"The House will be in order. Members will be in their chairs. We shall be led in prayer today by Pastor Lenell McGee, Sr., who is with Eureka Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago. Pastor McGee is the guest of Representative Harper. Members and guests are asked to refrain from starting their laptops, turn off cell phones, and rise for the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance. Pastor McGee."
"Giving praises to God and honor to… to our Governor and to our House Speaker, to all of the Members of this august Body and guests. Let us bow our heads in prayer. Precious God, our Father, we thank You for this privilege. We acknowledge that You are God, and that You are the author, and creator of all things. We realize that You are… You are omnipresent; You are everywhere. You are omnipotent; You are powerful. You are omniscient; You know everything. So we come before Your presence in the only way we know how. We humble ourselves, and we pray for every official elected and appointed. Pray for every purpose that shall come before us today. We pray, Oh God, that You would do what You do best. We pray that You would give us the wisdom and the guidance to do what You would have be done. Pray that we'll be able to work with one another and to respect one another. We ask these blessings in Your name and for our sake, we do pray, Amen and thank God."
"Be led in the Pledge by Representative Reis."
"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." 09900106.docx 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 3/1/2016
"Roll Call for Attendance. Mr. Brown."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Please let the record reflect that Representative Cabello is excused this afternoon."
"Representative Feigenholtz is recognized."
"Representatives Arroyo and Turner are to be excused today."
"Thank you, Representative. Mr. Clerk, please take the record. We have 115 Members answering the roll, and we do have a quorum. Mr. Clerk, Rules Report."
"Committee Reports. Representative Barbara Flynn Currie, Chairperson from the Committee on Rules reports the following committee action taken on February 23, 2016: approved for consideration, referred to Third Reading is House Bill 1380."
"On page 12 of the Calendar, under the Order of House Bills-Second Reading, appears House Bill 4434. Mr. Clerk, please read the Bill."
"House Bill 4434, a Bill for an Act concerning local government. Second Reading of this House Bill. Amendment #1 was adopted in committee. No Floor Amendments. No Motions are filed."
Speaker Lang: "Third Reading. Mr. Clerk, please read the Adjournment Resolution."
"House Joint Resolution cons… correction, House Joint Resolutions #134, offered by Representative Currie. RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that when the two Houses adjourn on Thursday, March 03, 2016, the House of Representatives stands 09900106.docx 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 3/1/2016 adjourned until Monday, April 04, 2016, or until the call of the Speaker; and the Senate stands adjourned until Tuesday, March 08, 2016, and when it adjourns on that day, it stands adjourned until Wednesday, March 09, 2016, and when it adjourns on that day, it stands adjourned until Thursday, March 10, 2016, and when it adjourns on that day, it stands adjourned until Wednesday, March 16, 2016, and when it adjourns on that day, it stands adjourned until Thursday, March 17, 2016, and when it adjourns on that day, it stands adjourned until Friday, March 18, 2016, and when it adjourns on that day, it stands adjourned until Tuesday, April 5, 2016, or until the call of the President."
"Leader Feigenholtz moves for the adoption of Adjournment Resolution. Those in favor say 'yes; opposed 'no'. The 'ayes' have it. And the Resolution is adopted. Mr. Clerk, Agreed Resolutions."
Clerk Hollman: "Agreed Resolutions. House Resolution 1027, offered by Representative Ford. House Resolution 1028, offered by Representative Barbara Wheeler. House Resolution 1029, offered by Representative Breen. House Resolution 1030, offered by Representative Cloonen. House Resolution 1031, offered by Representative Mussman. House Resolution 1032, offered by Representative Bradley. House Resolution 1033, offered by Representative Bradley. House Resolution 1034, offered by Representative Bradley. House Resolution 1035, offered by Representative Welch. House Resolution 1037, offered by Representative Chapa LaVia. House Resolution 1039, offered by Representative Bellock. House Resolution 1040, offered by Representative Dunkin. House 09900106.docx 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 3/1/2016 Resolution 1043, offered by Representative Evans. House Resolution 1046, offered by Representative Scherer. House Resolution 1047, offered by Representative Leitch. House Resolution 1049, offered by Representative Durkin. House Resolution 1050, offered by Representative Beiser. House Resolution 1052, offered by Representative Acevedo. House Resolution 1054, offered by Representative Madigan. House Resolution 1055, offered by Representative Rita (Sic- Mayfield)."
"Leader Feigenholtz moves for the adoption of the Agreed Resolutions. Those in favor say 'yes'; opposed 'no'. The 'ayes' have it. And the Agreed Resolutions are adopted. Members, if you're going to be asking for a point of personal privilege to recognize someone, you can turn off your lights. We're going to have a… a speech to us shortly, and we'll get back to you. Speaker Madigan in the Chair."
"Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a special guest today, and if everyone can please take their chair and if the staff would retire to the rear of the chamber. So, please take your seats. Staff could retire to the rear of the chamber. We're very pleased to have with us the Consul General from the Republic of Turkey to the Midwest of the United States. Many of us in the Body have been able to visit Turkey, both Democrats and Republicans, and so there's many of us that are very familiar with the country, very familiar with their governmental and political system, and very familiar with their culture. The culture of Turkey has… is descended from the culture of the Ottoman Empire which was one of the major empires in a time through the 1800s leading into the 09900106.docx 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 3/1/2016 1900s. And so there's a… there's a very strong history of strength, and culture, and learning in what is now the country of Turkey and prior to that to the Ottoman Empire. So with all that in mind, it is my pleasure to present to you the Consul General from Turkey, Mr. Umut Acar."
"Thank you very much. You're very kind. Mr. Speaker, honorable Representatives, I'm very impressed of the vast knowledge of Mr. Speaker about my country so that makes my job very easy, so I can skip the introduction part of my speech. Thank you very much. Honorable Representatives, dist… it's a distinct honor and great pleasure for me to address to you. I would like to thank the House Leadership, Mr. Speaker, for this opportunity. I'm also grateful to the people of Illinois for their warm welcome and generous hospitality shown to me since my arrival some five months ago. Today I appear before you as the 18th Consul General of Turkey in Chicago since 1948. And I am here to express my will and to ask for your cooperation, so that together we can further promote Turkey-U.S. and Turkey-Illinois relations. The State of Illinois is very important to my mission because it is one of the first states to host Turkish migrants starting from 1950s. The State of Illinois is important for the further reason because of its rich diversity and the resilient dedication of its people to the American dream. Turkish American Associations for the… Turkish American Associations enrich the state’s multicultural heritage, while Turkish Americans add to its economy significantly. Strengthening relations between Turkey and Illinois in areas of common interest, particularly trade and education, will be high on 09900106.docx 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 3/1/2016 my agenda during my term in Chicago. We have a trade volume of $500 million, and I'm… I'm happy to see this number is growing year by year. The number of Turkish trade delegations, investors and startup companies coming to Illinois is rising every year. Turkish Government provides increasing number of scholarships to the Turkey students to study at the Illinois universities, which are among the top U.S. universities. With $800 billion GDP, and 5.3 percent average growth rate over the last 15 years, the Turkish economy is among the top 20 and 6th largest in Europe today. We are determined to become a top 10 global economy by 2023, when we celebrate the 100th years of our republic. Not only with Illinois, also expanding economic, commercial, and investment relations with the U.S. remains a maj… a major priority, and there is a great potential that remains unkempt. On the trade front, the public and private efforts made by both sides over the last several years have yielded promising results. Today the total trade volume is around $19 billion between our two countries. The U.S. stands as Turkey's seventh biggest, largest trading partner and third largest investor. We believe that we have the potential to double and even triple these figures in the coming future. Turkey is expected to be the fastest growing economy among the OECD members in the period leading up to 2030. The trade volume was up five times, and now around $400 billion. Six million new jobs have been created in recent years in Turkey, and Turkey has become sixth most popular tourist destination in the world. And I'm very glad to hear that Speaker Madigan has been four times in Turkey and covered all the essential parts. Turkey is becoming an energy hub 09900106.docx 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 3/1/2016 with its unique location between the countries with oil and gas reserves, and the countries that are the main consumers. And Turkey is also becoming a technology hub and medical tourism hub. With the world's largest airport to be opened in Istanbul in 2018, Turkey will become one of the world's leading transportation hubs too. Honorable Representatives, Turkish-U.S. friendship dates to 1831 when the United States established the more credi… the diplomatic relations with the Ottoman Empire. After the World War I, and the founding of our Republic, Turkey and the United States established diplomatic relations in 1927. Turkey-United States relations advance further with the economic and technical cooperation agreement signed in July 1947, in line with the Truman Doctrine and its policy to support free peoples against Soviet threat. Turkey has been a neighbor ally since 1952 and continues to be an important security partner for the United States and Transatlantic Alliance. Turkey is a leading country in defending NATO's vital eastern anchor. Turkish and American men and women in uniform stood side by side in difficult parts of the world since Korean War to defend our common ideals. The United States stands in solidarity with my country in our fight against PKK terrorism that has been killing innocent people, disrupting public order, and threatening peace and stability in my country for many years now. Counter terrorism cooperation is the key element of our strategic partnership. We are key partners sharing similar views on challenging global issues based on shared values like democracy, human rights, and rule of law. Turkey-U.S. relations have withstood the test of time and evolved to 09900106.docx 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 3/1/2016 always stay relevant to the prevailing strategic environment. Today we have complex and increasingly challenging security threats, whether on the critical situation of Syria and Iraq, on the threat of ISIL, combating terrorism, growing refugee waves, and the resurgent Russia. Our close cooperation continues to be vital for both our nations. ISIL is our common enemy, and they kill more Muslims than non-Muslims. Our result to fight and defeat these terrorists is firm. They attacked Paris, they attacked Istanbul, and they attacked many other places. This is why Turkey's a strong partner of the U.S. led coalition against these brutal killers. Defeating ISIL would not be possible without ending the conflict and reinstating peace and stability in Syria. Today there are 3 million Syrian and Iraqi refugees in Turkey. And since the beginning of the crisis, we have been following an open door policy regardless of ethnic or religious affiliations of those who seek refuge. We provide refugees with temporary protection including free access to health, education, social assistance, and access to labor market. We have established dozens of temporary protection centers. Some of them are exclusively for Christians and other non-Muslim groups. According to the UN Refugee Agency, Turkey today shelters the largest number of refugees in the world. We have spent $9 billion for refugees from our own national budget. Around one million Syrians in Turkey are children. Since the arrival of the first group of Syrians, on average 110 Syrian babies are born every day only in the camps in Turkey. Access to primary and secondary education is granted. As Turkey can no longer shoulder this responsibility alone, we ask our allies and the EU for burden- 09900106.docx 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 3/1/2016 sharing. While Turkey opens its borders to vulnerable and desperate refugees, Russia on the other hand continues its farming civilians and creating additional refugee flows. They host none, but they create new ones. Russia's actions pose serious challenges for global security on multiple fronts. They openly violate international law and provoke outrage in neighboring countries. They are aiming at expanding their fear of influence by using force. We saw it in Ukraine; we saw it in Georgia, and now we see it in Syria. We believe that Turkey, U.S., and all NATO allies should continue to work in full solidarity and cohesion to balance the Russian expansion and to reverse negative trends in the Middle East. Honorable Representatives, these are some of the global challenges that I… that our nations are facing together. As an Illinois resident… a new Illinois resident, I know that you have your own local challenges as well. I wish I could be of any help, but I can only thank you for all your efforts and hard work to make Illinois better. As I often travel throughout the other U.S. states, I can honestly say that I am proud to be an Illinoisan. I know you are in an election year, and I wish best of luck to those who are running. Thank you very much for this very unique approach, and thank you for me. Thank you. I'm looking forward to working with you. God bless you. Thank you."
"The Consul General will be down in the well for greeting and pictures. Mr… Mr. Lang in the Chair."
"Mr. Hays is recognized."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Point of personal privilege, please." 09900106.docx 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 3/1/2016
"Please proceed, Sir."
"Ladies and Gentlemen, if I could have your attention. We have in the gallery just behind me, the reigning 2016 Miss Illinois County Fair Queen, Abby Foster from Danville. She represented Vermilion County at the annual pageant held during the 106th Illinois Association of Agricultural Affairs convention in January. And as a 57th Miss Illinois County Fair Queen, Miss Foster will be the official hostess of the Illinois and Duquoin State Fairs. She will also travel throughout the state this summer to promote county fairs and State Fairs. Abby is the daughter of Melaine Morris and Jeff Foster. She attends Ball State University pursuing a degree in elementary education with a concentration in psychology. She's joined today by Cathy Red… Redshaw, County Fair Queen Pageant director from Schuyler County, and her husband Sheriff Bill Redshaw of Schuyler County. Abby, the Danville and Vermilion County communities and the entire State of Illinois are very proud of you. Abby Foster, Miss Illinois County Fair Queen."
"Thank you for being here. Mr. Costello."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Point of personal privilege."
"Please proceed."
"I would also like to congratulate Abby. She did a wonderful job of speaking today at the breakfast that we had for Ag Day here at the Capitol. I'd like to, as well, welcome all the members of agriculture and the organizations that they belong to especially members of the FFA, Future Farmers of America. You will see them all running around the Stratton Building and the Capitol. And I will tell you one of the key 09900106.docx 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 3/1/2016 things on their mind, Ladies and Gentlemen, is funding agriculture education in the State of Illinois. Agriculture is the number one business in the State of Illinois. These men and women are the future of agriculture in our state, and it's extremely, extremely important that we fund agricultural education in the State of Illinois. Thank you."
"Thank you, Sir. Point well taken. Congratulations to all of you. Thank you for being here in Springfield with us. Mr. Andrade."
"Point of priv… pe… personal privilege, Leader."
"Go right ahead, Sir."
"Thank you very much. Like to introduce my Page for the day, it's Matthew… Matthew Daze and his father. We have Tim Daze in the stand with us. He's a sixth grader from Saint Benedict High School in my district, and he's here. He has to buy some new clothes, so please make sure you use him, so we can get some… some funds. Thank you very much."
"Thank you. And thanks for joining us. Mr. Phelps."
"Point of personal privilege, Mr. Speaker."
"Please proceed."
"I would like to do a… Mr. Speaker, I’d like to do a moment of silence. As you all know, last… yesterday… wait…"
"Can… can we hold off on that?"
"We will hold off."
"Thank you, Sir. Rep… Representative Bryant."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Point of personal privilege."
"Please proceed."
"Mr. Speaker, and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House, if I could have your brief attention for a moment? We have here 09900106.docx 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 3/1/2016 today Kent Fair. Kent is sitting in the gallery over to the left, your right. He's a constituent of mine from Mount Vernon and aside from living in my district back home, Kent also serves as President of the Illinois Association of Nurse Anesthetists. Their association numbers more than 14 hundred certified registered nurses anesthetists statewide, and there are another 300 student CRNAs as in training. They provide highly specialized anesthesia, care for our state citizens. Kent also serves as a CRNA at National… I'm sorry Naut… Nautical Medical Services in Mount Vernon. And I would appreciate you giving him and all the CRNAs from the Illinois Association of Nurse Anesthetists, a warm Springfield welcome. Thank you, Kent and CRNAs for the specialized care, and if you would all stand."
"Thank you. Thanks for joining us today. Mr. Bennett. Mr. Bennett."
"Thank you, Mr. Chair. Point of personal privilege, please."
"Go right ahead."
"Thank you, Sir. Have a number of things here to touch on, but I… I need to first recognize a wonderful young man. His name is Cade Hill of Paxton, Illinois. Cade is up behind me. Cade if you would, please?"
"Hello."
"Cade Hill is from Paxton, Illinois. He's a 2015-2016 Illinois FFA Student President, and that's a tremendous honor to the State of Illinois. Cade's a 2015 graduate of the Paxton Buckley-Loda, PBL High School, where he’s a member of the PBL FFA chapter. His advisors are Mike White and Doug Anderson. 09900106.docx 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 3/1/2016 Along with that, Cade recognizes the FFA organization has built him into the person that he is today, and he now wants to help build, not only the Illinois Association FFA, but also the members involved. After Cade's years of service, he'll begin his freshmen year at the University of Illinois majoring in agriculture science education. His goal is to graduate with a teaching degree, which is wonderful to have, and someday teach high school agriculture classes. So this is tremendous. Cade, glad to have you with us today. And as Representative Costello mentioned, today is the Illinois Ag Day, and a lot of those folks of the FFA are the folks wearing their blue jackets today. You'll see them around the… the area, and this is a tremendous day. So, if you would please, help me give a warm welcome to Cade, if you would, please."
"Congratulations, Mr. President. We had another President in here a couple weeks ago. It's good to see you. Representative Williams."
"Point of personal privilege, please."
"Go right ahead."
"Just wanted to let everyone know that the Green Caucus meeting originally scheduled for today has been rescheduled and will be tomorrow, on Wednesday at 4:30 in Room D-1, Stratton. So again, if you're in the Green Caucus or just interested in environmental issues, stop by and touch base with us, 4:30 tomorrow, D-1."
"Thank you, Representative. Mr. Unes."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Point of personal privilege."
"Go right ahead." 09900106.docx 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 3/1/2016
"I, too, would like to welcome all the FFA groups from around the state, but notably, there's two very special groups with us today. I know one of them is with us in the chamber, and that is the FFA group from Cuba, and the FFA group from Lewistown. And I certainly enjoyed speaking with them and being able to spend some time with them earlier, and I certainly hope they're enjoying their day at the Capitol. But if you could please welcome Doug Falk, and the entire Cuba FFA Group, and Lewistown FFA Group, that would be great. Thank you"
"Thank you, Representative. Welcome aboard. Happy you're here with us. Mr. Moffitt."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise for a point of personal privilege."
"Please proceed, Sir."
"Thank you. Another caucus announcement, tomorrow morning breakfast 7:30, Stratton cafeteria, the Fire Caucus. Hope you'll come. We have the Bills that the fire service would like to consider this year. So come, get a break… complimentary breakfast and sign on to one of those Bills. Hope to see you there. The other thing I just want to second the comments of Representatives Costello, Chairman of Ag Committee, the importance of agriculture, the importance of ag education. It should have a line item in the budget. The importance of FFA it… one of the greatest youth leadership organizations. Good to have all of them with us. Thank you."
"Thank you, Sir. Mr. Meier."
"I rise, too, to welcome the FFA here. As the past President the Okawville FFA chapter, past member of the State FFA band, 09900106.docx 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 3/1/2016 I realize the importance that this organization brings in training these young people to go out and be leaders in the State of Illinois. And I wish them all well. Thank you."
"Thank you, Sir. Ladies and Gentlemen, under the Order of Agreed Resolutions on page 16, House Resolution 966, Mr. Reis. Mr. Clerk, please read the appropriate portion of the Resolution."
"House Resolution 966, offered by Representatives Reis and Brown. RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we honor the centennial anniversary of the founding of the cooperatively owned and operated Farm Credit System and that we commend the cooperative owners and the employees of the Farm Credit System for their continuing service in meeting the credit and financial-services needs of rural communities and agriculture and we express our confidence and support for the Farm Credit System continuing its mission of providing reliable, consistent credit to the farm families of Illinois, agricultural industry, and rural communities of Illinois into the future."
"Mr. Reis."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House. As part of our Ag Day festivities today, we found it appropriate to recognize the Farm Credit Services System that was established through an act of Congress in 1916 and signed into law by President Woodrow Wilson. And they were recognizing that a prosperous and productive agriculture sector was essential to our country, and that having loans 09900106.docx 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 3/1/2016 and people that understand loans to farmers was essential. And you know, Farm Credit Systems have been around through good times and bad, record yields, and floods, and droughts, good economic times and depression, recessions, and setbacks. And all that makes challenges for… for agriculture. I can still remember seeing a loan that my grandpa took out for $600 to get through the summer one year. Now loans are for 6 figures and 7 figures. And it takes a unique lending institution to understand agriculture’s ups and downs and ability for a member to repay those loans. So joining me today in the gallery are members of the Farm Credit Systems throughout the State of Illinois, stand up, please. They're the… they're the face of lending in agriculture today. And we want to recognize them for being 100 years of providing good sound loans to agriculture operations, and to rural America."
"Thank you, Sir. Mr. Pritchard, do you rise to this Resolution? Mr. Pritchard."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Ladies and Gentlemen of the House, many of you are participating in the Farm Bureau's Legislative Program Adopt a Farmer or Adopt a Legislator, and you know some of the capital intensive operations that farms across Illinois are engaged in. Certainly as one of those farmers, I've used the Farm Credit System and understand its importance at just having access to credit sometimes can mean to the farming operation. With this Resolution, we are celebrating a number of credit programs that have allowed farmers access to money needed to operate their farms. The U.S. Congress in its wisdom back in 1916, created a unique system that didn't use federal dollars to actually lend to 09900106.docx 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 3/1/2016 farmers, but actually backed an organization in… in competence that banks could have to lend to farmers. Banks at the time of 1916 were just being formed, and we had just passed the national banking system. And certainly at that time they weren't funded well enough to be able to lend to the capital needs that farmers had in buying their land. By the 1930s we had another crisis in agriculture with the Depression when banks didn't have the capital resources to allow farmers to plant seed and… and buy the inputs they were needed for their operation. We go on another few years and Congress again came to the rescue in modernizing the Farm Credit System to allow consolidation and increase efficiency, and lending for rural development. It created an oversight board called the Farm Credit Administration. And one of my constituents worked in that hold credit system and moved up to be one of three Governors that managed this system nationwide. Illinois has benefited from the Farm Credit System which today lends over $10 billion to farmers across the state for a wholesome abundant food supply, for not only the United States, but consumers around the world. I add my appreciation to the Farm Credit employees, farmers, and ranchers who lead this organization, and the wisdom of our U.S. Congress for creating an efficient and effective independent financial system. Thank you, Mr. Speaker."
"Mr. Meier."
"I rise, too, to say thank you to the Illinois Farm Credit System. This system is huge in helping our… our rural economy and not only does it help the farmers of the area, it's there supporting all of our community organizations. They’d go out 09900106.docx 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 3/1/2016 and buy 4-H steers. They help support FFA projects. They come in an… and help with different benefits going on in the community. And yet, they stand there with us in good years and bad years to make sure that Illinois is the number one agriculture state in America. So I appreciate everything they've done. I appreciated when they bought… bid on my steers in the 4-H projects that I had 40 years ago. Thank you."
"Thank you, Mr. Meier. Ladies and Gentlemen, it's a little noisy in the chamber. Could we hold down the noise? Mr. Moffitt is recognized."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to join my colleagues in thanking Illinois Farm Credit System for the good things they've done over this hundred years. They're true partners in agriculture. And I admit, I'm currently a borrower from the Farm Credit System. I don't clare to dis… care to disclose how much, but I am… one of their partners or working with them. Their staff and the people we're recognizing today are true professionals. They have programs that are flexible, creative, and incentives to help farmers pay ahead when they have the ability, such as a funds held account. That's a good thing to have. Think what has happened in the hundred years. We've seen businesses come and go. We've seen credit systems come and go. We've saw the housing market collapse because of bad credit practices. Not the case with Farm Credit System. We're honoring them for a hundred years of progress. So congratulations on the first hundred and you may… and may you have an even better second hundred years. Thank you."
"Ladies and Gentlemen, page 13 of the Calendar, under of the Order of House Bills-Third… Excuse me, I'm sorry. 09900106.docx 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 3/1/2016 Those in favor of the Resolution will vote… will say 'yes'; opposed 'no'. The 'ayes' have it. And the Resolution is adopted. Feel better, Mr. Reis? Thank you very much. Moving to page 13 of the Calendar, House Bills-Third Reading, there appears House Bill 4326, Mr. Phelps. Please read the Bill."
"House Bill 4326, a Bill for an Act concerning criminal law. Third Reading of this House Bill."
"Mr. Phelps."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Ladies and Gentlemen of the House, I… I come to you with my hat in my hand today for a favor. I know I've done a lot of favors for a lot of you on both sides of the aisle, and I'm coming to you today for something that's very important to me. As you know, under Governor Quinn, I had IYC Murphysboro, along with Representative Bryant, her district and also, Tamms prison that was shut down. And then Governor Rauner shut down Hardin County Work Camp. So today, House Bill 4326, I'm simply asking for a favor for everybody to try to help me keep the biggest employer of Hardin County, the Hardin County Work Camp. Seventy employees, it's only about a million dollars. It’s a unfenced correctional facility. They've helped out young men to get back and make a positive deal in their lives. And I… like I said, I have never really asked this Body for a favor, but I'm doing it today to try to help me help one of the poorest counties in the area in the state, to help Hardin County. This means everything to this little county; it's the biggest employer. And I'm just going to simply just shut up and just say please help me out for my district because I will turn the favor. I ask for an 'aye' vote." 09900106.docx 19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 3/1/2016
"Ladies and Gentlemen, it's an important piece of legislation. Please keep the noise down. And if you must speak, move your conversation to the rear of the chamber. Thank you. Mr. Sandack is recognized."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Sponsor yields."
"Representative Phelps, we had a chance to chat a little bit, and I… I heard your impassioned speech, and I appreciate that. Can you give me some of the details of how your Bill would actually work? Walk me through the logistics an… and the intended expenses, if any, associated with your Bill. Please, Sir."
"Ro… Ron, simple fact, I… I mean, General Revenue Fund; we're talking about a million dollars to keep this open. It's been inflated because there was a fire in the kitchen and the Governor's Office said it was $9 million to fix it, it was 7 million, it was 5 million. Ron, I'm just simply asking for about a million dollars to keep the biggest employer of Hardin County open. Now here's the deal. I know ASFCME has talked to a lot of your friends on your side, and this is very important to them, ‘cause there’s all… already overcrowding. Ron, this is an unfenced correctional facility; it's a work camp. When we had the tornado, which God forbid, I went through yesterday, the four-year anniversary where eight people in my district got killed in Harrisburg. That… these people were right on the front ground to help out these little towns that can't afford to… to help out on the cleanup. I mean, tha… this is more valuable than I could ever tell you, Ron. And 09900106.docx 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 3/1/2016 I'm very passionate about this, and I need this. And I'm asking you as a friend to help me out on this."
"Well, an… and Bran… Brandon, I… I totally appreciate that. I'm just trying to get through some of the emotion, and obviously it's important to you and your district. Please know that that means it's important to me, too."
"I absolutely agree."
"And so, what I'm asking though is, where is the… is… is this facility currently open?"
"No."
"All right."
"The Governor closed it January 1, Ron. He boarded up the windows and actually the maintenance guys were going to throw concrete down the drains, and we got that stopped. So it's ready to go. All they have to do is unboard the windows, and they can move right back in."
"Apart from the Governor's objection and I think it's probably financial, and I know he has some initiatives with respect to some reforms when it comes to criminal justice and trying to reduce prison populations as a whole. Apart from that, do you… have you talked to the people at the Department of Corrections about their perspective on this?"
"Ron, I tried. I tried to get mayors and my county commissioners in to a visit. They denied me the visit to bring them down to let them see the facility."
"Well, I don't… I don't mean just the facility…"
"They gave me less than 24 hours not to even go there, Ron."
"Well…" 09900106.docx 21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 3/1/2016
"So I wouldn't go there if I were you, ‘cause we're getting into another deal, Ron."
"Well, apart from the… apart from visiting the facility, I mean, talking to the director of… of the Department of Corrections."
"Ron, I can't get my phone returned… my phone call returned. How can… how can I do that when I don't get my phone calls returned?"
"Well, I'm sorry…"
"I got documentation…"
"…that you're not getting your call return."
"…on every call that I that I've made…"
"You certainly deserve that."
"…Ron, I promise you."
"You certainly deserve that so I… I don't understand why you're not getting a return call, because on… on my analysis it shows the Department of Corrections objecting, and I suspect it's on financial grounds, and I suspect because they’ve essentially moved on. I don't know, Brandon, and I suspect that, you know, you're entitled to a response, for sure."
"Two hundred inmates, Ron, that already went to an overcrowded facility at Shawnee and Vienna. It doesn’t make a lick of sense. We need more facilities like the work camps to get our guys back on and do great things for our society."
"Last question."
"And COGFA, as you know, on a bipartisan manner voted to keep this open, Ron." 09900106.docx 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 3/1/2016
"I… I totally get it, but I… I also remember the last administration having some dis…"
"Ron, you want me to go on the record and tell you about the last administration…"
"I… I…"
"…I was mad as hell…"
"I'm sure…"
"…about the last administration."
"I re… I remember."
"IYC Murphyboro and Tamms closed. Bull… it's ridiculous. So I'm not saying about Governor Rauner either. I'm talking about Governor Quinn too."
"I hear you loud and clear."
"But you know what, we got to stop this. We can't afford to keep closing these facilities."
"Where have the employees gone? Have they been reassigned throughout the department?"
"Not everybody got their job. They went to Shawnee, Vienna, some of the other ones had to travel miles along. You know, their… they… they can't be with their families. Ron… Ron, this is… this is a million dollars, Ron. It's a million dollars. Don't… don't shake…"
"I get it."
"…don't shake your head on that. It's petty. This is petty. This…"
"I wasn't shaking my head, Brandon."
"No, Ron, but I saw you. That's fine. You're my friend. I just want to let you know, I need your help. I need your help, Ron." 09900106.docx 23 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 3/1/2016
"To the Bill. The Gentleman's passion is appreciated. My head was shaking because of the overall financial condition of the state, and we have a bunch of million dollar appropriations to… throughout the state that we should and could be making if there were discussions had between the Leaders and the Governor over a budget and some reforms that apparently those discussions are not happening. And while I understand and respect the Gentleman much, this is an Appropriations Bill. It's part and parcel of a larger budget that should be occurring. And I wish we were having a budget discussion because that would make sense. Thank you, Mr. Speaker."
"Mr. Phelps."
"And to that, I was just told, and I didn't realize it was this much, the Governor wants to expand the Department of Corrections budget $100 million. So why, I'm just asking for a million dollars for 70 jobs, the biggest employer in my little county. That's it."
"Representative Bryant."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Sponsor yield?"
"Sponsor yields."
"Representative Phelps, I… to the Sponsor. I did… I have joined you as Chief Cosponsor of this Bill."
"Yes, you have."
"And I… and I attend to support you on this Bill, but as Representative previously pointed out, there were a whole bunch of facilities closed in our region, including Tamms which is in your district and employs a lot of people in my district. Carbondale Community Correctional Center which is 09900106.docx 24 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 3/1/2016 where I began my career in the Department of Corrections and housed 60 inmates that were working in the community, paying restitution to… to victims, child support, alimony, at a much greater amount than when someone gets $15 for doing dishes within a institution. Murphysboro Juvenile Facility was closed. I presently have a Bill, House Bill 4340, that repurposes… that would… that would move Murphysboro from a juvenile facility to an adult facility, with the hopes that that would be opened as a work camp/work release center or community correctional center which actually goes right along with the Governor's plan to move… move folks out of the higher level facility, get them to be productive citizens again. So my question to you is, in giving you the support that you're going to need for this Bill that is really important to our region, I agree with you on that, can I count on you to ask the Speaker to move my Bill out of Rules, so that we can not only provide jobs for our region, but so that we can also move forward in trying to move those who are incarcerated back into… into society as productive individuals and also reduce our prison capacity from 150 percent to begin reducing that. So I'm asking for your support for my Bill."
"Terri… Representative, sorry. You're like… your friend. Terri, I… I'm with you. Whatever you need me to do, just like you got on this. I need… I'm one of the most bipartisan Legislators in this General Assembly, you know that. I've got a lot of friends over there."
"Yep."
"And I work on that. And I miss Representative Bost, but I am glad you’re here. But I'll tell you right now, I will do 09900106.docx 25 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 3/1/2016 everything I can to… to address that and send that to the Speaker. But Terri, you know how important this is. Now remember, I'm not making this political. I went out on the wor… on the right now saying about Governor Quinn, and what he did to you and I and our districts…"
"Right."
"…is wrong. And I know if I had help on this side, but I need help from everybody to help me on this. And I appreciate it, and I'll help you."
"So, Mr. Speaker, to the… to the Bill. I would say that not only is this facility important to our region, in the fact that it’s the number one employer for Hardin County, but it's also important to the Department of Corrections as we work to make our staff and to those who are incarcerated safer. And it also is a facility that works to ensure that as our… as our levee system in that area is at risk at times, the work camps are very important to that end. And so, I stand in support of this Bill and would invite my colleagues on this side of the aisle also to support the Bill. Thank you."
"Mr. Costello."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Sponsor yields."
"So Brandon, at the end of the day, in… in being a past law enforcement officer myself, we're talking about a work camp, correct? So we're not talking about a prison; we're not talking about jails. We're talking about a work camp, correct?"
"An unfenced correctional facility where we need more of these. This is nothing like Tamms, Jerry. And also, can I say 09900106.docx 26 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 3/1/2016 this real quick about Terri. Terri, I'm a cosponsor on your Bill, by the way. I just want you know that. I just found that out."
"So I… I think something that's very important for the Body to think about, we're not talking about a prison. We're talking about something that's designed to intercept youth and… and to help them work on structure in their life, to help them maybe work on work ethic. It's designed to reduce recidivism. It… it's exactly what we as a Body have been talking about. So, I… I mean, this Bill makes perfect sense to me. At the very core of this Bill, it's designed to deter youth from following a path that would institutionalize them. It's something that I think every person in this Body should vote ‘yes’ on. And I would ask that you vote 'yes'."
"Representative Cassidy."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Sponsor yields."
"So… Brandon… Representative Phelps, you and I have done… gone round… done some rounds on some other facilities in your district. We… we both landed a few blows during the Tamms fight. Do you an… and I'm… and I'm…"
"You won that by the way."
"What's that?"
"You won that one. I hated it, but you won."
"I know, honey. Here's the thing. This is different, right?"
"It's totally different."
"Do you have any data to support im… improved recidivism rates from the folks that go there?" 09900106.docx 27 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 3/1/2016
"I… I do, Kelly, right here with all these papers. I'll be glad to give them to you so you can read them. But I'll tell you, thi… this facility not only does it… does it help the recidivism rate, but also they have a farm where they give vegetables to the homeless and to the… and to the hungry."
"So I want to make sure people heard what you just said, that the… the folks that are at the work camp are feeding the community through…"
"They're feeding the…"
"…feeding homeless people in the community…"
"…they're feeding the hungry."
"…through their farm."
"They're actually, not only that, they're building house… houses for the homeless. I mean, this is a great program. We need more of these programs. And Kelly, all I'm asking is one million dollars to save about 70 jobs. That's it."
"One other question, I… I think in your open or in your questioning with another Member, you… you said that you tried to visit the facility to assess the damage that the administration has talked about. You… you requested a visit?"
"I got to go by myself with Senator Forby, but when I asked the Department of Corrections to bring in my mayors of Hardin County and my County Commissioners, to see what the rumors were, I was denied in less than 24 hours. It was ridiculous."
"And have they made similar denials to others or have others been allowed to… to tour the facility?" 09900106.docx 28 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 3/1/2016
"There it's very troubling, but there have been others that have got to visit and brought political candidates to the facility."
"Political candidates have been brought in to tour the facility."
"Political candidates to the facility."
"That is unfortunate. To the Bill. I have been on this floor many times talking about what we should and shouldn't be doing in our criminal justice system, what we need to do more of, and what we need to do less of. As I mentioned, Brandon and I went toe to toe for a long time to get Tamms shut down. And I do understand the economic impact that had on his district. To me this isn't about economic impact; this is about what we should be doing in our corrections system, what we should be doing more of, not less of. Keeping this facility open is completely in keeping with the mission of making our Department of Corrections something that actually provides correction. The definition of correction is to make something better. When people come out of this facility, they have indeed been made better. Let's keep it open; let's open more of them. I urge an 'aye' vote."
"Mr. Franks."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Sponsor yields."
"Brandon, what is a Level 7 work camp facility?"
"An… and I tried to get that spelled out for me with the Department of Corrections, but it's just… it's one of the ones wh… Jack, that I can think of that do more community service hours. This work camp, actually of all the work camps 09900106.docx 29 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 3/1/2016 in the state, they had almost 34 thousand work hours to help the community. As you know, it's a poor area that I live in…"
"Sure."
"…but it's one of the levels that… an… in its quickness to get the people out to society."
"How old are the inmates who are…?"
"You know, I've been there numerous times. I would guess anywhere from 25 to 50…"
"Okay."
"…is about the ag… and I hate to… I hate to put an age on it but it’s got to be…"
"An… and they're low security?"
"Very… It's unfenced, Jack. I mean, it's unfenced; they come and go. They more or less help the community. And like I said, I… it's not a prison. I mean, it's just a work camp that we need in our area."
"An… and it's a 200-bed work camp?"
"Two hundred-bed, about 70 employees."
"That's what I wanted to ask you about, the 70 employees. ‘Cause it was interesting when I was reading the… the analysis, it indicates that the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability actually voted to reject the motion to close."
"They did. In a bipartisan manner, they voted to keep this facility open, Jack. And most of these inmates had four years left to go on their sentence. So that's what we’re dealing with." 09900106.docx 30 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 3/1/2016
"Okay. And… and one of the goals I know that we all have and I know the Governor was talking about that is he… he wants to get people out of the prison system."
"And Jack, hi… his budget is a 70… hundred million dollars extra and he wants to put 700 more employees."
"And you know what, he’s probably right to have more employees ‘cause it would be cheaper than paying the overtime that we have now."
"And Jack, Representative Bost and I did press conferences together on this. If they would just hire more people and quit paying the overtime, it's killing the Department of Corrections."
"That’s… that's one of the things I had put in… in our recommendation I had to the Governor is to cut the overtime. And… and are you telling me that the real cost here is a million dollars?"
"Yeah, but Jack, I don't want to go into this year being political, but I think this is more political than it is anything. I'll just be honest with you."
"Okay. Let’s… let's run the numbers for a minute. Because if we're able to cut the overtime just for, heck, a hundred employees or a thousand employees throughout the state, it will certainly pay for this being open. What's the average worker's salary here? You said there's about 70 jobs. Can I…"
"Jack, you're… you're a great chairman. You probably know this being in your committee. I want to guess 40 to… 35 to 50 thousand."
"I was thinking that, too, so I was running the number… just doing the numbers. Let's assume there's 70 jobs and the 09900106.docx 31 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 3/1/2016 average wage is $50 thousand. So that's three and a half million dollars in income. So, if people are paying five percent of… on their taxes, what we're giving up is $175 thousand in taxes… on state income tax that these workers would be paying. So that comes right off the top of the million that the… that the Governor claims. Then you look at the other good works that their doing, which if you're giving 34 thousand hours even if you put… put that at $5 an hour, since it's… it's not free labor, again, that's another million and a half. So by opening it, I would think that it would actually be a better deal for the state just on fiscal terms than by having it closed. Would you agree?"
"Jack… Jack, I absolutely agree, and I appreciate you saying this. All I'm asking right now, what I'm told from staff, if he takes that $70 million he wants to give more to corrections, just take a million off of that. That's all I'm asking."
"I don't even think he would…"
"That's his budget."
"Right. I don't even think he would have to because by redoing the overtime it pays for itself.”
“Right.”
“By keeping this place open it pays for itself because of the tax income that the state will get from the workers, plus the 34 thousand hours that they're… that they're providing. It's an actual a net benefit to the state. And I think more importantly, it will also help keep down the recidivism rate because we need to keep our people out of prisons and employed 09900106.docx 32 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 3/1/2016 to be productive members of society. And that's really the goal of this place."
"Absolutely, Jack. Thank you so much."
"Well, it's not the type of Bill that I've typically have stood up and supported before, but this one make total economic sense. It's good business; it's also good morals. I encourage an 'aye' vote."
"Mr. Drury."
"Mr. Speaker. To the Bill. It's kind of interesting that we're trying to shut down a facility when there's a commission that's methodically been going through how to reduce the prison population by 25 percent by 2025. I would suggest to the Members of… of this… of this Body, that we let that process play through. There's a group… it's a bipartisan, bicameral group with members of the community that are working methodically to figure out how we're going to reduce that population. And part of that, my guess is going to be will talk about if there needs to be any closures. But in the meantime, I think that we should not be messing with the process in the middle of it. So I'm going to support this Bill. I can't say what the commission's going to end up doing, and this one may be on a list later that… that we have to say might have to close. But for the time being, I think we should let the commission finish its work, determine what is the best way to reduce the prison population, what facilities are the best facilities that need to go. I anticipate we'll have that report sometime in March or April. So, at this point, I’m going to be a 'yes' vote."
"Mr. Thapedi. Mr. Thapedi." 09900106.docx 33 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 3/1/2016
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Sponsor yields."
"How are you, Brandon?"
"Hello, Vice Chairman."
"Wait… where are you? All right. There you are."
"I'm back here."
"How are you?"
"Like church, I sit in the back."
"All right. I… I want to get a little clarification, Brandon, about this facility that… that we're talking about here, the Hardin County Work Camp. Now you described it as being an unfixed correctional facility. Is that… is that correct?"
"An unfenced correctional facility. It’s an older facility, still working. They had a fire in the kitchen which the Governor's Office said it was going to cost $9 million to fix. That's absolutely wrong. They had their own plumbers; they had their own electricians. All they had to do was go in there. And I think it's maybe going to say Corrections, maybe a million dollars a year, that's it."
"Okay. An… and you said that it is not a prison. Is that right?"
"It is not. It's a work camp. COGFA knew this. They did it in a bipartisan manner to keep this open. It's an unfenced facility. The people that are there help the community; they also get a trade. They also get work with their GED; they help out the homeless. They build houses for the homeless; they feed the hungry. Andre, I think we need more of these facilities." 09900106.docx 34 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 3/1/2016
"Okay. But… but whatever this facility is the people that are there you described them as being inmates, and they're not free to leave whenever they choose, right?"
"They're within four years of getting out of correctional facility."
"I'm sorry. I can't… I can't hear you."
"They've earned their way there."
"It's loud in here. Say it again. What about them now?"
"They've… they've… they're in four years of getting released. They're… they've earned their way there on great behavior and trying to make a difference for society ‘cause they're almost ready to leave the Department of Corrections."
"Okay. So the theory that this is somewhat a step down facility that at one point they were in a… a prison and then before they go home they come to this location. Is that how it works?"
"Absolutely. And Andre, I would say… I would love to go in with you on some piece of legislation that we need more of these facilities."
"Okay."
"We really do."
"Now you also said that there are roughly about 70 jobs at stake. Was that the number that you gave?"
"It's the biggest employer of Hardin County. And Andre, if I could take you to Hardin County, it's nothing but Shawnee National Forest. Great people, I love them dearly. They need this, and it brings in a lot of revenue to the area. And not only helps Hardin County, Andre, but it helps the other fa… counties around. For example, yesterday I… I went through the 09900106.docx 35 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 3/1/2016 four-year anniversary of the Leap Year Tornado that killed eight people in my district. They were the first ones on the ground to help my area of Harrisburg."
"No, I… I appreciate that. The demographics of the inmates that are there… do you know what the demographics of the inmates are?"
"Andre, I don't. I probably have them in my deal, and I can give them to you if you want to look at my papers right now, but I knew… I didn't realize this Bill was going to come this quick today, and I'm glad it is. And I want to thank everybody for letting me do this ‘cause this is so valuable to my district."
"No, I… I certainly understand that. I guess the point that I'm trying to make is, I would anticipate or at least guess or hypothesize, that an overwhelming majority of the inmates that are there in that facility are minorities, correct?"
"There… there is a considerable minority there, too, Andre, but not as much as you would think. I mean, I… I want to tell you that this is about 34 thousand community service hours. They do about 6 thousand pounds of vegetables to feed the hungry. And they… and they also build houses for the homeless. And plus they can get their GED, and a vocational degree there, too, as well."
"No, and that's a good thing. And I… and I think that the point that I want to make is, is that these minorities that are there in this work camp, my preference would be that they would have the opportunity to turn around their lives and potentially go to… to college or something of that sort. 09900106.docx 36 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 3/1/2016 And I would assume, that you would want the same thing for them, correct?"
"Absolutely, Andre, and that's what I said. I mean, this with all sincerity. We need more of these facilities."
"And that's one of the reasons why I think it's so important that we look at a situation like this and recognize that there has to be a path for these young folks to be able to take. That it's better for them to have the opportunity to go… to go to school, be educated, and have an opportunity to not be put in a position where they're in a situation where they're in one of these work camps. And that's why I want to ask you, Brandon, will you support supporting minority students that are currently in colleges that are on the right path and moving their careers forward?"
"Andre, without a doubt, absolutely, I will."
"Okay. Thank you."
"Representative Ammons."
"Thank you. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Sponsor yields."
"I… I think I may have missed something because of the noise in the Assembly. Representative, do the inmates get paid for this labor here?"
"There is a pay, and I asked Corrections for that, Carol, but I have not got that figure. But yes, they… they earn a deal, they earn adult basic education, they earn GED, they… yes, they do, but I don't know what that amount is and I apologize. I don't know."
"And how… how long do they stay at this…"
"Well, this is…" 09900106.docx 37 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 3/1/2016
"Well, this facility is closed."
"These… these… it's closed right now, absolutely, ‘cause the Governor did it January 1. And I wanted to do it before January 1, but as you know we weren't in all that much. And I was trying to see how… how much support I could have on this bil… on this Bill because we need more facilities like this. But these are… these are… I hate to call them inmates, Carol, because they're unfenced population and they're within four years of getting out and trying to make a difference for society."
"The… so ho… so how doe… how does the work camp actually… if it was open, how does it function? How does someone get from the Department of Corrections to this work camp?"
"They earn their way there with good behavior an… and about their sentencing, Carol. That's all I know."
"Okay. So I… I understand, Representative, I… I truly understand. I think I probably got several letters in my office, like many others of folks who are trying… who've… who've done a lot of time and… and have not had an option to get to work camp. And they would like to. And of course, this takes us down from having access to work camps, so I understand the concept on principle. But there are a few things that I'm really concerned about, and I think the commission should be taking up, is the overall issue of mass incarceration in our state including these kind of facilities where people get out of them and then can't work anywhere. So they can work in communities downstate, but they… when they go home, they can't work anywhere. And this is a… this is a larger more systemic problem than just opening up this 09900106.docx 38 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 3/1/2016 particular work camp. The… the other concern that I… I was concerned about is where the… where the money would come from if there was a real consideration to open up this camp? Representative Phelps took a commercial break."
"Mr. Phelps."
"Money would come from GRF, Carol. And… and it's funded through the Shawnee Correctional Facility, because it's a branch of the Shawnee Correctional Facility. Carol, what I hate about this is because these inmates, and I hate to call them inmates, Carol. I'm just being honest, I hate to call them there, but these people that are there they don't want to go back to Shawnee or Vienna. They don't want to go back to the population. They've earned their way there; they're making a difference for society. I wish… and they're overcrowded already… I wish we had more of these facilities to put some people in to earn their way out quicker. I'm for that."
"I… I appreciate it. To the Bill. This is a… this is a very difficult situation to consider, of course, the work camp itself is already closed. But to consider the fact that we are… are unable to pass what's necessary in our current higher ed Bill, we are unable to fund MAP grants for students who are in college, we are unable to even support… if we had a Bill on this floor today to support actual degree programs in Corrections across the state, It probably wouldn't pass. And I am certainly interested in providing a more just and equitable criminal justice system. And I don't think, unfortunately at this time, that this Bill and this appropriation would get us to that point. I'm going to really 09900106.docx 39 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 3/1/2016 pray on it for a few seconds, Representative Phelps, ‘cause I understand your plea. But I'm also so concerned about what's happening with higher ed, and that money that we may appropriate in this Bill from GRF could go to those MAP grants, and I am concerned about that. I hope my colleagues are. I'm not going to tell you which way to vote on this Bill, but certainly consider the issue at hand with the budget. Thank you so much."
"Representative Hammond."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I yield my time to Representative Bryant."
"Representative Bryant. Representative Bryant."
"There we go, sorry. Sponsor yield?"
"Sponsor yields."
"Thank you. Representative… to the Sponsor… you did make some statements about being kept from being able to tour at Hardin County. Are you aware of anyone else being denied that right at other facilities that were closing in the past?"
"And Terri, first off, let me say this. I'm upset that Norine didn't want to talk to me, I'm upset about that. Number two, and I was very loud and advocate of Senator Luechtefeld being locked out under Gov… Governor Quinn. You've heard me say this, Governor Quinn many times today. I'm very upset at what his policies were, and I did not feel that Senator Luechtefeld should have ever been locked out, and he shouldn't have. Senator Forby was locked out as well. So let's not forget that either."
"Okay. Thank you. And I… I'm glad that you acknowledged that. Then I would also like to ask your support again because 09900106.docx 40 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 3/1/2016 a lot has been mentioned here about what can be done with work camps, and work release centers, and how productive those are in rehabilitating offenders. And I also have House Joint Resolution 105 that is a task force to study the effectiveness of work camps, work release centers, and so forth. It's a… has a seat that would be bi… bipartisan; everyone would get a voice in it. And I would ask for your support on that House Resolution as well."
"And Terri, absolutely. Just like I did yo… I called you the other day and sent you a text message about Molly's Law."
"Yes."
"And I appreciate you doing that. And I want to be added on as chief cosponsor. I’ll do the same thing with you."
"Thank you."
"Representative Flowers."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Gentleman yield?"
"Sponsor yields."
"Representative, so what is happening now? Well, first of all, who would this apply to? Who are we talking about here?"
"We're talking about 200 inmates that have earned their way at a work camp, that are almost… four years almost done with their sentence. And now they're back in an overcrowded facility that they don't want to be in with the general population. And I feel bad for them ‘cause they wanted to stay at Hardin County. It wasn't you and I's fault that this shut down." 09900106.docx 41 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 3/1/2016
"Wait a minute. Let… I'm… I'm trying to understand. Is this Bill for first time offenders or… or are you saying that this is for offenders who are already incarcerated…"
"Already incarcerated, Mary, that have earned their way to this that want to be at a work camp facility ‘cause it’s unfenced. And it's not a correctional facility; it really isn't."
"Okay. Do we not now have work camps facilities?"
"I'm sorry, Mary, I didn't hear you."
"Do we have work camp facilities now?"
"Yes, there are."
"And…"
"There's… there's… I don't know how many, but there's a few of them through the state."
"And how many is in your area?"
"Well, it's only 200 inmates, about 70 jobs in Hardin County. But the Governor went ahead and closed it, so there's no one there right now."
"How many work camps are in your area?"
"I only have one."
"You only have the one."
"And now I have none."
"How many work camps are in the State of Illinois?"
"I think there's four or five, Mary."
"Four or five?"
"Yeah."
"Now, let me… let me just say this, because in reading the Resolutio… your Bill the… the analysis, your analysis is talking about how that the Department of Corrections website 09900106.docx 42 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 3/1/2016 state that by providing extensive high quality education program, work assignment opportunities, public service, leisure time activities, and religious avenues the Hardin County work camp is expected to go far beyond the provision of minimum necessity. But my question to you, is this going on in the prison? Is there high quality education that's going on now?"
"Absolutely. Mary, I…"
"Where?"
"I don't know the other facilities, but I know of this facility ‘cause I was there in class with these… with them as they were doing their classes."
"So…"
"And now they don't have that anymore when they went to the general population, Mary."
"Well, let… let me tell you the problem that I have with this legislation. And number one, I'm not for free labor. That's number one."
"Me either."
"Number two… number two, I understand about the overcrowding and the work camp. This one already exists, but the fact of the matter is I heard you when you said that these 200 people could be building houses."
"Yes."
"But guess what? Will they be able to build houses when they leave that camp? But… no, because…"
"Mary, I… if it was up to me…"
"Wait a minute…"
"…you've known me a long time." 09900106.docx 43 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 3/1/2016
"…wait… no… no…"
"Yes."
"No. No. Because see it's one thing what you can do in a prison. And it's another what… when… what you could do inside a prison for someone else, but what can you do for yourself once you get outside of that prison. So if… if the Department of Corrections is having this extensive educational concept, they should be also giving licensing, and educational certificates, and giving these trades; the plumbing, the electrical, not just free labor. Because I'm not interested in that, because these same men and women have to come back to the community, and they will be coming back the way they left empty handed. But… but while they're done there with you, they'll be working ad nauseam for little or nothing."
"But Mary…"
"And not even to leave with a certificate of trade that said, now when I get out of here I can build my own house, or when I get out of here I have the tools that I can work with to support my own family."
"Mary, you know who you're talking to. My uncle David would sing you a song right now. I've known you since I was 14 years old, grew up in this General Assembly."
"You don't have to go there. Do not go there."
"And I'm going to tell you something… I'm going to tell you something. My word’s my bond. They are more apt to get that license and get that experience with the work camp in place so they can get that trade experience. If they go back in general population, they can't get that, Mary." 09900106.docx 44 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 3/1/2016
"But my point to you, I understand all of that. I just told you about all the trades and the training that they can get while they're in the prison, but once they leave the prison they have nothing. They can't even use the tools… their own hands not… not metal tools, their own hands, they can't even use their tools to build their own house, to feed their own family, to provide for themselves, but yet they were able to do it for you while they were incarcerated."
"But Mary, it's not for me, I promise you."
"It is for you."
"I didn't put the work camp there."
"It is for you. You know why?"
"It's not, Mary. I… I'm for you on that, but I want to help them get out… I want to help them get out…"
"I want them out, but…"
"…and get that experience.”
"…the… the Department of Corrections… Is it the Department of Corrections? Are they providing education? Is this on their website? If that is the case, when you get an education you are supposed to leave with a certificate saying that I completed this, thus, and so. I would not want them building houses in your community or mine if they're not qualified to do so. You know what happened to the porches in the City of Chicago. So my point to you is, are these people going to be qualified and will they have a license upon release?"
"I don't know about the license, Mary, ‘cause I'm not a part of the Corrections. But I will help you in any way you can. I wish I was the director of Department of Corrections. 09900106.docx 45 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 3/1/2016 I wish I was. Governor, are you listening? I'd do it right now, but Mary, I'm just talking about why they're there and get them out to get that experience."
"Again, David, I understand what it is what you're trying to do."
"See, you said, David."
"I mean, that was your uncle."
"You're thinking about him singing, aren’t you?"
"Okay. I'm sorry. All right. Anyway, Repres… Phelps. Okay. Can I just say Phelps? Then I'm talking about the entire family, right? So I understand what it is, but obviously there's a reason why as far as saving the taxpayers' dollars for closing this camp."
"Mary, at the expense of the Hardin County residents that need this money. They have nothing else but the school."
"I'm sorry. I can't hear you. Excuse me, Mr. Speaker. Thank you."
"Mary, these aren’t just my constituents. These are the Governor's constituents too. And I'm begging and pleading to him, don't do this for what he wants to do in the budget. We're talking a million dollars, Mary. Barely even that as Jack said."
"Why did COGFA vote to reject the closing?"
"They voted to keep it open because they said, in a bipartisan manner, there needs to be more facilities like this."
"I… I'm sorry. Why did COGFA reject it?" 09900106.docx 46 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 3/1/2016
"COGFA's pretty much said, and I'm not on COGFA, but they said there needs to be more facilities like this and that's why, in a bipartisan manner, they voted to keep it open."
"So you're saying that the Governor wants to close this camp because they’re educating and training workers and he don't want that to happen?"
"I don't know what his deal is. He won't even talk to me."
"Join the club. Well, with all due respect, I understand what it is that you're trying to do. But you have to understand that it's not… and… and you are saying that these people are already incarcerated."
"They already are."
"I would suggest that you find a way to have the Department of Corrections because I do know if you get a BA degree in the Department of Corrections, is say… it's a BA degree. If you get a master's degree, it's a master's degree. There's some people that have gotten PH.Ds. But what I don't know that they've gotten is carpenters, electrical, plumbing licensing.”
“Right.”
“So if you want them to build a home, they should be qualified to do so, and upon their release, they should be able to leave that facility where they've been incarcerated and go to another place where they could build their own…"
"Mary, I will join you…"
"…or create their own." 09900106.docx 47 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 3/1/2016
"…I will join with you… and I mean this, you've known me for a long time… I will go with you to the director of Corrections and make that plea with you."
"No, we going to pass a law…"
"Okay."
"…and make sure he does it.”
“Okay.”
“It… it will not be so the next Department of… director can change his mind. It will be part of a law. If this is the type of work that they're going to do, they will be certified to do so."
"Okay."
"Thank you."
"Thanks, Mary."
"Mr. Bradley."
"Mr. Speaker, the first thing I'd like to do is introduce a leader in agriculture from my district, from Franklin County, Larry Miller. And he's here today with his grandson, a star student of Benton High School, Brody. How about a round of applause for the Millers here today, an agriculture thing."
"Yeah. Welcome, but you may have been out of order, Sir. Can you proceed on the Bill?"
"And… and then to Brandon's Bill."
"There you go."
"I stand in strong support of Representative Phelps’s efforts. This is a program that has been tried and true. It works. It works for the folks that are in the program; it works for our area. It works for the State of Illinois. And I don't understand why this is so hard. Thank you, 09900106.docx 48 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 3/1/2016 Representative Phelps, for standing up for southern Illinois."
"Mr. Phillips."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Sponsor yield?"
"Sponsor yields."
"Say, Brandon, I… I got a couple of questions for you. You said the cost to repair the kitchen was how much?"
"Reggie, you were there, my friend. You went."
"Yeah."
"So do… I can't believe you have the whatchamacallits to stand up right now on this floor and do what you're saying and asking me questions?"
"Yeah."
"You were there and you brought the political candidates there, my friend."
"How much…"
"So, you answer your own question, my friend."
"Well, you said it was 9 million to fix it?"
"The Governor said 2 million, 4 million, 7 million, 9 million. You ask him."
"And you said that was for the kitchen?"
"You were there."
"Yeah. But did you…"
"You were there, Reggie."
"Did you read it, Brandon?"
"You brought the candidate. I was there, Sir."
"It said kitchen, HVAC, water system, sewer system."
"Hey, you're a contractor. Answer your own question, Reggie." 09900106.docx 49 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 3/1/2016
"Oh, I know. That's what I'm here to tell you about, Brandon."
"Tell everybody what you did? Tell everybody when you flew down…”
“No.”
“…that you took the political candidates there, Reggie."
"Brandon, let me ask this question. Is this building as… as inefficient as a tent?"
"What?"
"Is the building as efficient as just a tent?"
"No. There's not a tent, Reggie."
"You've been there, Brandon. This building is a falling apart…"
"A tent?"
"…and decrepit building, isn't it?"
"It's not a tent, Reggie. They're… they're using a kitchen."
"It's falling down and it's decrepit building and you know that, Brandon. I mean, you know, and I understand that. Now, let me explain my point here. What Hardin Work Camp did was absolutely phenomenal. Lake Land College is the one that supplied the… the educational classes to Hardin Work Camp. Out of 400 people that were doing their system, they had a zero recidivism rate. Did you know that? So, Lake Land College, which is in my district, which is owed 3 million by the Department of Corrections right now for, you know, doing their job in the State of Illinois and then Hardin Work Camp and there's a program at… like Hardin Work Camp. We need more of them. And I'm in total agreements with you. The Hardin 09900106.docx 50 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 3/1/2016 Work Camp was excellent. I loved what they were doing. I loved the garden center. Everything about what they were doing, but the building…"
"Did you see the bees too, Reggie?"
"I got to see the bees."
"Okay."
"And the honey and the… and the… and the garden center that they give to. It's got an excellent service record, but I wanted you to get the facts straight. First of all, the building is shot. The HVAC system is shot. Everything about it is shot. The kitchen… it wouldn't… there was no thing that said it would take a million-plus to fix the kitchen. It was a certain percentage. Do you know why it was going to cost so much to fix the kitchen?"
"Reggie, the Governor's budget, your Governor…"
"I know. I saw it."
"…wants a hundred million dollars for Corrections budget, a hundred million, Reggie, and you're a contractor. Help me… help me right now to get about 2 or 3 million to fix all that, what you're talking about. I'm ready."
"Well, you know, I said…"
"You just say the word and I'm with you, my friend. I'm with you."
"If… if we could pass a law that'll allow the guards to fix it, the guards could fix it for 50 thousand."
"Reggie, I should never have this Bill on the floor right now and you know that, Sir. You know that. I should never beg and plead to this General Assembly to save the biggest employer in one of my counties." 09900106.docx 51 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 3/1/2016
"I think…"
"But you know what, I'm a fighter and I want this done and I want you to help me, Reggie."
"Now, Jack Franks, to his… to his thought about how much it was savings. There wasn't a guard that actually lost their job. They were absorbed into the other facilities close by. They had to go about 20-some miles. So that… there was no argument from that case. There's no loss of revenue 'cause those guards were absorbed 20-some miles away into the other facilities."
"But why, Reggie, why at the expense of Hardin County they get the revenue for their taxes. Why do you want to do that to Hardin County, Reggie? Join me and vote for this. I'm embarrassed bringing this Bill in front of everybody today."
"Well…"
"I've never done this. I'm asking for your help, Reggie Phillips. I'm asking for your help."
"Here's the deal. But some of the arguments though that you guys make on this aren't true, you know. And…"
"Reggie, it's a million dollars."
"Yeah. It's…"
"If he has a hundred million, and 7… 70 more… a hundred people he wants to hire in Corrections. Let's take money from away from that and just give it to this. If you're saying it's bad, let's fix it up. It should never be closed. It should never be closed."
"The problem is, Brandon, you've been through the building. The building is shot."
"And there's older facilities, Reggie." 09900106.docx 52 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 3/1/2016
"There's no way to fix that building up."
"I went to…"
"It's shot."
"I went to Eastern. There are older buildings at Eastern that need help."
"I know but they… they for some reason Eastern…"
"Well, don't… don't go there Reggie."
"…got appropriated funds."
"I'm asking for your help."
"This Legislator should have been appropriating…"
"I'm putting you on the spot."
"…money to fix up Hardin to make it where it would not…"
"I'm putting you on the spot. Help me help Hardin County.”
"And Brandon, and I will tell you what…”
“What’s your answer? What’s your answer?”
“I… I love what Hardin does."
"What? What’s your answer?"
"I love what Hardin does."
"Help me, Reggie, ‘cause I would help you. Because I went to Charleston, and I think the world of Eastern Illinois University. I will help you fund that. I will help you fund that, if you help me fund this."
"Now, Brandon, let's talk about that a little bit. How are you going to help me fund MAP and higher education?"
"Reggie, I just voted the other day to give them the appropriation…"
"Yeah… well you…
"How did you vote?" 09900106.docx 53 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 3/1/2016
"Would you vote to allow the Governor to sweep funds to pay for this MAP and higher education?"
"You guys… you know what, you need to get out of…"
"’Cause if you will, Brandon, I may make a deal with you here."
"…you need to get out of Rauner town.”
“I’m ready to fund higher education.”
“Drop the Kool-Aid, Reggie. Join us over here. I think Jay Hoffman's little dog…"
"Hey, how about where…"
"…is over here. He’ll greet you.”
“Let’s get across here.”
“Come on."
"Let's do it, Brandon. All right. Are you going to help… we got to fund higher education."
"Let's do it. Let's do it."
"Mr. Phillips, can you bring your comments to a close…"
"Drop the Kool-Aid, Reggie."
"…Sir."
"Get rid of it."
"Well… you know, I think… I think if we bring it to a close, then Brandon and I don't get anything taken care of."
"Get out of Rauner town, Reggie."
"I want to talk to Brandon."
"Join us. Let’s get a budget."
"Mr. Phelps…"
"I like Brandon…"
"Mr. Phelps…" 09900106.docx 54 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 3/1/2016
"…but here's the deal…"
"Mr. Phelps, we're going to let Mr. Phillips finish his comments."
"Mr. Phelps, you know, and yes, I did go through that facility and everything that they did down there. The guards… it was an assistant… a superintendent that was running that place. You know what, he did a fantastic job that everybody respected him and if… if the facility wasn't shot, I could probably go along with you. However, Brandon, you got to listen to me now. Don't be talking to Bradley there. I… I'd like to talk to you about the idea how we can work this out for you and me ‘cause I'm… I'm willing to work with you on Hardin if you are willing to work with me on higher education."
"Reggie, you have my word."
"Okay. So I can count on you for higher education funding and allow the Governor to fund our education now?"
"Reggie, I’ve got the one of the biggest economic…"
"Because we got to fund it now."
"Reggie…"
"We can't wait tomorrow and Hardin either."
"Reggie, I already voted for the appropriations. What did you do? What did you do?"
"Oh, come on now, Brandon, you know that was sham. So, I'm talking about real stuff."
"That's not a sham. When it’s a Bill on the floor, Reggie…"
“Gentlemen. Gentlemen.”
"I'm talking about real stuff for the State of Illinois…" 09900106.docx 55 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 3/1/2016
“…it is not a sham.”
"I want… I want to fund higher education right now and I want… It's an emergency. We need to do it now; we need to do it right. We can’t do anymore sham around here."
"Gentlemen, here’s a… Gentlemen…"
"Let's get working together on getting this done."
"Mr. Phillips. Mr. Phillips."
"Yes. Yeah?"
"It's time to bring your remarks to a close. To the Chair, Sir."
"Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. And I guess to the Bill. First of all, I love what Hardin Camp does. It's a great place; they did a lot of good things. But it wasn't the buildings; the buildings were shot. It's not going to… you know, in order to fix those buildings up… those weren't so far off when you have to use the prevailing wage rates. If you can allow the guards to fix it, then maybe we can do it in a cheaper manner. Thank you, Sir."
"Mr. Phelps to close."
"Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the passion that I have, but I'm just… I'm a fighter, and I'm going to fight for my district. And I hat… I'm embarrassed that I had to bring this today, but I need everybody's help. I will help you, but I need help for the little town… the little county of Hardin County. That's all I'm asking. Please vote 'aye'."
"Gentleman's moved for the passage of the Bill. 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? Last chance. Have all voted 09900106.docx 56 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 3/1/2016 who wish? Mr. Clerk, please take the record. On this question, there are 69 voting 'yes', 34 voting 'no', 8 voting 'present'. And this Bill, having received the Constitutional Majority, is hereby declared passed. Chair recognizes Mr. Martwick."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise on a point of personal privilege."
"Please proceed, Sir."
"Ladies and Gentlemen of… of the House I would ask you to join me in welcoming some people to the chamber that are here to advocate to all of us, for the elected representative school board for the City of Chicago. So if you would join me in welcoming… Please stand when I call you out if you're up there. We've got folks from the Logan Square Neighborhood Association, the Kenwood Oakland Community Organization, Action Now, Brighton Park Neighborhood Association, Raise Your Hand for Parents/Teachers, Northside Action for Justice, Teachers for Social Justice, the Northwe… west Side Housing Center. And I would also point out that there are students here who came to advocate for an elected school board for their Chicago Public Schools. Please give them a welcome to the chamber."
"Welcome to Springfield. We’re glad you're here with us. Mr. Clerk, House Resolution 622. Mr. Davidsmeyer. Please read the appropriate portion of the Resolution."
"House Resolution 622, offered by Representative Davidsmeyer. BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the Calhoun High School girls softball team, 09900106.docx 57 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 3/1/2016 the Warriors, on winning the 2015 Illinois High School Association Class 1A Softball Championship."
"Mr. Davidsmeyer."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I am happy to be joined by the Calhoun girls softball team, the 2015 Class 1A Softball Champions. You'll see the girls standing right back here. They are a power house; and I would like to go through a list of their names: Jordan Holland, Becca Oswald, Grace Baalman, Rayna Zirkelbach, Junie Zirkelbach, Macy Margherio, Sara Bodbeck… Brodbeck, Jessica Osweld… Oswald, sorry, Madison Lehr, Kyleigh Presley, Maggie Hoagland, Sydney White, Abby Baalman, Emma Baalman, Kassidy Klocke, Sophie Klunk, and Emily Baalman. We also… I want to recognize head coach, Matt Baalman; assistant coach, Jim Herkert; assistant coach, Rich Lehr. It's… it's really exciting to finally get them here. We were trying to get them in last year and… and were unable to make that on our schedule. But I also want to recognize, not only that, but today's a great day because on Saturday when I was down at the Calhoun County Farm Bureau annual meeting, they were coming back to the school to be… right after many of these girls had won the… the State Girls Basketball Championship. So many of these girls not only won the softball championship last year, and I hope you return to win another one this year, right… right? Many of them also came back champions in basketball; and I'd like to also recognize those girls: Jordan Holland, Grace Baalman, Rayna Zirkelbach, Junie Zirkelbach, Madison Lehr, Sydney White, Abby Baalman, Emma Baalman, Kassidy Klocke, Emily Baalman. So we've got some very athletic, very talented young ladies back here. They 09900106.docx 58 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 3/1/2016 are… they play with their brains, and they've got great hearts. So I want to welcome you here. We are also joined by our Senator Sam McCann, who’s up in… in the gallery. It's been an exciting day here. I'm glad you guys finally made it and I hope that you guys can come back sometime soon. Thank you."
"Congratulations, glad you're here. Mr. Bennett, are you speaking on this? All right. We'll get to you in a second. This Resolution is already passed. Congratulations, ladies. Now the… Mr. Bennett is recognized."
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If I may, I'd like to have the record show or reflect for House… House Bill 4326, I'd like to ask for my vote to reflect 'no', please."
"Your wishes will be reflected in the record. Mr. Clerk, committee announcements."
"The following committees are meeting at 2:00. Agriculture & Conservation is meeting in Room D-1, Juvenile Justice & System-Involved Youth in 115, Transportation: Regulations, Roads & Bridges in Room 118, Consumer Protection in C-1. At 3:00 the Financial Institutions is meeting in 114, Judiciary-Criminal is meeting in D-1, the House Education Task Force is meeting in Room 118. Insurance, Cities & Villages, and Environment were canceled for this afternoon."
"And now, leaving perfunctory time for the Clerk, Leader Currie moves that the House stand adjourned until Wednesday, March 2 at the hour of 12 noon. Those in favor say 'yes'; opposed 'no'. The 'ayes' have it. And the House stands adjourned." 09900106.docx 59 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 3/1/2016
"House Perfunctory Session will come to order. Introduction and First Reading of Senate Bills. Senate Bill 513, offered by Representative Sullivan, a Bill for an Act concerning revenue. First Reading of this Senate Bill. Introduction and First Reading of House Bills. House Bill 6409, offered by Representative Dunkin, a Bill for an Act concerning appropriations. House Bill 6410, offered by Representative Sims, a Bill for an Act concerning funding for higher education. House Bill 6411, offered by Representative Currie, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. House Bill 6412, offered by Representative Durkin, a Bill for an Act concerning appropriations. House Bill 6413, offered by Representative Durkin, a Bill for an Act making appropriations. First Reading of these House Bills. Introduction of Resolutions. House Resolution 122 (sic-1022), offered by Representative Thapedi. House Resolution 1023, offered by Representative Winger. House Resolution 1024, offered by Representative Phelps. House Resolution 1025, offered by Representative Soto. House Resolution 1026, offered by Representative Brady. House Resolution 1036, offered by Representative Jones. House Resolution 1038, offered by Representative Cassidy. House Resolution 1041, offered by Representative Jones. House Resolution 1042, offered by Representative Willis. House Resolution 1044, offered by Representative McDermed. House Resolution 1045, offered by Representative Bellock. House Resolution 1051, offered by Representative Turner. House Resolution 1053, offered by Representative Brown. And House Joint Resolution 133, offered by Representative Jimenez. These are referred to 09900106.docx 60 STATE OF ILLINOIS 99th GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TRANSCRIPTION DEBATE 106th Legislative Day 3/1/2016 the Rules Committee. There being no further business, the House Perfunctory Session will stand adjourned." 09900106.docx 61