PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) The regular Session of the 100th General Assembly will please come to order. Will the Members please be at their desks? Will our guests in the galleries please rise? The invocation today will be given by Pastor Roy Newman, the First {sic} (Fresh) Visions Community Church of Springfield, Illinois.
(Prayer by Pastor Roy Newman)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Senator Cunningham.
(Pledge of Allegiance, led by Senator Cunningham)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Will all Members at the sound of my voice please come to the Senate Floor? All Members at the sound of my voice, please come to the Senate Floor. We have a full day today. There's going to be a lot of action. And will you please come to the Floor? Mr. Secretary, Reading and Approval of the Journal.
Senate Journal of Thursday, March 2nd, 2017.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Hunter.
Mr. President, I move to postpone the reading and approval of the Journal just read by the Secretary, pending arrival of the printed transcript.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Hunter moves to postpone the reading and approval of 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 19th Legislative Day 3/7/2017 the Journal, pending arrival of the printed transcripts. There - - there being no objection, so ordered. Mr. Secretary, Resolutions.
Senate Resolutions 242 through 244, offered by Senator Haine and all Members. Senate Resolutions 245 and 246, offered by Senator Link and all Members. Senate Resolution 247, offered by Senators Althoff, Syverson, and all Members. And Senate Resolutions 248 through 269, offered by Senator Althoff and all Members. And Senate Resolutions 271 through 274, offered by Senator Link and all Members. They are all death resolutions, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Resolutions Consent Calendar.
Senate Resolution 270, offered by Senator Manar. And Senate Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 11, offered by Senator Steans. They are both substantive.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Mr. Secretary, House Bills 1st Reading.
House Bill 616, offered by Senator McGuire. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 19th Legislative Day 3/7/2017 Mr. Secretary, Appointment Messages.
Appointment Message 1000119 Governor's non-salaried appointment Member, Illinois Finance Authority Lerry Knox Appointment Message 1000120 Governor's non-salaried appointment Member, Children and Family Services Advisory Council Robert Bloom Appointment Message 1000121 Governor's non-salaried appointment Member, Children and Family Services Advisory Council Timothy Egan Appointment Message 1000122 Governor's non-salaried appointment Member, Children and Family Services Advisory Council Jill Glick Appointment Message 1000123 Governor's non-salaried appointment Member, Children and Family Services Advisory Council Mattie Hunter Appointment Message 1000124 Governor's non-salaried appointment Member, Children and Family Services Advisory Council Billie Larkin Appointment Message 1000125 Governor's salaried appointment Member, Civil Service Commission 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 19th Legislative Day 3/7/2017 David Luechtefeld Appointment Message 1000126 Governor's non-salaried appointment Member, Board of Higher Education Jay Bergman Appointment Message 1000127 Governor's non-salaried appointment Member, Illinois Student Assistance Commission Niketa Brar Appointment Message 1000128 Governor's non-salaried appointment Arbitrator, Workers' Compensation Commission Ketki Steffen Appointment Message 1000129 Governor's salaried appointment Member, Prisoner Review Board Ellen Johnson Appointment Message 1000130 Governor's salaried appointment Member, Prisoner Review Board Virginia Martinez
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Lisa E. Yuscius, from the Blueroomstream.com, has requested permission to videotape. Seeing no opposition, the request is granted. The Senate will stand at ease for a few minutes to allow the Committee of {sic} (on) Assignments to meet. The members of the Committee on Assignments will come to the President's Anteroom immediately. The Senate will stand at ease. (at ease) The Senate will come to order. All Members at the sound of my voice, please 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 19th Legislative Day 3/7/2017 come to the Senate Floor. All Members at the sound of my voice, please come to the Senate Floor. Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Clayborne, Chairman of the Committee on Assignments, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Refer to Agriculture Committee - Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1467; refer to Commerce and Economic Development Committee - Senate Bills 1461, 1462, 1463, Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 76, Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 652, and Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1567; refer to Criminal Law Committee - Senate Bill 552, Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1615, and Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2021; refer to Education Committee - Senate Bill 445, Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1223, Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1532, Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1947, and Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2058 -- 2085; refer to Environment and Conservation Committee - Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1420, Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1433, Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1648, and Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1775; refer to Executive Committee - Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 223, Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 224, Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1282, Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1285 {sic}, Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1424, and Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1831; refer to Executive Subcommittee on Special Issues - Senate Bill 760 and Senate Bill 761; refer to Executive Committee -- Executive Subcommittee on Governmental Operations - Senate Bill 1236; refer to Financial Institutions Committee - Senate Bill 1254, 1351, and Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 776; refer to Higher Education Committee - Senate Bills 440 and 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 19th Legislative Day 3/7/2017 888; refer to Human Services Committee - Committee Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 84, Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1226, Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1386, and Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1845; refer to Insurance Committee - Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1706, Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1723, Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1834, and Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1946; refer to Judiciary Committee - Senate Bill 1334, 1459, 1460, 1796, and 2048, Committee Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 194, Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 656, Floor Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 822, Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 951, Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1261, Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1518, and Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1667; refer to Labor Committee - Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 720 -- 1720; refer to Licensed Activities and Pensions Committee - Senate Bill 309, 1607, Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1310, Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1754, and Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1882; refer to Local Government Committee - Senate Bill 418, Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 422, Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1337, and Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1807; refer to Public Health Committee - Senate Bill 1624, Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 741, and Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2038; refer to Revenue Committee - Senate Bill 207, 470, 471, 1253, Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 609, Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 719, Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1598, Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1871; refer to State Government Committee - Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 670, Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1470, and Committee -- Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1652, and Senate Resolution 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 19th Legislative Day 3/7/2017 225; refer to Transportation Committee - Senate Bill 72, 75, 1248, Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 421, Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1262, Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1556, Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1576, Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2028, Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 2036, Senate Joint -- Senate Joint Resolution 17 and Senate Joint Resolution 18; re-refer from Criminal Law Committee to Assignments Committee - Senate Bill -- 1722; re-refer from Licensed Activities and Pensions Committee to Public Health Committee - Senate Bill 1707; and Be Approved for Consideration - House Joint Resolution 35. Pursuant to Senate Rule 3-8 (b-1), the following amendments will remain in the Committee on Assignments: Committee -- Committee Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 631 and Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 822. Signed, Senator James F. Clayborne, Chairman. Senator Clayborne, Chairman of the Committee on Assignments, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Be Approved for Consideration - Senate Bill 1722. Signed, Senator James F. Clayborne, Chairman.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) President Cullerton in the Chair.
Members of the Senate, can I have your attention, please? Today we have the honor of welcoming Vincent Floreani, the Consul General of France in Chicago. Throughout his distinguished career in Foreign Service, Mr. Floreani has served in Romania, Indonesia, Kenya, Uganda, the United Arab Emirates, New York, and the United Kingdom. Most recently, he served as Deputy Spokesman and Deputy Director of Communications and Press at the French Ministry of 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 19th Legislative Day 3/7/2017 Foreign Affairs before accepting the position of Consul General of France in Chicago in August of 2014. Please join me in welcoming Vincent Floreani to the Illinois Senate.
(Remarks by Consul General of France Vincent Floreani)
The -- as I indicated, the Consul had in the past been assigned to New York. He's lived in Chicago for a couple of years, and not surprisingly, he prefers Chicago to New York. Have a good time in the House. Senator Trotter in the Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senate Supplemental Calendar No. 1. We're going to Secretary's Desk, Resolutions. House Joint Resolution 35. President Cullerton. Excuse me. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
House Joint Resolution 35, offered by President Cullerton.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) President Cullerton.
Yes, this resolution calls for the House of Representatives and the Senate to have a Joint Session tomorrow at 11 a.m. So I would move for its adoption.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Is there any discussion? The question is, shall House Joint Resolution 35 pass. All those in favor will vote {sic} Aye. All opposed, Nay. In opinion of the Chair, the Ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. Leader {sic} Steans, you seek recognition?
8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 19th Legislative Day 3/7/2017 A point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Please state your point.
Yes, I want to introduce -- I have an intern, who's introducing herself to the Senate President right now, who is here with me today, Jenya Polozova. She is not a General Consul, but she is a proud immigrant from Belarus here. She moved here when she was very young with her -- her -- her folks. She is at Loyola University right now. She's a senior, graduating in a -- a -- with an Environmental Science degree. She wants to get involved in public policy. She's applied to the Dunn Fellowship program. So I'm going to hope she gets into that. I'm delighted to have her here today. So please introduce yourselves to Jenya.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Welcome to the Illinois Senate. Good luck in your education. The -- President Cullerton would agree, Loyola's a good school to attend. So… Yes. Senator Hutchinson.
Point of personal privilege, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Please state your point.
Thank you. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, I promised my constituents that I would read a story of the budget impasse every day on the Senate Floor that we have this impasse. Regular everyday people, who are not connected, could care less about politics, but are hurting. So today I'm going to talk about the River Valley Metro. It's our transit system in Kankakee County. 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 19th Legislative Day 3/7/2017 They made the difficult decision of eliminating two bus routes and ending Sunday and holiday service due to the State's budget impasse. The Kankakee Area Transit Agency was owed thousands of dollars from the State with no prospect of receiving funding any time soon. While they did receive a State payment last year, the funding was not enough to restore cut services. This is just from one person: I graduate in the spring from UIC, but I use the Midway shuttle to get there. I have a car, but gets pricey with gas and parking, plus it's almost at two hundred thousand miles. LSAT's in December. Law school next fall, God willing. It's been a rough journey. I will graduate in the spring with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with a Creative Writing concentration. Hopefully I'll still be in the Honors College as well when I graduate, but like I said, it's been a rough journey.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Excuse me, Senator. Will -- please keep your discussions down. Please continue.
Thank you. It's amazing people don't feel heard by the folks here. Hopefully I'll still be in the Honors College when I graduate. Like I said, it's been a rough journey. I also intern with the Illinois JusticeCorps. Between MAP grant funding and now this, real-life consequences of the State budget crisis, I'm really unsure I care to remain in this State for law school and watch it all play out. I always planned to stay and somehow help my community. The impact on my life if River Valley Metro goes insolvent is nothing compared to the impact on others - the indigent, seniors. I've seen it all riding the buses those months I was without a car. Sometimes getting on any bus just to get out 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 19th Legislative Day 3/7/2017 of the elements, lengthening my time away from home. Anything you can do to help would be wonderful. Anything I can do, anyone I can write, please let me know. That's just one person. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Thank you. Senator Weaver.
Thank you, Mr. President. I've got an honor here today. I've got a group of gentlemen that are serving as my Veterans Advisory Board here. And what's -- it's their goal to put forward the goals of the veteran community, increase awareness. They help me by letting me know what needs are on their mind, but I also use them in asking questions on things that are on the mind of this Body here. It's just a great honor to have them here. I have one from each of my ten counties. And if you gentlemen want to rise. They're led by Joe Becker, who is the Principal at Galva and also a veteran. But these are veterans and have served us. So if you'd please welcome them with a round of applause to the Illinois State Senate.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Welcome to Springfield. Thank you for your service, gentlemen. Look forward to working with you. We have WCIA Channel 3, Emilee Fannon, who requests permission for audio/video. Seeing no objection, permission is granted. Leader Silverstein.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have an announcement.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) State your announcement.
11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 19th Legislative Day 3/7/2017 That there'll be a Democratic Caucus upon adjournment for approximately one-half hour.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) There being no further business to come before the Senate, the Senate stands adjourned until the hour of 10:30 a.m. on the 8th day of March 2017. The Senate stands adjourned. 12