose any of that."
"…protections that they have back at their original school based on taking a position…"
"Correct."
"There's nothing in… in this that… that erases their seniority rights. The question of what happens when they go back to their school. There are myriad of labor laws that take care of what’s going to happen to those teachers when they go back to their original schools. They're going to have seniority and tenure. You're not doing anything to take it away from them. You're trying to create a pilot in… in so much that it's one charter. And are there some 09600153.doc 49 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 reporting requirements back to the General Assembly related to how this… how this charter operates?"
"Well, we will be doing that. I mean, I've spoken to quite a few people, Representative Mitchell, quite a few people had said I'd love them to be engaged in the process. 'Cause if everybody knows me here I'm a person that's willing to sit down, negotiate, work with people. In fact, after this Session's over, I'm going to be downstairs, we're going to be talking to a lot of the interested groups to keep them a part of the process. Even Chicago teacher's union, okay, when it's not even in Chicago. I think it's important that people understand that this charter school's going to be about union teachers in it. It's an amazing concept in science and math and I'm very excited about where it's going to do and what it's going to do for the areas in the State and the United States."
"Well, I… I wish you luck, 'cause I think we need to do some things differently. We need to be innovative, we need to be creative. One of the things we're supposed to do with charters is to find those creative positive ways to bring out the best in our students. It's an open application. This is… this is not the end of the… of the purpose of charters, this is a little bit of a wrinkle that I think is worth exploring. I support your legislation. I hope that this Bill creates additional discussion about how we can best use those available charters to serve… to serve what's best for kids, to serve what's best for students. That's lost in this argument all too often here when we talk about everybody else who has a competing interest here 09600153.doc 50 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 on the floor. This could be very good for kids; it could be good for the United States in our quest to become leaders in technology, science, and math education. Not just in Illinois, but in this country. I support the legislation. I wish you luck as you work out the detail, and I look forward to the reports about how this is going."
"Representative Chapa LaVia to close."
"Thank you. It… it's been quite a heated debate here on the House Floor. I think everybody understands this is just about the kids. It’s giving children in our state the opportunity to excel in math and science. It doesn't select the smart kids over the kids that are Cs and As. It's for children and the ability to teach our teachers how to teach their kids back in their district and exponentially it will grow and grow and grow. This is not whether the Mothership Unions don't like this, actually it is about them not liking this Bill, or liking the Bill. Whether it's Chicago teachers union, whether it’s IEA, IFT, when is it going to be about the children? When are we going to get serious in this state about math and science for our kids in our minority communities? 'Cause you vote 'no' on this, you're voting against kids of color in my district that don't have the ability right now to gain these possibilities. You know, we can talk and talk we're all about education and then we vote no on something like this that's scary. The sky's falling like Roger said. It's not falling. We come here to represent our districts to get what we can for our kids. We do that. With all my heart, everybody knows I do that. I negotiate with 09600153.doc 51 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 everybody. There's not one lobbyist here but except for Danny maybe right now, that can say that Linda Chapa LaVia doesn't work with people and she's good on her word. When lobbyists want to look for any of us, you know who they want to come first, me, 'cause they know I'll help them out. When the Executive Branch, except for a few votes, wants, you know, me to help them on something, I help them with it, 'cause it's right. I'm asking for your help and support on education for my kids in my district, my minority kids. My district, East Aurora, is failing miserably. They have no leadership to help these kids. 55 percent of my… my kids drop out, my Hispanic kids in East Aurora. I'm trying to give them a shot. So, if you don't want to vote about this because it's about the unions, go ahead, go right ahead, but this piece of legislation's what's right for my kids in my district. And I never get emotional on the Floor, but it's unbelievable how much control the unions have in our State on our kids. When did it become about their paycheck and not the kids being educated? Tell me that! Whose school district is performing to standards? Okay, why do we have today's paper, we're ranked 25 in the nation for math. We're ranked 25 for science in the nation. We're looking for scientists to move in the United States. Isn't this what Barrack is all about? Our leader, about educating the kids in this state. So, you could take a 'no' vote on this and think it's not going to… it's not going to affect anybody, but what your districts are all looking for, and all your employers are looking for are educating Hispanic people 09600153.doc 52 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 because 2020, each of you will have one in your family. I have one in my family. Everyone of you will have an issue with educating our kids if you don't get on board for the kids and remember it's not about the unions anymore, everybody we've gotten over that hump. It's not about the unions, it's about educating the kids in the State of Illinois on math and science, 'cause we are failing them. We have failed them for 20 years, 'cause we care about our campaign more than we care about our children that we're sending into the educational in the arena of science, math and everything. We can't read anymore, we can't write anymore. How many of you guys hear that in your district? So, please don't make this about the unions, what they don't like, what they don't want. Well, you guess what, what they're doing hasn't worked everybody. It's a secret, but it hasn't worked. Our kids are failing, failing, failing, failing! So, please support this piece of legislation, for we need to make a mark on this date. We need a change of direction we've been going in for the last 20 years on reform, and we need to start right now. Thank you very much."
"The Lady has moved passage of House Bill 6862. This requires 71 votes. All in favor vote 'yes'; opposed vote 'no'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Representative Fritchey, Representative Jefferson, Representative Poe, do you wish to be recorded? Mr. Clerk, take the record. Representative Chapa LaVia."
"Postponed Consideration please." 09600153.doc 53 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010
Speaker Mautino: "The Bill will be placed on Postponed Consideration. Representative… Representative Howard, Senate Bill 389 appears on page 5 of the Calendar. Senate Bills-Second Reading. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."
"Senate Bill 389, the Bill was read for a second time on a previous day. Amendment #1 was adopted in a committee. Floor Amendments 2 and 3 have been approved for consideration. Floor Amendment #2, is offered by Representative Howard."
"Representative Howard on Floor Amendment #2."
"Yes. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Floor Amendment #2 provides that persons who have been wrongfully imprisoned and who have been exonerated, would be able to have access to mental health services from the Department of Mental Health. It would also provide that they would have an automatic expungement, with a certificate of innocence from the Circuit Court. And thirdly, it would provide an I.D from the Department of Corrections that specifies that they had been wrongfully imprisoned."
"The Lady moves adoption of Floor Amendment #2. No one seeking recognition. All in favor say 'yes'; opposed 'no'. The 'yeses' have it and the Amendment is adopted. Mr. Clerk, further Amendments?"
"Floor Amendment #3, offered by Representative Howard."
"Representative Howard on Floor Amendment #3."
"Yes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Floor Amendment #3 would provide a new definition for wrongfully imprisoned persons. It would… if accepted this would conform to 09600153.doc 54 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 existing law regarding definitions for persons who have been wrongfully imprisoned."
"The Lady moves adoption of Floor Amendment #3. No one seeking recognition. All in favor say 'yes'; opposed say 'no'. Opinion of the Chair the 'yeses' have it. The Amendment is adopted. Mr. Clerk, further Amendments?"
"No further Amendments. No motions are filed."
"Third Reading. Read the Bill."
"Senate Bill 389, a Bill for an Act concerning State government. Third Reading of this Senate Bill."
"Representative Howard."
"Yes. Senate Bill 389 as amended allows for the revision of services to persons who have been wrongfully imprisoned and who have been exonerated."
"Lady moves passage of Senate Bill 389. On this question, the Gentleman from DuPage, Representative Reboletti."
"Thank you Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Indicates that she will."
"Representative, is… is this in a situation where the State's Attorney's Office, after the person either has been released from prison because there is are some issues with proof, and then the State's Attorney, once the person's out of custody, State's Attorney chooses not to file or go forward on another prosecution? Is that what we're talking about here? When the State's Attorney's Offices has chosen not to go forward?" 09600153.doc 55 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010
"No, that is not the case, the person must have a certificate of innocence, which means that there has been a process getting them to that point."
"Could you explain the certificate of innocence? I… I don't think everybody understands that concept."
"It is a document that certifies that this person is not innocent. There have been no tricks, no kind of going around laws. They have been shown to be not guilty of the offense."
"And who issues the certificate of innocence?"
"The circuit court issues that."
"Thank you. To the Bill. This is just a situation where there are wrongful convictions and when it comes back around the State's Attorney's Office is not going to pursue further charges. They… they go back to court. They get a certificate of innocence, and what this allows the person to do then is to get an expungement and a scaling of the arrest, which makes sense because obviously the charges weren't warranted at the time. It also gives them some mental health services, which is reasonable. And how the Sponsor worked with us on the Bill and took out some job training and some Medicaid issues which we thought were cost prohibitive at the time. So, I would urge an 'aye' vote."
"The Lady… excuse me, the Lady moves passage of Senate Bill 389. All in favor will vote 'yes'; opposed vote 'no'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Representative Beiser, Biggins, Dunkin, Schmitz, do you 09600153.doc 56 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 wish to be recorded? Mr… Representative Biggins. Mr. Clerk, take the record. 96 voting 'yes'; 17 voting 'no; 0 voting 'present'. Senate Bill 389 is declared passed. Mr. Clerk, Rules Report."
Clerk Bolin: "Committee Reports. Representative Currie, Chairperson from the Committee on Rules, reports the following committee action taken on December 1, 2010: recommends be adopted Floor Amendment #1 for Senate Bill 362."
"The Gentleman from Jackson, Representative Bost."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If we could have Representative Biggins excused for the rest of the day please."
Speaker Mautino: "Record will reflect. Representative Jakobsson."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise for a point for personal privilege. I would like to have the House give a nice, warm, friendly welcome to state… the student Senates from the University of Illinois Urbana and Champaign, and the University of Illinois here is Springfield. And they're up in the balcony behind us. So, please give them a nice, warm Springfield welcome."
Speaker Mautino: "Welcome to Springfield. Page 4 of the Calendar under Senate Bills-Third Reading appears… appears Senate Bill 362. Mr. Clerk, place that on the Board and return it to Second Reading. Mr. Clerk, any Motions pending?"
"Senate Bill 362, the Bill was read a second time on a previous day. No Committee Amendments. Floor 09600153.doc 57 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 Amendment #1, offered by Representative… Representative Gordon, has been approved for consideration."
"Representative Gordon on Floor Amendment #1."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. I'd like to move to House Amendment 1 adopted. The House Amendment merely change… changes the extension from being permanent to a one-year extension. And I'd like to ask for the amendment to be…"
"The Lady moves adoption of Floor Amendment #1. No one seeking recognition. All in favor say 'yes'; opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair the 'yeses' have it and the Amendment is adopted. Mr. Clerk, further Amendments?"
"No further Amendments. No Motions are filed."
"Third Reading. And read the Bill."
"Senate Bill 362, a Bill for an Act concerning elections. Third Reading of this Senate Bill."
"Representative Gordon."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Senate Bill 362 amends the Election Code. The City of Peoria is the only jurisdiction in the State of Illinois that elects its City Council members by accumulative voting process. The equipment purchased by the election commission cannot be programmed to count fractional votes. And what we are looking for is we are looking for an extension to allow the votes to be… to be counted centrally, as was done in 2007. There are no opponents to this Bill, and I'd like to ask for the adopt… for the… I'd like to ask for this to Bill to be moved on." 09600153.doc 58 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010
"The Lady moves passage of Senate Bill 362. All in favor will vote 'yes'; opposed vote 'no'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Representative Leitch, do you wish to be recorded? Mr. Clerk, take the record. 113 voting 'yes'; 0 voting 'no'; 0 voting 'present'. Senate Bill 362 is declared passed. Page 3 of the Calendar, under House Bills-Second Reading is House Bill 1760. Representative Flowers. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."
"House Bill 1760, the Bill was read a second time on a previous day. No Committee Amendments. Floor Amendment #1, offered by Representative Flowers, has been approved for consideration."
"The Lady from Cook on Floor Amendment #1."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. Floor Amendment #1 becomes the Bill, and I have filed legislation to pass House Bill 1760, which would extend the patients right to know, to provide critical consumer health information to individuals and families to enable them to make informed choices about their primary and specialty care provider. The current law is not operable, and is scheduled to be repealed at the end of the year. It would require the State of Illinois to provide a comprehensive physician profile on the Internet. And if I may just give you a little background, the original law was enacted in 2005, and it became operational April 6th of 2008, but it was suspended because the Illinois Supreme Court struck down the medical malpractice reform that contains several important reform in the Medical 09600153.doc 59 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 Malpractice Act. The court ruled that all of the provisions of the comprehensive reform law were void even though it did not specifically object to the patient's right to know. And if I may just give you a brief background of exactly what the Bill would require. There's two main categories. It would require the physician's name, the medical school that the physician attended, and the dates of attendance, the number of years that they were in practice, the location of the physician's primary practice, and any specialty board that they may have possessed, also, a listing of the medical facilities appointments that they may have teaching responsibility at. In regards to the disciplinary data, a description of any criminal convictions including guilty pleas for all felonies and Class A misdemeanor for the last five years. A description of any final disciplinary action taken by DFPR against a physician within the last five years, a description of any type of disciplinary action by any other state agency against that physician within the last five years, any revocation or restrictions in hospitals, anything that's relating to their privileges being revoked within the last five years. Other states have had this legislation in operation in regards to provision, physician profiling. California, Florida, Massachusetts, Oregon, Rhode Island, and there has not been any problems. The physician profile will simply fill the gap in the current health information system that we have. In this state we have the right to know about nursing homes, in this state we have the hospital report card, we should also add the doctors. When 09600153.doc 60 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 this website was up, there was over 1,000 hits per day, I'm sorry 100,000 hits per day. It was working, there was no complaints. You may have read the headlines and the newspapers about physicians being charged with rape, overmedicating, drug use, abuse, and the patients should have the right to know. So, I would appreciate your 'yes' vote on House Bill 1760, and I'll be more than happy to answer any questions you may have."
"The Lady moves adoption of Floor Amendment #1. On that question, the Gentleman from Randolph, Representative Reitz."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To… to the Bill. I think we have extended the sunset on the Medical Practice Act until November. We had in the original Bill that we had last session we dealt with a number of these. Any changes to the Medical Practice Act. I think we should do this over the next year when we look at this in November, and I'd appreciate a no vote."
"Lady has moved adoption of Floor Amendment #1. All in favor say 'yes'; opposed 'no'. In opinion of the Chair the 'yeses' have it. The Amendment is adopted. Mr. Clerk further Amendments?"
"No further Amendments, but a state mandate's note and a fiscal note has been requested on the Bill as amended, and has not been filed."
"Leave this Bill on second reading. Page 4 of the Calendar appears House Bill 6881 under House Bills-Second Reading. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill." 09600153.doc 61 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010
"House Bill 6881, the Bill was read for a second time on a previous day. No Committee Amendments. Floor Amendment #1 has been adopted to the Bill. No further Amendments have been approved for consideration. No Motions are filed."
"Representative Collins. Excuse me. Place that Bill… move that Bill to Third Reading. Read the Bill."
"House Bill 6881, a Bill for an Act concerning criminal law. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"Representative Collins."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask for the passage of House Bill 6881. It was a technical Amendment. The only thing we did was add a high school diploma and… 'cause it already had GED. So, if a kid graduates with a High School diploma then he would still be eligible as well. So, I ask for an 'aye' vote."
"Lady moves passage of House Bill 6881. On that question, the Gentleman from DuPage, Representative Reboletti."
"Thank you Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Indicates that she will."
"Representative, what was the reason for you needing the changes? You were telling me about one issues in your district about some people that have this… a situation."
"We, in Chicago, if your… you can go to school because we have a kind of alternative schools. So, a kid can actually go to school until about 21, 22 years old and then come out with a high school diploma. So, this one 09600153.doc 62 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 particular young man was on… on parole and he had completed his parole and he wasn't eligible for the 60 days because the language says you have to have a GED, so we just wanted to make sure that, I mean a GED is the high school diploma's equivalent to that, and so because high school wasn't… high school diploma was not in the language, the Department of Corrections didn't acknowledge that. So, we just wanted to make it real plain in the language that it could be a high school diploma or a GED."
"Well, I don't think I supported this the last time, but it makes sense that if you do get a high school diploma or a GED, they both should count as the same, and that person should be entitled to the… the credit. So, I would urge an 'aye' vote."
"All right. Thank you."
Speaker Mautino: "Further discussion? The Gentleman from Vermilion, Representative Black."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Inquiry of the Chair."
"Yes, Sir."
"What's the status of Floor Amendment #1 to the Bill?"
"Mr. Clerk."
"Floor Amendment #1 has been adopted to the Bill."
"Okay. Thank you very much. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"She indicates she will."
"Representative, the additional 60 days of good time that an inmate can receive… can obtain by receiving a high school diploma, is that day for day good time, or just 60 days all in one lump application so that they're within 60 days of getting out, they get out, rather than serving 09600153.doc 63 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 another 60 and getting one day per… one day good time for each day served?"
"No. We took that part out of the Bill. We're only dealing with the part of the Bill that that's what the Amendment was for yesterday, to drop that part of the Bill. We just wanted to clarify that GED and a high school diploma was the same and that if you had a high school diploma that if you was eligible for the good times, you can get that."
"Okay. I appreciate that. And staff just corrected me so I don't want to mislead the Body. It isn't a good time credit, it's just an early release for… from parole. They're not incarcerated. They may be on parole and if they obtain their GED or high school equivalency, then they can shorten their parole period by 90 days. Okay."
"That's correct."
"Thank you very much."
"The Lady moves passage of House Bill 6881. All in favor will vote 'yes'; opposed vote 'no'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Representative Black, Representative Gordon. Mr. Clerk, take the roll. 100 voting 'yes'; 13 voting 'no'; 0 voting 'present'. House Bill 6881 is declared passed. Representative Carberry."
"Point of personal privilege. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Members of the House. Please join me in wishing Kevin McCarthy a happy 60th birthday, December 5th here." 09600153.doc 64 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010
"Happy Birthday. Page 4 of the Calendar under Senate Bills-Third Reading appears Senate Bill 150. Representative Feigenholtz. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."
"Senate Bill 150, a Bill for an Act concerning public health. Third Reading of this Senate Bill."
"Representative Feigenholtz."
"Thank you Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. I rise to introduce the Chicago Community Expanded Mental Health Services Act. This was a… a group of wonderful citizens of the City of Chicago approached me and many Members are familiar with this issue. Very concerned about the cuts in mental health services and their community and came up with an innovative idea of a front door referendum and creating territories to raise their own taxes if they choose. To replace the $91 million that has been taken off of the budget in their communities and all the lost mental health services that are happening all over the City of Chicago. I would be glad to answer any questions."
"Represen… Questions? Representative Davis." Davis, M.: "Will the Sponsor yield?"
"She indicates that she will." Davis, M.: "Representative Feigenholtz, Is… this is the legislation where you're taxing local communities for mental health services?"
"No. This is not a… Actually, this is a Bill that allows for citizens in the City of Chicago to form a group, create a territory and establish a rate, and put… pass petitions and put a referendum on the ballot. And once that referendum is on the ballot, and if it receives the 09600153.doc 65 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 requisite number of votes and plurality, it would self determine whether or not… It's very similar to special service area… areas in the City of Chicago, Representative. So, it… it's a self tax. I don't know that I would categorize it the way you did." Davis, M.: "So, for example, let's say people in the 19th Ward would go to the polls and they would vote yes or no that they want to tax themselves in order to have mental health services. Is that correct?"
"Correct. But it actually, I wouldn't exactly say that it would be by Ward, the catchment areas would be significantly larger, but that would be determined by the committees and the communities that determine them, and also the rate." Davis, M.: "Well, for example, in Chicago we have what 50 Wards. Is it 50 Wards in Chicago?"
"Yes." Davis, M.: "So, how many areas would this, you know, take care of?"
"Well, this… this actually that is yet to be determined. This is… these are… this Bill applies to municipalities of the million or over, and it doesn't… it likely wouldn't break down by Ward. It would be a region or a community that overlaps Wards." Davis, M.: "So, if a community, say like Englewood, decided to vote no, they wouldn't have dollars for their mental health services?" 09600153.doc 66 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010
"If petitions were passed in a community to put a referendum on a ballot, and that referendum did not receive enough votes, it would not… there would not be a tax." Davis, M.: "Okay. To the Bill, Mr. Speaker."
"To the Bill." Davis, M.: "I do know that as Chairman of the Human Service Appropriation, Representative Feigenholtz, you have a great deal of interest and concern, as many of us do about the terrible cuts that have taken place for mental health services. If I'm not mistaken, we have cut mental health by 50 percent. But I think to establish a precedent, where we would leave it up to a community, whether it would tax itself in order to provide needed services, is a very, very bad road to start to travel. I realize that in the State of Illinois we have a deficit of about $13 billion, and I do realize that mental health has been treated very badly, but I have to agree this time with the City of Chicago, that we cannot start to pick and choose those things of primary interest to us to have a special tax for. Now can you imagine a special tax that doesn't pass in Englewood, but that person who needs the service decides to move where you did use your tax money? So, then that person would be getting services from perhaps a richer area, when he or she in their neighborhood, they didn't vote to have this tax. I think it's the wrong road to go. We have too many issues in education to piecemeal the funding for needed services. Mental health is significant enough for the State of Illinois to fund it adequately. And if all of us in this Body, decide that we are not going to let mental… mental 09600153.doc 67 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 health services be put on the back burner, it won't be put on the back burner. It has to be a decision made by this Body. We cannot decide based on upon what citizens have knowledge of or decide they want to spend money on, that we'll have services for. I support dollars for mental health, I do not support piecemealing the needed services based on referendums by people who may not even have great knowledge of how much money they need for that service in that community. I know a lot of health care community services that were shut down, I got people put things in my mailbox. In Beverly they put letters in my mailbox at home concerned about the closing of mental health facilities. People walking on the street with… needing mental health care. But these people can move from my district to your district. I can vote for the tax, but it doesn't guarantee that the sick person is going to stay there and get help. The person can move where ever he or she wants to. This is a system. We have a problem in the State of Illinois. We need money, we need it badly. And mental health care is one of those services that we need to prioritize, but to decide that we're going to have special taxing districts based upon the knowledge of residents of what we need and then they're going to vote on it, and then this community will get it because that's what they voted on. It is the wrong path to travel. I've been here 23 years. I've never seen anything like it in my life. Something as serious, something as crucial as mental health services, we're going to decide will be based upon the knowledge of a community of if it should tax itself or not, if it goes to the poll. 09600153.doc 68 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 If it wins at the poll and your community says yes, you get a lot of money for mental health care. Well, a lot of mental health people be moving in that direction. They'll leave Englewood and they'll go where the service is provided, and I would not blame them. This is an excellent idea. The City of Chicago opposes it, and so does Monique D. Davis. Vote 'no'."
Speaker Mautino: "Further discussion? The Gentleman from Peoria, Representative Leitch."
"Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. I'd like very much to commend the Sponsor for bringing this Bill forward, which sadly, in this environment and these days is necessary. I mean, how remarkable is it that communities come together after advisory referendums wanting a binding referendum to tax themselves to get basic mental health services which the state it too incompetent to provide. How low does this state have to go? We know that we have the worst mental health system in the United States. We know that we have the worst system for those who suffer from developmentally dis… disabled people in the United States, and we have reached this limit. Oh we had $336.2 million in our budget for pay raises, but that wasn't a priority to save people who are being turned out of facilities and are unable to access their very necessary services in mental health. There is a major price that is being paid every day by families and by those who are suffering from mental health, because of the state's dysfunction and total abject incompetence at providing necessary basic services to the 09600153.doc 69 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 most vulnerable among us. I think this is sadly a very important Bill. It's one that I know the communities are very energized because they really are struggling without having appropriate mental health services in their communities. So, again I would salute the Sponsor's of this Bill, and I would strongly urge a 'yes' vote. Thank you."
"Further discussion? The Lady from DuPage, Representative Bellock."
"Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. To the Bill. I want to applaud Sarah Feigenholtz for all her work on this and reiterate what Representative Leitch has just said. This group that started this momentum is an unusual group that has worked extremely hard in their district for the last eight years. They have had two advisory referendums on this where they received over 70 percent of the vote to tax themselves. In the last couple of years, the City of Chicago has reduced their mental health clinics from 12, I'm sorry from 17 to 12. In this area, they have been reduced, their services, by over 70 percent. Again, it's what Representative Leitch said. While other people are getting $300 million of raises, veterans, people who need services are being reduced all their mental health services. So in this area, they want to have a front door referendum to have a binding referendum to bring those services to their communities. How unique that these people have taken upon themselves not to get money from the state, not to get money from the city, but to take money from themselves to pay for mental health services for the 09600153.doc 70 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 people in their own community. There is a model that has been done before. Those of us that live in other counties and municipalities, we have binding referendums all the time. If we want to tax ourselves, we can put a binding referendum on the ballot and we can do that. These people want that opportunity to be able to do that for themselves in their area. If other people want to come and use those services, they can, and they can pay for them. The people in the area that are being taxed, they will get those services for free. So, the issue here is, do we want to provide mental health services which were being cut left and right all over the state to people in a community who want to pay for it themselves. This does not provide it. It gives them the opportunity to vote on a binding referendum in their area. Isn't that what democracy is all about? People speaking up for themselves. Thank you."
"Further discussion? The Gentleman from Knox, Representative Moffitt."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Indicates that she will."
"Representative, this was brought up a couple times in State Government Committee and I commend you for your efforts. I think it's important to keep in mind that you pointed out, cuts have been made. This is not expanding government, this is not expanding programs, this is trying to restore back to where we were. Is that correct?"
"Correct."
"Or where they were. As far as I know, this is the only time I remember in this Session, maybe there were 09600153.doc 71 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 others, but it's rare, when a group will come down to Springfield, it's usually we have a problem, we need funding, and will you get us some money. That's not what this is about. They're saying we have the answer, we'd just like the authority to do it."
"That is correct Representative. Well put."
"And if we'd have more of that, we could address some other problems. When cuts are made, like in services critical like mental health, cutting the funding does not make the problem go away. In fact, I think the problems probably increasing. So, we still have it there to address, is that correct?"
"Correct. And Representative, it's important for people in this chamber to know that if we become a more solvent state and are generous enough to actually fund our mental health services adequately, that in… I believe Section 30 of this legislation, this referendum, could be repealed as well. I mean, so it's actually up to the citizens. It's actually a question brought to the people directly."
"I think those are all very important points, I just commend you for your efforts to get it this far. I think it deserves consideration, and this is the way we ought to be addressing some problems. Obviously we wish there was enough state money, but the reality is, there's not. And with this, it's local effort, grass roots efforts saying we still have the problem, we want to address it. And if I remember right, it's limited to municipalities of a million or more. Is that correct?" 09600153.doc 72 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010
"Correct."
"So, we're not making this statewide, it's a very limited area that this would apply to. So, I think it really deserves our 'yes' vote. Thank you."
"Thank you."
"Further discussion? The Lady from Champaign, Representative Jakobsson."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of this Bill. We've heard from several of us today about the cuts that have been made to mental health. The people who are going without services and here's a situation where people are trying to take back some control of their own, so that they can provide these services. Many years ago in Champaign County, the voters decided to have a 708 board, which is a similar piece of action because when that board was developed then there are some taxes that go to serving mental health. So, I think this is very good for Representative Feigenholtz to have brought this forward so that the people in her area can receive the mental health services that they need. So, I would urge an 'aye' vote. Thank you."
Speaker Mautino: "The… further discussion? Representative Tryon."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To the Bill. You know, in McHenry County, we enjoy the services of a 708 board, as many areas throughout the state do, and it's not uncommon for a 708 board to be the size of a township, not the size of a county, to be the size of a city not to be the size of the township. And together the 708 boards in certain areas 09600153.doc 73 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 can link together and provide services. I don't see this any different than legislation that already applies to the rest of this state. In the… Just like a 708 board. I think this has been well thought out, well put together. If it doesn't work, they even have a mechanism in there where voters can petition and put it back on the ballot and repeal the services of the mental health tax. But when you look at what's really at stake here, maybe this will be put in place and maybe next year they'll have a referendum in the entire City of Chicago to expand this type of services to everybody. That's possible too. Because mental health services are something that are needed throughout our state and can be best provided by a local unit of government such as a 708 board or one of these boards. So, we have not had a problem in McHenry County when we've done this, and in other areas of the state. I think you will experience the same success that we feel in 708 boards throughout the state. I also think if you look at the City of Chicago, you're not used to having referendums. We're used to this in the suburbs. We don't have a voter cycle that was not some referendum on the ballot. I think the last referendum you had for schools was in 1980. This gives voters a chance to engage. This gives voters a chance to carve out a portion of the city and have services that they feel they need and are entitled to and deserve, and they can probably do it better than the state. They could do it better than the city. They'll be in touch with their community, and based on the success of the 708 legislation that we've seen 09600153.doc 74 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 throughout the State of Illinois, I don't see this as any different and I would urge an 'aye' vote."
"Further discussion? Deputy Majority Leader Lang, the Gentleman from Cook."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen. I rise and support thee Lady's Bill. Perhaps, we should note that this is a very creative approach to a serious problem. The grass roots organization that has come to Springfield to try to talk to us about this has worked very closely with Representative Feigenholtz. They've made Amendments along the way. They've listened to recommendations. They've listened to complaints. And they've crafted a very good and creative piece of legislation that will enable local communities to work together to find solutions for serious problems with mental illness. We all know that we've been cutting social services. We all know that local community healthcare, whether it be mental health or developmental disabilities or any other kind of healthcare, has been suffering. Here's an opportunity for people to take the problem into their own hands locally and to do something about it without us force feeding it. We just simply say to the communities if you want to pay for this, you go ahead and pay for this. So, I applause Representative Feigenholtz and the community group that has spent a good deal of time here in Springfield trying to do the right thing, and I would recommend 'aye' votes."
"Representative Feigenholtz to close."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Chicago City Council itself is actually in the process of discussing a 09600153.doc 75 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 resolution in committee. I believe an esteemed alderman has filed that ordinance or resolution to discuss this very, very creative idea brought forth by a group of very thoughtful citizens, and after a very turbulent three or four months of talking to my constituents and I'm sure around the State of Illinois, giving the power back to the people on a front door referendum would be very welcomed, so that people actually could self-determine for their own communities. This Bill is closely modeled against the Home Equity Act, passed by our very own Speaker, Michael Madigan, probably one of the initiatives he's most proud of. And although it is a departure, with all due respect to my colleague who spoke earlier about this is not the way that we should be funding mental health, I actually think that we are living in very extraordinary times, Representative, and extraordinary times require extraordinary measures, especially when it comes to procuring resources that people are willing to take out of their own pockets for their own community's mental health. I hope that each and every one of you will vote for this Bill. I'd appreciate an 'aye' vote."
"The Lady moves passage of Senate Bill 150. All in favor vote ‘yes’; opposed vote ‘no’. And the voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Representatives Collins, Black, Fritchey. Mr. Clerk, take the record. 86 voting ‘yes’, 27 ‘no’, 0 voting ‘present’. Senate Bill 150 is hereby declared passed. On House Bills-Second Reading appears House Bill 1850. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill." 09600153.doc 76 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010
"House Bill 1850, the Bill was read a second time on a previous day. No Committee Amendments. Floor Amendment #1 has been adopted. A balance budget note has been requested on the Bill as amended and has not been filed."
"Leave this Bill on Second Reading. On page 3 of the Calendar appears House Bill 1715. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."
"House Bill 1715, the Bill was read for a second time on a previous day. No Committee Amendments. Floor Amendment #1, offered by Representative Flowers, has been approved for consideration."
Speaker Mautino: "Representative Flowers on Floor Amendment #1."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. Senate Amendment #1 becomes the Bill and it adds a $30 fee per bid for the hospitals. And I'll be more than happy to answer any questions you may have in regards to the Amendment."
"The Lady moves adoption of Floor Amendment #1 to House Bill 1715. All in favor say 'yes'; opposed 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'yeses' have it. The Amendment is adopted. Mr. Clerk, any further Amendments?"
"No further Amendments. No Motions are filed."
"Third Reading. And read the Bill."
"House Bill 1715, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"Representative Flowers." 09600153.doc 77 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. House Bill 1715 is a fee that would be assessed to each bed for the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Department of Healthcare Services to deal with the problems that we're having in regards to oversight in our hospitals. We've heard the problems about children being abused and misused. We've heard the problems about different infections in the hospitals, and the type of treatment that our children are enduring because of lack of patient safety, and the Illinois Department of Public Health said that they would be able to inspect more of these facilities if they were able to hire more people. Right now, the only thing they could do is file reports in regards to the deficiencies. And DCFS have the responsibility of protecting these children from being abused and misused in these situations and they do not have the power to do so. And so what this Bill would do is to add a fee of $30 per bed unless the Department of Public Health and the Department of Children and Family Services think that the fee should be less. And I'll be more than happy to answer any questions you have regarding the Bill."
"Lady moves passage of House Bill 1715. And on that Representative Bellock, the Lady from DuPage."
"Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Indicates that she will."
"We had this Bill yesterday in Human Service, and I really respect what the Sponsor is doing with the Bill because they pointed out that we need more money to provide 09600153.doc 78 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 inspections of hospitals. The only problem that I have with this Bill that I think is still accurate, that I wanted to ask is there is no protection in the Bill that the funds cannot be swept. Is that correct?"
"That is correct Representative. And if I will be more than happy to consult with someone over in the Senate to have that removed."
"Okay. Well, at the time anyways we asked questions regarding the hospital inspections and there is more work to be done definitely on hospital inspections. The money now is just from the Federal Government, but in this case, without the assurance that the funds cannot be swept, that was the problem that we had with the Bill, why a couple of us had voted 'no' in committee on the Bill. Thank you."
"Well, thank you, Representative. And I appreciate that and as I stated I'll be more than happy to talk to the Sponsor over in the Senate and ask them to remove that portion if that is a concern, because right now, we can't get any money, and the hospitals are the only one that's not paying a fee for the services and the mandates that we as Legislators have given them to inspect these hospitals and to make sure that the Bills that you pass, such as to eradicate MRSA in the hospital, to make sure that is being done. And when we asked yesterday about the hospital report card, the hospitals are self reporting, it's not the idea that the Department of Public Health is going in to authenticate that everything that they're saying is actually true. So, they do need more money to make sure 09600153.doc 79 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 that the hospitals is a safe place, not only for patients but also the children that is required to go there."
"The Lady has moved passage of House Bill 1715. All in favor vote ‘yes’; opposed vote ‘no’. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Burns, Representative Collins, Representative Currie, Representative Osterman, do you wish to be recorded? Representative Burns and Osterman. Mr. Clerk, take the record. This Bill having received 39 ‘yes’, 72 ‘no’, 0 voting ‘present’ is declared lost. On page 2 of the Calendar is House Bill 1445, Representative Feigenholtz. Representative Feigenholtz. Out of the record. House Bill 1850. Mr. Clerk, read the Bill."
"House Bill 1850, the Bill was read for a second time on a previous date. No Committee Amendments. Floor Amendment #1 has been adopted, all notes that have been requested have been filed."
"Place that Bill on Third Reading. On page 8 of the Calendar, under House Resolutions 1002, Representative Brauer. Place… Representative Brauer."
"Yeah. I… I need to withdraw Amendment #1 and adopt 2."
"Mr. Brauer, we'll take that out of the record for just a moment and Mr. Clerk, place House Resolution 1188 on the Board. Representative Brauer."
"Yes. This is just to recognize the 10th Illinois Calvary. I had to take this out of the record last year 'cause they talked about remustering, and all we want to do 09600153.doc 80 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 is recognize that they actually go out and do the recreation. I'd appreciate an 'aye' vote on this."
Speaker Mautino: "Gentleman moves the House adopt House Resolution 1188. All in favor say 'yes'; opposed 'no'. In opinion of the Chair the 'yeses' have it, and House Resolution 1188 is adopted. Mr. Clerk, place House Resolution 1516 on the Board, please. Representative Cross. Mr. Clerk, Mr. Clerk, read the Resolution."
"House Resolution 1516. WHEREAS, William Bill Black is retired in December of 2010 after serving the residents of East Central Illinois for nearly 24 years in Illinois House of Representatives. WHEREAS, Representative Black was first elected to the General Assembly to serve the 105th district in November of 1986 after being appointed to fill a vacancy in February of that year. In November of 2008 he was selected to his 12th term in the 104th district. WHEREAS, Representative Black is a native of Danville, where his family has owned and operated a small business for more than 60 years, and WHEREAS, Representative Black served his home town as an administrator as Danville Community College and as an organizer of the Danville Area Economic Development Corporation, and WHEREAS, Representative Black has had a long and distinguished career serving his local community. He has served on the Vermilion County board as a Member and Chairman. He served as President of the Danville JC's and Danville South Rotary. He has also served in the Danville Area Convention 09600153.doc 81 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 and Visitors Bureau, the Vermilion County Chapter of the American Red Cross, and the Saint Elizabeth Hospital Mental Health Advisory Board. And WHEREAS, Representative Black joined the late Senator Harry Babe Woodyard in the General Assembly to create a formidable team and strong voice for central Illinois communities. His accomplishments include a law that improved the before and after school daycare for Illinois families, and a measure that protects the habitats of Illinois wildlife. And, WHEREAS, Representative Black was named Republican Floor Leader and Assistant Republican Leader in 1991, and Deputy Republican Leader in 2002. And, WHEREAS, Representative Black is recognized as one of the most gifted orators in the General Assembly, is known for stating his position strongly and clearly, but often with a touch of humor to lighten up a contentious debate. And, WHEREAS, Representative Black is respected by colleagues on both sides of the isle as a statesman who puts the needs of his district above all other concerns. WHEREAS, Representative Black, a former educator, has consistently fought to improve educational opportunities from preschool to college and beyond. He was a Sponsor of legislation to provide school districts with more flexibility to consolidate or to modify their school Calendars, and to eliminate costly tuition waivers and posts on the University of Illinois and other state universities. And, 09600153.doc 82 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 WHEREAS, Representative Black has championed other issues important to families in his district including protecting the funding for roads and other needing infrastructure improvements, helping low income families and seniors keep warm in the winter by removing the sales tax on natural gas, creating jobs through the creation of job renewal zones, cracking down on drunk and distracted drivers that pose a deadly hazard on our roads, and protecting the rights of adoptive parents. And, WHEREAS, Representative Black successfully worked to keep our State parks and recreational areas open for the education and enjoyment of our families, and work with colleagues across the State and Chicago City leaders to stop the infamous phantom Chicago parking tickets. And, WHEREAS, Representative Black's good humor is infectious and House Republican Members and staff can always count on Representative Black to make them laugh on long session days by ambushing them with squirt guns, silly string, and other toys, or by relaying a funny story or joke. And, WHEREAS, Representative Black has received many honors for his service to his local communities, including several outstanding legislator awards from various Illinois associations, he was also named one of the 10 outstanding State Legislators in the Country in 1991. And, WHEREAS, Representative Bill Black is married to the former Sharron McCarther, together they have two grown children, Deborah and Doug, and six grandchildren, therefore it be resolved by the House of Representatives of the 96th General Assembly of the State of Illinois, that we 09600153.doc 83 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 congratulate our friend and colleague, Representative William B. Bill Black on his retirement from the Illinois House of Representatives and wish him the best in his future endeavors, and be a further resolved that a suitable copy of this Resolution be represented to Rep… State Representative William B. Bill Black as a symbol of our respect and esteem."
Speaker Mautino: "On the Resolution, the Gentleman from Kendall, Republican Leader Tom Cross."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And to all of us on the Floor, this is one of those days that we all need to celebrate the career of Bill Black, but I think it's in many ways a sad day for his district, and for us, and for the people of the State of Illinois. I don't… I don't know that there are many people like Bill Black, and I… and you may chuckle, but I say that in the most positive sincere way. He is a unique individual. He's brilliant, he's intelligent, he's passionate, he has a gift of speaking that most of us, if not all of us do not have, and he has served in his role as Floor Leader in a difficult time and has done an incredible, incredible job. His list of accomplishments as a Legislator are endless, you've heard many of those, some of you have been involved in those, or maybe many of you have been involved in some way in some capacity, maybe small or large, in many of the things he's done in his very, very long and illustrious career in the General… in the General Assembly. As I think about his role for us and his role as a Member of the General Assembly, I… there are four or five areas that stand out. He's a guy that has 09600153.doc 84 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 been incredibly passionate about his district, and above all else at the end of the day he says what's best for Danville and what's best for Central Illinois, and that's not always easy to do. Danville has gone through, as we all know and listening to Bill, some very tough economic times over the years, and his goal as a Member of the General Assembly is what can I do to make Danville and that region stronger and more prosperous, even though we've lost jobs and we've lost businesses that have been really integral to the success of that community. And we have seen a downturn in Danville, perhaps worse than we've seen in other parts of this State, and he has never ever forgotten his district. He's never ever forgotten the people he represents. He's never ever forgotten the people that have elected him, and that does not always hold true for Members of this Body, and for that the people of Danville and for the surrounding communities should be very grateful. In his role as Floor Leader, he's had to take up the difficult task of taking care of his caucus and his party, and over the last eight years, since I've been Leader, that has been a difficult role to do, and for our party with the exception of a couple years in the mid- nineties, we have always been in the minority, for most of those years. And that is a difficult role because you have to articulate the needs of your caucus, oftentimes of your party, and at the same time trying to find ways to get things done and to not alienate people and to keep a sense of humor about you in a perspective that's needed to continue day in and day out, and to remain affective. And 09600153.doc 85 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 he has continued in all of these years to be an incredibly affective Floor Leader for our caucus, and for that we are extremely grateful. But I think perhaps above all else, the district is important, his relationships with you and all of us are important, representing his caucus is important, is above of all of that somebody that has always said what's best for the State of Illinois. And he does that also in a very sincere way and at times has caused him some angst and some disagreement with his party, and with his caucus, and that's okay. We may not like that, we may have strong disagreements, but at the end of the day we are State Representatives, and the role of a Statesman is not always easy, 'cause you challenge people and you… you question things and you say what is at the end of day the right thing to do. So, an example of that in Bill's mind of how he approached a Bill yesterday, a Bill that was very difficult for some and for some strong opposition, some strong support. Bill Black said I'm going to do what I think is right. And I think above all else, at the end of the day, when you can be a State Representative for the number of years that Bill Black has been, and still be called at the end of the day a Statesman who cares deeply about his state, his district, his people he represents, that's speaks volumes about the kind of human being and the kind of Representative he is. We have been lucky, we have been lucky to be able to witness this man in his role as a State Representative, as a Floor Leader, and as a Statesman. We are going to, on this side of the aisle, miss him deeply. He is gifted in his role. He is capable, 09600153.doc 86 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 he is passionate, he is compassionate, and he was always sincere. At times, a little theatrics we're thrown in, and that's okay. That is something we needed. Lord knows this place could use a little more levity. But Bill Black on behalf of the House Republicans and behalf of all of the people in the State of Illinois, and my role as a House Republican Leader, thank you for the role and the job you've done. It's been incredible. And I hope that you are able to leave here and enjoy life, enjoy your family, enjoy your kids, your grandkids. I know you'll always keep an eye on this place, but it's time for a little break, you've deserved it, and now the State of Illinois is a better place for all that you've done. Thank you very, very much."
Speaker Mautino: "Further discussion on the Resolution, Representative Stephens."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The… believe it or not, I've been around here almost as long as Bill Black. The 26 years that I have known him, gee, it's really gone by fast. There are a million Bill Black stories, but I would like to remind the Body that first of all, long before he came here, Bill got a… had a try-out with the Chicago Cubs, imagine that, imagine that. What a career change that would have been. The… yeah, they might have won. No, no even you Bill Black could not turn that… I'm sorry. You have worked miracles here on the House Floor, but they… then after that, Bill wound up in… as a naval fighter pilot in training, and remember the time when this was, this is… this is a time when our nation was about to be involved in 09600153.doc 87 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 South-East Asia and… and yet Bill stepped forward to volunteer for his country, and as for me, I… I just don't know that there's anything that can ever say thank you enough to the young men and women like Bill Black in those days who stood up and said, I volunteer. I want to put myself in harms way. Now it didn't work out for Bill. He had health problems that he… that he continues to battle even today. And the military said you know what, we're going to send you back home. They didn't take very good care of him by the way, but that's another story. I respect you for that. Then there are other stories. There was a night here in 1993 that I don't know if you're going to believe this but Bill threatened retirement. Ah… well, okay, maybe you will believe it because that was I think the second or third retirement and as Representative Feigenholtz can tell you, there have been several since then, some of which have been memorialized in various forms. But that night, Representative, you left the Floor in a storm, which surprised and shocked most of us. Leader Daniels in the fighting 46th district was a… was in charge of the House Republicans in those days and he turned to me and he said, Stephens go get him. Now I knew better because, maybe I'm speaking out of school here, but you're retiring anyways so who cares. Bill used to arm himself in those days. Now, he carried a 38… he carried a 38 with him, imagine that. And I knew about that. I can't tell you how I found out that story, but Lee said go get him, you got to bring him back. I said Lee, he carries a 38. Lee looked at me and said, Stephens you've been shot 09600153.doc 88 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 before. I and I caught up with Bill in the, I believe it was the parking lot and I can't remember if it was here or in your… on South Grand, and we had a brief discussion about whether or not he was going to shoot me, and… and as always, Bill you left the Floor that night over something that you believed in, something that you were passionate about. I have seen you stand here and… and bare your soul to the State of Illinois and to your friends here, and I know how much, how difficult that can be. You have carried out your career here with passion and devotion and love of your country first, excuse me, your family first. You've loved your country, you've loved this state, and you've loved this Body, and I hope that in some small manner when you leave here that you remember that each and everyone of us love you. Thank you for your service."
"Further discussion? The Gentleman from Knox, Representative Moffitt."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Bill, I've always dreaded this day when we would bid you farewell from the Legislature after we'd seen all that you've done, but it is here and I want to say congratulations on your outstanding career and a well-deserved retirement. I was here, you were carried out once, maybe more than that, but you were carried out and today at this time, you will walk out of here with pride and dignity and on your own terms and at a time of your choosing. And I'm glad that it's not being carried out or any of the other ways. I want to thank your family and I hope you'll express that to them for sharing you with the Legislature and the people of Illinois. At a 09600153.doc 89 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 time like this, really what do you say reflecting on a career of over 20 years, it's like almost everything has been said. What new thing could you say about Lincoln or about the mountains, or whatever? Your retirement leaves us as a Legislator… Legislature with a loss of institutional knowledge. You could always share something that was helpful to us. You leave a huge voig… void to our caucus, and really the General Assembly needs to put you on unofficial retainer for advice and guidance in the future. You were educated and trained to be a teacher, and you've continued to be a teacher here in the Legislature. You have taught us to honor, to respect, and protect the process. The Legislative process and I've heard you say that many times. You've taught us to take this process very serious, but we don't have to take ourselves serious, but we must take the process serious. You've always challenged our thinking, made us sharper, better prepared. You knew if you presented a Bill and didn't know what was in your Bill, you just might catch it and bring that out. You taught us it was okay to show emotion. You taught us it was okay to apologize. You taught us to say… to know it was okay to say I was wrong. And you taught us how to debate. And I can remember you having a very strong debate with some… someone on the other side, and the next day there were flowers, fresh flowers for that person to… to set things right. I kept a list of what I call Bill Blackisms. And I've got that in a file for future reference. And one of… all of us have heard some of them, but there's probably hundreds or thousands of those. I 09600153.doc 90 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 don't suppose I'll ever write a book, but if I do there will be some Bill Blackisms in it. I recently heard a quote that stated 'few people have power, but all can have influence.' By your example, you've really turned that quote around. By your example, because of the influence that you've had, you've exerted a lot of power, power in the right direction. A few years ago, I think it was in 1995 if I remember correctly, the United States Air Force pilot, Captain Scott O'Grady was shot down in his F16 while keep helping… keep enforce the NATO, no fly zone over Bosnia, and he was stranded there in enemy territory for six days. Avoiding being captured, using all of his ability and training, there were times when his pursers were within a few feet of where he was located, but he was hidden and was… was not captured. He was able to abate them. And then he was rescued. Our forces came in and got him out of enemy territory. He later wrote a book about his experiences, and the book was called Return with Honor. He returned home to the U.S. with honor. So, it is after all these years here in the Legislature, you're going to return to your beloved Danville and Vermilion County. And, Bill, you return with integrity, you return with character, you return with your word in tact, you return with honor. Not only will you be missed in the Illinois General Assembly, not only will you be missed, but you will be remembered. This is the end of your official Legislative career. But Bill, it's not the end of your influence. You will be talked about and referred to, and your example used for years and probably decades to come. So today, thank 09600153.doc 91 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 you Bill Black for making the General Assembly and the State of Illinois a better place. Godspeed my friend. Thank you."
"Representative Beaubien."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. What could be more fitting? I hope Tim Mapes is not in the room, but he's eating his lunch over here."
"Special dispensation." Beaubien: "And Frank by the way, he doesn't have a box of Kleenex so don't worry. I'm sorry. I'm going to talk about a side of Bill Black that probably most of you don't know. We've been across the hall from each other for eight years. I've known him for 14. Took me about 11 or 12 to begin to understand him. But there's a side of Bill Black that you don't know. He's a very kind, compassionate individual. Loves his family, took care of his father in his later years. The Bill Black that many of you don't know, 'cause you haven't been there that long, this is one of the finest human beings in the world, and I'm going to miss him more than anybody."
"Representative Brady."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, Bill want to extend my congratulations, my appreciation for your friendship, to not only… not only to me, but to so many in this institution over so many years, present and past. You've always been there to help us. You've always been there to offer, so many have testified to already, your great knowledge of this institution which is unmatched, and your passion for the process, which is so unique. There's so 09600153.doc 92 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 many stories, Bill Black stories, but there… there's one that occurred a few years ago, and some of you may remember this. Bill was over at his desk, and I happen to be just, well pretty much right next to him, and all of a sudden we all heard a big thud, and Bill Black had gone down. He was completely flat, or in my line of work laid out. And he was… he was for just a couple seconds there it seemed that he wasn't responding to us. I happen to be the first person to go to him, and he came around and I was leaning over him I said Bill, Bill. Are you okay? Are you okay? He goes I think I am, and the last person I need standing over me is an undertaker. So, I cleared away rather quickly. And I think Bill, if I'm not mistaken, they wheeled you out, but as always, Sir, you came back. As always, you came back. I want to thank you again from all of us here in the House, not only in the House but in the General Assembly, not only in the General Assembly, but from your district, and not only from your district but from all the people of Illinois, because you, Sir, are a true statesman. Bill, thank you, God bless you, and God bless your family. Thanks."
"Representative Will Davis." Davis, W.: "Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I, too, want to offer my congratulations to Representative Black on his years of service. I think Leader Cross said it best when he talked about what a unique individual that Bill Black was. And I guess over the years that I've been here, I've had a chance to really understand really what that means, but I'm not even sure if we really understand what 09600153.doc 93 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 uniqueness that Bill Black actually is or is as a person. I certainly hope Bill that you write a book because I would love to hear and to read about the stories, the things that you've encountered over the years. You know, when I would listen to you talk about issues on the Floor, sometimes I would just sit here and wonder like how the hell does somebody know that much about everything that exists here in the General Assembly. And… and I'm not sure how you've been able to do it. I don't know if his staff has just good or you actually are probably more better at technology than we think you are in terms of what you can Google, and things of that nature, but nevertheless, I think it's just a testament to the type of individual that you are. And you have the ability to speak on so many different issues here in the General Assembly. So, I'm not much of a casual reader, I think I read enough business-wise and professional-wise, that I don't really spend time doing a lot of casual reading, but if you ever did write a book, that is one book that I certainly would enjoy being able to sit back on an afternoon, underneath a tree and just probably laugh and marvel at the things that you've been able to accomplish and the things that you know about the State of Illinois. So, I certainly wish you well; hope you well in all of your endeavors and hope you enjoy spending time with your grandchildren and your family and I, too, hope that when I decide to leave the General Assembly that I can leave with grace. That I can leave with dignity. That I can leave with the honor that you have been able to 09600153.doc 94 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 amass here as a Member of the Illinois General Assembly. Congratulations, Bill. Take Care."
"Representative Careen Gordon."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I realize everybody is saying such wonderful, kind things about you, Representative Black, but I think some of our mail got mixed up and I got a letter from one of your constituents that I'd like to share with the Body. And it says, 'Dear Representative Black, I heard you were retiring and I figured it was because that all of the problems in Illinois were solved, and your work was done. Boy, was I wrong. You are the worst State Representative in the history of Illinois, Democrat or Republican. Schools don't have enough money, my taxes are still too high, there's been a pothole on my road the entire time I've been in office and I don't care what you say, it's not a township road. I've been getting parking tickets from Chicago and I've never been there. You said you were going to help with that, yeah, right. State pensions are underfunded, criminals are running rampant all over the state. Yeah, thanks for that insurance law. We need more jobs, the chief can't be found anywhere at the campus of the U of I, there's not enough state employees and there's too many state employees. I could go on, but you've really made history, Representative, it's embarrassing. Twenty-four years, go back to the drawing board. Your constituent, John Smith. P.S. Please don't leave, run again, at least I know what I'm getting and I could never vote for anyone else.' So, Representative, some people may agree with somebody who 09600153.doc 95 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 thinks like this, but we all know better in this chamber. And I surely know better because there were several days when I would listen and it would be very loud and very frustrating, and I would crave silence. And I would come over to you and I would say to you, please, Representative, tell me again, how you have done this all these years, why? And you would look at me and you would very… give me that wonderful compliment that you always do when you say, young lady, because every once in a while we get something right. Representative, over your years, in this chamber, you have done many, many things right, not just for the people in your district but for the people of the state. Even before I got here, you were doing things right for me, so I thank you for that. Ladies and Gentlemen, there were several days, and I want to brag about that, several days, when I got to stand up on this House Floor, and either present a Bill or argue for or against something, and I knew it was always something that I did right because Leader Black would make the trip over here and he would say, well done, young lady. And even if it was good or bad, in my favor or not, he would say, I thought you could carry the day. And if you got a gold star from Bill Black, you always knew you did something right. So, Representative, thank you. Thank you for all the things that you did right, for everybody in Illinois, for everybody in Danville, and for me because, on those days when I needed to hear that speech, you were always willing to give it to me. So, thank you very, very much for being my friend, for being my Leader and for being 09600153.doc 96 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 a true statesman. You can't buy class no matter how much money you have, but Sir, you have it. Thank you."
"Representative Joe Lyons in the Chair. Bill, we've got so many people that want to speak. We're sending cabs for Gary Hannig and Art Turner to come back, we got so many folks that want to say something for you. Democratic Leader, Barbara Flynn Currie."
"Thank you, Speaker. I have an inquiry of the Chair. How many votes does it take to pass House Resolution 1516? Would this be one that requires unanimous consent? Because if it does, I think I'll object. Before I do, could I have an answer to that… to that inquiry?"
Speaker Lyons: "The Parliamentarian will take it under consideration for our Leader."
"Thank you very much. Well, Bill, I join in the chorus of enthusiastic goodbyes, heartfelt thanks, and appreciation for all you've done. You have been a terrific Floor Leader for your caucus, a formidable opponent in debate, someone with a gift of gab that makes me think you must have had some Irish genes somewhere in that body. You've been willing to stand up for what you believe in, you've been willing to stand up for the Leadership of your caucus when you thought that was the right thing to do. You have been, in many ways, terrific to work with, sometimes, not so much, but often, yes, indeed terrific. And you do get a lot of things right, perhaps more wrong than Careen Gordon would admit. You do get many things right and your work for your caucus was outmatched by even your work for your district and I would say for all the 09600153.doc 97 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 people of the State of Illinois because you always kept all of us, all twelve and a half million of us, in mind when you cast your votes. I wish you well, I wish you luck, I wish you Godspeed and I thank you for all you have given to each and every one of us."
"Representative Rich Brauer."
"Thank you, Mr. Chairman. You know, Bill Black, there's a lot of things that I respect about you. First of all, your love for your family. I mean, that's just something that we get out of proportion sometime, but you've always kept that number one. Your love for this process, I mean, that's the thing that’s really probably has been striking is that you have this institutional knowledge, you have this sense of history and it's this whole love of this process that I really respect you for. You take your job but not yourself too seriously. But the one thing that I have really enjoyed is your theatrics. When I think of Bill Black, I think of the scene from Patton when it's the Battle of the Bulge and so he's supposed to come to the rescue and it's snowing and he's trying to get his troops in there and things aren't going very well, and he goes ballistic. And he starts yelling and screaming, we're going to attack all night. If we're not victorious, may no one come back alive. And then he turns around as his aide Codman comes up to him and says, General, they can't tell when you're acting and when you're serious. And George C. Scott says, it's not important for them to know, it's only important for me to know. And I seen so many times when you're fishing, and somebody will 09600153.doc 98 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 say something across the other side and you'll get up and be nice and make a few comments, and I'm just scratchin' myself 'cause I can just see you just going, pulling the bait back, and then all of a sudden you go ballistic. First couple times, you scared me. I mean, you went into this rage and I thought, this guy's going to stroke out. You know, I was a freshman, I didn't know what was going on. And then you turn around, you're laughing. And I started to thinking about that scene from Patton where he says it's not important, but your theatrics, your ability with everything else is what I'm going to miss. And you're a lucky man because you have two families. You have a family here, but you have a family back home, and we're going to miss you here. Thank you for your service."
"Representative David Leitch."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker… Mr. Chairman. On this occasion, I truly wish that Board was a first Bill and not a retirement resolution 'cause truly, in my tenure, there's been no more respected Member of either the House or the Senate for that matter, than our distinguished friend, Bill Bla… Bill Black. Black, yeah. I'll be okay in a minute, I just don't have your eloquence. The thing that strikes me is this finally is a day though that you are actually going to retire. I don't think I can count the times when you often were disappointed in perhaps ruling of the Chair or some other unkind offense, often threw a Rule Book, have come to fisticuffs even with our own Members on the side of the House, but in all ways been a Gentleman in so doing. I think I should amend that. You've been a Gentleman 09600153.doc 99 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 throughout your entire tenure here. I remember very well 'cause I was in the Senate in '86 when you arrived in '86 and there wasn't a person in this House that didn't know that you were going to be a very special person and bring a special example of commitment to your family, your district, to the people of the State of Illinois and importantly, to this institution. I will sadly, sadly miss our conversations over the institutional memory of… that we share in all the different issues and stories that we've had because I, too, hope you write a book and record some of those moments. We both remember what it was like and what the process was like back in those days and how dramatically that process has changed, but I think I speak for all of us when I express my deep gratitude for being a friend and to have known you. And I guess this is the day you're finally going to get the hay down so the goats can eat it. Congratulations, Bill."
"Representative Karen May."
"Thank you. Representative Black, I had the fortune or perhaps misfortune I think of arriving here when you peaked oratorily. Your… your questions and the way you treated some of my first Bills as a freshman and as a target, I think that the new freshmen, the new targets just have no idea what it was really like. So, it was very fiery, your rhetoric. When I mentioned your name in debate, oh man, I will never do that again. I don’t think I've done it since, it was really wild. Nothing in freshmen orientation could prepare us for Bill Black, and it was amazing, people would say, gosh he's really mean on you. I don't know. 09600153.doc 100 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 That's his job, that's his job. He's just got to poke holes in things and try to find weaknesses in it, but it was a real right… area/right of passage. But over the years, we worked together, we worked together on several Bills. The turning point was the Mercury Switch Bill, where you and I had a common interest, HVAC Bills and others, and we worked together. And it really was amazing and I learned to appreciate you more as a person rather than just the fiery rhetoric… rhetoric from the other side of the aisle. So much so that last year, when you didn't have to, you didn't have to say anything sort of on a nondescript Bill, you stood up to praise me and to say that you learned to respect how I always take business interest into account on environmental Bills. And I really, really appreciated that that this relationship that was fiery at the beginning came full circle and I hope that I… and I felt that I had earned your respect just as you had earned my respect also. So, now it sort of became kind of funny I think in the last year or so, that when we, you and I were on the same side, it was really kind of amazing, but it… it did make sense. As far as the wind energy from that side of the aisle, I think it's definitely going to be a lot less and I will miss that. Your carbon footprint is very small, I hope it gets even smaller in retirement, but despite your small carbon footprint, you have very, very, very big shoes to fill. You are a lean, green, environmental machine, and I'm making you an honorary member of the Green Caucus. Thanks you… thank you for your service to the people of this state. Thank you." 09600153.doc 101 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010
"Representative Al Riley."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Representative Bill Black, you know there's been all this imagery you know, about Patton and so forth, and I can make some… there… there's some very… very interesting points in that movie that I could talk about that remind me of you, but I won't… I won't talk about them. But one thing that I think we… we should do, you could've been anything that you wanted to be, as the old song says, so let's make you a Four Star General like Patton. But let's do something else, let's make you a five star because, as you know, Four Star Generals can retire. When you're a Five Star General, General of the Army, you never retire because I think there's a lot of things in this state that still need your great counsel. You know, we have a U of I connection between each other. I can still see you playing a role in higher education, I think we need to hear your voice that way. So, as far as I'm concerned, you may be leaving this Body, but the state's not done with you yet. Let me just tell a little story about when I came down here and had this great Bill dealing with community colleges, had it all bedded out, all ready to go. I had all kinds of studies all stacked up and I had gone around to people and said, hey, you know, this is what I'm endeavoring to do. Yeah, yeah, we think that's a good Bill. Got in committee and got the hell beat out of me by Representative Black. What studies? All those studies just collect dust on desks and shelves. I don't want to hear about that study. And we're going back and forth, and I think the debate took about 30 minutes. And they were 09600153.doc 102 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 nice to me, you know, the Bill failed coming out of committee, but I'd never forget that after it was all over, Bill Black came up to me and said, you know, Al, that's a great Bill, and I look forward to doing some Bills with you in the future, you just keep on plugging on. And that was a very great inspiration for me and we've worked on some things but never got a chance to work on a Bill together, and that's the one thing that I… that I regret. But again, you're just a fond of information and I'm looking forward to that, but you got to write a book, Bill. Everybody says you got to write a book, write that book and I'll write the forward for you. I do a lot of camping and hiking in that state just to the east of us. I think one of these days I'll go there, but I'll come through Danville to come see you. Thank you so much for your service."
"Representative Naomi Jakobsson."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Representative Black, thank you for all of your service to all of the state and especially to this House. I remember my very first Bill, and as we know, Representatives get hazed on their first Bill. And I saw that there were a lot of lights on and people were ready and all lined up, and when Representative Black rose and continued with his questions, a lot of lights went off because he wasn't hazing me. He really did not like the Bill that I had, and notice how I said that I knew even then he didn't like the Bill and it wasn't me, it was the Bill, he didn't like the Bill. And then, that same Session, just a couple of more Bills later that I was presenting, Representative Black rose and spoke in favor of 09600153.doc 103 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 my Bill. Said, I rise in support of the Bill, I rise in support of the Lady. And he was very much in favor of the Bill that I was doing then and he was a co… I think the Chief cosponsor of it. Representative Black and I share the same Senate District, so even when we're home, we see each other a lot and we certainly cross the aisle here and talk to each other and work on things that mean a lot to our area, to the University of Illinois, to Champaign County. I don't live in Vermilion County, I don't represent that, but he represents some of Champaign County. But he's been a wonderful person to work with. Through the years, we all know we get contacted by someone who's not our constituent and we would really like to help, but when we try to explain to them that the best person to help them is their Rep, just complete cooperation from Representative Black's office, his staff, always very wonderful in returning calls and working together. So, it's been great to be able to work with Representative Black back home as well as here, and you know, since we live so close, I'll probably still see you around. And there were a lot of birthday wishes for other people who had birthdays this month when we weren't here. And Representative Black had a birthday earlier, well, now we're in a new month, but it was in November, so be sure to tell him happy birthday too. 'Cause he… remember, he always likes to tell us how old he is; he's not that old. So, once again, thank you, Representative Black and I'm sure I'll see you around."
"Representative Jim Durkin." 09600153.doc 104 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010
"You know, Bill, about 5 years ago I lost hearing in my left ear and I was, no, seriously, I'm deaf in my left ear and I like to think part of it was through a surgical procedure, which I did have, but I do believe also it was from sitting in front you for the last 5 years which caused the deafness in my left ear. But I want to tell you about just… my first moment with Bill Black. It was in the 89th General Assembly, 1995 and '96, remember that, that was that little snapshot in history which we had the Majority. I was sitting where Representative DeLuca was and I thought it was outside the zone of danger. Bill was in his seat and we were debating the House Rules and I was sitting there. I was new, I was just, you know, bright eyed and that was just a very nice, fun moment. Out of nowhere, this booming voice came out from over my right. I was jarred, I was shocked. It was like… I felt like it was Moses at Mount Sinai. Charlton Hesston's looking up and hearing this voice from the… from the sky. It was… I literally was… as Rich Brauer said, I was scared. Matter of fact, I sat at my desk for 4 hours, I was afraid to get up, I didn't leave the rest of the afternoon, I was afraid to get yelled at by you. It was… But in any event, Bill, you know, it's been a… it's really amazing to watch you do your work on the floor. I've… a lot of us… we have many attorneys who are in this caucus and a lot of us have seen some of the greatest barristers argue in front of the courts, in front of juries and I can say this without hesitation that you rival the best that I've seen in my life. And it's absolutely amazing that just a school 09600153.doc 105 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 teacher who has been able to have this amazing command, nothing against school teachers, but this amazing command for debate and the ability to analyze issues. But I will say this, that I am extremely, extremely fortunate that I have not been on the receiving end of any of your questioning, Bill. 'Cause I can say that I've seen, over the years, the looks on individual's faces when you get up. It's sometimes it's like watching a deer in a headlight. But it's that type of respect and command which you have and that comes through hard work, and that's something that you have never been afraid of. But Bill, I will just say that you've been a great friend to this process, you've been a great friend to the Republicans and the Democrats, but I will say that the State of Illinois will miss you, this Body will miss you. You added something to this chamber, something which I'm not sure we'll be able to recover. Others will follow you and try to pick up the, you know, your job and the responsibilities you had, but we will not be the same because of you. But let me just say this in the end, one thing, let's put the politics aside. Bill Black, you have an incredibly strong moral compass, and it was never more obvious when you talked about what you needed to do with your father, and also your love for your family, and that's to me, I think is… is absolutely fantastic and it's incredible 'cause your priorities were always… were always right. It was for our family and then it was the State of Illinois. So, Bill, I will miss you. I'm not sure who is going to be sitting behind me, but I 09600153.doc 106 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 hope that my right ear will remain intact in the years to come. But you've been a great friend and God bless you."
"Representative Monique Davis." Davis, M: "Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I must say that I've really enjoyed working with Bill Black. As Members leave this Body, Members like Joel Brunsvold who was the Chair of Education when I got here, Mary Lou Cowlishaw who served as Minority Spokesperson in Education, Eddie Washington, Art Turner, many of them leave through their own volition and others because of other reasons, but whenever they leave, we know that we're touched, that a part of this Body feels some loss. We are reminded of our own humanity and we learn to become more humble and with more humility. Bill Black, your decision to leave I know was very, very hard ‘cause you were going to… you were going to leave a few years ago and I told you, don't leave, we need you here. Even after I was told off by you many times in committee, on the House Floor. Sometimes in committee, if I disagreed I was really lamblasted and you, young lady. Anyway he made me think I really had no right to speak. After I insisted that you not leave, and I'm sure that's not the reason you didn't leave, I was given my license plate number and I was number eight and someone said if Bill had left, you'd be number seven. I think that one of the things that Bill Black has shown all of us and that is it's good to feel passionate about an issue. If you really are concerned about something, there's absolutely nothing wrong with showing compassion. Several times Bill Black did fall out over there and he did it enough until we stopped 09600153.doc 107 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 running over there to see what was wrong and then he stopped. And I think that he was… he is, should I say, the kind of person who works very hard for those things he believes in, in supporting the people who have sent him here. I know that I was the recipient of flowers twice, that tells you a lot about us. I don't remember the first time, I don't remember the reason, but the second time was I know… I know that Bill Black was thought highly of by the top up here and they would let Bill Black talk longer than anybody else. It seemed that that clock would not be running when Bill Black was talking. So, on this particular issue, I was very much opposed to it, his time was up and I yelled time, time, and Bill turned around and said give the statue back. So, all those of you know about the statue, it was quite funny. I mean it was really funny. Well, I got the largest, most beautiful basket of flowers you could ever imagine. So, I don't know what I can say today to get some more flowers Bill, but I'm going to think of something. I believe that all of us in this Body realize that each person here is significantly important. And those of us who come and stay as long as Bill Black has they've made a vast difference in the State of Illinois. I just wish that Bill Black would stay long enough to vote 'yes' on a tax increase. Have a great life, Bill. Thank you."
"Representative Roger Eddy."
"Thank you. I have a question of the Sponsor. I'd like him to take this out of the record, actually. I… I first met Bill about 20 years ago. I was a high school principal 09600153.doc 108 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 in Watseka. And I had a call from the school superintendent and he said we were having a couple of visitors to the school and wanted me to show them around the school. And in about ten minutes, Representative Black showed up with Senator Woodyard and they took a while and toured my school and that… and that was the first time that I had known him and really the last time I had any contact with him until about nine years ago. When I was sent, as we all are, to walk during our campaigns. I was sent to Chrisman, Illinois, and I… I met Bill there at the gas station and we proceeded to begin to walk doors and precincts in Chrisman, Illinois. We didn't get a lot of walking done because Bill had previously represented Chrisman, didn't represent them at the time, wasn't going to represent them in the… in the new map. We couldn't get from door to door because every single door we stopped at they wanted to talk to Bill Black. They didn't care about who's running, it didn't help me that day, really, except that I got to know Bill better. We didn't walk one precinct. We couldn't. In two or three hours, people just talked to this person that… that represented them, not that particular time but a while ago… a while back. That… that really… that really said something to me about Bill Black. Now, I… I was very quickly in Chrisman and in Edgar County and in the counties that Bill had represented before very quickly assisted by… by Bill with just a couple of phone calls to a couple of people and the fact that Bill Black was supporting me meant everything. It meant everything because of his reputation with the people that are the most 09600153.doc 109 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 important in everything we do and that's the constituents that he served. Bill never, ever lost track of that's why he was here. He was here for those constituents and sometimes that put him at odds with people from other parts of the state because, you know, we are diverse. We have different interests we have different problems we have large urban areas and we have rural areas where you have to go a long way between farm houses, but Bill never forgot that those people were the reason that he was there and it was so evident that day. You know, I… I could talk a lot about Bill. We… I've got the district just to the south of Bill; we run into each other from time to time. And there are lots and lots of stories but they all come back to that central theme that Bill Black understood why he was here from the day he came here until the day he's leaving. And that's to serve his district but also to… to better the public policy for all people in the State of Illinois. Taking tough votes and some of those votes, by the way, may not play well back home. That's the real courage in the statesmanship that he shows though. He… he makes those decisions and he's made them for a long time and he'll take the ridicule, he'll take the criticism, and… and he'll go on because he knows that… that what he's done somewhere deep down he has that compass that was mentioned earlier and he knows he's right. He's hardworking, he's intelligent, he's a gifted orator. Gifted, there's no other way to describe it. The theatrics and… and the ability, he's gifted in that area. But more than anything else, and I just found this out recently because I have 09600153.doc 110 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 been blessed with the same status, Bill's a grandpa. And he knows what's important right now. And if you had a chance to talk to him in the last several months, especially in the last year, he doesn't want to leave. It's not what he's leaving that's attractive to Bill Black; it's where he's going. He's going to be with that family that we've heard about so many times. He's going to spend time because he realizes that that's the most valuable resource that we have is time and he's going to spend it with those grandkids and he's going to spend it with his… his family. And I hope we're fortunate enough that he'll also spend some of that with us again from time to time and we have the ability to call Bill. Man, I love you; thank you for everything. You've been a terrific person in… in so many ways to me. We're going to miss you, my friend. Best to you."
"Representative Chapin Rose."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Bill, in the… the '90s I was student trustee at the U of I, as you know and I came over here lobbying on the first Student Trustee Vote Bill and I was sitting up here watching as you flew into a diatribe complete with veins popping out and everything else and I… who in the heck is that guy? Getting to know you over the last several years, next to you in Champaign County there, representing, like Roger Eddy, part of your old district, it's been a real pleasure and… and I want to just say a… a couple of things. You look around here and you find someone as Bill says who truly believes in the process and as the process works, but he's said it in a couple other 09600153.doc 111 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 things he's said and he's right. No Bill ever dies and every idea has its day. In fact, well, last spring, Bill, you solved the Gordian Knot of the mobile home tax situation that's been around for 20 years and you… you were the one guy that could do it and then you did it. A couple snippets, if you wanted to have a book title. I would suggest your great quote from last night at dinner, 'we tend to choke on gnats and swallow elephants'. I've never heard that one before, but I think that'd be a great book title, Bill. Representative Davis, you asked how Bill Black knows so much, well, yesterday I heard him reference the Saturday edition of a paper that doesn't print a Saturday edition. So, I would suggest that might account for some of it and would go to Representative Brauer's comments about theatrics. Many of you outside of east central Illinois may wonder what… where is it Bill Black comes from that has such a unique personality and if you go back 100 years our area was known for a guy named Fightin' Joe Cannon from Tuscola, Illinois. He was… and now the second longest serving Speaker of the United States House, but he was known for his vociferous floor debates, his ability to change opinions and attitudes with his rhetoric and oratory. I think, Bill, if I'm not mistaken he's largely responsible for the Danville VA in your district. But Fightin' Joe was… came after the Civil War and was from Tuscola and… and apparently we have a long, proud tradition of… of vociferous floor debate. From Tuscola to Danville nobody has more passion, nobody has more history of this institution, nobody has a bigger love for this institution. 09600153.doc 112 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 Bill, east central Illinois will always love Fightin' Bill Black. So, thank you, Bill, for the memories and look forward to… in fact, you're going to be… what, is it next week… you're going to be honored on the Assembly Hall floor at a U of I basketball game. So, thank you, Bill."
"Representative Rosemary Mulligan."
"Thank you. I, too, would like to join in on congratulating Bill on a wonderful career here in the General Assembly. I think we're all going to have a lot more boring times on the House Floor when Bill leaves. He creates a lot of interest and a lot of discussion just by being there and being able to be such a good Floor Leader on our side. When I first came here, and I have to add one of the stories to the legends of Bill Black, I went up to Bill saying gee, I… I knew this girl from Danville. She lived next door to me in college. I introduced her to one of my friends and she got married to him and he said oh, great, that was one of my high school sweethearts. I don't think he ever held it against me. He, obviously, went on to marry a wonderful woman and have children and grandchildren of his own, but it was kind of stunning to know that this girl that I liked so well that I'd introduced to a friend from home had been Bill's girlfriend in high school. So, I don't think he's ever held it against me although you never know with Bill sometimes the things that he does particularly when he shoots a squirt gun across the aisle at you. He breaks up a lot of monotony on really long nights on the House Floor. He gets up with knowledge that a lot of us don't have and can't 09600153.doc 113 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 commit to memory as far as the procedure of this place. I keep hearing that he's retiring and I'm saying, oh, no, he won't be retiring and this time he actually is. But I hope he won't be bored when he goes home and misses this place, this is so much action. I know there are many times here when you have grandchildren that you feel like you really need to be spending some time with them and doing things that are important with them and there comes a time when you feel maybe it is the time to leave. But I think we'll all miss him and I think it will be a lot more quieter on this House Floor and I think the debate will be a lot less interesting on many long evenings when we're here late at night without Bill being here and having this wonderful career. So, I'd like to complement him on all the things he's done, all the… all the information that he gives us when we want to know the process of something or how you file something or do something and the fact that he's been such an interesting and outstanding Member of our caucus and of this Body for such a long time. I hope he enjoys the retirement, I hope he doesn't miss us too much. I know we will miss him in the quiet times when we'd like a little more action."
"Representative Jim Sacia."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Ladies and Gentlemen, I've only had the privilege of being in the General Assembly for the past eight years with Bill Black. Two things stand out in those eight years. First is, every morning when we are in Springfield and I step out of the Stratton Building and I look at the Capitol, I am literally mesmerized. I… I 09600153.doc 114 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 just can't even quite put it into words to think that I have the privilege of serving here in the Illinois General Assembly. The second thing and most importantly, Bill, if I had a quarter for every time my wife has heard me say the greatest privilege of serving in the Illinois House of Representatives is to be able to someday say I served with Bill Black, and I mean that sincerely, I would be a wealthy man, if I had a quarter for every time I have said that. Bill, many of us will come and go here, not many will be legends. You, Sir, are a legend. Your stories will be recounted in these hallowed halls and I'm sti… I'm very confident that many of them will grow as time goes on. I, of course, think of Dan Brady's and I was here that night as he stood over you so I know that's true, but I can't wait to hear that story two years from now; I bet it's even better. But Bill, I would be remiss if I didn't stand and add my congratulations along with my profound appreciation for having had the privilege of serving with you and calling you my friend. I wish you Godspeed, my friend."
"Representative Susana Mendoza."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I love these stories. I mean, it's just so exciting and fun to hear something and on a positive note with Representative Black. First of all, I don't believe that you're leaving. I know people have kind of made reference to that, but I'm not really not going to believe it until I see it because I know I've called you at least two or three other times to tell you how upset I was about your retirement and you've quit a few times and just, you know, pouted out of here on several 09600153.doc 115 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 occasions and I was convinced, no, he means it this time. So, really, I think this is just you're putting us through this whole ordeal just so you can weed out, if there is alive one person who honestly doesn't like you. So, if the answer to that is no, so just save us the trouble. But I do want to say, along with so many of the other Members that, you know, so many freshmen… I think that's one of the stories that we keep hearing today… how many of us, because of your tenure here, have actually had that one experience that is unique to no other. That is doing your first Bill. That's the one story after many, many years of serving here that still remains crisp and clear like it just happened to each and every one of us. And mine was ten years ago, and I don't know if you'll remember but I'll never forget. I had that little green Army helmet on when I did my first Bill and I was… Why did I have that on? Because I had heard you just almost completely kill every other Member of the freshman class in 2001 when they did their first Bills. So, I thought what can I do different to just kind of disarm you a little bit and it seemed to work. And ever since then we've had a really, really great relationship, but you know I've had the… the real honor of working hard to get to know everybody on the other side of the aisle and that's what I try to… we all want to impart a little bit of wisdom on some of the new people coming in it's… you know, mine would be telling new Members to do that, to reach out to every Member of this chamber, not just take for granted your own Democrats but also reach across the other side of the aisle and get to know people. And I'm really honored 09600153.doc 116 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 that if people were to research on my name they'll see your name listed as a Sponsor or cosponsor on many or most of my Bills. And so, for that I say thank you because when you're willing to put your name on my legislation it's because you're supporting directly my constituency, the people who sent me here to get elected. So, I can never say thank you enough, not on my behalf, but on their behalf and on all of the Illinoisans for what you've done and the service you've provided to us and for me as a role model because you may not be a Democrat, but you are, without a doubt, one of the most important people that have ever served in this chamber. And my freshman year, before I had met you, I kind of knew about you and I was a little scared of you because during that initial freshman orientation, remember they brought us into the chamber and it was kind of intimidating and awe inspiring at the same time, and I don't remember who gave us the orientation, but it might have been Pat O'Grady or I don't know, somebody, but they had… they had… Dan, you remember this. They gave us clips of what the testimony is supposed to kind of be like on the floor, you know, rules of decorum and things of that nature, and I remember I'll never forget when they played the clip from Representative Bill Black. I… it was just horrifying. I mean, it was… I couldn't make out most of it 'cause it was all screaming and yelling and I thought, oh, my God, people actually comport themselves in that way in this chamber; I was so scared of who this guy is. And then I met you and how could you be scared of Bill Black, I mean, you're so awesome and cute. But… it's true. So, I'll 09600153.doc 117 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 just be honest, I mean, you're really not a scary guy and I enjoy your antics like so many other people here and I really enjoy them so much and that's what I think this chamber's going to miss the most. This Session we've said goodbye to a lot of people and many of them will be missed in so many ways, but I think the chamber itself, these walls that surround us, all the people that have served here before us who echo many times in the things that we do. I don’t think anyone can hold a candle to what you leave in these walls and for the people who have served before you, after you and you'll forever really be a legend that people keep talking about. That's pretty awesome. So, I would like to say thank you, and end it with this. I think it's a great idea, of course, to do a book but it better be an audio book and you better put your spice and you know, all those great things that make Bill Black not just a regular Representative but really an amazingly great statesman and spokesperson for all people. And I don't want to fall asleep as I drive to Springfield or anywhere else. If I'm listening… if I… I don't want to read a book; that's dangerous, right, but if I'm going to listen to it it better not be anybody but Bill Black himself putting your attitude and your energy into whatever criticism you have for the world. So, thank you for your service. I look forward to seeing great things and hearing great things happen for you. It may not be a Cubs victory ever, sorry about that, but… but thank you, thank you, thank you. God Bless."
"Representative Dan Burke." 09600153.doc 118 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010
"Thank you, Speaker. Mr. Black, is this a ruse? You know, I've been here 20 years and I've kept track of some of your antics and some of your goings-on and as a matter of fact, I just checked the record earlier and today marks the forty-third time you've threatened retirement. So, I just want to know, is it really… is it the real thing? So sorry to hear that. You know, Bill and I were chatting earlier today and a lobbyist approached and certainly was insisting that she was going to miss him and he was irreplaceable and what a loss it was to this process, to this chamber, and Bill, of course, immediately responded with a story about his father suggesting that in that subject of irreplacability, his father said go get a bucket, fill it up with water, okay, put your hand in there. Now, take your hand out. Does the bucket look any different? Bill, I would have to say in this case, our bucket, when you take your hand out, is going to look a lot different. We're going to miss you very, very, very much. I can't let this opportunity escape to not certainly comment on Bill's history and my experience with him but to quote from our favorite author, Dr. Seuss, from the book Oh, The Places You'll Go! Dr. Seuss says, and I think he probably had you in mind, Bill, 'You have brains in your head, you have feet in your shoes, you can steer yourself any direction you choose, you're on your own and you know what you know and you are the guy who'd decide to go, where to go.' Bill, may God bless you real good, all the best and we look forward to seeing you very soon."
"Representative Frank Mautino." 09600153.doc 119 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010
"Thank you, Speaker. And Bill, I wanted to… actually I'd ask that this Resolution be kept in Rules, so that you could file a Motion to Discharge and Barbara could object. There are so many things in this chamber that's… I will miss. Some… some of the earliest memories that I have here again, 20 years ago, are… and even before I got here. When my father was here, I watched when the… when they did the White Sox and that bell went off and it would have required 71 votes and it was after midnight, And I'm watching on TV this screaming maniac, it's after midnight throwing a giant Bill in the air and creating a flood of papers. Couple years later I came down here and… and got a chance to see Bill in some of the… some of the greatest speeches and animated moments. I got to see him in the only fist fight that I'd ever seen on the House Floor, broken up by a 73- year-old woman. Janie dived right in there as the rest of us young guys went wow. Some of the greatest speeches and remarks and the people said that Bill has been a… was a tremendous speaker and some of the greatest one-liners that were captured by Dick Lockhart in some of the publications he used to put out for us early on. Where Bill would stand there and say these numbers are not my own they come from someone who knows what they're talking about. Or he would look and say this is a great health care Bill, take that from someone who has survived a terminal heart attack. Okay. He would always come up with the greatest of lines. He was one of the most passionate speaker; he is a tremendous champion, the likes which is unmatched for downstate, for the process in the House of Representative, 09600153.doc 120 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 for the rights of the Members and his institutional knowledge. His abilities will be greatly missed by all of us. You have been a tremendous friend and Leader for the State of Illinois. And… as I said, of the people I've seen come and go, you I will definitely miss the most and think of most often. For the people who sat around me I had a… I had a basic order, a standing order that used to drive some of my Democratic friends a little crazy, because when I first came down here, Judge Tom Homer said, you know, you ought to look at some of the Members who have districts like yours and he pointed out that Bill's district was most like mine and I found through the course of the 20 years that when there came to difficult Bills out there I would always look and kind of monitor to see how Bill voted and I found that I carried that throughout the career that I've been up here. And if I had to be in the Senate, I would look to who was sitting next to me and said you know if you have any doubt on what I'm going to do and I'm not here vote me with Black. And it has always been good advice. You look to the best of the state, to the best of your district, and we will miss that common sense and that great sense of humor. Good luck to you in whatever you do, Bill."
"Representative Ed Sullivan."
"Thank you. In 2002, I was running for State Representative and had the good fortune of being in Danville, Illinois and how I got to meet Bill Black is… pretty much symbolizes the type of Legislator and really the type of person he is. You see, my mother grew up in 09600153.doc 121 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 Danville, so my… my whole family on that side knew Bill Black. Bill knew my aunts and uncles and my grandfather and Bill worked with my grandfather in Danville High School many, many years ago. But I was down there 'cause it was my grandfather's 80th birthday… we don't call him grandfather, by the way, we call him the 'Colonel' and Bill and I have had some good laughs about that. But the Colonel had a… an 80th birthday party, he was, you know, not in great health and so they were having a big party and all his military friends, the veterans were there and… and Bill had came in and… and just starting working the crowd and… and he couldn't get from table to table and I don't think he made it around one table or the room once before I got to see him and then I had… I had to leave, but I got to watch him. And I can remember my grandfather saying, when you go to Springfield… grandpa was already assuming I was going to win, but when you go to Springfield, you follow Bill Black and you make sure that you listen to what he has to say. And… and that was a direct order and… the Colonel you listen to quite… quite well. You… you heard him. So, I… I've gotten to know him on a… on a different level and… and when you think about Bill Black you think about that night and what he's done for his constituency and you hear about his family. On behalf of my family, Bill, I want to thank you for all you've done for my grandmother. Bill goes out to Arizona quite a bit and takes care of my grandmother. So, when he's out there he… he takes care of his family, he takes care of my family and that's the type of person Bill Black is. And… so, on behalf of my family, 09600153.doc 122 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 behalf of your constituents, I want to thank you for all your service."
"Representative Bob Flider."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I… I had a little bit of different perspective, my beginnings of… of getting to know Bill Black. I used to be a newspaper reporter over in Charleston, Illinois and so when you think… Chapin mentioned the legacy of some of the great Legislators in that area and as I was becoming a… a reporter over there, I graduated journalism school and became a reporter of the Charleston Times-Courier. And Jim Edgar had been Representative and Governor Thompson had appointed him to a… a special position in his administration along came Harry 'Babe' Woodyard who was the Representative in that area. They had the three-Member districts. And then when Harry went to the Senate along came Bill Black and by then I was at CIPS I was on their public affairs department. CIPS was a local utility at the time and shortly thereafter I went to work for Illinois Power. And so in the course of that work, representing Illinois Power in the public affairs area, you know, we'd oftentimes visit our local area Legislators and we'd bring employees by and invite employees to meet with their local Legislators, get to know them because, quite frankly, it wasn't too easy to work in the utility industry in those days. But the thing that everybody always found about Bill Black was that Bill was a guy who always spoke to you about reason, he gave you advice, he co… and personally for me he always coached me and you know, talked to me about things that, you know, I 09600153.doc 123 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 should go back and talk to our management about. Things that they could do better, things that they could bring… things that they could do to, you know, help them in this difficult world of utilities and regulation that we were going through at that time. And it was a… it was a more civil time. It was a great time. It was a time when people in their legislative districts respected their Representatives. And you know, whatever criticism they had, they knew that they had a tough job ahead and they knew guys like Bill Black were working hard for them and, you know, think about this a guy can survive 26 years without really any serious contention. Now, that's the kind of guy that Bill Black is. And so, as a… as I became a Member of the Legislature, you know, when you're on the outside world as a… a lobbyist and now you're a… a Legislator, you think, you know, it's… usually it happens the other way around. So, this… this was a tremendous experience for me and in many ways thinking about the opportunity to serve with Bill Black. It was a little bit like dying and going to heaven in… in lobbying terms. Here I was a Legislator and now I had this new relationship with him. And of course, my first Bill came up and you know, Bill gave me the obligatory hard time, but… but I could tell you every time I, you know, had a Bill come up and I… I saw that Bill Black had a question I… I thought to myself in the back of my mind, oh crap, you know, because, you know, if it was a simple question, you know, you'd just wipe your brow and go on, but if he really wanted to tear into you, if he really had some tough questions, nobody, 09600153.doc 124 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 nobody could ask you questions, nobody could force you to, you know, agonize with your answers any better than Bill Black. And so, it was something that I think any of us here on… on this floor recognize that when Bill really wanted to ask you some tough questions, it wasn't something that you were going to have an easy time with. You know, Bill… So, Bill, I've known you for many years as a… as a friend as… and now as a colleague and what a honor it is to be a colleague with you and you know, a couple years ago Bill just stopped by after giving me one of those difficult interrogations on the floor, stopped by a short time afterwards, and said, hey, I've got a ticket to a U of I game. You want to go over with me. And you know, I said are you kidding, absolutely, love to spend some time with you, Bill. And we got in the car and we drove over to Champaign that night and… and you know, he was just a guy who really, you know, party affiliations didn't mean a whole lot after hours. And one time, I recall that I was on a radio talk show and they… they played a news clip during the break, during the news break and Bill was, you know, going into one of his tirades and… and the radio announcer looked at me and said, you know, what was that all about? He said, he must be really difficult to deal with. I said, you know, I love that guy to death. He said, do you really? I said, I'm just telling you. You know, if you know him you can't help but love this guy to death. So, Bill, God bless you in… in your future. It's been… I hope to see you around some… somewhere in this 09600153.doc 125 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 legislative afterlife. But I love you to death. God bless you."
"Representative Harry Osterman."
"Thank you. I want to join my colleagues, Bill, in honoring you and congratulating on you in all your efforts for our state and your district and especially here. And from the City of Chicago I want to thank you. Some may not know, if you're new, that for many years the City of Chicago balanced its budget by writing phantom parking tickets on the people of Danville until Bill stopped that. So, now that your leaving and we have budget issues in the city, some of your constituents and neighbors might be getting some phantom tickets again. But Bill made this process better for I think the state, for all of us if you cared and you paid attention. He was a gentleman. If you had a question, you could always go and approach him. But by his questioning all of us on our Bills that made I think, all of us that cared about the Bills made… certainly made me much more… a better Legislator 'cause I had to really look at what the Bill would do. And oftentimes in this process and especially for the Majority Party, we tend to have an idea, put a Bill together, run it out of committee, run it through and that oftentimes does not lead to the best public policy. But I always knew from my legislation that I could get it out of committee, but on Third Reading, Bill would be standing there in his post and he would get a folder from staff like a… like a baseball closer and he would open the file up and if I was not prepared, he would find a chink in the armor. And what 09600153.doc 126 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 that made me do, as a Legislator, was really look at what I was trying to do with my legislation and really think through all of the arguments for and against the Bill and ask myself the question, what is Bill going to ask about this legislation? And oftentimes he would never ask the question, but it made me prepare that much more and really think through the legislation. I think that… that was good for the process and… and all of you that have served with Bill know that he preaches process and in his departure, I think that's something that is lost. And I've sat over here for the last couple of years watching many people try to emulate that effort, but I think what we all should take out of what Bill tried to instill is that we all have to ask ourselves those tough questions about the legislation that we put forward to try to make it the best legislation possible, I think that's what our constituents want. And that is a lesson that I think Bill tried to impart in all of us. But I… I wish you the best and it's been a privilege serving with you."
"Representative Jerry Mitchell." Mitchell, J.: "Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Contrary to what Bill has told many of you, I was never his high school principal nor his junior high principal. I have tried to convince those that he's told that to that he's actually older than me, but he's got a better hairdresser than I do and I haven't been real successful with that. Bill and I share a lot of people in common that we know: Dotty Robinson, Ray Greerson, the Silver Fox, several superintendents of the Danville school system. I kind of cut my teeth in 09600153.doc 127 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 Danville. I came from Mount Sterling. If anybody knows about Mount Sterling, it's the smallest school in the State of Illinois. I believe, geographically, population wise is second smallest, one high school in the entire county. And I know that's hard for people from Cook County to understand, but we all came to the same high school from various towns like Ripley, and Cooperstown, and Buckhorn. And then I went to Danville. I'd never had a black student or Hispanic student in any of the schools that I'd been to. Boy, what an eye-opener that was. I learned a lot in Danville and I understand why Bill Black loves that community and loves his district. And Bill, of all people, has taught me how important it is to take care of the folks back home, to make sure that you're on the right side of the issues with your district and to be a good downstater but not at the expense of the rest of the State of Illinois. So, you got to kind of watch what you do, temper what you do to make sure that you're here for all of the kids, all of the seniors, all of the women on women's issues, all the minorities on minority issues, and look at it from all of those various aspects. He's helped me become a Legislator, not an educator and that was a lot tougher transition than I realize. But he is a man of his word, he's a man of principle, and he is loved in the City of Danville for the things that he's done for that community. I got there right after the GM plant closed and things were pretty, pretty sad in Danville. They had suffered, as Galesburg has suffered, many, many hardships when it comes to folks without employment, with poverty level that was 09600153.doc 128 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 extremely high and not just times like today when we all suffer that, they've suffered it for years and years. And this man of grace has been a savior to many, many of those people. So, I admire what you've done, Bill. I've enjoyed the times that you've kidded me and chided me into doing a better job. And we're all going to miss you. God bless you, God bless your family, and hang in there. Take care of Danville. I know now you're going to run for mayor and I'll vote for you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker."
"For all of us as freshmen when we did our first Bills, we had to go through the dynamic duo, the gauntlet of Black and Lang. Leader Lou Lang."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I was just going to say that to you. I was going to say nice tie. For… for those who don't know what that is, when the Republicans took over the House, in what we call those, the dark years of Madigan in exile. It was my job to do what Bill does so well and that is to make commentary on what's going on, on the other side of the aisle and as… as a way of balance, I always started with nice tie, even if it was to one of the Ladies. So, nice tie, Bill. Bill, it's been our honor to serve with you. You and I over the years have had many battles, but they've been battles about process, they've been battles about issues, they've never been personal battles. We've been friends for a very long time. We became friends when you were here maybe four or five years and I was here just a little less, when we traveled to Israel together, in a large group. When you spend 15 hours on a plane, both ways, with someone and your wife was with you, we had a 09600153.doc 129 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 good time, you learn a lot about them. I first learned that Bill was a Cub fan, which estranged us for a few minutes on the trip, but we got over that and since then we've been very close. We spend a good deal of time together. And just as we'd discussed in a Death Resolution for Joel Brunsvold, a couple of weeks ago, when many of us referred to the fact that Joel was a person who didn't really see an… an aisle. All he saw was 118 people; that's what Bill is. Bill's on this side of the aisle more than anyone, in fact, more than some of our people from time to time, and it's not just because of our food, but it's because Bill wants to talk about issues with us and we've always appreciated that and always appreciated your friendship, Bill. You've understood that what we do here is no game, although there's certainly gamesmanship played. And you have always understood that this is serious work that needs to be taken seriously and perhaps no Member of this Body, in my time here, has taken his or her work more seriously than you have. You've brought yourself to this. You've brought your heart and soul to this, not only on behalf of the district that you represent, the state that you represent, but on behalf of what it is we do here. This institution has been important to you, not just because you have friends here but because you respect the role of the Illinois House of Representatives and the Illinois General Assembly in our role under the Constitution of the State of Illinois and that is an important role. Now, we've disagreed from time to time on what the Constitution says, but that's in the nature of 09600153.doc 130 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 what we do, those are the important battles that we've had to fight here and you have fought them well. And much of the time even though when you've lost you've been right. I just want to… on your way out I think you ought to know that. You and I oftentimes did the freshman orientation together. We'd stand up there at the podium and we'd have these, these… wide-eyed people sitting here wondering what this process was about and each time we did it we did it differently. Sometimes it was serious, sometimes it was funny, many times you and I would tell jokes to each other and no one in the room understood what we were talking about, but we were having a great time. But we always enjoyed spending time trying to tell the freshmen what this process was about and one of the things we always told them was about your word. You and I each said maybe 10 times during the hour we would have them here, that no matter what else you'd do when you're here, keep your word. If you're not prepared to do that, either don't be here or don't give your word. And I think one of the great compliments I can pay to you is that in my 23 years here, you have always each and every time kept your word. If you told someone you were going to do something, that's what you did. If you told somebody you weren't, you didn't. Integrity is the most important thing to you and that's what you have brought to us in the form of Representative Bill Black and because of that, you have made us all better. You have made this process better, you have made me better as a Legislator, I learned much from you in this process. And more important than how you taught us to make 09600153.doc 131 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 this process better, more important than what you've taught us about being Legislators, you have brought to us Bill Black the human being. And you have made us all better human beings and for that we will be eternally grateful to you. God bless you and your family."
"Representative Dennis Reboletti."
"Thank you, Speaker. Four years ago when I came here one of the first things I remember was being at one of our first caucus meetings and there was this Gentleman who started screaming and yelling about something. His face was beet red. He threw his papers on the ground and said he was retiring, he'd had enough of this place. So, I looked over at one… I can't remember who it was, I think it was Ron Stephens, and I said, what's this about, Ron? He said, oh, don't worry, get used to it. He's always leaving here, but he'll be here for a long time. Bill, I'm proud to call you a friend. I've learned quite a bit from you. I've learned about the process here and the way you've been able to control the debates and to learn about the process and the rules which are very difficult to… to pick up on, but I've also learned a lot about downstate. And you and I both went to Eastern Illinois and so I… and I've also been to Danville. And you and I were talking last year in our corner offices over there and I was telling you that you were in the Daily Herald blog. And here's the Daily Herald blog from last year. It says, Bill Black reality check. It says, Capitol watchers are more than familiar with the outspoken rants and rural downstate tails of Dan… Danville Republican State Representative Bill Black. Over the 09600153.doc 132 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 years, with tongue firmly in cheek, he talked about his area's dirt roads, and horse drawn carriages and general backwardness in contrast to the modern amenities of Chicagoland. So, what do you learn about Bill Black? Well, he lives in a subdivision and he has a nice home and he has paved roads and everything else. I… I think this… this place will be… it won't be quite the same without you, Bill. And I know that we are all better Legislators because of you and that we will never be able to replace you and that I wish you a Godspeed and all the best. And I can only imagine what Danville City Council meetings will be like with you as an alderman. So, good luck to you on that and God bless you."
"Our final speaker will be Mr… Representative Michael Bost."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. You know, 18 years ago I came and… and was young and excited about the fact that I was thinking about running for this office. And I set right up there with the lobbyist and I don't even know who it was at the time. I looked around, I talked to this person and it… it just so happens that they were debating here on the floor whether or not to put in a Constitutional Amendment the preponderant funding of education language. And those of you who remember that, that was… there… there was quite an argument on what that would do. And it was really a regional argument and it was not a case where, it was a Democrat, Republican and… and we had differing views on both sides of the aisle. I just didn't know it at the time what was going on and there was a… a man that was… had 09600153.doc 133 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 spoke passionately down here in this area and… and another one that had spoke passionate on different sides of the issue, and the next thing I know the vote is going and I look down and these two guys have got each other by the tie and they're swinging and there's a person running up trying to pull them apart in different dir… And that lobbyist looked at me and said, are you sure you want to do this? And I said, yeah, I can do this. Well, that was Bill with that passion and that belief. It was a few we… a few months later and there… back at that time then what was known as CIPS which is now Ameren had a wild game feed… for you people from the north, that's when we cook all the stuff we kill, and they had a wild game feed at a… at the American Legion in Murphysboro. And then, now Judge Phil Gilbert, he wasn't a federal judge at that time but he was a local judge, he said, come on, I want to introduce you to some people. And I went, and Ladies and Gentlemen, it… and I'm not joking about this, if something would have happened to that building, you'd have lost half of the Legislature at that time 'cause they were all there. And I got introduced to and if I remember right, there was… there was John Matlin and there was 'Babe' Woodyard and there was Chuck Hartke and the list goes on and on of… of the group that was right there. But out of the middle of them stood up a guy, whenever I was being introduced and quickly he says, well, young man, what in the world else have you been elected to? I said, well, I'm a county board… Well, if you been on a county board or a school board, he said, you'll be fine. That was when I really met that… Bill 09600153.doc 134 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 Black the first time. Through a series of events and… and you know, I don't know how this happens and… and none of us do, but there's certain people that become such an influence in your life, in your profession, in the way you carry yourself, and somehow through the process you develop a friendship that's closer than… than most friends you ever had in life, and Bill, you're that friend. You know, I look at this letter and I think about all the letters I've had before that said you're resigning and I know they've made a lot of comments about them and… but when you know it's real, yeah, I'm glad for you, but it hurts. You've taught me and everybody else on this floor that has followed you and… and even many of those that were here before you, some wonderful things about what it truly means to be a statesman, to be the Legislature… Legislator that you need to be to your district, how to serve them, how to believe in them, how to have passion for their ideas, but yet how to do that in a way that, yes, at the moment of the debate the person on the other side of the deba… debate might be angry, but they'll know at the end of the day that the two of you might be working together on something else and you will be able to work together. You've taught a lot of people that, Bill. And I thank you for what you've taught me on that. There's another side of… of Bill that he… when he deals with legislation and… and everything and… and the hours he spends back there for those of you who go back when he's… he's studying Bills and studying news clippings about a Bill and… and working on the Bill that you just don't walk out of here and automatically… well, he 09600153.doc 135 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 probably can, but you… but you just can't just walk out and automatically know as much about a Bill as he does. He… he does… he studies them and understands them and he cares and he's serious and passionate and aggressive to do the job right. And if you know Bill closely, you find that he does that in everything. He does that in the fun times too. There were many stories that I would like to tell, but I'm really not going to tell on this floor. Maybe sometime later when we're out together at other times I'll give you a few of those too. But there are a few. The… the day I was sitting over there at my seat and I'd been here a few years, and… and Jim Watson was a new Representative at the time, and that was the night that… that Bill threw the Kleenex box at Chuck's head in the Chair and barely missed and… but as he went out and made the comment, I don't think… I'm… I really didn't think it would fly that far, I think is what he said to him, but none of us could understand that, but… but he said that is that he was quitting, which surprised everybody and… but Jim looked at me and said, what are we going to do? I was busy working, doing something, I said what are we going to do about what? He said our Floor Leader; he just… he just quit. I said, no, no, no, no. He'll do that six or seven times before we leave here this year; it'll be fine. But Bill has a passion when it comes to play too, for those of you that don't know it. The joking, and the fun times, and the… whether it's the neat little devices and… that he… that he… squirt guns that he brings on the House Floor or the little play toilet that he flushes. I don't know how many of you 09600153.doc 136 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 heard that, but he used to play that on the microphone for everybody, if he really didn't like something he'd… he'd play that. And… but let me tell you that as he's showing that passion one… one side of me, over the years, has become close enough that I can tell which ones are his show and which ones he really is upset over. And I've spent many an evening talking with him after many things a… around this process that he gets upset with or… or has bothered him tremendously and most times it's… it's if the process has been messed up, that's when… that's when it, and… and it hasn't been done through the Constitution or hasn't been done correctly or somebody's rights on this floor were abused. And we all know that there's times that we have to get away from this place, even at this place, to calm down and… and focus. There's a group of us and some of them are former staffers, some of them Legislators, but there were a group of us that put together a group that would, if we called for a special meeting, would go to a particular restaurant at a particular table and we had a nickname for our group. And the agreement was that we would go and we would talk about family, we could talk about old times in Legislature. We could talk about anything except the legislation and the things that were going on for the day and those were some… those have been some special times. Now, those are not over because I'm thinking Bill's coming back and the Table 57 will meet again, several times. He's passionate most of all about his family and that's why he's leaving here. You know, we… we want to thank them and thank all of our families that 09600153.doc 137 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 they give us the opportunity to do this and take us… and take us away from them for that while. Bill, you're going to be missed by your constituents in this job, you're going to be missed by Members on both sides of the aisle, you're going to be missed by staff on both sides of the aisle. It's amazing when you walk around this place and you hear the comments about how Bill is one of the most important Legislators here because of his passion, because of the joy that he brings, and he keeps the place from being boring at times. But Bill, I'm going to tell you something that upset me last night more than you could ever know, and you know, a lot of people are going to go, well, it was the way he voted. No, no, no, it wasn't. I'll tell you what upset me. Last night we went out to a… we went out to a dinner with the downstate Republicans. As Bill and I always do, we travel together and he brought me back and dropped me off as he has many, many times to get in my car and he said I'll see you tomorrow. And I realized, that's the last time we're going to do that, man. We're still going to have good times 'cause you're going to come back and we're going to do everything like that, but I'm going to miss you more than you can ever imagine. I love you, Bill. We wish you the best."
"Leader Cross, do you wish to make the Motion before I introduce our honored guest? Do you want to make the Motion on the… Leader Tom Cross makes the Motion on the adoption of House Resolution 1516. All those in favor signify by saying 'aye'; opposed 'nay'. By unanimous consent, it gives me a humbling opportunity to introduce to 09600153.doc 138 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 us maybe for the last time on this House Floor, a giant of this building, a legend, a Five Star General who could never retire, a great Republican, a friend to everybody here, God bless you, Representative Bill Black."
"Now, you'll see why I've… not looked forward to this day. But I'm reminded of what a dear friend and mentor of mine said years ago, the late Senator Harry 'Babe' Woodyard. We were driving around the district going to some… how… how many spaghetti dinners can you count, roast beef dinners, pancake breakfast, four parades on one day. Babe said, you know, you have to be careful in this business. We don't eat right, we don't exercise enough, our days are sometimes too long and our nights are sometimes too short. So, make sure, Bill, that you leave this process so you don't have to leave on account of health. I turned to Babe and I said, actually, Babe, I feel pretty good. He said, I wasn't talking about your health. I was talking about the health of the voters when they get sick of you and throw you out of office. I think, I hope you know how much I love this place. How I love the process. We've had many battles over the rules, and you know when you let the legislative process work, things can work rather well here. Ideas and good ideas will be shaped and bad ideas will be reshaped or… or discarded. Bills can be brought to the floor, some will pass, some will not. I… I will often mourn some of the ideas that… that I've had, some of the ideas that Leader Cross had in the last two years to reform how we redistrict the state, to reform some of the ways in which we budget, to reform how we spend 09600153.doc 139 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 money. These aren't partisan ideas and you all know the condition that the state is in and yet it's always been sometimes a struggle to get those ideas out of the Rules Committee. We've tried the unanimous discharge. We never could get Majority Leader Currie to leave the floor. We… we had people call her, we had staff send in fake cards for lobbyists that wanted to talk to her, we just never could get that done. But when you stop and think about it, we all should mourn the loss and the death of so many good ideas that never even had a chance to live, never had a chance to be debated. I think we've all lost in the process when that happens and I think the people of Illinois lose when that happens. I want to thank Leader Cross for his very kind remarks, for taking a chance on me 8 years ago, and I think it's the measure of the man, I did not support him for House Republican Leader. And in this process when you make… when you don't back the right horse, you sometimes pay a price, and that's understood. And I was not looking forward to going back into a 12'x 8' room in the Stratton Building, without a telephone, with no key to the restroom, and Tom kept me on and he didn't have to do that. And I think there are times that he's probably regretted that, I don't know, but he was very kind and it's been a privilege and a pleasure to work with him. And I'd be remiss if I didn't thank Lee Daniels, who back in '86 all the Members of his Leadership team did not want me here. They had their eyes on a 6'7 state's attorney of Vermilion County and they were going to convince him to run. Now, some of those guys, they're… they're all gone 09600153.doc 140 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 now, but some of them weren't very good at math 'cause the state's attorney was making about three times what we made down here and I didn't think Craig would do that and he's now a judge. But Lee Daniels took a… a chance on me and I've always been grateful to him for that. Rosemary, you may have stolen one of my old girlfriends and introduced her to her now husband, but… and as much as Nancy and I had a good time in high school, the young lady that I eventually married, last June we celebrated our 48th wedding anniversary and so I think Nancy and I both have probably chosen well. But Rosemary said it's going to be quiet here when I leave. Were you not here yesterday? I think Lou will do just fine. One of the… now, I know how Art Turner felt… but one of the things I want you to always keep in mind, look… look around here, look where you work. There are few people who ever get this privilege. This ain't exactly a 6'x 6' cubical, this is a phenomenally beautiful, historic building that has been well maintained and you should always consider it an honor and a privilege to sit in this chamber. In the history of the state, not many people are given this opportunity and sure we have bad days. And I don't know what door you come in, I don't know whether you come in through the back parking lot or the… or the north parking lot, say hello and thank the people on the security machines. That's… that's a tough job. Have you ever seen them in the spring when they're trying to check in 300 giggly school kids. That's a tough job. And remember why they're there. We didn't… we didn't used to have that. There wasn't any security here, nobody… we 09600153.doc 141 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 didn't have ID cards. Many of you didn't know Bill, who worked at the door, kind of kept an eye on things. A man ran in the door, some years ago, had a shotgun under his coat, pulled the shotgun out and shot and killed him. And then 9/11 hit and so we have to have security. I have talked with Jesse White; I still think it's maybe a little loose. I could drive up that north driveway at a high rate of speed… in fact I've been known to do that… put the car into neutral, hit the emergency brake, get out and create all kinds of mayhem before anybody could react. And we did have, right after 9/11, the Denver barricades, those big concrete barricades, where you had to drive around it so you couldn't just run up here. And I was told that one of the Legislators scraped their car on the block and that was the end of that. But say hello to those people. Get to know them. They're… they're great people and they have a tough job. And I know sometimes we forget our ID card and we're upset because you don't know who I am. It's not an American Express commercial. No, they don't know who you are, show your ID card. Get to know the… the young people that… that take tour groups around the Capitol. Come over a day early and take that tour of the Capitol, as I have. But every time you walk across that Rotunda look up in… into that dome and remember where you work and why you work here and the responsibilities that your constituents ask you to do. I keep little notes like this out on the House Floor trying to keep my head in the right place and it gets harder and harder as I get older. Let me share just some that I really like. Laughter is the brush that sweeps away 09600153.doc 142 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 the cobwebs of the heart. We should seize every opportunity to give encouragement. Encouragement is oxygen to the soul. Laughter is the gleam of light in the dark. Laughter is the gleam of light in the dark. And the loveliest laugh of all is that of a child. On Wednesday nights my wife and I watch our great-grandson who's 16 months old, what a laugh that little guy has and I hope I get home in time to… to see Skylar. Let me just say this, most of the accolades that… that are given to us should really be given to staff. Staff on your side of the aisle, staff on our side of the aisle, I don't know where we find such people. I don't know… I know we don't pay them anywhere near what they're worth. And they work long, long, long hours. And they can come up to the floor and whisper in your ear and if you pay attention, they can help you with questions and help you get inside into the legislation. So, let me just say, would you join me in some… a round of applause for the legislative staff, some of the best people I've ever met. And to all of the people who work in this… this Capitol, you get in early in the morning and Kevin will be sweeping up the back hall and Moe and others will be in here cleaning up the chamber. The people who try to keep this place dusted and the pictures hung correctly, they're all important. And don't ever feel like when you walk in here, I'm a Legislator, I'm important. No, we're not very important; we're just part of the process. One of my… one of my favorite books is Harper Lee's, To Kill A Mocking Bird, and I'm sure most of you have read it, if not, you've… you've seen the film. It 09600153.doc 143 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 was made in 1962. The lead character, Atticus Finch says, the one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person's conscience. That's true. It's not easy to follow your conscience in this place because sometime that's going to put you in conflict with your Leader, or your Party and there are times when you have to make adjustments. And… and that's hard to do. I would submit to you if you make adjustments all the time, the real hard thing to do is to subjugate your conscience time and time and time again and then convince yourself that it's okay, that it doesn't matter. When I get up and shave every morning, I like to look myself in the eye, if I can. There's been a few times down here when I've had to say, ooh, why did you do that; that isn't really the way you feel. Sure there are times when you try to reach group objectives and group goals, but there's also a time and only you can answer that question, where is that line where you will stand up and say, I can't do that? I just can't do that, not easy, not easy. I look around this chamber and I cannot… I could not and will not mention the names of the people that I've served with in here who are gone. There are only four people currently in the chamber who were here when I got here. We've all been to too many funerals, we've all seen too many desks shrouded in black and we've… we've eulogized too many outstanding people. There was an article in the Tribune I saw back in July of this year and it was written by Cory Franklin. I don't know Mr. Franklin, but I'm going to paraphrase what he said in one of his paragraphs. As your parents and many of your contemporaries pass away, that 09600153.doc 144 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 signifies a milestone in your life. When they die, the conductor is telling you that your train stop is approaching, but rather than dwell on that I'd prefer to remember the fun and glorious days of being able to walk beside them, work with them, when the sun was shinning so brightly on our faces. God, I love this place and I love all of you. But as in everything, there is a time. Somebody said I could 'Google' something, I'm not sure I can spell Google let alone figure out how to find it on… for four years I called this thing an Etch A Sketch. And then I thought the little speaker things up here were voice activated and I'd get here early so you wouldn't see me and I would bend down and say turn yourself on. Ron Stephens came in one day and heard me say that and turned around and left the chamber. When I came down here, there were no computers. All of the Bills and all of the Amendments were piled behind our desks in huge binders and they would be four, four and a half feet high. And yet staff, the people who really make this place work, staff could find anything in there. In a matter of 60 seconds, they could get Amendments filed in less time than that and when I… when I first came down here, all Amendments were heard. No Amendments went to Rules, all Member Amendments were heard. The Legislator who had this Bill is still here and I hope… I hope she doesn't get mad at me, but we go through this every once in awhile. She filed a Bill that… and it makes sense and I understand it, but it said we have to buy American. Well, we'd all like to do that. That all state vehicles would be made in America and all this and that 09600153.doc 145 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 would be made in America. We're in a global society; it gets harder and harder to do. I look at Caterpillar's financial statement and I think they're selling more of their manufactured goods in… in China and India than they sell in the United States. So, where would Caterpillar be without trade, fair trade, not necessarily free trade. So, I looked at that, staff helped me, we thought maybe that Bill was trying to get a Roll Call so that Republicans might get up and say, yes, we'd like to buy American but da da da ta da. So, John Cross who used to be on our staff, and I think works for IEPA now, John could do more in a minute and a half than anybody I've ever met. Go down and get an Amendment drafted, get it back, get it filed, put it in the binder, tell you what the Amendment did, and in- between times smoke two packs of cigarettes. I think John lost a lung because of that habit. So, we filed the Amendment to that Buy American Bill and all it said… and we were accused of playing games with the Bill, all it said is that if you have a foreign nameplate car you couldn't park it on state property. Now, I admit we'd gone out and checked the Legislator's parking lots and I'll be doggone, there were some foreign nameplate cars out there, BMWs, Mercedes. I didn't even know what a Saab was; I wasn't sure where it was made. Did the Amendment pass, absolutely. Amendment #2 also passed by voice vote. There shall be no imported wine, liqueur, or beer served at any legislative reception or fund-raiser, absolutely added to the Bill. We never saw the Bill again. Things like that used to happen quite often, and let me set the record 09600153.doc 146 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 straight, Terry Park and I did not throw punches. I… I have the video tape of that, by the way, right back here. Terry wanted to change my vote and I think that was the day we had had eight caucuses and every caucus started out the same. Is there anybody here who really just has to vote for that Educational Funding Amendment? And the same six or seven or us would stand up. Oh, for crying out loud. There… We didn't caucus in, so the six or seven of us that thought we should vote for that Constitutional Amendment, that would go to the voters, would be on the ballot. It got out of the House. It… it never got out of the Senate. And after a long, long day, Terry simply turned to me and said, I'm going to change your vote. And I said, as politely as I could, Terry don't touch my switch. I'm going to change your vote. I said, Terry don't touch my voting switch. He reached for the switch, I grabbed for his arm, this hand came back to straighten out his tie, we then fell into each other's arms, sang Kumbaya, and got along just fine. And we parted as good friends, we really did. Oh, boy… I… did not want to get to this day, but I wish you the best. I have high hopes that you will remember what we're truly here for. You have a… and I'd love to be a part of it and I'm going to miss it. You're faced with a fiscal crisis the likes of which the state hasn't seen since the Great Depression. You can't ignore it. It won't go away. You're going to have to reach agreement on how you're going to fix it and I don't know that you can fix it in one year, but you're going to have to. And it won't be easy, and I will pray for you every 09600153.doc 147 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 night that you find that solution. I… I don't know about your districts, but I have some school districts that if we don't pay them their transportation money pretty quick, they're going to have to park their school busses in January 'cause they… they haven't gotten paid for transportation in months. I have one district in my legislative district, one school district, that cannot buy anymore diesel fuel. There's nobody who will give them credit. It's that bad. So, I wish you the best. You have a very difficult, difficult two years ahead of you. To Speaker Madigan, who I'm sure would have been here on the floor to praise me, but probably fell on the tile floor and… and hurt himself. No, in a serious vein, let me say this about the Speaker, and I know some of you get mad at me because about three times a year I'll ask JoAnn if I can go back and spend five minutes with him. We generally talk about Notre Dame, the Illini, his family, my family. The Speaker isn't going to sit there and talk about political issues with me, but I don't think it hurts just to say hello and… and to let him know that, hey, we're willing to communicate with you; we'd like to work with you. As a diplomat, I have failed, but I… I will say this about the Speaker and it paraphrases what Winston Churchill said at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri, after World War II was over when he said something to the effect about what the Soviet Union was at that time, and I think it… it can apply to the way that I feel about Michael Madigan. I respect his capabilities, I respect his abilities, but he can be a mystery wrapped in an enigma. Doesn't tip his 09600153.doc 148 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 hand, never really sure of where you're going, but he drives this vehicle and you need to work with him as best you can. Let me close by paraphrasing Abraham Lincoln's Farewell Address at the Great Western Depot on February 11, 1861, when he left Springfield for Washington. My friends, no one, not in my situation, can appreciate my feeling of sadness at this parting. To this place, and the kindness of the people here and in the district, I owe everything. Here I have served almost a quarter of a century, and I've passed from a young man to an old man. Let us confidently hope that all will yet be well. I bid you a loving and affectionate farewell."
Speaker Lyons: "Ladies and Gentlemen, we do have a couple orders of business to do before we do adjourn. So, I will… as we give our personal regards to Representative Black, we do have an order of business. Mr. Clerk, what is the status of House Bill 6862? Mr. Clerk, give me the Rules Report, please."
Clerk Bolin: "Representative Currie, Chairperson from the Committee on Rules, reports the following committee action taken on December 1, 2010: recommends be adopted, Amendment #2 for House Bill 6862 and recommends be adopted, Amendment #2 to House Resolution 1002."
"Thank you, Mr. Clerk. And what's the status on House Bill 6862?"
"House Bill 6862, a Bill for an Act concerning education. This Bill's on the Order of Postponed Consideration." 09600153.doc 149 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010
"Mr. Clerk, put that Bill back to the Order of Second Reading for the purpose of the Amendment. Status, Mr. Clerk?"
"House Bill 6862. The Bill was read for a second time on a previous day. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. Floor Amendment #2, offered by Representative Chapa LaVia, has been approved for consideration."
"Representative Chapa LaVia on Floor Amendment #2 to House Bill 6862."
"Thank you. The Floor Amendment just changed it so it's not an effective date."
"Heard the Lady's Motion on the Floor Amendment. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, all those in favor of adopting Floor Amendment #2 signify by saying 'yes'; those opposed say 'no'. In opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And Floor Amendment #2 is adopted. Anything further, Mr. Clerk?"
"No further Amendments. No Motions are filed."
"Third Reading. And read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."
"House Bill 6862, a Bill for an Act concerning education. The Bill was read for a third time on a previous day."
"Representative Chapa LaVia on House Bill 6862."
"For the respect of everybody and their time, we've already debated this at addendum. I took out the immediate effective dates so we're going to be working with all the parties that have been negative on it, and I will continue to work on it, but I'm hoping to pass it out of 09600153.doc 150 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 here so we can work on it before the next General Assembly meets. So, please, I would appreciate an 'aye' vote."
"Representative Monique Davis." Davis, M.: "I request a verification should this Bill receive the required votes."
"Motion for a verification on receiving the number of votes to pass this Chamber. Anything else? Seeing no further debate, the question is, 'Should House Bill 6862 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? There's been request for verification, so please vote your own switch. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Feigenholtz, Fortner, Jefferson, Mayfield, Sente. Have all voted who wish? Mayfield, Jefferson, Franks, Feigenholtz. Mr. Clerk, take the record. There's been a request for verification. I'll ask all staff members to please to go the rear of the Chamber. All Members who have voted please be in your desk, at your desk, in your chairs for the point of verification. I'll ask the Clerk to read those who have voted in the positive. Mr. Clerk."
"The poll of those voting in the affirmative: Arroyo, Bassi, Beaubien, Bellock, Berrios, Black, Boland, Bost, Bradley, Brady, Burke, Cavaletto, Chapa LaVia, Coladipietro, Cole, Connelly, Coulson, Crespo, Cross, Cultra, D'Amico, Durkin, Eddy, Farnham, Flider, Flowers, Fortner, Froehlich, Jehan Gordon, Hannig, Hatcher, Hernandez, Jackson, Kosel, Leitch, Lyons, Mautino, McAsey, McAuliffe, McGuire, Mell, Mendoza, Mulligan, Osmond, Pihos, 09600153.doc 151 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 Pritchard, Rose, Sacia, Saviano, Schmitz, Senger, Sommer, Stevens, Sullivan, Tracy, Tryon, Wait, Walker, Watson, Winters, Yarbrough, and Zalewski."
"Representative Monique Davis." Davis, M.: "Representative Zalewski."
Speaker Lyons: "Representative Mike Zalewski is he in the Chamber? Representative Zalewski not responding. Remove… Mr. Clerk remove Representative Zalewski." Davis, M.: "Representative Yarbrough."
"Representative Karen Yarbrough. Representative Yarbrough in the Chamber? Mr. Clerk remove Representative Yarbrough." Davis, M.: "Representative Winters."
"Representative David Winters. Representative Winters in the Chamber? Remove Representative Winters." Davis, M.: "Representative Fortner."
"Representative Mike Fortner. Is Representative Fortner in the Chamber?" Davis, M.: Representative Senger."
"Representative Fortner is being removed." Davis, M.: "Senger."
Speaker Lyons: "Representative Senger. Is Representative Senger in the Chamber? Remove Representative Senger." Davis, M.: "We can go on. Representative Berrios."
"Representative Berrios in the Chamber? Remove Representative Berrios." Davis, M.: "Representative Arroyo."
"Who's next Representative… Representative Davis who was the next challenged Representative?" 09600153.doc 152 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 Davis, M.: "Representative Arroyo."
Speaker Lyons: "Is Representative Arroyo in the Chamber? Remove Representative Arroyo." Davis, M.: "Okay. That's it, Sir."
"House Bill 6862, having received 55 'yes' and 39 'no', 4 Members voting 'present', is hereby declared failed. Representative Jackson, for what purpose do you seek recognition, Sir?"
"Mr. Speaker, would you change my vote to 'no' please?"
"The journal will… will reflect your request. Mr. Clerk, Agreed Resolutions."
Clerk Bolin: "Agreed Resolutions. House Resolution 1523, offered by Representative Carberry. House Resolution 1525, offered by Representative Connelly. House Resolution 1526, offered by Representative Riley. House Resolution 1527, offered by Representative Flider. House Resolution 1528, offered by Representative Cole. House Resolution 1529, offered by Representative Flider. House Resolution 1530, offered by Representative Fritchey. And House Resolution 1531, offered by Representative Fortner."
"Representative Burke moves for the passage of the Agreed Resolutions. All those in favor signify by saying 'yes'; those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it and the Agreed Resolutions are passed. Mr. Clerk, the Adjournment Resolution."
Clerk Bolin: "House Joint Resolution 129, offered by Representative Currie: 09600153.doc 153 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that when the House of Representatives adjourns on Wednesday, December 1, 2010, it stands adjourned until Monday, January 3, 2011 at 3:00 p.m., or until the call of the Speaker; and when the Senate adjourns on Thursday, December 2, 2010, it stands adjourned until Tuesday, January 4, 2011, at 12:00 noon, or until the call of the President."
"President Lang moves for the adoption of the Adjournment Resolution. All those in favor signify by saying 'yes'; those opposed saying 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair the 'ayes' have it, and the Resolution is adopted. Ladies and Gentlemen, as we prepare to leave the Chamber, I just would like to wish everybody a happy holiday season. To our Jewish friends, it is the first day of Hanukkah, have a blessed Hanukkah. Have a blessed Christmas, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, Happy Kwanzaa. And to all of us, my request for you is keep one very special person in your prayers, keep Rich Myers in your prayers as we celebrate this holiday season. Anything further to come before the House? Representative Poe, did you have… Seeing no further business to come before the House, Representative Lang moves that the House stand adjourned to the hour of 3 p.m. on Monday, January 3, 2011. So, allowing perfunctory time for the Clerk, Mr. Clerk you got all the perfunctory time you want between now and January 3. The House will stand adjourned 'til the hour of 09600153.doc 154 STATE OF ILLINOIS 96th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 153rd Legislative Day 12/1/2010 3:00 on Monday, January 3, 2011. Have a blessed holiday season everybody. Drive home safely."
"House Perfunctory Session will come to order. Introduction and Reading of Senate Bills-First Reading. Senate Bill 902, offered by Representative Reitz, a Bill for an Act concerning fish. Senate Bill 1014, offered by Representative Currie, a Bill for an Act concerning criminal law. Senate Bill 1310, offered by Representative Lang, Bill for an Act concerning criminal law. And Senate Bill 3976, offered by Representative Currie, a Bill for an Act concerning elections. There being no further business, the House Perfunctory Session will stand adjourned." 09600153.doc 155