Speaker Lyons: "Good afternoon, Illinois. Your House of Representatives will come to order. Members are asked to please be at your desks. We shall be led in prayer today by Reverend James W. Coleman who is with the United Church of Rogers Park in Chicago, Illinois. Reverend Coleman is the guest of Representative Kelly Cassidy. Members and guests are asked to please refrain from starting their lap… laptops, turn off all cell phones and pagers and rise for the invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance. Reverend Coleman."
"Let us join our hearts. Gracious God in Heaven, we do thank You for this day and who You are and all that You've done for all of Your creation. We thank You for this special day, oh God, that You have carved out of eternity, this February the 29th of 2012, in this Leap Year, oh God. Father, we thank You for just being so good to all of Your creation. Father, we remember those who are suffering today in southern Illinois who have lost loved ones because of the tornado. And we just ask that You be with them now, that You comfort them, oh God, and only do what You can do, but You can make Yourself real to them today. And Gracious God, I thank You for this 97th General Assembly of this State of Illinois. God, I thank You that You have called them to this purpose, that You have anointed them and appointed them for such a time as this. To make legislation and policy that governs Your people here in this great state. And I know that it's not by might, nor by power, but it is by my spirit sayith the Lord. And so, I invite You to come now and manifest 09700108.doc 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 108th Legislative Day 2/29/2012 Yourself to each and everyone of these individuals, that You would lead them and that You would guide them. That You would enlighten them with new understandings, and new ways to deal with the issues of this state, at this troubled time. And right now, oh God, I declare that they're victorious. I declare that they're more than conquerors. I declare that their resolve has been strengthened and they have the answers and the solutions to the problems that face this great state. And even now, I release Your blessing upon them the empowerment to prosper in Your mighty and matchless name, I pray. And if you agree with that and you can say, Amen. And Amen. Thank you."
"Representative Chad Hays, would you please lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance."
"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
Speaker Lyons: "Roll Call for Attendance. Leader Currie, Democrats."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members of the House. Representative Brandon Phelps is excused today, and if I may have your attention. He is excused because Harrisburg, his hometown, was one of the middle western cities that was struck by violent tornados just before dawn today. And it, according to the Chicago Tribune, at least 10 people who lived in Harrisburg were killed in that tornado, including Jaylynn Ferrell, who was the granddaughter of Brandon's 09700108.doc 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 108th Legislative Day 2/29/2012 district staffer, Ann. I hope that we may have a moment, Speaker, to… to think about these deaths. There may yet be more, and to think about Brandon and the people that he represents. Thank you."
"Please, a moment of silence, right here, right now, for the people of Harrisburg. May God watch over them and keep those who have lost their lives in the palm of His hand. Thank you, Leader. Representative Mike Bost, the Republicans."
"Thank you. We do… we do join in the prayers for them as well, but need to report that all Republicans are present today."
"Thank you. Mr. Clerk, take the Roll. There's 115 Members responding to the Roll Call. We have a quorum. We're prepared to do the work of the people of the State of Illinois. Representative Chad Hays, you have guests here you'd like to recognize."
"Yes, Sir. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If I could ask the young ladies to my right to stand, it is my privilege to introduce and welcome to our Capitol, the young ladies from Schlarman High School. The Schlarman High School Lady Hilltoppers placed second in the Illinois High School Association Class 1A Softball Tournament last year. The culmination of a stellar 38 and 3 season. Please welcome Coach Randy Skaggs and the Danville Schlarman Hilltoppers."
"Congratulations and welcome to your Capitol. Representative Osmond, for what purpose do you seek recognition?"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Point of personal privilege." 09700108.doc 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 108th Legislative Day 2/29/2012
"Please proceed, JoAnn."
"Members of the House, I wish to announce that my seatmate, Jil Tracy is 16 today. I wish you… I wish you could all wish her a happy 16th birthday. Thank you."
Speaker Lyons: "Happy birthday, Jil. Have a great year. Representative Costello, do you seek recognition? Representative does not seek recognition. Representative Connie Howard, for what purpose do you seek recognition?"
"Yes. Thank you, Speaker. I rise on a point of personal privilege. Unfortunately, yesterday, we missed a birthday. And this young man certainly needs to be recognized 'cause I think he's now 20, or something like that. Yesterday was LaShawn Ford's birthday. So, help me to congratulate him on getting to be that beautiful age."
Speaker Lyons: "Have a great year, LaShawn. Mr. Clerk, Committee Reports."
Clerk Hollman: "Committee Reports. Representative Barbara Flynn Currie, Chairperson from the Committee on Rules, reports the following committee action taken on February 28, 2012: approved for consideration, refer to the Order of Concurrence is House Bill 1262. Representative Barbara Flynn Currie, Chairperson from the Committee on Rules reports the following action taken on February 29, 2012: recommends be adopted, referred to the floor is Floor Amendment #1 to House Bill 3782, and Floor Amendment #1 to House Bill 4468. Representative Dugan, Chairperson from the Committee on Agriculture & Conservation reports the following committee action taken on February 28, 2012: do pass Short Debate is House Bill 4697, House Bill 5151, 09700108.doc 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 108th Legislative Day 2/29/2012 House Bill 5539, House Bill 5540, House Bill 5685, and recommends be adopted is House Resolution 734. Representative Monique Davis, Chairperson from the Committee on Insurance reports the following committee action taken on February 28, 2012: do pass Short Debate is House Bill 4096. Representative Beiser, Chairperson from the Committee on Transportation: Regulation, Roads & Bridges reports the following committee action taken on March 28, 2012: do pass Short Debate is House Bill 4022. Representative Phelps, Chairperson from the Committee on Public Utilities reports the following committee action taken on February 28, 2012: do pass Short Debate is House Bill 4559, and House Bill 5071. Representative Berrios, Chairperson from the Committee on Consumer Protection reports the following committee action taken on February 28, 2012: do pass Short Debate is House Bill 4689, House Bill 5047, House Bill 5211, and do pass as amended Short Debate is House Bill 4083, and House Bill 4521. Representative Zalewski, Chairperson from the Committee on Elections & Campaign Reform reports the following committee action taken on February 28, 2012: do pass as amended Short Debate House Bill 3953. Representative Flowers, Chairperson from the Committee on Health Care Availability and Accessibility reports the following committee action taken on February 28, 2012: do pass Standard Debate is House Bill 2065. Representative Riley, Chairperson from the Committee on Cities & Villages reports the following committee action taken on February 28, 2012: do pass Short Debate is House Bill 5078. Introduction of Resolutions. 09700108.doc 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 108th Legislative Day 2/29/2012 House Resolution 821, offered by Represen… Represent… Representative William Davis. House Resolution 824, offered by Representative David Harris. House Resolution 825, offered by Representative Franks. And House Resolution 826, offered by Representative Beiser. These are reported to the Rules Committee."
"Representative Karen May, point of personal privilege"
"Yes, for an announcement, Speaker. I'm inviting anyone to join us for our creative team meeting for the Conference of Women Legislators annual event. Many of you look forward to Capitol Capers. It is not a Capitol Capers year, but we're still going to have our fundraiser for our scholarship programs. So, for all of you who would like to be on the creative team, a meeting at my office, 255-South Stratton Office Building, at 5 p.m., 5 p.m. after committees. If you can't make this meeting but are interested in being on the creative team, let me know so that you get notice of next meetings. Thank you, Speaker."
"Thank you, Representative. All right, Ladies and Gentlemen, we're going to do some Third Readings, House Bill-Third Readings, and we're starting… skipping around a little bit. But, on page 6 of the Calendar, under House Bill-Third Readings, we have House Bill 3806, Representative John Cavaletto. Out of the record. Representative Dwight Kay, on the Order of Third Readings, you have House Bill 3887. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."
"House Bill 3887, a Bill for an Act concerning children. Third Reading of this House Bill." 09700108.doc 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 108th Legislative Day 2/29/2012
"Representative Kay."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This… Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Bill 3887 is a clean-up Bill, so to speak, with respect to our current law that has to do with Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act. As we know, we had an issue in Penn State where there was some abusive activities going on and it apparently went to the extent that school personnel at Penn State were advised and then did not follow through with the correct reporting to the police. This Bill, HB3887 mandates several things. First and foremost, it now is specific with respect of who school personnel are, and it applies to colleges and universities; number two, it also spells out that within the reporting Act of the Child Neglect Reporting Statute, personnel of a recreational ath… athletic department or program will also be included in the reporting process; and then finally, those that are involved in the early intervention process will also be subject to this Act. I ask for an 'aye' vote."
"You've heard Representative Kay's explanation on House Bill 3887. Is there any discussion? The Chair recognizes the Gentleman from Cook, Representative Lou Lang."
"Thank you. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"The Sponsor yields."
"Thank you. Representative, this looks like it's in response to the Jerry Sandusky type issue. Is that… would that be the case?"
"Yes. That's correct." 09700108.doc 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 108th Legislative Day 2/29/2012
"All right. I think we all support the need to do this, but I would ask, what training will there be for these athletic folks, or these other people in the field of higher education to be able to know and identify these signs, and what protocols will be in place for them to report what you want reported?"
"Well, quite frankly, Leader, I think the issue here as to… to what would be reported would be something along the common sense line of some type of advert behavior, which borders on sexual abuse, as we found at Penn State. There is no protocol in this Bill, but if you look back at the… the Child Abuse-Neglect Act and the reporting process, it pretty well stipulates in there what needs to be reported. And so, this would be an extension of that. Let me… let me make it clear with regard to 3887; the only thing we're doing is tightening the Bill or the legislation, that we have in place today, which by the way is very tight. It just makes sure that we don't have any loopholes which allows any passive reporting."
"And so, you're placing new mandated reporters within the existing Act so the protocols that are in place for elementary school teachers or whoever else is listed in that Act, would be in place for these folks as well."
"Well, that's correct. It does not take anything away from what a school or university is doing today. What it does though, in the case of an athletic department, a recreational facility, or even a… even a coach in a particular setting, would require them to report directly to DCHF." 09700108.doc 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 108th Legislative Day 2/29/2012
"And… and so, I think we all, or at least I certainly agree that this is timely and necessary. I would… and I'm going to vote for your Bill. I would just urge that as the Bill goes in the Senate, you take a real close look at what we're requiring here and make sure this isn't just a 'gotcha' to catch a bunch of people who aren't reporting something, but to make sure that we are getting the reports we need."
"Thank you, Leader."
"Thank you."
"Representative Dennis Reboletti."
"Thank you, Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Sponsor yields."
"Representative, what… if you're aware, that, or maybe staff will be able to help you, are there any required training for our mandated reporters right now? As far as the previous speaker was concerned, is there something in place?"
"Not… not in the law, Representative. As far as I know in speaking with the two universities that I talked to, they have particular protocols in place. But the only thing I can refer to is just those protocols that they have put together or implemented at their local levels."
"And when this Bill speaks to talking to law enforcement, does that mean that the reporting has to be to the university police? Can it be to the local law enforcement, that community, or the States Attorney's Office?" 09700108.doc 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 108th Legislative Day 2/29/2012
"No, it… I think my Bill tightens up the existing legislation that we have in place, but merely takes out the ambiguity as to what a school institution is. It adds in recreational program and then finally, the early childhood intervention providers. It does nothing to change what is already in the law today."
"And I appreciate that because for legislative intent, we want to make sure that those individuals will be charged with mandated reporting, understand that simply going up the chain of command, as was alleged to have occurred at Penn State, doesn't happen here; and that when somebody sees activity that needs to be reported, that they go to law enforcement, they go to the police department on campus, they go to the police department in local community, talk to the States Attorney's Office and make the complaint so that it can be timely investigated instead of working up the food chain thinking that you're talking to the next person in command, it never makes it into law enforcement's hand. So, I appreciate your legislation. I'll be supporting it as well."
"Thank you, Representative."
"Representative Kay to close. Representative Kay to close."
"I ask for do pass."
"You've heard the explanation and discussion on House Bill 3887. The question is, 'Should House Bill 3887 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? 09700108.doc 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 108th Legislative Day 2/29/2012 Bob Rita. Like to be recorded, Leader Rita? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this Bill, there's 116 Members voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no', 0 voting 'present'. This Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Al Riley, for what purpose do you seek recognition, Representative?"
"Point of personal privilege."
"Please proceed, Al."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m not exactly sure if they're still around, if they're in the galleries, but I'd like for us to give a… a good House of Representative welcome to the Associated Firefighters of Illinois who are here for their legislative conference, especially some of my colleagues from… some of my constituents, rather, from the Village of Matteson. So, why don't we give them a… a round of applause."
Speaker Lyons: "Thank you Associated Firefighters. You're always welcome in this chamber. Thanks for being here today. Representative Cavaletto, we have House Bill 3806 on page 6 of the Calendar. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."
"House Bill 3806, a Bill for an Act concerning minors. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"Representative John Cavaletto."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Bill 3806 amends the Juvenile Code Act of 1980… 87 to provide that the definition of 'chronic truant' has the same meaning described to it as in the school code. So what we're doing here is making the Illinois School Code and the Juvenile 09700108.doc 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 108th Legislative Day 2/29/2012 Code the same as far as the number of days a chronic truant is… is a chronic truant. So, that's what the Bill says."
"You've heard the Gentleman's explanation. Is there any discussion? The Chair recognizes Representative Jack Franks."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"The Sponsor yields."
"Representative, can you tell us who the opponents are and why they're opposed?"
"Pardon."
"Can you tell us who the opponents are and why they are opposed? Because our… our analysis doesn't show any proponents and the teachers' unions…"
"They…"
"…and the Illinois Association…"
"Excuse me."
"…of School Administrators are all neutral."
"The Regional Offices of Education, the Illinois Association of School Administrators support, the Illinois Collaboration of Youth and Juvenile Justice Initiative oppose."
"And why are they opposed?"
"Well, I talked to a judge in southern Illinois who was on the Juvenile Co… and he… they're for it. I don't know why they're opposed to it. Have no reason."
"Yeah, but… I'm…"
"There was no… there was no one that testified against it." 09700108.doc 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 108th Legislative Day 2/29/2012
"'Cause our… our analysis indicates there's no proponents. There's a couple of opponents and the rest are neutral, and I just… It doesn't seem like it's a ringing endorsement, but I just don't know why it's bad. I guess, I should ask you, why do we need this? Why is it good?"
"I think it solidifies the fact that the both, the juvenile system and the Illinois school boards are synonymous in this Bill. I think it makes it… makes it a stronger Bill."
"Now, let's… let's assume someone's deemed a 'chronic truant'. So, under your Bill, anyone who misses nine days of school, unexcused, would be deemed a chronic truant. What does that trigger when one is deemed a chronic truant?"
"Well, first of all, I would hope that the first day that the student is absent from school without a reason would be… would be dealt with, and the second day also. We would hope that it wouldn't get to nine days in the first place because after nine days, student would be a loss of… would miss a lot of work, a lot of school work, be behind and therefore, probably drops out. So, the limit of nine days would hope that we would work with that student instead of 18, which it was before. So, basically, what this Bill says, we're trying to catch a student who is truant early so we can help him finish school."
"But, once they are deemed a chronic truant, does that trigger something? Is there an affirmative obligation by the parents or by the school once that child is deemed a chronic truant?" 09700108.doc 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 108th Legislative Day 2/29/2012
"I… I would think that then, probably, the courts could deal with that situation after nine days if… the juvenile court. The parents may have to come in to that position and… and go in with the child. So, we try to rectify the fact and maybe the judge would have pressure to apply to that student and parents to see that he goes to school."
"Is there a definition of 'unexcused absence'?"
"Well, a lot of schools have a lot of reasons for unexcused absence and I can't go into that. There's a lot of different reasons, a lot of different schools. I know that deer hunting, for instance, down in southern Illinois at one particular time, a lot of students who were absent from school and it was unexcused. And then the schools in southern Illinois chose to set that school as a school holiday and make it up towards the end of the year due to the fact that so much… so many kids being absent from school. That was an unexcused absence. But, we'll say up north in the northern part of the state, probably that wouldn't be one."
"And that's… I'm a little concerned about that, because if you're nine times unexcused, I'm… I'm concerned that some schools, for instance, don't count that as an excused absence for a religious reason. You know, if a child has to go, you know, for some… something religious but the school doesn't recognize their religion or doesn't understand their religion."
"Well, I think from where we come from, we do recognize as being excuse if it is a religious encounter. 09700108.doc 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 108th Legislative Day 2/29/2012 They're… they're not what… I know that the school that I came from, we did not count them unexcused. They were excused if they was… had to do with their religion."
"Okay. I just… I just don't want kids being penalized unnecessarily, but by the same token, we don't want chronic truant. So…"
"I agree."
"…hopefully, this…"
"Can I…"
"…Bill will take care of that."
"I agree with you, Representative. I… I think there are reasons that kids… kids are… need to miss school before a religious reason and we have excused them for that in the past. So, I think that's up to each school district and each board to accept that."
"Okay. Thank you."
"Thank you."
"Leader Barbara Flynn Currie, on a point of order. Barbara, point of order."
"Thank you, Speaker, Members of the House. Please let the record reflect that Representative Bradley is also excused because of the same problems that are facing Harrisburg."
"Thank you, Leader. I did not institute the timer on this, but if we could keep our comments at least to a couple of minutes. I won't start it in the middle of a Bill, but I'd appreciate your help on this. Representative Reboletti." 09700108.doc 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 108th Legislative Day 2/29/2012
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And to the Bill. I know the previous speaker had some questions regarding why this Bill is necessary, and last year when we changed the amount of days for chronic truancy from 10 percent to 5 percent, the corresponding change was not made from the School Code and to the Juvenile Code and therefore, if somebody was deemed a chronic truant in school, if they were brought in front of a juvenile officer… a juvenile court judge, since the two codes weren't together, really there could be no finding if the person was truant or not. And, therefore, there was no rulings that would be consistent, so therefore, most of these things weren't upheld. So, therefore, this seeks consistency. I know Representative Rose, who's talking to me right now, supports the Bill as well. But, the fact of the matter is, you can't send kids to the juvenile court without some type of consistent code in our statutes, and there can't be no punishment needed out if these aren't consistent. It's all this does is to seek a clarification, and I would urge the Body's support. Thank you."
"Representative Monique Davis." Davis, M.: "Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Sponsor yields." Davis, M.: "You know, Representative, you probably told us why you think this is necessary and perhaps I missed it. Would you repeat it?"
"I think that the reduction from 18 days of truant to 9 days was for the purpose of catching a student quicker and trying to help that person out in school before they 09700108.doc 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 108th Legislative Day 2/29/2012 miss many more days. We felt that 18 days of missing school out of 176 days of attendance was definitely too much. A child was missing too much work, and therefore, being discouraged so that he can't do the work, and finally end up dropping out of school. So, we thought…" Davis, M.: "Have you talked to… have you talked to the Juvenile Justice Initiative, and do you know why they are opposed to your Bill?"
"I do know that Judge Timberlake from Mt. Vernon, Illinois, who's on that committee. I've talked to him, and he's very much in favor of this change, to solidify it with the Illinois School Code." Davis, M.: "Do you know why the Illinois Collaboration on Youth is opposed to your Bill?"
"No, I don't know. They didn’t say anything to me about it." Davis, M.: "So, what's supposed to happen when a child is declared a chronic truant? What happens to that student?"
"I think… I think at that particular time, if… if we go with the nine days in the juvenile system, parents could come to the court, could be coming to the court with their child to find out why…" Davis, M.: "They'll…"
"…the child is truant." Davis, M.: "They'll have to go to court?"
"They could, yes." Davis, M.: "Well, maybe a parent is making an hourly wage and, you know, for them to have to lose a days pay and an hourly wage, that means a great deal to a lot of families." 09700108.doc 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 108th Legislative Day 2/29/2012
"I understand that, but I think school's more important. I think school should be finished. I think school goes above everything else." Davis, M.: "Well, I believe school is extremely important, but I don't think punitive measures equal an opportunity to become an educated person. You know, if you go to the courts, sometimes the courts are clogged and many times, parents, as I stated, cannot take off from work and attend court. They cannot afford an attorney. And my fear is there will be abusive action against a student, who perhaps was shot, or perhaps he had some horrible disease and he was in… unable to come to school. Now, there's a reason that this has stayed at 10 percent for a number of years. There's a reason that it's 10 percent."
"I… I understand what you're saying. And there could be excuses and reasons for a lot of things, but I still think 9 days of… of chronic truancy is a lot for a student. And I think if you had to go before a judge and you had to tell the reasons why that the child was absent from school, and if those things could be proven, then I think the judge would take those things into consideration." Davis, M.: "So, what…"
"But I do… we need a starting point though. We…" Davis, M.: "What happens, Representative… what happens when the court is clogged and your case is continually continued? You go to court, the parent's taken off from work and they say, oh, the judge doesn't have time to hear that case today. You come back next two weeks, the next month." 09700108.doc 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 108th Legislative Day 2/29/2012
"Again…" Davis, M.: "They come back again and the court cases are clogged up. To the Bill, Mr. Speaker. With great respect for the Sponsor, and I do believe his honest intentions are to help children and help them not to become juvenile delinquents. But in all respect to the parents of children who may be ill, in all respect of parents who make an hourly wage and cannot afford to take off and go to court, I leave it up to the school district. I leave it to the school district to find out why that child is absent so frequently. I leave it up to that school district, that local district, to work with that parent and that child rather than putting people in a court system who may not be there as of yet. With all due respect, I urge a 'no' vote as Jack Franks also does. Thank you."
"Representative Jerry Mitchell." Mitchell, J.: "Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Ladies and Gentlemen of the House, this Bill simply changes the definition so that it reads the same in Juvenile Justice as it does in the school code. The change to five percent happened last year with a vote of 108 of us. What the Representative is trying to do with this Bill is simply to start the process in… in the situation where there's a chronic… a chronic truant to get them the help earlier to find out what the reason is. Going to court is the last result. This is not the first thing out of the box. But between the school and the Juvenile Justice System working together, they can maybe find out what the situation is, rectify it, get the child back in school so he doesn't have an interrupted 09700108.doc 19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 108th Legislative Day 2/29/2012 school experience. Illnesses are excused. If there's some kind of chronic illness, that will be found out. That has really nothing to do with a chronic illness, chronic… or chronic truancy. Chronic truancy is gone for no reason. The parents can't explain it. The school doesn't know. And so we need to start that process sooner. That's why we changed it from 10 percent to 5 percent. This is a good Bill. It makes it easier for judges, for courts, to understand that their definition is the same as what we now have in the school code. So, we're not trying to penalize students. We're trying to get them help earlier in their school career so that they don't become a dropout. That's the reason for the Bill and I certainly support the Gentleman in his legislation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker."
"Representative Cavaletto to close."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I ask for an 'aye' vote."
"The question is, 'Should House Bill 3806 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? Will Davis, Ester Golar, Karen May, would you like to be recorded? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this Bill, there's 88… 87 Members voting 'yes', 27 Members voting 'no', 1 Member voting 'present'. This Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Dugan, for what purpose do you seek recognition?"
"Point of personal privilege."
"Please proceed." 09700108.doc 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 108th Legislative Day 2/29/2012
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members of the House, I, too, would like to rise and… and talk about or… or at least welcome our firefighters from all over the state. And a special welcome to firefighters from my district, from Kankakee, Bradley and Manteno. Welcome to the Capitol and thanks for what you do."
"Welcome to your Capitol, firefighters. An honor to have you here. Mr. Clerk, committee schedule update."
Clerk Hollman: "The following committee is canceled this afternoon: The Small Business Empowerment & Workforce Committee has been canceled. Meeting at 1:30 p.m. is the Business Occupational Licenses Committee in Room 115; the Labor Committee in C-1; the State Government Administration Committee in D-1. Meeting at 4:00 p.m. is the Appropriations-Public Safety Committee in Room 114; Environment & Energy Committee in C-1; the Higher Education Committee in 413; the Disabilities Services Committee in 115; and then you've got 4:30 p.m., is the International Trade & Commerce Committee meeting in D-1. Tomorrow morning, the following committees are meeting: The Approp… at 8:00 a.m. is the Appropriation-Higher Education Committee in C-1; Appropriation-Human Services Committee in D-1; and Judiciary II in Room 413. Meeting at 9:30 a.m. is the Revenue & Finance Committee in Room 114. Meeting at 10:00 a.m. is Counties & Townships in Room 115. Meeting at 11:00 a.m. is the Aging Committee in Room 114; the Personnel & Pensions Committee in Room 115; and Adoption Reform Committee in Room 413. Meeting at 12:00 noon is 09700108.doc 21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 108th Legislative Day 2/29/2012 Environmental Health Committee in D-1; the Biotechnology Committee in C-1; and the Veterans Affairs Committee in Room 114. The Housing Committee tomorrow at 12:00 noon has been canceled."
"Representative Golar on Black History Month, I assume, Representative."
"Not just yet, Mr. Speaker. I want the record to reflect on House Bill 3806, I was voted as a 'no', and I would like to… record to reflect that I am a 'yes' on that Bill."
"The Journal will reflect your wishes."
"Thank you."
"Mr. Clerk, on a committee room change."
Clerk Hollman: "This afternoon at 1:30 p.m., the State Government Administration Meeting… the Administration Committee will… meet in Room 114, not D-1. It's meeting in Room 114."
"Representative Morrison, for what purpose do you seek recognition?"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Point of personal privilege."
"Please proceed."
"Downstairs there is… there are skin screenings going on. The Illinois Dermatological Association is doing free basic screening. So, please, if you have not stopped by their booth, do so. They'll be there until 3:00 p.m. today."
Speaker Lyons: "Thank you, Representative. Representative Lilly, for what purpose do you seek recognition?" 09700108.doc 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 108th Legislative Day 2/29/2012
"Personal privilege, please."
"Please proceed, Camille."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to rise to recognize the firefighters that I… represent the district of 78, Franklin Park, Oak Park, Chicago. I, too, want to thank you for your commitment to our citizens and your courage to save lives. Please continue to do your work. God bless you."
Speaker Lyons: "Thank you, firefighters. Be safe always. Representative Golar, I assume this time it's in tribute to Black History Month?"
"Yes."
"Thank you, Ester. Please proceed."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Members of the General Assembly. We would like to close out today with the Negro National Anthem. And I'm hoping that everyone has a copy. And if you don't have it, then I'll sing the song by myself. Is everybody ready, the ones that would like to sing? All right. Let's go." Golar – et al: "(Sings the words to the Negro National Anthem)."
"Thank you, Ester, on a beautiful rendition, and a close to Black History Month here in the Capitol. Representative Bill Mitchell, point of personal privilege?" Mitchell, B.: "Yes. Thank… Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Point of personal privilege. That's a hard act to follow over there. I… I think in the… in the gallery, I believe over my left shoulder, there are a group of firefighters from Decatur, Illinois. Let's give them all a big welcome." 09700108.doc 23 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 108th Legislative Day 2/29/2012
"Decatur firefighters, welcome to your Capitol. Be safe. Representative Emily McAsey. For what purpose do you seek recognition, Emily?"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also rise on a point of personal privilege. In the gallery, to my left, is the Mayor of Crest Hill in the 85th District. Mayor Ray Soliman. He's here with the city manager and some other Alderwomen from Crest Hill, as well, Tina Oberlin. Two Alderman, Tom Inman and Charlie Convery. So, we welcome them to Springfield."
"Mr. Mayor and council members, welcome to your Capitol. Mr. Clerk, Agreed Resolutions."
Clerk Hollman: "Agreed Resolutions. House Resolution 822, offered by Representative Ford. House Resolution 823, offered by Representative Ford. And House Resolution 827, offered by Speaker Madigan."
Speaker Lyons: "Leader Barbara Flynn Currie 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. Leader Renée Kosel, for what purpose do you seek recognition?"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to welcome a group from Annunciation Schoo… Annunci School in Aurora. They happen to be here with my cousin, Christ Eversole. They're up in the balcony today, so please welcome them to the General Assembly."
"Students, welcome to your Capitol. We're proud to have you here. And now, seeing no further business come 09700108.doc 24 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 108th Legislative Day 2/29/2012 before the Illinois House of Representatives, Leader Barbara Flynn Currie moves that the House adjourn until the hour of 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 1st. All those in favor of adjournment, signify by saying 'yes'; those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. Allowing perfunctory time for the Clerk, we stand adjourned until the hour of 1:00 p.m. tomorrow, Thursday, March 1st. Happy Leap Year today, Illinois. Enjoy your evening, Members."
"House Perfunctory Session will come to order. Introduction of First Reading of House Bills. House Bill 6132, offered by Speaker Madigan, a Bill for an Act concerning appropriations. First Reading of this House Bill. There being no further business, the House Perfunctory Session will stand adjourned." 09700108.doc 25