"House Perfunctory Session will come to order. Committee Reports. Representative Barbara Flynn Currie, Chairperson from the Committee on Rules reports the following committee action taken on October 23, 2013: recommends be adopted, referred to the floor is Floor Amendment #2 to House Joint Resolution 31, Floor Amendment #2 to Senate Bill 45."
"The House will be in order. Members will be in their chairs. We shall be led in prayer today by Pastor Brian Davies who is with Lord of Glory Lutheran Church in Grayslake, Illinois. Pastor Davies is a guest of Representative Yingling. Members and guests are asked from… to refrain from starting their laptops, turn off cell phones and rise for the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance. Pastor Davies."
"We pray. Oh Mighty God, creator of all things, we thank You for the gifts of this day and we thank You for the honor and privilege that You have bestowed upon these women and men to serve the people of the great State of Illinois. As they begin the work of the people this day, we ask that You would strengthen the communities of our states, sustain, protect and prosper our schools, businesses, healthcare providers and local governments. Walk alongside those who serve our great state as public servants, police officers, firefighters, educators and the like. This day and each day, grant them strength, patience and wisdom. And bless, Oh Lord, the economic climate of the states. Grant us to be wise stewards of the blessings You've entrusted to us, knowing that to whom much is given, much is expected. We recognize, Lord, that we have been given much, so make us wise with it. Finally, Lord, for these Representatives, I pray. Grant them 09800073.docx 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 73rd Legislative Day 10/23/2013 wisdom, discernment, creativity and insight. Help them look with favor and justice upon the least of these, those society has left behind. Bless them as they serve with the knowledge You have provided, knowing and trusting that they serve for such a time as this. We pray this as Your thankful people, Amen."
"We'll be led in the pledge today by Representative Dan Burke." Burke – 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. Don’t run, Leader Currie. Mr. Bost."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Let the record reflect that Representative Fortner is excused today on the Republican side of the aisle."
"Let the record show that Mr. Fortner is here, Mr. Clerk. I see him waving at me. Leader Currie."
"Thank you, Speaker. Please let the record show that Representative McAsey is excused today."
"Please take the record. There are 117 Members present. We do have a quorum. Mr. Clerk."
"Committee Reports. Representative… Representative Berrios, Chairperson from the Committee on Financial Institutions reports the following committee action taken on October 23, 2013: recommends be adopted is a Motion to Concur with Senate Amendment #1 and 2 to House Bill 2962. Representative Gabel, Chairperson from the Committee on Human 09800073.docx 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 73rd Legislative Day 10/23/2013 Services reports the following committee action taken on October 23, 2013: be recommends adopted is a Motion to Concur Senate Amendment #1 to House Bill 2535. Introduction of Resolutions. House Resolution 629, offered by Representative Bellock and House Resolution 630, offered by Representative Ford are referred to the Rules Committee."
"Mr. Hays."
"Point of personal privilege."
"Please, proceed, Sir."
"It is my sincere privilege this afternoon to welcome my parents, Jerry and Hilda Hays to our State Capitol and their dear friends and our dear family friends, Phyllis and Rich Roth who are in the gallery. Welcome."
"Welcome to Springfield. Glad you're here today. Mr. Tryon."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise to a point of personal privilege."
"Please proceed."
"Many of you know that, being active in the Illinois Legislative Diabetes Caucus, just how severe diabetes is impacting our communities with over 10 percent to 15 percent no matter where you go in… in this state. And the Illinois Legislative Diabetes Caucus and the Policy Coalition are having a summit meeting of stakeholders November 4, which is the day before our next Veto Session week at the State House Inn. Many of us will be here for committee meetings, as well as we may be here a day early for Veto Session. I would hope that you could attend, at least stop by and greet some of your constituents who will… will be from all over the state 09800073.docx 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 73rd Legislative Day 10/23/2013 at the… at the summit meeting. I know that some of you have… there's 41 diabetes screening events that the caucus has planned throughout the state. This would be a good opportunity for you to meet the people that are going to be participating in that. So, we hope to see you there. Thank you."
"Mr. Clerk, Adjournment Resolution."
Clerk Hollman: "House Joint Resolution 61, offered by Representative Currie. RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that when the two Houses adjourn on Wednesday, October 23, 2013, the House of Representatives stands adjourned until Tuesday, November 05, 2013 at 12:00 noon, or until the call of the Speaker; and the Senate stands adjourned until Tuesday, November 05, 2013 at 12:00 noon, or until the call of the President."
"Leader Currie moves for the adoption of the Adjournment Resolution. Those in favor say 'yes'; opposed 'no'. The 'ayes' have it, and the Adjournment Resolution is adopted. Mr. Clerk, on page three of the Calendar, under the Order of Senate Bills-Second Reading, appears Senate Bill 1689, Mr. Mautino. Please read the Bill."
"Senate Bill 1689, a Bill for an Act concerning elections. This Bill was read a second time a previous day. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. Floor Amendment #2, offered by Representative Mautino, has been approved for consideration."
"Mr. Mautino." 09800073.docx 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 73rd Legislative Day 10/23/2013
"Thank you. This legislation deals with the regional offices of education. And when we went ahead and structured a commission that would reduce from 44 down to 35, the number of regional offices of education in the area, in the State of Illinois, this was part of the process. It's now time to put the map forward that has been designed to the use of the commission, which had legislative and public members. And, additionally, this will move the election dates because in the course of putting the map together, those regional offices of education, the regional superintendents who must run for office, would need an extension of dates to file once the map is certified. There's a hearing which is going on today. The State Board of Education is accepting public input. I know of no opposition and would ask for your 'aye' vote."
"Mr. Tryon. Are you speaking on this or is your light still on from your previous announcement? Those in favor of the Amendment say 'yes'; opposed 'no'. The 'ayes' have it, and the Amendment is adopted. Mr. Clerk."
"No further Amendments. No Motions are filed."
"Third Reading. Please read the Bill."
"Senate Bill 1689, a Bill for an Act concerning elections. Third Reading of this Senate Bill."
"Mr. Mautino."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. Senate Bill 1689 is as I described the Bill on the Amendments. I would ask for your 'aye' vote. I know of no opposition. It sets in place a map and allows for the elections of the new regional superintendents." 09800073.docx 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 73rd Legislative Day 10/23/2013
"Gentleman moves for the passage of the Bill. The Chair recognizes Leader Sandack."
"Thank you, Leader. Would the Sponsor yield for some questions?"
"Gentleman yields."
"Representative, I've been asked to ask a couple of questions. You read through a series of written questions and answers in committee and attempted to establish an intent, a legislative intent in conjunction with the Illinois Association of Regional Schools. The ultimate goal of this legislation… what's the ultimate goal of the intent of this legislation? Bear with me one second, Leader. Mr. Speaker, hang on once second, please. Thank you. Sorry for that interruption, Mr. Speaker. Leader Mautino, a question."
"Yes?"
"Is it the leg… thank you. Is it the legislative intent of SB1689, as amended by Floor Amendment #2, to leave the final decision to the State Board of Education and let them use whatever information and/or proposed map as they believe is necessary for the well-being of the ROEs and the students they serve?"
"Yes."
"Thank you."
"Mr. Moffitt."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Sponsor yields."
"Representative, of county boards and… we talked about this in committee yesterday, I want to make sure I understand your answer. A number of county boards submitted their request 09800073.docx 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 73rd Legislative Day 10/23/2013 of what the alignment would be for their county. Is that correct?"
"Yes."
"And this leaves it up to the state board, then. Is that correct?"
"You can actually read this Bill… read the final language two ways and that will be determined. My… my intent would be to follow the map that the ROT… the ROEs. What I would like to see is the ROEs came up with a map which was very difficult to do and painstaking, and they reduced by nine, the number of ROEs from 44 down to 35 based on a student size of about 61 thousand. The language that was in there says… the Bill is, as it sits now, says that there is a threshold of 61 thousand. There are two separate interpretations. One from the counties who voluntarily went together, the other from the ROEs who created a map. They will take hearings and will accept those maps, but they need to do it quickly and they need to do it before November 24, I believe? November 22, they have to have finalization of the map. Our other option would be to legislatively select a map. That's not what this Bill does."
"Well, I know it's a very difficult decision to narrow it down. I just… when county boards went to the effort to pass resolutions indicating what alignment they hope to be a part of, I just… I'm hoping that we can honor those that have submitted resolutions, and that's… and if that will be on it."
"The… what I can say is the language, as it sits right now, was agreed upon in a meeting by all four of our staffs, 09800073.docx 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 73rd Legislative Day 10/23/2013 by the State Board of Education, by the ROEs that the language of this Bill would cover that situation. And the State Board would then have to do hearings by a certain date, and we would move the election date for filing so that those regional superintendents would know where to file. Is that your understanding, as well? And your staff is indicating, yes."
"And, again, you are attempting to honor county boards resolutions for the alignment they want?"
"My intention… that is not my intention or the spirit of the agreement, specifically. That has to be decided through the hearings and through the actions of the board. We are… we are not going to, as Members of the General Assembly, be the statewide redistricting body. And I think when we first did the Bill in order to preserve the offices of the super… regional superintendents, our intent was that we go ahead and we allow for them a process to create a map. And I think this Bill has done it to the agreement of all those who were involved, and all parties have been involved."
"Well, I appreciate your response. You… you tackled a very difficult issue here. My just… you know, always like to try to honor when a county board goes to the effort to do a resolution, I hope that the alignment that they wanted is…"
"This… this Bill and the language of the 61 thousand does not… it does not lock us into a certain map. It would be my hope that we use the 61 thousand as a guideline because our commission came up together with that number. And I think that should be respected. Now, this is me… the language of the Bill stands on its own merit. They have the same rights now as they would've had in January." 09800073.docx 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 73rd Legislative Day 10/23/2013
"Representative, I think that the language of the Bill says the county boards were to come up with a map would be part of that language in the Bill. The county boards were to come… try to come up with an agreement… with language… or with a… with a map, under current law."
"They were given until June 30 to come up with a map, which brought them to 35. They're map only brought them to 38, so they did not succeed. And now, it becomes the responsibility of the state board to get them to 35. Now, there is a map which will do this, and it also contains some voluntary consolidations, which… which are part of the argument, itself. The date of June 30 to arrive at a map of 38, and it was supposed to be 35. So, at this point now, the powers of the board after this Bill are no different than they would've been in January. The reason we can't leave the powers of the… of the Board of Education to go until January is because then the regional superintendents would not be to file to run for their election, which is coming up."
"And which map is it… gets them to 35? Can we define which map it is and do you or your staff have a map that I could see of that?"
"The state board can choose the ROE map or they can choose the consolidated. Yes."
"And do you have copies of both maps with your staff there?"
"Yes."
"Okay. I… I would like the opportunity to see it."
"Yeah, the staffs worked very closely together on this, both House and Senate, Democrat and Republican, because it is 09800073.docx 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 73rd Legislative Day 10/23/2013 an issue with a very tight timeline, and it is important that for us downstate, we have the Regional Offices of Education and that they are paid and compensated and will exist at a level of 61 thousand, which is what our legislative and public commission has said."
"Thank you. And I appreciate your answers to those questions."
"Mr. Pritchard."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Gentleman yields."
"Representative, I thank you for bringing this Bill forward to help clear up a very confusing situation since we weren't… the regional offices weren't able to come to a 35 region map, and this clears up a little bit of the voting process and filing that we're clearly in the throes of. But, in reaching the current 39 regional offices, some counties have already agreed on combining into a new region. Is this plan going to allow the state board to change any of those county board agreements?"
"It could if the board so chooses, yes."
"So, in other words, the board is going to have the authority to overturn local wishes. Do you know if that's the intent of the state board?"
"I don't know if that is the intent of the state board but it's actually no different than the law that we passed. Having not reached 35, the board was in… was instructed to create a region of 35. Redistricting is very difficult, but they will have hearings. They could choose the ROE map, which was brought forward, which is the map which I prefer, but 09800073.docx 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 73rd Legislative Day 10/23/2013 since we are not the redistricting body, then they will have to have hearings and they must, before the date of November 23rd, have a map in place so that those regions can run."
"Do you know if the state board is going to have any public hearings to accept public comment on the redistricting?"
"Actually, today and tomorrow, yes."
"Are they going to do any beyond today?"
"I haven't talked to them since this morning, but I do know today and tomorrow, they're accepting public comments."
"Okay. Well, hopefully, people will weigh in if they have some thoughts. There are some current districts that don't meet the 61 thousand minimum level. Do you know how many districts there are in that category?"
"No."
"Okay."
"Staff is checking for me but I think of the ROE map, they had… they… the final version which was forwarded by the commission with 35 regional districts was very, very close to on-compliance and at the 61 thousand level for all."
"Well, I think all of us wish that the ROEs could've come up with an agreed map at the 35 district level. They were unable to do that so this seems like a reasonable process to move forward."
"The… excuse me. The counties were… the counties were empowered in the original Bill. The counties were unable to do that because they would have to had passed their resolutions, not necessarily the ROEs. The map is there which does fit the goal. It's the counties had not agreed." 09800073.docx 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 73rd Legislative Day 10/23/2013
"Well, I think there were some regions that were very aggressive in looking at consolidation and agreed to it even before counties took any action. But, this certainly makes sense. It's a way to reduce the cost of providing services to our school districts. I would encourage this Body to support this Bill."
"Representative Hammond."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Sponsor yields."
"Representative Mautino, I don't mean to belabor this point, but I believe that when the original legislation was passed, the intention was to empower the counties to work together to come to some kind of a resolution, to come down to 35 ROEs. Is that correct?"
"That is exactly correct."
"Okay. So, as we fast forward to today, we have a number of counties that did, in fact, do just that with due diligence. They came to agreements among their county boards working in collaboration with a number of ROEs and have agreements on the table for consolidation. Is it my understanding, today, that we are going to say, oh, too bad, because the entire State of Illinois didn't do that? We're going to nullify the fact that you did your due diligence and now the state board gets to take over?"
"Well, there hasn't been any change from the original intent of the legislation. It was the counties should decide, but they were told that they had to decide by June 30th. So, the attempt was failed as a whole to have 35. So, our fallback provided they could not get a redistricted agreement, was 09800073.docx 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 73rd Legislative Day 10/23/2013 that that power would then default to the state board. So, once you did not reach level 1, we're now at level 2. Now, the commission that we've all put together and that the Legislature and the public sat on, decided, and did, basically, forward a map of 35, but the counties had not ratified it. So, by not doing that, we go to phase 2 of the Bill that we all passed in order to resolve this. That means that state board would have to, by January 24, come up with a new map. The problem with that was then none of these regional superintendents could stand and run for office. So, what we have done is move the powers of the board up one month. They must have public hearings, they must take input, they must settle on a map prior to the date of November 23, at which point we will extend the filing the period for those 35, as the law requested, regional superintendents. So, that's where we're at now. I would like to say that the pre- early agreements on the first part of this project, which did not succeed, would be honored but unless we, as a Body, want to take… write into a Bill and create the map ourselves, that's the only way that I could see that happening. Right now, we're in phase 2, where the board will make its decision."
"And, Representative, I think probably the worst thing that we could do, as a Body, is draw the map for ROEs."
"I agree."
"And that is not at all my intention with my comments. My intention is to impress upon all of the Members here that while I certainly will support your Bill, I think it is imperative that we contact the State Board of Education and 09800073.docx 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 73rd Legislative Day 10/23/2013 ask them to take priority for the counties that did their due diligence, and did it through the proper channels. And that we not only would hope but that we would ask that they take that as their first priority when they're drawing their maps. And I think another lesson we've learned from this is, if we're going to do something like this, we might want to check with the State Board of Elections before we set the dates. Thanks, Representative."
"Mr. Rosenthal."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Sponsor yields."
"It's my understanding, if a district was already above the 61 thousand, that they were not included in having to consolidate with anyone else?"
"There are… there are two… there have been two readings of that Section of 61 thousand. I believe that it is correct."
"The…"
"That is my feeling, but those who have negotiated this have said it can be read both ways. That 61 thousand is guaranteed or that 61 thousand, after voluntary consolidation, is guaranteed."
"Well…"
"So, that's the dispute that the board is actually working with right now."
"Yeah, because there's districts that were above 61 thousand that didn't require any county resolutions to continue because they were already above 61 thousand. So, then intent was not to disrupt those districts. Is that correct?" 09800073.docx 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 73rd Legislative Day 10/23/2013
"Except to add to them, if necessary."
"Right. Okay. Thank you very much."
"Leader Mautino to close."
"Thank you. I appreciate the questions. I hope we have some clarification now for those four counties that were affected on the voluntary consolidation. I would ask for an 'aye' vote."
"Those in favor of the Bill will vote 'yes'; opposed 'no'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Mitchell, Mr. Zalewski. Mr. Zalewski. Please take the record. On this question, there are 117 voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Chair recognizes Leader Bellock."
"Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. A point of personal privilege."
"Please proceed."
"Two years ago, we all worked together in a bipartisan fashion on the Medicaid reforms to enable to sustain the system of Medicaid for the people who need it the most in the State of Illinois. And those reforms were signed into law and they've made a lot of changes, but one of the cornerstones of that Reform Act was the Maximus contract and using the outside vendor. At the time, we thought we could save $350 million, and that probably 300 thousand people were on those rolls that shouldn't be. So, that was moving forward, and then what we found out this year, after January, finally Maximus started. And then, four months later, we found out that, I think it was almost 50 percent of the first group, had been 09800073.docx 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 73rd Legislative Day 10/23/2013 ruled ineligible and came off the rolls. So, Maximus was slow in getting started, but then they got started and were moving forward. Then, all of a sudden, we found out that one of the unions had asked… that there was something wrong in that contract. And so, the arbitrator, this last year, ruled in favor of discontinuing the contract this December. And that's why I'm bringing this issue up now, because Representative Harris was nice enough to host a hearing a few weeks ago in Chicago, where Director Hamos came. I would ask for a little bit of quiet. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Director Hamos came to that meeting and she acknowledged that Maximus was doing a good job and that they had the technology to do this. And to our surprise, she said the administration had said that they would move forward in an appeal to that arbitrator's decision. So, I'm just asking, Mr. Speaker, that we would get a reply as to what is going on about, about appeal. I haven't heard anything. I've asked several people on both sides of the aisle. We have not heard anything, even though Director Hamos said that they were moving forward with an appeal. Because that contract is due, according to the arbitrator's decision to be ended in December. And, yet, they have done work that was to enable us to sustain the Medicaid system to provide the services for the most vulnerable people in Illinois and that's what we want to do, is to sustain that system."
"We will make an inquiry."
"Thank you very much, Mr…"
"And I'm quite certain the agency is hearing your words at the moment, as well." 09800073.docx 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 73rd Legislative Day 10/23/2013
"Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate that."
"On page 3 of the Calendar, appears Senate Bill… under the Order of Senate Bills-Second Reading, appears Senate Bill 1595, Mr. Costello. Please read the Bill."
"Senate Bill 1595, a Bill for an Act concerning finance. The Bill was read for a second time on a previous day. No Committee Amendments. Floor Amendment #1 is offered by Representative Costello."
"Mr. Costello on the Amendment."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Members of the House. House Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1595 is a gut and replace which becomes the Bill. It creates an exemption for Chester Community Unit School District 139 to be eligible to receive a construction grant, although, it cannot meet lead silver certification. I think it's important for the Body to know that this grant is an emergency project grant and it would receive the highest prioritization to the point where CDB has agreed to put Chester number one on their list with this grant. The gymnasium of the school has actually cracked and is sliding away from the building itself and is condemned. I ask for the adoption of Floor Amendment 1."
"Gentleman moves for the adoption of the Amendment. Chair recognizes Mr. Pritchard. Mr. Pritchard does not wish to speak on Second Reading. Those in favor of the Amendment will say 'yes'; opposed 'no'. The 'ayes' have it, and the Amendment is adopted. Mr. Clerk."
"No further Amendments. No Motions are filed."
"Third Reading. Please read the Bill for a third time." 09800073.docx 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 73rd Legislative Day 10/23/2013
"Senate Bill 1595, a Bill for an Act concerning finance. Third Reading of this Senate Bill."
"Mr. Costello."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Members of the House. The Bill is as I described. It passed on leave out of committee. I know of no opposition. I ask for your 'yes' vote."
"Mr. Pritchard."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Sponsor yields."
"Representative, how long has it been an issue in this school district that they needed to have a new gymnasium?"
"It's been condemned for a year and a half, Representative."
"So, they've been limping along, if you will, with an inadequate building and now they're trying to do something. Why is it that they don't qualify for the green building designation… silver designation?"
"So, in all reality, Representative Pritchard, the U.S. Green Building Organization is the organization the Federal Government contracts with. In their guidelines, it actually says that if it's… the building, which is being replaced or the part of the building being replaced, is less than 40 percent core or in an ancillary part of the building, it does not have to meet leads. But, for whatever reason, Chester Community School District 139 has not been able to get a ruling from the U.S. Green Building Organization. So, truthfully, they… they do qualify." 09800073.docx 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 73rd Legislative Day 10/23/2013
"So, isn't there also an exemption if this is an emergency, and has this district been classified as an emergency situation?"
"Yes, it has."
"Well, sounds like a necessary move and I compliment you on this piece of legislation."
"Those in favor of the Bill will vote 'yes'; opposed 'no'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Please record yourselves. Mr. Ford, Mr. Walsh. Mr. Walsh. Please take the record. On this question, there are 117 voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Senate Bill 1496, Representative Zalewski. Mr. Clerk, please read the Bill."
"Senate Bill 1496, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation. The Bill was read for a second time on a previous day. Amendment #2 was adopted in committee. Floor Amendment #3 is offered by Representative Zalewski."
"Mr. Zalewski."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Amendment deals with the Medical Practice Act. It sets forth a number of additional provisions to the Act. I'd be happy to answer questions on Third Reading, but the Amendment makes changes to Medical Practice Act."
"Those in favor of the Amendment say 'yes'; opposed 'no'. The 'ayes' have it, the Amendment is adopted. Mr. Clerk."
"No further Amendments. No Motions are filed."
"Third Reading. Please read the Bill." 09800073.docx 19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 73rd Legislative Day 10/23/2013
"Senate Bill 1496, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation. Third Reading of this Senate Bill."
"Mr. Zalewski."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Bill does the following things: it extends the Medical Practice Act for one year; it set forth standards within the Act for a withdrawal of a licensure application and requires the department to report those withdrawals to the medical boards if it's instituted denial proceedings; there's a fine requirement… there's a timing requirement on… on fines; there's an issue with residency programs. As everybody knows, we had a series of discussions this summer where we talked about what we can do to clean up purporting within the residency programs and hospitals. And, we also, enact changes to the Medical Cannabis Act. I'd ask for an 'aye' vote."
"Gentleman moves for the passage of the Bill. The Chair recognizes Mr. Franks."
"Thank you, Mr… thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Sponsor yields."
"Representative, I'm looking at our analysis. In the second bullet point, indicates that it sets forth standards for withdrawal of licensure applications and requires the DFPR to report such withdrawals to the Federation of State Medical Boards. How is this different? I'm… I'm must wondering whether this is more of a… a transparency issue or not?"
"So, what… this was actually a compromise piece, Jack, when we dealt with these checks on… on licensures. The department wanted a mechanism to deal with withdrawals. The 09800073.docx 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 73rd Legislative Day 10/23/2013 compromise, as we speak, is to ensure that if the… if the withdrawal is done, that goes to sort of a central national database so they know throughout the United States, hey, Illinois has instituted denial proceedings; be aware that if this person chooses to apply for licensure in other states."
"I'm con… I appreciate that. I'm concerned because I… we've seen many media reports that… he needs… Mr. Speaker, I think the Sponsor's having trouble hearing my question. We've seen media reports where we've had physicians, for instance, practicing in the State of Illinois that have been suspended from other states. Yet, for some reason, these folks have been practicing with impunity. And we've also seen reports that folks who have been suspended in Illinois have been able to practice in other states. Will this help clear up that loophole, where if someone is disciplined in one state, that we will know about it and be able to impose, or deny, the ability for that person to practice in the State of Illinois?"
"Yeah. So, Jack, the answer's, yes. What we've found was, there was a lack of information sharing. This is a cure to that problem. If states are sharing information, those… outlier cases won't slip through the cracks."
"So, this will now require that sharing of that information?"
"Correct."
"Okay. And, hopefully, it'll make it easier for the Department of Professional Regulations, then, to suspend or not license folks who shouldn't have those licenses."
"I hope so, too, Jack." 09800073.docx 21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 73rd Legislative Day 10/23/2013
"Okay. Well, I appreciate you coming forward, 'cause I think it's a very important change."
"Thank you."
"Mr. Sullivan."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Sponsor yields."
"Representative, one of the changes that are… have been added to this Bill, and maybe you can expand on the reasoning for this, is… has to do with the compassionate use of Medical Cannabis's Pilot Program Act as a grounds for dismissal. Can you expand upon what that means in this new legislation?"
"What… what we want, Ed, is a mere language between the Medical Practice Act and the Cannabis Control… Medical Cannabis Act, and that has to be enforced. The department's view is that has to be in place in order for both… both Acts to work together cooperatively. There has to be a symmetry there."
"So, does that mean that these doctors must follow the Cannabis Act or they could get in trouble if they follow the Cannabis Act? How does, in real world terms, does that… does this affect their licensure?"
"If a… if a doctor violates the Cannabis Act, they're going to be found in violation of the Medical Practice Act."
"If they choose not to write prescriptions for marijuana, would that be a violation of the Cannabis Act?"
"No."
"Okay. That's… that's really what I wanted to get at."
"Okay."
"I appreciate it." 09800073.docx 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 73rd Legislative Day 10/23/2013
"Yeah."
"Can you also explain to me why we're only doing this for one year?"
"Representative, we are doing it for one year simply because the Act needs to be extended and, at this point, we're going to extend it for one year out."
"Is there any discussion of… 'cause we've done this, I think, six or seven straight years, where we've passed one year extensions. I mean, is there a bigger plan here? Is there a plan to, actually maybe, have stability in the medical world by actually giving them a five year, ten year Act, and so they can plan accordingly?"
"I… my conversations are, Representative, that we… we would like… we think, within the confines of a one year extension, they can still plan accordingly. We're always open to changes to the Medical Practice Act, but we're going to give them a one year extension, at this time."
"Well, it would seem like we would do in business in doing everything else, and these are small business men, that giving some type of stability and comfort that nothing's going to change in their Practice Act and we can recruit the best talent from the university and say, hey, come to Illinois and practice, but we do this once a year. And, obviously, there might be some other reasons why that happens, but I would hope that your side of the aisle would maybe thought… you know, think about this and do a five to ten year Practice Act. Thank you."
"Thank you, Ed."
"Representative Kosel." 09800073.docx 23 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 73rd Legislative Day 10/23/2013
"Thank you. Will the Sponsor yield, please?"
"Sponsor yields."
"Thank you very much. During committee, I asked this question and you just answered that this is, again, a one year extension. Can you tell me how many of our other Practice Acts only have a one year extension?"
"None that I know of, Renee."
"None that I know. So, this is the only one. The director of the department said that this has been going on for multiple years, six or seven, at the most. There's some very good things in this Bill and I want to compliment you on them, but I cannot support it when we continue to do a one year extension. And so, for that reason, I will be voting 'no' and encourage others, too, also."
"Representative Flowers."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Gentleman yield?"
"He does."
"Representative, I would like to ask a few questions in regards to the residency requirements. Did you make any changes? You know, we had meeting in Chicago and part of the problem was the residency had a beginning, but it did not have an end. So, is it required, with this legislation, that residency be completed at a time certain?"
"Not in this Bill, Mary, but I know this is an issue that you and I should continue to talk about."
"So, we will be working on to correct this?"
"Mary, you and I should always work together and get this right. So, we'll keep talking about it."
"I'll… I'll look forward to us making it right." 09800073.docx 24 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 73rd Legislative Day 10/23/2013
"Okay, Mary."
"Thank you."
"Mr. Hays."
"To the Bill. I agree with… with when my colleagues in sharing concern about the one year nature of this extension. You know, we've been down this road before. We just hearken back to the spring when residency programs throughout our state, where the best and brightest have signed up to come to Illinois, but then we create this absolutely manufactured emergency because, once again, as it relates to medical practice in this state, we do not extend the rules for three years, or five years, or ten years. We do this piecemeal approach and we come back to it again, and again, and again. It really is no way to do business. I certainly support the extension of the Act, I think it's important. But I think it's high time that we do the right thing and we extend the Act for ten years so people can appropriately plan, appropriately recruit, and appropriately get down to the business of providing care for the citizens of this state. Thank you."
"Mr. Zalewski to close."
"I ask for an 'aye' vote."
"Those in favor of the Bill will vote 'yes'; opposed 'no'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. On this question, there are 115 voting 'yes', 2 voting 'no'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. On page 5 of the Calendar, under the Order of Resolutions, there 09800073.docx 25 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 73rd Legislative Day 10/23/2013 appears House Joint Resolution 31. Representative Chapa LaVia. Representative Chapa LaVia, you have Floor Amendment #2."
"Thank you, Speaker. I apologize for my lack of presence at my seat. House Joint Resolution 31, on this again, and I hate confusing people, but if you vote 'yes', it means…"
"Representative, Floor Amendment #2."
"Oh, could it pass? I'm sorry. Please adopt Floor Amendment #2."
"You want to tell us what Floor Amendment #2 is?"
"Floor Amendment #2 takes the following actions on the State Board of Education in reporting on waivers and school code mandates; denies physical education waivers for O'Fallon School District 90; approves a non-residential… resident tuition waiver for Abingdon, Avon School District 276, retroactive to August 20, 2013; and states that all other waivers are approved. This is the State Board of Education recommendations on actions on waiver report. I'll take any questions."
"Those in favor of the Amendment say 'yes'; opposed 'no'. The 'ayes' have it and the Amendment is adopted. Now on the Resolution, as amended, Representative."
"Okay. I'll take any questions. I'll take any questions, Speaker. There's quite a few but, once again, voting 'yes' means that you approve for the modifications and denials to the school district application set forth in House Joint Resolution 31. Voting 'no' means you support the school district's waiver applications without changes. So, voting 'yes' allows this to go through; voting 'no' does not. Oh, 09800073.docx 26 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 73rd Legislative Day 10/23/2013 it's the opposite, I'm sorry. I was looking at Will. I got mesmerized, but a 'yes' is a good vote."
Speaker Lang: "Mr. Reboletti can bring some light to this subject."
"Thank you, Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Lady yields."
"Representative, I'm more thoroughly confused than I… than I was before, with respect to the…"
"I… I apologize. I apologize. So, voting 'yes' means you approve of the modification and the denial. So, voting 'yes' means you approve on what we have forth, before you. Okay? Voting 'no' means you don't want any of this, so it all goes away."
"Why are these always set up…"
"All the waivers are then approved, 'cause we've denied a few of these waivers."
"Why… why are they… why are they set up that 'yes' means and 'no', and 'no' means 'yes'? Why do we have it like that? Can't we change that?"
"You know, I think it had to do with Representative Bill Black. I can't remember."
"But he's retired now, so I think…"
"I'm sure Representative Bost remembers."
"I mean, this… this becomes confusing. I would… I would…"
"I don't know. I don't know why we do it the way we do. I can take it in to talk with staff about rewriting this. Since I've been here ten years, this has what's been, and it confuses people." 09800073.docx 27 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 73rd Legislative Day 10/23/2013
"And I agree, so thank you."
"I apologize."
"Representative Monique Davis." Davis, M.: "Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Lady yields." Davis, M.: "Representative Chapa LaVia…"
"Yes, Ma'am." Davis, M.: "…did we deny the waiver…"
"Yes." Davis, M.: "…to the school, where the little boy, Eric…"
"Take for… Eric… Eric…" Davis, M.: "…Eric testified and…"
"What's Eric's last name? Shakleford." Davis, M.: "Yes."
"That young man that testified. Yes, we're denying that waiver and I'm happy to say that." Davis, M.: "Because the school had authorized the denial of P.E. with… before a waiver was given to them."
"Correct." Davis, M.: "And as it turns out, they did not get a waiver."
"Correct. And they were not in compliance, and that was from kindergarten to fifth grade. So, they were denying those little kids exercise." Davis, M.: "Thank you, Representative."
"You're welcome, Ma'am. Thank you."
"Mr. Pritchard."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Would the Sponsor yield? "
"Sponsor yields." 09800073.docx 28 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 73rd Legislative Day 10/23/2013
"Representative, among the waivers, if I have your attention?"
"Yes."
"Among the waivers, are those for driver's education fees?"
"Correct."
"Do we have a state policy as to a maximum of those fees?"
"The maximum on the driver's fees are 250, and that's why…"
"And… and is this waiver, for some of those, above 250?"
"Yes. A couple of the waivers allow those districts to increase, but it's based on those school boards making those decisions."
"And we also have a waiver that deals with the hours behind the wheel?"
"The hours, yeah. I think was East Aurora. That's one of my school districts. They went from six to three hours, all renewals."
"And, there's also…"
"So, they were already in place, they're asking for another renewal on it."
"There's also waivers for a maximum administration percentage of the school operating budget. Why are we allowing those exceptions to exceed the maximum allowed… or to exceed a five percent increase?"
"Correct. There's limitations."
"Why are we allowing them to do that?" 09800073.docx 29 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 73rd Legislative Day 10/23/2013
"For ones… just for one district. For one time to extend their… they have a… a special situation that we're allowing this one time event to occur to help them offset that cost."
"I… I think as we look at the cost of education, we have to be very concerned with how much money is diverted away from the classroom, and I think we need to look at these kinds of waivers very carefully because we need more money in the classroom, rather than in overhead and in operations. Thank you."
"Yeah, I… I agree, Representative. This just allows the few districts a little bit more flexibility, what… what they have, but you are right. We need to start looking seriously at some of these waivers and exactly how the wording's done. Thank you."
"Representative Bellock."
"Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield? "
"Lady yields."
"I just… I guess my point on this Resolution is, is that the childhood obesity is an epidemic that we're fighting throughout the entire United States, it's the number one issue. And in this, taking out P.E. of a school is, I think, the wrong thing to do at this time. So, that's why, you know, if by voting 'yes' that keeps P.E. in, that's…"
"Okay."
"…what I think is an important issue. But I…"
"So, there's 12 dis… there was 13, but we denied the one, 90. Right? So, there's 12 districts that are allowing 09800073.docx 30 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 73rd Legislative Day 10/23/2013 that but they are trying to put something in place, whether it's structured P.E. or structured recess twice a week, three times a week. You know, there was a Bill that we had in our committee last year and one of the Representatives on your side passed because they were trying to offset some stuff with outdoor curricular stuff, right?"
"I remember that."
"So, we tried to accommodate. I wholeheartedly agree what you're saying, especially at the earlier ages, we should be…"
"Right."
"…seeing more recess and more P.E. I wholeheartedly agree with you, Representative."
"Yeah. Thank you very much. I… I agree, you know, with what you're saying and that's, what I'm saying, and if I was sure that they were going to do it everywhere, and when you get to high school and you're in a sport, a varsity sport, I can see that, but especially the childhood K through 5, is so important. That's… that's where I am. Thank you very much."
"Thank you, Leader Bellock."
"Mr. Bost."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To the Bill. Ladies and Gentlemen, this process was… was put in place by, and designed to work, by the late Marylou Cowlishaw and the late Doug Hoeft. And it was the idea and intent that each of the waivers would be easily received from the state so that local control could exist. Now, the state board then, felt that they di… weren't certain things that they needed to deny and if they were going to deny it, we would have to put it in a Resolution that we 09800073.docx 31 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 73rd Legislative Day 10/23/2013 would have to agree with them to deny. That's why you have the 'no' vote, it means 'yes', and the 'yes' means 'no'. So, if you believe in local control… Now, I… we all believe that P.E. is important, however, do you trust your local school boards in… at… to do what they do, or do you think we need to micromanage? So… and I'm not slamming anybody that votes the other way. But because of the fact that I believe that they're wise enough to make their own decisions, that they would replace P.E. with something else, whatever that might be, and along this route, so a 'no' vote means that you're saying that, yes, they should have local control. And a 'yes' said, no, we the state are wiser than them and we're going to take this away from them. So, that's pretty well, in a nut shell, why we put it in this way. The idea and intent of that Legislature, at that time, was to make it so that local control had the upper hand. And so, but this is the one way you can take local control away. Thank you."
"Representative Hammond."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And, to the Bill. I just want to commend the Sponsor of this Bill and also, for her willingness to work with me in a particular situation in my district. In my district, we are working very hard for a school consolidation. As a result of one of those consolidations that took a number of years to achieve, when we achieved the consolidation, we had folks that were employees of the school district, however, their children were now going to be charged non-resident tuition. So, in working with the Sponsor of this Bill, we are now going to be able to change that where the children of the employees within 09800073.docx 32 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 73rd Legislative Day 10/23/2013 the school district will, in fact, not be charged non-resident tuition. So, I would encourage a 'yes' vote. Thank you."
"Representative Chapa LaVia to close."
"I agree with everything everybody said. I think we should allow kids to run in the hallways. Let's get them exercise. I understand that. I understand the local control, it's so important. And we have to allow our school districts to be creative, but under the restraints that we have in the state, we have certain standards that need to be met and that's why we see ourselves having to do this every year. I really do appreciate the debate on both sides, and I really do care about the fact that we get along on educational issues. So, I try my best to make sure I represent everybody in the State of Illinois. Ask for its adoption. Thank you."
"Those is favor of the Resolution will vote 'yes'; opposed 'no'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Franks. Stewart. Sullivan. Please record yourselves. Please take the record. On this question, there are 90 voting 'yes', 24 voting 'no', 1 voting 'present'. And the Resolution is adopted. Chair recognizes Representative Williams."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just wanted to welcome some very special guests today. We are joined by some visitors from John Marshall Law School. Up in the gallery, we have Professor Kevin Hall, who you may remember from staff days, along with some students from his legislative drafting class. And I will note that some of the students overlap and are in my class that I'm teaching this semester at the John Marshall 09800073.docx 33 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 73rd Legislative Day 10/23/2013 Law School. So, we have some very engaged, interested young attorneys to be visiting us today. So, welcome."
"Thank you and welcome. On page 5 of the Calendar, under the Order of Amendatory Vetoes, there appears House Bill 2454. Out of the record. On page 5 of the Calendar, under the Order of Total Veto Motions, there appears House Bill 1200, Mr. Sosnowski. Please proceed, Sir."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Would thank the Members of the General Assembly and Members of the Senate, when this came up in the spring, there was nearly 80 votes in favor of this Bill and… and 40 in favor in the Senate. Couple of brief things I want to mention without going over everything that was discussed last go around, but it's important to note that starting in 1999, the State of Illinois ceased its subsidies to park district museums. That goes back 14 years ago, they've received no subsidy. Originally, there was a requirement to have 52 free days allowed for individuals in the community attend and go to these museums. And since that time though, obviously, without any operating subsidy, the rationale behind requiring those 52 days is a little bit less. The intent of this legislation is still to offer 26 free days for anybody in the general community, so two days per month, 26 days throughout the year. And this would… you know, obviously, the intent of that is to allow those folks with low incomes or inability to… to pay the admittance fee to be able to still attend those museums. This would, obviously, help museums a great deal, and there's about 120 park district museums around the state, 11 in Chicago, the rest of them scattered throughout Illinois. Essentially, this will help them 09800073.docx 34 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 73rd Legislative Day 10/23/2013 because, right now, the mandate, basically, requires them to lose 14 percent of their budget. So, this would relieve that cut in their budget; allow them to reinvest those funds into community outreach; it would allow them to do better exhibits, to bring more exhibits; and would allow them to outreach into the classrooms and to the schools. Additionally, this Bill doesn't affect school trips, teachers bringing classrooms to the museum. They would still be allowed to attend for free, as they are now. So, this doesn't have anything to do with that. It's also important to note that when many people attend museums, if they happen to show up on a free day, they're automatically allowed to be free. And, obviously, that's a huge cost, especially if somebody was intending to pay their admittance fee to begin with. I'm available for any questions. I, again, ask the Members of the General Assembly for their support and in allowing for this flexibility for museums to move forward and alleviate some of that mandate that we put on them. Thank you."
"Representative Lilly. Representative Lilly."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Gentleman yields."
"Thank you. Representative, will this legislation negatively impact the working class families?"
"No, Ma'am. I don't believe that it will. For those families, working or otherwise, who need access to the museum, they would have 26 opportunities throughout the year to attend completely free. They also have other opportunities to gain admittance through passes through local libraries or other outreach programs that museums offer. And I… it's also 09800073.docx 35 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 73rd Legislative Day 10/23/2013 important to note that museums can offer any number of free days that they would like. So, if museums would like to offer more than 26, they certainly could."
"Another question, how would the underprivileged and the low income families access the museums?"
"On those 26 free days, all they need to do is show up. They're posted by the museums around the state, as far as which days are free and, just as they do now, they're able to attend those museums free of cost. And they just have those 26 days to choose from throughout the year."
"Do you know how many working class families are accessing these free days now?"
"Well, as I mentioned, the free days, basically, constitute about 14 percent of any museum's budget. So, little ones like are in my district and Rockford or Peoria or around the state, you know, if their budget's only a quarter million dollars, you know, they're losing anywhere from 15 to $30 thousand a year. For, obviously, larger museums, they could lose upwards of 2, 3, $400 thousand a year in this. So, you know, the number of families that can still take advantage of the free days, which it'd still be available to all of them. There's just less free days throughout the year that people who, are just again, showing up, wanting to come to the museum, they're ready, they've got cash in hand, they want to pay and just because they show up on a free day, they're allowed to come in for free. We're… we're, hopefully, alleviating that for these museums."
"So, the answer is you do not know how many working class families are accessing the museum? That's the answer?" 09800073.docx 36 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 73rd Legislative Day 10/23/2013
"Well, everybody who attends the museum that works, you know, is a working class. I mean, I would probably assume that 80 percent of museum goers have some sort of employment, whether full time of part time. That's just a guess."
"Being you don't have that information, I'm sure you could get it to me at another date. However, you mentioned programs, would this legislation reduce educational opportunities for children and their families?"
"No. Actually, the great thing about this change, it will actually enhance and increase what museums can do. School groups can still come for free. So, school outreach will still be at where it's at. But this will actually give museums some flexibility to do more outreach into the community, outreach to school districts, outreach within schools, and just more general outreach to the community. In addition to obviously enhancing the offerings that they… they have, such as exhibits or art displays so that they're able to do more throughout the year."
"Have you seen these plans that indicate this outreach program and these new programs that you speaking to? I… I did request that information. I have not received anything."
"Well, you know, the museums and the park who are very strong supporters, along with their… their organizations and, you know, again, the 120 museums throughout the state that would benefit, you know, it's very difficult for them to say, you know, what if scenario. If they do have those funds, you know, I… I know first-hand from talking to some of them, they said, yes, you know, we'll offer more free classes, more enrichment classes because we'll have an extra 10, 20, or $30 09800073.docx 37 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 73rd Legislative Day 10/23/2013 thousand to maybe bring in an expert so that we can have something available for children. Yeah, right now, they don't have those funds available so it's very hard for them to, you know, come up with a long list of programing, but they're very eager to do that."
"Well, I know we discussed it in our session and I did talk about this issue and they committed to providing plans and programs addressing what you are addressing here on the floor. I have not received any information or any insight of those excellent programs that you speaking to and I'm hoping that they had enough time to do that. At this point, I would love, love to see that information because it is important that our students in our school settings and the working poor have access to these programs. I'll look forward to getting that information. I'll ask for it again, but I think it's important."
"Okay."
"Another question, will this legislation negatively impact the local economies, less visitors to the museums, fewer hotels stays, food, vendors, all those kinds of economic engines? Will it impact them negatively?"
"No, I don't believe that it will. And, in fact, as you know, just a couple of years ago, we made a change to General Assembly with the support of the Governor, disallowed individuals from outside of Illinois to attend museums for free. And the reasoning for that is, if Illinois taxpayers are being allowed these days, we shouldn't allow somebody from Wisconsin or Indiana or California to be able to come to our museums free of charge. So, the arg… some of the 09800073.docx 38 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 73rd Legislative Day 10/23/2013 discussion at that time, we were worried that we would lose out-of-town visitors… out-of-state visitors from coming in, but by that small change in the legislation, we've seen no decrease at all in the museums attributable to that, and we don't expect to see any decrease in regards to this legislation also. And, in fact, we'll probably see, on those days that there are free offerings, we'll probably see attendance increase. And many of the other days, attendance will maintain being level. And just to comment on your previous point, you know, just as I mentioned to you off- line, love to work with you and the museums in order to make sure that these saved dollars are being reinvested in the community and into programing and that each museum around the state comes up with ideas and thoughts and maybe works through our museums committee to say, hey, these are some of the new things that we'd like to do and some of the new programs that we can offer. So, I'm very much interested in working with the museums and yourself in the committee to see that happen."
"Representative, you… you know I'm very interested as the Chair of the Museum Arts & Culture Enhancement Committee, so, working together on those… access to those resources and venues is something I'm… very dear to my heart. Another question real quickly. Are the… are there any other ways to address the financial needs of the museum without reducing free days? Have you thought about that?"
"You know, there certainly are some opportunities, and I'm open to looking at those. But, you know, traditionally, when you look at a museum, and they… they operate under the same issues that any not-for-profit does, you know, 09800073.docx 39 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 73rd Legislative Day 10/23/2013 especially in balance, for instance the economy, there's struggling, donations are struggling, there not as good as they had been, so, many times, you know, these not-for-profits and museums have to cut back on the services that they offer and I certainly don't want to see that. I would like to see their services enhanced and I think that this is one way to get that done."
"Okay. Will the Sponsor yield? Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask for a verification of Roll Call on this legislation and I would also encourage all of my colleagues to vote 'no' on the override. We are, indeed, impacting the exposure to many of our citizens, our working class, our unemployed to access the information and the… the talents that are located and showcased in our museums throughout our state, and primary in the great City of Chicago. So, I do hear the Sponsor indicating his willingness to work and I'll appreciate that and I hope we can do that. However, this Act would be immediate and sometimes we're slow to really, really get things where the people are not impacted negatively. So, I'm asking each of you to vote 'no' on the override at this time. Thank you."
"Your request for a verification is acknowledged. Leader Turner in the Chair."
"Thanks, Reboletti. Representative Mayfield."
"Thank you. To the Bill. I had concur with everything that Representative Lilly said in regard to the Bill. This is a Bill that we all need to vote 'no' on. It will have a dramatic financial impact upon tourism within the City of Chicago. It will affect our lower income families, not so 09800073.docx 40 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 73rd Legislative Day 10/23/2013 much from out-of-state, but within the State of Illinois. Those families who travel to Chicago to take advantage of the cultural offerings of our museums. We want to be sure that we are offering those opportunities to as many people within the State of Illinois as absolutely possible. I do believe that there are other ways for the museums to raise revenue. This only applies to general admission. For those of you that have visited the hotel, you know that all of the special exhibits are at an additional cost, so they are not losing revenue on those at all. This is only for general admission. And I think that we want to keep this opportunity available and open to those individuals who are lower income. We want all of our children within this state to have the offerings of rich, cultural and historic opportunities. So, I, too, am asking everyone to vote 'no'. Thank you."
"Thank you. Representative Kosel."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To the Bill. I would like to thank the Sponsor for bringing this forward. We sit here and talk about the strains on our budget all the time and… and we have not been able to give any money to museums throughout this state for many, many, many years. This is one way that we can enhance the museums of the State of Illinois, which in turn enhances tourism without impacting our budget and without impacting the… the ability of low income people to get to the museums. There are still 26 days that they can attend the museum. There are still, within the City of Chicago, multiple opportunities through the library, through school trips, to get to the museums at zero cost. If you haven't heard from the museums, I'm surprised because I've heard from so, so 09800073.docx 41 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 73rd Legislative Day 10/23/2013 many of them. We need to pass this legislation. The museums are a wonderful driver of jobs and the economy and tourism. And to be able to give them a boost without impacting our budget is something that you should really consider doing. I strongly urge a 'yes' vote."
"Representative Monique Davis." Davis, M.: "Thank you very much and it's… I'm really proud to see a Morehouse man in the Chair. To the Sponsor, I hope he'll yield? Do you know what it cost to visit the Museum of Science and Industry?"
"I don't. I don't know the exact…" Davis, M.: "You don't know what it cost? Do you know what it cost to visit the Chicago Aquarium?"
"I… I don't have the exact cost with me." Davis, M.: "You don't know what it cost? Well, that might be why you're sponsoring this Bill, because you don't know what it cost. It is a huge fee for a family, five, six children, to come into our city and perhaps some others, and have an educational and cultural experience. And it should not be limited to those who have great finance. I saw a family from either Sandwich, Illinois or Harvard, I don't remember, I talked to them. Harvard, Illinois or Sandford… Sandwich, and when they found out it's like $40 for adults or more, it's $28 for a child, they couldn't stay. They couldn't remain in Chicago for a cultural, educational experience with their children. The Governor is correct. The purpose of a museum is to educate, to provide culture, and when we deny that or limit the access, we really hurt all of us in this state. Maybe, those visitors who come, it's international visits who may 09800073.docx 42 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 73rd Legislative Day 10/23/2013 not know the real expensive trip it is to visit these wonderful museums, to visit the aquarium. And when they go with a school, that's just a small introduction. The teacher is moving quickly, she's keeping up with 28 or 32 children, and she's trying very hard to make sure they see a little of this, a little of that, a little of that. But the real learning takes place when that family takes the children and the family to the museums, and the aqu… you know, the aquarium. That's where the real learning takes place. You can slow it down. You can talk about the exhibits. So, my… my question, often is, what do you continue to do that is so expensive only a few people will be able to afford to visit you? That is not what we want in Illinois or in Chicago. We want to give access, access, to the tremendous learning opportunities in the Museum of Historical Society, the Museum of Science and Industry, the Chicago Aquarium, and some others around the State of Illinois. So, we… we commend the Governor for being concerned about the little people, the people with large families. This is showing concern for people who don't have a big fat income, who can take off of work whenever they want to. This is for that man and woman who goes to work every day, who want their children to experience the greatness of our museums and our other institutions. And as one of my colleagues mentioned, go to the restaurants, go to some of our fabulous clothing stores. So, when we limit all of this to just 26 days, we're hurting working families. We don't want to do that. I urge a 'no' vote on this override attempt."
"Thank you, Representative. Representative Lang back in the Chair." 09800073.docx 43 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 73rd Legislative Day 10/23/2013
"Ah, it's good to be loved. Mr. Franks."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have… I appreciate this debate and I… I agree with Representatives Davis and Lilly and Mayfield in their comments. I think when we had this debate on the floor earlier in the year, I'm not sure people understand that… understood the severity of the cuts. This goes from 52 days where citizens could have the ability to go to a museum down to 26, and that is really a huge amount. I was wondering if the… if the Sponsor would consider pulling the Bill out of the record to see if maybe we could get a compromise on the dates. Because I think that the amount cut so much is hard to defend and, perhaps, that's something I'd… I'd ask you if you would consider pulling it out and we could have a discussion and maybe get the Governor's staff involved as well and come to a compromise on this."
"I… we tried… we offered that, even the first go around, there was a lot of discussion on… I'm looking at the number, but it just came down to, is it 35 or 48 or 26, you know, so we tried to find a happy medium. And I agree with the previous Representative, who I respect greatly, in regards to providing these free days. They're absolutely essential to working families and we want to offer them. I just want to point out that these are still 26 opportunities throughout the year. I mean, 26 is a lot of opportunities. And in addition, there's other opportunities through their libraries and local oppor… outreach and museum outreach that they do where they give out free passes. So, there's a whole other list of other opportunities. And so, you know, when we come down to us not providing an operating subsidy for museums 09800073.docx 44 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 73rd Legislative Day 10/23/2013 anymore, going back 14 years now, you know, we continue to see their budgets being hurt and they're able to offer less, which hurts everybody. And, you know, I agree we want to have those days. And… and so, when we discussed that, we looked at 26 and working with the museums, they said, you know, this seems like a good palatable number, we don't know of a lot of people who are going to utilize all 26 days, but it definitely offers a lot of days throughout the year, twice a month for those families who truly can't afford it. And, you know, the previous Representative asked about the cost of attendance. You know, I certainly know they vary anywhere from 10 to 25, sometimes $30 and, you know, that is a significant cost when you have a family of four, five, six. I've got a family of five, myself, and it is very costly when we go to a museum or a zoo. You know, but again, if there is a need for those families who can't afford it, there's a lot of opportunities throughout the year that… they've 26 opportunities to schedule…"
"All right."
"…and as you mentioned, I don't know how many families will look at going to the zoo or maybe a museum and say, well, we're planning to go four times this year. They're more than likely going to pick one of two opportunities and they'll have 26 dates throughout the year to choose from."
"Well, I appreciate that… I appreciate the comments, but I don't… but what I'm concerned about is if you're not willing to… I understand you picked a date, but it's sort of arbitrary how many, the 26, and I think it should be taken out of the record. But if you're going to go forward with it, I'm going 09800073.docx 45 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 73rd Legislative Day 10/23/2013 to encourage everyone to vote 'no'. And I understand this had 79 votes before, but if you've ever changed your vote… or haven't changed your vote before, this is the time to do it, folks. For those of you who voted 'yes', now is the time to vote 'no', and the reason is, our families can't afford it and that's just not fair. I mean, when you go to the Art Institute, it's 18 bucks. I know how much it is. My kids love the Art Institute. We go, it's 18 bucks every time I walk in, I drop a hundred dollar bill because that's what it's going to be. And there's a lot of families that can't afford this. And, actually, I'm just reading the Governor's Veto Message, and I disagree with the Governor on many things but on this, he's actually 100 percent right. And what he said… and it's not on our analysis, but folks, listen to what the Governor said. He said, while our museums are internationally renown, they are not just for tourists visiting on the weekends. Those are our museums for our citizens. We have some of the greatest museums on the face of the earth, but they don't do any good if our citizens can't take advantage of them. Some of the greatest cities in the world have these wonderful museums that are free and open to their citizens. You go to the Washington D.C. and you can spend days in the Smithsonian. You go to London and you can go to the museums, the British museum, and you go to the galleries, they're free. The greatest cities in the world have the greatest museums and they are free. Illinois should not be limiting our museum days to just to those who can afford it. They're an incredible resource that ought to be enjoyed by all. For those of you who voted 'yes' before on this Bill, please vote 'no'. It's 09800073.docx 46 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 73rd Legislative Day 10/23/2013 the right vote. Let's… let's stick with the Governor on this. He's right. And let's allow the citizens… I know, I can't believe I said that either, but the Governor is right on this one. Occasionally, it happens. A stopped clock is right twice a day. So, we got… we understand that. But on this, I encourage a 'no' vote. Thank you."
"Representative Flowers."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Gentleman yield?"
"Gentleman yields."
"You know, Representative, I understand exactly what you're trying to do, I don't understand the reason why you're trying to do it. But, if I may, I need to remind you, as Representative Franks just stated, the museums belong to the people. We helped to build those museums. That's on park districts land. It should not be unaffordable and unattainable for all the people of the State of Illinois. And, more importantly, when you factor in how much it cost to park… you know, forget about paying the price to get into the museum, the museums are not within walking distance of most people's homes who need to be able to take their children there. It's within walking distance of the affluent, but what about the poor children? And you kept up bringing up about the libraries. You know, I was just in the library the other day to get a couple of books for my granddaughter and there are books and in the books, there are beautiful pictures. But then, when I took my nephew to the museum, we were able to, not only read about the dinosaurs and the trains and the planes, we were able to read them, touch them, and feel them. The train came to life. The dinosaurs came to life. There 09800073.docx 47 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 73rd Legislative Day 10/23/2013 were moving parts in the… in the museum. Those moving parts are not in the library. So, that's another reason, but more importantly, you talked about the 26 days. Well, let me tell you what will happen. Already, with the 52 days, there are long lines but when you get 26 days, there will be even longer lines and fewer people will able to enjoy the fruits of their endeavors. Their mothers, their fathers, their grandparents, they helped build it, we paid for it, we deserve it. I will concur with my other colleagues, the Governor is right. This is for the people. It was built by the people. And the different types of objects and the games and the food and the things that you could buy within the museum, if you have more people coming into the museum, they could buy those things. But if you have fewer people coming into the museum, that's fewer people that will be eating at the concession stands, buying the little games and the other trinkets. Please, this Bill, this Bill here, is about children. This Bill here is about education. This Bill here is about opportunities. You should not be wanting to deny poor children those opportunities that they cannot ordinarily have if it were not for those 52 days at the museums. Thank you very much and I would respectfully ask you, please, to take this Bill out of the record. Thank you."
"Mr. Davis." Davis, W.: "Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Gentleman yields." Davis, W.: "And I'll… and I'll try to be brief, Representative. I… I just want to ask you a quick question…" 09800073.docx 48 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 73rd Legislative Day 10/23/2013
"Sure." Davis, W.: "…if you don't mind. So, as… as many have said, I understand the intent of what you're doing, but as I thought about it more, my… my question is, you just said we, you know, they have 26 opportunities to visit. And… and not to sound too over the top with it, but I can only assume that the museum can only handle so many groups at one time on a particular day, right?"
"I don't know that to be true. The last time I went, it wasn't a free day and it was an hour line. So, I mean, we stayed in line and there's… there's lines all the time because they, you know, I think they have great attendance throughout the year and that… that was a weekend, so it's maybe…" Davis, W.: "Right."
"…a little different, but…" Davis, W.: "Well, you know, the irony is that there's some people who can't afford to actually avoid free days for that reason. Now, maybe they crowded on that day as well, but I will… I would be concerned that a number of school groups, particularly from, you know, districts where you might have, maybe, lower income students and things like that will use those free days as field trip days, you know. So, I'm just wondering, if we're limiting the number of days, if that's going to create an opportunity where some people might actually not get a chance to visit because on that day, or because we're limiting those days, they just can't get in on that day 'cause when you, obviously, set up a field trip, you're making a call to the museum, say I've got a group coming and there are certain things happen when that group 09800073.docx 49 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 73rd Legislative Day 10/23/2013 arrives. And I'm just wondering, as I've had an opportunity to listen and to think about it a little bit further, if that actually is limiting the opportunities that groups, and maybe people, have to visit the museum because, again, I think on a particular day, not saying that there… that there… there may not be a wait but, generally, you have people cycling in and out. So, as people come in, eventually, somebody is leaving, and you create a balance, even if there may be a wait. But, I just wonder if you have so many groups coming on one day, whether or not the museum may say, you know what, we can't take any more school trips because we're inundated and we don't have enough staff to be able to escort them around. So… so, when I think about this in that way, while I voted 'yes' on the Bill, and as Representative Franks talked about, you know, possibly changing a vote, as I've thought about it a little bit more, I must in deference you and I wanted to say that to you, that I am going to vote 'no' on the override because I think what you're suggesting can create an opportunity where groups won't have access to the museum because on a given day, 'cause we're limiting those days, they may not have the opportunity to visit. So, I just wanted to make sure I shared that with you. Thank you very much."
"Mr. Zalewski."
"Mr. Speaker, I move the previous question."
"Gentleman moves the previous question. Those in favor say 'yes'; opposed 'no'. The 'ayes' have it and the previous question is put. Mr. Sosnowski to close."
"I'm sorry about that, Mr. Speaker. I certainly appreciate the lively debate, and it's no small task to look 09800073.docx 50 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 73rd Legislative Day 10/23/2013 at overriding a Governor's Veto, and I certainly appreciate the importance of that. I, also appreciate, you know, all the comments that we had and I… I want you to know that I absolutely, fundamentally, agree that we need to have these free days for families that can attend, and this has no affect on school trips that happen Monday through Friday, those are all free. They will continue to be free for classrooms of any age. And, of course, many museums offer free passes for children under a certain age to begin with. I just think that this is an absolutely fundamental thing that we need to look at when we mandate that a not-for-profit, a museum, and we've got 120 of them around the state. And mine in Rockford, which by the way, don't have any parking fees, so I would love to have more people come up to Rockford and utilize those, no parking and, you know, be able to come on those free days, is important. But especially for these smaller museums around the state, this is a huge cost to them because they don't have tens of thousands of people coming to the museums like we see in Chicago. But I think the fundamental thing, I just want to leave everybody with, is… is we want museums to be able to offer more to the community, to be able to offer more in the classroom, to get their employees out doing things in the libraries, and to have more things in the community. And if we place mandates on them without giving any operational subsidy like we've done for the last 14 years, they have to continue to cut back and trim back the offerings and the things that they can do. I think this is just a great opportunity for them to do more and to be able to have some of those resources to be able to… to be able to offer more. 09800073.docx 51 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 73rd Legislative Day 10/23/2013 So, I thank you for the time and appreciate the lively discussion."
"Mr. Sosnowski moves that the House override the Veto of the Governor on House Bill 1200. This requires 71 votes. Representative Lilly has requested a verification. Members will be in their seats and vote their own switches. Those in favor of the Gentleman's Motion will vote 'yes'; opposed 'no'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Andrade, Currie, Mitchell, Nekritz, please record yourselves. Mr. Clerk, please take the record. On this question, there are 49 voting 'yes', 67 voting 'no', 1 voting 'present', and the Gentleman's Motion fails. House Resolution 168. Mr. Clerk, would you please read the Resolution? We have the number wrong, Mr. Clerk. It's House Resolution 6-1-8, 618."
"House Resolution 618, offered by Representative Leitch. WHEREAS, After 29 years of dedicated service, William D. "Bill" Olson will retire on December 31, 2013 as President of the Associated Beer Distributors of Illinois, the business trade association that represents the interests of beer distributors licensed by the State of Illinois to bring beer into Illinois and distribute to licensed retailers in accordance with the State's alcohol regulatory system; and WHEREAS, William Olson began his career with the Associated Beer Distributors of Illinois on January 1, 1985; as Chief Executive Officer, he has been responsible for all association programs and activities, including its government relations activities and the Political Action Committee; and 09800073.docx 52 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 73rd Legislative Day 10/23/2013 WHEREAS, William Olson is a past president of the Wholesale Beer Association Executives, the national organization of chief staff officers of state beer wholesaler associations, he currently serves as the organization's representative on the Industry Affairs Committee for the National Beer Wholesalers Association; he is also a member of the Illinois Society of Association Executives and the American Society of Association Executives; and WHEREAS, William Olson is a graduate of Illinois College in Jacksonville and was elected President of his junior and senior classes; he has also taken graduate courses in business and management at the University of Illinois in Springfield; and WHEREAS, After graduating in 1968, William Olson joined the Household Finance Corporation in Chicago; in 1972, he moved to Springfield to begin his career as a government relations representative for Household and its subsidiary companies; and WHEREAS, In 1977, William Olson joined the Association for Modern Banking as the Director of Government Relations; as Director, he guided industry lobbying efforts, including the passage of legislation to authorize multi-office banking and to end Illinois' unit banking system; and WHEREAS, William Olson has been the recipient of several awards, including the "Retailers Award of Merit" from the Illinois Liquor Stores Association in 1993, the Associated Beer Distributors of Illinois' "Richard A. Mautino Award" for industry service in 1995, recognition from the Illinois Licensed Beverage Association in 1996, the "Industry Service 09800073.docx 53 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 73rd Legislative Day 10/23/2013 Award" in 1997, the General Excellence Award from the Illinois State Crime Commission in 2003, and the National Beer Wholesalers "Life Service Award" in 2013; and WHEREAS, In 1989, William Olson was recognized for his outstanding efforts as a lobbyist by being elected by his peers to serve as "Speaker" of the Illinois Third House, an organization of registered lobbyists in Illinois; and WHEREAS, William Olson was born and raised in Chicago; he is married to Jean Aden Olson and is the father of Ashley Olson, who lives and works in Atlanta, Georgia; therefore, be it RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we commend William D. Olson for his excellent service to the Associated Beer Distributors of Illinois and the people of Illinois and wish him a long and happy retirement; and be it further RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to William Olson as an expression of our esteem and respect."
"Mr. Leitch."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. It really doesn't seem possible that we will be seeing Bill retire. For many, many years, even beyond his service with the Associated Beer Distributors, he's been one of the most highly respected lobbyist, respected by both sides of the aisle, both chambers in the General Assembly and really has set the example of what a high-quality lobbyist should be. You know, one of the first things we learn when we come here is whom can we trust, who are the Members we can trust and, very importantly, who are the lobbyist that we can trust 'cause a good lobbyist will tell you both sides of the 09800073.docx 54 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 73rd Legislative Day 10/23/2013 position and then tell you why the position he is lobbying for is correct. Well, for years, Bill has accomplished his success here with that kind of ethical behavior and with that kind of honesty, and above all, a passion for what he was lobbying for. Bill and I go back at least 35 years. We've known each other for a very long time. During that period of time, Bill, who's standing in the gallery, there were doctors who bet that neither one of us would be here today, given the episodes of malignant melanoma that we both went through. But in any event, it's just a true honor for me as a friend of Bill's, as so many of you are, to be able to express my gratitude to you, Bill, for your years of service and for all that you have meant to the process here in Illinois. And I would like to add all Members to the Resolution. Thank you."
"Gentleman moves to add all Members of the House as cosponsors. Is there leave? Leave is granted. All Members of the House shall be added as cosponsors. Mr. Dunkin."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to add my congratulations to our good guy, Mr. Olson. Everything that Representative Leitch pointed out is… is something… it's certainly what I agree on, as well. He definitely will be missed. Always a fun, loving gentleman every time I've engaged with him and he's been consistent in being factual to the issue of beers being distributed across the State of Illinois in the third party system, is what I learned. So, Bill, it's going to be somewhat of a loss here, not having you here with your… your passion and your directness with your industry. You represented them tremendously well. You have been tremendously supportive of a lot of us. And I want to thank 09800073.docx 55 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 73rd Legislative Day 10/23/2013 you've for your education of myself on this issue of beer distribution here in our great state. But, more importantly, how to lobby and how to return calls very accurately and… and with the level of efficiency that you have exhibited. So, congratulations. I hope you do… continue to do fun things. It'll be hard for me to believe that you won't be with us doing this type of gig, but it was a pleasure to be a part of your presence down here in Springfield. Thank you."
"Representative Kosel."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To the Resolution. I want to thank Bill for all the things that he has done and the example that he has been, as Representative Leitch said, on how to be a good lobbyist. I'm the new kid on the block. I've only known him for 17 and a half years, so I… I can't speak with the kind of longevity that Representative Leitch does. But I will tell you he is truly a gentleman and I congratulate him on his retirement, and his family. I'm sure they're as happy as mine to know that they will have more time with him and some wonderful memories and a new chapter of life. Ah, maybe not happy. But a new chapter of life that I'm sure will be filled with all kinds of new adventures. Congratulations on your retirement and the best wishes of the General Assembly."
"Mr. Mautino."
"And now comes Miller time. I've known Bill since I was 12 years old, actually, and he served down here with my father. I met him when I was Paging years and years ago. He has been a great pleasure to work with. He has been a great negotiator. And as far as a leader, and I can speak for all of the beer distributors of the State of Illinois, he has 09800073.docx 56 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 73rd Legislative Day 10/23/2013 been a tremendous voice of strength for all of us. And the past 23 years, I've gotten the opportunity to work with him here on my own. He has been a great man of conscience, willing to compromise and because of that, we have probably one of the strongest beer industry for a dealership acts in the county. And that's because of your work. So, as a friend to all of us and… and a good guide for the industry, and a fair guide, and an honest guide, we all wish you very well in your retirement. It has been greatly earned. God bless."
"Mr. Brauer."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Bill, you're going to be missed. I'm going to keep my remarks short but sincere. I tell you when we have Gentleman that can come in, understand the process, give the information that we need and guide us in the right directions for good legislation, I tell you you're going to be missed, and we certainly hope to see you around. Enjoy your retirement. Good luck."
"Those in favor of the Resolution… the Resolution has already been adopted, previously. On page 4 of the Calendar, under the Order of Concurrence, appears House… Yes, well-deserved, well-deserved for Bill Olson. Congratulations, Bill. Mr. Clerk, House Bill 2535, Mr. Sims. This is on the Order of Concurrence. Please proceed, Mr. Sims."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. House Bill 2535 is a Bill that creates an advisory committee for the Department of Human Services. Back in the spring, we… we'd gone through a number of negotiations on this issue and I committed at that time to the Human Services Committee that I'd bring that… bring the Bill back once we 09800073.docx 57 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 73rd Legislative Day 10/23/2013 completed those negotiations. Well, those negotiations were completed in the Senate. We brought the Bill over to the House and we were ready to move forward but we got caught up in the end of Session schedule. What the Bill, essentially does is it creates a advisory committee that will allow for the advisory committee to advise the Department of Human Services on… on matters that relate to developmental disabilities. And the Bill passed out of the Senate unanimously, passed out of the issue… passed out of the House unanimously and I'd ask for its adoption."
"There being no debate, those in favor of the Gentleman's Motion will vote 'aye'; opposed 'no'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Please record yourselves, Members. Mitchell, Sosnowski, Zalewski. Mr. Zalewski. Please take the record. On this question, there are 115 voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no'. And the House does concur with Senate Amendment #1 to House Bill 2535. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. House Bill 2778, Mr. Moffitt, Motion to Concur."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The… House Bill 2778 was a result of the EMS taskforce of the House. I co-chaired with Representative Lisa Dugan, held 17 hearings around the state in many of your districts throughout Illinois. We each traveled over four thousand miles, got input from providers. What this does is allow a licensed EMT may perform emergency and non-emergency medical services that they personally are licensed for, regardless of the level of the ambulance. In other words, a lot of times in a rural area, volunteers of 09800073.docx 58 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 73rd Legislative Day 10/23/2013 basic EMT but they might have… they might have an EMT paramedic with advanced licensing and training. They can perform the level of service that the personnel is actually trained, it will improve medical response in rural areas, and it is in… for rural populations serving under 7,500. Recommendation of the taskforce. I really appreciate Speaker Madigan and Leader Cross appointing the Members in supporting this, and Lieutenant Governor Simon signed the… had staff or personally attended our hearings. I urge approval of this concurrence."
"Mr. Moffitt moves that the House concur in Senate Amendment #1 to House Bill 2778. There being no debate, those in favor of the Gentleman's Motion will vote 'yes'; opposed 'no'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Please record yourselves. Wheeler. Zalewski. Please take the record. On this question, there are 114 voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no'. And the House does concur with Senate Amendment #1 to House Bill 2778. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. House Bill 2962, Mr. Mautino. Motion to Concur. Please proceed."
"I move the House concur in Senate Amendments 1 and 2 to House Bill 2962. And this is the culmination of three years of work. It is now a page and line Amendment that will conform the State of Illinois and the regulation of holding companies to the Federal Act, Dodd Frank's Act, and increase the amount of transparency for all holding companies, their reporting requirements. And be happy to answer any questions. I know of no opposition. Department of Insurance is in favor." 09800073.docx 59 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 73rd Legislative Day 10/23/2013
"Gentleman moves that the House concur in Senate Amendments 1 and 2 to House Bill 2962. And on that question, the Chair recognizes Mr. Brauer."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just real quickly. I was looking at the voting record and a lot of people voted 'no', but the one thing I want you to be… realize that this is 'agreed to' Bill and I certainly would incur everybody to vote 'yes'."
"Those in favor of Mr. Mautino's Motion will vote 'yes'; opposed 'no'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Please take the record. On this question, there are 114 voting 'yes', 1 voting 'present'. And the House does concur with Senate Amendments 1 and 2 to House Bill 2962. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. On page 3 of the Calendar, under the Order of Senate Bills-Second Reading, there appears Senate Bill 45, Leader Currie. Please read the Bill."
"Senate Bill 45, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation. The Bill will be read for a second time on a previous day. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. Floor Amendment #2 is offered by Representative Currie."
"Leader Currie on the Amendment."
"Thank you, Speaker, Members of the House. The Bill… underlying Bill provides for exemptions from liquor control requirements for a number of the establishments in the City of Chicago. We discussed in committee two others, whose, the ideas were before but the actual language was not. One of those is an establishment, the Family Den in Marcus Evans' district. It's a restaurant that's been around for many years 09800073.docx 60 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 73rd Legislative Day 10/23/2013 and has had a liquor license since 1985. In 2011, a mosque moved into the precinct and in order for the liquor license to be renewed, we would have to change state law. We have a letter from the alderman and my understanding is that the… the people who operate the mosque are comfortable with that as well. And in my district, in an area where there is not much economic development, a establishment, a restaurant and banquet facility plans to open up about three doors down from the local alderman, Michelle Har… I'm sorry, Natashia Holmes, and there are two churches nearby and they all believe that economic development would be good for this community. And so, there is support from the churches and from the alderman. And I'm sorry I misspoke, the third is Rico Fresh Food in Representative Arroyo's area, again, with support from the alderman and from the local school. This is an establishment that sells food. They have promised to make sure that the liquor they sell isn't for people who plan to drink on the streets, but the principle of the school says with a good deal of passion that it is time for this community to have economic development and she believes this will be a force for good in that neighborhood. I'd appreciate your support for the Amendment."
"Lady moves for the adoption of the Amendment. Those in favor say 'yes'; opposed 'no'. The 'ayes' have it. And the Amendment is adopted. Mr. Clerk."
"No further Amendments. No Motions are filed."
"Third Reading. Please read the Bill."
"Senate Bill 45, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation. Third Reading of this Senate Bill." 09800073.docx 61 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 73rd Legislative Day 10/23/2013
"Leader Currie."
"Thank you, Speaker, Members of the House. There are several other exemptions beyond those I've described. In this Bill, all of them have support from local political elected officials and from either hospitals or churches, which are nearby. One of them would enable Northwestern University's office building to have a fine dining Italian restaurant. The hospital itself, is happy with this idea and, in fact, the first six stories of the building already are home to many retail establishments. In addition, there is a movie theater in my area that when they first applied for zoning changes, said they wanted to be able to serve liquor. They, again, have support from a church within 100 feet, and from the alderman. And there is also the Museum of Science and Industry, which has had a liquor license since, oh, I think for about 50 years, it turns out nobody noticed that in 1964, the precinct was voted dry. In 1985, the precinct the museum was in included no territory that ever had been voted dry. There are not very many residences within this relatively new precinct but the point is, nobody has objected to the museums having alcohol sales in catering and other functions over these last 50 years. There is a good deal of distance, almost two miles, between the museum and any residential property. So, I'd appreciate your support for that provision and the others, which are part of Senate Bill 45."
"There being no debate, those in favor of the Bill will vote 'yes'; opposed 'no'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Please record yourselves. Mr. Demmer. Mr. Schmitz. Mr. 09800073.docx 62 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 73rd Legislative Day 10/23/2013 Clerk, please take the record. On this question, there are 64 voting 'yes', 51 voting 'no'. And Leader Currie is recognized."
"Postpone… Postponed Consideration, please."
"The Bill will be placed on the Order of Postponed Consideration. Ladies and Gentlemen, this Bill had required 71 votes. Senate Bill 1219, Representative Manley. Please read the Bill."
"Senate Bill 1219, a Bill for an Act concerning government. The Bill was read for a second time on a previous day. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions are filed."
"Third Reading. Please read the Bill."
"Senate Bill 1219, a Bill for an Act concerning government. Third Reading of this Senate Bill."
"Representative Manley."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Members of the House. Senate Bill 1219, as amended, would remove the clause that makes the I-55 and Weber Road project contingent on a land sale and would allow for this project to move forward as planned by IDOT. In the meantime, this project is partially funded by local and county dollars, which has helped get to to this point. This intersection and roadway is vital to the continued economic growth of not just the immediate area, but western Will County. This project will impact the health and success of many businesses and the quality of life of my constituents. This is a bi… this Bill has bipartisan support and was passed through committee unanimously, and I'll answer any questions." 09800073.docx 63 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 73rd Legislative Day 10/23/2013
"Lady moves for the passage of the Bill. Those in favor vote 'yes'; opposed 'no'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Harms. Mr. Hays. Mr. Harms. Please take the record. On this question, there are 114 voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Senate Bill 1600, Representative Williams. Please read the Bill."
"Senate Bill 1600, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation. The Bill was read for a second time on a previous day. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions are filed."
"Third Reading. Please read the Bill."
"Senate Bill 1600, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation. Third Reading of this Senate Bill."
"Representative Williams."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is a trailer Bill to a Bill we passed last spring that would do basically two things. First of all, it would extend or grandfather the time for evaluators licensed by the Sex Offenders Management Board to be able to utilize the same criteria for treating and evaluating sex offenders. This is necessary because the rules are currently pending in JCAR and if we don't pass this then there'll be no licensed evaluators ready to treat sex offenders, as mandated, by Illinois law. So, that's the first component. The second component would simply streamline how the fees, sex… sex offender registration fees, are distributed. Right now, it's a bit confusing and each jurisdiction does it a bit differently. This Bill would ensure 09800073.docx 64 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 73rd Legislative Day 10/23/2013 that the local jurisdiction retains their portion of the fee, the rest is then submitted to the State Police and then that is distributed as provided for in statute. And I'll be happy to answer any questions on this cleanup Bill."
"Lady moves for the passage of the Bill. Those in favor vote 'yes'; opposed 'no'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Please take the record. On this question, there are 115 voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Senate Bill 1845, Mr. Martwick. Out of the record. Mr. Clerk, Agreed Resolutions."
"Agreed Resolutions. House Resolution 631, offered by Representative Jackson. House Resolution 632, offered by Representative Osmond. And House Resolution 633, offered by Representative Bradley."
"Leader Currie moves for the adoption of Agreed Resolutions. Those in favor say 'yes'; opposed 'no'. The 'ayes' have it, and the Agreed Resolutions are adopted. Mr. Pritchard, on a point of personal privilege. Please proceed."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Ladies and Gentlemen, yesterday, we passed a Resolution that was little noted but I would like to draw it to the Body's attention because this is a significant example of what one university can do to improve its diversity in both student attendance, as well as in faculty employment. It was back in 1967 that the minority enrollment in Northern Illinois University accounted for three percent of the students and less than that in terms of faculty. Because of the President Rhoten Smith, who set about 09800073.docx 65 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 73rd Legislative Day 10/23/2013 hiring people like McKinley Davis to look at recruitment, to look at staff training and hiring, they were able, in the next 40 years, 45 years, to move that number to 37 percent of the student body and 19 percent of the faculty and staff. This Resolution congratulates Northern Illinois University for the Chance Program that Deacon Davis was able to implement at the university that, among other things, provides academic, personal, and career counseling, tutorial assistance for courses, academic skills enhancement courses, and academic monitoring throughout the students undergraduate career. I lift this program up for all of us to… to use in talking with our colleges and universities as an example of the way that we can help all of our residents move forward with the skills and training that they need for better paying jobs. This was House Resolution 613, congratulating the Chance Program, and thank you for that support."
"Chair recognizes Mr. Reboletti."
"Point of personal privilege, Mr. Speaker."
"Proceed, Sir."
"Mr. Speaker, in the gallery, to my left, if the students would rise from Eastern Illinois University. It's EIU Lobby Day today, my alma mater, along with Representative Phelps. We welcome you here. Enjoy your day and welcome to the Capitol."
"Welcome to Springfield. We're very happy to have you here. Chair recognizes Representative Hernandez. The Members will rise."
"We had a tragedy with an official in my district in the town of Cicero. Ken Colabufo, acting chief of the 09800073.docx 66 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 73rd Legislative Day 10/23/2013 Hawthorne Park District police department died Sunday, October 20, 2013, while responding to a disturbance call. Nick was a 30 year veteran of the Cook County Sheriff's Office and was an assistant chief of the Central Warrants Unit, fugitive section. Nick is survived by his wife, Grace, and his daughter. I ask for a moment of silence in his memory. Thank you."
"Please remain standing. Mr. Clerk, House Resolution 583."
"House Resolution 583, offered by Representative Davidsmeyer. WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to honor the life of former State Representative Frederick Harris Rowe of Jacksonville, who passed away at the age of 89 on September 8, 2013, ending an exceptional life of community and political service; and WHEREAS, Harris Rowe was born on November 10, 1923 in Jacksonville; he was educated in the Jacksonville school system and graduated from Jacksonville High School with the Class of 1941; he subsequently earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Illinois College in Jacksonville; and WHEREAS, During World War II, Harris Rowe served in the United States Army Air Corps and served in the South Pacific Theater; he later earned his Juris Doctorate from Northwestern University Law School; and WHEREAS, After receiving his law degree in 1950, Harris Rowe joined his father in the administration of Central National Life Insurance Company, where he served as secretary and 09800073.docx 67 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 73rd Legislative Day 10/23/2013 treasurer; he later served as president and CEO after the death of his father; and WHEREAS, Harris Rowe married the love of his life, Alice Mary Crabtree, on December 22, 1954 in Jacksonville; and WHEREAS, In addition to his successful career as a businessman, Harris Rowe held many leadership positions within his community, including chairman of the Board of Trustees of MacMurray College, chairman of the Board of Trustees of Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, director of the Illinois State Chamber of Commerce, president of the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce, president of the Jacksonville Kiwanis Club, and a member of the Morgan County, Illinois, and American Bar Associations; and WHEREAS, When Harris Rowe was in junior high, he contracted polio; as a survivor, he served as chairman of the Morgan County Chapter of the National Polio Foundation for many years; and WHEREAS, Harris Rowe also had a love of politics which was instilled in him through his father, Richard Yates Rowe, who served as State Treasurer and Secretary of State, and his great-uncles, Illinois Governors Richard Yates and Richard Yates Jr.; and WHEREAS, The political career of Harris Rowe includes 35 years as precinct committeeman, 28 years as chairman of the Morgan County Republican Central Committee, and 8 years as alderman for the City of Jacksonville; he served as State Representative of the 49th District in the Illinois General Assembly with the Republican Caucus for 6 years; he was also one of 59 successful Republican candidates on the State-wide 09800073.docx 68 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 73rd Legislative Day 10/23/2013 at-large ballot in 1964 and was the Republican candidate for State Treasurer in 1966; and WHEREAS, Harris Rowe served as director of the Young Republicans organization and was elected as a delegate to the Republican National Convention twice; and WHEREAS, Above all, Harris Rowe was a dedicated family man who was a devoted to his wife, his 4 daughters, his 7 grandchildren, and his 2 great-grandchildren; therefore, be it RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we honor the life of Harris Rowe, acknowledge the passing of a remarkable man who was committed to serving others, and offer our sincere condolences to his family and friends; and be it further RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Harris Rowe as an expression of our sincere sympathy and gratitude to a man who dedicated his life to community and political service and was an asset to the Republican Party."
"Mr. Davidsmeyer."
"Thank you all for standing and joining me today for HR 583. We're here today to mourn the loss of former State Representative Frederick Harris Rowe. More importantly, we come together to celebrate a life of service. I'm happy to be joined today in our celebration, in the Speaker's Gallery, by his daughters Millie Deal, Julie Rowe and Mary Rowe Henry. Their sister, Sally, was not able to make it up from Kentucky to join us today but she's with us in our… in our thoughts. 09800073.docx 69 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 73rd Legislative Day 10/23/2013 Harris Rowe was a man who knew the value of education, having graduated from Jacksonville high school, went on to earn his bachelor's degree at Illinois College in Jacksonville, and went on to Northwestern University School of Law to… to earn his law degree. He later served as chairman of the board at MacMurray College and, eventually, chairman of the board at Southern University in Carbondale. Harris Rowe was a business man. Having a successful career working with, and eventually succeeding, his father in the insurance business. He also served as a director on the Illinois State Chamber of Commerce board. Harris Rowe was a man who loved his country, which took him far away to serve in the Second World War in the South Pacific with the Army Air Corp. Harris Rowe was a man who loved public service. Having served on the Jacksonville City Council and the Illinois General Assembly, representing the 49th House District and the Republican nominee for State Treasurer in 1966. Harris Rowe was a man who loved his community, having been educated in Jacksonville and serving in many leadership positions, including president of the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce, president of the Jacksonville Kiwanis Club, as well as 35 years as a Republican precinct committeeman, 28 of which he was the chairman of the county party. Most importantly, Harris Rowe loved his family. From his wife, who he married in 19… sorry, 1954, to Alice Mary Crabtree to his four daughters, seven… seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Harris Rowe is a name that has never and will never be forgotten in the community of Jacksonville, in the surrounding communities and throughout the State of Illinois. It is a name that has been 09800073.docx 70 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 73rd Legislative Day 10/23/2013 synonymous with respect. Today, I ask you all to join me in a moment of silence for our former colleague Frederick Harris Rowe. Thank you. And I would like to ask that all Members be added as cosponsors to this Resolution."
"Gentleman asks that all Members of the House be added as cosponsors. Is there leave? Leave is granted. And now, Gentleman moves that the House adopt the Resolution. Those in favor say 'yes'; opposed 'no'. The 'ayes' have it, and the Resolution is adopted. And now, allowing for perfunctory time for the Clerk, Leader Currie moves that the House stand adjourned until Tuesday, November 5, at the hour of 12 noon. Those in favor say 'yes'; opposed 'no'. The 'ayes' have it, and the House stands adjourned."
"House Perfunctory Session will come to order. Introduction and First Reading of House Bills. House Bill 3721, offered by Representative Osmond, a Bill for an Act concerning transportation. House Bill 3722, offered by Representative Bill Mitchell, a Bill for an Act concerning State Government. House Bill 3723, offered by Representative Arroyo, a Bill for an Act concerning civil law. House Bill 3724, offered by Representative Daniel Burke, a Bill for an Act concerning education. First Reading of these House Bills. There being no further business, the House Perfunctory Session will stand adjourned." 09800073.docx 71