"The House will be in order. Members will be in their chairs. We shall be led in prayer today by Pastor Marvin Joyner, who is with Living Word Evangelistic… Evangelistic Ministries in Decatur. Pastor Joyner 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 Pledge of Allegiance. Pastor Joyner."
"Let us pray. Heavenly Father, we thank You for this day. We humble ourselves before You as we pray. You said, blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord. We pray for all the men and women of the House of Representatives that You, Heavenly Father, will lead them to make the right decisions for the State of Illinois. We know that righteousness exalts a nation and we pray that their hearts would be moved by the Holy Spirit as a major decisions are made. We depend on Your strength to guide us every day and as Your people, You have instructed us to trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto our own understanding. And we pray today, as we acknowledge You, that You will direct us and direct them. We thank You for all Your directions in advance and we pray these blessings in Jesus' name, Amen."
"We'll be led in the Pledge today by Representative Brady."
"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." 09800107.docx 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 107th Legislative Day 3/21/2014
"Thank you, Speaker. Please let the record reflect the excused absence of Representative Arroyo."
"Leader Bost."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Let the record reflect that Representatives Pihos, Schmitz, Sosnowski, and Tracy are excused on the Republican side of the aisle today."
"Thank you, Sir. Mr. Clerk, take the record. There are 111 Members present, the House does have a quorum. The Chair recognizes Representative Scherer."
"Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'd… I'd like to stand as a point of personal privilege for…"
"Please proceed."
"We'd like to welcome Theresa Joyner, who's up to the left in our balcony and she is the wife of Reverend Joyner, who we had today for the invocation. And they are great neighbors of mine."
"Happy to have…"
"So, welcome to the Capitol."
"Happy to have you both here. Thank you very much. Mr. Harms."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Point of personal privilege."
"Please proceed, Sir."
"Today I have two very special guests. Rebecca and Sarah Klump are Paging for me today from Crescent City and also up in the gallery is their father, Scott. If we could give them a welcome to Springfield."
"Happy you're here with us today. Thank you. On the Order of House Bills-Second Reading, on page 3 of the 09800107.docx 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 107th Legislative Day 3/21/2014 Calendar, there appears House Bill 3707, Representative Osmond. Please read the Bill."
"House Bill 3707, a Bill for an Act concerning local government. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. Floor Amendment #1, offered by Representative Osmond, has been approved for consideration."
"Representative Osmond. There's no running in the chamber, Representative. Representative Osmond on the Amendment."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This Bill deals with payment of township bills. And the Amendment basically just says that in the cycle of payment, if the bill is paid ahead of time, before the meeting, that the bill will be reviewed at the next meeting. And that's all the Amendment does is just clarify that."
"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. House Bill 3724, Mr. Burke. Excuse me, excuse me. Forget that Bill. House Bill 4204, Representative Nekritz. Out of the record. House Bill 4216, Mr. DeLuca. Please read the Bill."
"House Bill 4216, a Bill for an Act concerning local government. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions are filed."
"Third Reading. House Bill 4226, Mr. Rosenthal. Please read the Bill." 09800107.docx 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 107th Legislative Day 3/21/2014
"House Bill 4226, a Bill for an Act concerning wildlife. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. Floor Amendment #1, offered by Representative Rosenthal, has been approved for consideration."
"Mr. Rosenthal."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We just need to adopt the Amendment."
"Just give us a brief synopsis, Sir."
"Okay. The… it's a simple…"
"That was a little too brief."
"Okay. Well, it's a simple change from one bobcat per person to one bobcat per permit. Manage…"
"Good enough for me. 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. House Bill 4227, Representative Sente. Representative Sente. Out of the record. Oh, I'm sorry. She's in the rear of the chamber. Please read the Bill, Mr. Clerk."
"House Bill 4227, a Bill for an Act concerning safety. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions are filed."
"Third Reading. House Bill 4290, Mr. Sullivan. Mr. Sullivan. Out of the record. House Bill 4303, Representative Wheeler. Out of the record. House Bill 4320, Mr. Drury. Mr. Drury. Please read the Bill."
"House Bill 4320, a Bill for an Act concerning criminal law. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 09800107.docx 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 107th Legislative Day 3/21/2014 was adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions are filed."
"Third Reading. House Bill 4329, Mr. Franks. Out of the record. House Bill 4377, Mr. Harms. Please read the Bill."
"House Bill 4377, a Bill for an Act concerning wildlife. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. Floor Amendment #2, offered by Representative Harms, has been approved for consideration."
"Mr. Harms."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. Floor Amendment 2 to House Bill 4377 is intended to remove the opposition of DNR and I move for its adoption."
"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. House Bill 4381, Mr. Zalewski. Mr. Zalewski. Please read the Bill."
"House Bill 4381, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. Floor Amendments 1 and 2 have been approved for consideration. Floor Amendment #1 is offered by Representative Zalewski."
"Mr. Zalewski."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move to adopt the Amendment. It clarifies who'll appoint members to the committee and when the committee's work will have to be done." 09800107.docx 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 107th Legislative Day 3/21/2014
"Those in fa…. In favor of the Amendment say 'yes'; opposed 'no'. The 'ayes' have it. And the Amendment is adopted. Mr. Clerk."
"Floor Amendment #2, offered by Representative Zalewski."
"Mr. Zalewski."
"Mr. Speaker, I…"
"Amendment 2, Sir."
"I wish to adopt Amendment #2."
"Tell us what it does, Sir, please. Good try."
"One moment, Mr. Speaker. Actually, Mr. Speaker, can I… can I take this Bill out of the record?"
"The Bill will come out of the record. House Bill 4410, Mr. Harris. Mr. Har… David Harris. Out of the record. House Bill… Mr. Harris has returned to the floor. Please read 4410, Mr. Clerk."
"House Bill 4410, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions are filed."
"Third Reading. House Bill 4442, Representative Monique Davis. Please read the Bill."
"House Bill 4442, a Bill for an Act concerning transportation. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions are filed."
"Third Reading. House Bill 4482, Mr. Reboletti. Mr. Reboletti. Out of the record. House Bill 4653, Mr. Sosnowski. Mr. Sosnowski. Out… out of the record. House Bill 4663, Mr. Verschoore. Please read the Bill." 09800107.docx 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 107th Legislative Day 3/21/2014
"House Bill 4663, a Bill for an Act concerning animals. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions are filed."
"Third Reading. House Bill 4759, Mr. Sandack. Please read the Bill."
"House Bill 4759, a Bill for an Act concerning finance. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions are filed."
"Third Reading. House Bill 4782, Representative Cassidy. Please read the Bill."
"House Bill 4782, a Bill for an Act concerning civil law. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions are filed."
"Third Reading. House Bill 4783 by Representative Cassidy. Please read the Bill."
"House Bill 4783, a Bill for an Act concerning civil law. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions are filed."
"Third Reading. House Bill 4784, Representative Cassidy. Please read the Bill."
"House Bill 4784, a Bill for an Act concerning civil law. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions are filed."
"Third Reading. House Bill 5433, Mr. Sandack. Mr. Sandack. Please read the Bill."
"House Bill 5433, a Bill for an Act concerning State Government. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions are filed." 09800107.docx 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 107th Legislative Day 3/21/2014
"Third Reading. House Bill 5438, Mr. Sandack. Please read the Bill."
"House Bill 5438, a Bill for an Act concerning local government. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions are filed."
"Third Reading. House Bill 5485, Representative Mayfield. Please read the Bill."
"House Bill 5485, a Bill for an Act concerning government. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. Floor Amendment #2 has been approved for consideration."
"Representative Mayfield."
"I'm sorry. This Bill successfully passed out of committee. It just clarifies that manning… is a mandatory subject of collective bargaining."
"That's what the Amendment does, Representative?"
"Yes."
"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. House Bill 5503, Mr. Demmer. Mr. Demmer. Mr. Demmer. Out of the record. House Bill 5514, Mr. Cavaletto. Mr. Cavaletto. Out of the record. House Bill 5632, Representative Kelly Burke. Kelly Burke. Out of the record. House Bill 5648, Representative Mussman. Representative Mussman. Please read the Bill." 09800107.docx 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 107th Legislative Day 3/21/2014
"House Bill 5648, a Bill for an Act concerning fish. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions are filed."
"Third Reading. House Bill 5824, Mr. Pritchard. Out of the record. House Bill 5845, Mr. Tryon. Mr. Tryon. Please read the Bill."
"House Bill 5845, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions are filed."
"Third Reading. House Bill 5856, Mr. Moffitt. Out of the record. House Bill 5858, Mr. Anthony. Please read the Bill."
"House Bill 5858, a Bill for an Act concerning criminal law. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions are filed."
"Third Reading. House Bill 5868, Representative Willis. Please read the Bill."
"House Bill 5868, a Bill for an Act concerning criminal law. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions are filed."
"Third Reading. House Bill 5891, Representative Mussman. Representative Mussman. Please read the Bill."
"House Bill 5891, a Bill for an Act concerning business. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions are filed."
"Third Reading. House Bill 5968, Mr. Davis. Please read the Bill." 09800107.docx 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 107th Legislative Day 3/21/2014
"House Bill 5968, a Bill for an Act concerning State Government. Second Reading of this House Bill. No Committee Amendments. No Floor Amendments. No Motions are filed."
"Third Reading. Chair recognizes Mr. Bost."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If the record could reflect that Representative Cavaletto will be excused for the rest of the day."
"The record will so reflect. Members, we're moving to House Bills-Third Reading. On page 9 of the Calendar, there appears House Bill 3659, Mr. Franks. Mr. Clerk, please read the Bill."
"House Bill 3659, a Bill for an Act concerning local government. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"Mr. Franks."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This Bill is really an offshoot of what we did last year and we passed unanimously in the House, the Bill to take away benefits for part-time board members. We found a gaping luke… loophole last summer when the Governor tried to appoint a specific individual to Chicago Transit Authority and that person was also a township supervisor. This would close that loophole that the Governor tried to exploit. I'd be happy to answer any questions."
"Gentleman moves for the passage of the Bill. The Chair recognizes Mr. Sandack."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield…"
"Gentleman yields."
"…for a few questions? Jack, help me out with something here. Obviously, there's been a lot of action and activity, 09800107.docx 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 107th Legislative Day 3/21/2014 some of it not so good regarding some of these service boards. What's the intent of this Bill?"
"It's to make it… to make the boards… Well, hopefully, we're going to redo all the boards soon. But until we do that, this will close a loophole that would allow some government entities… some government employees to have dual employment. And we… we realize that the Bills had not been drafted correctly or the laws had not drafted… drafted correctly when the Governor, last year, tried to appoint a township supervisor to the CTA where that individual would have been prohibited from serving in any other of those boards. So, that would close that loophole. And Ron, this is an… this is not a panacea. We have a lot more to do, but I wanted to make sure we close this loophole."
"And I like that. In my notes and analysis, it talks about the RTA being neutral. It doesn't say if there was an official position from Metra or the CTA. Do you know if they chimed in on this subject?"
"Just the CTA is affected. Those other ones are not."
"And did they have a position on the… on the Bill?"
"No position."
"Thank you, Representative. To the Bill. I think this is a great first step. I share the Sponsor's enthusiasm for looking at other solutions, particularly from a suburban perspective on the Metra side and Pace side. The fact of the matter is, there's some better organizational, better governance that can occur that will provide transparency and some accountability. So, I applaud the Sponsor in this first, initial step and suggest a 'yes' vote." 09800107.docx 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 107th Legislative Day 3/21/2014
"Representative Willis."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Sponsor yields."
"I noticed that you pulled out school boards or school district. What was the reasoning behind that?"
"Because the definition under the Constitution of local government did not have that. So, we were just trying to be consistent with how the definitions are in the Constitution."
"Okay. Thank you."
"Mr. Riley."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Sponsor yields."
"Representative Franks, I just want to get some clarity. I think it's… it's very well known what we're trying to do to get some sense and sensibility to the service boards, the RTA. You know, what I've been trying to do, others of us. But I just want to get a little bit more information on this particular Bill because there are some pronouncements in it that I just want to be sure that they're not construed that a particular person or someone that holds a particular government office is somehow unfit…"
"Oh, not at all."
"…to continue… continue to serve the people."
"Oh, absolutely. And Chairman Riley, this came through your committee and I appreciate your input on this. You and Mr. Sims helped draft the final Bill. And this is not a disparagement in any way, but I was trying to make it…"
"I mean, there's a lot of… there's a lot of really talented township supervisors in this state." 09800107.docx 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 107th Legislative Day 3/21/2014
"Absolutely. And this is not a… I know a few of them. I'm sure you… you know a few too. This is not a slap at them, but this is als… this is really in response to what the Governor did last summer. I think the General Assembly had sent out a very strong message that we did not want to have the double- dipping and there was specific ways, if it was going to happen, that you could… you would be doing it without a salary, et cetera. I think the Governor was exploiting a loophole that didn't… that was not in the CTA portion, but was in all the other service boards. So, this is simply to close that loophole."
"But I just want to go on record to say that all of that aside, especially with regard to, not just township supervisors, but a lot of other entities. Matter of fact, municipalities, run very successful paratransit programs. And clearly, having that kind of knowledge of transportation programs, especially that deal with very underserved populations, is a trait and a skill that maybe we will want people to have if they're going to be on some of these boards. Wouldn't you agree?"
"You know, you're right. And hopefully, we're going to redo these boards and commissions because, as they're set up now, they don't function very well. And I don't think anybody in their right mind would ever have set up a transportation system like we have in northeastern Illinois with those competing against each other for the same scarce federal resources instead of working together. So, hopefully, after we get the… the commission's report that's due, I think in the next week or so, perhaps we will be redoing these service 09800107.docx 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 107th Legislative Day 3/21/2014 commissions and the folks that have the most knowledge will actually be the ones who are involved. Because right now, oftentimes, it's people who don't have the… the knowledge, but it's more of a patronage position. And people who don't have the intimate knowledge, just like your friends who… who do, don't get those positions. So, hopefully, we'll be able to change this completely. But until then, I want to make sure that we're not exploiting loopholes that were never intended to be exploited."
"Thank you."
"Mr. Franks to briefly close."
"Thank you. I'd 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? It's Friday, Members. Have all voted who wish? Mr. Burke, Flowers, Fortner. Please take the record. On this question, there are 110 voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. House Bill 4237, Representative Chapa LaVia. Please read the Bill."
"House Bill 4237, a Bill for an Act concerning education. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"Representative Chapa LaVia."
"Thank you, Speaker. You're looking mighty fine today, Speaker. Notice I always start my debate off with this. This Bill has to do with local control. If a… if a district has… having to do with charter schools again. If the school board denies… denies a charter school coming into their district, the charter school applicant can go to the Charter 09800107.docx 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 107th Legislative Day 3/21/2014 School Commission and this Charter School Commission can override the appeal of local control and local taxpayers by allowing this… this charter school to exist in a district. And what it does, currently under law it… it places more attempts to address and give oversight to the commission's authority. I'll take any questions."
"Mr. Sandack."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Lady yields."
"Representative, yesterday I remember a direct quote that you love charter schools. Do you still stand by that comment?"
"Absolutely. I also love taxpaying citizens in those school districts that give their money from the property tax to make decisions on their education within their districts too, Representative Sandack."
"Well said. But let's talk about this Bill a little bit because, again, I… I'd like the logic and rationale behind this Bill, particularly in connection with the actions you took and navigated yesterday. I'll repeat the question, if you need it repeated."
"I'm not… I'm talking to my staff on another issue. Could you repeat the whole question?"
"I'm happy to."
"Thank you."
"In light of yesterday's Bill that you quickly passed through this august chamber, what's the logic and rationale behind this Bill?" 09800107.docx 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 107th Legislative Day 3/21/2014
"Well, if the commission contains… stays intact over there, then that… when they… if they remain to exist, this would go to them. This also has to do with ISBE. So, it's the taxpaying citizens within those school districts having a voice to have their concerns heard too. And this could also be for a school district that authorizes the charter to exist too, Representative Sandack. So…"
"So…"
"…it's exist or not exist, but having an appeal process for the… for doing either."
"So, if the commission isn't abolished, this is what you'd like to have remain in effect? You know, I could ask the questions later if it's too, you know, if it interferes with your private conversation, Representative."
"Can you come back later, Ron? I'm not… you know."
"Maybe the sidebar discussion could take place after this Bill goes through. I don't know. Is…"
"I'm…"
"Would that be okay with you?"
"I'm… I'm conducting business over here with my attorney, Mr… Mr. Franks too."
"Mr. Speaker, maybe the… the Representative will withdraw the Bill at a time that's convenient for the other Members of the… of the House."
Chapa LaVia: "I think everybody's listening, Representative Sandack."
"Except you…"
"I really do."
"…Representative." 09800107.docx 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 107th Legislative Day 3/21/2014
"I am listening. I exa… I know exactly what you said and I'm going to repeat myself again. This is… this Bill is about local control and a community having the ability to do what they want to do with their educational dollars, since the majority of the money for education comes from local control. So, this Bill is for local control or against local control. Vote for it or vote against it. It's up to you, Representative Sandack."
"What is the appeal process? Lay that out for me specifically. Confine yourself to the question, please."
"So… Well… But he did say 'please'. So, the ability… So, if a charter school has authority, comes forward in a school district and they want to be in the school district and the school district votes for them, then the local citizens there that pay taxpaying dollars to fund this charter school, 'cause that's where the money's going to come from, have the ability to go to a referendum. Under this Bill, it would go to referendum and based on that, reflecting what the outcome of the charter school would be."
"The Amendment that we have says it's a school board decision and that's it. Is that consistent with the answer you just gave, with respect to a referendum?"
"The Amendment has not been adopted yet."
"Oh, then why… I'm sorry. So, you're not… you're withdrawing the Amendment?"
"Hold on one second, let me look."
"Yeah. If you want to withdraw the whole Bill and we could talk about it at a convenient time, that might be helpful." 09800107.docx 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 107th Legislative Day 3/21/2014
"No. Hold on one second. Speaker, at this point, can you remove the Bill from discussion? I'm not removing the Bill from discussion because I'm not going to run it, Representative Sandack. I'm running it. I'm removing it so I can get clarity for you."
"Out of the record."
"Thank you."
"House Bill 45… House Bill 4283, Representative Jakobsson. Please read the Bill."
"House Bill 4283, a Bill for an Act concerning criminal law. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"Representative Jakobsson."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Bill 4283 amends the Code of Corrections extending the time period that the temporary ID that's issued to individuals, who are released from the Illinois Department of Corrections, from 30 days to 90 days."
"Lady's moved for the passage of the Bill. 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, Members. Harris, Hoffman, McAuliffe. Please take the record. On this question, 109… 101 voting 'yes', 9 voting 'no'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. House Bill 4527, Representative Chapa LaVia. Representative Chapa LaVia. Please read the Bill."
"House Bill 4527, a Bill for an Act concerning education. Third Reading of this House Bill." 09800107.docx 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 107th Legislative Day 3/21/2014
"Representative Chapa LaVia."
"Speaker, I'd like to speak to the last Bill a moment… and I don't know if I can do that."
"Representative Chapa LaVia, let's talk about this Bill."
"Okay. 'Cause I want to move…"
"Thank you."
"…that back to Second. Okay. So, House Bill 4… 4527 was brought to me by ISBE to make a clarification right now, 'cause nothing on the current Charter School Law expresses or provides in Article 14 the… with children with disability and Article 14c, Transitional Bilingual Education are applicable to charter schools. However, ISBE has taken the position that all special education requirements set forth in Article 14 in the School Code and part of 2… 26 in the 20… 23rd Illinois… Illinois Administrative Code applies to charter schools. The rationale is that IDEA compliance, not subject to any state- imposed requirements that exceed federal special ed statutes and regulations. This piece of legislation was brought to me by ISBE on the position is to clarify that charter schools are required to comply with special education ELL laws. There has been no issues of compliance so far; however, ISBE staff has required a… or asked me to carry this legislation so we can codify it into law. I'll take any questions."
"Lady moves for the passage of the Bill. The Chair recognizes Mr. Sandack."
"Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Lady yields."
"Hi, Representative. How are you?" 09800107.docx 19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 107th Legislative Day 3/21/2014
"Hi, honey."
"We're good, aren't we?"
"A bicycle built for two. Go ahead."
"Are we good?"
"We're good."
"Good. By all means have that sidebar conversation right now. Can you explain the third in a series of charter school Bills?"
"There'll be more. Don't worry about it."
"Are there more intended?"
"Yes. There're more."
"Is this a crusade of some sort?"
"No, it's not 'cause we put a moratorium on running any Bills in the last two General Assemblies. So, we're just clarifying and cleaning up language where we need done. This Bill, once again, was brought to me by ISBE, 'cause there was issues that came up in our truancy task force that I created in Chicago on… last year. And what we found is there was a lack of compliance, especially with special needs and ELL, within the charter schools. There are a couple, a handful of them, that are doing it without the requirements. But what happened the last four years, because we couldn't do any charter school Bills or any modifications, charter schools, for the most part, were never added into the language of a lot of the mandates, a lot of the policies that we're passing in and out of my committee. So, the State Board of Education wants to make sure that they're in compliance with the Federal Government, making sure that we're doing everything we need to do, and I'm sure all those charter schools want to do that 09800107.docx 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 107th Legislative Day 3/21/2014 too. So, I'm… I'm a little baffled by their opposition to this since it's a federal thing, but I'll take any further questions."
"Well, thank you. Was there any contemplation on your part of an omnibus Bill that has the entire Chapa LaVia charter mission in mind, rather than the piecemeal manner in which you seem to be proceeding?"
"Well, I want to give opportunity to talk… let the Representatives talk to each point. That would be not fair to anybody to put it in one omnibus Bill and put it out of here. There are…"
"That would…"
"…a lot of issues that are going to happen in the next two years as far as being on the potatoes. So, since we created charters and then we did the charter reform stuff with Representative Mitchell, who's no longer here, Jerry, and Senator Lightford or Leader Lightford, a lot of that stuff occurred under… very siloed and not a lot of people here understand the process. Now, just because I'm the head of policy, we're going forward and doing some legislation. That's why you haven't heard any charter legislation the last couple years. Okay. You hear the debate when we had Danny's Bill a couple years ago about, hey, you're not supposed to touch char… well, he was right. Okay. So, we backed off. But now the moratorium has sunsetted, if you will, with leadership, and it could have been a handshake. I don't even think it's in… it could be in legislation, I'm not a hundred percent sure. Could have been a handshake of not doing anything and allowing charters to exist. But now we come to 09800107.docx 21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 107th Legislative Day 3/21/2014 a crossroads where we realize, over the last… you know, since I've been 11 years, but since I've been policy chair for the last 5 years, is that every piece of legislation, whatever it is, if we are not annotating 'and charter schools', it doesn't fall within their realm. Okay. So, ISBE would like to clean up some language to make sure no one gets in trouble for not providing these services. And like I said earlier, because the task force that I have there in Chicago that I cochair with Antoinette Taylor, who's the consultant in the special needs field and works very closely over into the Senate with… with President Emil Jones at that time, we have come up with a few charter schools, and ISBE knows this, that have been taken to court because the parents have not been provided just…"
"Filibuster."
"…information and resources for the special ed community."
"Representative Sandack, I think your time has expired. No."
"The…"
"I was kidding with you, Sir."
"I know you were. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. You're judicious. Thank you for that elaborative filibuster of an answer. To the Bill. To my mind, and I… I suspect the… the Representative's not kidding, that more charter Bills are coming. The manner of which she proceeds is entirely in the ken of her thought process. I find it distressing, however, that we continue to chip away rather than do something in one 09800107.docx 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 107th Legislative Day 3/21/2014 omnibus Bill that makes sense. But obviously the course she pursues is the course she pursues. Thank you, Mr. Speaker."
"Mr. Kay."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Would the Sponsor yield?"
"Sponsor yields."
"Representative, I'm… I'm curious. We have a pattern here of Bills that are all dealing with essentially limiting, cutting back or in some way diminishing charter schools. Is there… is there something fundamentally wrong with charter schools in Illinois?"
"Not fu… a little bit. A little bit. Let me tell you why. It is because when charters were created, I want to say about 20 years ago now, give or take. I wasn't here. I've only been here 11 years. But the idea for charters, what is innovative and creativity and that's great. And we have some very good examples of that, okay, throughout… throughout this state but mostly in Chicago. Now, as we're coming along to where we're at today, this point, things change. Arenas happen. Funding issues happen. Issues of lack of transparency have happened. Issues with parents suing certain charters because they're not providing the services for the ELL kids or the special needs, we have a high rate of expulsions, suspension. There's a lot of issues that we haven't touched and what we want to bring them back in alignment because it's our job to educate the kids in the State of Illinois, right. So, we just wanted to make sure we're putting the best tools in place for all kids to thrive in whatever traditional, nontraditional, virtual, what have you, that they exist in." 09800107.docx 23 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 107th Legislative Day 3/21/2014
"You would know this better than I, but on a statistical basis, how do kids in charter schools compete with those that are coming out of public schools?"
"Well, they're… public school is a public school. Charter school is a public school."
"All right. Let me rephrase that. How do charter schools and their graduation rates compete with the public schools and their graduation rates, even if a charter school is a public school?"
"Tradi… You're saying a traditional school versus a charter school, right? Well, there's a lot of complications there because we haven't had a lot of feedback and oversight. It's a complicated answer. Because due to the fact that there's a process, yeah, there's a lottery, but then there's also demerits given to certain children that can't focus. So, what we have is a… a skimming of the… the very high- functioning, parent-involved kind of student that's going to perform higher. Okay. So, I don't have the numbers offhand. I'm assuming if that happens, is that there's a weeding out, there's a process, you'll have great academic success."
"Have you ever… thank you. Have you ever delved into or investigated whether or not all charter schools don't have programs for disabled children?"
"I've been to a few, quite a few and the lawsuits that were brought upon were… came out of my truancy task force. Okay. So, physically going to visit those locations and those bodies, no. I spoke with a group from the Illinois Charter Network, specifically to talk about what they're doing with their special ed community in their students. They 09800107.docx 24 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 107th Legislative Day 3/21/2014 seem to be holding their ground. You know, the issue with funding for them came up because they don't feel like they're getting proper funding from CPS. Specifically, it was CPS charters."
"Okay."
"But to go to their schools…"
"Yeah."
"…to look at their curriculum, no, Sir."
"To… to the Bill, Mr. Speaker. I… I have the distinct impression that with the… the pattern of Bills being filed here today that we are dismantling charter schools in the State of Illinois and I think that is a big, big mistake. As opposed to picking on the issues that are low-hanging fruit, to be critical, we should be looking at charter schools and the success they've had and maybe addressing the issues that we feel are out there. And I think charter schools would be more than happy to do that. This is another attempt to say government can do it better than anybody else and I would like to get back sometime and address the issue about state funds that are somehow being taken from the public schools because there's some interesting data out of southern Illinois, at least, I don't know about northern Illinois, southern Illinois, which would… which would really indicate that it's very insignificant. I would suggest that we vote 'no' against this Bill."
"Representative Bellock."
"Thank you ver… thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Sponsor yields." 09800107.docx 25 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 107th Legislative Day 3/21/2014
"Representative, how many charter schools are there in the State of Illinois?"
"I want to say around 52."
"Okay. So, with this Bill, does that mandate that every single charter school have a special ed administrator in it? So that would mean we would need 52 special ed administrators, one in each charter school?"
"Well… well, I'm hoping so, because then that would be in compliance with the rest of the school districts and the rest of the schools in the state."
"But the rest of the State of Illinois just has one special ed administrator for an entire school district. Correct?"
"Correct. Some of these charters belong to certain school districts that they could coordinate with, you know. I know the concern of some of them thinking it's more money, but they're not… then they wouldn't be in compliance with the Federal Government. So I don't understand the way your question's going."
"Well, because I think I was told that at the education meeting either the state board or… had said that this was a concern that there had to be this many special ed administrators for… 52 administrators for each, you know, for the charter schools, which seems like an overmandate."
"Well, the… we require this of all the other schools… districts in the state, Representative Bellock, and… and what ISBE's trying to do is just put them back into compliance."
"But are they in compliance right now with the Federal Law?" 09800107.docx 26 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 107th Legislative Day 3/21/2014
"Some of them are, some of them aren’t. And what ISBE wants to do is make sure this is codified to make sure it's very clear message to every charter school that this is happening within their… their schools. 'Cause some you have that are just themselves as charters and others are connected to school districts. So, there's… across the board they're all different, just like unit, smaller districts, you know, large unit districts. They're all in compliance so what ISBE has to do is make sure that they're putting this in. You know, it's… it's their piece of legislation; it's not mine."
"I get… I guess, thank you very much. To the Bill. I guess it just seems like it's overregulating and excessive when an entire school district that may have 10 schools in a district, I can see where they need a special ed administrator, but each specific charter school to have a special ed administrator seems like a lot. Thank you."
"Mr. Sullivan."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Sponsor yields."
"Representative, a lot of times that we're down here we want to look at empirical-based evidence on how we manage our laws and manage our different programs. Can you specifically cite any problems of kids being admitted to the special ed or ELL programs in any of the charter schools…"
"Well…"
"…that would facilitate this type of legislation?"
"Once again, Representative Sullivan, this is not my piece of legislation."
"Okay." 09800107.docx 27 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 107th Legislative Day 3/21/2014
"ISBE has given this to me so they can codify exactly what this says. And it's not debating on all these other facts out there in the world, it's what is… in front of you saying that we're making sure that the Charter School Law expressedly provides that Article 14 and Article 14c is within the… their responsibility."
"So, ISBE has not brought forth any specific examples of problems that would facilitate this Bill, other than, potentially there could be problems."
Chapa LaVia: "Right. There potentially can be problems, Representative Sullivan."
"Okay."
"That's it."
"Thank you."
"Thank you."
"Ladies and Gentlemen, to the Bill. Once again, we are dismantling the charter school programs, the Charter School Law. We are now passing legislation to potentially solve a problem that does not exist today. This is all about dismantling charter schools, period. And so, if you want to dismantle charter schools, then just put the Bill out. And then we'll vote on it and we'll move forward. But the facts remain that charter schools work and in the people in the establishment of the school systems don't like that. And so, you're going to see a few more Bills and we're going to keep debating this, but at the end of the day, there's one issue here, competition works and the establishment doesn’t like it. Please vote 'no'."
"Mr. Leitch." 09800107.docx 28 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 107th Legislative Day 3/21/2014
"To the Bill, Mr. Speaker. I join my colleagues in grieving over this steady drumbeat against charter schools. A couple nights ago in Peoria, they had the city lottery for kids to get into Quest Charter School. And I will tell you, that the newspapers and the television were filled with pictures of kids hugging and crying with their mothers because they could get into the opportunity offered by the charter school. I think it is absolutely reprehensible that we are chipping away and working to dismantle something that works. I've been in this chamber for many years; I've met with many, many different education lobbies. I just wish once one of them had come to ask for something for the kids. Vote 'no'."
"Representative Chapa LaVia to close."
"Okay. So, there's a mantra going on on both sides, right. So, if you look at the Bill as it is, I don't see it dismantling any charter school. I don't see it denying anybody anything. It's improving upon what the law is and how we educate kids with special ed and ELL. Even when selective enrollment is happening in areas like Representative Soto's, the kids that are in that community can't even go to that school because there's nobody communicating to these kids in different languages. Okay. Especially in Spanish. So, once again, the Charter School Commission, as it was created, you guys want to listen to me because the ones who asked questions need to know this so you're educated on the issue. The Charter School Commission, the way it's created, doesn't force the applicants on charter schools to enforce Article 14 and Article 14c in the state board statute. Okay. And because they're not… they don't have this law, the charter school is 09800107.docx 29 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 107th Legislative Day 3/21/2014 going ahead and saying people can pass on and open up charters without catering to these classifications. Okay. So, ISBE can't say anything to the Charter School Commission on who and… who they can or cannot accept in their schools, so it looks like the charter school is promoting that special needs and ELL kids don't need to go to those classes and those schools. And I'm sure that's not what the charter schools want to do. They want to accept everybody, right, like our speakers have said. But they have a loophole. They don't have to because the Charter School Commission doesn't have statutes saying that they have to. So, in conclusion, ISBE needs to put this in law so they understand that the Charter School Commission must make sure that the charter school applicants are abiding by 14 and 14c of the State Board of Education's statutes that we created to educate all children in the State of Illinois. Okay. Does everybody understand that? Because I think we're clear, some of us, but other of us have this mantra of Chapa LaVia wants to dismantle all charter schools in the State of Illinois, which is not true. We need to put into compliance. Once again, there's a moratorium on no Charter School Laws and that's why there's so many coming through and some are supported by the Charter School Commission. So, I ask for your vote. I also, you need to understand, if they're not doing it, legally they can't get dollars for that, either and we can be sued as a state by the Federal Government for not providing it. So, go ahead and vote 'no' if you want to go ahead and vote 'no', but you're voting 'no' against dollars that they're supposed to be doing 09800107.docx 30 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 107th Legislative Day 3/21/2014 because all charters are for everybody, right. All right. Have a great day. Vote 'yes'."
"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. Please record yourselves. Andrade, Brady, Gordon. Please take the record. On this question, there are 77 voting 'yes', 32 voting 'no'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative… Representative Chapa LaVia, were you asking to move 4237 back to Second Reading? Mr. Clerk, please put 4237 back on the Order of Second Reading at the request of the Sponsor. Mr. Turner in the Chair."
"Page 9 we have House Bill 5339, Representative David Harris. Out of the record. House Bill 5342, Representative Lang. Mr. Clerk, please read the Bill."
"House Bill 5342, a Bill for an Act concerning regulation. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"Leader Lang."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen. This is agreed language with the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation making some changes in the Credit Union Act. Most of this deals with how audits are done and making sure the department is using consistent rules and regulations regarding discipline, regarding fines and that type of thing. I would ask your support."
"Seeing no debate, the question is, 'Shall House Bill 5342 pass?' All in favor vote 'aye'; all opposed vote 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all 09800107.docx 31 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 107th Legislative Day 3/21/2014 voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. On a count of 109 voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no', 1 voting 'present', House Bill 5342, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. House Bill 5468, Representative Meier. Mr. Clerk, please read the Bill."
"House Bill 5468, a Bill for an Act concerning transportation. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"Representative Meier."
"Mr. Speaker. This Bill is about… was brought to me by a constituent that has lupus and every year she has to go to the doctor and has to get a new permit saying that she still has lupus. You will have lupus forever; you will be an albino forever. So, to have your windows tinted, you have to have this permit every year. So, all this does is allow it to be a four-year permit like your permanent disability permits."
"Seeing no debate, the question is, 'Shall House Bill 5468 pass?' All in favor vote 'aye'; all opposed vote 'nay'. 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 a count of 110 voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no', and 0 voting 'present', House Bill 5468, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. House Bill 5512, Representative Nekritz. Out of the record. House Bill 5563, Representative Kelly Burke. Mr. Clerk, please read the Bill."
"House Bill 5563, a Bill for an Act concerning employment. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"Representative Burke." 09800107.docx 32 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 107th Legislative Day 3/21/2014 Burke, K.: "Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Bill 5563 is an initiative of both the Department of Labor and the Department of Human Rights regarding the investigation of alleged violations of the Equal Pay Act. Currently, when someone is alleging a violation of the Equal Pay Act, often the… the complaints are made of both to the Department of Labor and Department of Human Rights and they conduct concurrent investigations. This would allow just one investigation to go forth. It would save both departments manpower and money and would be a good cost-saving measure. I know of no opposition and I ask for your 'aye' vote."
"Seeing no debate, the question is, 'Shall House Bill 5563 pass?' All in favor vote 'aye'; all opposed vote 'nay'. 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 a count of 110 voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no', and 0 voting 'present', House Bill 5563, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. House Bill 5585, Representative Mautino. Mr. Clerk, please read the Bill."
"House Bill 5585, a Bill for an Act concerning finance. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"Representative Mautino."
"Thank you. House Bill 5585 is the Auditor General's annual transfer Bill. And this Bill will move dollars into 100… or from 115 separate funds into his fund in the amount of $20.8 million. This money is then used to do the audits of the different agencies and those that we… we request as a 09800107.docx 33 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 107th Legislative Day 3/21/2014 Body. Any moneys left over are placed back in those funds. Ask for an 'aye' vote."
"Seeing no debate, the question is… Representative Reis."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"No."
"Just a simple question, Representative. Would this include funding for the Auditor General, to conduct audits like was just done with the Governor in the neighborhood renewal initiative?"
"Yes. This… this is how he will operate all of his audits, both internal and finance those that he hires from outside of his specific agency."
"So, this will also help fund the audit of the Governor's second request for the Criminal Justice Information Authority Act then, I'm assuming, as well."
"If that is the… the wish of this Body to forward that, then whatever we tell him to audit, he will audit and this is how he gets the money to do that."
"And he does a very good job. I'm in support of your Bill, Representative. Thank you."
"Thanks, Dave."
"Leader Mautino to close."
"I simply ask for an 'aye' vote."
"Question is, 'Shall House Bill 5585 pass?' All in favor vote 'aye'; all opposed vote 'nay'. 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 a count of 110 voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no', and 0 voting 09800107.docx 34 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 107th Legislative Day 3/21/2014 'present', House Bill 5585, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. House Bill 5678, Representative Hammond. Mr. Clerk, please read the Bill."
"House Bill 5678, a Bill for an Act concerning education. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"Representative Hammond."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Bill 5678 is an initiative of Western Illinois University. It would allow the university to sell a… a property on their Rock Island campus that no longer seeks their… suits their needs. I know of no opposition."
"On that question, we have Representative Will Davis." Davis, W.: "Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Sponsor will yield." Davis, W.: "Representative, if the university is successful on selling this piece of property, what would they do with the proceeds?"
"Certainly, Representative. They would use the proceeds for building rehabilitation and also to improve infrastructure and some historical preservation." Davis, W.: "Do you have any idea, potentially, what they possibly could get for this property?"
"Right now, Representative, it's… it's very hard to tell. The market, certainly, in that area is not exactly booming. It could possibly be somewhere between three and four million if the correct buyer was there." 09800107.docx 35 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 107th Legislative Day 3/21/2014 Davis, W.: "Okay. And you mentioned that one of the potential uses could be deferred maintenance."
"Yes. Certainly." Davis, W.: "Would we be able to… and you sit on Higher Ed Approps and so I can appreciate this. Obviously, that's always one of the conversations that we have in committee with them. So, is there any way, and I hate to say it this way, that we can be assured that the dollars will be used for the purposes in which you just stated?"
"Well, Representative, I guess… I have outlined a couple of different uses for the money. Western Illinois University, at their Quad City campus, is currently renovating a… a new building, which is part of the reason for the sale of this older classroom building. And they have a number of uses, certainly, that they can put this money to in phase two, three, and four of that, as well as other operational uses, certainly." Davis, W.: "Okay. Again, I'm not opposed to what you're doing, but my concern will be is that obviously this will set a precedent. And you… we will probably see other state institutions who will probably want to run similar Bills. And… and I would just want a strong message from the outset that if you desire to do this that, you know, the money just can't go into your income fund and just sit. So that we know specifically, particularly when we know that they come to Springfield and they talk about the need for money for programs, for deferred maintenance, whatever the case may be, then I would like it to fit within what… when they come to 09800107.docx 36 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 107th Legislative Day 3/21/2014 committee that they talk about in committee that they need resources for."
"Certainly. And Representative, to your point about setting precedent, we are actually not setting a precedent with this Bill. Illinois State University has done this in the past with some farm ground and in addition, the University of Illinois on their Chicago campus has also done a similar transfer. So, we are not setting a precedent. I… I hesitate to… to dictate to the… the board of trustees of any state university or community college what I think they should… should do with their money when I'm not in their day-to-day operations, if you will." Davis, W.: "And I… and I don't disagree, but all I'm suggesting is that based on when they come to Springfield in front of committee and talk about what they need resources for, if actions like this take place, which we're okay with, I would like to see those dollars fulfill some of the needs that they come and ask us for in Springfield. That's… that's all I'm saying."
"And… and…" Davis, W.: "And maybe there's…"
"…and I am in total agreement with you, Representative. You bet I am." Davis, W.: "And maybe… and… what I'm thinking of is not, again, not to dictate it, but this passes and goes over to the Senate, if there can be maybe some language inserted that speaks to the use of the dollars should be in line with the things that they come to Spring… and I don't quite know how to word it…" 09800107.docx 37 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 107th Legislative Day 3/21/2014
"Sure." Davis, W.: "…but something along that line. And I would just ask you if you would consider some language on the Senate side that speaks to that."
"Certainly. Representative, I'll be happy to work with Representative Verschoore. And as we hand it off to the Senate, we'll see if we can't get that done. Thank you." Davis, W.: "Thank you very much."
"Thank you very much."
"Representative Verschoore."
"To the Bill. I stand up in strong support of this. We're building a campus in the Quad City areas, a four building campus and there was supposed to be some start-up money and different things. And due to some error when the appropriations meet, they didn't get it. And so, they're kind of in a rock and a hard spot. So, I just think it's a good Bill. And like the Representative said, it's not setting a precedent, I don't believe. But we'll be glad to work on it with whatever your wishes are with the Senate and get it in there. Thank you."
"Representative Hammond to close."
"Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I just appreciate the discussion and ask for an 'aye' vote."
"The question is, 'Shall House Bill 5678 pass?' All in favor vote 'aye'; all opposed vote 'nay'. 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 a count of 108 voting 'yes', 2 voting 'no' and 0 voting 'present', House Bill 5678, having received the 09800107.docx 38 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 107th Legislative Day 3/21/2014 Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. House Bill 5681, Representative Hammond. Mr. Clerk, please read the Bill."
"House Bill 5681, a Bill for an Act concerning education. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"Representative Hammond."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm pleased to present House Bill 5681 again with my colleague, Representative Verschoore. Basically this codifies what is currently in practice and has been occurring since 1997 and allows Western Illinois University Board of Trustees to hold one of their quarterly board meetings on their Quad City campus. I appreciate an 'aye' vote. Be happy to answer any questions."
"On that, we have Representative Franks."
"Representative, is this simply in response to an audit finding?"
"Yes, Sir."
"I just wonder why we're getting involved in micromanaging, you know, our universities. Can't their board of directors or Board of Trustees make a decision saying we're going to meet once a year and looks like you want it in the Quad Cities?"
"Actually, Representative, they would like to be able to do that. Since 1997, as I mentioned, they have been holding one of their quarterly board meetings, but we did ding them in their audit. So, it…"
"But that's… no, that's not my point. My point is, I'd like them to be able to make the decisions because I just, I'm a little reticent to have the General Assembly passing a 09800107.docx 39 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 107th Legislative Day 3/21/2014 law that says you have to meet at a certain campus. Isn't that sort of ridiculous?"
"It… I'm not going to disagree with you, Representative. But currently in statute it states that they must hold their meeting on campus. It is not specific, so…"
"Okay. Here's my question. Would it make more sense if we just changed the statute instead of playing this game and say…"
"Be happy to."
"Maybe we could amend this Bill, 'cause we've got some time, and say, you know what, let them make the decisions where they want to have their meetings. Let the Board of Trustees make their decisions. Let's keep out of this nonsense. This is like a turf war. It's stupid."
"Ab… Representative, I'm not going to disagree with you. But since this is an initiative of Western Illinois University and not myself, I would like to proceed with the Bill. Thank you."
"Well, would you consider having an Amendment done in the Senate where we change it to say let the universities decide where they want to have their meetings? Because I just don't want to have to come back and be changing laws on meetings. I think there's… it's a personality issue or it's something else where someone's got a turf issue. Really? To bring it in front of the General Assembly, it's really… that's not what we're here for."
"Representative, I'll be happy to join with Representative Verschoore and we'll discuss that and… and as 09800107.docx 40 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 107th Legislative Day 3/21/2014 we pass it over to the Senate, we'll certainly discuss it with them as well."
"Thank you."
"Thank you."
"Representative Hammond to close."
"Just appreciate an 'aye' vote. Thank you."
"The question is, 'Shall House Bill 5681 pass?' All in favor vote 'aye'; all opposed vote 'nay'. 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 a count of 108 voting 'yes', 2 voting 'no' and 0 voting 'present', House Bill 5681, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. House Bill 5812, Representative Stewart. Mr. Clerk, please read the Bill."
"House Bill 5812, a Bill for an Act concerning local government. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"Representative Stewart."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Members of the House. House Bill 5812 simply allow…. amends the Public Officer Prohibited Activities Act to allow county officers to serve on not-for- profit boards. This House and the Senate unanimously passed this, almost identical Bill, in 2009. I would ask for your support."
"Seeing no debate, the ques… Excuse me. I'm sorry. Representative Franks."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Sponsor will yield." 09800107.docx 41 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 107th Legislative Day 3/21/2014
"Representative, do you see a… a problem with potential conflicts of interest here?"
"No, I do not."
"Pardon me?"
"No, I do not."
"Well, apparently someone did, or else you wouldn't need to… have amended the law."
"Well, this… both the House and the Senate passed a similar Bill to allow municipalities and cities to allow officers of those to appear on not-for-profit boards and this legislation, simply at the request of our county board chairman and state's attorney, to allow county officers to be able to do the same."
"All right. So, what they're saying is… but there's a protection here in the legislation that would prohibit them from voting on… if they had a potential conflict of interest."
"Yes, it does."
"Okay. That… that was my major concern because here, if we have a conflict, you would have to… have to abstain from voting. I want to make sure that those folks would have to as well."
"It does address the conflicts of interest, yes."
"Okay. Thank you."
"Representative Sandack."
"Will the Sponsor yield?"
"He indicates that he will."
"He just said 'no', so thank you, Speaker. Representative, is this your first Bill?"
"Why a good observation there, Representative Sandack." 09800107.docx 42 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 107th Legislative Day 3/21/2014
"Is that a yes?"
"Apparently it is, yes."
"And you said it was a simple Bill, but you… you had some pointed and rather targeted questions from Representative Franks. Reiterate why it's simple."
"It's a simple Bill because this… both this House and the Senate passed a virtually identical Bill four years ago."
"Are you calling the Senate simple?"
"It would be up to… subject to interpretation, Representative Sandack."
"All right. So, and this House is simple too?"
"Of course not."
"All right. Well, pretty vague answers, but I'll go along with it just because it's your first Bill. So, I'll suggest to all in this Body that we give our new friend here a break and vote 'yes'. Thank you, Mr. Speaker."
"Representative Stewart to close."
"Would appreciate your support and a 'yes' vote."
"Question is, 'Shall House Bill 5812 pass?' All in favor vote 'aye'; all opposed vote 'nay'. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Members, please record yourself. Have all voted who wish? Representative Andrade, Brady. Mr. Clerk, please take the record. On a count of 88… 87 voting 'yes', 21 voting 'no' and 0 voting 'present', House Bill 5812, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Williams, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Point of personal privilege, please." 09800107.docx 43 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 107th Legislative Day 3/21/2014
"Please state your point."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Ladies and Gentlemen of the House, I wanted to request that when you're packing your outfits for Session next… next week, you consider packing some pur… purple clothing. Wednesday, March 26 is 'wear purple day' to recognize epilepsy. So, keep that in mind when you get your suitcase ready to go for our five-day week next week. Again, Wednesday, March 26, please consider wearing purple to recognize those who suffer from epilepsy. Thank you."
Speaker Turner: "Thank you, Representative. Representative Senger, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Point of personal privilege."
"Please state your point, Representative."
"I'd like to welcome my Page today, Andrew Conwell and… from Naperville, and his parents, Rachel and Scott."
"Thank you, and welcome to your Capitol. House Bill 5935, Representative Gabel. Mr. Clerk, please read the Bill."
"House Bill 5935, a Bill for an Act concerning State Government. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"Representative Gabel."
"Thank… thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Bill 5935 is a cleanup proposal to consolidate amendatory changes to the Home Services Program enabling statute into one complete version. So, it changes the word 'personal care attendant' to 'personal assistant' in a number of different areas in the Bill and just gets rid of some redundant language."
"Seeing no debate, the Lady moves for the passage of House Bill 5935. All in favor vote 'aye'; all opposed vote 09800107.docx 44 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 107th Legislative Day 3/21/2014 'nay'. 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 a count of 110 voting 'yes', 0 voting 'no' 0 voting 'present', House Bill 5935, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Representative Andrade, for what reason do you seek recognition?"
"Yes, point of privilege. On the previous… previous Bill I mean to press 'yes' and it didn't get recorded. Can I be…"
"House Bill 5812, Sir?"
"Yes."
"The record will reflect your request. Thank you."
"Thank you."
"Mr. Clerk, Agreed Resolutions."
"Agreed Resolutions. House Resolution 932, offered by Representative D'Amico. House Resolution 935, offered by Representative Burke. House Resolution 936, offered by Representative Osmond. House Resolution 937 and 938, offered by Representative Poe."
"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. And now, allowing perfunctory time for the Clerk, Representative Currie moves that the House adjourn Session to May… I mean, 'til Monday, March 24 at the hour of 2 p.m., Monday, March 24 at the hour of 2 p.m. All in favor say 'aye'; all opposed say 'nay'. In the opinion of the Chair, the 'ayes' have it. And the House is adjourned. Thank you." 09800107.docx 45 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 107th Legislative Day 3/21/2014
"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 March 21, 2014: recommends be adopted for the floor is House… is Floor Amendment #1 to House Bill 441, Floor Amendment #1 to House Joint Resolution 83. Representative Hoffman, Chairperson from the Committee on Labor & Commerce reports the following committee action taken on March 20, 2014: do pass Short Debate is House Bill 4491, House Bill 5606; do pass as amended Short Debate is House Bill 8; recommends be adopted is Floor Amendment #2 to House Bill 5485. Representative Jakobsson, Chairperson from the Committee on Higher Education reports the following committee action taken on March 20, 2014: do pass Short Debate is House Bill 4559; do pass as amended Short Debate is House Bill 5679; recommends be adopted is Floor Amendment #1 to House Bill 4284. Representative Rita, Chairperson from the Committee on Business & Occupational Licenses reports the following committee action taken on March 20, 2014: do pass Short Debate is House Bill 4790, House Bill 5674; do pass as amended Short Debate is House Bill 4707; recommends be adopted is Floor Amendment #2 to House Bill 4381. Representative Franks, Chairperson from the Committee on State Government Administration reports the following committee action taken on March 20, 2014: do pass Short Debate is House Bill 4483, House Bill 4556; do pass as amended Short Debate is House Bill 4769; recommends be adopted is House Joint Resolution 71, House Resolution 754, House Resolution 813, House Resolution 881, House Resolution 900. Representative Arroyo, 09800107.docx 46 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 107th Legislative Day 3/21/2014 Chairperson from the Committee on Appropriations-Public Safety reports the following committee action taken on March 20, 2014: do pass Short Debate is House Bill 4264. Representative Soto, Chairperson from the Committee on Energy reports the following committee action taken on March 20, 2014: do pass Short Debate is House Bill 5660."
Clerk Bolin: "Representative Thapedi, Chairperson from the Committee on International Trade & Commerce reports the following committee action taken on March 20, 2014: recommends be adopted House Resolution 875; recommends be adopted House Joint Resolution 68. Representative John Bradley, Chairperson from the Committee on Revenue & Finance reports the following committee action taken on March 21, 2014: do pass Short Debate for House Bill 4185. Representative Eddie Jackson, Chairperson from the Committee on Counties & Townships reports the following committee action taken on March 21, 2014: do pass Short Debate for House Bill 4597, House Bill 5623; do pass as amended Short Debate for House Bill 3251 and House Bill 5990. Representative Walsh, Vice- Chairperson from the Committee on Economic Development reports the following committee action taken on March 21, 2014: do pass Short Debate for House Bill 5819. Representative Chapa LaVia, Chairperson from the Committee on Veterans' Affairs reports the following committee action taken on March 21, 2014: do pass as amended Short Debate for House Bill 4598, House Bill 4734; recommends be adopted House Resolution 843. Introduction of Resolutions. House Resolution 933, offered by Representative Williams. House Resolution 934, offered by 09800107.docx 47 STATE OF ILLINOIS 98th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 107th Legislative Day 3/21/2014 Representative McSweeney. And House Joint Resolution 87, offered by Representative Brauer."
"Correction of Committee Report. Representative Hoffman, Chairperson from the Committee on Labor & Commerce reports the following committee action taken on March 20, 2014: do pass Short Debate is House Bill 4491, House Bill 5606; do pass as amended Short Debate is House Bill 8, House Bill 4733; recommends be adopted is Floor Amendment #2 to House Bill 5485. There being no further business, the House Perfunctory Session will stand adjourned." 09800107.docx 48