PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) The regular Session of the 100th General Assembly will please come to order. Will our Members please be at their desks? Will our guests in the galleries please rise? The invocation today will be given by Reverend Steve Perkins, Allen Chapel, Danville, Illinois.
(Prayer by Reverend Steve Perkins)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Please remain standing for the Pledge Allegiance. Senator McGuire. SENATOR McGUIRE: (Pledge of Allegiance, led by Senator McGuire)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Mr. Secretary, Reading and Approval of the Journal.
Senate Journal of Wednesday, March 8th, 2017.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 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 LINK) Senator Hunter moves to postpone the reading and the approval of the Journal, pending the arrival of the printed transcript. There being no objection, so ordered. Lisa Yuscius, of -- of Blueroomstream.com, seeks permission to videotape. Seeing no objection, permission granted. Mr. Secretary, Resolutions. 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 21st Legislative Day 3/9/2017
Senate Resolutions 278 and 279, offered by Senator McConnaughay and all Members. Senate Resolution 280, offered by Senator Manar and all Members. And Senate Resolutions 281 and 282, offered by Senator Rose and all Members. They're all death resolutions, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Resolution Consent Calendar.
Senate Resolution 277, offered by Senator Jones. And Senate Resolution 283, offered by Senator Hunter. They are both substantive.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Committee Reports, Mr. Secretary.
Senator Harmon, Chairperson of the Committee on Executive, reports Senate Bill 1588 Do Pass. Senator Martinez, Chairperson of the Committee on Licensed Activities and Pensions, reports Senate Bills 195, 677, 898, 902, 1391, 1404, and 1714 Do Pass; and Senate Bills 625 and 1335 Do Pass, as Amended. Senator Bush, Chairperson of the Committee on Government Reform, reports Senate Bills 658, 923, 1670, and 2059 Do Pass. Senator Biss, Chairperson of the Committee on Labor, reports Senate Bills 981, 1839, 1895, 1978, and 2060 Do Pass; Senate Bill 1720 Do Pass, as Amended; and Senate Resolution 117 Be Adopted. Senator Mulroe, Chairperson of the Committee on Insurance, 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 21st Legislative Day 3/9/2017 reports Senate Bills 1444, 1737, and 1833 Do Pass; and Senate Bills 193, 904, 1834, and 1946 Do Pass, as Amended. Senator Hunter, Chairperson of the Committee on Energy and Public Utilities, reports Senate Bills 1488 Do Pass. Senator Hastings, Chairperson of the Committee on Criminal Law, reports Senate Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 1722 Recommend Do Adopt.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Mr. Secretary, House Bills 1st Reading.
House Bill 743, offered by Senator Althoff. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Mr. Secretary, Messages from the House. Will the Committee on Assignments please meet in the President's Anteroom immediately? Committee on Assignments, please meet in the President's Anteroom immediately. Senator Hutchinson, for what purpose do you rise?
Point of personal privilege, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) State your point.
Thank you. This is another day, another story about what happens in this budget impasse. This is from a person from my district named Randall Krause-Vinson. Governors State University just announced that they would have to increase tuition by fifteen percent, starting this fall. They have held off doing anything 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 21st Legislative Day 3/9/2017 for two years, trying to keep the students from feeling the effect of the budget stalemate. They have even offered the MAP grant out of their own pocket to ensure the students an opportunity for assistance. Now we must face this. And they're cutting programs and concentrations as well as increasing the tuition to keep the doors open. This is going to hurt me because my financial aid is running out. I have a limited amount of financial aid left. I graduate with my bachelor's in psychology this semester and go on to my master's in the fall. Starting the master's in the fall means the increase in tuition will max me out in a shorter amount of time, which may cap me out prior to the end of my three-year program. I do not have the financial personal means to pay for this out of pocket. I'm trying to improve myself and other people's lives by obtaining this degree. I have maintained a 4.0 GPA through the entire two years of my bachelor's degree and worked very hard for this. I have faced medical issues and still continue to complete my academic goals. I do community service and advocacy work and still work hard on my educational abilities. Now I must face factors outside of my control because of government officials who do not feel that my education is more important than their own pride and values. It is not more important than their political bargaining chips for future gain. Another day, another story.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Bennett, for what purpose do you rise?
Point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) State your point.
4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 21st Legislative Day 3/9/2017 Thank you, Mr. President. I wanted to introduce you, the Senate gallery, to a future Senator. This is Finn Kerins. He's a third grader at Booker T. Washington in Champaign. I met him when his class helped me make some valentine's for some veterans at the VA hospital in Danville. He's in third grade, but is very, very mature and smart for his age. He is a Cubs fan - and I will not tell him why he's one day late to coming to this Chamber - and he wants to be in the Coast Guard when he grows up. So if you'll all give a very warm welcome to -- to Finn Kerins.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Welcome to Springfield. Senator Weaver, for what purpose do you rise?
Point of personal privilege, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) State your point.
Yes, I am honored to have this young group of citizens up here - if they would like to rise for me. And there are nineteen of them and they are with St. Jude Catholic School. They're the St. Jude Firecrackers. But last year, they, in a -- in a robot competition, were Rookies of the Year in the State tournament and this year they were back and were Best in State for the robot program for the State tournament. This is an amazing group of kids, intelligent. They were asking me amazing questions. But more importantly than that, they're active in our community. They partner with the Central Illinois Monarch Task Force, the Peoria Park District and Peoria Garden Club, and they're putting together a half-acre pollinator garden. These are just amazing young 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 21st Legislative Day 3/9/2017 people. I want to thank them for coming down, learning about our State today. Could you join me in a round of applause, please? Thanks, kids.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Welcome to Springfield. Will the Committee on Assignments please meet in the President's Anteroom immediately? The Committee on Assignments, please meet in the Anteroom immediately. Mr. Secretary, Senate Bills Introduction.
Senate Bill 2171, offered by Senator Raoul. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Harmon, Chairman of the Committee on Assignments, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Refer to Executive Committee - Senate Bill 100, Senate Bills 198 through 206, Senate Bills 208 through 221, Senate Bills 225 through 258, Senate Bills 262 through 307, Senate Bill 311, Senate Bills 314 through 348, Senate Bills 350 through 392, Senate Bills 394 through 395, Senate Bills 398 through 416, Senate Bill 420, Senate Bill -- Senate Bills 424 through 439, Senate Bills 441 through 444, Senate Bills 447 through 469, Senate Bills 472 through 507, Senate Bills 510 through 517, Senate Bills 519 through 551, Senate Bills 553 through 566, Senate Bills 568 through 581, and Senate Bills 984 through 1213; refer to Executive Appointments Committee - Appointment Message 100069 {sic} (1000069) through Appointment Message 100082 {sic} (1000082), Appointment Message 1000084, 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 21st Legislative Day 3/9/2017 Appointment Message 1000088 through Appointment Message 1000118; Be Approved for Consideration - Floor Amendment 3 to Senate Bill 1722 and Senate Joint Resolution 20. Signed, Senator Don Harmon, Chairman.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Just a reminder: Committee amendments have to be filed by 4 p.m. tomorrow, Friday, March 10th. Let me say that again. Committee amendments have to be filed by 4 p.m., Friday, March 10th. Senator Althoff, for what purpose do you rise?
Point of personal privilege, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) State your point.
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Chamber -- hello? I would like to announce that next week on Wednesday is the annual Sportsmen's Caucus. This event has been held for the last, I believe eight years. It's a not-for-profit organization. All legislators are invited to attend. And the money that is raised from this event - there is an auction - and the money that's raised for this event actually supports and subsidizes many of our Illinois sports programs for youth. So it's extraordinarily important. It's a very, very fun evening. I would ask all of you to stop by. It is from 5:30 till 8:30 next Wednesday. Thank you very much, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Supplemental Calendar -- Supplemental Calendar No. 1 has been distributed to all Members. On your desk is Senate Joint Resolution 20. Senator Koehler. Mr. Secretary, please read the 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 21st Legislative Day 3/9/2017 resolution.
Senate Joint Resolution 20, offered by Senator Koehler.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Can we please stop the conversations on the Senate Floor for this resolution? Thank you. Senator Koehler.
Thank you, Mr. President. Sergeant Dean Russell -- Russell Shaffer graduated from Pekin Community High School in 2007. He was a member of the Junior ROTC, the Drill Team, was on Honor Guard, and in his senior -- year, worked his way up to the top of the command in his high school. He enlisted in the United States Army and went on to his Advanced Individual Training - Black Hawk repair. He was then stationed in Hawaii from 2009 to 2010. And his unit, the 25th Infantry Division, was deployed and completed a tour in Iraq. After his turn -- return from Iraq, he was scheduled to change bases, but he elected to stay with the 25th and became its Crew Chief. And on January 9th, 2012, the 25th Infantry Division was deployed to Afghanistan, and then on April 19th, 2012, Sergeant Shaffer's crew was running a standard escort mission for Med-Vac. Later that evening, the Black -- Black Hawk helicopter that he was on crashed, killing all four crew members. Sergeant Shaffer was later promoted to rank of Sergeant, was awarded numerous commendations, including the Bronze Star, the Enduring Freedom Medal, and the Hawaiian Honor Medal. This resolution would place a sign on Route 29, dedicating part of that highway as the "Sergeant Dean Russell Shaffer Memorial Highway". Mr. President, I'd ask for the approval of this resolution, and upon its approval, I'd ask for a -- a moment of silence. 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 21st Legislative Day 3/9/2017
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? The question is, shall Senate Joint Resolution 20 pass. All those in favor will -- will say Aye. No. As -- as this resolution requires an expenditure of State funds, a roll call will be required. All -- the voting -- the voting -- has -- the question is, shall Senate Joint Resolution 20 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 52 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. Having received the required constitutional majority, is declared adopted. Please remain standing for a moment of silence. (Moment of silence observed) Senator Althoff, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. Might I request the record reflect that Senator Rose had an illness in his family and is not here today? Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) The record shall reflect. Mr. Secretary, Messages from the House.
Message from the House by Mr. Mapes, Clerk. Mr. President - I am directed to inform the Senate that the House of Representatives has passed bills of the following titles, in the passage of which I am instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Bill 106. We have received like Messages on House Bills 457, 643, 655, 812, 815, 1797, 1800, 1805, 2360, 2382, and 2401. Passed the 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 21st Legislative Day 3/9/2017 House, March 9th, 2017. Timothy D. Mapes, Clerk of the House.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Mr. Secretary, House Bills 1st Reading.
House Bill 106, offered by Senator Connelly. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 457, offered by Senator Stadelman. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 1800, offered by Senator Althoff. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 1805, offered by Senator Hunter. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 2360, offered by Senator Biss. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd -- 1st Reading of the bills.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Mr. Secretary, Messages from the House.
A Message from the House by Mr. Mapes, Clerk. Mr. President - I am directed to inform the Senate that the House of Representatives has adopted the following joint resolution, in the adoption of which I am instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Joint Resolution 39. Offered by Senator Trotter. (Secretary reads HJR No. 39) Adopted by the House, March 8th, 2017. Timothy D. Mapes, Clerk of the House.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 21st Legislative Day 3/9/2017 Just a friendly reminder for all Democratic Senators: There will be ethics training in Room 212 upon adjournment. On the Order of Resolution, House Joint Resolution 39. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
House Joint Resolution 39, offered by Senator Trotter.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Trotter moves to suspend the rules for the purposes of immediate consideration and adoption of House Joint Resolution 39. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the rules have been suspended. Senator Trotter moves the adoption of House Joint Resolution 39. All those in favor, say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. We will now proceed to the Order of Resolution Consent Calendar. With leave of the Body, all resolutions read in today will be added to the Consent Calendar. Mr. Secretary, have there been any objections filed on any resolution on the Consent Calendar?
No objections filed, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? If not, the question, shall the Resolution Consent Calendar be adopted. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the motion carries. And the resolutions are adopted. Two reminders: Again, tomorrow, March 10th, 4 p.m., end of Floor -- end of committee amendments. 4 o'clock tomorrow, March 10th, all committee amendments have to be filed. Also again, Senate Democrats, Room 212, ethics training. There being no further business to come before the Senate, for the 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 21st Legislative Day 3/9/2017 purposes of -- pursuant to House Joint Resolution 39, the Senate stands adjourned until the hour of 12 noon, the 14th day of March 2017, or until the call of the Senate President. The Senate stands adjourned. 12