Illinois House Floor Debate — May 12, 2011

Speaker Lyons: "Good afternoon, Illinois. Your House of Representatives will come to order. Members are asked to please be at your desks. We shall be led in prayer today by Reverend Keith L. Edwards, who is with the Hermon Baptist Church in Chicago. Reverend Edwards is the guest of Representative Feigenholtz. Members and guests are asked to please refrain from starting their laptops, turn off all cell phones and pagers and rise for the invocation and the Pledge. Reverend Edwards."

Speaker Lyons: "This being the day that we honor our firefighters throughout the State of Illinois, we'd ask the head of the Fire Caucus, Don Moffitt, please lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance."

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

"Thank you, Speaker. I have no excused House Democrats to report today."

"Leader Bost on the GOP."

"Mr. Clerk, take the record. There's 114 Members responding to the… for the call, we have a quorum. And we're prepared to do the work for the people of the State of Illinois. Mr. Clerk."

"Ladies and Gentlemen of the House, important announcement. Sunday has been canceled. Session on Monday will begin… will be called to order at 2:00. So, Sunday is canceled; we'll be called to order on Monday at 2:00. Before we get going on the Order of Third Readings, Roger Eddy you were looking for recognition, Representative?"

"Please proceed, Roger."

"All right. Ladies and Gentlemen, back to the Order of Third Reading-Senate Bills. On page 4 of the Calendar, under Senate Bills-Third Reading, we have Senate Bill 7. Representative Currie. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie on Senate Bill 7."

"Thank you, Speaker and Members of the House. This is the Bill that has been advertised as the reform that our public schools in the State of Illinois need. It does a variety of things and I'd be happy to answer your questions. Let me just mention the highlights. This will streamline the decision to dismiss a teacher who is ineffective and/or incompetent. It will connect performance… performance and competence as the primary decision in teacher tenure and in teacher layoffs. It will enable the Chicago Public Schools to lengthen its school day and lengthen the school year. It will require people to show that they truly are proficient before they get tenure. 09700054.doc 5  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/12/2011 And it will make sure that every single school building pays attention to how effectively it is operating to improve the education of our young. As I say, I'd be happy to answer your questions. And I would certainly appreciate your support for passage of Senate Bill 7."

Speaker Lyons: "The Chair recognizes the Gentleman from Crawford, Representative Roger Eddy."

"She awaits your questions, Sir."

"I believe that it is something we are likely to see yet this year uncertain, of course, for sure, but yes, there were apparently lengthy conversations yesterday involving all of the stakeholders and that would include the reform groups, as well as, the teacher unions, as well as, the State Board of Education, the school management people and the Chicago Public Schools. And the disputes really are about, I think, as I understand it two issues. One is whether this legislation would interfere with litigation pending before the State Educational Labor Relations Board and the other has to do with, how do you calculate what is 75 percent of the Chicago Teachers Union for purposes of establishing a strike vote? But again, I think that people had very good conversations yesterday. 09700054.doc 6  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/12/2011 And I'm very hopeful that those issues will be resolved satisfactorily."

Speaker Lyons: "The Gentleman from DeKalb, Representative Pritchard."

"Sponsor yields."

"As far as I know there are two issues in controversy and one as I told the… the prior speaker is the issue whether this Bill interferes with pending litigation before the State Educational Labor Relations Board. The second issue is defining what counts as 75 percent of the Chicago teachers in terms of establishing a strike vote. Yesterday, there was a very long meeting involving all of the stakeholders. I am told that there was good understanding, good recognition of what the issues are. And I'm hopeful that those issues will be satisfactorily resolved before the end of May."

Speaker Lyons: "The Chair recognizes the Lady from Cook, Representative Yarbrough."

"Thank you. Will the Lady yield?"

"The Lady yields."

"Representative Currie, Majority Leader, I… I know in committee yesterday you said that, you know, there may be a trailer Bill that comes along and, I hope that the… the group of us that worked together on this side, both the folks on that side of the aisle and… and here, that we could be… we could participate in that conversation?"

"As I say, the conversations began yesterday afternoon. I know they were lengthy and the participants all felt that some progress was made. I will ask our education staffer to make sure that you are apprised when further meetings happen."

"Thank you. To the Bill, Mr. Speaker. I want to echo what has already been said here today. We worked really hard on this Bill in this chamber, we met together, we discussed various and sundry issues. But I want to center my conversation about what's at the center of this entire debate and that's children. Our focus has got to always be the focus on children and how adults can, you know, we can help make things happen, but we've got to keep them at the center of the debate. And I think that… that we've done 09700054.doc 9  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/12/2011 that. I know there's more that we need to do. And I'm just glad to be a part of a General Assembly that took this seriously and moved it along. So, I intend to vote 'yes', proudly vote 'yes' for children."

"Representative Monique Davis." Davis, M.: "Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I ran all the way. I'd like to ask the Representative some questions."

"She awaits your questions, Representative." Davis, M.: "What percentage of teachers or members have to vote for a strike in Chicago?"

"Seventy five percent. The dispute is not over that question; the dispute is who counts in terms of making up 75 percent." Davis, M.: "Okay. That's the answer to that question. Is there any other school district in the State of Illinois where they have to have a 75 percent vote to vote for a strike?"

"No." Davis, M.: "Is there any other union member or any membership that requires a 75 percent vote?"

"Yeah. Some… some unions require 90 percent, Representative." Davis, M.: "Which ones?"

"I'll see if I can find the list for you. I don't have it in my head." Davis, M.: "Okay. Is there a case before the legislative… what is it, the Labor Board… Educational Labor Board or Labor Board? There is a case…"

"The State Educational Labor Board, yes." Davis, M.: "Thank… thank you. There is a case before them…" 09700054.doc 10  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/12/2011

"Yes." Davis, M.: "…involving Chicago Teachers, is that correct?"

"That is correct." Davis, M.: "So, what will… what effect will this Bill have on that case?"

"There is some uncertainty on that question. That is why there is an effort to try to clarify that the language in this Bill should not effect a pending case." Davis, M.: "Okay. And let me just ask you something about procedure here. This Bill came out of Elementary-Secondary and when did it go to Second Reading?"

"Yesterday." Davis, M.: "Oh, right, as soon as it came out?"

"Yes." Davis, M.: "So, you… you say you're going to do a trailer Bill to address the concerns of those of us who are from Chicago and who feel a bit discriminated against because our teachers are being asked to have a 75 percent vote for their bargaining rights."

"Yeah. First of all, Representative, I said I am hopeful there will be a resolution of that issue. Second, the Chicago Teachers Union agreed to the 75 percent requirement." Davis, M.: "No. I saw Karen Lewis on television on Sunday and I saw her in the Elementary-Secondary Education Committee yesterday. And they do not agree to that. To the Bill."

"They…" Davis, M.: "Thank you, Representative. To the Bill, Mr. Speaker." 09700054.doc 11  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/12/2011

"To the Bill." Davis, M.: "I, too… I, too, support the best educational opportunities for all children. I do believe that the Senate Sponsor has the same concerns for children that I do, but this Bill does not address the concerns of children. This Section… this very Section that was put in this Bill that stands to hurt a case before this Labor Relations Board is very unfair. It's discriminatory and it's unfair. As a Legislator, when I know there's a case before a court or another board making a decision, I am very disheartened when anyone attempts to end-run and come before this Body and not let that process take its place. As a former teacher, I know that once you have bargaining rights and a contract before you the ability in America has been that you can strike. All over this country there is an attempt to remove union rights to strike. My father worked for 50 years at United States Steel and until a union came in, he, too, was discriminated against. So, to allow this Body or any body to set up conditions that overtly discriminates against a group of people, the rest of the Bill might be great, the rest of it is probably excellent, but that little part has the heaviest weight. That little part is way heavier than any other Section of this Bill. I've talked to a number of people who live in Chicago. I've talked to a number of people who are educators, who are ministers, who feel that for me to sit here and vote to discriminate against my own city or discriminate against my own people is the height of ignorance. Do we want an educational reform Bill? Yes, we do, but we want it for 09700054.doc 12  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/12/2011 this whole state. We don't want to just pick out a few people. I'll tell you a secret. Chicago is not the only district where the children are not achieving. There's a Representative over here whose children equal Chicago's. Chicago is not the only school district where the kids are not achieving. Unless you think discrimination is okay, you should vote 'no'."

"Representative… Representative Jehan Gordon." Gordon, J.: "Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To the Bill. I stand in strong support of this Bill simply because, many of the things that we are seeing around the country, right now. You find it very difficult for governmental bodies and labor to come together at the table and have some of these hard difficult conversations and find a collective compromise. And Ladies and Gentlemen, that's what we saw with Senate Bill 7. We found a way to give a good first step. And I say first step because this is not the only step that we need to take in ensuring that we are educating the young people in the State of Illinois to the best of our abilities, but this is a first step in making sure that that happens. To the Senate Sponsor, Leader Lightford, did a wonderful job in assembling all of the groups at the table. Representative Chapa LaVia, Representative Eddy and all of the other Members in the House that have worked on this legislation; the House staff, have worked on this for months and months. I think that this is a true testament and example for what can happen if people come together at the table and decide that they're going to work together and put children first. So, I would like to again show my 09700054.doc 13  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/12/2011 strong support for this piece of legislation and ask that all of you in this Body do the same."

"Representative Chapa LaVia."

"Thank you, Speaker and Members of the House. This definitely is a landmark piece of education. In fact, the rest of the United States is so interested in how we actually got all the groups together for the educational shareholders for the education of the State of Illinois, because they'd like to duplicate some stuff we've been doing here without tearing down the very fabric that we believe in so deeply as the unions. This piece of legislation came out of my committee the other day and it was a unanimous vote. The Senate has given it to us unanimously and it's a lot of work, a lot of people have been doing together for a lot of years. I respect that the… the opposition to it, but I think it's misdirected. And we will be actually clearing up some issues that may… we can fix there. I also want to thank everybody that was part of this. Our staff has worked really hardwork on this. And I want to especially thank Senator Lightford and all of the work that you've done. Madam, thank you so much for all of your hard in the Senate on this piece of legislation. I look forward to more legislation that is historic in the State of Illinois through education. You've definitely been a good mentor and a friend of mine. Want to thank you for all your work, Ma'am. Leader… Leader Currie, I want to thank you for committee yesterday. I think you did a fine job and I think everybody understands what the Bill does. It's important that you guys all understand that this is 09700054.doc 14  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/12/2011 just one giant step, but we have a lot of steps to take in education in the State of Illinois especially zero to one in funding. So, I want to thank everybody for all their hard work. Thank you for your support on this Bill. And I recommend an 'aye' vote. Thank you."

"Representative Marlow Colvin."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'll be very brief. I stand in support of Senate Bill 7 here and today. I think what this really drills down to, as my colleague Representative Yarbrough brought up, is the quality of education. And I think we're taking a very important first step. Is this Bill the perfect piece of legislation? No, it is not. In fact, when I read it time and time again, the one thing I look for the most is, how does this reform education? How is this going to help make the classroom better, more enticing? How do we hold parents more accountable for their children's education? And time and time again, as I read through this legislation, there's plenty of work left to be done. As it relates to what we think about organized labor, I say here today that I have been a strong supporter of organized labor. Teacher unions, skilled trade unions are very important. They have brought equity in a lot of good progress with respect to work rules and… and I don't dismiss any of that in the discussion of this Bill. But essentially what we're talking about here are children being better prepared for a more sophisticated future in terms of earning a living. Long ago, elementary and secondary education was not part of the overall equation of being successful in this country when you can make steel or 09700054.doc 15  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/12/2011 build cars including right here in Chicago and indeed in my district on the southeast side of Chicago, which produced most of the steel that built this country and still houses the Ford Auto Plant. But going forward, talking about education and how we approve it and how we make it better the conversation has to be much bigger and much more encompassing than what's here in Senate Bill 7. So, as we move forward from today I think all of us should take from this debate, this discussion, this argument, this specific legislation and how do we build on it in terms of future consideration dealing with education. What actually happens in the classroom and how those kids show up in the morning, as a result of the lives that they have at home and getting parents to be more involved in our educational experience in this country that ultimately is going to decide how education is going to be improved. I know that the Majority Leader spoke briefly about a trailer Bill. It's a conversation that I'll look forward to having and being involved in the Elementary and Secondary Education Committee. I know that there's no commitment to do that but I believe that there is a commitment from all of us to improve education. So, whether you want to label it as a trailer Bill or not the main goal here is improving education and if we have to do that in a trailer Bill, then, sobeit, but today let's support Senate Bill 7. Thank you."

"Representative Lou Lang."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Could we get a little quiet in here? Is that possible, Sir?" 09700054.doc 16  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/12/2011

Speaker Lyons: "We'll give it our best shot. Ladies and Gentlemen, the noise level in the chamber is awfully high. There's a big discussion going on, on a very serious Bill, so shhh."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I expect this Bill's going to fly out of here, but as you say this is a very important Bill and we should be listening to the conversation on the floor. I rise to support the Bill, but don't want to talk about the Bill. What I want to talk about is what the Bill doesn't do. We should all vote for this Bill, but I think many of you have heard me say on the House Floor previously that we spend a lot of time in this chamber, and they do this in Washington as well, spend a lot of time talking about issues involving adults in the education system. We talk about school boards and administrators and principals and teachers and parents and social workers, all important parts of the education system, but only very rarely do we on this House Floor get involved in what the education system is really all about and that is kids. I appreciated Mr. Colvin's remarks cause I think that's what he was saying. Representative Davis said the same thing. It's time that we started talking about a revolution in education. And yes, it starts with good teachers and yes, it's important to have school boards have an ability to remove teachers that aren't doing so well and to find better ones, but these are still the problems of adults. And this is where this whole theory came from that we must test every child for everything, every day, but the only purpose of that is so adults can 09700054.doc 17  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/12/2011 look at these numbers and blame other adults for the problems of children. We need to talk about how to improve the lives of children in our public schools. We need to talk about why Johnny can't read and how to help Johnny learn how to read. We learned… we need to try to get to come to grips with how to give each child in a public school the tools they need to learn all they can learn, so that they can be all that they can be. We don't talk about that in this chamber. They don't talk about that in Washington. We don't talk about what to do directly for children. This is sure going to help, that's why I'm voting for the Bill, but this is indirect in my view. There will be those who agree with… disagree with me, but we need to see Bills on this House Floor, and I'm happy to work with anyone that wants to talk about it, about how to directly impact a child's curriculum; an individual child's curriculum. An individual child's education, on a daily basis, how to improve their futures in a public school to improve their future within our… within the State of Illinois which will, of course, will improve the lives of all us in the State of Illinois. So, I encourage the passage of this Bill. But let no one go home and send out their great press releases about how we made such dramatic strides today in improving the lives of children in our public schools, I don't believe this Bill does that. And so, while this Bill should pass, we have much more to do."

"Representative Dunkin."

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

"Sponsor yields." 09700054.doc 18  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/12/2011

"Representative, I… I guess I missed some of the debate, it was pretty… pretty loud in here. You did mention that a trailer Bill would follow as it relates to the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board to restore… that will be restored in Section 12(b)?"

"There is… there are discussions about changes in that Section of the Bill. There are also discussions about changes in establishing who counts as a teacher for purposes of the 75 percent strike vote. Those conversations have not yet concluded. I am hopeful that they will and that they will do so in a satisfactory way."

"Was… was there any language presented as well coming over to this Body from the Senate or as an Amendment? Was there any…

"Yeah."

"…language addressing that section?"

"Should… should… should those discussions prove fruitful then there would be a… an Amendment on a trailer Bill and we would act upon it."

"Okay. I was… I was under the impression from listening to the debate in committee yesterday that there were… that there were… was an Amendment to… to address this Section?"

"There were lengthy discussions yesterday that involved all of the stakeholders."

"Okay. So… and… and it would address 75 percent of all eligible voting members as it relates to some of the changes in the fair… all union changes within the fair…

"Right."

"…share members?" 09700054.doc 19  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/12/2011

"Right. So, it's a technical question and they are talking about that issue."

"Okay. Thank you. To the Bill. Ladies and Gentlemen, I am very, very pleased and proud to be a part of this history that we're making here in this state. I think it is high time that we have allowed ourselves, under the Leadership of State Senator Kimberly Lightford, and working with teachers unions, administrators, activists, parents, politicians. This is exactly the type of work and legislation that many of us campaigned on. We talked about and discussed improving education, doing the right thing for our kids and this legislation actually achieves that. It's not perfect, just like our schools are not perfect, but it… this is one of the best starts… the best first, refreshing starts that I have been a part of since I've been here in my eight and a half years. So, I am tremendously proud of the Senate Sponsor, certainly our Leader Currie here, to pick up this intensive change that we're making at the state level and in particularly, in the City of Chicago. It's high time; it's long overdue. And at the core of all of the political debate, all of the union issues, all of the community activists, all of the business interest, all of the vendors, all of the writers and the pontificators of education, people who say they want to do something about education, this Bill gets at the root of changing and shifting the paradigm of how we govern, how we administer and more importantly how we educate our babies. So, I'm going to support this legislation. Finally… finally its time has come. Thank you, Sponsors. Thank you, Senator 09700054.doc 20  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/12/2011 Kimberly Lightford. Thank you, members of concerned citizenry who really played a… an invaluable role here to see to it that this legislation makes history and hits our desks. Thank you. And I would encourage all Members to vote 'aye'. Thank you."

"Representative Kosel."

"Sponsor yields."

"Yeah. They… they would certainly be competent and would be understood under the Bill to be an appropriate vehicle for providing that school board education."

"Representative Golar."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I stand in support of this legislation, but I do have some questions for the Sponsor."

"The Lady awaits your questions, Representative."

"Representative Currie, there are some issues that CTU had in regards to some language. And of course in committee and you're a woman of your word, you stated that you would do a trailer Bill. And just for the record, I would like to go over two of the items that are…" 09700054.doc 21  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/12/2011

"Right. And as I have said, if there is agreement among the stakeholders, I am more than happy to sponsor a trailer Bill to resolve the two issues that the teachers… Chicago Teachers Union has raised."

"Okay. And I just want to say that one of those issues is the 75 percent of eligible voting members."

"Right."

"That's number one."

"That's right."

"And number 2 is a Section 12(b), page 107 and of course it is some language, 'subject shall not be received (sic- resolved) through the procedures set forth in this Act and the board mediator or the fact finder has no jurisdiction over any Section subject.'"

"That is the other issue in dispute."

"Oh, thank you. I appreciate it."

"Our final speaker will be a Lady whose name was in debate, Representative Monique Davis and then Representative Currie to close." Davis, M.: "Thank you, Mr. Speaker for recognizing me because my name was used in debate. First, I'd like to say the solutions to education might start with a few of these things: voluntary preschool education for children, especially low income; improve middle school and high school college counseling, implement the best research based dropout prevention programs, align the K-12 education system with international standards in college admission, improve teacher quality and focus on recruitment and retention, clarify and simplify admission processes, 09700054.doc 22  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/12/2011 dramatically increase college completion rates and also the affordability. I know I'll probably be the only 'no' in this room and it won't be the first only 'no' I've taken, but I've read this Bill, I know what's in it. The intentions are good, but the results will not change a thing. I am not going to be a union buster and especially, starting with my own city. This should be a 'no' vote."

"Leader Barbara Flynn Currie to close."

"Thank you, Speaker. Kudos are due, Senator Lightford, Representatives Chapa LaVia and Yarbrough and Farnham as well as Representatives Eddy and Mitchell… Jerry Mitchell and Pritchard. They worked very hard to see to it that all the stakeholders… and Representative Jehan Gordon… that all the stakeholders played a role in crafting this legislation. Of course it isn't going to solve all the problems of public school students across the State of Illinois. But, I think it makes an important step forward when we say, yes, there will be a connection between the quality of a teacher's performance and the ability of that teacher to stand in front of that classroom of children. We are toughening the standards for tenure. We are establishing better, more streamlined procedures that says that if a teacher should not be standing in front of that classroom of teachers… of children, that that teacher is out. This is not a Bill about more testing of our children; it is a Bill about seeing to it that there is a clear connection between the success of the teacher and the success of the child. I urge your 'aye' vote." 09700054.doc 23  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/12/2011

"The question is, 'Should Senate Bill 7 pass?' All those in favor signify by voting 'yes'; those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this Bill, there are 112 Members voting 'yes', 1 Member voting 'no', 1 Member voting 'present'. This Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Tom Morrison, for what purpose do you seek recognition, Sir?"

"Please proceed."

"Welcome to your Capitol, Glenwood. We're proud to have you here. On page 4 of the Calendar, Ladies and Gentlemen, on the Order of House Bills-Third Reading, we have House Bill 327. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"Representative Will Davis on House Bill 327." Davis, W.: "Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. House Bill 327 is the appropriations Bill for the State Board of Education, which lays out in detail how approximately $6.8 billion will be 09700054.doc 24  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/12/2011 spent to fund the department… excuse me, the State Board of Education, as well as, all of the grant lines. There were… first of all, I want to thank in a very special way, Representative Roger Eddy, the Minority Spokesperson for his work on… toward us reaching what we think is a decent compromise. We recognize that it certainly doesn't do all of the things that we want it to do, but certainly under the constraints that we were given, we think that we came up with at least something that this chamber should be able to live with. We recognize that at some point we're going to receive a Senate Bill which is going to be completely different than what we worked on. And certainly when we receive that Senate Bill, our committee will be hard at work working to try to figure out how we can bridge the gap between what we passed and… what we hope to pass today in the House and certainly what we're going to receive in the Senate. A couple of things that I would just like to point out in this particular Bill. One thing that we did do is that, for the purposes of the re-enrolling (sic- Re- enrollment) Students Program, we moved $3 million to the Illinois Community College Board, which was unanimous amongst our committee Members, so that we can continue to fund that program for reenrolling dropout students."

"Representative, hold on one second. Ladies and Gentlemen, can we could please have some quiet on the floor. Shhh. It's an appropriation Bill. I'd suggest everybody give it some good attention. Representative Davis." 09700054.doc 25  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/12/2011 Davis, W.: "Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Something else that is detailed in the Bill, that I’m sure we'll talk about, is that among the more difficult things that we had to cut is that we did make a 4 percent reduction in General State Aid, so schools will be prorated at approximately 96 percent of their resources. That was something that we did go back and forth with, but unfortunately, that was one of the cuts that we did make. We did make a cut in Early Childhood funding which, again, these are cuts that we did not want to make, but, we had some serious constraints that we had to deal with. Outside of that, we did make an increase in the transportation line. While Representative Eddy will speak to the fact that this… though while we made an increase in that line, it's down from previous… from previous fiscal years and we understand that it is a reimbursement, and so we are going to reimburse school districts at approximately 85 percent of what they spent for their transportation. We did maintain our maintenance of effort lines. I believe that was approximately 155 million that we had to spend for our maintenance of effort line, and so we did maintain those lines which means that we will maximize the amount of federal funding that we will… that we will receive by doing so. We were able to maintain spending… not maintain but we left flat from fiscal year '11 Bilingual Education funding which was something that certainly is important to many of our school districts as we look at the increasing number of students that need that type of support. So those are just a few of the highlights. I'll be more than happy to delve in a 09700054.doc 26  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/12/2011 little further and answer any questions that Members may have."

Speaker Lyons: "The Chair recognizes the Gentleman from Crawford, Representative Roger Eddy."

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

"Sponsor yields."

"Representative Rosemary Mulligan."

"The Sponsor yields."

"Representative Jerry Mitchell." Mitchell, J.: "Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Inquiry of the Chair."

"State your inquiry, Sir." Mitchell, J.: "When we look at the Board, it says Higher Education. And I'm just curious is because usually it's Elementary-Secondary Education. Higher Ed is a separate budget from that, not that it's anything vitally important but those that just happen to wander into the chamber and happened to look up there might… may not realize that we're dealing with the Elementary-Secondary Ed. Is there a reason why we're using a Higher Ed Bill to tack on the budget for Elementary-Secondary Ed?"

"Representative, I don't have an answer for that question right now. Let me confer up here and I will certainly try to get back to you…" Mitchell, J.: "Thank you, Mr. Speaker."

"…before the debate is over. Representative Davis, perhaps you would want to answer Representative…" 09700054.doc 36  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/12/2011 Davis, W.: "Well, certainly it's just…"

"…Mitchell on an attempt to…" Davis, W.: "…it's nothing more than just a vehicle. If it makes Representative Mitchell feel any better, I'm also on the Higher Ed Approps Committee, so maybe I can just use that one as well. How about that? Okay."

"Representative Davis to close." Davis, W.: "Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I want to appreciate the comments made by all of the Members and again, want to certainly thank Representative Eddy and the Members from the other side of the aisle for our work that we did again. We know this was a very difficult situation that we were put in recognizing that this is about spending what we think are real dollars in education, and if you look at it from that perspective, you can only spend what you have, and that's exactly what this committee did to the point of one of the previous speakers in terms of recognizing what's important to her. I made no qualms about the fact that General State Aid was important to me, but I recognized that it did have to suffer some in this particular budget situation, but certainly our mandated categoricals were funded at 100 percent. So, we did recognize that there was a need to make sure that those dollars were there, and that also supports our maintenance of effort which means that we get to maximize federal funds as well. So again, this was a difficult situation. This committee did have to make very, very difficult choices. Certainly, if additional dollars become available we've even outlined a blueprint of how we might be able to use 09700054.doc 37  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/12/2011 additional resources, if they become available. But certainly by… by no means, again, was this process easy, and… but I'm very proud of the work of this committee and all of the time and effort that they spent putting in, meeting, having conversation and coming up with something that we think was the best that we could do under the current circumstances. So again, I certainly urge all Members of the House to support this Bill and I request a 'yes' vote. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker."

"Representative Davis moves for the passage of House Bill 327. All those in favor signify by voting 'yes'; those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Dan Burke, Tom Morrison, Art Turner. Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this Bill, there are 102 Members voting 'yes', 12 Members voting 'no', 0 voting 'present'. This Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Mary Flowers on a point of personal privilege."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. Had I been at my desk, I would have voted 'no' on Senate Bill 7. So, please let the record reflect that I would like to be recorded as voting 'no' on Senate Bill 7."

"The Journal will reflect your request."

"Thank you."

"Mr. Clerk, Rules Report."

"Representative Ford, for what purpose do you seek recognition, Sir?"

"Point of personal privilege."

"Please proceed, LaShawn."

"Thank… thank you, Mr. Speaker. I ask the Members of the House to join me in congratulating Representative Flowers on her newborn… she… she had a baby and she looks… she looks great. I never saw her carry the baby, but she has a new baby. So, congratulations, Representative Flowers on your newborn."

"Congratulations, Mary. Mr. Clerk, on page 4 of the Calendar is House… on the Order of Third Reading… Third Reading-House Bills is House Bill 2165. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Luis Arroyo."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Members of the House. House Bill 2165 makes appropriation for General Funds from other state funds and federal funds, the foll… the following state agencies appropriation: approp defender… Appellate Defender, Appellate Prosecutor, Criminal Justice Information Authority, Emergency Management Agency, Juvenile (sic- Judicial) Inquiry Board, Labor, Military 09700054.doc 39  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/12/2011 Affairs, Prisoner Review Board, Southwestern Illinois Development Authority, Sports Facilities Authority, State Police Merit Board, Upper Illinois River Valley Development Authority. I also want to thank the committee, the Appropriation-Public Safety Committee for the heavy lifting and for the hard work. This is a bipartisan Bill. This is an agreed Bill by both sides of the aisle, and one person I want to thank very much is Dave… Dave Reis. Dave, I want to thank you for the… for helping me to pass this Bill and to do all the… all the negotiations to be able to make sure that is was an agreed Bill. I wouldn't have done this without you, I wouldn't have been able to do it without you; I think that you did a fantastic job. Greg Harris, and I also want to thank most of… upmost, all the Members, all the single Members. There was no arguments, there was no disagreement. I think everybody agreed to this Bill. So, I urge an 'aye' vote."

"The Chair recognizes the Gentleman from Jasper, Representative David Reis."

"Sponsor yields."

"The Chair recognizes the Gentleman from McHenry, Representative Jack Franks."

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

"Sponsor yields."

"What is the total cut that you're asking for in this portion of the Appropriations-Public Safety?"

"From FY11 it was 76 million."

"Okay. From FY11… what were the real numbers in FY11 'cause our analysis doesn't have it?" 09700054.doc 41  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/12/2011

"I believe… from the request or the ones in the Bill, Jack?"

"Let's do it this way. From the FY11 budget, how much was being spent and then the FY12 what we're trying to do now, what is the difference?"

"The one approp was 1.74373… eight million… billion and now we… we brought it down to one… the chemistry that we did was $1.6 billion. So, we knocked that down in that percentage that we did when we did that… that…"

"So you knocked it down about $140 million?"

"Yeah."

"So you knocked it down about 6 percent."

"We also… we also came down to… and some of them to the two ten level. We went down probably $5 million on that."

"Okay. But all together the cut is about 6 percent more or less?"

"Yes, yes."

"Okay. And I'm trying to figure out we came up with some of these numbers. For instance, I'm looking at the Judicial Inquiry Board where the only cut is $4,300 which is less than a 3 percent cut."

"That was EDP. We cut 5 percent… we cut 5 percent across the board for EDP. That's Electrical (sic- Electronic) Data Processing, all the agencies."

"But we didn't cut any more than that?"

"No."

"Okay. So, we cut 5 percent across the board. That's what I'm trying to figure out." 09700054.doc 42  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/12/2011

"No, that was… Excuse me, Jack. That was a 10 percent cut."

"I'm looking at the real numbers from GRF. For instance, if you look at the Judicial Inquiry Board, there's only a 4000…"

"This is only GRF."

"Okay. It's only a $4,300 cut."

"Yeah."

"All right. Let me ask you about the Southwest… Southwestern Illinois Development Authority. In that one there, it appears… No, I'm sorry. I want to look at the other one, the Upper Illinois River Valley Development Authority. I apologize. The Upper Illinois River Valley Authority, in 2000… in 2011 the GRF correlated all funds was $292,300. In this budget, you wish to increase the line item by almost $2 million."

"I believe that was a bond."

"Right. And I'm looking, but it's a moral obligation bond, do we have a legal responsibility to pay this?"

"Moral obligation."

"But there's… so, there's no legal obligation to pay it?"

"I don't believe so."

"That's… that was my question. That was a concern. Now, I'll go to the Bill. And I appreciate the hard work of the committee, and I know it's not easy."

"Thank you, Jack."

"But my… my concern is, when we're paying on obligations that we're not legally obligated to do, I mean, 09700054.doc 43  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/12/2011 just now we're looking at something that's almost $2 million extra. We have a $15 billion budget deficit. The tax increase that we passed a few months ago only paid for our pension obligations. We still have billions of dollars in unpaid bills. In this budget though, it has been trimmed somewhat; I don't believe goes nearly far enough on what needs to be cut. I don't think that we ought to be paying on things that we're not legally obligated to be paying. I know it's tough to be make these decisions and I know there's been a lot of work, but I'm going to vote 'no' and I'm going to ask the others to vote 'no'. Let's go back to the drawing board on this issue and let's cut some more."

"Representative Mike Zalewski."

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

"Sponsor yields."

"Representative, what happens if the state were to default on a moral obligation bond?"

"Moral obligation means nothing."

"So, what would… what would that do in terms of our future ability to issue moral obligation bonds?"

"We need to pay our bonds, Mike."

"So, to the Bill. With regards to the previous questions about what happens if we don't pay these bonds, we would effectively ruin the state's ability to ever issue moral obligation bonds again. And we would not be able to… I don't think that's the approach we want to take. We… this committee spent tireless amount of hours crafting this Bill. We worked in bipartisan fashion with the other side of the aisle. We went painstakingly through each agency's 09700054.doc 44  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/12/2011 request versus what we will we were willing to appropriate. This is a good Bill that cuts enough to warrant your support, I ask for an 'aye' vote."

"Representative Mathias."

"The Sponsor yields."

"No, Sid, we don't have any money in there for High Speed Rail."

"No, no. This is… we have another Bill that's coming up that's going to have five agencies I believe to it. This is the second Bill out of three."

"Thank you."

"Representative Greg Harr… Representative Greg Harris." Harris, G: "Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Members of the House. I'm rising in response to a remark made earlier by one of our colleagues who said that we did not cut enough and that we should cut more. I went back and I looked at the Resolutions that established how much we should be cutting, which all passed unanimously through the House, HR110 and HR156. I believe we've cut… made the cuts in our 09700054.doc 45  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/12/2011 committee, and in fact, in all the committees which we all agreed to do and all voted for. So, I think it's appropriate at this time not to try to cut back the services that we're providing to the people of Illinois any further. But we are using the most conservative revenue estimates and we're trying to do the most responsible thing to help our state live within its means. And I congratulate my colleagues from the Republican side of the aisle and our chairman on working with us on this budget. Thank you."

"Representative Roger Eddy."

"Sponsor yields."

"Yes, Sir."

"Absolutely. It wasn't easy."

"Absolutely." 09700054.doc 46  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/12/2011

"Yes, yes. Absolutely."

"Very simple."

"Representative Davis Harris." Harris, D.: "Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To the Bill. Mr. Speaker, I support the Bill and I support the work of the committees that have been done in all of the appropriations area, however, I would like to make one comment here. And when we pass House Resolution 110, we said on the House Floor there was no commitment… there was no commitment on anybody's part to vote for any budget. All we did was we said our revenue estimate was going to be $33.2 billion. If you 09700054.doc 47  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/12/2011 don't like any of these budgets, if they don't… if they don't come to numbers that you agree with, feel free to vote 'no'. I recommend 'yes' votes because that's what we have to do to move the process along, but to stand up and say because we passed House Resolution 110 we're obligated to vote for any budget is not correct. All we did was say we're going to spend $33.2 billion, which many of us would say is too much to begin with. So, we're not obligated to vote for any budget. I recommend a 'yes' vote, but don't feel you're obligated because we passed House Resolution 110. Thank you."

"Our last speaker whose name was used in debate will be David Reis and then Representative Arroyo to close."

Speaker Lyons: "Appropriation Public Service Public Safety Chairman Arroyo to close."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It wasn't… it wasn't easy spending all the hours, but we did the job we were asked to do. I also commend the pre… the other four appropriation chairs because I know that they also went through these… they're going through all these hard times. They'll go line by line, line by line and spend all this time. But I want to thank all the Members of the Appropriation Committee and David Reis, I really like working with you and this is bringing us together. This is the way all the Bills should run, bipartisan and both sides of the aisle should be work on Bills like this. Thank you very much. And I'll ask for an 'aye' vote."

"Representative Arroyo moves for the passage of House Bill 2165. All those in favor signify by voting 09700054.doc 49  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/12/2011 'yes'; those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Kay, Mathias, Jakobsson. Dwight. Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this Bill, there's 104 Members voting 'yes', 10 Members voting 'no'. This Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Monique Davis, for what purpose do you seek recognition, Ma'am?" Davis, M.: "Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know this has been announced, but it didn't give the proper information. Added to the Democratic Party has been Madison Jolee Perry, seven and a half pounds, 21 inches. Another strong, black woman. Mary Flowers' granddaughter."

"Thank you for those details, Representative. And again, Mary congratulations on your granddaughter. Representative Kevin McCarthy on a point of personal privilege."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. I would like you to just take a second to help me in wishing my seatmate, Jack McGuire, a happy birthday. Jack is a… a healthy 49 today and… so please come over. There was some cake in the back of 300, so if you want some get there quickly. But happy birthday, Jack."

"Happy birthday, Jack. Nice tie. Representative Don Moffitt on a point of personal privilege."

"Representative Moffitt."

"Representative Moffitt, hold a second. This is… Ladies and Gentlemen, could we have a moment of silence here. We're actually recognizing some fallen Illinoisans that should be recognized. Can we bring the noise level down. Representative Moffitt."

"Uh, huh. Now, go ahead, Don." 09700054.doc 51  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/12/2011

Speaker Lyons: "May their souls rest in peace. Thank you, Representative Moffitt. Representative Michael Bost." 09700054.doc 52  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/12/2011

"Repeat that, Representative."

Speaker Lyons: "Thank you, Representative. Ladies and Gentlemen, we'll be working on Senate Bills-Third Reading. I'll be starting on the bottom of page 4 and running down page 5. So, if you want to follow along, if your Bill… your Senate Bill is ready to go on Third Reading, we'll be taking them in the order that they're in… as printed. Representative Lang, you have Senate Bill 86. Out of the record. Representative Golar, on the top of page 5 you have Senate Bill 1361. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

Speaker Lyons: "The Lady from Cook, Representative Esther Golar."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Senate Bill 1361 is a renewal of the Illinois Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Act. It's a very simple Bill. We're asking for a sunset. It is an initiative of the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority. It passed in 1990 and became effective on January 1, 1991. From 1990 to 2009, 68 percent reduction in auto thefts in Illinois, since the Illinois Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Act has been passed. These are FBI statistics. Absolutely no General Revenue Funds will be used. The program is funded by a trust fund. Grants are made every four years and renewed annually based on 09700054.doc 53  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/12/2011 publicly posted requests for proposals. And a RFP process is open to applicants throughout the State of Illinois. We're asking for an 'aye' vote. And I'll be happy to take any questions."

"You've heard the Lady's explanation on Senate Bill 1361. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, 'Should Senate Bill 1361 pass?' All those in favor signify by voting 'aye'; those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Representative May, Representative Carol Sente, like to be recorded? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this Bill, there's 113 Members voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no'. This Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative McCarthy, on the Order of Third Readings… Okay. Out of the record. Representative Emily McAsey on the Order of Third Reading-Senate Bills, you have Senate Bill 1699. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

Speaker Lyons: "The Lady from Will, Representative Emily McAsey."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Members of the House. Senate Bill 1699 is an initiative of the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office to address financial crimes including misappropriation of financial institution property. What this does is provide parity between regular theft and financial crime penalties. And I would ask for the support of the Members. Thank you." 09700054.doc 54  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/12/2011

"You've heard the Lady's explanation. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, 'Should Senate Bill 1699 pass?' All those in favor signify by voting 'yes'; those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Representative Bost, Representative David Leitch. Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this Bill, there's 112 Members voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no', 1 Member voting 'present'. This Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Biss, on the Order of Third Readings, you have Senate Bill 1708. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Dan Biss."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. Senate Bill 1708 concerns hate crimes. It says that if someone is convicted of a hate crime which involves the destruction or desecration of a religious object then the person must, in addition to the rest of their penalty, be sentenced to take a course about education regarding hate crimes and genocide. The course can be offered by any school or the Holocaust and Genocide Commission, which is created basically to address exactly this specific issue. The Amendment that we adopted last week was filed in response to some comments that were made in committee. There was some questions regarding, would this be available in all 102 counties, and would there be any uniformity of 09700054.doc 55  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/12/2011 different courses? And after speaking with the members of the Holocaust and Genocide Commission, I was informed that their intention was to create a single uniform course which would be available online. And the legislation now makes clear that that is one way in which the condition can be satisfied. I'd appreciate an 'aye' vote and I'm happy to answer any questions."

Speaker Lyons: "The Chair recognizes the Gentleman from McHenry, Representative Jack Franks."

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

"Sponsor yields."

"Representative, I see that part of the penalty for this is that an offender must perform at least 200 hours of public or community service in the county where the hate crime was committed, correct?"

"That is correct, Representative, but that's existing statute. I'm not putting in place or changing that penalty."

"So, what this Bill does is require an education component?"

"In addition to that, correct."

"Okay. And my question is, if they have to do the community service, why are we allowing them to do a course online? How come they can't be inconvenienced and have to actually go to the community college or somewhere where it might be… might be given and to make sure that they're actually paying attention?"

"Because we don't have any evidence that there exists physically, across the very large state we live in, such 09700054.doc 56  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/12/2011 courses. Right? So, the… the Bill says you can take a course at a community college and we have community colleges all over the state, but it's not the case that every community college in Illinois offers such courses currently. When we get to this point that that is the case, I'd be happy to amend the statute. But it seems like a little bit much to make someone from the very southern corner of the state schlep up to Cook County to take the course."

"Well, that makes sense. Well, let's assume that we are able to have this and it's uniform to have… to have this and they can do it online. Could we at least have a requirement they'd have to go to the school to take it? 'Cause I… I just think that they ought to be in a classroom while they're taking this. I've seen… I mean, from my own personal experience when I'm doing something online I don't pay a heck of a lot of attention. I tend to push the verify button that I'm listening. I just think for the gravity of a crime like this, the education component I think is important, but I also think… I understand the uniformity. But I also want to make sure that it's just not a pro forma deal where someone, you know, gets a… a verification at the end saying they… they attended but didn't actually learn anything."

"Well, I haven't seen these courses as they're currently designed and in fact, that's 'cause they're still being designed, but one way to kind of compromise would be to have the course include a little quiz at the end; for example, where you wouldn't just click, hey, I did this. 09700054.doc 57  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/12/2011 But, you actually have to answer some questions about what you read."

"Right. I think if we had something like that I'd be more comfortable. So, maybe that could be taken care of in the… in the rulemaking provision."

"I would think that would be wonderful."

"Thank you."

"Thank you."

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

"Sponsor yields."

"The Gentleman from Bond, Representative Ron Stephens. Does not seek recognition? Representative Biss to close."

"I simply ask for an 'aye' vote." 09700054.doc 58  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/12/2011

Speaker Lyons: "The question is, 'Should Senate Bill 1708 pass?' All those in favor signify by voting 'yes'; those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Representative Morrison, Representative Smith. Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this Bill, there's 112 Members voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no', 0 voting 'present'. This Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Mr. Clerk, on page 5 of the Calendar, Representative Pat Verschoore has Senate Bill 1755. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"The Gentleman from Rock Island, Representative Pat Verschoore."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. Senate Bill 1755 amends the territory covered by the Quad City Regional Economic Development Authority Act to include the counties of Jo Daviess, Carroll, Lee, Whiteside and Stephenson counties. Under Senate Bill 1755, the size of the governing board would increase from 11 to 15 members… 11 to 16 members. The five additional members shall be appointed by each of the county board chairmen of Jo Daviess, Carroll, Lee, Whiteside and Stephenson counties with the advice and consent of the respective county board. And I'd ask for an 'aye' vote."

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

"Sponsor yields."

"No."

"The bonding authority is already in place."

"No."

"We raised it last… I believe it was raised last year or the year before."

"Right. Right. What… what is the ceiling?"

"I can't hear you. You want to know…"

"It's 250 million."

"Representative Jim Sacia."

"Sponsor yields."

"I can't… I can't hear. What was the last statement? I couldn't hear you."

"Well, I don't think so. I think it would help them, Jim, on this. I don't think it'll 'muddy the waters' at all. It will give them more… I would for lack of a better word, more clout, I think, to get something in position."

"Thank you."

Speaker Lyons: "The Gentleman from DuPage, Representative Dennis Reboletti."

"Sponsor yields."

"No." 09700054.doc 61  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/12/2011

"No. No pay."

"Representative Pat Verschoore to close."

"I would just ask for an 'aye' vote."

Speaker Lyons: "The question is, 'Should Senate Bill 1755 pass?' All those in favor signify by voting 'yes'; those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Representative Hayes. Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this Bill, there's 113 Members voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no'. This Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Mautino, on Senate Bills-Third Reading, you have Senate Bill 1804. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk. Frank Mautino."

"Question of the Clerk. Is there a… an Amendment pending for this Bill?"

"Mr. Clerk."

"Take this Bill out of the record."

"Mr. Clerk, take the Bill out of the record. Representative Connie Howard, you have Senate Bill 1806 on the Order of Third-Reading Senate Bills. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

Speaker Lyons: "The Lady from Cook, Representative Connie Howard."

"Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Senate Bill 1806 extends the sunset of the Home Inspector License Act by 10 years and it updates the Act at the request of the Department of Financial and Professional Regulations, the Department that administers the Act. This Bill puts a three-year time frame for an applicant to finish the application process. The application must include his or her Social Security number on the form. This Bill retains the Class A misdemeanor for the first act, but raises it to a Class IV Felony for subsequent offenses. I urge a 'yes' vote from my colleagues."

"You've heard the Lady's explanation. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, 'Should Senate Bill 1806 pass?' All those in favor signify by voting 'yes'; those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Representative Bellock, Jerry Mitchell. Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this Bill, there's 113 Members voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no'. This Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Tom Holbrook, you have Senate Bill 1821. Out of the record. Representative Dave Winters, on the Order of Third Readings, on page 5 of the Calendar, you have Senate Bill 1856. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"The Gentleman from Winnebago, Representative Dave Winters."

"The Gentleman from Bond, Representative Ron Stephens."

"The Gentleman awaits your question, Sir."

"Representative Holbrook, Stephens and Winters move for the passage of Senate Bill 1856. All those in favor signify by voting 'yes'; those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Monique Davis, Art Turner. Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this Bill, there's 113 Members voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no'. This Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Will Davis, on Senate Bills-Third Reading, you have Senate Bill 1923. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"The Gentleman from Cook, Representative Will Davis." 09700054.doc 65  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/12/2011 Davis, W.: "Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Senate Bill 1923 is an effort with the Senate Sponsor and IDOT, with my support and others, to try to make definitions and better define the IDOT… what is called IDOT's 'target market program'. For the purpose of definition, the 'target market program' is the procurement process where the chief procurement officer utilizes procedures designed to encourage and facilitate bidding by minority-owned businesses, female-owned businesses and disadvantages… disadvantaged-owned businesses for construction contracts. This is an effort where the procurement officer will take a… a contract, like a road contract, and will try to designate certain parts of that contract where we are sure that minority, female and disadvantaged business owners will have the opportunity to bid as prime vendors and give them the opportunity to be the prime vendor on certain parts of a broader contract. I'll be more than happy to answer any questions."

"You've heard the Gentleman's explanation. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, 'Should Senate Bill 1923 pass?' All those in favor signify by voting 'yes'; those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this Bill, there's 113 Members voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no'. This Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Hernandez, Lisa, you have Senate Bill 1948. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk." 09700054.doc 66  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/12/2011

Speaker Lyons: "The Lady from Cook, Representative Lisa Hernandez."

"Thank you, Speaker. Senate Bill 1948, as amended, will allow the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to develop the dental home care concept in cooperation with dental communities and other affected organizations, such as Head Start for children covered by the State of Federal Insurance Programs. I'm just asking for a favorable vote. Any questions, I'd be more hap… than happy to answer them."

"Chair recognizes the Gentleman from McHenry, Representative Jack Franks."

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

"Sponsor yields."

"Representative, what's the cost of this?"

"This is subject to appropriation, Represent…"

"Has there been a fiscal note?"

"Pardon me?"

"Has there been a fiscal note?"

"There's no… that I'm aware, there is no fiscal note."

"I just… this seems… is this a new program that you're… or an expansion of an existing program?"

"It's… it's using the… the existing programs and just trying to develop these home care concepts with what already exists. So, if there is cost involved, I mean, that would, you know, that would be totally subject to appropriation." 09700054.doc 67  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/12/2011

"Right now, is dental covered by All Kids for instance?"

"Yes."

"Okay. So, this would be in… I guess would be an expansion into dental home health care?"

"It would… it would… what it's trying to do is develop these home care concepts with… for example, I'm going to give you the example of Head Start. And… and… and it's just trying to not necessarily that it goes into the home, but work within the programs that exist already."

"Okay. Well, I just… I appreciate what you're trying to do. My concern is, I don't know if you saw the last audit on All Kids but it was an abomination. And we're spending over $74 million that we didn't… we never budgeted for. Remember when All Kids came in and it was told that it was going to pay for itself because of the savings we were going to have? But that just isn't true. And now it's a $74 million hole in our budget. And I'm concerned without a fiscal note what this expansion of the program or the project may be. And that… and I'm… and I apologize, I hadn't seen this before otherwise I would have requested a fiscal note. Would you… would you be willing to take it out of the record and… 'cause we have a couple of weeks to get the Senate Bills passed and allow me to file a fiscal note on this? Because otherwise, I just don't feel comfortable voting for something without knowing what the cost is going to be."

"Representative, it… it's subject to appropriation." 09700054.doc 68  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/12/2011

"Well, everything we do here is subject to appropriation.

"Yes."

"Everything that we have is subject to appropriation."

"I… I… I… I really appreciate your concern, but I really believe that we can… we can go ahead and move and… I truly believe that this will not place a cost, but rather with what we have existing we will work and… and try to develop these… these… this… these initiatives but without bringing more costs."

"I appreciate that. I just… I just don't have a lot of faith because in the last two audits of the All Kids Health Insurance Act the first one had just numerous problems and the second one had the same problems that had not been fixed and they had a year to fix them. And then to give more authority when something isn't being fixed, I just think it's not the way to go. And I… I appreciate what you're trying to do, I know your heart's in the right place, but I'll tell you I'm terrified of giving them a blank check. Because when we… when we… we were told before specifically that this was going to be revenue neutral and it's nowhere near that. And I'm just worried that this is a program that has grown much beyond what any of us ever anticipated or ever intended."

"I'll put the timer on. We'll limit the debate to two minutes. Representative Kosel."

"To the… to the Bill." 09700054.doc 69  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/12/2011

"Representative Robyn Gabel."

"Thank… thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also would like to speak to the Bill. This Bill is a way for all children to have an opportunity to see a dentist. The concept of a dental home is similar as Representative Kosel stated to have a place where a child knows that that's their dentist and that's where they go to the dentist. Right now, children… low-income children see random dentists at random times, sometimes go to a dental van. They just don't have a… have a place where they can go to get their dental services. And what this Bill does is it does outreach to let families know and let children know… and let the families know and through Head Start to hook up dentists with families and with the children so they have a dentist 09700054.doc 70  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/12/2011 that they can go to, which is called their regular dentist or a dental home. So, I don't really understand why there's a large fiscal note on this Bill. There shouldn't be. It's really an outreach campaign. And hopefully, the result will be that children will be able to get the dental services that they need. We know that children who have bad oral health, they miss school because their teeth hurt and they can't go to school. And it also affects their whole entire health. As you know, an adult if you have oral health problems it increases your risk of heart attack and heart disease. So, I'm sure that this also has a systemic affect on children. So, the Bill should not cost very much money. It's an outreach campaign to simply hook up kids with dentists so children can also know who their dentist is and be able to have a place to go. Thank you very much. I'm voting 'aye' and I encourage everyone to vote 'aye' on this Bill."

"Representative Rosemary Mulligan, two minutes."

"Sponsor yields."

"Yes."

"Absolutely."

"That's all I'm trying to do." 09700054.doc 71  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/12/2011

"That's right."

"That's right."

"Thank you. Yes. And you bring up a good point because, in particular, in a community like mine where we have bilingual being… or the language being a barrier at 09700054.doc 72  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/12/2011 times, this type of initiative would be very, very instrumental and helpful in getting families access to a dentist."

"Two minutes expired, Representative. We'll give you another minute to finish your thought, Representative Mulligan."

"Yes."

"Very much so."

"That's correct."

"That's right."

"Representative Bellock, two minutes."

"Sponsor yields."

"That's correct, yes." 09700054.doc 73  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/12/2011

"Yes, you're right."

"That's right. We can't expand it."

"Yes."

"Thank you for that clarification, Representative."

"Representative Chris Nybo."

"Sponsor yields."

"Representative, I'm going to be honest with you. I was not given no fiscal note on this.

"So, I… this… what you're telling me right now is the first I hear."

"Right. So, if there is it's… it's extremely minimal."

"The Gentleman from Vermilion, Representative Chad Hays."

"Sponsor yields."

"Sure."

"Well, I hope it does, but Representative, we have been working on trying to… in order to incentive dentists to get on the Medicaid rolls in other ways. One of them, there has been legislation in the past to try to bring their rates to at least to a point where they can survive, let's say because that dentist have actually been paying out of their pocket more and… and really made it… make it… making it impossible to participate in the Medicaid program. So, we need to keep continue working on making that happen. But I… I certainly hope that this can be a way of trying to bring in dentists to participate."

"Representative, your time expired. We'll give you a minute to finish your thoughts."

"Our last speaker will be Representative Flowers and then Representative Franks. Representative Mary Flowers."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, rise in support of the Lady's Bill. Unfortunately, so many children here in the State of Illinois have very little access to dental care and despite the fact that we spend millions of millions of dollars on KidCare, they still do not get access to dental care. And it is important that it start at an early age, starting at Head Start is a good place to start and that's exactly what this Bill would do. This Bill would introduce the families and the children to a dental home. This is a cost savings and the Republican analysis is correct. There is a minimum impact. If anything, this is a cost savings to the State of Illinois. Thank you very much and I urge an 'aye' vote."

"Representative Franks your name was used in debate."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I apologize for not understanding this Bill better. I just wanted I… Representative Kosel came over and spoke with me and educated me and I also listened to Representative Bellock and Representative Nybo, I appreciate that. Our… our analysis didn't have the same information that yours did. I believe this will actually save money because all we're doing is trying to find a home dentist for the kids. And I think that's all this does. And I do encourage an 'aye' vote. And I apologize for any confusion I created." 09700054.doc 77  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/12/2011

"Representative Hernandez, that's a pretty good close, but you're welcome to use your own. Representative Hernandez."

"Well, thank you, Representative Franks. I am very pleased to see that you are joining us in… in voting in favor for the… for the Bill. I just want to add that community centers are also included… are participating. So, this is all about just bringing more access… a way of bringing access to our children. I ask for a favorable vote. Thank you."

Speaker Lyons: "You've heard the Lady's explanation. The question is, 'Should Senate Bill 1948 pass?' All those in favor signify by voting 'yes'; those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Representative Flowers, would you like to be recorded? Representative Sosnowski, would you like to be recorded? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this Bill, there's 102 Members voting 'yes', 10 voting 'no', 1 Member voting 'present'. This Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Mr. Clerk, on page 2 of the Calendar, under House Bills-Second Reading is House Bill 123. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk. What's the status on that Bill, House Bill 123?"

"Representative Crespo on Floor Amendment #3." 09700054.doc 78  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/12/2011

"Thank you, Speaker. House Amendment #3 to House Bill 123 alters some of the legislative support services operational lines but keeps them at the same bottom line. It corrects the 500 amount in the Treasurer's budget. It makes technical changes to the Supreme Court budget and corrects a grant line from Chicago Travel Industry Promotion Fund."

"You've heard the Gentleman's explanation on Floor Amendment #3. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor of its adopt… Representative Pihos, do you wish to speak to that? No. Seeing no… seeing no one seeks discussion, those in favor of the adoption of Floor Amendment #3 signify by saying 'yes'; those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the Amendment is adopted. Anything further, Mr. Clerk?"

"Put that Bill on the Order of Third Reading, Mr. Clerk. Mr. Clerk, what's the status on House Bill 124?"

"Representative Crespo on Floor Amendment #2."

"Thank you, Speaker and Members of the House. House Amendment #2 creates a fiscal year '11 supplemental for the Court of Claims in the amount of $24.5 million for the following: 14 million for GRF for the line of duty awards, 10 million GRF for claims other than victim… Crime Victim 09700054.doc 79  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/12/2011 Compensation Act and a 500 thousand GRF for awards solely as a result of the lapse in appropriation from any funds held by the State Treasurer. It further makes the amounts as we appropriate for fiscal year '12. And it restores the Court of Claims operations for fiscal year 12 for personal services, take-up and Social Security to fully handle the heavy caseload claims. Also adds four awards to the fiscal year '11 supplemental and makes some technical changes to the Court of Claims budget."

"You've heard the Gentleman's explanation on Floor Amendment #2. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor of its adoption signify by saying 'yes'; those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And Floor Amendment #2 is adopted. Anything further, Mr. Clerk?"

"Representative Crespo on Floor Amendment #3."

"Thank you, Speaker and Members of the House. Floor Amendment #3 for House Bill 124 further reduces the budgets for DNR from the fiscal year '11 level minus 5 percent instead of fiscal year '12 which we have currently. The reductions is another $2.6 million from GRF."

"You've heard the Gentleman's explanation on Floor Amendment #3. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, 'Should the Amendment be adopted?' All those in favor signify by saying 'yes'; those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And Floor Amendment #3 is adopted. Anything further, Mr. Clerk?" 09700054.doc 80  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 54th Legislative Day 5/12/2011

"Third Reading. Mr. Clerk, on the Order of House Bills-Second Reading is House Bill 3700. What's the status on that Bill, Mr. Clerk?"

"Representative Dunkin on Floor Amendment #2."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move that we adopt Amendment #2."

"Any details you want to share with the House on that, Representative?"

"Yes. Tank you,Members of the cmmittee… excuse me, Members of the House. Our Illinois Approp-Higher Ed Committee we unanimously agreed on Amendment #2 and I ask for its adoption."

"You've heard the Gentleman's explanation. The Chair recognizes the Gentleman from Crawford, Representative Roger Eddy on Amendment #2."

"Sponsor yields."

"Yes, Sir."

"No further discussion. All those in favor of the adoption of Floor Amendment #2 signify by saying 'yes'; those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And Floor Amendment #2 is adopted. Anything further, Mr. Clerk?"

"Move that Bill to the Order of Third Reading, Mr. Clerk. Representative Dunkin."

"Also, point of clarification. We… also, we do not have an Appropriation Higher Education Committee at 4:00 today. The Higher Ed Approp Committee will not meet today at 4:00. Thank you."

"Thank you for that announcement, Representative. On Supplemental Calendar #1, Ladies and Gentlemen, is House… what's the status, Mr. Clerk, on House Bill 3717?"

"Representative Feigenholtz on Floor Amendment #2."

"Can you please withdraw this Amendment and take the Bill from Second Reading?"

"The Lady moves for the withdrawal of Floor Amendment #2. Anything further, Mr. Clerk?"

"Leave that Bill on the Order of Second Reading. Mr. Clerk, on the Supplemental Calendar #1, what's the status of House Bill 2168?"

"Third Reading. Mr. Clerk, on the Supplemental Calendar #1 there is House Bill 2189. What's the status on that Bill, Sir?"

"Representative Arroyo on Floor Amendment #2."

"Yes. This is the Capital Bill Appropriations 2. We want to adopt the Amendment to House Bill 2168 (sic-House Bill 2189)."

"You've heard the Gentleman's Motion. Anybody with a question? Nobody seeking recognition, the question is, 'Should Floor Amendment #2 be adopted?' All in those in favor signify by saying 'yes'; those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And Floor Amendment #2 is adopted. Anything further, Mr. Clerk?"

"Third Reading. Mr. Clerk, Agreed Resolutions."

"Representative Lang moves for the adoption 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 adopted. Ladies and Gentlemen, seeing no further business to come before the House today, Representative Lang moves that the House stand adjourned until the hour of 10 a.m. on Friday, May 13. Allowing perfunctory time for the Clerk, all those in favor of adjournment signify by saying 'yes'; those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the House stands adjourned 'til the hour of 10 a.m. on Friday, May 13. Have a pleasant evening, one and all."