PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) The regular Session of the 100th General Assembly will please come to order. Will the Members please be at their desk? Will our guests in the galleries please rise? The invocation today will be given by Reverend Nicole Cox, Springfield First United Methodist Church, Springfield, Illinois. Reverend Cox.
(Prayer by the Reverend Nicole Cox)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Senator McGuire. SENATOR McGUIRE: (Pledge of Allegiance, led by Senator McGuire)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Mr. Secretary, Reading and Approval of the Journal.
Senate Journal of Tuesday, March 28th, 2017.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Hunter.
Thank you, Madam 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 LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. Senator Hunter moves to postpone the reading and approval of the Journal, pending arrival of the printed transcripts. There being no objection, so ordered. Lisa Yuscius, Blueroomstream.com, requests permission to videotape. Leave is granted. Mr. Secretary, Resolutions. 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 28th Legislative Day 3/29/2017
Senate Resolution 354, offered by President Cullerton and all Members. Senate Resolution 355, offered by Senator Anderson and all Members. Senate Resolution 356, offered by Senators Stadelman, Syverson and all Members. Senate Resolution 357, offered by Senator Tom Cullerton and all Members. Senate Resolutions 358 through 360, offered by Senator Link and all Members. Senate Resolution 361, offered by Senator Connelly and all Members. And Senate Resolutions 362 through 364, offered by Senator Anderson and all Members. They are all death resolutions, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Resolution Consent Calendar.
Senate Joint Resolution 26, offered by Senator Tom Cullerton. It is substantive.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Van Pelt, Chairperson of the Committee on Public Health, reports Senate Bills 1707, 1846, and 1893 Do Pass; and Senate Bills 741, 938, 1469, 1586, 1662, 1944, 2038 Do Pass, as Amended; Senate Resolutions 217 and 270 Be Adopted; Senate Resolution 118 Be Adopted, as Amended; and Senate Joint Resolution 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 28th Legislative Day 3/29/2017 16 Be Adopted. Senator Cullerton, Chairperson of the Committee on Veterans Affairs, reports Senate Resolution 212 Be Adopted. Senator McGuire, Chairperson of the Committee on Higher Ed, reports Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 518 Recommend Do Adopt. Senator Raoul, Chairperson of the Committee on Judiciary, reports Senate Bills 1657 and 1898 Do Pass; Senate Bills 731 and 1668 Do Pass, as Amended; Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 584, Senate Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 822, Senate Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 1518, and Senate Amendment 3 to Senate Bill 1562 Recommend Do Adopt. Senator Morrison, Chairperson of the Committee on Human Services, reports Senate Bill 1870 Do Pass; Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 624 and Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1353 Recommend Do Adopt. Senator Hastings, Chairperson of the Committee on Criminal Law, reports Senate Bill 1842 Do Pass; Senate Bill 1843 Do Pass, as Amended; Senate Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 1328 and Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1441 Recommend Do Adopt. Senator Steans, Chairperson of the Committee on Appropriations I, reports Senate Bill 1695 Do Pass. Senator Jones, Chairperson of the Committee on Local Government, reports Senate Bills 60, 751, 851, 1370, 1449, 1591, 1605, and 1795 Do Pass; and Senate Bill -- Senate Bills 196, 422, and 2068 Do Pass, as Amended. Senator Stadelman, Chairperson of the Committee on Gaming, reports Senate Bills 1427 and 1894 Do Pass; Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 620 and Senate Amendment 5 to Senate Bill 1804 Recommend Do Adopt. 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 28th Legislative Day 3/29/2017 Senator Biss, Chairperson of the Committee on Labor, reports Senate Bill 1296 Do pass; Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 19 Recommend Do Adopt. Senator Bush, Chairperson of the Committee on Government Reform, reports Senate Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 685 Recommend Do Adopt; and Senate Resolution 241 Be Adopted. Senator Martinez, Chairperson of the Committee on Licensed Activities and Pensions, reports Senate Bills 778 and 779 Do Pass; Senate Bill 2011 Do Pass, as Amended; and Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 901 Recommend Do Adopt. Senator Landek, Chairperson of the Committee on State Government, reports Senate Bills 763, 937, 1606, 1696, 1848, and 1869 Do Pass; Senate Bill 1652 Do Pass, as Amended; and House Bill 2360 Do Pass. Senator Harmon, Chairperson of the Committee on Executive, reports Senate Bills -- Senate Bill 836 Do Pass; and Senate Bill 759 Do Pass, as Amended.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Mr. Secretary, House Bills 1st Reading.
House Bill 2379, offered by Senator Hunter. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 2514, offered by Senator Nybo. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 3002, offered by Senator Manar. (Secretary reads title of bill) And House Bill 3874, offered by Senator Mulroe. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of the bills. 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 28th Legislative Day 3/29/2017
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Mulroe, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President, Members of the Senate. For purposes of introduction.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please state your purpose, Senator.
Thank you. I'd like to introduce Dan McLoughlin. Dan is one of my constituents. He's -- goes to the University of Illinois- Chicago. He's pre-med and he's here advocating on behalf of higher education funding. I'd ask that we all give him a warm Springfield welcome.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Welcome to Springfield and good luck in your advocacy. Senator Rose, for what purpose do you rise?
Good afternoon, Madam President. How are you today?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. I'm wonderful.
I have a point of personal privilege, if I may.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) State your privilege point.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I'm deeply honored today - in the gallery on our side of the aisle - to have the St. Joseph-Ogden ladies -- Girls Cross Country Champions. They won the IHSA Class 1A Championship this year on November 5th at Detweiller Park in 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 28th Legislative Day 3/29/2017 Peoria. This is their second State title in three years and their third consecutive top three finish. The team is coached by Coach Retz and Coach Rein. And they also have -- with them today is their bus driver, former Hall of Fame -- or, actually, current Hall of Famer and former coach, Mr. Jim Acklin. Team members include Hanna Atwood, Cassidy Bagby, Hailey Birt, Haley Griebart, Faith Houston, Danie Kelso, Kassie Kelso, Samantha Mabry, Sally Manalo, Ally Monk, Angela Palmer, Jillian Plotner, Murelle Plotner, Hannah Rajilch, and Keely Smith. On behalf of Representative Halbrook and I, we couldn't be any prouder of the St. Joe-Ogden Girls Cross Country. Please welcome them to Springfield.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Congratulation, ladies. Girl power! Senator Harmon, for what purpose do you rise?
For purposes of an introduction, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please state your introduction, Senator.
Thank you, Senator. We have some guests in the gallery today from Oak Park. At the far end in the Republican Gallery is Nicole Sumida and her husband, Alex, along with their two beautiful daughters. I'm so glad to have them visiting the Capitol here today and I'd ask you to give them a warm Senate welcome.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please rise and be welcomed to the Illinois Senate. The Senate will stand at ease for a few minutes to allow the Committee on Assignments to meet. The members of the Committee on 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 28th Legislative Day 3/29/2017 Assignments, will you please come to the President's Anteroom immediately? The Senate will stand at ease. (at ease) Senator Link in the Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Castro, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. A point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) State your point.
I'd like to have the Senate welcome a group that has come in from Elgin today, the Lao American Organization of Elgin. They are here to -- and have a couple of folks who are my Pages as well. But I want to extend a Springfield welcome to them.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Welcome to Springfield. Senator Hastings, for what purpose do you rise?
Point of personal privilege, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) State your point.
I just want to introduce some of my guests from the 19th Legislative District. If you wouldn't mind please standing. We got Jashaun Bowens, who is the speaker of the University of Illinois at Chicago House of Representatives. Mr. Speaker, thanks for coming. Marvin Slaughter is the President of the Student Advocacy group, my intern. He's -- he's got three majors - econ, poli sci, and psychology. He'll be sitting in my chair, hopefully 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 28th Legislative Day 3/29/2017 in four years. Dakota, if you wouldn't mind standing up. Dakota Burnett. Dakota also goes to the University, and Linda Mitchell. Give 'em a warm round of applause. Linda's from Country Club Hills. Thanks for coming, guys.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Welcome to Springfield. Senator McGuire, for what purpose do you rise? SENATOR McGUIRE: Point of personal privilege, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) State your point. SENATOR McGUIRE: Thank you. To my right is my Page for the Day, Sam Munson - like me, a lifetime resident of Joliet, Illinois. Sam is a sophomore at Joliet West High School, where he does something I'm unfamiliar with - he runs. He's a member of the cross country team and the track team. And Sam is also a great fan of a certain Chicago baseball team, not the first one to win a World Series crown this millennium, but the other one. Please welcome Sam Munson.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Welcome to Springfield. Senator Nybo, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. A point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) State your point.
Thank you, Mr. President. I apparently need a lot of help 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 28th Legislative Day 3/29/2017 today. I've got two Pages for the Day and I'm delighted to introduce them. They're residents of -- of the district that I have the privilege to represent. First, we have Kate Nelson here, who is a sophomore at Glenbard South. She also recently participated in the Youth & Government program that the YMCA put on that took place in this Chamber. She is in choir, and for those of you who know me, know that every once in a while on Wednesday nights I partake in singing of my own. So, maybe we'll get out there -- get her out there for some songs this evening. And then I also have the privilege of introducing this young man. He's got the right first name to be a member of the Senate Republican Caucus. This is Dale Nelson, who is a junior at Glenbard South. He also participated in the Youth & Government program, and we were just talking about that with Senator Rooney, and he sat right here in front of me a couple weeks ago and was a Senator. Both of these young people have very bright futures. This is one of the best parts of the job. If you guys would extend them a very warm welcome and especially -- the reason that they're down here is they -- they won this as part of a fundraiser for JDRF and that's a special cause to my heart and so I appreciate their support of that -- that fundraising effort. And if we could all extend them a very warm welcome, I'd appreciate it, so…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Welcome to Springfield. Senator Aquino.
Thank you, Mr. President. A point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) State your point.
9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 28th Legislative Day 3/29/2017 I have a special guest with me here to my left. It's a constituent of mine, Dr. Elizabeth Florez. She's a professor of nursing at DePaul University. She's here advocating on behalf of -- of nurses throughout our State. She was here yesterday with student nurses. But not only is she a -- a very patient and -- and supportive constituent, she's also my girlfriend. So I'd like to give her a warm welcome to -- to Springfield.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Welcome to Springfield. Senator Bush.
Apparently, it's quite a day to have company. Thank you. Point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) State your point.
I'd like to introduce two young men from my district. It's kind of nice when you get a surprise and parents come down visiting Springfield, checking out the museum, which we all know is a fabulous place, and they came into my office and they look pretty darn dapper, don't they? I -- I'd like you to meet Jonah Heupel and -- and Jonah is a big baseball fan. He tells me it's the Red Sox, though, which was a little bit disappointing, but we're okay with that. And -- and his brother, Matthew, Matthew Heupel, who is a student of math - quite enjoys math - and loves to play tennis. I'd like to ask you to join me in welcoming them. Give 'em a warm applause and welcome to the Illinois State Senate, and their parents are up in the audience.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Welcome to Springfield. Senator Weaver, for what purpose do 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 28th Legislative Day 3/29/2017 you rise?
A point of personal privilege, Mr. Chairman {sic}.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) State your point.
Great. Thank you very much. I'm lucky to have Jake Nelan with me today and Jake's here as a Page for the Day. He's a -- attending -- he attends St. Vincent's {sic} (St. Vincent de Paul) School in Peoria, a seventh grader. Enjoys travel, sports, theater, business, property development and home design and building, like his dad, who did some building. But here's the best part, he plans to attend college, build a business empire and a family. And I asked if he'd planned to get married before he started the family, said that was definitely part of it. So please welcome this young man to be with us today, Jake Nelan. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Welcome to Springfield. Senator Lightford back in the Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Clayborne, Chairman of the Committee on Assignments, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Refer to Commerce and Economic Development Committee - Floor Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 298; refer to Energy and Public Utilities Committee - Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 730; refer to Environment and Conservation Committee - Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1272 and Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1273; 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 28th Legislative Day 3/29/2017 refer to Revenue Committee - Senate Bill 1565; refer to Transportation Committee - Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 396; re-refer from Agriculture Committee to Environment and Conservation Committee - Senate Bills 1272 and 1273; Be Approved for Consideration - Senate Resolution 318. Signed, Senator James F. Clayborne, Chairman.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, Supplemental Calendar 1 was just distributed to you. Senate Resolution 318. Senator Link, on Senate Resolution 318. He indicates he wish to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 318, offered by Senator Link.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Link.
Thank you, Madam President. I'm not going to read all "Whereases" that are all on this. But today is a -- a day that - - there's only eleven of us Senators that are still in this Chamber…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Excuse -- excuse me, Senator Link. Ladies and Gentlemen, there is a resolution that's being read if you could lower your voices. Thank you very much. Senator Link.
Thank you, Madam President. As I was saying, there's only eleven of us Senators that are still in this Chamber that voted for this bill ten years ago. And this was the start of something that, I think, has not only helped us in our health care in the 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 28th Legislative Day 3/29/2017 State of Illinois, but I think helped us in the culture of the State of Illinois. And our surrounding states are doing this right now. Wisconsin, Indiana, and so forth have all followed this. For those who are unaware, today is the tenth anniversary of Smoke Free Illinois that passed out of this Chamber and subsequently passed the House and became law. And as I indicated today when I stood up at a press conference, I said I had my soon-to-be eleven- year-old grandson in my arms, who was about six months old at the time, and I said that he would never have to live through this like we lived through it in our lifetime, and his sister and his cousins, who have subsequently come, my five grandchildren, do not have to live through this. So I think today and I -- I thank then Senator Cullerton, who was my chief cosponsor, President Cullerton, and the other people that had the courage to vote for this. We were -- I was not the original sponsor of this bill. The original sponsor did it twenty years preceding me, but we were able to pass it. And I think today is a day that we should remember, and hopefully that it becomes a point to where we don't ever think about it again because we won't realize that people smoke in confined areas in the State of Illinois. So I just want to thank President Cullerton and the advocates of this bill that we are here in the State of Illinois taking the lead for once on the tenth anniversary of Smoke Free Illinois. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. President Cullerton, for what purpose do you rise?
Yes, to the resolution.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 28th Legislative Day 3/29/2017 To the resolution, Senator.
Yes, thank you, Madam President, Members of the Senate. This bill kind of reminds me -- this anniversary of passing this bill kind of reminds me of a couple other bills. They're in the category of bills that you can't believe that they weren't always the law. Believe it or not, Illinois was the second state in the nation to pass a child passenger safety law, and I know that 'cause I was the sponsor of it back in 1982. When we passed the seatbelt law, having to have a seatbelt when you're in a car, there were only fifteen percent of people wearing seatbelts. So it wasn't easy to pass those bills and it wasn't easy to pass this bill either, but Senator Link did a tremendous job and he was aided, of course, by grassroots efforts. The Cancer Society, the Lung Association, the Heart Association did a great job and -- and started out by passing resolutions in small towns and then eventually helped create a statewide law. So I want to, once again, congratulate all of them and Senator Link in particular for working so hard to pass what now seems to be something which always should have been the law. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Mr. President. Congratulations to all. Senator Hutchinson, for what purpose do you rise?
Not on the resolution.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) No, not on the resolution. Do you… Senator Hutchinson.
Point of personal privilege, Madam President. 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 28th Legislative Day 3/29/2017
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Oh, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. We do have to take a vote. Forgive me. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Resolution 318 pass. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Now… Now, Senator Hutchinson.
Point of personal privilege, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. Please state your point.
I have -- I promised that every day that we are still in this ridiculous budget impasse, I would read another story of something that's happening. I started with things that were only in my district and then I said, well, maybe I should expand this since, at some point, we should all be thinking about each other's districts, 'cause it's one State of Illinois. So today I'm going to talk about Northeastern Illinois University, which serves roughly ten thousand students. Shut down its campus last week in an effort to save enough money to be able to make it through the rest of the year. Computer labs, the library, the writing center and all university and instructional services were closed, with only security and other essential staff left on campus. Nearly all staff were required to take a week off without pay. That equals one thousand one hundred employees who did not receive a paycheck and were unable to spend money in their local neighborhoods at coffee shops, drycleaners, or restaurants. On top of that, NEI -- NEIU announced the elimination of nearly three hundred student worker positions that help students pay their 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 28th Legislative Day 3/29/2017 tuition and make ends meet. And that's after we didn't fund their MAP grants. I don't know how many students have the luxury of not having to work even a part-time job while attending classes. What will this do to them? Will they be forced to drop out? Will they forgo their dreams and aspirations because they simply can't make it to work anymore? Each one of these three hundred students has a story, a story worth telling, a story that most likely won't be told, but instead lost in another political battle. NEIU is not in my district. In fact, it's more than forty miles away. But what is happening to NEIU is happening to every college and university in this State. A few weeks ago, I highlighted what happened to Governors State University that is in my district - an elimination of twenty-two degrees and a fifteen percent tuition hike. We've heard from students who will no longer be able to afford their tuition and will instead be forced to drop out or move to another state. I'm just disgusted. So this is another day and another budget story. Hopefully, somebody's listening.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Silverstein, for what purpose do you rise?
Purpose for an announcement, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please state your announcement, Senator.
That there will be a Democratic -- Caucus upon recess for approximately forty-five minutes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. There will be a Senate Democrat Caucus for approximately forty-five minutes. Senator Althoff, for what 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 28th Legislative Day 3/29/2017 purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. The Senate Republicans would also like to caucus immediately upon adjournment for about forty- five minutes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. We will be recessing and the Senate Republicans would also like to caucus for forty-five minutes. Senator Connelly, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. For purposes of an introduction.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please state your introduction, Senator.
I'd like to introduce my Page for today, Alex Jones. Alex is a sixth grader at Covenant Classical School in Naperville. He's involved in fencing and Certamen, which is Latin for the "quiz bowl". His other interests include - he's a Boy Scout, boxing, shooting nerf guns and airsoft pellets. He's accompanied today by his family: his father, Joshua; his mom, Caroline; brother, Tyler; and sister, Lydia, who are behind the Senate Chair. Please join me in -- welcoming them here to Springfield.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Welcome to the Illinois General Assembly. Thank you. We will be caucusing, both Chambers -- Senate Dems and Senate Republicans, for forty-five minutes, please. The Senate will stand at recess to the call of the Chair. (SENATE STANDS IN RECESS/SENATE RECONVENES) 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 28th Legislative Day 3/29/2017
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, please come to the Senate Floor for Floor action. We will begin with 3rd Readings. Please come to the Senate Floor for Floor action. The Committee on Assignments, will you please come to the President's Anteroom immediately? We will stand at ease for the Committee on Assignments. The Senate stands at ease. (at ease) The Senate will come to order. Mr. Secretary, Resolutions.
Senate Resolutions 366 through 369, offered by Senator Bennett and all Members. They're all death resolutions, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Resolution Consent Calendar.
Senate Resolution 365, offered by Senator Clayborne and all Members. It is substantive.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Lee Milner, Illinois Times, requests permission to photo. Leave is granted. 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 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 291. 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 28th Legislative Day 3/29/2017 We have received like Messages on House Bills 481, 496, 513, 618, 683, 733, 763, 799, 819, 826, 1811, 2437, 2470, 2482, 2492, 2496, 2540, 2556, 2568, 2570, 2595, 2606, 2612, 2618, 2663, 2685, 2700, 2719, 2813, 2876, 2880, and 2895. Passed the House, March 29th, 2017. Timothy D. Mapes, Clerk of the House.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Ladies and Gentlemen, Supplemental Calendar No. 2 has been distributed to all Members. Supplemental Calendar No. 2. House Bill 2360. Senator Biss. He indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the gentleman's resolution -- bill.
House Bill 2360. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) 3rd Reading. The Senate will stand at ease to allow for the Committee on Assignments to meet. Will the members of the Committee on Assignments please come to the President's Anteroom immediately? The Senate will stand at ease. Senator Silverstein in the Chair. (at ease) The Senate will now come to order. Members of the Illinois Senate, please come to the Senate Floor for Floor action. We are going to the Order of 3rd Reading and we need you to come to the Senate Floor immediately, please. Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Clayborne, Chairman of the Committee on Assignments, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Be Approved for Consideration - Floor Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 19. 19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 28th Legislative Day 3/29/2017 Signed, Senator James F. Clayborne, Chairman.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, please turn your Calendars to page 21. On page 21 of the Calendar is the Order of Senate Bills 3rd Reading. This is final action. Senate Bills 3rd Reading, final action, beginning with Senate Bill 19. Mr. Secretary, it's my understanding that the sponsor has been switched to Senator McCann. Senator McCann, would you like to proceed? He wish -- he does. Senator McCann, seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 19 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 19. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Manar.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Manar.
Thank you, Madam President. Floor Amendment No. 1 essentially becomes the bill. It was referred from the Labor Committee. I'd be happy to answer any questions or refer the questions to the sponsor of the bill on 3rd Reading.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 2, offered by Senator Manar.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 28th Legislative Day 3/29/2017 Senator Manar.
Thank you, Madam President. This is a technical amendment in regards to the effective date of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading, Senator McCann, do you wish to proceed? Mr. -- Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 19. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator McCann. SENATOR McCANN: Thank you, Madam President. Senate Bill 19 is a bill that seeks to establish a policy that would limit the further expansion of privatization of medical and mental health services in -- that are not in the best interest of the State of Illinois. They would -- it would cease the expansion of privatization, specifically at IDOC. There are many issues related to -- to this bill and I would be happy to answer any questions. Otherwise, I would ask for your 21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 28th Legislative Day 3/29/2017 Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Is there any discussion? Senator McCarter, for what purpose do you rise? SENATOR McCARTER: A question of the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) The sponsor indicates he will yield. Senator McCarter. SENATOR McCARTER: Senator, I think you -- you were in the committee attending this, so you -- you heard some of the questions, but I think it's important for everybody to know that the -- the -- the issue that's being quickly addressed here - and I mean quickly because it was expedited to the Floor - is the layoff of nurses by the administration and the -- the opportunity for them to instead work for the contracted provider to Corrections and others. Now some -- is there an opportunity for some of these -- these nurses to be employed by the provider that we have -- that we have contracted with?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator McCann. SENATOR McCANN: Thank you, Senator, for that question. I -- I don't have any relationship with Wexford, the provider, so I really don't know that I can answer that in a very straightforward manner. I'm not trying to be glib. I have heard that they may offer some positions to -- to these nurses. However, I -- I believe that we have to really think about what's best for our districts, what's best for the State, what's best for these facilities, what's best for the 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 28th Legislative Day 3/29/2017 safety within the facilities. And I think we have to also think about the fact that this -- this Wexford contract -- well, I want to note that this does not adversely affect the Wexford contract in any way. The Wexford contract is maintained and those employees of Wexford will not be adversely affected in any way and I'm sure they are delivering great service. But we're -- what we're trying to do is stave off the further privatization. Because really I think it's interesting that as -- as Republicans, we -- I believe we lambasted Governor Quinn for -- for going into a billion-dollar- plus ten-year contract in 2011, and so what we're doing is every time we -- we entertain privatization, so in the -- in the -- in the case of Wexford specifically, what we're doing is we're decreasing the wages, decreasing the benefits of Illinois workers. We're increasing the possibility of negative situations within IDOC and we are essentially sending Illinois tax dollars to a foreign corporation. Wexford is -- is headquartered in Pennsylvania. So this comes back -- it just comes down to safety. It comes down to public safety, good government, and keeping Illinois tax dollars in Illinois, so that the employees at IDOC can -- can go to their local automobile dealers, to their local carpet store, to the local grocery store and keep those Illinois tax dollars here, instead of letting them go to -- to the corporate profits in Pennsylvania.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator McCarter. SENATOR McCARTER: So, Senator, if they were hired by Wexford, would they not be hired at market rates of salaries? Or -- or…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) 23 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 28th Legislative Day 3/29/2017 Senator McCann. SENATOR McCARTER: …do you think they're obligated to hire at lower than market rates?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator McCann. SENATOR McCANN: I don't hold any stock or management position within Wexford. I have never attended a board meeting. I have no idea what -- how their business model is based. I -- I -- if -- if you have somebody here from Wexford who would like to give us some insight into that, I'd be happy to listen to it, but I can't -- I don't know that I'm prepared to answer on behalf of -- of the Wexford company.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator McCarter. SENATOR McCARTER: Last question. Senator, there was made mention that the word disaster was used in the -- in the -- the committee hearing. And -- and there was talk of incidents that have taken place with Wexford to where inmates were not diagnosed correctly, quick enough, and there was harm to the inmate. But there was -- there was no -- no evidence that our direct hires had not had any incidents just like that. Are you aware and can you show to us and prove to us that there is a -- a -- a specific risk here for these nurses to go and work for Wexford, instead of being directly hired?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator McCann. SENATOR McCANN: 24 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 28th Legislative Day 3/29/2017 And, again, Senator, I -- I appreciate the question. What I can concretely demonstrate is that the U.S. Constitution requires that the Illinois Department of Corrections provide inmates with adequate health care services. So we are -- we are under that direct order. And it -- it's not just a statutory order; it's a -- it's constitutional. Last year, a federal court judge appointed an investigative team of medical experts to assist the court with determining whether the State of Illinois was able to meet these minimal constitutional standards. A part of that four-hundred- and-five-page report includes -- noted that many State correctional facilities have vacancies in medical staff that often include key leadership positions and that many medical professionals are not trained to deal with specific problems that confront the prison population. My understanding is from that report, that is more on the Wexford side, not our side. In other words, we are not meeting our constitutional duty; that the federal government has stepped in and said -- they -- they notified us of this. They put us on notice. We need to be hiring more nurses in IDOC, not privatizing it so that Wexford can get by on less. Again, I'm not minimizing what the staff, what the Wexford employees are doing. I'm sure that they are doing great work under the circumstances. But this investigative team found that we are already understaffed and that the Wexford team is not adequately prepared to diagnose nor deal with the issues at hand. And from eight site visits, the interviews with staff and inmates, the review of institutional documents, and the review of medical records, including death records and mortality reviews, they've concluded that the State of Illinois has been unable to meet the minimal constitutional standards with regards to the adequacy of 25 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 28th Legislative Day 3/29/2017 its health care program for the population it serves. So, Wexford has had a relationship with the State of Illinois for -- for over twenty-five years. They got a ten-year sweetheart deal in 2011 worth over a billion dollars. We've continued to decimate the nurse levels -- the nursing -- the nurse staffing levels at IDOC. And so what we're doing is we're ignoring this federal investigation and report and I believe that we're setting ourselves up, we're teeing ourselves up to find ourselves in federal court. And what the administration is proposing to do is only going to make the situation worse. We need to hire more IDOC nurses, not privatize them.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator -- Senator McCarter, you said that was your last question. Senator McCarter, to close. SENATOR McCARTER: To the bill. Thank you. You know, this -- this is a -- if the sweetheart deal is bad, then we need to go after the sweetheart deal. If the contract's bad, let's go after the contract. If the bureaucracy is so bad, then let's go after the bureaucracy. I mean, I understand. In -- in my -- in my district, in Vandalia, I understand how difficult it is to hire nurses for the prison. It takes forever. And so if that's the issue, I mean, we should have taken up this issue a couple years ago. If -- if -- if the -- if the sweetheart deal was an issue two/three years ago, we should have taken it up then and we still should and we still can. But, you know, these -- these nurses are going to have an opportunity to be hired at market levels or else they're not going to go work there, and the ones that are working for Wexford now are not going to work there if they're not being paid as much as 26 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 28th Legislative Day 3/29/2017 they can go to the neighbor -- neighboring hospital. And this is a change in the way we do things and it -- is it to -- is it to - - is it to save the State money? Yeah, it is. It is just that. And is it going to take people away from a direct hire position? Yes, it is. But is it going to keep them from not making the market rate? Absolutely not. And there is -- and there's no indication that -- that an unsafe environment is being created, and if it has, we need to go after that. So I would encourage -- with all due respect, Senator McCann, I -- I suggest a No vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Oberweis, for what purpose do you rise?
To the bill, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) To the bill, Senator.
Ladies and Gentlemen in the Senate, I am incredibly frustrated with trying to serve in this Legislature and I'm sure many of you are as well. I'm sick and tired of the partisan politics. I want to vote for good Democrat bills and vote against bad Democrat bills. I want to vote for good Republican bills and against bad Republican bills. And I hope my colleagues on both sides of the aisle feel the same way, and I mean whether it's a budget bill or any other bill. We have asked this administration to find ways to cut money -- to cut expenses to save taxpayer dollars. Let's give them a chance. Unfortunately, we're saying, "Well, yeah, I want you to cut expenditures, but don't cut here." "Yes, I want you to cut, but don't cut there." "Yes, I want you to cut, but don't cut here." Let's give them a chance to run this in the way they think 27 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 28th Legislative Day 3/29/2017 is most effective to save taxpayer dollars. I encourage not only a No vote on this, but I encourage Yes votes on every bill you think is a good bill. And if you think this is a good bill, vote Yes. And a No vote -- on every bill that you think is a bad bill vote No. And I hope that we can go back on our budget bills and vote Yes on good bills and No on bad bills. Thank you very much.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Martinez, for what purpose do you rise?
To the bill, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) To the bill, Senator.
I want to commend Senator McCann on a great bill. I really believe that the nurses are not being given the respect that they should in this bill {sic}. A hundred and twenty-four nurses to be let go - I mean, that really is just really, really sad. When we are -- right now, we are in the middle of a nursing shortage wherever you go - across states. I come from a family of seven - - well, eight - one's ready to graduate - eight RNs in my family. My sister just retired from working as a Department of Corrections nurse and you could -- you have to hear the stories. She was a - - a supervisor in Orange County in -- in Florida. They recruited her from here, 'cause there was a nursing shortage in Florida, back twenty years ago. She -- she worked for over twenty years and let me just say this, they are the frontline workers. They're the ones that deal with the individuals coming in, in whatever condition they come in. My sister dealt with needle being poked at her. She got hit by some inmates. But, guess what, she was 28 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 28th Legislative Day 3/29/2017 able to identify many of these individuals who needed mental health, because a lot of them are there, and a good nurse will be able to assess that -- that -- that person coming in and try to provide the services. No matter what, they are under their care and the -- and they deserve good -- good -- good wages, a good retirement package. They deserve nothing but the best, and anything less than that, they do not deserve. So you know what, Senator McCann, thank you for a bill. Thank you from my family of nurses who deserve their respect and I think everyone here should give a green light to this bill because it is about supporting our nurses here in Illinois. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Righter, for what purpose do you rise?
Will the sponsor standing next to me yield, please?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator McCann? He indicates he will. Senator Righter.
Thank you, Madam President. You know, in my years in the Senate - and I've been here for a little while - I've never had the chance to debate a bill with someone who was standing right next to me. So this will be a little different. Senator McCann, as I understand the bill, it -- it basically sets in statute a head count for the Department of Corrections to the extent that those employees work in -- in health care or mental health services for the Department. Is that - as of July -- I'm sorry, January 1st, 2016 - is that correct?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator McCann. 29 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 28th Legislative Day 3/29/2017 SENATOR McCANN: It essentially establishes a floor. It -- it -- it changes nothing other than saying this is a floor that we won't go below.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Righter.
Do you know what that number is?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator McCann. SENATOR McCANN: I believe it's approximately a hundred and twenty-four nurses and approximately a hundred and seventy-five other support medical personnel.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Righter.
So about three hundred individuals. How many people -- how many inmates do those three hundred people serve? Do you know the number?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator McCann. SENATOR McCANN: I do not.
So we don't know the ratio. In other words, we don't know the number of people per nurse or staff member, correct?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator McCann. SENATOR McCANN: 30 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 28th Legislative Day 3/29/2017 Incorrect. We do know. You asked if I know. At my disposal, I don't know, because I don't have a staffer standing here behind me and that's quite all right. But we, as a Body, we do know. We employ -- we spend millions of dollars of -- a year employing people to know exactly what that ratio is, but seeing as how I don't have anyone who we're paying -- John, do you have that number? What are we paying you for, man? John, you're a good man. You don't deserve that. So we do know and what else we know is that the federal government issued a four-hundred-and-five-page report saying that, whatever the number is, we're dramatically understaffed. That ratio is dramatically off. And as we, as the Republican side of the aisle, used to love to demonstrate when we had a Democratic Governor -- what -- what was it? I think I've heard it -- I haven't been here nearly as long as you. You've been here a few decades. I've only been here a few years. That being said, we used to love to -- talk about how we're probably going to be sued by the federal government. We're going to be sued by all sorts of -- of entities for this disaster that's occurring. But now that we have the reins, it's perfectly okay. With the Wexford contract -- with -- with -- with the privatization, we don't know what the -- what the ratios are going to be. I haven't talked to Wexford. Again, if Wexford's here, I'd love to speak with Wexford. Wexford's busy counting their money in Pennsylvania. I'm trying to keep Illinoisans working. I'm trying to keep the Republican Party relevant to the working people of this State. So, Senator Righter, we do know, but that wasn't your initial question.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Righter. 31 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 28th Legislative Day 3/29/2017
Okay, Senator McCann, as the sponsor of the bill, do you know the ratio of inmates served by these three hundred to the employees? Do you know that, as the sponsor of the bill?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator McCann. SENATOR McCANN: Madam President and -- and Senator, I believe I answered that question two questions ago. I do not. We, as a Body, know that -- that -- the answer.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senate -- Senator Righter.
Senator McCann, I guess -- as you know, there is an effort to reduce the population in the Department of Corrections and, in fact, that's happening. There's been a downward trend in that number for some time. It continues to go down. Is it -- do you think it is possible, whether it's next year or the year after or the year after that, for the number to dip so that you might not need that two hundred and ninety-nine or three hundred people to serve the inmates that are in need of those services? Do you think that's possible?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator McCann. SENATOR McCANN: Thank you, Madam President. Well -- well, Senator, I certainly think that's possible and you being a man with a lot of letters after your name and before your name, I suppose, being a man of the law, as you know, we could always change the law. 32 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 28th Legislative Day 3/29/2017
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Righter.
Thank you. Madam President, to the bill, if I might.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. To the bill.
Thank you. Ladies and Gentlemen, I -- I'm going to suggest here that this issue -- the central issue here is not about a contract that exists and it's not -- and honestly it's not about respect. It's not about the wages and the benefits and whatnot. It's that things change and that the number that is in place right now in the Department -- no, I'm sorry, that was in place about a year and a half ago in the Department of Corrections in terms of this category of employees may not be the -- right number six months from now, a year from now, eighteen months from now, three years from now. Now, can -- can any General Assembly change a statute? Absolutely. All the -- all the sponsor's got to do and all the people have to do is come here, file a bill and work themselves through this process, because they might at some point determine that we can do with five or seven less employees in this particular area because we really need 'em in another area, but we're not going to be able to do that. We won't be able to shift people from one area to another or adjust your head count, not overall, but in this one particular area. You won't be able to do that unless you come back and you ask the Leaders in the Senate and the Leader in the House of Representatives, please can we manage? Can we manage a little bit? Now, what I've been listening to, particularly in Appropriations Committee hearings for weeks 33 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 28th Legislative Day 3/29/2017 now, is certain members of the committee chirping away at members of the administration and saying, "What? You don't have any suggestions for how you can save money?" "You don't have any suggestions for how you can manage better?" And here you are ready to vote for a bill that says you're not going to manage. Sorry, you're stuck with this -- baseline of employees and this is what you're going to pay and if you've got a better idea, well, that's fine, but you're going to come and kiss the ring here at the General Assembly first in order to do that. You know, if you're going to vote for bills like this, that's fine, but don't complain if the administration's people in Appropriations when they say, you know what, it's really hard for us to save money, unless you change the law. You got to provide a little flexibility at some point if you want to save a little money. This bill takes us in a gigantic step in the wrong direction. Thank you, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator McGuire, for what purpose do you rise? SENATOR McGUIRE: To the bill, please, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you. To the bill, Senator. SENATOR McGUIRE: Adjacent to Stateville Correctional Center in my district is the NRC, the Northern Reception Center, which receives incoming DOC offenders from all counties north of Peoria, and a number of us have been in there. An incoming offender goes through a multifaceted evaluation at the NRC. At the NRC, there are seventeen RNs employed by the Department of -- Department of 34 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 28th Legislative Day 3/29/2017 Corrections, so-called State nurses. In Stateville Correctional Center itself are thirty to forty nurses employed by Wexford. A small number of them are RNs. Most of them are LPNs. Here's why the difference is important. An RN can perform a full nursing assessment. An LPN cannot do that. If the administration is allowed to enact what it has signaled it wishes to do and get rid of State nurses, there will not be seventeen RNs, who could perform full nursing assessments, in the NRC. They will be replaced by hires of Wexford. Wexford's track record is that it prefers to hire LPNs rather than RNs. The replacement of State nurses who are RNs and can perform full nursing assessments at the NRC will impede the operation of the NRC. It will make the population there less healthy and it will foment lawsuits against the State of Illinois. It will cost Illinois taxpayers more in the long run. So I salute the sponsor of this bill and I urge a Yes vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Manar, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. Will the sponsor yield for a few questions?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Sponsor indicates he will yield. Senator Manar.
Thank you. Senator McCann, do you know of any document that exists today, housed by the Department of Corrections, that would illustrate purported savings that have been achieved by the current contract with Wexford that was entered into by the Quinn administration?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) 35 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 28th Legislative Day 3/29/2017 Senator McCann. SENATOR McCANN: I do not.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Manar.
Have you been given any data from the Department of Corrections - not even looking at the economic impact of layoffs in counties that I represent and you represent, counties that have historically higher unemployment that have lagged behind the rest of the State - have you been given any documentation from the Department of Corrections that would show that by expanding the current contract through the layoff of one hundred and twenty-four nurses that additional savings would be achieved beyond that of the current contract?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator McCann. SENATOR McCANN: Senator, I have not.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Manar.
Senator McCann, there was discussion in committee and I know that you have had many meetings on this. Could you describe the nature of the lawsuits that have been filed and are pending against the State of Illinois today as a direct result of the current contract with the current vendor that is located and headquartered in the State of Pennsylvania?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) 36 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 28th Legislative Day 3/29/2017 Senator McCann. SENATOR McCANN: Yes -- yes, Senator. Thank you for the question. I think that I've referenced heretofore the four-hundred-and-five-page report that we've talked about and I think any of us who have correctional facilities in our districts are fully aware of the lawsuits, the pending lawsuits, and the ominous situations that exist for staff and inmates at these facilities. And speaking to the previous speakers' points, and speaking to these lawsuits and pending lawsuits, if we don't get our act together, we are going to find ourselves in a position that we can't walk away from and we can't walk back from. And so this is simply -- this bill seeks to do what the administration refuses to do. I think that most of us would love to see the administration govern and I welcome them to do so. The administration can stop campaigning and start governing at any moment. I think most of us would love to see it. And so, Senator, I think we could stand here and probably talk until next week about the cases one by one, but why don't we just move this bill forward?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Manar.
…the -- to the bill, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please. Thank you. To the bill, Senator.
Thank you. I'll be brief. Here's some relevant points to this bill. There -- there are no savings associated with this contract that anybody could produce for this Body that would 37 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 28th Legislative Day 3/29/2017 provide evidence that privatizing the correctional system in Illinois is going to save money for taxpayers. Beyond just the question as to whether or not costs are reduced in Corrections, there are costs beyond just budgetary numbers at the Department. There's a human cost associated with a change like this. There's an unemployment cost that's associated with a change like this. There are any number of things that on a different ledger in the State budget are affected when we move toward privatization in the Department of Corrections. So the idea that there is somehow going to be savings associated with the layoff of a hundred and twenty- four nurses being replaced through the profit-making scheme of a private company is complete nonsense and it should be rejected. Now, this issue boils down to one thing for me: This -- this is about human dignity in my opinion. I don't think that the policy of the State of Illinois -- and I don't think the people of the State would embrace a policy that would look a hundred and twenty- four nurses in the eye and say, we're going to lay you off and then we want you to come back to the very same job that we just laid you off of and we're going to pay you a lesser wage to do the same job that you were doing before we laid you off. That is not a policy that this Senate should embrace and it's not a policy that anybody in the State of Illinois, I think, embraces. It's just human dignity. We're going to pay you less for the same job. When we hear in Appropriations Committee - just heard it today from the Illinois Labor Relations Board, ironically, that they can't keep good employees because they don't offer competitive wages at the Illinois Labor Relations Board, but we're going to put that into motion at the Department of Corrections. It's bad policy. It doesn't amount to savings in the State budget. It 38 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 28th Legislative Day 3/29/2017 drives up unemployment in places, rural places, that have high unemployment, that's struggling with high unemployment, and most of all, it's -- it's -- this is about human dignity. The State of Illinois shouldn't tell -- tell a hundred and twenty-four nurses, we're going to lay you off and then, by the way, we value your work so much, we're going to hire you back and pay you less. It's ridiculous. We passed this bill once before. It was vetoed by the Governor. It should be passed again by this Body. I ask for an Aye vote and I thank the sponsor for his bipartisan work on this bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator McCann, to close. SENATOR McCANN: Thank you, Madam President. I'd like to first thank everyone for their questions and comments. I'd also like to address a couple of the issues that were brought up. The first speaker said that if we do and need -- need to look at this sweetheart deal, he would like to do that. I would love to do that as well. I do -- I think we probably should be looking at this. And, again, I really think that's a function of management. That's a function of the administration that could be undertaken where he wouldn't need the Speaker's help. He wouldn't need our help. He could actually undertake that issue - at least get the ball rolling - all on his own and we wouldn't have to be here doing this. So I think that was a fantastic recommendation you made to have the administration start looking into this billion-dollar-plus deal that expatriates Illinois taxpayer dollars from our State to another state. I think that's an awesome, an awesome observation and suggestion. Like to thank another speaker for really 39 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 28th Legislative Day 3/29/2017 crystalizing the difference between the -- the -- the -- the levels of nursing provided by the -- by the contractor versus the training and certification and education of IDOC nurses. I appreciate that. I appreciate another speaker saying that he believes that we should put this partisanship to the side, operate in a bipartisan manner and vote for good bills, whether they're Democrat or Republican bills. Let's stop calling them Democrat and Republican bills and let's start calling them good bills and work together. I agree, Senator. I concur with you wholeheartedly. And I'd like to finally speak to the -- to my dear friend to my right, and say quite -- and I mean this with all due respect, but when you say, what do we say to the taxpayers when they -- when they talk to us about this? I don't know. What do we say to the -- what do you say to the taxpayers back home when they ask you what you've done over the last twenty years and why you deserve to make sixty-seven thousand dollars a year, plus a leadership stipend, and for what? Well, I'm not either, but -- but I am -- there you go -- there you -- but you do get a -- but you do get a minority stipend. You do get a minority -- you do get a spokesperson stipend. You get a - - you get a stipend. So there's all sorts of -- there's all sorts of questions I think that need to be answered and I think the answer is -- is right here with us. We are the legislative Body. One of the speakers said, I believe it was the speaker to my right who said, how is it that if -- if one branch of government needs to govern, they would have to come here and kiss the ring of another branch of government. I don't know. It almost sounds like one branch of government might -- might say, we're going to withhold the wages of another branch of government. I don't know -- hypothetically speaking. So let's put all of this nonsense 40 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 28th Legislative Day 3/29/2017 behind us and do something for the people. I think for a long time, before the current Governor, before the previous Governor, for a long time, the people of this State have been looking for us to do something of value - to stop bickering, to stop being partisan, to stop talking about the -- the different regions of the State and to bring people together for one big, beautiful Illinois. Why don't we do it here? Why don't we stop punishing working people? We live in a time in history when the divide -- the divide between the haves and have-nots are at historic proportions. The rich get richer, the poor get poorer. We have a President today largely because a -- a group of people heard him deliver a message that they hadn't heard a Republican deliver in a long time. Why can't we -- why can't we be for working people? As the previous speaker said, why would we let these nurses go and hire them back the next day for less? And I know -- and it's obvious you don't care and that's okay. That's okay, because the people of Illinois do care and I think they're paying attention in a way that they haven't paid attention in a long time before. And I look forward to the future of Illinois and I ask for an Aye vote on this bill. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) The question is, shall Senate Bill 19 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 40 voting Yea, 15 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 19, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. With leave of the Body, we are turning our attention to Senate Bill 51, 3rd Reading. Senator Bivins. Senator Bivins, on Senate Bill -- Senate 41 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 28th Legislative Day 3/29/2017 Bill 51. Out of the record. Senator McConchie, on Senate Bill 52. The gentleman indicates he wish to proceed. Please read the bill.
Senate Bill -- Senate Bill 52. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator McConchie. SENATOR McCONCHIE: …you -- thank -- thank you, Madam President. This bill simply allows for the Horsemen's Council of Illinois to have a specialty license plate using the new stickers system that the Secretary of State has developed. And I ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 52 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 54 voting Yea, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 52, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Jones, on Senate Bill 55. The gentleman indicates he wish to proceed. Please read the bill.
Senate Bill 55. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Jones. 42 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 28th Legislative Day 3/29/2017
Thank you, Madam President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Senate Bill 55 amends the State Commemorative Date {sic} (Dates Act) by making August 4th of each year Barack Obama Day. I know of no opposition and I appreciate a Aye vote from everyone. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 55 pass. All those in favor, 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 47 voting Yea, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 55, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. As the Presiding Officer, I just want to share my disgust with that last vote. We vote for every President that have served, and I think it was just such an injustice for you to sit in your chairs and not honor our former President. Senator Jones, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. Purpose of an announcement. On Senate Bill 55, Governor Rauner has expressed his support on the bill. So I'm kind of curious why I didn't see any votes from the other side. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Righter, on Senate Bill 61. Senator Righter. Senator Righter? Out of the record. Senator McGuire, for what purpose do you rise? SENATOR McGUIRE: Request that I be recorded as a Yes vote on Senator Jones' 43 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 28th Legislative Day 3/29/2017 bill, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Record will reflect your intentions on Senate Bill 55. Senator Hastings, on Senate Bill 67. Senator Hastings. The gentleman indicate he wish to proceed. Please read the record {sic}.
Senate Bill 67. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Hastings.
Thank you, Madam President. This bill creates the Collaborative Practice Act. Collaborative law is a form of alternative dispute resolution when used in a family or domestic relation -- relations law in which the parties agree to resolve the matter without the court intervention and their counsel will represent them solely for purposes of settlement. There are no opponents to this bill and I'll answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 67 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 53 voting Yea, 1 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 67, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 69. Senator Hastings. Gentleman indicates he wish to proceed. Please read the bill. 44 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 28th Legislative Day 3/29/2017 Senator Hastings wish to proceed. Senator Hastings seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 69 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 69. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment -- Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Hastings.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Hastings.
Thank you, Madam President. This bill provides judges with the step-by-step guidelines which they must adhere to when calculating the amount of child support for each child in Illinois. This bill is in addition to -- a response to two previous bills that we filed in the last General Assembly that addresses Illinois' new formula for income shares in child support. There are no opponents and I'll answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it. The amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) 3rd Reading. Senator Bennett, on Senate Bill 189. Senator Bennett. The gentleman indicates he wish to proceed. Please read the bill. 45 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 28th Legislative Day 3/29/2017
Senate Bill 189. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Bennett.
Thank you, Madam Chair {sic}. Senate Bill 189 removes the statute of limitations for a series of -- of sex crimes against children when these crimes are committed against victims under eighteen years of age, involve the most serious sexual offenses, including criminal sexual assault. And I know of no opposition. I would ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 189 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 54 voting Yea, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 189, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Weaver, for what purpose do you rise?
Madam President, I'd like to be recorded as a Yes on Senate Bill 55. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) The record will reflect your intent on voting Aye on Senate Bill 55. Senator Connelly, on Senate Bill 190. Out of the record. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, please turn your Calendars to 46 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 28th Legislative Day 3/29/2017 page 50. Page 50. We will be going to House Joint Resolutions on the order of -- page 50, House Joint Resolution 10. Senator Silverstein. The gentleman indicates he wish to proceed. Please read the resolution.
House Joint Resolution 10, offered by Senator Silverstein.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Silverstein.
Thank you, Madam President. Senate {sic} Joint Resolution 10 designates a section of Milwaukee Avenue, from Main to Dempster, in Niles as "General Wladyslaw Anders Memorial Way".
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, as this resolution requires the expenditure of State funds, a roll call vote will be required. The question is, shall House Joint Resolution 10 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 56 voting Yea, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Joint Resolution 10, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared adopted. Senator Haine, for what purpose do you rise? Senator Haine, for what purpose do you rise?
I apologize to the President of the Senate and to the Members of this Body, but I was remiss, in a conversation. I failed to ask the sponsor of that last bill, who is General Anders? We just celebrated his day. I'd…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) 47 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 28th Legislative Day 3/29/2017 The record…
…like to know something about him. Since I'm the -- the -- since I'm the keeper of arcane and unknown facts for the Senate, I'd like to know this one.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please have a sidebar conversation. Thank you, Senator. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, please be reminded that the Insurance Committee will meet this evening upon adjournment. The Insurance Committee will meet upon adjournment. There being no further business to come before the Senate, the Senate stands adjourned until the hour of 12 noon on the 30th day of March 2017. The Senate stands adjourned. 48