Speaker Lyons: "Good morning, Illinois. Your House of Representatives will come to order. Members are asked to please be at your desk. We shall be led in prayer today by the Most Reverend Thomas John Paprocki who is the Bishop of Springfield, Illinois. Bishop Paprocki is the guest of Representative Poe. Members and guests are asked to please refrain from starting their laptops, turn off all cell phones and pagers and rise for the invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance. Bishop Paprocki."
"Thank you. Good Afternoon, and let us pray. Almighty God, we come to You in prayer and seek Your blessing on the Illinois House of Representatives. Because our vision of Your goodness is clouded by sin, we seek Your light to guide us on our way. Because we do not always listen as we should to Your commands, help us to hear Your word. Because we often fail to think in accord with Your wisdom, we need Your truth to enlighten our minds. Because Your ways are not our ways, give us prudence and courage to follow Your will. May we take inspiration from Springfield's most famous citizen, Abraham Lincoln, who reminded us when he was a Member of this august Body that a house divided against itself cannot stand. May we heed his call and follow his example. We ask You, Dear God, to grant these prayers and lead us to the glory of Your kingdom, where You live and reign, forever and ever, Amen."
"Representative Krezwick, would you please lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance?" Krezwick – et al: "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it 09700106.doc 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 2/23/2012 stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
Speaker Lyons: "Roll Call for Attendance. Leader Currie, status of the Democrats."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Let the record show that Representatives Acevedo and Mautino are excused today."
Speaker Lyons: "Thank you, Representative. Michael, Republicans."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Let the record reflect that Representative Barickman and Coladipietro are excused today on the Republican side of the aisle."
"Thank you, Leader. Mr. Clerk, take the record. There's 112 Members responding to the Roll Call. We have a quorum and prepared to do the work for the people of the State of Illinois. Mr. Clerk."
Clerk Hollman: "Committee Reports. Representative Bradley, Chairperson from the Committee on Labor reports the following committee action taken on February 22, 2012: recommends be adopted House Resolution 713. Representative Franks, Chairperson from the Committee on State Government Administration reports the following committee action taken on February 22, 2012: do pass Short Debate House Bill 3810, House Bill 3923, House Bill 4020, House Bill 31… correction, House Bill 4139, House Bill 4468, House Bill 4545. And recommends be adopted is House Resolution 108, House Resolution 449, House Resolution 463, House Resolution 720, House Resolution 723, House Resolution 724, and House Resolution 729. Representative Rita, Chairperson from the Committee on Tollway Oversight reports the 09700106.doc 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 2/23/2012 following committee action taken on February 22, 2012: do pass Short Debate is House Bill 4691. Representative Nekritz, Chairperson from the Committee on Personnel and Pensions reports the following committee action taken on February 22, 2012: do pass Short Debate is House Bill 3116, House Bill 3969, and House Bill 4687. Representative McAuliffe, Chairperson from the Committee on Veterans' Affairs reports the following committee action taken on February 22, 2012: do pass Short Debate is House Bill 4442. Representative Soto, Chairperson from the Committee on Mass Transit reports the following committee action taken on February 22, 2012: do pass Short Debate is House Bill 3875, and House Bill 4440; do pass as amended Short Debate is House Bill 4036. Representative Verschoore, Chairperson from the Committee on Counties & Townships reports the following committee action taken on February 23, 2012: do pass Short Debate is House Bill 4540, House Bill 4577, and House Bill 4962. Representative Golar, Chairperson from the Committee on Disability Services reports the following committee action taken on February 23, 2012: do pass Short Debate is House Bill 4682. Representative Howard, Chairperson from the Committee on Judiciary II - Criminal Law reports the following committee action taken on February 23, 2012: do pass Short Debate is House Bill 2886, House Bill 3806, House Bill 3887, House Bill 4005, House Bill 4590, House Bill 4636, House Bill 4637, House Bill 4656, House Bill 4701, House Bill 4995, and House Bill 5233: do pass Standard Debate is House Bill 3961; do pass as amended Short Debate is House Bill 3804. Representative 09700106.doc 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 2/23/2012 Rita, Chairperson from the Committee on Tollway Oversight reports the following committee action taken on February 23, 2012: do pass Short Debate is House Bill 4078. And Representative Nekritz, Chairperson from the Committee on Personnel and Pensions reports the following committee action taken on February 23, 2012: do pass Short Debate is House Bill 5210. Senate Bills-First Reading. Senate Bill 2839, offered by Representative Gabel, a Bill for an Act concerning transportation. This was First Reading of Senate Bill."
"Ladies and Gentlemen, we're going to be moving some Bills from Second to Third Reading. Mostly the ones that came out of committee yesterday, so I'll be starting in the middle of page 2 and working page 3, and a couple on page 4. So, if you've got a Bill on Second Reading in the Calendar, I suggest you take a look at the Calendar to be prepared to move the Bill. Representative JoAnn Osmond, you have on page 2 of the Calendar, House Bill 3888. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."
"House Bill 3888, a Bill for an Act concerning transportation. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions are filed."
"Third Reading. On page 4 of the Calendar… on page 3 of the Calendar, Representative Feigenholtz, you have House Bill 4119. Sara Feigenholtz, are you on the floor? Out of the record. Representative Dan Reitz, you have on page 3 of the Calendar, House Bill 4447. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk. House Bill 4447, a Bill for an Act 09700106.doc 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 2/23/2012 concerning agriculture. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions are filed."
Speaker Lyons: "Third Reading. David, my apologies. Representative Mike Zalewski, you have House Bill 4526 on page 3 of the Calendar. 4526. Out of the record. Representative Jim Sacia, you have House Bill 4538. Out of the record. Representative Davis. Will Davis, you have House Bill 4586. What do you want to do with that, Will? Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."
"House Bill 4586, a Bill for an Act concerning conservation. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions are filed."
"Third Reading. Representative Pat Verschoore, the bottom of page 3, you have House Bill 4598. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."
"House Bill 4598, a Bill for an Act concerning transportation. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions are filed."
Speaker Lyons: "Third Reading. Representative Karen May. Representative Karen May, on the order of Second Reading, you have House Bill 4606. Out of the record. Representative Emily McAsey. Representative McAsey, you have House Bill 4638 on the order of Second Reading. Out of the record. On page 3 of the Calendar, Representative Morrison, you have House Bill 4117. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk." 09700106.doc 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 2/23/2012
"House Bill 4117, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation. The Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. No… no Floor Amendments. There are Note requests that have not been filed."
"Representative Morrison, House Bill 4117."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to withdraw my Note request."
"Mr. Clerk."
"Note request by Representative Morrison have been withdrawn, however, further Note requests have been requested and not filed."
"Representative Morrison, what's your pleasure? Take this Bill out of the record or…"
"Yes. We'll keep it on Second, please."
"Mr. Clerk, take the Bill out of the record. Representative Jil Tracy, on the Order of House Bills- Second Reading, on page 3… 2 of the Calendar, you have House Bill 3960. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."
"House Bill 3960, a Bill for an Act concerning civil law. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions are filed."
"Third Reading. Ladies and Gentlemen, we're going to move to some of the orders of Resolutions for adoption. Some of them require a recorded vote if there's any type of financial obligation. Others just require a voice vote. So, I'll start with, Jim Durkin, you have House Resolution 735." 09700106.doc 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 2/23/2012
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is a Resolution which just asks people to be aware of the complications due to type 1 and type 2 diabetes. This is first of many things that will be coming out of a Diabetes Caucus, which Mike Tryon has been leading. Mike is a type 2 diabetic. I know that Representative Will Davis is a type 2 diabetic. Tom Cross and I both have daughters who are type I diabetics. We particularly ask people to be mindful of neuropathy, which is a irreversible nerve damage that happens to people who have this disease. We're just saying people need to be aware of what the problems which come from this type of infliction. It is becoming an epidemic in the United States, not only type 2, but also type 1, so, I would ask for your consideration."
"You've heard the Gentleman's explanation to House Resolution 735. All those in favor of its adoption signify by saying 'yes'; those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And House Resolution 735 is adopted. Representative Cole. Sandy, you seek recognition?"
"Yes, Mr. Speaker, a point of information. Usually, on days like this, we get a report from the State Police on weather conditions. Will we be getting that soon? I'll… thank you very much."
"Chief… Chief says we're… it's on its way."
"I appreciate that. Thank you."
"Mr. Clerk, on the order of House Bills-Second Reading, Leader Tom Cross has House Bill 4993. What's the status on that Bill?" 09700106.doc 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 2/23/2012
"House Bill 4993, a Bill for an Act concerning education. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions are filed."
"Third Reading. Representative Patti Bellock, we have some Resolutions that you've initiated, so we'd like to call on you to explain them to the Membership. Mr. Clerk, on page 7 of the Calendar, Representative Bellock has House Resolution 696. Representative Bellock."
"Thank… Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I brought this forward because across the United States, in the last couple of years, there's been a fear, especially of young moms, of vaccinations because of the Autism movement. So what this does is just encourage people that vaccination is one of the most important things that came about in the last century. Those of us that know about Polio and Measles and other things, we know how important those are. So, that's what this vaccination… I'm sorry, that's what this Resolution does. It just encourages people to keep up with vaccinations."
"You've heard the Lady's explanation. All those in favor of the adoption of House Resolution 696… Representative Mulligan, you have a question? Representative Mulligan, question on House Resolution 696."
"Yes. I'd like to add to the fact that in children's vaccines in Illinois, we remove thimerosal. In adults we don't, and I'm… was very allergic to it and I was… got really sick. I think we ought to remove thimerosal out of all vaccines that are given in Illinois. Just because it's 09700106.doc 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 2/23/2012 a cheaper ingredient, I don’t think they should put it in adult vaccines and then have places like Osco, Walgreens, and things like that, give you the cheapest shot they can give you in order not have people sick."
"Representative Bellock moves for the adoption of House Resolution 696. All those in favor signify by saying 'yes'; those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And House Resolution 696 is adopted. Representative Bellock, don't sit down. You have House Resolution 727. Representative Bellock on House Resolution 727."
"Again, thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. And what's… House Resolution 727 does is it designates January as cervical health awareness month in the State of Illinois, and encourages the citizens of this state to recognize the importance of good cervical health and of detecting cervical cancer in its earliest stages. The State of Illinois has been very, very active in this. We've had a task force on this and we know that this is the one cancer that can be eliminated in our lifetime. So we're just trying to raise awareness of that. Thank you."
"You've heard the Lady's explanation on House Resolution 727. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor of the adoption of House Resolution, this will require a vote, 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? Dunkin, Fortner, Schmitz. Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this is 112 Members voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no'. And House 09700106.doc 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 2/23/2012 Resolution 727 is adopted. Representative Bellock, you also have House Resolution 728. Representative Bellock, House Resolution 728."
"Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. House Resolution 728 is regarding an issue that all of the Representatives here have been very active in, and we've been leaders in the rest of the country on the MRSA issue. And so, what this does, it proclaims April 1st through the 7th, 2012, as Methicilin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus Testing Week in the State of Illinois to con… to coincide with the International MRSA Testing Week. We know that this is a superbug. We have on record that over 19 thousand people die from MRSA every year. More than what is recorded from the AIDS epidemic. So, I ask you all for your support, and thank you for being one of the leaders of testing for MRSA in the United States. When we passed the Bill, that was the first Bill and now there are over 20 other states that have it. Thank you."
"You've heard the Lady… Lady's explanation to House Resolution 728. All those in favor of its adoption signify by saying 'yes'; those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And House Resolution 728 is adopted. Representative Chapin Rose, for a point of personal privilege, Representative."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In the gallery behind me, my friend Tim Atteberry. Tim is a Champaign police officer, Tim, if you don't mind staying up there. Tim is a Champaign police officer, but he's also deployed twice in defense of our country as a member of the Illinois National 09700106.doc 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 2/23/2012 Guard, and retired out of the Guard. So, let's give a big Springfield welcome and thank him for his service."
"Congratulations, and welcome to your Capitol. Representative Jim Sacia, you have House Resolution 688. Representative Sacia on House Resolution 688, and this will require a vote."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Ladies and Gentlemen, Resolution 688 was brought to me by the Friends of the Pecatonica River, and it's simply a Resolution to name the trail, the Pecatonica River Trail. And it has to be a… it has to be accomplished by a Resolution in as much as, in order for IDOT to erect signage along the river, a Resolution must be passed. I'd be happy to answer any questions."
"The Gentleman's explained House Resolution 688. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor of its adoption 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? Bill Mitchell. Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this Bill is 112… 12 Members voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no'. And House Resolution 688 is adopted. Ladies and Gentlemen, you might want to do… heads up. We're going to do the road condition report, so why don't you listen carefully to the status of the storm that's coming. Mr. Clerk."
"The Illinois Department of Transportation reports that no adverse weather conditions are expected until 7:00 tonight."
"Mr. Clerk, Agreed Resolutions." 09700106.doc 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 2/23/2012
Clerk Hollman: "Agreed Resolution. House Resolution 806, offered by Representative Dunkin."
"Leader Currie moves for the adoption of the Agreed Resolution. All those in favor signify by saying 'yes'; those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And now, seeing that no further business is to come before the Illinois House of Representatives… before we adjourn, Representative Chuck Jefferson. I'm sorry, Representative Jackson. One moment, everybody please. African-American appreciation, Black History Month. Representative Jackson."
"Point of personal privilege. This being Black History…"
"Please proceed, Representative."
"This being Black History Month, I would like to recognize Martin Delaney. Martin Robinson Delany, May 6, 1812 – January 24, 1885, was an African-American abolitionist, and arguably, the first proponent of American-Black nationalism. He became the first African- American field officer of the United States Army during the Civil War. Delany was born free in Charlestown, West Virginia, then part of Virginia, to Pati and Samuel Delany. His father, Samuel, was an enslaved African. Delany's maternal grandparents were born in Africa where his grandfather was said to have been a prince. When Delany was just a few years old, attempts were made to enslave him and a sibling. Their mother, Pati, carried her two youngest children 20 miles to the courthouse in Winchester to argue successfully for her family's freedom. As he was 09700106.doc 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 2/23/2012 growing up, Delany and his sibling learned to read and write using the New York Primer and Spelling Book given to them by a peddler. It was illegal in Virginia to teach black people literacy. When the book was discovered in September, 1822, Pati took her children to Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, to ensure their continued freedom. They had to leave their father Samuel, but a year later, he had managed to buy his freedom and re… and rejoin his family in Chambersburg. In Chambersburg, the young Delany continued learning. Occasionally, he left to work when his family could not afford for his education to continue. In 1831, at the age of 19, he journeyed west to the growing City of Pittsburg, where he became a barber and laborer. He harbored ambitions to visit Africa, which he con… considered his spiritual home. While later, living in Pittsburg, in 1843, Delany met and married Cathrine A. Richards. The couple had 11 children, and seven of whom survived into adulthood. While living in Pittsburg, Delany studied the basic of medicine under doctors and maintained his own cupping and leeching practice. In 1849, he began to study more seriously to prepare to apply to medical school. In 1851, he found… he failed to… he failed to be accepted to several institutions before being accepted to Harvard University, after presenting letters of support from 17 physicians. The month after his arrival, however, a group of white students made written complaints to the faculty, that they thought that the admission of blacks to the medical lectures were highly detrimental to the institution and welfare of the institu… and welfare of the 09700106.doc 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 2/23/2012 institution. Within three weeks, Delany and his fellow black leaders… students had been dismissed despite dissenting opinions and medical… at the medical school. Delany worked for a brief period as a principal of his school… of a colored school before going into practice as a physician. In 1863, after Abraham Lincoln had called for a military draft, Delany began recruiting black men to the army. His efforts in Rhode Island, Connecticut, and later Ohio raised thousands of enlistees, many of whom joined the newly formed United States Colored People. He wrote to Secretary of War, Edwin M. Stanton, requesting that he make efforts to command all of the effective black men as Agents of the United States, but the request was ignored. In early 1865, Delany was granted an audience with Lincoln. He proposed a corps of black men led by black officers who could serve to win over southern blacks. Although a similar appeal by Frederick Douglass has already been rejected, Lincoln was impressed, and Delany described him as a most extraordinary and intelligent man. A few… a few years(sic-weeks) later, Delany was commissioned as a major, becoming the first black line officer in the United States Army. After the war, he remained with the army and served under the General Rufus Saxton in the 52nd U.S. Colonel… Colored Troops. He was later transferred to the Freedman's Bureau, serving on Hilton Head. He shocked his white officers with his strong call for the right of freed blacks to own land. Later, in 1865, was mustered out of the Freedman's Bureau and shortly afterwards, resigned from the army. Following the war, Delany continued to be 09700106.doc 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 2/23/2012 politically active. He worked to help black farmers improve their business and negotiate skills to get a better place for their products. Another day in Black History. Thank you."
"Thank you, Representative Jackson. Thank you very much. Representative Moffitt, point of personal privilege."
"Point of personal privilege, Mr. Speaker."
"Proceed, Representative."
"Thank you. After hearing the… the last speaker and then this month, hearing some excellent descriptions of the importance of Black History Month, I just want to… I want to thank the Black Caucus for that. And it brings to mind, I hear about people that I didn't know, their contributions and what they've done, and it… it's why Black History Month is important. The former President of the United States used to keep a quotation on his desk, it said, 'there's no limit to the good a person can do or where they can do it if they don't care who gets the credit'. And we're hearing about some important contributions that probably very few people ever got the credit for. So, I appreciate that, but above the… in addition to that, thank you Black Caucus for a nice party last night. Thank you. Appreciate it."
"And now, seeing no further business has come before the Illinois House of Representatives, Representative Lang moves that the House stand adjourned to the hour of 12 noon on Tuesday, February 28. All those in favor of adjournment signify by saying 'yes'; those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. 09700106.doc 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 2/23/2012 And allowing Perfunctory time for the Clerk, the House stands adjourned until the hour of 12 noon on Tuesday, February 28th. Have a great weekend, everybody. See you Tuesday."
"House Perfunctory Session will come to order. Introduction and First Reading of House Bills. House Bill 5929, offered by Representative Hernandez, a Bill for an Act concerning education. House Bill 5930, offered by Representative Cross, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 5931, offered by Representative Kay, a Bill for an Act concerning government. This was First Reading of House Bills. There being no further business, the House Perfunctory Session will stand adjourned." 09700106.doc 16