Illinois House Floor Debate — May 13, 2011

Speaker Lyons: "Good morning, Illinois. Your House of Representatives will come to order. Members are asked to please be at your desks. We shall be led today in prayer by Father Richard Andrus, SVD, who is with St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Chicago. Father Andrus is the guest of Representative Kenny Dunkin. Members and guests are asked to refrain from starting their laptops, turn off all cell phones and pagers. And guests are also asked to rise for the invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance. Reverend Andrus."

"Representative Dan Beiser, would you please lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance."

"Roll Call for Attendance. Representative Bost, how's the GOP this morning?"

Speaker Lyons: "Thank you, Representative. Representative McCarthy, new assignment. What's the status of the Democrats, Sir?"

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Please let the record show that Representative Currie, Representative Jones, 09700055.doc 3  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 55th Legislative Day 5/13/2011 Representative Golar and Representative Crespo are excused for today. Thank you."

"Thank you, Representative McCarthy. Fine job on the… on the report. Mr. Clerk, take the record. There's 107… 108 Members answering the Roll Call, we have a quorum. We're prepared to do the work of the people of the State of Illinois. Mr. Clerk."

"Representative Jim Sacia."

"Absolutely. Please proceed."

"Tim, all the best on behalf of all 118 of us Members of the House, a great choice, good luck. Representative Brady, for what purpose do you seek recognition, Sir?"

"Please proceed."

"Mr. Clerk, on the Order of House Bills-Third Reading, on the middle of page 4 of the Calendar, is House Bill 123. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

"The Chair recognizes the Gentleman from Cook, Representative Al Riley."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. House Bill 2189 is essentially… House Bill 123 is essentially the budget Bill for the… for general services and these are the Constitutional Officers, the Legislature and the courts. This was a long process, but it was a good process. Everybody on the committee, both sides of the aisle, participated over a long period of time in long and sometimes arduous deliberations, but I think that what we did was come up with a consensus piece of legislation that deals with the needs of all departments while at the same time understanding that there were some very tough cuts that had to be made. I really liked the process in that we went down through all and each one of the line items involved in those budgets and we came up with a number of scenarios and each one of those separate scenarios… Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Each one of those separate scenarios dealt with policy issues that were germane to ideas that all of the Members had at every particular juncture. We looked at the needs of all of those departments and we also consulted other very important information like audit 09700055.doc 6  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 55th Legislative Day 5/13/2011 information from the Auditor General to make our decisions. And so with that, we think that we have a fair budget given the budgetary constrictions that we had. And so with that, I present to you House Bill 123. And I hope you join with me in its passage and I'll answer any questions you may have."

Speaker Lyons: "The Chair recognizes the Lady from Lake, Representative Sandy Cole."

"Sponsor yields."

"I'm sorry, Mr. Speaker. I just… I really can't hear."

"Now, Ladies and Gentlemen, there's a lot of noise on the floor. We're discussing a very serious Bill. Please bring the noise level down. It'd be much appreciated by the people trying to have a discussion. Shhh. Representative Cole."

"I'm sorry, go ahead."

"Well, again, you know, we went through many deliberations. One of the considerations were the cuts that some of the Constitutional Officers brought into the initial hearings. And I think that had a lot to do with, you know, what the finished product ended up being. Did you have a specific… any particular Constitutional Officer, you mean, just in total?"

"Representative Roger Eddy."

"Sponsor yields."

"The total dollar cut. I believe it is… Excuse me. For GRF, Representative Eddy, it's about $112 million. That's the difference from FY11 to 12."

"Yeah."

"All general service agencies."

"All general service agencies."

"Get out my calculator."

"About eight percent."

"About eight percent overall."

"Generally speaking."

"That's correct."

"Representative Jack Franks."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And Mr. Riley, I appreciate you doing this. I know, I spoke with Mr. Crespo briefly about this yesterday. So, in this part of the budget, 09700055.doc 9  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 55th Legislative Day 5/13/2011 you're saying there's $112 million less than what we had from last year?"

"That's correct."

"Okay. I suppose…"

"Across all general service agencies."

"Okay. Let me ask you. There was one that stuck out on COGFA. It looks like you cut them about 60 percent and I was going to ask what the thought process was on the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability going from about 7 million to under 3 million."

"Well, the pension payment is paid out of a different… out of a different source. And I think that that is really the great majority of the cuts. We were not cutting…"

"Okay."

"…you know, their services or you know, what they do."

"Okay. 'Cause that's… I thought that was the one area I wanted to make sure that we actually got some information from on COGFA, especially with our budgeting for outcomes."

"Well, I would agree with you not, you know, being for all the people sitting on COGFA. You know, they do, you know, we do present or provide a very important service, but that was more of a transfer than anything else."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

"Representative Riley to close."

"Thank you very much. Thank you for all of the questions. We've all… all of the Appropriation Committees had a very tough task, but I think that we did it with a sense of cooperation and bipartisanship. And so with that, 09700055.doc 10  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 55th Legislative Day 5/13/2011 I would request you join with me for 'aye' votes on House Bill 123."

"Representative Riley moves that House Bill 123 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 102 Members voting 'yes', 6 Members voting 'no', 0 voting 'present'. This Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Mr. Clerk, on page 4 of the Calendar, under House Bills-Third Reading, is House Bill 2168. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."

Speaker Lyons: "Representative Riley, my apologies for not doing this Bill first, but you handled the first one of the 80 rather well. Good luck on the second Bill, House Bill 2168."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Members of the committee… Members of the floor… Members of the House. This is… this is another one of the budget Bills that contains the general revenue fund, other state funds, and federal funds that also includes the Department of Corrections, St. Louis facili… Financial Advisory Authority, Department of Juvenile Justice, State Police, Department of Transportation, Violence Prevention. I also want to start again by thanking the committee and thanking Dave Reis for 09700055.doc 11  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 55th Legislative Day 5/13/2011 being part of this bipartisan Bill that we both worked on it together. I ask for an 'aye' vote."

Speaker Lyons: "Thank you, Representative Arroyo. Anybody seeking recognition? The Chair recognizes the Gentleman… Representative Jack Franks."

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

"Sponsor yields."

"Representative, in the Corrections budget I see there was a reduction of approximately $2.5 million. What percentage is that of the Correction budget?"

"I'm not sure what the percentage is, Jack, but I could get back to you with that."

"I'm sorry. I couldn't hear you. I'm sorry. I couldn't hear you."

"I said I'm not sure what exactly the percentage is, but I can get to you… back to you with that."

"'Cause it looks like it's less than one-half of one percent."

"It's… it's about right, probably."

"Okay. I'm wonder…"

"If you had figured it out, I'll take your word for it, Jack."

"Okay. I'm pretty good with numbers usually, on this one, but I'm just wondering why the cut is so small 'cause such a… this is an agency that has $1.17 billion and we're cutting it less than one-half of one percent. Could we not have found any savings more…"

"We went from the five… from FY11 levels." 09700055.doc 12  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 55th Legislative Day 5/13/2011

"Yeah. It just seems like we could probably find more efficiencies than one-half of one percent."

"We went from the FY11 level."

"Yeah, that's what I'm talking about."

"And I think that the cut was enough. When we came together to talk about it, we went line by line and I think that that's what… what we can do for Corrections."

"Well, let me go to the East St. Louis Advisory Authority. Can you please explain to me why we give them a dollar? This isn't…"

"I think we put that back in there, Jack. I think we put that money back in there, the one-sixth of 190- something. I'm not sure. A hundred sixteen thousand, I think we put that back in there."

"Yeah. I don't know why we're giving them anything. Why haven't we zeroed them out? I don't know what they do at all. I… I don't know what the necessity is for it anymore."

"We… we were deciding to do that, but some of the Members of the committee thought that it was… been a right idea, since it was only 196 thousand, to put it back. So, we zeroed it out and then we put in a dollar and then we put it back."

"Okay. I just… I appreciate that. I just…"

"It's okay."

"I understand it."

"So, we put it back because we're trying to get your vote, Jack. So, we're hoping to get your vote."

"No. I don't want… I want it gone, see. This is… I wouldn't vote for it because of this. Because I think this… 09700055.doc 13  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 55th Legislative Day 5/13/2011 this type of agency is actually… To the Bill. I appreciate it and I know how hard you've worked. But if this is the type of agency, if we're ever going to tame the beast, if we're ever going to get out of our billions and billions of dollars of unpaid bills, if we're ever going to get ahead, we have to learn to say no and we cannot continue to fund agencies that have no useful purpose whatsoever except for the fact that they've been there last year. We have to have a different mindset if we are ever going to solve the problems of the state. Endlessly repeating the same process and hoping for a different result is the definition of insanity. Please vote 'no'."

"Representative Mulligan."

"Sponsor yields."

"We didn't zero Criminal Justice out. I think that's a mistake. They have too big of a budget for us to zero that out."

"We transferred them back to DHS."

"DHS."

Speaker Lyons: "Representative David Reis. David Reis. Representative Sacia."

"Sponsor yields."

"Absolutely."

"Representative Bost."

"Sponsor yields."

"We believe it's not a significant amount of savings in Juvenile Justice."

"Representative Chapa LaVia." 09700055.doc 16  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 55th Legislative Day 5/13/2011

"Thank… thank you, Speaker and Members of the House. I want to speak to the Bill and… and the Section on DJJ which was created by us in 2006 with the following goals. It was created to be more efficient and effective rehabilitation approaches to programming, pulling down more federal dollars toward those programs and reducing recidivism rates. Recidivism rates have declined probably due to programming increases and currently, in… it's currently 52 percent down from a high of 57 in FY08. In 1990 recidivism was between 20 to… 25 to 35 percent and there was a robust rehabilitative approach. The current budget, however, though, severely cuts critical portions of the rehabilitation approach: 89 percent cuts to aftercare, 13 cuts to education, and I'm going to be highlighting that education piece because a couple years back I discussed how this is our school district. JJD is our school district and we're doing miserable of reeducating these kids and making sure they're productive citizens instead of a ever revolving door… door… jail cells for our kids. Thirteen percent cut to education and it also includes a 73 percent cut to our general office budget within there. The decreased funding to facilities across the state: Joliet is going to have 17 percent cut, Warrenville 17, IYC-Chicago 16, Kankakee 13, Harrisburg 11, Pere Marquette 8 percent cut, St. Charles 6 percent cut, Murphysboro 30… 3 percent cut. What we should be happening… sorry, I said it wrong… my… what should be happening is restoring the rehabilitative approach. Education must be a focus in these agents. Education must be a focus of JJD. I hope you hear 09700055.doc 17  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 55th Legislative Day 5/13/2011 that because the kids going behind bars need the education. I've been in classrooms where there's been 9 kids and two books to be shared. I've been in classrooms in St. Charles where a kid that doesn't speak any English is being taught by another kid that doesn't even know how to read a book. So, it's very important. Right now, hiring… what needs to happen is the agency needs to hire 41 teachers for JJ… DJJ School District 428 which is our school district, you guys and has identified a necessity to meet minimum state requirements. In this school district, we're not even meeting the requirements of any other child in any other school district in this state and these are the most important children that we need to educate. Also, the Governor's DJJ Education Work Group recommended that legislation be drafted to establish School District 428's eligibility to receive ISBE general state aid funding. They do not get state aid funding, general state aid funding, like every other school district because they come from within JJD and the state department has never asked for money or proper money for these kids to be funded. So, they get somewhere around $500 a kid to educate and these kids are educated year around. They're not educated part of the year or three-quarters of the year like every other child in the state. I have deep respect for the Sponsor of this legislation and I'm sure it's going to pass, but we need to understand that in order to re… to educate these kids and allow them a chance in society we have to give them the tools of education. They are not getting it right now in DJJ. So, I'm hoping that the Governor will hear me on this. 09700055.doc 18  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 55th Legislative Day 5/13/2011 We definitely need to find a mechanism to make sure those children get the same dollars of general state aid as every other child in the state. And I want to thank you for attention."

"Representative DeLuca, do you seek recognition? No, you don't. Representative David Reis."

"Sponsor yields."

"Our final speaker will be Monique Davis then Representative Arroyo to close. Representative Davis." Davis, M.: "Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Representative Arroyo, my understanding is the Corrections budget is flat and they didn't take the cut that the education budget took. Is that correct?"

"I didn't understand that question, Monique." 09700055.doc 21  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 55th Legislative Day 5/13/2011 Davis, M.: "Well, you know, the elementary secondary education budget had severe cuts. Higher education budget there are severe cuts. Now, I'm asking, in the Corrections budget are there severe cuts or cuts?"

"Monique, the budget for public safety is just flat." Davis, M.: "Interesting, interesting. To the Bill, Mr. Speaker. As Legislators, when we vote to extend criminal penalties, now we have to pay the piper. We have to pay the piper when we add offenses that are not violent, but have people incarcerated for 10, 14 and 20 years. And I would urge the Governor to look at nonviolent criminals, nonviolent offenders, perhaps to consider early release for some nonviolent offenders released to help reduce the budget. I think it's severe… really serious… it's really serious when the education budget takes severe cuts and the criminal… I'm sorry… the Correction budget remains the same. My colleague, Mary Flowers, often talks about when she first arrived here, 25 or more years ago, there were 11 universities and there were 11 prisons. Today there are 11 universities but 28 prisons. Today we have to pay the piper. Thank you, Mr. Speaker."

"Representative Arroyo to close."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Members of the committee. This should complete the Appropriation-Public Safety budget. I want to thank everybody on this floor for their 'aye' vote. I want to thank Dave Reis. And I also want to thank Sean Flynn for the hard work he… he's been helping… running back and forth all over going crazy. I want to thank everybody for that. And I urge an 'aye' vote. Thank you." 09700055.doc 22  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 55th Legislative Day 5/13/2011

"Representative Arroyo and Representative David Reis move for the passage of House Bill 2168. 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? Kelly Burke, Senger. Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this Bill, there are 69 Members voting 'yes', 37 Members voting 'no', 1 Member voting 'present'. This Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Mr. Clerk, what's the status of House Bill 2189?"

"Are there any Amendments pending, Mr. Clerk?"

"Move this Bill back to the Order of Second Reading. What's the status, Mr. Clerk?"

"Representative Arroyo on Floor Amendment #3."

"We were doing a technical change on House Bill 2189."

"All 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 Floor Amendment #3 is adopted. Anything further, Mr. Clerk?"

"Third Reading. And read the Bill, Mr. Clerk." 09700055.doc 23  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 55th Legislative Day 5/13/2011

"Representative Will Davis, for what purpose do you seek recognition, Sir?" Davis, W.: "Point of personal privilege, Mr. Speaker."

"Please proceed, Representative." Davis, W.: "Ladies and Gentlemen of the House, I would like to welcome back to the chamber a good friend, former colleague, represents… former Representative, Robin Kelly."

"Welcome home, Robin. Representative Arroyo on House Bill 2189."

"Thank you… thank you, Mr. Speaker, Members of the House. House Bill 2189 contains the Capital reappropriations of play-as-you go… pay-as-you-go capital item from the Governor's FY12 introduction and request, detail below. I urge an 'aye' vote."

"You've heard the Gentleman's explanation. Is there any discussion? Representative Jack Franks."

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

"Sponsor yields."

"I'm looking at our analysis, Representative, and I see some of the met… it says reappropriation for some and pay- as-you-go for the others. What is the difference?"

"The nonbonded pay-as-you-go, road funds, state funds, state construction funds."

"So, everything else is bond… the reappropriation has already been bonded?"

"Yes." 09700055.doc 24  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 55th Legislative Day 5/13/2011

"And what is the funding source for those bonds?"

"The Capital Bill we passed two years ago."

"But that's the one that's been found to be unconstitutional?"

"To this point."

"Are we safe to have the…"

"We have the reappropriated."

"But are we safe to reappropriate it to get spending authority on a Bill that may be found to be unconstitutional. Would we be better off not reappropriating and waiting to see what the Supreme Court says?"

"No."

"Why's that? Because right now we can't spend that money, can we?"

"If the court rules against us, we still won't be able to spend the money."

"Right. Right now… right now the court already has ruled against us."

"No. If… if the court rules for us, then we already have the Bill in."

"But if they… Let's assume, for the sake of argument, that the Supreme Court upholds the Appellate Court which found the Capital Bill to be unconstitutional, if they uphold that then would we be making a mistake by reappropriating money that we can no longer spend?"

"Jack, you're asking me a question you almost have to be a lawyer to answer that. So, I'll get back to you with that, Jack." 09700055.doc 25  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 55th Legislative Day 5/13/2011

"Okay. It's… you'd think that if we were going to reappropriate this, to be totally positive, that we would pass other revenue sources. Perhaps, even pass the same ones that were passed previously but doing it constitutionally by doing it in a single subject manner. What did Mr. Lowder tell you to say?"

"There's a stay right now, Jack."

"Correct. All right. But my point is if we both would…"

"Could I ask you a question, Jack?"

"Sure, of course."

"Are you going to vote for this Bill?"

"Well, I'm going to… I've got to tell you in a sec…"

"Are you standing up to ask me all these hard questions? You almost need to be a lawyer to answer them, one and then you might not vote for the Bill. If I answer the rest of your questions, can you vote on the Bill?"

"Well, it depends how you answer the questions."

"You're not answering me, Jack."

"The problem is obviously, Mr. Arroyo, there's not enough lawyers in the chamber."

"Well, that's a problem and maybe… maybe I'll have to go back to law school, but you didn't answer my question, Jack. If I answer your questions, can you vote on this Bill?"

"I will definitely vote on this Bill. Now, how I vote is a totally different issue."

"Yes, yes, yes. Yes."

"I will definitely vote on the Bill. But I'm… what I'm really… what I'm concerned about seriously is if we 09700055.doc 26  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 55th Legislative Day 5/13/2011 reappropriate this without a funding mechanism, should the Supreme Court uphold the prior Bill, would we be then blowing a bigger hole in our budget because we would not have the revenue source to fulfill our obligation?"

"No, Jack. It won't sell the bonds."

"It won't… Okay. So, then this would just be an appropriation that would never be used, correct?"

"Yes."

"Okay. So, let's… let's move past the…"

"I urge… I urge an 'aye' vote, Jack."

"Well… but let's move passed the bonding issue then. Then let's look at the pay-as-you-go. How does that work? For instance, I'm looking at Natural Resources and they've got a lot of money laid out there, tens of millions of dollars. How is that funded?"

"They generate their own revenue, their own fees as you go."

"Okay. So, this actually pays for itself."

"Probably."

"And then this would be the ceiling of how much you could spend."

"It says pay-as-you-go."

"So, this would just be the ceiling. But we have a lot of euphemisms here. We even have a constitutional requirement that our budgets have to be balanced. Now, that's a joke. We're not even near it. So, there's a lot of euphemisms. That's how I wanted to make sure we understand what we're doing. But what I'm concerned is is that we're appropriating money that we may not have the legal ability 09700055.doc 27  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 55th Legislative Day 5/13/2011 to actually spend. I appreciate your hard work on this, Representative."

"Thank you, Jack."

"I…"

"I'll be looking at the board after this."

"I promise to vote."

"Representative Roger Eddy."

"Sponsor yields."

"Yes."

"Sorry. I couldn't… I couldn't hear you, Rog. Could you repeat that again?"

"I had… I had Jack come over here and holler in my…"

"Right. Yes."

"Absolutely."

"Representative Arroyo to close."

"I ask for an 'aye' vote. And I want to thank Jack Franks for an 'aye' vote on this Bill. Thank you."

Speaker Lyons: "Representative Arroyo seeks the passage of House Bill 2189. 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 D'Amico and McAuliffe and Skip Saviano. Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this Bill, there's 102 Members voting 'yes', 6 Members voting 'no'. This Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Riley on the Order of House Bills-Third Reading you have House Bill 124. What's the status of that Bill, Mr. Clerk?"

"Put that on the Order of Second Reading. And what's the status?"

"Representative Riley on Floor Amendment #5."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. Simply Floor Amendment #5 just creates lump sums for expenses for the DuQuoin State Fair and for the State Board of Elections giving them lump sum moneys. The DuQuoin State Fair, $652,100 in GRF and for the State Board of Elections, $11.3 million in GRF."

"On the Amendment, Representative Eddy on the Amendment. No one seeking recognition, the question is, 'Should Floor Amendment #5 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 #5 is adopted. Anything further, Mr. Clerk?"

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

"Representative Riley."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. House Bill 124 essentially is the second part of appropriations under General Services and it basically includes agencies under the Governor, Court of Claims, court of claim awards, and some of the retirement systems, Executive Inspector General and the office of the Lieutenant Governor. Again, you know, much time was spent 09700055.doc 30  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 55th Legislative Day 5/13/2011 on this Bill and working on a line by line item analysis and it was very tough. A lot of cuts had to be made. Some departments, you know, took a 5 percent cut across-the- board in terms of FY2012 requests, some took a 5 percent cut in terms of FY11 appropriations. And again, you know, we considered a lot of different things, we considered audit reports and other information from these departments and we came up with this budget that we thought was fair but does include significant cuts across-the-board. So, I would like your support on House Bill 124 and answer any questions you may have."

"You've heard the Gentleman's explanation. Is there any discussion? The Chair recognizes the Gentleman from Crawford, Representative Roger Eddy."

"Sponsor yields."

"Yes."

"Yes, I can. One… one second. It was a 5 percent reduction from the FY12 request, Representative."

"It was about a $800 thousand difference by our calculations here." 09700055.doc 31  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 55th Legislative Day 5/13/2011

"That's true."

"County fairs in general or… again, it was consistent with the 5 percent reduction across-the-board."

"From fiscal year… from fiscal year '12, Representative Eddy."

"Excuse me. Again, can you repeat the question, Representative Eddy?"

"The 5 percent reduction, if I'm not mistaken, is from the FY12, Representative Eddy. It's from an FY12 request. Now, you were asking what was the difference between that reduction and what… in the FY11…"

"That's what…"

"That's true."

"Well, first of all, the cuts were GRF only. We're trying to figure out, again, this was from the FY12 Governor's introduced and we all know that that was a little… a robust figure."

"That's… that's absolutely right. And we will find out about that particular line item, but you know sort of across-the-board many of the Governor's… the Governor's introduced budget for FY12 was robust in many areas. So…"

"Well, I'm finding out…"

"Well, I just heard that county fairs were under the Ag premium budget and the thinking is that we didn't touch that. Yeah. We didn't… so, we didn't touch that…"

"…according to staff."

"If they were in fact in the Ag premium budget."

"That's correct."

"Again, are you talking about soil and water specifically or to my Ag overall?"

"It was a net decrease. About an 8… FY11 to FY12, about an 8 percent decrease."

"That's correct."

"That's correct."

"I'm sorry."

"Yes. Mr. Speaker, can I have it a little bit quieter?"

Speaker Lyons: "Again, Ladies and Gentlemen in the House, please bring the noise level down. Shhh."

"All right, Representative Eddy." 09700055.doc 34  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 55th Legislative Day 5/13/2011

"That's correct. Actually, it was more of a transfer. You know, our negotiations were… were long and arduous as you know. Toward the end of negotiations there was about a $90 million pot of money that was… that was found of which 20… 23.3 million from TRIP was merely transferred. So, we were able to reduce GRF and the amount of moneys that we cut, but there was no diminution in moneys going to TRIP. It was merely a transfer."

"Ninety. That's correct."

"And that's exactly what happened here."

"That's correct."

"And thank you for that, Representative Eddy. It is important to downstate, but it's important, you know, for us up in Cook County and those areas too. Thank you."

"Representative Dugan."

"Yes, Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"

"Sponsor yields."

"Yes, Representative, I just want to clarify corr… because according to our analysis the Illinois Association of Agricultural Fairs and the extension partners, some… are in support of this Bill. So, am I assuming that is the county fairs and 4-H extension offices? Is that…"

"That's correct."

"So, as we were talking about the county fairs. So, we're assuming the funding, even though we all know everybody's getting cut some, they are in support of the final dollars that we've come up with. Is that correct?"

"That's true."

"Okay. And Representative Eddy talked about the soil and water conservation, so I have that answer. Thank you."

"Thank you."

"Representative Jack Franks."

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

"Sponsor yields."

"Representative, in the FY11 budget as compared to the FY12 request here, how much has been decreased in a real dollar amount?" 09700055.doc 36  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 55th Legislative Day 5/13/2011

"I think it's… well, by my thought, it's about a little over a hundred million dollars, 132."

"Just for this portion or for the entire portion?"

"Actually, there's a hundred and six. I was a little…"

"For this… for this part?"

"Right."

"Okay. I want to ask about a few specifics on this. I see that the Governor's budget for FY11 remains flat to FY12, correct? There's no reduction in the Governor's budget which would indicate that…"

"That's correct."

"So, all the raises that he gave last year would then remain in effect?"

"Well…"

"Since there's no reduction, all those raises would remain in effect."

"Well, operations of the office essentially would…"

"Right."

"…remain in effect. He's… he's flat."

"Okay. But if you look at the Executive Inspector General…"

"I'm sorry?"

"The Executive Inspector General…"

"Yes."

"…whose budget is just a little bit more than what the Governor's budget is, about 10 percent, at least from FY11, I see that we've cut their budget by about 15 percent. Is that correct?" 09700055.doc 37  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 55th Legislative Day 5/13/2011

"That's correct. One of the things that we did was to sort of apply some across-the-board cuts with regard to personal services and items such as that with most of the… the agencies under this budget."

"Well, why wouldn't we have done that as well with the Governor's Office because it decreases for the Executive Inspector General, who remain in personnel, Social Security, contractual, travel, commodities, printing, equipment, much the same as what the Governor's Office would be. I think I'd feel more comfortable if we kept the Executive Inspector General flat and then cut the Governor, especially in this state."

"Well, I really appreciate your concern. Again, just like many of the… just like all of the appropriations committees, all of the decisions that we made were on a consensus basis. And you know, I stand by all of the work that was done and again, it was a bipartisan consensus of the… of our committee."

"Well, I understand it's bipartisan, but I don't know if it's too late to make some changes. I think some of us might think that it might be more important to fully fund an Inspector General than it would be to make sure that the Governor's raises remain intact. And for instance, I look at the Lieutenant Governor position. That we raised about 40 percent and the reason is now we have… 'cause I know last year we didn't have… for the last two years we didn't have a Lieutenant Governor."

"That's correct." 09700055.doc 38  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 55th Legislative Day 5/13/2011

"But quite frankly, I don't think we lost anything by not having a Lieutenant Governor."

"Well…"

"So, I'm just wondering if we were able to do it with a lower budget, why don't we ask… why don't we just keep it flat. Why would we increase the Lieutenant Governor's position 'cause frankly there's really… there's really no statutory authority that the Lieutenant Governor has except to wake up in the morning and read the obituary."

"Well, I appreciate your… your personal conjecture on this, but the Lieutenant Governor does serve a great purposes of which that did lay fallow for the time that a person was not in office. There is a Lieutenant Governor that has some very wide range and responsibilities that she wants to carry out and we want to help her do that."

"Yeah. I would hope that we would at least keep it… I understand. And it is in statutory so we need to fund it somewhat, but I would hope that we would keep that flat instead of cutting Inspector Generals. But thank you for your work on this."

"Thank you."

"Representative Sandy Cole."

"Representative Riley to close."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Ladies and Gentlemen, just as Representative Cole said, again, just like many of the appropriations committees, we did work long and hard and made some very tough decisions. Cuts were made and it's clear where they are and what they consisted of. But we did work together and no disagreements. We came to consensus on this budget. So, thank you very much. Thank you, committee on both sides of the aisle, for all the work that you've done and I think we have a budget that we can be proud of. Everybody had a stake in it. So, again, thank you very much. I appreciate your affirmative vote on House Bill 124."

"Representative Riley and Representative Cole move for the passage of House Bill 124. 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? Brady, Mathias. Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this Bill, there are 82 Members voting 'yes', 26 Members voting 'no', 0 voting 'present'. This Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is 09700055.doc 41  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 55th Legislative Day 5/13/2011 hereby declared passed. Mr. Clerk, what's the status of House Bill 3700?"

"Thank you, Mr. Clerk. So, read the Bill a third time."

"Representative Dunkin."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members of the House. I present House Bill 3700 as a consensus Bill in the Illinois House Higher Education Committee. And I would ask for your favorable support."

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

"The Gentleman from McHenry, Representative Jack Franks."

"Mr. Speaker, will the Sponsor yield?"

"Sponsor yields."

"Representative, I'd like to talk to you about this Student Assistance Commission."

"Yes." 09700055.doc 43  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 55th Legislative Day 5/13/2011

"Could you explain the cuts there?"

"The Illinois State Student Assistance… Illinois Student Assistance Association, we made reductions there. The committee maybe had a consensus as proprietary schools or for-profit institutions. And we looked at the amount that they currently receive from the Monetary Award Program and it's anywhere from 25… 17 million to 25 million dollars and that's how we came up with that reduction."

"So, you took it out of the for-profit."

"Yes."

"Okay."

"Well, it… provided if we have substantive language…"

"Okay."

"…behind that."

"And as to the universities, the analysis indicates that it appears that the university cuts were a 1.03 percent in GRF…"

"Mmm mmm."

"…cut across-the-board equally amongst all state funded universities, correct?"

"Correct."

"How did you come up with that number?"

"Well, the number after we reduced the monetary award… the proprietary dollars of the monetary award moneys and we then applied that across-the-board to every state university."

"But I still don't… I don't get why it's only 1.03? I… 'Cause I know, for instance, we voted ourselves or it passed here to have a 10 percent pay cut for Members here. 09700055.doc 44  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 55th Legislative Day 5/13/2011 I'm wondering why is the reduction only 1.03 when we have such a huge budget deficit?"

"Exactly. Once we do… Representative, once we reduced the projected amount for the monetary award dollars for the proprietary schools, we then made agency reductions from the Illinois Student Assistance to the Illinois Board of Higher Education to a number of programs that we felt a need to reduce as well as making sure that we went across- the-board with our 1 percent… 1.03 percent cuts across-the- board."

"Was… was there any thought of treating universities differently based on performance or we're we going to just all… treat them all the same?"

"Okay. We certainly talked about performance outcomes and that is going to be a part of our mantra in terms of funding certainly going forward. We wished we could have accomplished and succeeded with that with this round, but quite frankly, myself and other members of the committee, we acknowledged the fact that we are relatively new to this finite forensic budgetary approach in higher education. And so, we ended up at the… just with the proprietary… the projected proprietary cost reduction."

"Hopefully in the future we'll look and see how… and how they perform because I'd like to look at graduation rates, for instance, and I know that some of our universities do much better than others. And I… I hate to reward or penalize those equally if they're not performing and I think there ought to be some performance incentives much like what we passed yesterday here on the House Floor. 09700055.doc 45  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 55th Legislative Day 5/13/2011 And hopefully that'll be something we can look at going forward."

"I agree."

"Thank you."

"Thank you."

"Representative Colvin."

"Thank you, Mr. Spon… thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield for a question?"

"Yes."

"He awaits your question, Sir."

"Representative Dunkin, I know you worked real hard on this… this appropriation for higher ed. And I just want to focus a few questions and comments on the Monetary Award Program, the MAP grant. In this introduced budget, what is the entire amount of the decrease for a MAP grant?"

"It's roughly 17… a little bit over $17 million."

"And the total one out of appropriation now stands at what?"

"Four hundred and three million dollars."

"Say that again? What was the amount?"

"The… $403 million minus $17 million."

"All right. Well, Representative Dunkin, I, too, want to, first, congratulate you on all your hard work and effort in leading the Higher Ed Approp Committee through some very difficult choices, but if we can focus on… just on the word 'choice' for a moment and priorities and what budgeting is, particularly here in the State of Illinois as it relates to higher education. I think it's about priorities. And I think today in… in communities like yours 09700055.doc 46  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 55th Legislative Day 5/13/2011 and mine where one of the priorities have always been how do we get kids through high school, how do we get them through college? A huge part of that priority is getting it paid for which is becoming a more and more difficult proposition for working-class people all across this state. The MAP grant, all of us who've been here for a few years understand a lot better serving in the General Assembly the difference it makes between those who can go to college and afford to finish versus those who have to quit for the worst reason of all and that is the ability of not being able to afford an education. As it relates to the higher ed budget, it is an absolute priority for me and I would hope for many of us who have families who live in our districts who are struggling with the idea of how they will get through college knowing that the greatest equalizer that we have in this country is access to a good college education. In fact, the more investment we make in terms of kids who will… who have and expressed the ability to matriculate through our four-year universities solves a lot of problems on the tail end. The more money we invest in education the less money we have to invest in our penal system, in drug abuse and substance abuse programs, single parenthood, young people becoming parents too soon. We all know, those who go on to college and graduate and go on to graduate school and do something productive with their lives tend to make less mistakes that we see so many young people make, where we end up footing the bill for those mistakes. So, this… the MAP grant line, as I understand, is not done being worked on both here in the House and in the Senate. I 09700055.doc 47  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 55th Legislative Day 5/13/2011 see that there's an appending Amendment to replace the $17 million cut from the MAP grant line. Can you talk a little bit about that?"

"Yes. Representative, I concur with you 100 percent. As a matter of fact, most of the proprietary schools are located within the metrically… Chicago metropolitan area where… which is, of course, north of I-80. There is a disproportionate number of students who take advantage of the Monetary Award Program. The moneys actually follow the student. And again, students from ages 17, 18, all the way to 88 years of age to go anywhere they would like. And as you mentioned, the biggest chasm and challenge that was in our community between the mainstream economic tide is in education. And so, this Monetary Award Program speaks directly to that aspect and I am 100 percent in agreement with you. Again, this is the first attempt at the budgetary process. I'm sure we will definitely revisit the Monetary Award Program in short-order."

"That's exactly… well, I'm encouraged to hear that. So, with respect to the pending Floor Amendment #3, as my analysis reads, that there is a… one of the proposals in the Amendment is to restore the roughly $17 million cut from the MAP grant. I would strongly urge that we consider that carefully and seriously. Yet, we talked about our communities, but all across this state the last time we proposed a big cut to the MAP grant many kids from all over the state, from the top to bottom, from all different walks of life who came to our offices and asked us and basically told us that if we didn't replace these dollars they would 09700055.doc 48  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 55th Legislative Day 5/13/2011 have to drop out of their schools. And some of these kids go to some of the best universities and colleges here in the State of Illinois. To deprive those kids, thousands of kids, with a $17 million cut, to deprive those kids the opportunity to finish their college educations, we're literally depriving Illinois at a chance to restore economic justice and… and as I mentioned before, dealing with some of those real serious dysfunctional aspects of life in America when we don't take education seriously enough. So, again, Representative Dunkin, I commend your work. I look forward to working with you and others on the Higher Ed Committee and those of… all of us here and every one of us who have kids who are trying to figure out how they're going to pay for a good quality college education. So, I'm encouraged by the pending Amendment and I understand that in the Senate that there is going to be some effort to replace these dollars as well. I'm surely hopeful that they'll get that job done."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker."

"Representative Mulligan. Rosemary Mulligan."

"Sponsor yields."

"Yes."

"Correct." 09700055.doc 49  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 55th Legislative Day 5/13/2011

"It's hard to hear you."

"Ladies and Gentlemen, once again can I ask you to please bring down the noise level in the House. Shhh. Thank you. Representative Mulligan."

"That's correct."

"Representative Pritchard."

"Sponsor yields."

"That's an excellent question, Representative Pritchard. I'm not exactly sure… certain how the Comptroller is making those decisions of what universities prioritize in terms of its payment. I know, for example, the University of Illinois in Champaign, they're owed $450- plus million as we sit here before July 1. Illinois State University, I believe, they're owed about $60 million backlog and we have less than a month and a half to go. There are a number of universities who have hundreds… tens of millions of dollars just in the red that they are waiting for the state to pay them as we… as we obligated ourselves to last year."

"Can you repeat the question again, Representative?"

"We would all hope so. I mean, this budget primarily deals with very minimal cuts to the state universities. It takes the biggest bite out of the Monetary Award Program at $17 million. Some college programs, universities, have job preparedness already in its programs, most of them don't. A lot of our community colleges address most of what you're talking about as it relates to skilled nursing, auto mechanics, other technological or criminal forensic assessments of where this new criminology field that's emerged. So, that certainly is the intent to make sure that people are that much more educated and informed so they can go out and create jobs or be a part of the economy in a technological way in a vocational way as well. So, that certainly is the intent of the legislation."

"Representative Jakobsson."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. To the Bill. We have not increased… or we kept the community colleges whole in this budget, we've kept them flat and many of us on the committee immediately thought that was the right thing to do. The community colleges prepare students for jobs that prepare them for keeping up with their continuing education, if they're in certain fields. They play such an important role. Many of them are some of the best feeders into the colleges and universities that are in their areas. And we thought that it was really important to not make cuts to the community colleges. When we talk about the state and universities and colleges, you know, they haven't had increases or the couple of years that they've had since I've been here, the increases were very, very low. They 09700055.doc 53  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 55th Legislative Day 5/13/2011 have not been able to keep up and it's not just that they haven't gotten increases, but they haven't been paid. I think some of these things I've been saying other people have already said, but I just want to reinforce that. The universities and state colleges have had to increase their tuition because the state has underfunded them so and the tuition falls back on our families and on our students who are going to be attending these and therefore, many more of them have needed MAP grants and MAP assistance. And so, by helping our universities be able to count on what they're going to get from the state and look at not raising their tuition in the future, if we step up to the plate and do our part, we're going to be able to help more students throughout the state achieve their higher education. So, I would urge an 'aye' vote on this Bill."

"Representative Reboletti."

"I haven't been using a clock. Representative Rose, you're more than welcome to press your own button. Go ahead."

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

"Sponsor yields." Davis, w.: "Representative, I know there's been a lot of conversation about dollars that have had to been cut and obviously, we're talking about GRF dollars, but in our committees, we talked a lot about the income funds of the universities. Is that not correct?"

"That's correct." Davis, W.: "And I think our rationale was simply to say that universities do have income funds. Unlike non-for-profit organizations or community-based organizations that don't have limited don… that don't have unlimited resources in order to make restorations to the things that we are cutting out of those budgets, universities have significant income funds and if a university wants to restore something that may have to be cut or that we're talking about may have to be cut or based on the allocation to the university they're going to make decisions, they can restore those programs using their own income funds, correct?"

"Absolutely." Davis, W.: "Absolutely. I think that's important to know, Ladies and Gentlemen, because while we are debating… and I 09700055.doc 55  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 55th Legislative Day 5/13/2011 can understand why some are upset or may be bothered by the cuts that are being made not only in the higher ed budget but all those different budgets, but particularly in higher ed universities collect tuition and those tuition dollars sometimes can be used to help restore programs. So, as a Representative, I think it's important for all of us to understand that as we are being advocates for our particular universities that we also challenge our universities that if that program was so important that they have to ask Representatives to fight to make sure that those dollars aren't cut from the GRF funds, we also have to challenge them and encourage them to use their income funds if those programs are so important to them that they can restore dollars to certain programs. And I just think that that is very important. I want to commend the chairman of this committee as well as all the Members who have sat and went through several hours of conversations about exactly how we're going to challenge this and I hope that this process is a learning lesson for all of us here in the General Assembly because what we were asked to do was based on years and years, at least the years that I've been here, where Members from both sides of the aisle talk about we have to cut budgets, we have to make reductions in budgets. And here's an opportunity where, unfortunately whether you liked it or not, we did have to make reductions in a number of these budgets because of the process that we undertook in order to come to some compromise on these budgets. We certified, through a Resolution, a number that was then distributed to all the appropriations committees that was 09700055.doc 56  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 55th Legislative Day 5/13/2011 less than the amount of… or our resources that were allocated in previous years. So, based on that process, we had to make reductions all across-the-board and what I hear from some Members is, well, you didn't have to cut what I want. You didn't have to cut this; you didn't have to cut that. Well, unfortunately, tough decisions had to be made and I know some of you don't like some of the decisions that are being made, but there are opportunities where we might be able to gain resources. So, as much as you're talking about what we have to cut, I hope that you'll be willing to stand with us when it comes time to vote on gaining more resources so that those dollars can come back to the Appropriations Committees and restorations to programs that you want can be made. So, I hope that you're willing to make that vote as well versus just simply saying, you cut what I want so I'm just going to vote 'no' on the budget. And I've seen red votes on some of these budgets and I understand that some of the… some of it is philosophical, nobody wanted us to cut early childhood, but we did have to cut. There are a few places in that budget where we could only make those kinds of reductions, so you voted 'no' because you didn't want those cuts, but remember we were charged with a task where we were encouraged to make reductions in the budgets. So, sometimes you have to be careful of what you ask for because you just might get it. Ladies and Gentlemen, as we move forward through this appropriations process, again, I hope that you will encourage the chairs of these committees and those that worked on the Appropriations Committees to continue to do 09700055.doc 57  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 55th Legislative Day 5/13/2011 this kind of hard work and I really hope that even though other budgets have already passed, that the remaining budgets that have yet to be passed, that we will all support the hard work of those committee Members that went into those rooms and had hours and hours of deliberation and dialogue and came up with what they thought was something that could be palatable. We tried to work in a bipartisan fashion and I believe in every respect we did, so I hope that you will stand with the Members on, whichever Party you're in, with those chairs and those Republican spokespersons and support what came out of those rooms and vote green on the remainder of the appropriations budgets. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker."

"The final two speakers will be Mayfield and Flowers and then we'll end the day with Dunkin's closing. Representative Mayfield, you're next, then Mary Flowers and then we're finished."

"To the Bill. I stand in strong opposition to the Bill. Representative Davis, I appreciate your comments; however, I strongly disagree. I feel that more due diligence was needed by the committee Members in regard to this Bill. I'm speaking specifically in regard to the University Center of Lake County. In FY10 the budget was cut 1.2 million; you're proposing an additional $716 thousand. That's a combined total of 66 percent cut in two years. That is ridiculous. I'm sorry that is not fair when you look at what's going on in the communities and with what's going on with the other colleges. This particular university had a disproportionate share of cuts, 66 percent 09700055.doc 58  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 55th Legislative Day 5/13/2011 versus 1 percent to state universities and colleges is just not equitable and this should have been looked at a lot more closely. I'm asking that this Bill be amended and that the money be put back. We're out… we're willing to accept the cut but not 66 percent. That is not fair and is not proportionate. And I recommend an 'aye' vote… a 'no' vote… I'm sorry… a 'no' vote on this Bill."

"Representative Flowers and then Representative Dunkin to close. Mary Flowers."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. I, too, would like to commend the Gentleman for the hard work that his committee has done in regards to education, but I would like to remind everyone about what the Illinois Agenda Report says. The report says that Illinois has failed education. The report further says that there's two Illinois: one for the haves and one for the have-nots. In regards to, as Representative Davis quoted me earlier, when I first came to Springfield back in 1985 there were 11 universities and 11 prisons. Since then we have escalated the prisons and have not increased education. There's 28 prisons and 11 institutions of higher education. I think that's unfortunate. I think that has a lot to do with the state of the state and the reason why we're in the condition that we're in. One of the previous speakers spoke and said in regards to education that that has a lot to do with the… with jobs. So, an educated society is a prosperous society and what we have not been doing here in the State of Illinois is educating and investing in our youth. As a result, I respectfully have to 09700055.doc 59  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 55th Legislative Day 5/13/2011 vote 'no' and remind everyone in this Body that it is all of our responsibilities. It's not just the City of Chicago. I want to remind everyone that the report said that Illinois has failed. Illinois has failed our future. We have failed our children. We must be more serious about investing in our future and not into penal institutions. Thank you very much."

"Representative Dunkin to close."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And let me say that I have the utmost regard for the work that the committee Members participated in. I mean, we actually traveled to one of the universities, the University of Illinois. We held a hearing. We had all but maybe one or two Members who did not show and then the one who couldn't show had a replacement. So, it was very, very well attended and most of our meetings our Representative Chapin Rose, our Minority spokesperson, did an excellent job. He was attentative as I was and certainly assisted me and other Members of the committee with this new level of intense… intensified budgetary education. And again, this is a process; it's a start. It is the first bite at this apple. We may come back here. There's a good chance that we're going to come back here and possibly make more modifications. But again, I want to commend the committee Members of the Illinois Appropriations for Higher Education. And I would encourage all of our Members here for an 'aye' vote. Thank you."

Speaker Lyons: "There's been a thorough discussion. Representative Dunkin and Representative Rose move for the 09700055.doc 60  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 55th Legislative Day 5/13/2011 passage of House Bill 3700. 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? Kelly Burke. Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this Bill, there are 98 Members voting 'yes', 8 Members voting 'no', 2 Members voting 'present'. This Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Sacia, thank you for your patience. I know you have a point of personal privilege. Please proceed."

"Welcome to your Capitol, Stockton School. We're proud to have you here. Mr. Clerk, what's the status of, on the Order of Second Reading, House Bill 3717."

"Representative Feigenholtz on Floor Amendment #3."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Floor Amendment #3 is merely a cleanup Amendment due to some drafting errors regarding four agencies: Aging, HFS, DHS and DPH."

"All 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 Floor Amendment #3's adopted. Anything further, Mr. Clerk?"

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

"Representative Sara Feigenholtz."

"Thank you, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. Mr. Speaker, I first want to acknowledge the hard work that went into the… a piece of the budget that is over 50 percent of our general revenue and thank the amazing Members of the Human Services Appropriations Committee, many of whom are here as freshmen who are a… a very accomplished, committed and passionate group of people who were charged with a very, very difficult task and also our staff, who we adore and who has worked very hard in trying to do the impossible and I think that we have done it. The committee at the outset set its priorities and the priorities of the committee were to protect direct services and cut operations and programs that were duplicative in nature. And with that said, most state grants received approximately a 1 percent reduction. We also had the charge 09700055.doc 62  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 55th Legislative Day 5/13/2011 of decreasing general revenue 368 million from FY11 and at the same time we were losing 700 million from Recovery Act enhanced match just in our Medicaid lines. So, we walked into our work group with a $700 million deficit looming just… adding more insult to our difficult task, compounding our task. Operations were reduced $181 million, personal services held at FY11 levels. We chose to cut things like telecommunication and travel 50 percent and all other operations were brought back to FY10 expenditure numbers. No agency was exempt from these cuts. And I have to tell you that the… there was a lot of hand-wringing and a lot of tears in that committee. Even… we even had to discuss some options in cutting even for our veterans, which was very difficult. With the loss of ARRA, we had to increase our general revenue appropriations for Medicaid by 100 million, which resulted in having to decrease grants in other agencies about 280 million more. A total of 25 million for afterschool youth programs including ICAP, Teen REACH, and youth services. We also had some issues with home visiting lines, but overall, Ladies and Gentlemen, this was an excruciating process, but we did it. We did it and reduced this budget so we can go home to our communities and say we've done our job, we've cut our budget. We don't have any extra money. We're not… we're not spending frivolously. We've cut… we've cut the waste in the administrative costs and we've put our money on the streets so that our constituents can have the services they need. Having said that, I'd be glad to answer any questions." 09700055.doc 63  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 55th Legislative Day 5/13/2011

"The Chair recognizes the Gentleman from Cook, Representative Al Riley."

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

"Sponsor yields."

"Representative, in acknowledging that you did have an extremely… a hard task to do as the other Appropriation Committees. We just passed Amendment #3 to this Bill, but as we… is our want. You know, we will do that and not really go into detail. What did Amendment #3 do in terms of any additional additions or subtractions to the overall Bill?"

"We had to reduce our lines in various places by an additional $43 million. It was…"

"Forty-three million dollars."

"Yes. It was a mathematical error and a drafting error all at once."

"Wow."

"But you know, I… I tried to keep it and I kept asking our budget director if we could just have an extra 43 million and he said no."

"That's a… that's a heck of a drafting error. So, since… I'm going to assume… since this took place after all of the deliberations and the cuts that you made, how did you prioritize that extra $43 million worth of cuts? How did you do it, across-the-board, or specific programs or what?"

"It was… it was consensus in our committee. We had a brief conversation and it was an agreed Amendment as to where to reduce those lines. I believe we took 10 million… 09700055.doc 64  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 55th Legislative Day 5/13/2011 10 million out of SODCs, another 10 million out of an other funds line and another 5 out of MH facilities."

"In terms of the deliberations that went on in your committee, especially with regard to reducing SODCs which seemingly as time moves on is sort of going the way of the Edsel anyway, was there any consideration that those that still remain, you know, might be severely hurt by additional… additional cuts?"

"We added an additional 4.5 million. We actually shifted it to the community reintegration line, Representative, to begin the process of finding placements and making sure that it's done appropriately."

"By finding placements, you're talking about in community settings?"

"If appropriate."

"Okay. Would maintaining some of them in the SODCs, from your perspective, still be appropriate?"

"Yes."

"Okay. The other thing I'm looking at the analysis under HFS. It says that the hospital line was decreased and part of that decrease is due to outlier payment reform. So, one of the tasks of your committee was to try to address outlier payer reform… payment reform?"

"Actually, the outlier issue has been addressed with… in conversations going on between the Hospital Association and HFS. We don't need to directly address that in our budget. That's… that's a reform… that's a reform that HFS is in the process of working on with hospitals."

"But will…" 09700055.doc 65  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 55th Legislative Day 5/13/2011

"I believe JCAR just passed a rule this week about it, actually."

"Okay. Because with regard to that reform, if you try to exact that through your budget, you know, I would be somewhat concerned philosophically as outlier payment reform, the word 'reform' sounds great. Some people would say that the issue of, you know, taking care of patients who really have some acute problem is one of concentrating care. Concentrating care for people who are extremely sick, who present, you know, with a lot of different issues. And so, I just wanted to see whether or not you were trying to address that with the budget reductions that were made."

"There… ours… actually, Representative Riley, we really just dealt with appropriations. Essentially, we can, you know, legislatively address reforms internally, but we were really just dealing with numbers. But I believe that the JCAR rule will have an effect on hospitals for FY12. I was just told by staff. I didn't know when it… I haven't been tracking it. But there's also a Bill that this chamber passed a few days ago that is remarkably still in this chamber that will pay Medicaid back $90 million so that we can take advantage of that extra seven cents that we're getting. We're going to do some fund transfers, send it to the Federal Government and get an additional 90 million back. So, the committee is working diligently on trying to get as much as they can from the Federal Government before we lose this incredible help that we've had and we are also challenged in a terrible budget year with an incredible economy, as I said earlier, in having to come up with cuts 09700055.doc 66  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 55th Legislative Day 5/13/2011 so great compounded with that $700 million loss in ARRA enhanced funding. So, we are sort of behind the eight ball when it comes to Medicaid. So, any dime we can get to supplement that budget is clearly going to be the focus of the committee from this point forward."

"Once again, thank you for all the work that you've done and I understand, you know, you saying that HFS is going to deal with some of those issues along with the hospital and essentially, you were dealing with numbers, but I would also say that, you know, people are looking at us and seeing what we're doing because the budget that we passed can be viewed as what our perspective with regard to health care policy actually is too. Thank you."

"Representative… Representative Lilly."

"Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House, I stand today to speak to the Bill. To the Bill. This process has been quite rewarding. We have worked in a bipartisan committee to come up with a budget that was very difficult to put forth. I consider that unprecedent in recent years. I believe the process we gain rich information, excellent dialogue and rewarding understanding of what our State of Illinois is offering to its citizens as we address and meet their needs. The… the committee, we've come to understand that we have very dedicated organizations, agencies and individuals who are working together to help meet the needs of the citizens of Illinois. The task to build a budget which cut human needs to the citizens statewide, to the citizens in a district I serve which is quite diverse, these cuts are not good. I welcome to be involved in 09700055.doc 67  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 55th Legislative Day 5/13/2011 ongoing discussions, to talk about how we can continue this process, this most difficult process. I am confident that we together will review the ideas, the suggestions, the recommendations and any addi… to find any additional revenue that's going to meet the needs, the human needs of our citizens. These proposed budgets, all day and the cuts that are in them, I believe and feel it does not represent the compassion of the Members of the General Assembly. I believe that the State of Illinois's fiscal condition represents the country's fiscal condition. Our Governor is struggling, our state departments are struggling. I believe that we have more work to do and I am ready to work. I thank our Leaders on both sides of the aisle taking up the charge. We have to work together to meet the needs of the citizen that we represent in the State of Illinois today. I thank you."

"Representative Bellock."

"Sponsor yields."

"The… the substance abuse lines which the Governor had zeroed out for non-Medicaid which would have been devastating to all of our communities and filled up all of our prisons and local jails was restored to its FY11 funding level, Representative Bellock, but be mindful that once we rebalanced some of these budgets internally so that we would have an opportunity to serve people in communities, we also cut across-the-board fairly by 1 percent. So, DASA has been reduced by 1 percent from FY11."

"That is correct."

"Yes. Some agencies did get an increase from the Governor's introduced."

Speaker Lyons: "We've got about nine speakers, Ladies and Gentlemen. I'm going to put the timer on for three minutes. Hopefully, you can be respectful and stay within that time 09700055.doc 70  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 55th Legislative Day 5/13/2011 frame and I'll be respectful and give you another minute, if you need it. Representative Mulligan, three minutes."

Speaker Lyons: "Well, then I wouldn't use your time reprimanding me. I will certainly give you more time, Rosemary, if you need it."

"I think the Body needs to understand the difference between the reduction of lines and a rate cut, Representative. They're… they're two different animals. We reduced the Medicaid line from the Governor's introduced budget by an additional 6.5 percent. We did not cut their rate in this budget. Many of the providers… the hospitals came to us and asked us that if they… told us that if they had to take cuts they would rather take it in cycles than in a rate cut and we obliged. But the… yes, the Medicaid… the hospital line in the Medicaid budget is cut just like every other line equally in the Medicaid budget." 09700055.doc 71  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 55th Legislative Day 5/13/2011

"I'm… it is unclear to me what that number is at this point because there are so many factors in play including exactly where that cycle is today when we pass that transfer fund Bill and get that $90 million back into… back into the Medicaid funds. And so, I believe that the 90 million is going to bring that payment cycle down to… to around 10 days. Where it goes after that depends on many other factors including utilization. But I want to tell you that the committee…"

"I'll give you another minute to finish the conversation."

"The committee has a trailer Bill, as you know, that will… and we will continue to meet over the summer and that there is a saving… a 50 or 60 million dollar savings in that… in those reforms that will be effective in FY11 that we are going to be passing. And I do agree with you, Representative Mulligan, that hospitals have been extraordinary in the last few years as partners at the table. They provide us with a tremendous amount of money that before ARRA would have closed hospitals by a… by levying an assessment on themselves. There's no one in this committee who does not understand the complexity and the 09700055.doc 72  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 55th Legislative Day 5/13/2011 pressure of what is happening to hospitals and other providers more than the people who sit on this committee. So, I want to acknowledge that."

"That is the intent. And as you know from our conversations with the providers, the one thing that they really are asking for is predictability. Are we going to get paid and when? So, I believe that we, with all of… with our reductions, are going to be able to provide them with more predictability. I also want to mention that many of the providers told us that a rate cut would essentially prohibit them from going to their lenders and being able to get lines of credit and borrow if need be and that just diminishing the lines was a much more preferable way to go."

"Correct. We have a issue with eligibility. We cannot cut it or we will lose FFP."

"That's correct. And I'm assuming that, given the nature of our budget, that…"

"Representative, your time has expired and your extension has expired. The next speaker is Representative Berrios. Representative Berrios, three minutes."

"Thank you. Will the Sponsor yield?"

"Sponsor yields."

"Representative, first, I do want to thank you for all the hard work you and the committee put into this Bill and this appropriation, but I have a question about the safety net hospitals. I know Representative, previously, was talking about hospitals. How does this affect the safety net hospitals?"

"The safety net hospitals are… all hospitals are actually funded at… their funding is diminished. I mean, the whole hospital line has been cut. It doesn't… the only thing that really affects them is payment cycle. I mean, it's not that… we didn't cut their rate. We did not cut their rate. And we're hoping that their request for predictability will be met that we are going to be able to make sure they get their money and we're going to work with them because we understand that they are taking care of 09700055.doc 74  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 55th Legislative Day 5/13/2011 very vulnerable communities. We truly appreciate that. I intend to work directly with Director Hamos and the Hospital Association and representatives from those hospitals to make sure that we can keep their doors open. I know that there is grave concern and these are very, very difficult times, but you're… we… you have our commitment. Our… our committee has been talking to our budget director and asking that any new revenues come into the Medicaid budget because we understand what is going on and how complex and difficult this is for them. There's always the expedited payment option for the safety net hospitals that we would certainly continue to employ."

"Okay. Thank you, Representative. I know you said we can work with Director Hamos and if possible, I don't sit on the committee, but it's something I would like to be involved in because we do have to take care of our safety net hospitals and they are… we need to ensure that they stay in our communities because they help… they help all of our communities. Thank you."

"You have our commitment."

"Representative Don Moffitt."

"Sponsor yields."

"There is. Of course there is a need, Representative Moffitt, but we have learned subsequent to the establishment of that line that there is PTSD offered in… from the Federal Government now."

"My… my team members who have large numbers of veterans in their district tell me that it's better."

"All grants received… all GRF grants received a reduction."

"It's a $100 thousand reduction."

"Representative, there are other state funds and federal funds for homeless veterans and other homeless programs overall in the DHS budget. As I said in my opening remarks, we tried to consolidate some things that we felt were duplicative."

"It's a $100 payment… it's a onetime $100 payment to return… people returning."

"And people who redeploy do not receive that $100, if they deploy a second time."

"Representative, time expired. We'll give you another minute, Don, to finish your…"

"That was the spent from the year before, Representative, so we assume that their… the pressure wasn't there to continue to fund it over the spent amount in the prior year."

"It's a big budget."

"Representative David Leitch." 09700055.doc 77  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 55th Legislative Day 5/13/2011

Speaker Lyons: "Thank you, Representative. Representative Hays."

Speaker Lyons: "Representative, your three minutes expired. We'll give you a minute to finish your thought."

"Representative Chapa LaVia."

"Thank you, Speaker. To the Bill. I just want to expound on what Representative Mulligan had said about hospitals being a cash cow. Hospitals are already doing their part which, I feel, in the budget. They are the fourth largest taxpayer in the State of Illinois. The hospital tax provides more net revenue in Illinois than the lottery. The hospital tax provides over 260 million from Medicaid payments to other providers. Recently, hospitals agreed to a $100 million cut in their outlier payment and both of my constituencies, the two hospitals that I represent Provena Mercy Medical Center and Rush-Copley Medical Center have both asked me to stand in opposition to this Section of this budget. So, I will not be voting 'yes' on it. I understand all the hard work that the chairman and the Members of the committee had to do in this, but I feel in my district where such a large portion of my constituents are uninsured and have no… have very little insurance, if they do, this would really effect us to the point where I would feel… I'm hearing mergers, I'm hearing closures throughout the state and I think this would be devastating especially for the high minority, uninsured, or 09700055.doc 81  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 55th Legislative Day 5/13/2011 underinsured population. So, I stand in opposition. Thank you."

"Representative Mary Flowers."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. I, too, stand in opposition to House Bill 3717. And I would like to take this opportunity to thank the chairman for all of her hard work and the committee, but in good conscience, I cannot sit here, after all these years, and balance the budget off the backs of the poor, so the poor and the neediest of the needy. But Representative, I would last… like to ask you a couple of questions in regards to home care. Will home care providers be affected by this budget?"

"The home care provider line was held flat. Are you talking about the home services line or the community care program?"

"The community care program."

"Actually, the community care program will be fully funded for FY12."

"And the hospice care?"

"It received the same decreases in the Medicaid budget as every other provider."

"The hospice care did?"

"Mmm mmm."

"The nursing homes?"

"The same decrease."

"Representative, I know you worked hard. I know you did, but we're talking about people who can't help themselves. We're talking about the disabled. We're talking 09700055.doc 82  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 55th Legislative Day 5/13/2011 about children. We're talking about the elderly. I don't know… I just can't in good conscience even think about what this budget is going to do to so many. But let me just ask you this. Once again, is this not in contradiction… are we not… in regards to the Federal Government, are we going to lose matching funds as a result of these cuts?"

"We're going to continue to get matching funds for every dollar we spend."

"Are we going to lose… are we going to lose matching funds as a result of some of these cuts?"

"If we spend less money on Medicaid, we will lose matching funds for the dollars unspent, Representative Flowers."

"And as far as… as far as the money that we could have received had we not made these cuts."

"You know what, Representative, I'd like to correct my previous responses to you. As I look at the hospice line, the hospice line went from 65 million to 79 million and the home health care went from 57 million to 82 million. So, there were some Medicaid lines that were increased a tot…"

"Ladies, your one minute has expired. We'll give you… or your three minutes expired. We'll give you another minute to finish your line of questioning."

"Well…"

"A total of $100 million increase to Medicaid overall."

"For hospice and home care, but the disabled is still…" 09700055.doc 83  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 55th Legislative Day 5/13/2011

"The disabled actually were funded at the Governor's introduced level of $759 million, if you are talking about the Doors Home Services program. The Community Care program was funded at $630 million which will fully pay for home health care for our elders. And Home Services was also fully funded for people living with disabilities."

"Once again, Representative, you and your committee has done a fantastic job and I know these are very difficult times. Thank you."

"Representative David Harris." Harris, D.: "Mr. Speaker, thank you and a question of the Sponsor?"

"She awaits your question, Sir." Harris, D.: "Representative, your committee certainly did have a herculean task in dividing up 50.25 percent of the available general revenue and you really… really worked hard, everyone I know did. I have two quick questions, if I may. Explain to me the… the funding for the community-based programs for developmental disabilities and mental health versus the… versus the state-owned facilities. How… how has that funding been handled for FY12?"

"We had some, as you said, some very, very difficult choices to make, Representative and we began our committee hearings with the budgeting for outcomes approach where we talked about the number of people in a population that we had to take care of and we told the… and we factored in how much we had to spend in that sector and we made a committee decision that if we could spend $45 09700055.doc 84  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 55th Legislative Day 5/13/2011 thousand on an individual and serve more of them than we can in a state-operated facility, that it would be a wise thing to do so that we took a more utilitarian approach on what we should keep that would serve more people who are our constituents in need of these services. It was a rebalancing of our budget for people living with disabilities, restoration of mental health money, keeping people out of the Department of Corrections system by treating them in DASA. So, we shored up all of our community services by shifting money around in our budget." Harris, D.: "Okay. So… Thank you. So, a rebalancing in favor of community-supported…"

"That is correct." Harris, D.: "Thank you. And just to address the hospitals once again. Hospitals, no rate cuts on hospitals."

"No rate cuts." Harris, D.: "But extended payment cycles."

"Correct." Harris, D.: "And just an observation there and all of us have hospitals in our districts. Hospitals can be anywhere… can rely anywhere on Medicaid from 5 or 6 percent perhaps in a suburban community to as much as 18, 20, 30 or 40 percent or more at disproportionate share hospital. The fact that we are stretching out the payment cycle in lieu of cutting rates is a very difficult but a preferred action. And I would remind the commit… remind the Members of the House, quite frankly, payment cycles for hospitals have at times exceeded 100 days. That's not where we want to be, but it has been there. That's not fair, but that's what has 09700055.doc 85  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 55th Legislative Day 5/13/2011 happened in order to get the state through this… the hospitals of this state have been extremely cooperative…"

"Go ahead, Representative. We'll let you finish your thoughts." Harris, D.: "They've been extremely cooperative and helpful and while we don't like longer payment cycles, it's preferable to a rate cut."

"Representative Chris Nybo."

"Three minutes, Representative Mulligan."

"Representative Dugan, three minutes."

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

"Sponsor yields."

"Representative, I… I just wanted to check just because I know previously there was a comment made that Teen REACH had been decreased. I believe in the committee Teen REACH was actually increased."

"Correct."

"Thank you. And it was of course, I think, kind of zeroed out before, but I mean, we… so, we actually increased Teen REACH from their 2010 level. And I also want to just make sure and make it a part of this record, as far as the intent of this committee, when it came… when it comes to the hospital rate cut that everyone talks about, as, I think, you've said and many have, there is no rate cut in this Bill. What there is is, of course, less money appropriated. However, it's the intent of the committee, I think, I can say and certainly you let me know if you agree, the intent of this committee is to not have hospital… the rates cut. It is our intent from this committee to make sure that the agency works with the Hospital Association and in fact, the Hospital Association did they not give us suggestions of programs that can be put in internally that will bring revenue into the state 09700055.doc 88  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 55th Legislative Day 5/13/2011 which will help fill the gaps so the need for a rate cut would lessen. Is that correct?"

"Correct."

"And so, it's the intent of this committee to make sure that the state agency works to implement some of the suggestions that the Hospital Association has made so that there doesn't have to be, if there even was going to be, a rate cut. Is that correct?"

"Correct."

"And I also want to say then in addition to the cycle, which is one way to stop the rate cut, these new programs and revenue generators are another way to make sure the Medicaid line increases based on those ideas that came even from the other side of the aisle along with the Hospital Association, correct?"

"Correct."

"And one final statement. The state agency cannot… cannot cut the rates paid the hospitals anywhere in this state unless we, as a General Assembly, take legislative action to allow the state agency or the administration to do so. Is that correct?"

"Correct. They could go through JCAR."

"But it is not the intent of the committee, in fact, just the opposite. The intent of the committee…"

"Correct."

"…does not allow. We want the agency to implement some of the programs so there will not have to be a rate cut and we have no intent on the committee to allow the administration or as far as I'm concerned JCAR to get any 09700055.doc 89  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 55th Legislative Day 5/13/2011 possibility of the agency being able to rate cut the hospitals without this General Assembly's approval. Is that the intent?"

"That's right. And I also want to reiterate, Representative Dugan, what I said earlier is that…"

"Ladies, your time has expired. We'll give you another minute to finish your thoughts."

"No, I… Thank you. Again, I just wanted to clarify 'cause I know there's concern about rate cuts and money being taken away from this hospital… of our hospitals in the state. This committee did not do that. It is not the intent of this committee to have the hospital rates cut and we also encourage through our budget the agency to sit down and to implement some of the programs that came from our side of the aisle and the other side of the aisle and the Hospital Association to bring revenue into the Medicaid line and that's what we intend to do. And I certainly would ask for an 'aye' vote. Thank you."

"Representative Senger."

"Representative Robyn Gabel."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To the Bill. I would like to thank the Chairwoman, Representative Feigenholtz for her leadership during this very difficult budget process. I think that what we tried to do is protect the most vulnerable: children, people with disabilities and I think we did a decent job of doing that. I am also concerned about providers, all of the health care providers in the Medicaid program. It was difficult to cut that line. We weren't given a lot of choices. And I also want to ensure that the Medicaid clients don't lose access to health services. And I think in order to do that we have to make sure that there is not a rate cut and that this does… that the reduction in the amount of money that they have just becomes a process of the cycle. I also want to say that if there is any additional revenue that we make sure that it is directed to providers in the Medicaid program because they were the heaviest hit of anybody else in this budget. So, I'm voting 'aye' on this Bill and I encourage everyone else to. Thank you."

"Representative Mayfield."

"I'd just like to thank everybody that worked on that committee with me. This was my first time on… serving on Human Services Committee. And I want everybody to understand that this was not an easy process for any of us. Everyone on that Human Services Committee is a tree hugger. 09700055.doc 91  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 55th Legislative Day 5/13/2011 I mean, we were really there to help the underserved, those individuals who don't have a voice and who can't speak for themselves. It was very hard. We worked very collaborative. There was a lot of blood, sweat and tears that were left in that room that night. We had several, several meetings. I commend everyone on both sides for working through this process. There's some good things that did come out of this Bill. It's not the most perfect Bill. I don't think we will ever have that. But I do want to acknowledge the fact that we did restore senior services that had been cut. I think that's very important to know. We put back the Circuit Breaker Program. We're funding Illinois RX at 50 percent. These are things that were taken out of the budget. We restored a lot of the DASA line items. In mental health, we're providing services to our victims, to rape victims, to domestic violence. As the Representative Mulligan stated, that when you have an economy like this, you know, domestic violence increases dramatically. So, we were able to put money back into a lot of much needed programs. So, when you look at this, acknowledge the fact that we took a lot out of operations and not as much out of the programs themselves because we were all very adamant that we wanted to be ensure… to ensure that we were saving programs. And I'm just hoping that the Speaker, whatever the process is that goes forward from here, that if there is any additional money that we can have them redirect it back to human services as this is the most hard hit and the most needed of all of the appropriation budgets that we have out there. And I'm recommending an 'aye' vote. Thank you." 09700055.doc 92  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 55th Legislative Day 5/13/2011

"Representative Bellock, your name was used in debate. You'll be the final speaker and then Representative Feigenholtz to close."

"Representative Sara Feigenholtz to close."

"Ladies and Gentlemen of the House, you've heard from the amazing committee Members on the Approp Committee who were charged, as I said earlier, with their first and likely their most painful taks of their… task as their… in their careers as Legislators. It was a very, very difficult, a lot of long nights, but we focused on making 09700055.doc 93  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 55th Legislative Day 5/13/2011 sure that our constituents, that the seniors and the children, people living with mental illness, developmental disabilities and across-the-board in our communities were helped. We rebalanced and even more important we are ready to go forward immediately after we adjourn to address issues, start working on more Medicaid reform so that we can have more efficiencies and you are… you have our commitment that we have your constituents best interest at heart and that we will move forward constantly with that as our guiding light. So, please support this Bill as difficult as it is and know that we are standing tall with you through these tough times. I'd appreciate your 'aye' vote."

"After a thorough discussion, with 20 speakers over an hour of debate, Representative Sara Feigenholtz moves for the passage of House Bill 3717. 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? Mathias. Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this issue, there's 83 Members voting 'yes', 25 Members voting 'no'. This Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Berrios."

"Point of personal privilege."

"Please proceed, Representative."

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. I would like all of you to help me in congratulating my seatmate, Representative Arroyo, in becoming a 09700055.doc 94  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 55th Legislative Day 5/13/2011 grandfather for the third time about an hour ago. Congratulations, Louie."

"Congratulations, Louie. Louie, Louie, grandpa. Ladies and Gentlemen, at this time we're going to be addressed by our respective Leaders. I would ask staff to please retire to the rear of the chamber and of course, I would ask for complete silence in respect for our Leaders. And I believe first will be Majority Leader, Speaker of the House, Mike Madigan."

"Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House, my purpose is to congratulate every Member of the House, in particular every Member of the Appropriations Committee, for a job well done in terms of adopting a complete budget today. A budget that emanated from the committees, worked out by all the Members of the committees and in particular I want to give a proper recognition to the leadership on those committees. So, in the case of the Human Services Committee, Representative Feigenholtz and Gabel and the Minority Spokesperson Representative Mulligan. In the case of the Elementary & Secondary Committee, my seatmate, Representative Davis, Vice Chair Representative Hernandez and Spokesperson Representative Roger Eddy. In the case of the General Services Committee, Representative Crespo, Vice Chair Representative Al Riley and Republican Spokesman Sandy Cole. In the Higher Education Committee, Representative Dunkin, Vice Chair Soto and Republican Spokesperson Chapin Rose. And then lastly, in the case of the Public Safety Committee, Representative Arroyo, Vice Chair Greg Harris and Republican Spokesman David Reese… 09700055.doc 95  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 55th Legislative Day 5/13/2011 David Reis. Everybody should appreciate the historic significance of this event. Since 1991, the Illinois Legislature has basically engaged in preparing a one Bill budget. Prior to 1991, the appropriations process was very similar to what we've just done, a little different, but very similar. But starting in June of 1991, for a variety of reasons, we went to a one Bill budget which has brought on a lot of criticism and complaint that the Governor and the four Leaders would gather in the Governor's Office and make all of the decisions on budget making. So, what we've done this year, especially in the House, is to completely change that process. Take it out of the Governor's Office, take it out of the hands of the Governor and the Leaders and turn it over to the appropriate appropriations committees. The job is done. There's work ahead because we have to negotiate with the Senate and with the Governor's Office, but never in my memory and you know I go back a long way in this building, never in my memory has one chamber adopted a complete budget this early in the process. Prior to '91, there was an arrangement between the chambers where one-half of the budget would start in one chamber, the other half of the budget would start in the other chamber, then we would exchange Bills. So, what we did today did everything and we should all be very, very proud of this accomplishment. And again, my congratulations and compliments to all the Members of the Appropriations Committee and in particular, to the leadership of the committee. And Mr. Speaker, I know that Mr. Cross would like to address us." 09700055.doc 96  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 55th Legislative Day 5/13/2011

"Leader Cross."

Speaker Lyons: "Mr. Speaker. Ladies and Gentlemen, give yourself a round of applause. Democrats, Republicans, staff, job well-done. Representative David Harris." Harris, D.: "Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of personal privilege."

"Please proceed." 09700055.doc 98  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 55th Legislative Day 5/13/2011 Harris, D.: "My name was mentioned in debate and I appreciate my Minority Leader giving me some credit, but this revenue estimate that we put together was the work of the House Revenue Committee led by Chairman Bradley who exhibited an extraordinary amount of leadership in driving a number that worked that this entire House lived by. And I will simply observe that we're doing it this year, but we still have a 7 and 8 billion dollar deficit and means we ought to do it again next year and the year after that and the year after that until we work our way out of this problem. Thank you."

"Leader Cross."

"Kumbaya. Nice job, everybody. What a wonderful feeling. Mr. Clerk, Agreed Resolutions."

"Speaker Madigan 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. 09700055.doc 99  STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 55th Legislative Day 5/13/2011 And now, Ladies and Gentlemen, with no further business to come before the Illinois House of Representatives, Representative Lang moves that we adjourn 'til Monday, May 16 to the hour of 3 p.m. Ladies and Gentlemen, we moved it… we moved it back one hour to 3 p.m. So, allowing perfunctory time for the Clerk, Speaker Madigan moves that the House stand adjourned 'til the hour of 3 p.m. on Monday, May 16. All those in favor signify by saying 'yes'; those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the adjournment is adopted and see you on Monday."