"Members are asked to be at their seats. We shall be led in prayer today by Pastor Robert Freeman, who is with the Kumler United Methodist Church in Springfield, Illinois. Pastor Freeman is the guest of Representative Scherer. Members and guests are asked to refrain from starting their laptops, turn off all cell phones, and rise for the invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance."
"On this day, direct the 98th General Assembly session of Illinois House of Representatives and all their doings with Your most gracious favor. And further them with Your continual help, that in all their work begun, continued and ended in You, we may glorify Your name. If, by chance, we have done wrong or erred in our deliberations, grant us Your mercy and grant us those things that we are not worthy to ask for. And finally, by Thy mercy, obtain everlasting life through the one who gives us our hope, Amen."
"We shall be led in the Pledge of Allegiance today by Representative Gabel."
"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."
"Thank you, Speaker. Please let the record show that Representative Welch is excused today."
"Representative Bost."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Please let the record reflect that all Republicans are present."
"Representative Bost." 09800096.docx 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 96th Legislative Day 2/18/2014
"There's no excused absences on the Republican."
"Mr. Clerk, please take the record. Hundred… 113 present, a quorum is established. Mr. Clerk."
"Committee Reports. Representative Barbara Flynn Currie, Chairperson from the Committee on Rules reports the following committee action taken on February 18, 2014: recommends be… referred to Second Reading approved for consideration is House Bill 2880; referred to Third Reading approved for consideration House Bill 1459."
"Leader Durkin."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A brief point of personal privilege."
"Please state your point, Sir."
"Obviously we're in the season of politics, elections are abound and a lot of the policies that we're going to make upcoming… over the next few months could be very challenging. Some may be very partisan, but I would just want to just speak about an issue that is extremely important that we need to put partisan politics aside. Last week, a group of us in the House Republicans met in DuPage County and we made an announcement of some things we've been working on that are extremely important for people throughout the State of Illinois. And that is addressing the… this horrible ep… epidemic and terror that has… has made its way out in the suburbs and all over the State of Illinois and that's through the abuse of heroin. DuPage County, just last year, there were 46 overdoses which resulted in death of… of our residents, anywhere from the range of 14 to 64 years old. It is an epidemic of the most horrific proportions. We've pres… 09800096.docx 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 96th Legislative Day 2/18/2014 we have Bills that we are working on, which we've introduced, which go to treatment, it goes to education, and it goes to the source of the funds. I'm pleased to say that Dennis Reboletti did an amazing job working with our staff, Ben Rodell, and also the other colleagues of mine from DuPage County to address this issue. I know we have rules in place on how we're going to proceed in the Judiciary Committee, things that move a little bit slower. I would just ask that this is such a… an issue of such importance to Illinoisans and to families. These families are… are losing children. And the problem with heroin is that it's easy, it's accessible, it's accessible, it's got a 100 percent addiction rate. But the fact is, if you're lucky to wake up after an overdose, you're in the minority. So I'm asking that we immediately review these Bills, bring this is… in some type of bipartisan discussion with both House Democrats and House Republicans to advance the issues that we're talking about. My point is, is that the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Representative Nekritz, I hope that you will take this consideration to heart. We believe it's of so much importance. It's not about partisan politics that's going into the… you know, which is unfortunately part of what we do here in Springfield. But to say this is an epidemic, I'm being modest. So, I appreciate your consideration and I hope that we can work together as collectively to do the best we can to educate the people of the State of Illinois and to get treatment to those who need it. I appreciate your consideration."
"Representative Lang." 09800096.docx 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 96th Legislative Day 2/18/2014
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentleman. I appreciate the comments of the Minority Leader. I know that several on the Minority side of the aisle have worked hard and diligently to come up with some ideas. The issue of heroin is a scourge in all of Illinois but particularly in the suburbs, not only in DuPage, but the Cook County and the Lake County suburbs in particular. I had asked, before the… the Minority Party had their press conference, the Speaker to create a heroin task force and I do believe that as early as today there will be requests going out to people who want to serve on that task force. I would invite Members of the Minority Party to join this task force and let's work together to try to resolve this problem, or take a big bite out of this problem, to remedy this really terrible problem in all of our communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker."
"Representative Reboletti."
"Point of personal privilege, Mr. Speaker."
"Please state your point, Sir."
"Mr. Speaker, I would join the Minority Leader and Majority Leader Lang, but I don't think we need a task force. I've been assigned to a task force about heroin that hasn't met yet, and I wish it would, regarding education and issues of heroin within schools. When I was a narcotics prosecutor in 2004 in Will County, we saw a huge increase where it surpassed crack cocaine as the drug of choice for all generations, for all ages, for all demographics. And now that has continued north, where we have not only 46 overdose deaths in DuPage, but all throughout the state, you'd be surprised that there are thousands of overdoses where a person lives. 09800096.docx 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 96th Legislative Day 2/18/2014 And I don't think that we need a task force, which is a great idea, more than glad to serve on it as I do on so many others, but I think that we need to address some of these issues sooner than later. We have a tendency here to wait until the very end. It'll be May and then the clock will run out. Unfortunately the clock has run out on many folks that have become addicted and have overdosed and have died. It's not only a disease of the individual, Mr. Speaker and Members of this Body, it becomes a family disease. It affects all the family members because the person that they love becomes a shadow and a skeleton of themselves. They end up lying and cheating and stealing and becoming just a distant memory of the people that remember them. With that, Mr. Speaker, I would ask that we address those sooner than later, otherwise I will bring other appropriate motions at that time. Thank you."
Speaker Turner: "Thank you, Representative. Representative Cabello."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I ask for a point of personal privilege."
"Please state your point, Representative."
"I also want to rise in support of trying to get this moved along. In our county, Winnebago, we had 124 people pass away last year alone due to a drug overdose, 124 people. That is an epidemic if you ask me. So I rise in strong support of this. I am also on a task force with Leader Reboletti and I believe our first meeting will be March 1, in Rockford. So please, let's take a look at this very quickly. Thank you."
"Representative Riley." 09800096.docx 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 96th Legislative Day 2/18/2014
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a request to suspend the posting requirement for House Resolution 790."
"Seeing no objection, the posting requirement will be suspended. Representative Williams."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Point of personal privilege."
"Please state your point, Representative."
"Just want to let all the Members know that we have our first meeting of the Green Caucus today at 4:00 in room 413 in Springfield and this meeting is not just for members of the Green Caucus, it's for all legislators interested in renewable energy. We're going to feature a panel of companies to disco… renewable companies, both in the wind and solar arena, to discuss the many opportunities for economic development and for renewable energy in Illinois. So I'd invite you all to come by. Again, 413, room 413, 4:00 today in the Stratton Building. It will also be followed by a reception at Maldaner's from 5:30 to 7:30, which is hosted by the companies and the Illinois Environmental Council. Certainly hope to see you there. Thank you."
"Thank you. Representative Sullivan, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Yes, Mr. Speaker, point of personal privilege."
"Please state your point, Sir."
"Over the weekend we had a milestone birthday on our side by Representative Sandack. It was his birthday where he turned 50 years young. Everyone give him a round of applause."
"Congratulations, Representative. Representative Moffitt, for what reason do you seek recognition?" 09800096.docx 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 96th Legislative Day 2/18/2014
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise to a point of personal privilege."
"Please state your point, Representative."
"I just… information… we've want to start a Fitness Caucus of four people. Three others besides myself have agreed to work on this and that's Representative Chapa LaVia, Senator Marty Sandoval, and Representative Pam Alto… Althoff. We're going to meet tonight and then we'll be back with more information. One of the things we planned to do have a weight loss contest and probably have a weigh in next week. More details coming, but everyone wants to see a smaller government, so here's your chance to deliver on that. And so maybe this week you want to bulk up at the receptions so you can start taking it off beginning probably next week. More details coming and we'll… those that want to participate, we'll have you contact our… each of our secretaries. So, invite everyone to be a part of this, Retrofit Caucus or Fitness Caucus, we'll come up with a name. Thank you."
"Thank you. Representative Bost, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Inquiry of the Chair."
"Yes, Sir."
"If… if you'll notice, I'm having to use a microphone one seat over 'cause mine was broken and… and it's the only one in the chamber that's broken. Now, when Representative Riley was in the Chair last year and a discussion came up, I explained to him that I really didn't need a microphone. But I'm… I'm pretty sure I do and if I could mine fixed as soon as possible I would appreciate that." 09800096.docx 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 96th Legislative Day 2/18/2014
Speaker Turner: "See if we can get you some assistance, Representative. Thank you. Mr. Clerk, Adjournment Resolutions."
"Adjournment Resolution. House Joint Resolution #79, 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 Thursday, February 20, 2014, the House of Representatives stands adjourned until Tuesday, February 25, 2014 at 12:00 noon, or until the call of the Speaker; and the Senate stands adjourned until Tuesday, February 25, 2014, or until the call of the President."
"Representative Currie moves that the Adjournment Resolution be adopted. All in favor say 'aye'; all opposed say 'nay'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it and the Resolution is adopted. Mr. Clerk, Agreed Resolutions."
"Agreed Resolutions. House Resolution 815, offered by Representative Bellock. House Resolution 817, offered by Representative Ford. House Resolution 818, offered by Representative Mayfield. House Resolution 819, offered by Representative Brady. House Resolution 820, offered by Representative Dunkin. House Resolution 821, offered by Representative Halbrook. House Resolution 822, offered by Representative Senger. House Resolution 827, offered by Representative Cross. House Resolution 828, offered by Representative Osmond. House Resolution 829, offered by Representative Davidsmeyer. House Resolution 830, offered by 09800096.docx 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 96th Legislative Day 2/18/2014 Representative Jefferson. House Resolution 831, offered by Representative Jones. House Resolution 833, offered by Representative Davidsmeyer. House Resolution 834, offered by Representative Sandack. House Resolution 835, offered by Representative Sandack. House Resolution 836, offered by Representative Osmond. House Resolution 837, offered by Representative Schmitz. House Resolution 838, offered by Representative Reboletti. House Resolution 839, offered by Representative Reboletti and House Resolution 840, offered by Representative Gordon-Booth."
"Representative Currie moves for the adoption of the Agreed Resolutions. All in favor say 'aye'; all opposed say 'nay'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it and the Resolutions are adopted. Mr. Clerk, the status of House Bill 1243."
House Bill 1243… House Bill 1243 is on the Order of Third Reading."
"Please move that Bill back to the Order of Second Reading. Representative Evans for a Black History moment."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, colleagues. This is Black History Month and we will periodically be highlighting various events in black history and individuals that you should know about. Today I will be highlighting Sarah Goode. Sarah Goode was a businesswoman, an inventor. Goode invented the folding cabinet bed, a space saver that folded up against the wall into a cabinet. When folded up, it could be used as a desk, complete with compartments for stationary and writing supplies. Goode owned a furniture store in Chicago, Illinois and invented the bed for people living in small apartments. 09800096.docx 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 96th Legislative Day 2/18/2014 Goode's patent was the first one obtained by an African American woman inventor. The patent number is 300,020… 322,177. It was approved on July 14, 1885. She's a woman to note. Thank you."
"Thank you, Representative. Representative Bost."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Immediatel… immediately upon adjournment, the Republicans would like to caucus, and if the Republicans would, if they could get down as quick as possible so that we can have our caucus quickly to get to committees."
Speaker Turner: "The Republicans will caucus in room 118 immediately following adjournment. The Dems may proceed to lunch. Thank you. And now, allowing perfunctory time for the Clerk, the House will adjourn to Wednesday, February 19 at 12 noon. All in favor say 'aye'; all opposed say 'nay'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it and the House is adjourned."
"House Perfunctory Session will come to order. Committee Reports. Representative Daniel Burke, Chairperson from the Committee on the Executive reports the following committee action taken on February 18, 2014: do pass Short Debate is House Bill 3768, House Bill 4388; do pass as amended Short Debate House Bill 5017. Second Reading of House Bills. House Bill 5017, offered by Representative Sullivan, a Bill for an Act concerning gaming. This Bill was read a second time. Introduction and First Reading of House Bills. House Bill 5996, offered by Representative Franks, a Bill for an Act concerning State government. House Bill 5997, offered by Representative Hernandez, a Bill for an Act concerning State government. House Bill 5998, offered by Representative 09800096.docx 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 96th Legislative Day 2/18/2014 Hernandez, a Bill for an Act concerning health. House Bill 5999, offered by Representative Halbrook, a Bill for an Act concerning local government. House Bill 6000, offered by Representative Manley, a Bill for an Act concerning criminal law, which may be referred to as Eric's Law. House Bill 6001, offered by Representative Phelps, a Bill for an Act concerning revenue. House Bill 6002, offered by Representative Cassidy, a Bill for an Act concerning safety. House Bill 6003, offered by Representative Cassidy, a Bill for an Act concerning safety. First Reading of these House Bills."
"Introduction of Resolutions. House Resolution 814, offered by Representative Brown. House Resolution 816, offered by Representative Golar. House Resolution 823, offered by Representative Pihos. House Resolution 824, offered by Representative Pihos. House Resolution 825, offered by Representative Hatcher. House Resolution 826, offered by Representative Gabel. House Resolution 832, offered by Representative Dunkin. House Resolution… House Joint Resolution 71, offered by Representative Morrison. House Joint Resolution 72, offered by Representative Moffitt. House Joint Resolution 73, offered by Representative John Bradley. House Resolution… House Joint Resolution 74, offered by Representative Meier. House Joint Resolution 75, offered by Representative Tryon. House Joint Resolution 76, offered by Representative Currie. House Joint Resolution 77, offered by Representative Hernandez. And House Joint Resolution 78, offered by Representative Tracy. These Resolutions are referred to the Rules Committee. There being no further 09800096.docx 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 96th Legislative Day 2/18/2014 business, the House Perfunctory Session will stand adjourned." 09800096.docx 12