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 in day… today in prayer by retired Bishop Stanley Schlarman, who is the… with the direc… with the Diocese of Belleville in Belleville, Illinois. Bishop Schlarman is the guest of Representative Cavaletto. Members and guests are asked to please refrain from starting their laptops, turn off all cell phones, electronic equipment, and rise for the invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance. His excellency, Bishop Schlarman."
"Good morning, Ladies and Gentlemen. It’s a pleasure to be with you. If I might, I will use a few verses from the Prophet Isaiah. We’ll take a few moments of quiet, the length of maybe the Lord’s Prayer and then a few verses from a beautiful Psalm to direct your day. A strong city have we He sets up walls and ramparts to protect us. Open up the gates to let in a nation that is just, one that keeps faith. A nation of firm purpose You keep in peace; in peace, for its trust in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord is an eternal rock. The way of the just is smooth, the path of the just You make level. Yes, for Your way and Your judgments, oh Lord, we look to You. Your name and Your title are the desire of our souls. My soul yearns for You in the night; yes, my spirit within me keeps vigil for You. When Your judgment dawns upon the earth, the world’s inhabitants learn justice. Oh, Lord, You mete out peace to us, for you it is you who have accomplished all we have done. And from Psalm 67, Oh God, be gracious and bless us 09700116.doc 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012 and let Your face shed its light upon us, so will Your ways be known upon earth, and all nations learn Your saving help. Let the nations be glad and exalt for You ruled the world with justice. With fairness You rule the peoples, You guide the nations on earth. The earth has yielded its fruit, for God, our God has blessed us. May God still give us His blessing, to the ends of the earth revere Him. Be gracious and bless us then Lord and let Your face shed its light on us so that we can make You known with reverence and bring forth a harvest of justice, Amen."
"Representative Evans, would you please lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance." Evans – et al: "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."
"Roll Call for Attendance. Leader Currie, status of the Democrats."
"Thank you, Speaker. Please let the record show that Representatives Acevedo, Greg Harris, Jones, Mayfield, and Yarbrough are excused today."
"Thank you, Leader. Leader Michael Con… Bost, how are the Republicans doing today?"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On the Republican side of the aisle, we’d like to excuse Representative Nybo, Reis, and McAuliffe."
"Thank you, Leader. Mr. Clerk, take the record. There’s 107 Members responding to the Roll Call, we have a 09700116.doc 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012 quorum present. We’re prepared to do the work of the people of the State of Illinois. Mr. Clerk."
"Committee Reports. Representative McGuire, lead Chairperson on the Committee on Cities & Villages reports the following committee action taken on March 22, 2012: recommends be adopted is Floor Amendment #1 to House Bill 4937. Representative Dugan, Chairperson from the Committee on Agriculture & Conservation reports the following committee action taken on March 22, 2012: recommends be adopted is Floor Amendment #2 to House Bill 404. Representative Rita, Chairperson from the Committee on Business & Occupational Licenses reports the following committee action taken on March 22, 2012: recommends be adopted is Floor Amendment #1 to House Bill 5288. Representative Jakobsson, Chairperson from the Committee on Higher Education reports the following committee action taken on March 22, 2012: recommends be adopted is Floor Amendment #2 to House Bill 4116. Representative Nekritz, Chairperson from the Committee on Judiciary I - Civil Law reports the following committee action taken on March 23, 2012: recommends be adopted is Floor Amendment #1 to House Bill 5221, Floor Amendment #1 to House Bill 5544. Representative Dan Burke, Chairperson from the Committee on the Executive reports the following committee action on March 23, 2012: recommends be adopted is Floor Amendment #2 to House Bill 3895. Introduction of Resolutions. House Resolution 881 by Representative Biss and House Resolution 882 by Representative Brady. These are referred to the Rules Committee." 09700116.doc 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012
"Representative Bost."
"Mr. Speaker, I think I inadvertently said Representative Poe’s name. As you can tell, Representative Poe is standing beside me, so he's not excused today. He’s actually here doing the work of the people."
"Are you sure, Leader Bost? Is that Raymond?"
"I… I… Yeah. Yeah, I think that’s him. Yeah."
"Okay. Yes, it is. Yes, it is. Well, I’m glad Representative Poe is here…"
"All right. Thank you."
"…he’ll be put on the… he'll be added to the Roll. Thank you. Mr. Clerk, Agreed Resolutions. Don’t get excited. Mr. Clerk, Agreed Resolutions."
Clerk Hollman: "Agreed Resolutions. House Resolution 883, offered by Representative Rose. House Resolution 884, offered by Representative Will Davis. House Resolution 885, offered by Representative D’Amico. And House Joint Resolution 76, offered by Representative Brady."
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. In case we all know, just to remind the Body, that we are doing your priorities and the list that either Scott or Tim has. So, we’re doing… running off lists that you’ve given to your Leadership and that’s the way we’re going back and forth on the Calendar, Republican, Democrat as we… as we get them. I call them as we get them. So, the first order of business, 09700116.doc 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012 Representative Frank Mautino… not on the floor. Representative Louie Arroyo. Not on the floor. Representative Dan Biss. Representative Biss, on page 12 of the Calendar, under House Bills-Second Readings, you have House Bill 5… 531. 5531. I’m sorry, 5198, Dan, 5198. Out of the record. Representative Kelly Cassidy, House Bill 4456 on the Order of Third Readings. Kelly, you want to call House Bill 4456? Out of the record. Representative Bill Cunningham, on the Order of Second Readings, Bill, you have House Bill 5921. Out of the record. Leader Barbara Flynn Currie, on the Order of Third Readings, on page 17 of the Calendar, you have House Bill 4601. Out of the record. Representative Patti Bellock, on the Third Reading Calendar, you have, on page 17, House Bill 4548. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."
"House Bill 4548, a Bill for an Act concerning public health. Third Reading of this House Bill."
Speaker Lyons: "Lady from DuPage, Representative Patti Bellock."
"Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. And House Bill 4548 I’m proud to present it. It’s regarding the Alzheimer’s Disease Assistance Act, and all this Bill does is to update the plan that we’ve had in place since 1987. And it updates the different definitions of Alzheimer’s disease and the related disorders. And then, as I said yesterday, in the Amendment it allows for us to host two hearings during the year about… just to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s. And I want to thank everybody that’s signed on to this Bill already. Representative Pihos and I started last year, the 09700116.doc 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012 Alzheimer’s Alliance and we’re hoping that we’ll have more support next week. Well, I’ll finish the Bill. Bbut anyways, I’ll be glad to take any questions."
"You’ve heard the Lady’s explanation. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor for the passage of House Bill 4548 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 Ford, Gaffney, Saviano, would you like to be recorded? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this Bill, there’s 106 Members voting ‘yes’, 0 voting ‘no’, 1 Member voting ‘present’. This Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Mike Connelly, under the Order of Third Readings, on page 18 of the Calendar, Mike, you have House Bill 4926. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."
"House Bill 4926 a Bill for an Act concerning corrections. Third Reading of this House Bill."
Speaker Lyons: "The Gentleman from DuPage, Representative Connelly."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Bill 4926 is an initiative of the Mental Health Association. Last year the General Assembly unanimously approved the creation of Veteran’s courts for our veterans coming back home from theater. This Bill amends the Drug Court Treatment Act, the Veterans Court Act as well as the Mental Health Developmental Disabilities Confidentiality Act. It creates essentially greater possibilities for veterans to receive assistance from the courts while also making it easier for 09700116.doc 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012 court professionals to share sensitive mental health information. There is no opposition to this Bill. I ask for a ‘yes’ vote."
"You've heard the Gentleman’s explanation. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor for the passage of House Bill 4926 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, Ken Dunkin, like to be recorded? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this Bill, there’s 105 Members voting ‘yes’, 0 voting ‘no’, 1 Member voting ‘present’. This Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is here declared passed. Representative du Buclet, you have, on page 20 of the Calendar, House Bill 5587. Out of the record. Representative Jack Franks, on the Order of Third Readings, you have House Bill 5044. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."
"House Bill 5044, a Bill for an Act concerning local government. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"The Gentleman from McHenry, Representative Jack Franks."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This Bill was brought to me by our Comptroller Topinka, and what it shall do is amend the Governmental Account Act and it will require more disclosure. The Civic Federation has… is in support of this Bill. And I’d be happy to answer any questions."
"You’ve heard the Gentleman’s explanation. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is ‘Should House Bill 5044 pass?’ All those in favor signify by voting 09700116.doc 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012 ‘yes’; those opposed vote ‘no’. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Joe Sosnowski, would you like to be recorded? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this Bill, there’s 107 Members voting ‘yes’, 0 voting ‘no’. This Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Jack, don’t sit down. Representative Franks, you also have, on the Order of Third Reading, Jack, House Bill 3934. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."
"House Bill 3934, a Bill for an Act concerning revenue. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"Representative Jack Franks."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is a Bill that I want to thank our committee for that… that’s helped a lot. Initially, we were hoping for a little bit more disclosure with the EDGE credit as well as having a committee to look at these credits. But instead, we decided to require the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to actually post on the website all the EDGE credit grants that they’re giving. I’d be happy to answer any questions."
"You’ve heard the Gentleman’s explanation. Is there any discussion? The Chair recognizes Leader Jim Durkin."
"Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Sponsor yields."
"Representative, are these agreements subject to FOIA?"
"I’m not sure."
"I…"
"But they…" 09700116.doc 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012
"…the only reason I’m asking is do we really need this if they are subject to…"
"Yeah. They…"
"…if you can submit a FOIA to DCEO and you can obtain that information."
"But I just think it’s easier for transparency for everyone to see… to see the time that we’re doing to. I hate having to jump through hoops on FOIAs. So, let’s assume for the sake of argument they are FOIAable, and I’m not sure that they are, but if… even if they are, I think everyone should be able to see these without having to do the extra work and DCEO is willing to put these on the website now, assuming that we pass the… this legislation."
"All right. If you… could someone over there… I mean, I’d like to know if these are subject to FOIA 'cause I think it would help in my decision-making 'cause this is a deliberative process as you know, Representative Franks. So, if you could just have somebody check into it. So, I appreciate your response and I’ll support your Bill."
"Thank you."
"All right."
"Representative Cunningham."
"Representative, I noticed looking at our analysis that DCEO is listed as a proponent and the Governor’s Office is listed as an opponent. Is that maybe an error in the analysis or do you know their positions?"
"It reminds… reminds me of that scene in Stripes, you remember when they were in Italy and… and they had… had to make the guys bed because they were in Italy, but if…" 09700116.doc 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012
"Top bunk."
"…right, top bunk, but if they would have been in the United States he would have had to make his bunk. I think that may be happening here."
"Okay."
"But I do believe the Governor’s Office is supportive."
"Okay. Thank you."
"Representative Franks to close. Jack, a final word?"
"Okay. Thank you. This Bill is for transparency and what this will… the reason we filed this Bill, the genesis of the Bill, was because there were so many agreements that we didn’t hear about until after the fact and there’s real question on the EDGE credit tax credits. So, this will bring a modicum of transparency that is desperately needed to this program. And I encourage everyone to vote ‘aye’."
"The question is, ‘Should House Bill 3934 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? Dunkin, Gaffney. Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this Bill, there’s 106 Members voting ‘yes’, 0 voting ‘no’. This Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Robyn Gabel, you have, on the Order of Third Readings, House Bill 5452. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."
"House Bill 5452, a Bill for an Act concerning State Government. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"Representative Gabel." 09700116.doc 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Bill 5452 is just… has some technical Amendments that were initiated by the Illinois Finance Authority. I appreciate an ‘aye’ vote. Thank you."
"You’ve heard the Lady’s explanation on House Bill 5452. Is there any discussion? Seeing… Representative Don Moffitt."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Sponsor yields."
"Representative, would you just very briefly tell us what some of those technical changes are and what areas they address?"
"The department has to file a… was required to file a report and they just wanted to change that they may file a report. They… they have not too many staff and it’s just been a burden on them. They were dinged a couple of times from audits and it’s just some… So, that’s the main change."
"So, that they don’t have to file some reports that they have in the past is that the…"
"They have never filed them."
"Pardon? Would you repeat that?"
"I don’t believe they’ve ever filed the reports to begin with, so…"
"And part of the concern, I believe this came up in committee, was the… the workload that they see that they already have and the limited staff… limited to address some of these issues. Is that right?"
"Correct." 09700116.doc 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012
"So that this is helping them be able to spread their thin staff to… to respond accordingly. So, it's a concern staffing level to address these issues?"
"That’s my understanding."
"Thank you."
"Leader Renée Kosel."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Sponsor yields."
"I understand this staffing problems, but this Bill… the report was originally sponsored even though they haven’t complied with the law for transparency. So, I can understand where they might not want to publish it, but it should at least be available on the Internet. I have some concerns about passing a Bill just a few minutes ago to increase transparency and then another one that decreases transparency. Do you have any comment on that, please?"
"Okay. The… it’s around the IFA’s Venture Investment Fund and actually the fund has been inactive. So the requirement was that they were supposed to keep a list of firms available to purchase and since the fund has been inactive it seemed unnecessary…"
"So this…"
"…to keep the list."
"…this is only for one fund?"
"Yes."
"Is that correct?"
"Yes."
"It is not for… well, you didn’t state that before but thank you." 09700116.doc 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012
"Sorry."
"That clarifies a lot. Thank you."
"Sorry. Thank you."
"Representative Sandy Pihos."
"Yes. Will the speaker yield, or the…"
"Sponsor yields."
"Thank you. I have one question. Are we getting rid of the fund since we’re getting rid of the reporting?"
"No. Not at this time."
"Okay. Then was this a finding in the Legislative Audit Commission report that the fund wasn’t there?"
"Yes."
"Okay. Then… then I would strongly recommend that the Body vote against this Bill because what I’m finding in the committees that I serve is our various agencies are trying to diminish the number of findings by diminishing the number of reports they have to supply to the Auditor General… General and that’s just one less way or one less finding that they’ll have. So, if we’re not getting rid of the fund, then I think the report should remain. Thank you."
"Represen… Representative Gabel to close."
"Well, let me… let me state that the fund has been inactive and it doesn’t seem to make sense to require them to keep these list of firms if the fund is inactive. So, at this time we’re not getting rid of it; we may in the future. And I would appreciate an ‘aye’ vote."
"The question is, ‘Should House Bill 4… 5452 pass?’ All those in favor signify by voting ‘yes’; those 09700116.doc 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012 opposed vote ‘no’. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. Representative Gabel."
"Can I put the Bill on Postponed Consideration?"
"Mr. Clerk, on request of the Sponsor, put the Bill on Postponed Consideration. Representative Esther Golar, on the Order of Third Readings, on page 19 of the Calendar, you have House Bill 5450. Out of the record. Representative Jakobsson, on the Order of Third Readings, you have House Bill 5332. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."
"House Bill 5332, a Bill for an Act concerning associations. Third Reading of this House Bill."
Speaker Lyons: "Lady from Champaign, Representative Naomi Jakobsson."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. I have House Bill 5332 which creates the Homeowners' Electric Vehicle Act. The Bill is aimed at homeowners' associations, condo owners, being allowed to install electric… electrical vehicle charging systems."
"You’ve heard the Lady’s explanation. Is there any discussion? Chair recognizes Representative Reboletti."
"Thank you, Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Sponsor yields."
"Representative, why are we requiring homeowner associations to do this? My understanding is there’s not a whole lot of electric cars to be plugged in anywhere and that the demand for them is very minimal and that’s at best." 09700116.doc 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012
"Well, this would allow more people to acquire electric cars and have a way to charge them."
"Do we have a lot of electric cars in the State of Illinois right now?"
"I think we’re looking to the future because this is a way that many people would like to go."
"Well, I would also like to look to the future for maybe some more drilling or maybe the Keystone Pipeline. I don’t know if this is going to be the solution in the short term. Isn’t this going to add additional cost to the people in the condos, in the town homes, that have to now put in this special facility?"
"Well, I believe that the owners of the cars work with the associations and have agreements so that the owners will be able to pick up… my understanding is, they don’t want the condos to take care of it all for them, but they want to be able to have a place to plug in and charge and work out with their utility providers how the billing will be handled."
"Well, I would assume that anybody could use this; it’s just like a common area of a condo. So, I would assume like a… like parking spaces or hallways anybody who lived at that association could plug in. You’re saying that… does this Bill say that only the people who would be using the electric area would be the ones paying for it?"
"My understanding, and I would stand to be corrected, my understanding that these aren’t necessarily public but they are for the people who live in the condos, part of the associations." 09700116.doc 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012
"Who brought this Bill to your attention? Was it some condo association who wanted to build something like this but they couldn’t and so they needed our assistance?"
"Well, it was an individual who brought it to my attention after he had seen the Bill that this is actually patterned after that we did last year for solar panels."
"Well, Representative, I’m not sure how many electric cars we have or what the need is for it right now, so I cannot support this legislation at this time. Thank you."
"Representative Cassidy."
"Thank you. I have a question of the Sponsor."
"Lady awaits your question, Representative."
"I… perhaps I… you’ve already answered it, but I’m having trouble hearing. Does this Bill address who handles the costs of the installation and the ongoing electric costs?"
"The homeowners' association would adopt an electric vehicle charging system policy. So, they will adopt their policies."
"So, the association could set a policy that the owner of the vehicle… the unit owner who’s purchasing an electric vehicle, would be responsible for all the costs associated with it?"
"I believe so. I mean, that’s why they’re going to adopt policies."
"Okay. And so I would assume, based on that answer, there’s also… if an association, if a condo building had no parking at all they could have a policy that they would not 09700116.doc 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012 provide space for an electric vehicle charging station as well. That could be their policy?"
"That could be."
"But it doesn’t specifically address buildings that don’t have parking currently or don’t have facilities available?"
"I didn’t hear your last question even though you’re standing right in front of me."
"I know. It’s ironic that I’m having trouble hearing you as well. But the so the… If a building does not currently have parking and a unit owner wants to purchase an electric vehicle, would the condominium association be required to somehow find a way to provide space for a charging station? In my district, there are a lot of converted buildings that have no parking facilities that are concerned about the possibility of having to find a way to comply with this. But you’re… if I understand you correctly, they could adopt a policy whereby there are no facilities available?"
"That’s right. It’s for the homeowners' associations and the person who wants the charging station, you know, for the associations to work out their policies."
"And so… I just want to be very clear. A building could simply say no, that their policy is no?"
"Yes."
"Thank you."
"Representative Don Moffitt."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Sponsor yields." 09700116.doc 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012
"Representative, first let me say I certainly endorse, support the concept of more electric cars. I think we should have combination of electric and flex fuel cars and do everything we can. I’ve introduced legislation in the past to give some tax incentives and I… I think we need to encourage both of those kind. On… on this, my concern is this and your response to the last question, I want to take that a little further. This would appear to be… it says they 'shall' install the charging stations. Are there any exceptions? I mean, is it an absolute requirement for a property… a homeowners' association? Ours, what I’m reading says that they 'shall', requires them to install the charging stations? Condominium unit owners' association. Is there any flexibility in that or is this just an absolute mandate? I’m not disagreeing with what you’re trying to do, I just… I'm concerned if it’s… we’re telling private property owners you shall, you know, you must do this."
"Well, they shall notify the electric utility if… if they have approved it. Let me… I have the Bill, if you… if you share with me where you’re seeing that."
"I was reading on the analysis. It says that what it requires a homeowners' association, property owners' association, or condominium unit association to adopt an electric vehicle charging policy. It’s going to require them to adopt it."
"But it’s a policy. They’re adopting the policy."
"Okay. So, the policy could say we’re not having a charging station?"
"If they… if that’s the policy they adopt." 09700116.doc 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012
"Yeah. My concern was that we’re putting a mandate on a private property owner."
"No."
"So, you’re apparently saying…"
"This is why they… the association would adopt the policy."
"Do you have any idea what it cost… what would be the cost to the property owners' association?"
"No, I don’t."
"Any estimate of cost?"
"I’m sorry?"
"Any estimate of what it cost to put in a charging station?"
"Oh, I thought I answered that. No, I don’t have an estimate."
"And what is the definition of a homeowners' association or property owners'?"
"Oh, okay."
"Would that be a formal written…"
"Excuse… I… I want to back up to an earlier question that you asked and I did say I've got the Bill with me, but I was trying to find it. Section 15 says that they’re prohibited from prohibiting. So that they would have to and so that’s why they need to adopt a policy."
"Representative Moffitt, your time has expired. I’ll give you another minute to finish your line of questioning."
"Did you just shut the power outlet off there, Mr. Speaker?" 09700116.doc 19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012
"I got the power turned on, Don. How long it’s going to last God only knows."
"Well, I appreciate the opportunity. I want to encourage electric cars. I guess if I was… owned property and had rentals or property owners' association, I would consider that an incentive to be able to rent units. The other… it would be an incentive in the part of a marketing tool. So, thank you for your indulgence, Representative. I agree with the intent. I’m just concerned what we’re burdening private property owners with."
"Representative Durkin."
"Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Sponsor yields."
"Representative, will this preempt any existing bylaws with these associations?"
"I’m sorry. Will it do what?"
"Will it preempt any existing bylaws with these associations."
"I don’t have the answer to that because I don’t know what their bylaws are."
"All right. I guess next question, and I’m still not quite sure, why does the Legislature have to enact this? Why can this not be done by the individual associations?"
"I didn’t hear your question."
"Why does the Legislature have to…"
"Hey, hold on a minute. Ladies and Gentlemen, can we bring the noise level down, please? There’s a debate going on, on a serious issues. Shhh…"
"Okay." 09700116.doc 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012
"Thank you very much."
"The question I have is why do you need the legislative process to accomplish this goal?"
"Sometimes this is the way we can get things done…"
"All right."
"…across the state."
"Well, I just looked in the back of me, there’s nine volumes of Illinois state statutes which are bloated beyond belief and I’m not prepared to add anymore language to an otherwise bloated sausage which is the Illinois Compiled Statutes. I’m voting 'no'."
"Representative Jim Sacia."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Sponsor yields."
"Representative, with all due respect for your effort here, this is a… I believe I’m quoting you directly when you said associations will adopt policies. Why don’t we let them adopt policies? Why do we… right now, electric cars are a beautiful theory. General Motors was going to prove that the theory worked, so they introduced the Volt. By now, they anticipated 60 thousand Volts sold. They’ve sold less than 1200; they’ve quit making them. They’ve decided that our society is not yet used to or has a need or a desire to have them. Representative, with all due respect, I would respectfully ask that you pull this out of the record. Representative Durkin just hit it right on the head. This is a solution in search of a problem. There is no problem. You just made a comment, well, this is how we get things done through the legislative process, but we 09700116.doc 21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012 don’t need to do it. I… I have great respect for you, Naomi, but please take this out of the record. This thing is going to take it from Mr. Franks and give you the 100 voter. It… it just is a bad, bad piece of legislation. And I’d like to see Mr. Franks hang on to it."
"Representative Sullivan."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Would the Sponsor yield?"
"Sponsor yields."
"Representative, I just have two questions. I live in a subdivision that’s got 160 homes. It’s not condos. It’s not apartments. We pay in… we have a volunteer association. We pay a nominal yearly fee of about 300 bucks, or I’m sorry, $30. This says all homeowners' associations, so that would affect my homeowners' association, is that correct?"
"Yes."
"Thank you. When we define charging stations, a previous Representative said the Volt where you just plug it into the wall is that… is that defined as a charging station?"
"Yes."
"Thank you. To the Bill. Ladies and Gentlemen, under this legislation if I bought a Chevy Volt and I lived in the homeowners' association I live in, potentially this homeowners' association could restrict what I do on my own property. It could reject my ability to plug in a Chevy Volt into my garage. If that is not the most overreaching, ridiculous piece of legislation I’ve ever seen, this is it. It deserves 100 'no' votes. Thank you."
"Representative Kosel." 09700116.doc 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012
"One simple question of the Sponsor. Is there anything in State Law now that would prohibit a homeowners' association or a condo association from passing this kind of policy if they so desired to do it?"
"It prohibits from prohibiting."
"What?"
"The Bill prohibits from prohibiting."
"Thank you."
"Representative Sandy Cole."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Sponsor yields."
"Thank you. Representative Jakobsson, could you define for me what reasonable restrictions are for homeowners' association? Could you give me an example of reasonable restrictions 'cause that’s mentioned many times in the Bill and I… I live in a homeowners' association and I’m wondering what reasonable restrictions would be."
"Well, I don’t live in a homeowners' association, so maybe you can tell me what your reasonable restrictions are."
"I’m just talking about how it applies to the Bill."
"I’m sure it would be something like where the units are placed and how many there are or how many are… what they look like."
"With a homeowners' association, a reasonable restriction could be I couldn’t plug it into my outside outlet of my personal property and that’s the concern that we have. Many of us that live in homeowners' associations see this as being… goes beyond condo associations where there’s common 09700116.doc 23 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012 property. It talks about personal property within homeowners' associations. This Bill also provides that if the condo association does not have a policy and they haven’t responded to a request, that then therefore within 30 days that request is deemed okay. So, if my condo association doesn’t respond, I can do whatever I want within 30 days?"
"It seems to me that there’s a lot of confusion on the other side and I would like to pull this out of the record and perhaps amend it and bring it back."
"Mr. Clerk, take this Bill out of the record. Mr. Clerk, what’s the status on House Bill 5531?"
"House Bill 5531, 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 Chapin Rose, on the Order of Third Readings, Chapin, on page 21 of the Calendar, you have House Bill 5913. Out of the record. Representative Pritchard, we still have your priority number here as House Bill 5221. Representative Pritchard."
"I have an Amendment that we just adopted in committee this morning. Can we deal with the Bill now?"
"We’ll look into that for you. I…"
"Thank you."
"We’ll probably have to wait, but I’ll… we’ll look. Representative Pritchard, I’ve been advised by the Clerk that we can, on your request, take that Bill back to the Order of Second Readings, adopt your Amendment, and then bring it back to Third, and wait 'til next week to 09700116.doc 24 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012 call the Bill. So, what's the status of House Bill 5221, Mr. Clerk?"
Clerk Hollman: "House Bill 5221 is on the Order of Consideration Postponed."
"Move that Bill back to the Order of Second Reading for the purpose of an Amendment. And the Chair recognizes Representative Pritchard on the Amendment."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This Amendment changes the language that we had some debate on in the House a week ago that looks at willful… it changes back from 'willfully' to 'knowingly' which was the original language in the current law. So I would ask for your support and adoption."
"The Gentleman moves for the adoption of Floor Amendment #1. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, all those in favor signify by saying ‘yes’; the opposed say ‘no’. In the opinion of the Chair, the ‘ayes’ have it. And the Amendment is adopted. Anything further, Mr. Clerk?"
"No further Amendments. No Motions are filed."
"Third Reading. Leader Renée Kosel, on the Order of Third Readings, you have House Bill 5893. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk. House Bill 5893, 5893."
"House Bill 5893, a Bill for an Act concerning State Government. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"Leader Renée Kosel."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This Bill provides that DCEO should encourage convention center boards to provide convention space at reduced or no cost to farmers' markets during inclement weather. This is an attempt to open up 09700116.doc 25 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012 food deserts and other places for locally grown produce and it was brought to us by the Illinois Farmer Market Association and the Farm Bureau. I would ask for your approval."
"You've heard the Lady’s explanation. Is there any discussion? Representative Jack Franks."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Sponsor yields."
"Representative, I’m not sure what this Bill does. It encourages convention center boards to provide reduced rent to hold market… farmers' markets in bad weather?"
"Indoors."
"Indoors, but…"
"Indoors, yes."
"You’re not mandating it, right?"
"No, I’m not mandating it. I’m just asking them to be able to provide, at reduced or no cost, interior space through the convention… the convention boards."
"Well, why do we need a law to encourage someone? Couldn’t we just do this by a Resolution? I just… I'm not sure we'd want to pass a law simply to encourage someone to do something when there’s no mandates or any penalties or incentives."
"This… this was, as I said, a suggestion of the Illinois Farm Marketing Association and the Farm Bureau and they believe that it was necessary to do it in this manner."
"I appreciate it 'cause we have a wonderful farmers market in Woodstock and we have them in other areas as well in my district and I think they’re wonderful. I’m just not 09700116.doc 26 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012 sure that passing a law encouraging someone to do something is really good public policy. I think… I think if we could rewrite this as a Resolution, I think we could all get behind it, but I’m concerned really for the policy aspect of it."
"I… I appreciate your concern, I just disagree with it. Thank you."
"Okay. Thank you."
"Seeing no further discussion, Representative Kosel moves for the passage of House Bill 5893. 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, Colvin, Dunkin. Representative Kosel, would you like to vote for your own Bill? Thank you, Renée. John Brady. Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this Bill, there’s 105 Members voting ‘yes’, 1 Member voting ‘no’. This Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Jim Durkin, you have, on the Order of Second Readings, on page 5 of the Calendar, House Bill 4116. Out of the record. Representative Costello, on the Order of Third Readings, on page 20 of the Calendar, Jerry, you have House Bill 5565. Out of the record. Representative Sara Feigenholtz, on the Order of Second Reading, Sara, on page 12 of the Calendar, you have House Bill 5501 on Second Reading. Read the Bill… read the Bill? Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."
"House Bill 5501, a Bill for an Act concerning civil law. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 09700116.doc 27 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012 was adopted in Committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions are filed."
"Third Reading. Leader Lang, on page 18 of the Calendar, under House Bills-Third Readings, Lou, you have House Bill 5016. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."
"House Bill 5016, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"The Gentleman from Cook, Leader Lou Lang."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen. This is a Bill that relates to debt buyers. The language is agreed. There is no opposition to the Bill. And I would appreciate your support."
"You've heard the Gentleman’s explanation. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor of the passage of House Bill 5016 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. Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this Bill, there’s 103 Members voting ‘yes’, 0 voting ‘no’, 3 Members voting ‘present’. This Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Leader Lang, on the Order of Second Reading, Lou, you also have House Bill 5288. Do you wish to move that Bill? Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."
"House Bill 5288, a Bill for an Act concerning liquor. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. Floor Amendment #1, offered by Representative Lang, has been approved for consideration."
"Leader Lang on Floor Amendment #1." 09700116.doc 28 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Amendment is clarifying language with makes… which takes away all opposition to the Bill. Move adoption."
"All those in favor of the adoption of Floor Amendment #1… Question by Representative Franks on the Amendment? The Gentleman does not seek recognition. So, all those in favor of the adoption of Floor Amendment #1 signify by saying ‘yes’; those opposed say ‘no’. In the opinion of the Chair, the ‘ayes’ have it. And Floor Amendment #1 is adopted. Anything further, Mr. Clerk?"
"No further Amendments. No Motions are filed."
"Third Reading. Leader Frank Mautino, on the Order of Third Readings, on page 18 of the Calendar, Frank, you have House Bill 4963. Out of the record. Representative Jim Durkin… Oh, he took that out of the record. Representative David Leitch. Representative Leitch, on the Order of Second Readings, on page 9 of the Calendar, David, you have House Bill 5134. Out of the record. David, how about House Bill 5844. Both of them out of the record. Representative Sid Mathias, on page 14 of the Calendar, under House Bills-Second Readings, you have House Bill 5761. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."
"House Bill 5761, a Bill for an Act concerning revenue. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in Committee. Floor Amendment #2, offered by Representative Currie, has been approved for consideration." 09700116.doc 29 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012
"Representative Mathias on Floor Amendment #2. Is that something you want to present or Representative Currie?"
"I would prefer if…"
"Okay."
"…Leader Currie presents her Amendment."
"Barbara Flynn. We’ll… we’ll come back to that Representative Mathias, since it appear the Majority Leader's is off the floor temporarily. We’ll… we’ll come back. Representative Chapin Rose, on House Bill 5914, on the Order of Third Readings. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."
"House Bill 5914, a Bill for an Act concerning higher education. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"Representative Chapin Rose."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This Bill oddly enough is very timely given the events at the University of Illinois in the last 24 hours, but this would prohibit the use of taxpayer or tuition payer dollars to be used to hire outside search firms. I’m not going to be Pollyanna and pretend that this is going to solve the entire state budget certainly, but in these tight times it is, I think, quite frankly, goes without saying that universities should not be hiring outside search firms with state tuition… state taxpayer dollars or student tuition dollars. I have a hard time back home justifying a university who has millions of dollars in payroll in the president's office and then turns around and hires a search firm for several hundred thousand dollars at the same time that they are laying off my constituents at the machine shed, carpenters, and laborers, 09700116.doc 30 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012 and you know, people who don’t make anywhere near the six- figure salaries of those in the administration. It sends an absolute wrong message to the broader community to say that the U of I or any university is going to be paying outside search firms at the same time the state has such financial troubles and tuition dollars continue to go up. So it’s a very simple Bill. I think it… in fact, it didn’t have any opposition. And I would hope that everyone could see… see that these outside search firms are a luxury we can ill afford that at the same time we’re laying off individuals in the State of Illinois. Thank you, Mr. Speaker."
"You’ve heard the Gentleman’s explanation. The Chair recognizes Representative Jack Franks."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Sponsor yields."
"Representative, this would prohibit the hiring of search committees, but it would not prohibit the expenditure of tax dollars to hire someone?"
"Wh… what do you mean? Now, I…"
"Let’s assume they don’t have a committee. Let's say that they’re not hiring a headhunter, that's… but instead they have an internal group…"
"Sure."
"…who… and then they…"
"Right."
"…but maybe this group, you know, travels around the country interviewing potential candidates." 09700116.doc 31 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012
"Let's… And that’s how it used to be done. You used to have like a faculty search committee for dean, for example."
"Right."
"And then they would select a new dean. And they would do it on their existing… I mean, we’re already paying them. So, they would be allowed to… or that’s what they would do, that’s part of their job description, frankly. They would not be hiring an outside search firm. But yes, if they had to travel somewhere, they would still be reimbursed, but keep in mind these search firms are being paid a contractual fee…"
"Right."
"…plus expenses."
"Right. Oh, I agree. I…"
"And we already have these people on… I mean, there’s millions of dollars in payroll at the University of Illinois president’s office. What are we paying them to do if it’s not to hire a chancellor? I can’t believe that they would go and hire for literally 280 thousand bucks. It was like, that wasn’t an exact figure, but it’s like 250, 270 on an outside search firm, the same time they're laying off, frankly, my constituents at the machine shop."
"No. I think this is timely especially with what the events of yesterday and I think it makes sense because we are… it seems to me that government just seems to spend other people’s money pretty easily."
"You got that right. And… and frankly, Jack, or Representative Franks, I apologize." 09700116.doc 32 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012
"It’s okay."
"We're on the House Floor here I should adhere to the decorum, but frankly, Representative Franks, when you… when you stop to consider the amount of people we’re already paying that traditionally 20 years ago would do these functions, why… have we just gone completely insane. Why can’t they just do what was done 20 years ago which is go hire a dean or a faculty member, whoever?"
"Right. I think there’s too many… too many specialists and folks could take on a little bit of extra responsibility, especially if they’re going to be hiring a colleague. I think it makes more sense for the people they’re going to be working with to be the ones who are making those decisions."
"Correct. That’s exactly…"
"I think this is good Bill and I encourage an ‘aye’ vote."
"Thank you."
"Representative Don Moffitt."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Sponsor yields."
"Representative, thank you for bringing this issue forward and I want to be very brief. Just a few questions related and this is talking about an expenditure and I’d like to see some other expenditures that are related to the need for this if that’s all right, I mean, that’s the connection. You said that the estimate of a search firm, you used the figure they're around 240 thousand, 250 thousand. Is that per position?" 09700116.doc 33 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012
"Representative Moffitt, it depends on what the search is. And so some universities will have a search for a faculty member it might be 10, 20, 30, 40 thousand dollars. For the recent search at the U of I for chancellor, for example, it was over $250 thousand at the end of the day just on the contractual fee. So, you know, it depends on what the search is for. I would note that if some private entity wants to stand up and expend their funds, you know, that’s not taxpayer money, that’s not tuition money…"
"Right."
"…that’s their money, fine, whatever. But when you have, you know, I’m asking these things for 25, 30 thousand dollars. We’re broke."
"Thank you. And then you’ve already said it would not prohibit private funds from doing this. I don't know."
"Correct."
"Wouldn’t expect there to be any but…"
"Or like if an athletic department used ticket revenues, that would be their business. That’s ticket revenues. This would as taxpayer General Revenue Funds and tuition dollars."
"Okay. Now the most recent resignation that was in the news yesterday, that of the president, because there’s no additional expense is there… when coaches have left, we've… there’ve been multimillion dollar buyouts of contracts. There’s nothing like that connected with a president departure is there?"
"No. In fact, actually, I’ll give the University of Illinois board of trustees a compliment here. They have 09700116.doc 34 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012 decided to hire as designate former Chancellor Bob Easter as the new President in full to a two-year contract, so there will be no search firm associated with that at this time. But of course, it's a two-year contract and they used a search firm both to hire the current President who just resigned and also the chancellor who just came on board. So, this is really forward looking, but yeah, for the new President. Chancellor Easter who everyone’s thrilled to have come on board as the new full-time president, July 1, there would not be a search firm for that but it’s a two- year contract and, you know, they just got done using a search firm literally two months, three months ago in the hiring of the chancellor."
"Okay. Representative, also I just want to commend you on your… agree with your comments, second those comments about Bob Easter. That will help restore some confidence and integrity I believe into the… into the University of Illinois, so I was pleased to see they went that direction."
"I agree."
"Just… just for what is the current salary of the president of the University of Illinois?"
"You know, it was around… I don’t have the exact figure for you, Representative Moffitt, but I think it was in the 650 range."
"In the range of 650?"
"That’s correct."
"Six hundred and fifty thousand?"
"That’s correct." 09700116.doc 35 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012
"Why that… that’s almost equal… may be exceeding what the Governor gets, a little bit."
"Well, it more than exceeds what the Governor gets, but I guess that’s the point. If you’re paying a president that much money, why are you hiring a search firm to find a chancellor? Pick somebody."
"Excellent comments. Because it’s all related to the cost that the university's incurring and I think we’re questioning why the necessity, what is the salary of the coaches that we just paid seven… roughly $7 million to not finish their contracts? What were they being paid?"
"Well… and there’s $7 million in outstanding contracts, but also to be fair on that point, Representative Moffitt, that’s athletic department money that's generated off campus. It’s not GRF or tuition dollars."
"Right. Well, what…"
"That’s coming from…"
"…what were the salaries?"
"I don’t know the exact salaries…"
"Okay."
"…for all those coaches, Representative Moffitt."
"Just to make sure I have it correctly, the University of Illinois President was getting $650 thousand."
"Something in that range, yes."
"Yeah. Well, thank you. And thank you for bringing this issue forward."
"Thank you."
"Representative Williams."
"Will the Sponsor yield?" 09700116.doc 36 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012
"Sponsor yields."
"Representative, I’m wondering if there are any other examples in Illinois statute where we dictate how much… or what items can or cannot be expended by a public university? Are there other examples?"
"Well, certainly there’s the Procurement Act that… that dictates quite a bit of how things are… are purchased. But look, Representative Williams, I… I’ve… I represent two university communities, Eastern Illinois University plus I’m the bedroom community for the U of I which I share with Representative Jakobsson, Representative Hays, and Representative Barickman, and when your constituents are being laid off and then people back home read about, you know, a couple hundred thousand dollars being spent on search firms, at the same time your constituents tuition is going up, I mean, we don’t need these things. Why are we paying a president 600 grand or more and then turn around and have to pay a search firm a couple hundred grand?"
"Well, I… I do understand your motivation and I certainly think we need to look at every nook and cranny of taxpayer expenditures to see where we can cut and streamline, but I’m wondering if there other areas as long as we’re looking at salaries and recruitment."
"Oh, there are definitely are other areas."
"What about, and I think Representative Moffitt brought up sports teams, for example. I know we all have our sports teams, but how about coaches salary, assistant coaches, travel expenditures. Are you considering putting limitations or restrictions on any of those items?" 09700116.doc 37 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012
"Well, we… we, actually, there is some discussion in our Appropriations Committee every year about expenditures for travel, for example, administrative salaries, on that end. Again, and you got to look at each… each campus differently because in some campuses coaches are paid entirely out of GRF and out of tuition dollars, for example, weigh into our student fees, but other campuses they’re paid entirely out of outside revenue from athletics. So that’s not, quite frankly, the taxpayer's money or the tuition payer's money and that’s going to have to be treated differently in some respects than those areas where it’s taxpayer or tuition payer money."
"So, you’re saying ticket revenue money that is raised from events is in a different… it’s still… isn’t that considered public money?"
"Well, it’s… it goes through… it’s a nonrelated organization and there’s an Attorney General’s opinion on this point from several years ago and in fact, we tried to subject those units to audit through a Bill that I had that you would…"
"Okay."
"…probably remember from your time as a legislative liaison for the Attorney General to subject those university related organizations to audit."
"Sure."
"And the… the General's opinion was that we couldn’t do that because it was a separate outside entity. Now, I will agree with you that salaries are completely outrageous… completely outrageous, but we, in this Bill, are 09700116.doc 38 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012 controlling what we can control which is the taxpayer's money and the tuition payer's money."
"Well, I totally agree with you in terms of needing to step up our oversight in a major way of how taxpayer dollars are spent in the universities. I’m just concerned we’re getting to the point of we’re utilizing a piecemeal approach, kind of micromanaging the universities here and I’ll take another look, but I am concerned about today we do a Bill tomorrow we do a Bill maybe on the salaries then we do a travel expenses. Shouldn’t we take a broad approach to this within our ability to…"
"Representative…"
"…look at the budget…"
"…if I…"
"…instead of just doing this?"
"If I may, that’s an excellent point and every year in our Appropriations Committee we bring up these things. I’ve been bringing up this issue of search firms for two years now and they continue to do them. They continue to do them. I don’t know what else you’re supposed to do when you’ve raised the issue at the appropriation hearing year in, year out, and then they turn around and slap all your constituents in the face by hiring yet another… a hundred… couple hundred thousand dollar search firm."
"Sure."
"I do think, to your point, this is a little bit of a warning shot across the bow to say, hey, guys, you got to start listening. We are… you can’t keep spending money the way you guys are spending money." 09700116.doc 39 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012
"Well, I understand that, but I think making a statutory revision is maybe not the best way to send that message and maybe not the most appropriate way to address this issue. It does…"
"Well, we’ve…"
"…seem to me to be a little bit more about the current situation, I understand why you’re concerned about it, rather than the right policy decision for budgeting within our universities. So, I definitely am interested in working with you and others on a better responsible approach and oversight of university spending. I’m just concerned if we do this today, a different one tomorrow, it’s going to be… end up or… or as a mishmash and a piecemeal approach that’s not going to best serve the taxpayers. Thank you."
"Members, I did not put the timer on. I didn’t think there'd be this level of discussion, but I'd ask if you could bring your remarks within a couple of minutes, we'd all appreciate it. Representative Monique Davis, you’re next." Davis, M.: "Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Sponsor yields." Davis, M.: "Representative, I want to commend you on this legislation and I remember when we discussed it in committee. However, I must ask, why is it limited to the University of Illinois?"
"It’s not. It’s all universities." Davis, M.: "It is?"
"Yeah." 09700116.doc 40 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012 Davis, M.: "I thought it said U of I?"
"No, it should be all. It’s all universities, Representative. It’s all universities." Davis, M.: "All of them?"
"Yes. Absolutely." Davis, M.: "Okay. I think it’s a great Bill and I want to commend you for bringing it before us."
"Thank you, Representative. I’m checking right now. They're all… they're all listed." Davis, M.: "They're all listed."
"Yes." Davis, M.: "Okay. Thank you very much, and I will be voting ‘yes’."
"Thank you, Representative."
Speaker Lyons: "We have two final speakers, Representative Jakeo… Jakobsson and then David Harris and then Chapin Rose to close. Naomi Jakobsson."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Sponsor yields."
"Representative, I know that you have talked about this many times and that you did bring it up in Appropriations Committee. Do you know when you don’t want state funds… tuition funds to be used for a search committee, how would the search be paid for?"
"Well, first of all, you go back to doing the faculty search committees that have always been there. Now, there’s a difference. Obviously, there’s going to be reimbursable expenses that are going to be made, but right now, quite frankly, as you well know we have dual committees. You have 09700116.doc 41 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012 the internal faculty committee that’s being done for these searches and then you also have the outside search firm. Both are billing expenses to the taxpayers. Both are there. My point is, we already have the faculty and the campuswide committees, and as you know, it’s not just faculty. It’s faculty, staff; they try to be very diverse in who they put on these committees, they’re already there. We’re… they’re already being paid for in terms of salary. To go and hire an outside search firm on top of that is duplicative, redundant, and frankly, wasteful of the taxpayer's money and more to the point, the student tuition-payer's money."
"But you know, your Bill doesn’t say that there shouldn’t be an outside firm, if I’m reading it correctly. It says that it shouldn’t be paid for by state money or by tuition money."
"That’s correct. If a… if a foundation or some outside donor wants to pay for something that’s their business."
"So, my question to that is, have you gotten any support from any of the university associations or outside donors that they would pick this up?"
"I haven’t talked to any of the outside associations. I don’t know that they would want to do that because, quite frankly, most people think it’s silly to be laying off your constituents and my constituents at the same time they’re hiring these search firms and still paying presidents 600 grand-plus a year. I’m not sure, I mean, I can’t speak for every potential donor, but I know I wouldn’t donate to that function." 09700116.doc 42 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012
"Well, I know very often people who are looking for another position don’t want to have their names go public right away and probably a search committee helps that process for the applicants."
"Well, I know that… that we’ve surveyed most universities in the state and most universities don’t do this because they find it redundant and expensive and they don’t want to put that burden on the backs of their student tuition payers. You know, I just have a hard time and I think you’ve seen the same articles. I mean, I have a hard time, Representative Jakobsson, going into the coffee shops in our area and try to explain to the citizens and the voters why the… why the University of Illinois, for example, is paying a president 600 grand a year and then turning around and hiring a search firm for a couple hundred thousand on top of it. Just go the general route we did 20 years ago which is to have a faculty committee and find somebody. I mean, they’re subject matter experts. They certainly know who the people are that are the experts in their respective fields and they’re already there. I mean, we have a couple million dollars’ worth of payroll in the president’s office. You mean to tell me he doesn’t know who would make a good chancellor? In fact, actually, I’ll give you proof positive. The new President of University of Illinois, Bob Easter, was hired without a search firm and it’s the best decision they’ve made in about 10 years."
"Well, I will say that the trustees made a very good decision there. I agree with you on that and… So, I just 09700116.doc 43 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012 have one other really quick question. Do you know what the process is in other Tier I universities?"
"Representative, we did not survey other Tier I universities, but we did survey other universities and I can tell you Eastern Illinois University… EIU in Charleston, which graduates more students per GRF dollar, which by definition makes it the most efficient university in the State of Illinois, doesn’t use search firms. And they have no problem whatsoever. And in fact, the students coming out of EIU that transfer to the University of Illinois as juniors and seniors, the freshmen and sophomores who transfer to the U of I actually have better grades in their junior and senior years than the kids that went to U of I straight out as freshmen and sophomores. So…"
"Right… right but…"
"…I’ll tell you flat out if you’re…"
"Thank you…"
"…it is not about spending more money."
"Thank you for the dissertation on… on success rates of the students."
"Yeah. If it was about spending more money than obviously the U of I would be in a fine position, but…"
"They’re in a good position to help graduate these students. Thank you."
Speaker Lyons: "Final speaker, Rep… David Harris. Representative David Harris." Harris, D.: "Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And just a couple of questions of the Sponsor, if I may?" 09700116.doc 44 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012
Speaker Lyons: "Gentleman awaits your questions, Representative." Harris, D.: "Representative, a search firm can be a good idea to… to identify quality candidates, right?"
"Sure." Harris, D.: "Okay."
"So can a faculty committee." Harris, D.: "And forgive me, I had to step off the floor for just a second so I hope I’m not being redundant with my questions that may have been answered previously, but you’re not prohibiting the use of search firms, correct?"
"Correct." Harris, D.: "So, if there are other sources of funds, those other sources of funds could be used to pay the search firm, correct?"
"If… if the foundation wants to pay…" Harris, D.: "And those other sources of…"
"…the foundation or a donor wants to, that’s fine." Harris, D.: "And… and may I ask how many… do you have any idea how many dollars are contributed by the alumni to the athletic association at the University of Illinois during the course of a year?"
"A lot. I don’t know that number, but it’s a lot." Harris, D.: "Probably… probably in seven figures, I imagine."
"Yeah, it’s a lot." Harris, D.: "I would think so. So, potentially those dollars could be used?"
"Yeah." 09700116.doc 45 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012 Harris, D.: "So it seems to me that you’re not prohibiting the use of search firms. You’re simply saying let’s not use those taxpayer dollars…"
"Right." Harris, D.: "…or those tuition dollars or anything else."
"And more fundamentally, Representative, we already have the faculty search committees and they’re the subject matter experts, so if somebody in psychology is looking for a dean they’re going to be able to know who the candidates are." Harris, D.: "I follow. And… but if they want to… if there’s another source of funds they want to use…"
"They’re already being paid." Harris, D.: "…a search firm they can go out there, just don’t use those funds. I think it’s a great idea. Great Bill. Good for you. Vote ‘yes’."
"Thank you, Representative Harris."
"Representative Rose to close."
"As I said, we can ill afford the use of these search firms. It’s not right when the State of Illinois is in the shape it’s in. It’s not right when student tuition dollars continue to go up. We already have mass… mass amounts of payroll in the administrations of our universities. They can hire the candidates that they see fit. They’re already there. Why would we have two different groups? Why would we have such duplication and redundancy? When you’re laying off constituents that make 45, 50 thousand dollars a year and then turn around and hire a search firm for several hundred thousand dollars a year, it’s… it’s just the wrong 09700116.doc 46 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012 message on any level. So with that, I would ask for a favorable consideration of this Bill. Thank you."
"After a very thorough discussion, the question is, ‘Should House Bill 5914 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? Feigenholtz, May, would you like to be recorded? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this Bill, there are 91 Members voting ‘yes’, 9 Members voting ‘no’, 4 Members voting ‘present’. This Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Mr. Clerk, we’ll get back to Representative Sid Mathias’s Bill, House Bill 5761 that is currently on Second Reading. What’s the status on that Bill, Mr. Clerk?"
"House Bill 5761, a Bill for an Act concerning revenue, was read for a second time today. Committee Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. Floor Amendment #2, offered by Representative Currie, is approved for consideration."
"Leader Barbara Flynn Currie on House Floor Amendment #2."
"Thank you, Speaker and Members of the House. Amendment 1 was adopted in committee, but it was not properly drafted. So this is a technical change to that first Amendment, and I would appreciate your support. It just si… makes it clear that it's a matter of public policy in the State of Illinois when there are leases from one governmental unit to another, there are no property taxes that should be collected." 09700116.doc 47 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012
"Representative Sullivan on the Amendment."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. First off, we would request a Roll Call vote on this matter. And second, would the Sponsor yield?"
"I'm sorry, Sir. I couldn't hear your second request."
"Will the Sponsor yield is my second request?"
"Sponsor yields."
"Thank you. Representative, I understand the intent, going forward would be a good idea. Governmental entities to governmental entities should probably not have to pay property taxes. My question though, specifically, is this a retrospective Amendment for any potential court cases out there right now?"
"Nothing to do with court cases, Representative. It merely states as a matter of public policy that the correct interpretation of Illinois State Law is and should be, that there should not be property taxes collected in leases from one governmental unit to another. This is not a new concept. It clarifies that that is existing law."
"Okay. So, currently there is a court case out there that has to do with a Legislator that owes… potentially owes some back taxes."
"This has nothing to do with rent; it has only to do with property taxes."
"Thank you. To the Bill. Ladies and Gentlemen, this is a good idea going forward. Unfortunately, what we have is an ongoing court case involving a standing Member of the General Assembly that has back rent, which is one subject 09700116.doc 48 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012 not associated with this, but also, upwards of $456 thousand in back taxes. When you sign a lease and you agree to pay the taxes on the leasehold value of that property, you should be required to pay them back; meaning the General Assembly and the state should be required to pay them back. If we would pass this today, it will send a chilling example to anybody that wants to do business with the state or has some type of property that we might rent that the General Assembly is going to interject our will on a contract that was signed and executed. Right now, this matter has been referred from the Treasure… Cook County Treasurer's Office to the State's Attorneys Office. Why is the General Assembly interjecting our ideas on what we think should happen on a signed contract? I urge a 'no' vote on this."
"Representative Jack Franks on the Amendment…"
"And I…"
Speaker Lyons: "Representative Sullivan, you need something else to…"
"I just want to remind you that I did ask for a Roll Call vote and I would like to ask for a verification of that Roll Call vote as well. Thank you."
"So noted. Representative Franks."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Majority Leader yield?"
"She yields."
"Representative, I'm trying to understand what this Bill does and I understand that it's going to exempt 09700116.doc 49 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012 government property from taxation as well as those government entities who lease such a property."
"Right."
"Now, the properties that a government entity may lease, what happens if the government entity leases the property from a nongovernmental entity?"
"This only deals with government to government leases."
"Okay."
"So, if… if… you know, if, for example, a State Legislator has rented office space in the Evanston City Hall, this would say that that Legislator is not going to have to pay property taxes. That's an example, but it does not apply to private sector dealings between governmental units and landlords."
"But why would we need this? Because right now, if you're in a government… if a government owns a building…"
"Yes."
"…the government isn't paying property taxes right now, correct?"
"Right."
"So, no matter who they would rent to… So, let's assume… let's use Evanston for an example and let's assume they've got some surplus space and let's assume they rent it to a not-for-profit, you know, a food bank for instance, or whatever it might be. Their property would not be taxed as it is."
"They… they would… as I understand it, they would be paying a leasehold tax on that if it were a private vendor who was setting up a newsstand. If it were a not-for-profit 09700116.doc 50 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012 organization, they would be charged a leasehold tax. The point of this measure is to say that if they are leasing to a government, a unit of government, there should not be a leasehold tax on that transaction."
"See, it was my understanding that the entire property would be tax-exempt simply because of the ownership, much like a church."
"No, I don't… I don't think that's right. I think, for example, my guess is in the State of Illinois that the James R. Thompson Center, my guess is that those private enterprises that are part of that public square, my guess is they are paying leasehold taxes."
"I presume they're paying a leasehold rent, but I'm not sure they're paying a leasehold tax."
"I… I think that they would be subject to a leasehold tax."
"And… and who would be administering that tax? Would that be the municipality or the state or would it be the county?"
"I assume that in the contract between the private sector operator and the government owner that there would be a provision for paying the leasehold tax."
"Can we get more clari… I don't mean to be disrespectful, but I just… I'm not sure I'm understanding it because I'm not sure who would be levying it. Because, right now, let's assume the entire building is exempt simply because of the ownership. Then what you're saying is, so let's use the State of Illinois Building, the State 09700116.doc 51 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012 of Illinois Building in the bottom floor has all those restaurants…"
"Right… right."
"So, I understand that they're paying a rent…"
"And a…"
"…to the state."
"…and I believe they're paying a leasehold tax as well."
"But to who?"
"They're not exempt from property taxes. Well, it would be the local units of government that get the advantage of the property tax."
"Is there a specific line in the leases that say that there is a property tax portion or is it all built in together into the lease? I'd just like…"
"I suppose it depends on the way the lease is drafted, but I should think that the… that the private sector vendor would be responsible for taxes. Just because you set up your private enterprise in a government building does not exempt you from a property tax; it shouldn't."
"Well, it depends how you set the lease up. Because oftentimes when you have a lease, you're just paying the rent and sometimes it could be a triple net or however they might structure it, but I think all that is subject to contract."
"Except that the responsibility for property taxes would rest with the person who's… who's leasing that space."
"Okay." 09700116.doc 52 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012
"And they… I'm sure it would be in the contract, but whether they identify it as a separate amount or not, I don't know, but I'm sure that that property is subject to a leasehold tax."
"Well, is there anything in this Bill… and I… Mr. Sullivan had brought something up when I was unaware of, I did not know that there was a potential case right now. Is there anything in this Bill that would go forward? I mean, isn’t that what…"
"No. This… this just states that as a matter of public policy the statutes should already be understood to have provided that if it's a government to government lease, the leasehold tax is not to be applied."
"Okay. Thank you."
"Final speaker will be Representative Lou Lang. Leader Lang on the Amendment."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Sponsor yields."
"Thank you. Representative, I heard some comments from the other side of the aisle that led me to believe that there's some confusion about the Bill. Could you take us through this from start to finish what the Bill does, what the Bill doesn't do as amended?"
"This Amendment would clarify that the… in the State of Illinois, government to government leases, property leases, are not subject to the leasehold tax, which is to say the property tax. That's all the Bill does. It's a restatement of what we believe already is the law of the State of Illinois and that's all that this measure is about." 09700116.doc 53 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012
"So, I heard some conversation about leases that Members of the General Assembly may have. This doesn't cover that, does it?"
"No, this has nothing to do with rent payments, nothing at all to do with rent overages, or whatever, it only has to do with the proposition that if one government is leasing from another government that property taxes will not be required."
"And would it have some impact… well, so, that's because the government that's doing the leasing is exempt from property taxes?"
"Exactly."
"Is that correct?"
"Exactly… exactly. And if they were renting to a private sector lessee, property taxes, actually leasehold taxes, would be property taxes, would be collected. But we're trying to clarify that when it comes from a… when you're leasing from one governmental unit to another you don't end up owing a property tax bill."
"And that would flow from the fact that the lessor is exempt from taxes…"
"Exactly."
"…and the lessee is exempt from property taxes as well?"
"Exactly."
"So, then let me ask why we need the Bill?"
"Just to clarify the existing statute to make sure that… that the interpretation that I am giving is one that… that is clear in the statute itself."
"Has this been a problem in the world as we know it?" 09700116.doc 54 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012
"Apparent… apparently there have been some instances where in leasehold taxes have been charged to governmental units renting from already tax-exempt governmental units."
"Who would have been charging those?"
"I assume it would be the person whose property it belongs to. And we just want to clarify the law."
"So, Representative, the original core of Mr. Mathias's Bill is still in this Bill, correct?"
"Yes… yes."
"And so, the concept that Mr. Mathias had regarding MABAS hasn't been touched at all by your Amendment?"
"No. No. No."
"And…"
"That… yeah, that's exactly it, sort of… almost an example of what this is, that's a governmental entity that is operating to coordinate among other environ… governmental groups and we believe that they should not be subject to a leasehold tax. So, that's… that's, you know, exactly on point."
"One moment, Representative. Thank you, Representative."
Speaker Lyons: "Representative Currie to close. It was announced that the last speaker would be Leader Lang. So, Representative Currie to close on the Amendment."
"Thank you very much, Speaker and Members of the House. Just clarify that when a governmental unit is renting property from another governmental unit, already property- tax exempt, so should the lessee, so should the person who is renting that property, the entity, the governmental 09700116.doc 55 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012 unit. All we're trying to do is clarify that that is the law, has been the law, and will continue to be."
"Ladies and Gentlemen, this is a floor vote request by Representative Sullivan with verification, also, requested on the adoption of the Amendment. So, I will ask Members to please vote their own switches. Staff, we'll require you to please remove yourselves to the back of the chamber for the purpose of the verification. This only needs a simple Majority, more 'yeses' than 'noes' to pass. It does not need 60 votes. So, the question is 'Should Floor Amendment #2 be adopted?' All those in favor vote 'yes'; those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Franks, Hernandez, Mathias, Phelps. Mr. Clerk, take the record. On the issue, there are 53 Members voting 'yes', 50 Members voting 'no', 1 Member voting 'present'. Representative Sullivan, what's your pleasure?"
"Thank you, Repre…"
"Do you wish to proceed? Just yes or no, Ed. We'll have to call the…"
"Yes… yes, I would. Sorry."
"Okay."
"I apologize. You're right."
"Mr. Clerk. Mr. Clerk, the request has been made for the verification. We ask that you call out the Members who are voting 'yes'."
"A poll of those voting in the affirmative. Representative Arroyo; Representative Beiser; Representative Berrios; Representative Biss; Representative 09700116.doc 56 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012 Bradley; Representative Dan Burke; Representative Kelly Burke; Representative Carli; Representative Cassidy; Representative Chapa LaVia; Representative Colvin; Representative Costello; Representative Crespo; Representative Cunningham; Representative Currie; Representative D'Amico; Representative Will Davis; Representative DeLuca; Representative du Buclet; Representative Dugan; Representative Dunkin; Representative Farnham; Representative Feigenholtz; Representative Flowers; Representative Ford; Representative Franks; Representative Gabel; Representative Golar; Representative Hernandez; Representative Howard; Representative Jackson; Representative Jakobsson; Representative Jefferson; Representative Krezwick; Representative Lang; Representative Lilly; Representative Lyons; Representative Mautino; Representative May; Representative McAsey; Representative McGuire; Representative Mell; Representative Mussman; Representative Nekritz…"
"Mr. Clerk, you need to recognize Representative Dunkin. Mr. Dunkin… Mr. Sullivan, is there leave for Representative Dunkin to be verified? Leave is granted. Thank you. Mr. Clerk, continue."
Clerk Hollman: "Representative Penny; Representative Riley; Representative Rita; Representative Sente; Representative Soto; Representative Thapedi; Representative Turner; Representative Verschoore; and Mr. Speaker."
"Mr. Sullivan."
"Representative Hernandez. Oh, sorry, I see her. Representative Ford." 09700116.doc 57 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012
"Representative Ford. Representative Ford in the chamber? Mr. Clerk, remove Representative Ford."
"Representative… Is that Feig… did Feig… did Representative Feigenholtz just walk in? Oh, she did."
Speaker Lyons: "Representative Sara Feigenholtz is in the chamber."
"Is Representative Phelps in the building, in the chambers?"
"Representative Phelps is not in the building, but…"
"Oh, I'm sorry, he did not vote."
"…he's not one of the affirmative votes, Ed."
"Yes, I apologize. Is Representative… is Representative Gabel here?"
"Representative Robyn Gabel, there she is."
"Sorry, there was staff in my way I couldn't see. Representative Golar."
Speaker Lyons: "Esther Golar, right next to Representative Gabel."
"Okay. Sorry. Is Representative… yes, I'm sorry, I'm trying to see through staff. I can't see through everybody. Okay. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don't believe there's any more."
Speaker Lyons: "So, on the question, there are 52 Members voting 'yes', 50 Members voting 'no'. And Floor Amendment #2 is adopted. Anything further, Mr. Clerk?"
"No further Amendments, but a fiscal note and state mandates note has been requested." 09700116.doc 58 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012
"The Amendment is adopted. We'll hold the Bill on the Order of Second Reading. Representative Chuck Jefferson, on the Order of Third Readings, on page 19 of the Calendar, you have House Bill 5337, 5337. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."
"House Bill 5337, a Bill for an Act concerning State Government. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"Leader Chuck Jefferson."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Members of the Legislature. House Bill 5337 is an initiative of the Comptroller's Office and basically this Bill attends the State… amends the State Comptroller's Act, provides that an itemized voucher for under $5 that is presented to the Comptroller for payment should be… should not be paid except through electronic funds. Effective immediately. And I would urge an 'aye' vote."
"You heard the Gentleman's explanation. Is there any discussion? The Chair recognizes Representative Karen May."
"Yes, thank you. I urge an 'aye' vote for this Bill and I thank Representative Jefferson for taking over a really good Bill 'cause I just had too many. And I want to point out that this is a great act of bipartisanship because I raised my ire when I got a 5 cent check from the state and… 'cause we've tried to stop doing this. I know many of us on both sides of the aisle say don't give us these small checks; it costs more money than it… than it is worth and we lose money. Needless to say, I'm not cashing those tiny checks, but the Comptroller's Office did come up with an 09700116.doc 59 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012 idea that citizens could get their money if they allow for electronic transfer. So, a great… great bipartisan cooperation and I thank Representative Jefferson and the Comptroller's Office for adding sanity and good government to what we do."
"Representative Monique Davis." Davis, M.: "Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Sponsor yields." Davis, M.: "The question I have is suppose a person doesn't have an account through which this electronic transfer can be made?"
"Then they would not receive those dollars." Davis, M.: "Well, you know, I just… I don't think that's fair. And I also think the fact that the bank requires a $200 balance or $500 to open an account, there are many people in our state who really don't have bank accounts. They use credit unions or sometimes they just use money orders to pay their bills. So, we're saying that these people are going to be treated differently; that if you're not well off enough to have a bank account, then the state doesn't have to return your money to you. I think there's a problem with that."
"I don't think that it's going to bankrupt them, Representative, $5 or less." Davis, M.: "Well, if I'm earning $25 thousand a year, and I have seven people in my family, $4 would make a big difference. I know this Bill will probably go and I respect the Comptroller, everybody wants to do less, but I really think that this piece of legislation is a bit 09700116.doc 60 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012 discriminatory; everyone does not have a bank account. It's as simple as that; everyone does not have a bank account. And my point is, if they don't have a bank account, the least you could do is put it in an envelope and put a 25 or 45 cent stamp on it and mail the people their money. But this is an attempt to keep the money of little people; they are little people who are looked upon as not having bank accounts. So we can keep the money of these little people because they don't have a bank account. So, we don't have to send them their money back. There's something wrong with that picture; it is something grossly wrong with that picture."
"It costs us $18, Representative, to send this money out to these individuals if we're going to refund this money. So, rather than cost the state $18…" Davis, M.: "I do not believe… I do not believe, Representative, that $18 is the cost to return a $5 check or a $4 check. I don't believe it. Just like you do an electronic transfer, those checks can be zeroed out on a computer or on a machine, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom. They can be automatically merged… mail merged, they ever heard of mail merge in the Comptroller's Office? Mail merge is when you're sending out a lot of things to a lot of different people; they could send those checks. They're taking advantage of small people and it's wrong. I'm going to vote 'no'."
"Thank you, Representative, for your opinion."
"Representative Bost."
"Just a quick question of the Sponsor, if he'll yield." 09700116.doc 61 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012
"Sponsor yields."
"Representative, I passed a Bill last year that… that did… didn't… wasn't dealing with transfers, but it was actually just sending out of the checks. And we passed it out of this House, I think it is now currently law. And that says that we don't send any checks until that account gets… if… for in other words, until a build up of at least $5 is present so that that way they could send a check. This just deals with electronic transfers, is that correct?"
"That's correct."
"Okay, I think you've got a wonderful Bill. We've got… we've got to stop this. If any of you have been… I know my office has been… had… had constituents walk in and hand me a check for $1 or a check for 35 cents or a check for… it… what a waste. So, it's a great Bill. Thank you."
"Representative Jefferson to close."
"Thank you. I think this is a great Bill; it's going to save the state lots of money. We can't be sending out these $3 checks, these $2 checks. And I would urge an 'aye' vote."
"Leader Chuck Jefferson moves for the passage of House Bill 5337. All those in favor signify by voting 'yes'; those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this Bill, there's 103 Members voting 'yes', 1 Member voting 'no'. This Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Leader Bost." 09700116.doc 62 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Could the record reflect that Representative Schmitz will be excused for the rest of the day."
"The Clerk will so note. Thank you, Leader. Representative Krezwick, on page 10 of the Calendar, Chuck, you have House Bill 5212. You want to move that Bill to the Order of Third Reading? Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."
"House Bill 5212, a Bill for an Act concerning wages. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. Floor Amendment #2, offered by Representative Krezwick, has been approved for consideration."
"Representative Krezwick on Floor Amendment #2. Chuck, you want to explain what Floor Amendment #2 does? So, we've moved it, you have to explain it."
"It's tech… Mr. Speaker, it's technical in nature and I'd appreciate an 'aye'… for support."
"Thank you, Representative. The Gentleman moves for the adoption of Floor Amendment #2. 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 #2 is adopted. Anything further, Mr. Clerk?"
"No further Amendments. No Motions are filed."
"Third Reading. Representative Camille Lilly, on page 20 of the Calendar, on the Order of House Bills-Third Readings, you have House Bill 5689. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."
"House Bill 5689, a Bill for an Act concerning education. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"Representative Camille Lilly." 09700116.doc 63 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the General Assembly. I rise to present House Bill 5689. It creates a task force to develop a statewide high school course on domestic violence prevention based on the Step Back Program from Oak Park River Forest High School in Cook County. The task force will consist of 17 members across the board of representation. This Bill is an initiative of the Sarah's Inn, a non-for-profit domestic violence prevention organization. If there's not any questions, I would appreciate an 'aye' vote. Thank you."
"You've heard the Lady's explanation on House Bill 5689. Is there any discussion? The Chair recognizes the Gentleman from DuPage, Representative Dennis Reboletti."
"Thank you, Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Sponsor yields."
"Representative Lilly, I really could not hear your explanation, so I… if you could briefly state what the measure does again?"
"It creates…"
"It's pretty loud in here."
"Shhh…"
"…a task force to develop a statewide high school course on domestic violence prevention."
"Who would be appointed to the task force?"
"It would be a cross section of representations from the House and the Senate on both sides, Republicans and Democrats."
"And when would the…" 09700116.doc 64 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012
"And members from not-for-profit organizations."
"How many members from the non-profit organizations would be on?"
"It's a total of 17 members total, but one second please. Fourteen is the number."
"And when is…"
"Excuse me, 13… 13 is the number."
"Thank you. And when does the task force have to give their recommendations by?"
"April 2013."
"Thank you, Representative. I will be supporting your legislation."
"Thank you."
"Representative Lilly moves for the passage of House Bill 5689. 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 Durkin, Representative Sente, Representative Dunkin, would you like to be recorded? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this Bill, there's 104 Members voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no'. This Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Chuck Jefferson, you also have, on the Order of Third Reading, on page 16 of the Calendar, House Bill 3045. 3045. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."
"House Bill 3045, a Bill for an Act concerning civil law. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"I'm sorry. Representative Jakobsson on House Bill 3045. Out of the record. Representative Jefferson, 09700116.doc 65 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012 your second Bill is House Bill 4570. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."
"House Bill 4570, a Bill for an Act concerning finance. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"Leader Chuck Jefferson on House Bill 4570."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Members of the House. House Bill… this House Bill is an initiative from the Comptroller's Office and it amends the Illinois State Collection Act of '86, provides that all debts owed to the state agency that exceed 250 that's now 1,000 and are more than 90 days past due should be placed in the Comptroller's Office offset system. Provides that all debt, all maintenance of that debt that is placed in the Comptroller's Office system must be submitted electronically to the Office of the Comptroller, effective immediately. And I would ask for an 'aye' vote."
"You've heard the Gentleman's explanation. Is there any discussion? The Chair recognizes the Gentleman from Cook, Leader Lou Lang."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen. This is a really good Bill which will help us collect millions of dollars from people that owe us money. The offset system has worked well, this will make it work better and more efficiently and bring us more dollars through the process. I would urge your 'aye' votes."
"Seeing no further discussion, Representative Jefferson moves for the passage of House Bill 4570. All those in favor signify by voting 'yes'; those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have 09700116.doc 66 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012 all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Colvin, Currie, Nekritz, Colvin. Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this Bill, there's 103 Members voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no'. This Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Keith Sommer, on page 18 of the Calendar, under House Bills-Third Readings, you have House Bill 5062. Out of the record. Representative Sosnowski, on page 20 of the Calendar, you have House Bill 5505, Joe. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."
"House Bill 5505, a Bill for an Act concerning criminal law. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"The Gentleman from Winnebago, Representative Sosnowski."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This Bill simply attempts to address an issue with an unfortunate circumstance in which a parent would allow a victim of a sexual predator to be allowed into the custody of that sexual predator and this would make it a Class IV felony for that sexual predator to knowingly assume custody or control of a minor who was the victim of the sex offense. I'd ask for an 'aye' vote on this."
"You've heard the Gentleman's explanation. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor of the passage of House Bill 5505 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 Gabel, would you like to be recorded? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this Bill, there are 103 Members voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no'. This Bill, having 09700116.doc 67 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012 received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Mautino, on the Order of Second Readings, Frank, on page 2 of the Calendar, you have House Bill 404. Representative Mautino, Frank. Out of the record. Representative McAsey, on the Order of Second Reading, on page 7 of the Calendar, you have House Bill 4665. Out of the record. Representative Sandy Pihos, for what purpose do you seek recognition, Representative?"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On a point of personal privilege."
"Please proceed."
"On Tuesday, March 27 at 1:00, Representative Will Davis, Patti Bellock, and myself would like to invite all Members of this Body to join us for lunch in Lieutenant Governor Sheila Simmon's Office to raise awareness about the newly formed Illinois Alzheimer Legislator's Alliance. If you have any questions, please see one of us. Thank you."
Speaker Lyons: "Thank you, Representative, for the announcement. Representative Bob Pritchard, for what purpose do you seek recognition, Sir?"
"Point of personal privilege."
"Please proceed, Representative."
"I'd like all Members to know that also on Monday, we have a meeting following Session, hopefully around 4:00 for our annual meeting for the Legislative Education Caucus. Anyone interested in legislation dealing with education please come and join us. We're planning out our 09700116.doc 68 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012 strategy for the next year and electing board members. Thank you."
"Thank you, Representative. Representative Deb Mell, on page 19 of the Calendar, on the Order of Third Readings, you have House Bill 5178. Out of the record. Representative Elaine Nekritz, you have House Bill 4022. Out of the record. Wait a minute. Representative Nekritz, you have House Bill 4022, Elaine. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."
"House Bill 4022, a Bill for an Act concerning transportation. Third Reading of this House Bill."
Speaker Lyons: "The Lady from Cook, Representative Elaine Nekritz."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Under current law the Class I railroads in the State of Illinois are required to file an accident counseling program procedure with the Illinois Commerce Commission. That was a… it's not clear in the current statute whether they have to update that, how often they have to update it, and so there's been some issues with… with that and some of the names that have been on the… on the report are people that no longer work for the railroads or are deceased. So, this would require the railroads to update every three years at the request of the ICC and it would also add the Class II railroads to this requirement."
"You've heard the Lady's explanation. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor of the passage of House Bill 4022 signify by voting 'yes'; those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is open. Have all voted who 09700116.doc 69 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012 wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Brady, Colvin, Fortner, Pihos, would you like to be recorded? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this Bill, there's 104 Members voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no'. This Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Skip Saviano, on the Order of Third… House Bills on Third Reading, on page 16, you have House Bill 3881. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."
"House Bill 3881, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"Representative Skip Saviano."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Members of the House. House Bill 3881 is sort of a cleanup. We… we experience a lot of things when we license people in the state and we fail to leave open the grandfather window open long enough for people to get in because they don't get proper notification that they've applied. This is a very narrow written Bill to allow those people to get in under their respective profession which is an electrologist. And I would ask for your favorable vote. Thank you."
"You've heard the Gentleman's explanation. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor of the passage of House Bill 3881 signify by voting 'yes'; those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Monique Davis. Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this Bill, there's 103 Members voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no', 0 voting 'present'. This Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Skip, 09700116.doc 70 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012 you also have on Third Reading, House Bill 4520. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."
"House Bill 4520, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"Representative Saviano."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Members of the House. House Bill 4520 is simply the renewal of the Professional Counselor Licensure Act. It's an agreed Bill and I… I commend the department and the Professional Counselor Association. They worked on this together and it's a good rewrite. And we would ask for your approval. Thank you."
"You've heard the Gentleman's explanation. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, 'Should House Bill 4520 pass?' All those in favor signify by voting 'yes', those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this Bill, there's 103 Members voting 'yes'; 0 voting 'no'. This Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Sente. Representative Sente, on the Order of Third Readings, House Bills, on page 20 of the Calendar, you have House Bill 5602. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."
"House Bill 5602, a Bill for an Act concerning juveniles. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"Representative Sente."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Bill 5602 is an important piece of legislation focused on improving the safety in our schools and helping our youth stay on the path toward 09700116.doc 71 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012 success. I've spoken to most of you and so I'll be brief. This is permissive legislation and reinforces local control."
"You've heard the Lady's explanation of House Bill 5602. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor of the passage of House Bill 5602 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 Hays, Lang, Poe, Saviano, would you like to be recorded? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this Bill, there are 91 Members voting 'yes', 9 Members voting 'no', 2 Members voting 'present. This Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Thapedi, you have two Bills that are… André. Out of the record on both of them? Leader Mike Bost, update on attendance."
"Yes. I'd like to ex… if we could, excuse Representative Connelly for the rest of the day."
"The Clerk will so note. Thank you, Leader. Representative Ann Williams, you have, on the Order of Third Reading, on page 16 of the Calendar, House Bill 4190. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."
"House Bill 4190, a Bill for an Act concerning State Government. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"Chair recognizes Representative Ann Williams on House Bill 4190."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is an initiative of the Illinois Attorney General's Office. It's a pretty simple Bill and it is revenue positive. Basically, this would 09700116.doc 72 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012 bring the Illinois False Claims Act into compliance with the Federal False Claims Act enabling us to recoup an extra 10 percent in Medicaid fraud recoveries. I'm happy to answer any questions."
"You've heard the Lady's explanation on House Bill 4190. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor of the passage of House Bill 4190 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… Representative Coladipietro, wish to be recorded? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this Bill, there's 104 Members voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no'. This Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Farnham, on the Order of House Bills-Second Readings, Keith, you have House Bill 3895. What's the status on that Bill, Mr. Clerk?"
"House Bill 3895, a Bill for an Act concerning local government. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. Floor Amendment #2, offered by Representative Farnham, has been approved for consideration."
"Representative Farnham on Floor Amendment #2."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Floor Amendment #2 sets the dates… it's… it changes the Bill strictly to show the dates that the members of the board would be elected. So, it's largely a technical change."
"Representative Mulligan on the Amendment."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The reason I turned on my light is because I think it would be nice if you would give 09700116.doc 73 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012 us time for the description of the Bill to come up so we can vote before you call for the Roll Call, because if you can't read the description of the Bill and then you move forward you don't even know what you're voting on. And I think that's not exactly a very good idea. So, quite frankly, you could give us an extra couple of seconds to let us see what the Bill is before you call for the vote."
"Rosemary, I'll do my best to give an extra couple of seconds before we call it. All those in favor of the adoption of Floor Amendment #2 to House Bill 3895 should signify by saying 'yes'; those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And Floor Amendment #2 is adopted. Anything further, Mr. Clerk?"
"No further Amendments. No Motions are filed."
"Third Reading. Representative Jehan Gordon, on page 13 of Calendar, under House Bills-Second Readings, you have House Bill 5659. Representative Gordon, Jehan. Out of the record. Representative Sosnowski, on the Order of House Bills-Third Readings, on page 20 of the Calendar, you have House Bill 5814. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."
"House Bill 5814, a Bill for an Act concerning local government. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"Representative Sosnowski."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This Bill would simply allow those municipalities that do not have zoning regulations to be able to put into place setback requirements for proposed wind towers. Again, this is right now those municipalities don't have any ability to have any setback because they don't have any zoning regulations. So, 09700116.doc 74 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012 again, this would just allow for them that flexibility. I'd ask for the passage of this Bill."
"You've heard the Gentleman's explanation. Is there any discussion? Representative Jack Franks."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Sponsor yields."
"Representative, why do we need this Bill?"
"There are municipalities, primarily smaller, you know, 600 to a thousand residents in which they just aren't sophisticated enough to have full zoning ordinances, zoning policies. So, as of right now, and this would happen in very rare circumstances, but if a company wanted to come in, locate wind towers, technically that municipality has no opportunity to have any setback at all. Right now, their setback authority is zero. So, this would give them the authority on a local basis to go up to a thousand feet."
"And how did we get to a thousand feet?"
"You know, there's obviously varying degrees out there. We had some testimony in committee that people wanted it flexibility up to 2500 feet. You know, we kind of looked at the… the scope of wind towers and the… the greatest setback that we saw out there was anywhere from a thousand to 1500 feet. So, considering that municipalities of this size have none at all, we thought that we could set this thousand feet. It's fair, you know, it takes into account the height of these towers times 2.5 and it gives some flexibility there. And again, these municipalities can decrease that if they find appropriate." 09700116.doc 75 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012
"Well, what happens if a municipality already has some zoning requirements? Will this one thousand feet supersede? No."
"This… this would not affect those municipalities that have zoning ordinances. It only affects those that have no zoning ordinances right now."
"What's the genesis of this Bill?"
"I've got several small municipalities that, you know… and generally wind towers are located in counties unincorporated properties, but several municipalities have come to me and said, you know, we don’t have any zoning ordinances right now. We also don’t have any ability to have any setbacks. You know, we just want to protect those properties within the city. You know, especially in conjunction to residential districts. You know, if a proposal did come forward, we would like some authority to at least have some sort of setback requirement."
"Okay. Thank you."
"Sure."
Speaker Lyons: "Representative Sosnowski. Representative Sosnowski. Joe, did you take the Bill out of the record, or is discussion still going?"
"No. I think we're all done."
"Okay. We have to call for a vote. So, you have a closing comments?"
"I'd ask for passage."
Speaker Lyons: "Representative Leitch, did have a question also. Representative David Leitch."
"Yes. Will the Gentleman yield?" 09700116.doc 76 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012
"Sponsor yields."
"We… we passed legislation here that restricts the towers to 1.1 times the height of the tower within a… on a lot. And I'm wondering, do… does this Bill overrule that one?"
"It… it's my understanding that it does not have any affect on that requirement. Again, this is just for within municipalities that don’t have a zoning ordinance or any zoning policy. It would allow them the flexibility to have some set… setback from their structures, primarily residential districts."
"But would their zoning ordinance trump the existing standard that's in the law?"
"No, I don’t believe it would. These… the municipalities we're talking about don’t have any zoning ordinances right now. For those municipalities that do have zoning ordinances, they right now have that flexibility and their… they operate under, you know, some of the requirements that you just stated."
"How does this relate to the counties? I think the counties have been very aggressive in attempting to oversee the regulation of these towers… counties."
"This… this doesn’t have any affect on counties. This would simply be within the Municipal Code for municipalities."
"Okay. Thanks."
"Representative Sosnowski, I think you can close now, Representative."
"I'd ask for an 'aye' vote." 09700116.doc 77 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012
"The question is, 'Should House Bill 5814 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? Golar, Hatcher, Tracy, would you like to be recorded? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this Bill, there are 96 Members voting 'yes', 8 voting 'no'. This Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Dave Winters, on the Order Third Reading, page 18 of the Calendar, you have House Bill 4752. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."
"House Bill 4752, a Bill for an Act concerning local government. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"Gentleman from Winnebago, Representative Dave Winters."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Bill 4752 is an initiative of my local forest preserve district. Unlike park districts that have a corporate tax limit of twenty five cents, the forest preserve districts are capped at six cents. This Bill by front-door referendum would allow them to go up to fifteen cents and it also includes the Byron Forest Preserve District, which is contiguous to Winnebago County. I'd be happy to answer any questions."
"You've heard the Gentleman's explanation. Is there any discussion? The Chair recognizes Representative Ed Sullivan."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Sponsor yields." 09700116.doc 78 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012
"Representative, one of the changes in this is that you're… you're asking for a potential increase, but it's not that these forest preserves could do it on their own. They have to go to the voters first through a front-door referendum. Is that correct?"
"That is correct."
"All right. So, in essence, you're asking, alright, if you want more money, we believe in local control, they can choose by themselves… the voters can choose to do this, not… not anybody else."
"It's actually… one way to look at it is you're expanding the ability of the local voters. They currently are not allowed to go above six cents in the operations fund. This would expand that general fund ability, but again, it has to go back to the voters first."
"Okay. Thank you. I agree and I will be supporting your legislation."
"Representative Jack Franks."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Sponsor yields."
"Representative, this would allow for a tax increase if there was a front-door referendum, correct?"
"Correct."
"And right now the two districts that this would affect effectively levy approximately $7 million in taxes, correct?"
"I don’t know the… that may well be."
"I'm… I'm sorry. It'd be 6.2 million; my math was wrong. How much more would this allow if it go from a .06 09700116.doc 79 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012 rate to a .15 rate, would it be a two and half time increase?"
"Approximately, if they chose to go that high. There is no plan whatsoever to go that high. They… they may well ask for a penny, maybe a penny and half, but they're not… They just said if we're going to change the law, change it so we don't have to come back in 10 or 15 years, just…"
"Now…"
"…you know, get us some place close to where the park districts already are."
"Now, our an… our analysis indicates that the levy would be used for corporate purposes."
"Correct. There were… there were some proposals that they… they have… they have maxed out on all of their levies, at least Winnebago County has and they could have chosen to do one for law enforcement, but you know, expanding that we felt it was more appropriate just to give them the flexibility by going through the corporate fund."
"Okay. Thank you."
"Rep… Leader Chuck Jefferson."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Sponsor yields."
"Representative, from what I understand this would allow the people in Rockford to go out for a referendum to raise the taxes. Is that what this does?"
"Yeah. It allows the Forest Preserve Board of Commissioners that are elected by the public to decide what they need, and then they have to make the case to the local voters. Currently, if they need additional dollars, they 09700116.doc 80 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012 cannot access anything over six cents because of State Statute. This expands the cap, but again, it has to be done by front-door referendum."
"This is not the same cap that you established several years ago. That's different from this, right?"
"You're talking about the property tax caps?"
"Yes."
"No… no this is a statutory limit that we see throughout statutes. Many funds are capped. We're just expanding that… that cap on that fund."
"What's the genesis of the Bill?"
"This came from the Forest Preserve District Board of Directors. They checked around the state for other forest preserves that might be affected, none of them wanted to be. They weren't up towards their six cent limit, so nobody else other than these two asked to be in it."
"Is this the same Forest Preserve Commission… commission that just spent 300… $262 thousand on property that wasn't necessary?"
"Well, they obviously thought that it was. They did approve it on a 4-3 vote. It was…"
"Well, I've heard from several people who live in Rockford… several organizations that are opposed to this. And as a result of that, I will be opposed to this also. Thank you."
"Representative Dave Winters to close."
"I just would appreciate a 'yes' vote."
"The question is, 'Should House Bill 4752 pass?' All those in favor signify by voting 'yes', those opposed 09700116.doc 81 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012 vote 'no'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this issue, there's 44 Members voting 'yes'; 59 Members voting 'no'. And the Motion fails. Leader Mike Bost."
"Yes. If you'd excuse… excuse Representative Gaffney for the rest of the afternoon. We're losing them…"
Speaker Lyons: "They're running away in a hurry here, Representative Bost. Okay. The Clerk will so note. Thank you, Leader. Leader Barbara Flynn Currie, on the Order of Second Readings, Barb, you have House Bill 5656. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."
"House Bill 5656, a Bill for an Act concerning finance. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions are filed."
"Third Reading. Representative Kelly Cassidy, on the Order of House Bills-Second Reading, you have House Bill 5278, 5-2-7-8. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."
"House Bill 5278, a Bill for an Act concerning criminal law. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions are filed."
"Third Reading. Representative Bill Cunningham, on the Order of Second Reading, on page 10 of the Calendar, Bill, you have House Bill 5248. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."
"House Bill 5248, a Bill for an Act concerning education. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions are filed." 09700116.doc 82 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012
"Third Reading. Representative Rich Brauer, on the Order of Third Readings, on page 19 of the Calendar, you have House Bill 5234. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."
"House Bill 5234, a Bill for an Act concerning State Government. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"Representative Rich Brauer."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. House Bill 5234 removes the designation of Illinois Register of Historic Homes. This is duplicative with the Federal Register and so it… because of lack of staff, they want to get rid of that designation. And this was brought to me by the IHPA and then the Amendment changes the number of meeting dates from four to three. I'll answer any questions."
"You've heard the Gentleman's explanation. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor of passage of House Bill 5234 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? Cunningham. Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this Bill, there's 103 Members voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no'. This Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Leader Mike Bost."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If you could excuse Representative Rosenthal for the rest of the afternoon."
"The Clerk will so note. Thank you, Leader. Representative du Buclet, on the Order of House Bills– Third Readings, you have House Bill 5459. Out of the record. Representative Camille Lilly, on the Order of House 09700116.doc 83 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012 Bills–Second Readings, on page 7 of the Calendar, you have House Bill 4609. Second Reading. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."
"House Bill 4609, a Bill for an Act concerning State Government. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions are filed."
"Third Reading. Leader Frank Mautino, on House Bill 4444, Frank, on Third Reading, 4444. Out of the record. Representative Sandy Cole, on the Order of Second Readings, Sandy, on page 12 of the Calendar, you have House Bill 5513. Out of the record. Representative David Harris, on the Order of Third Readings, on page 16 of the Calendar, you have House Bill 3844. Read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."
"House Bill 3844, a Bill for an Act concerning transportation. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"Chair recognizes Representative David Harris." Harris, D.: "Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Bill 3844 was brought to me by two large high school districts in my… or high school districts in my district, Main Township District High School 207 and Wheeling Township High School District 214. The Bill allows the use of a multifunction… a multifunction special activity bus to be used for curriculum-related activities. You may recall that a number of years ago, we prohibited the use of these 15- passenger vans because they were unsafe. We replaced those 15-passenger vans, they came up with a multifunction school activity buses which are used for after school purposes to transport whole teams to… sporting teams to various events. 09700116.doc 84 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012 The law specifically prohibits the use of these buses for curriculum-related activities and the Secretary of State and the Illinois State Board of Education were… were opposed to that because the bus drivers were not qualified to be bus drivers. What this Bill does is 1) says that they ca… the buses can be used for curriculum-related activities. The drivers have to have the same qualifications as all the bus drivers and the Amendment limits it strictly to high school districts, which took away the opposition from the Illinois State Board of Education. To give you an example, in my school district, my high school District 214, the cab fares to run a student from one… from one school to another, as an example if that student wants to take, let's say, Japanese which is only taught at one of the high schools. So, that… that student is bused from the one school to the other school or technical education which is only taught at one school. The cab fare alone and this is hard to believe, but I talked to the superintendent yesterday, the cab fare alone to do that exceeds $900 thousand in a year, just to transfer a student… take a student from one… one location to another, to put them in a cab. What this Bill does, allows the use of these multifunction school activity buses with a qualified driver only for high school, and I don’t know of any opposition. And I ask for a 'yes' vote, despite the…"
"Would any of the sound effects Members care to address the issue? Seeing not, the question is 'Should House Bill 3844 pass?' All those in favor signify by voting 'yes'; those opposed vote 'no'. The voting is open. Have 09700116.doc 85 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012 all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Representative Hays, Franks, Davis, Colvin, Chapa LaVia. Mr. Clerk, take the record. On this Bill, there are 95 Members voting 'yes', 6 Members voting 'no', 1 Member voting 'present'. This Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Dunkin, on page 2 of the Calendar, under Second Readings, you have House Bill 830. Representative Dunkin, House Bill 830 on Second Reading. Would you care to move that Bill to Third Reading? Read… read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."
"House Bill 830, a Bill for an Act concerning agriculture. The Bill was read for a second time on a previous day. No Committee Amendments. Floor Amendment #1, offered by Representative Dunkin, has been approved for consideration."
"Representative Dunkin on Floor Amendment #1."
"Can I take it out of the record? We can come back to it."
"Mr. Clerk, take that Bill out of the record on the request of the Sponsor. Representative La Shawn Ford, on the Order of Second Readings, La Shawn, on page 2 of the Calendar, you have House Bill 1210. Out of the record. Ladies and Gentlemen, as a reminder before we adjourn, the deadlines to file Amendments is Tuesday, March the 27. So, if you have a Bill that needs some type of correction on it, the deadline for that is 4:00 on Tuesday the 27. So, all Members be aware of that. Staff, make notes to this, the… the deadline is at 4 p.m. on Tuesday. And now, seeing 09700116.doc 86 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012 no further business to come before the Illinois House of Representatives, Leader Barbara Flynn Currie moves that the House… Representative Hammond, did you have an announcement?"
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On House Bill 3844, I was a 'no' and I'd like to recorded as a 'yes', please."
"The Journal will reflect your request, Norine. And now, Representative Currie moves… Representative du Buclet." du Buclet: "House Bill 5602, I was recorded as 'no'. I'd like to be a 'yes'."
"The Journal will reflect your wishes. Any other final words before we try to adjourn, Ladies and Gentlemen? Okay. Representative Currie now moves that the House stand adjourned 'til the hour of 3 p.m. on Monday, March 26. All those in favor of adjournment signify by saying 'yes'; those opposed say 'no'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the House stands adjourned to Monday, March the 26 at 3 p.m., allowing perfunctory time for the Clerk. Have a wonderful, safe weekend, Ladies and Gentlemen. Thank you for your participation today."
"House Perfunctory Session will come to order. Introduction and First Reading of House Bills. House Bill 6141, offered by Representative Golar, a Bill for an Act concerning appropriations. House Bill 6142, offered by Representative Thapedi, a Bill for an Act concerning appropriations. First Reading of Senate Bills. Senate Bill 2520, offered by Representative Mathias, a Bill for an Act concerning criminal law. Senate Bill 2531, offered by 09700116.doc 87 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012 Representative Mathias, a Bill for an Act concerning criminal law. Senate Bill 2539, offered by Representative Unes, a Bill for an Act concerning criminal law. Senate Bill 2574, offered by Representative Hernandez, a Bill for an Act concerning public aid. Senate Bill 2579, offered by Representative Reis, a Bill for an Act concerning transportation. Senate Bill 2826, offered by Representative Bost, a Bill for an Act concerning transportation. Senate Bill 2873, offered by Representative Sacia, a Bill for an Act concerning corrections. Senate Bill 2875, offered by Representative Mathias, a Bill for an Act concerning public transportation. Senate Bill 2937, offered by Representative Tryon, a Bill for an Act concerning local government. Senate Bill 2944, offered by Representative Golar, a Bill for an Act concerning corrections. Senate Bill 2946, offered by Representative Hernandez, a Bill for an Act concerning local government. Senate Bill 2947, offered by Representative Williams, a Bill for an Act concerning safety. Senate Bill 2949, offered by Representative Mathias, a Bill for an Act concerning education. Senate Bill 2950, offered by Representative Nekritz, a Bill for an Act concerning safety. Senate Bill 2971, offered by Representative Yarbrough, a Bill for an Act concerning State government. Senate Bill 3148, offered by Representative Roth, a Bill for an Act concerning revenue. Senate Bill 3151, offered by Representative Poe, a Bill for an Act concerning revenue. Senate Bill 3176, offered by Representative Unes, a Bill for an Act 09700116.doc 88 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012 concerning utilities. Senate Bill 3233, offered by Representative Mathias… correction… Representative Mautino, a Bill for an Act concerning insurance. Senate Bill 3237, offered by Representative Golar… correction… Gordon, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation. Senate Bill 3242, offered by Representative Brady, a Bill for an Act concerning insurance. Senate Bill 3257, offered by Representative Hays, a Bill for an Act concerning State government. Senate Bill 3262, offered by Representative Cassidy, a Bill for an Act concerning liquor. Senate Bill 3270, offered by Representative Reis, a Bill for an Act concerning agriculture. Senate Bill 3287, offered by Representative Nekritz, a Bill for an Act concerning government. Senate Bill 3292, offered by Representative Mautino, a Bill for an Act concerning animals. Senate Bill 3315, offered by Representative Lilly, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation. Senate Bill 3324, offered by Representative Sacia, a Bill for an Act concerning local government. Senate Bill 3358, offered by Representative Lilly, a Bill for an Act concerning transportation. Senate Bill 3393, offered by Representative Chapa LaVia, a Bill for an Act concerning education. Senate Bill 3397, offered by Representative Dunkin, a Bill for an Act concerning finance. Senate Bill 3410, offered by Representative Cross, a Bill for an Act concerning education. Senate Bill 3423, offered by Representative Rose, a Bill for an Act concerning drugs. Senate Bill 3433, offered by Representative Cassidy, a Bill for an Act concerning criminal law. Senate Bill 3438, offered by Representative 09700116.doc 89 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012 Kelly Burke, a Bill for an Act concerning local government. Senate Bill 3452, offered by Representative Dugan, a Bill for an Act concerning transportation. Senate Bill 3491, offered by Representative Riley, a Bill for an Act concerning transportation. Senate Bill 3508, offered by Representative Kay, a Bill for an Act concerning local government. Senate Bill 3510, offered by Representative Turner, a Bill for an Act concerning criminal law. Senate Bill 3533, offered by Representative Rosenthal, a Bill for an Act concerning wildlife. Senate Bill 3536, offered by Representative Zalewski, a Bill for an Act concerning transportation. Senate Bill 3579, offered by Representative Pihos, a Bill for an Act concerning criminal law. Senate Bill 3607, offered by Representative Tryon, a Bill for an Act concerning revenue. Senate Bill 3626, offered by Representative Carli, a Bill for an Act in relation to civil law. Senate Bill 3631, offered by Representative Greg Harris, a Bill for an Act concerning State government. Senate Bill 3635, offered by Representative Cunningham, a Bill for an Act concerning education. Represen… Senate Bill 3655, offered by Representative Gaffney, a Bill for an Act concerning criminal law. Senate Bill 3670, offered by Representative Dugan, a Bill for an Act concerning State government. Senate Bill 3712, offered by Representative Chapa LaVia, a Bill for an Act concerning insurance. And Senate Bill 3809, offered by Representative Senger, a Bill for an Act concerning criminal law. These are referred to the Rules 09700116.doc 90 STATE OF ILLINOIS 97th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 116th Legislative Day 3/23/2012 Committee. There being no further business, the House Perfunctory Session will stand adjourned." 09700116.doc 91