PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) 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 the Reverend Claude Shelby of the Salem Baptist Church from Champaign, Illinois. Pastor.
(Prayer by the Reverend Claude Shelby)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Please remain standing for the Pledge Allegiance. Senator Cunningham will lead us into the Pledge.
(Pledge of Allegiance, led by Senator Cunningham)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Lisa E. Yuscius of the Blueroomstream.com asks leave to videotape. Seeing no opposition, leave is granted. Mr. Secretary, Reading and Approval of the Journal.
Senate Journal of Monday, May 29th, 2017.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Hunter moves to approve the… Senator Hunter.
Thank you, 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… Senator Hunter moves to postpone the reading and approval of the Journal, pending arrival of the printed transcripts. There being no objection, so ordered. Mr. Secretary, 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 Resolutions.
Senate Resolution 563, offered by Senator Collins and all Members. Senate Resolution 564, offered by Senator Koehler and all Members. And Senate Resolutions 565 through 568, offered by Senator Althoff and all Members. They are all death resolutions, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Resolutions Consent Calendar. Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Stadelman, Chairperson of the Committee on Gaming, reports Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 208 and Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 209 Recommend Do Adopt.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Mr. Secretary, Messages.
A Message from the House by Mr. Mapes, Clerk. Mr. President - I am directed to inform the Senate that the House of Representatives has concurred with the Senate in the passage of a bill of the following title, to wit: Senate Bill 1446. Together with the following amendment which is attached, in the adoption of which I am instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 1446. Passed the House, as amended, May 29th, 2017. Timothy D. 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 Mapes, Clerk of 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 1316. We have received a like Message on House Bill 3259. Passed the House, May 29th, 2017. Timothy D. Mapes, Clerk of the House.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Mr. Secretary, House Bills 1st Reading.
House Bill 1316, offered by President Cullerton. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 3259, offered by Senator Harmon. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of the bills.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Mr. Secretary, have any been -- there any motions filed? On page 40 of the regular Calendar is the Order of House Bills 2nd Reading. House Bill 270. Senator Stadelman. You wish to proceed? He acknowledges he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 270. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 3rd Reading. Continuing on the Calendar, House Bill 2665. Senator Silverstein. Senator Silverstein, you wish to proceed? Senator Silverstein. House Bill 2665. Do you wish -- we're on 2nd Reading. Wish to go forward? He indicates he wish to continue. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 2665. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) 3rd Reading. Senator Silverstein.
Purpose for an announcement, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) State the announcement.
There'll be a Democratic Caucus upon recess for approximately thirty minutes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Althoff, you seek recognition?
Yes, sir. The Republicans -- Senate Republicans would also like to caucus for about thirty minutes, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Silverstein moves, and Senator Althoff as well, that the Illinois Senate will caucus in its respective chambers for a half an hour upon recess. The -- the Senate will stand in recess to the call of the Chair. 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 (SENATE STANDS IN RECESS/SENATE RECONVENES)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) The Senate would come to order. Will those on the Assignments Committee please report to the Senate President's Anteroom? Those on Assignments, those Members on Assignments, please report to the President's Anteroom. (at ease) The Senate will come to order. Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Clayborne, Chairman of the Committee on Assignments, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Re-refer from Executive Appointments to Assignments Committee - Appointment Message 990556, 1000116, 1000145, 1000161, 1000175, 1000195, and 1000196; Be Approved for Consideration - Floor Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 209, Floor Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 484, Floor Amendment 3 to House Bill 6 -- 2665, Floor Amendment 1 on House Bill 3519, House Bill 2893, Senate Joint Resolution 34, and Motion to Concur on House Amendment 3 to Senate Bill 31. 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 - Appointment Messages 990556, 1000116, 1000145, 1000161, 1000175, 1000195, and 1000196. Signed, Senator James F. Clayborne, Chairman.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Michon Lindstrom of WAND-TV seeks leave to videotape. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Emilee Fannon of WCIA seeks leave to audio/video. Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Mr. 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 Secretary, Resolutions.
Senate Resolution 569, offered by Senator Harmon and all Members. And Senate Resolutions 570 through 572, offered by Senator Link and all Members. They are all death resolutions, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Resolutions Consent Calendar. Will all Members, please, at the sound of my voice come to the Senate Floor? All Members at the sound of my voice, come to the Senate Floor. We're getting ready to take up some substantive Floor action. Please come to the Floor. Senator Holmes. Senator Holmes, what purpose do you rise?
Thank you so much, Mr. President. I move to waive all notice and posting requirements so that House Bill 3-0-7-4 can be heard today in the Senate Criminal Law Committee.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Holmes moves to waive all notice and posting requirements so that House Bill 3074 can be heard today in the Senate Criminal Law Committee. All those in favor will say Aye. All opposed, Nay. Opinion of the Chair, the Ayes have it. Senator Castro, for what purpose do you rise?
Mr. President, I move to waive all notice and posting requirements so that House Bill 3293 and House Joint Resolution 37 can be heard today in the Senate State Government Committee.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 Senator Castro moves to waive all notice and posting requirements so that House Bill 3293 and House Joint Resolution 37 can be heard today in the Senate State Government Committee. All those in favor will say Aye. All opposed, Nay. In opinion of the Chair, the Ayes have it. The motion carries. We're going to House Bill 3rd Reading. We're going to House Bills on page 29 of the regular Calendar. House Bill 302 is going to be a recall. Senator Collins. Senator Collins. Lady… On House Bill 302, Senator Collins seeks the leave of the Body to return House Bill 302 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. Mr. Secretary, on 3rd Reading, please read the bill three times {sic}.
House Bill 302. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Collins.
Thank you, Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. House Bill 302 amends the Unclaimed Life Insurance Benefits Act to incorporate the recommendations of the Treasurer's Task Force on Unclaimed Life Insurance Policies, including the recommendation that life insurance companies compare lapsed policies against the Death Master File to identify policyholders who have died and benefits were not claimed or paid. It requires insurers to evaluate lapsed or terminated policies going back to 2012 for all insurers and back to 2000 for insurers that have searchable electronic records. I open for any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none -- Senator Righter.
Thank you, Mr. President. Will the sponsor yield, please?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) She indicates she'll yield.
Thank you, Mr. President. Senator Collins, this bill would apply, as -- as I read it, to insurance contracts to which both sides have completed their obligations to one another - in other words, a term policy. The -- the insured has paid all of their premiums and the insurer has completed whatever they were required to do under the contract in exchange for the premiums. In other words, the contract has lapsed; it is over. Is -- this -- this bill would apply to those types of contracts. Is that correct?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Collins.
It would apply to lapsed contracts. That's true.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Righter.
Now, Senator, you're familiar with the provision in the Illinois Constitution that strictly prohibits retroactive -- retroactive substantive legislation. Explain to me how requiring insurers to go back after the terms of the contract are completed and do something else isn't a clear violation of the Illinois Constitution.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 Senator Collins.
Thank you, Senator Righter. I'm glad you asked. That question has come up before. There is no constitutional violation. The United States Supreme Court rejected constitutional challenges by a group of insurers back in 1948, when they claimed that New York's unclaimed property law unconstitutionally violated their contract rights. That case was Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance Company et al. versus Moore. But also, the -- in fact, the West Virginia Supreme Court discussed Connecticut Mutual just last year in a unanimous decision in favor of the West Virginia State Treasurer in a lawsuit with a group of life insurance companies that were refusing to deliver life insurance proceeds to the State Treasurer as unclaimed property. That case is State versus Nationwide Life Insurance Company.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Righter.
Senator, can you -- can you reference me to the language in either one of those opinions that explains the retroactivity -- facts of either one of those cases? Because I've read those and I don't see anywhere where there is a direct reference to retroactivity, such as what your bill does.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Collins.
We're looking at the case now and it's still within the power of the State. There's no other way for it to be enacted except by the powers of the State and that gives them the "power to demand 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 the care and custody of the moneys due these beneficiaries is claimed by New York, under Article VII of the Abandoned Property Law as construed by its courts". But, not only that, Senator Righter, with a contract, there's nothing in the contract that terminates the obligation to pay. So all we're doing with this bill is facilitating and requiring them to pay within a certain amount of time once they have knowledge of a deceased individual.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Righter.
First, Senator, I heard -- there was -- I didn't hear the word "retroactive" anywhere in your quote, and that's because it's not in there. Because that case doesn't deal, nor -- nor -- and nor does the other one, with retroactivity, certainly nothing as blatant as this bill. Second, I would respectfully disagree. If you buy a term policy, you're covered for that term and that term only. So when the term ends, the obligation no longer exists. That's what -- your statement is like saying that even though I had a one-year lease on a piece of property and after the one year expired I have -- and I moved out, I continue to have to pay rent. It's a term policy, so there is no more obligation. So I'm going to go back and ask again, Senator, find something in those cases that -- that says that the Illinois constitutional prohibition against retroactive laws doesn't apply.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Collins.
Since you have this question about a lapsed policy, if an individual has paid up to a certain time, becomes unemployed, 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 that's a lapse -- and they cannot make their future payments, that's a lapsed policy. But if they should die for any reason, we would prorate it from the time in which they had paid up, before they lost their job - that's only right. That money does not belong to the insurance companies. It belongs to the beneficiary of the policy.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Righter.
To the bill, if I might, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) To the bill.
Thank you, Mr. President. Ladies and Gentlemen, we have contracts in our society, all kinds of contracts. We have contracts for employment, contracts for rent, and contracts for insurance - contracts that are for a certain term, which means the obligations end on a certain date, unless, unless the contract specifies otherwise. This legislation doesn't just apply to contracts that say even after the lapsed period, even after the term is over, we're going to continue to carry this obligation. This doesn't apply to that; this is all of 'em. This is like requiring someone to continue to pay rent after they moved out of the property or, a better one, which is the IRS regulations that require a taxpayer now to hold onto records for a certain period of time and then, after that period of time, the IRS adopts a new regulation, says, no, we're going to make it twice as long or three times as long and then you get audited and even though you kept your records for as long as you were supposed to - under the old 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 regulation, if you destroyed them now, that's retroactivity - then you're going to be subject to an audit. That's -- that's what this bill is. That's the comparison to this bill. There is no court decision, in Illinois or anywhere else, that is comparable in the facts -- on the facts of this bill that says that retroactivity isn't unconstitutional. This will go down one of two or three ways. It will either go down in this Chamber, because it is clearly unconstitutional; it will be vetoed by the Governor, because it's unconstitutional; or a court will strike it down, because it's unconstitutional. One of those -- things is going to happen here. Let's save everyone a little time and let's just kill it right now. I urge a No vote. Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Leader Harmon.
To the bill, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) To the bill, sir.
Thank you, Mr. President. The testimony yesterday in the Executive Committee from the insurance industry in opposition to this bill directly contradicted the premise of the last speaker's questions. There -- there is no debate here. We are talking about moneys that are due and owed under the insurance policy. If there's a death during the coverage period, that money is owed to the insured. If they can't find the insured's survivors, the money escheats to the State. So these are moneys that are due and payable under the contract; nothing in the contract or in statute extinguishes that obligation. It is simply a question of when and 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 to whom the death benefits are paid - to the family of the insured or to the State. I don't believe this resurrects life insurance contracts that are null and void on their face. This simply says that if there is an insured event, a death, under the policy and the money is owed, it should be paid to the family of the decedent, if you can find the family. The question, again, is to whom and when the payment is made. It is obviously in the interests of the life insurance companies to hold that money as long as they can to earn interest on it in their accounts before making the payment to the State once the period is run. So, I think that the last speaker's concerns, well -- well-intended, are misplaced and I would urge you all to vote Aye.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Syverson.
Thank you. Question of the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) She indicates she'll yield.
I just want to change directions a little bit, just talk about the structure of how this is implemented. Currently, the -- the Department that -- is using Verus, is that true, as the -- as the auditing firm?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Collins.
I have no idea who they're using for the auditing firm.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Leader Syverson. 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017
My understanding is that they've -- that they have a contract with Verus and that with this contract, they're -- they're paying them a ten percent finder's fee, which is a significant amount of money. And I'm just wondering, first of all, was that -- was that contract ever bid out? And second, why if we're going to do something like this, why we wouldn't have a contract like we do with other agencies and do an hourly audit rate, which would save the State of Illinois, obviously, millions of dollars, as opposed to paying out at this ten percent requirement. So, can you help me with that?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Collins.
What I understand is, this particular bill prohibits finders from charging a fee to recover property until it has been in the Treasurer's Office for at least twenty-four months.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Syverson.
Right. I guess my question was that -- my understanding is, looking at the current contract, that -- that they're getting -- that they get a ten percent finder's fee. So everything that they're able to capture during this audit, they get to keep ten percent of that, as opposed to just charging a hourly audit fee, like most do when they go into a company and they do their audits, they would charge an hourly audit fee to do that audit. But in this case, they're taking a fee and it looks like it's just a no- bid contract with this company to get ten percent, which is an 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 awful lot for a contract of this kind.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Collins.
I -- it has been pointed out to me that this very bill would put them out of business.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Syverson.
Can I -- I didn't hear that. Can you repeat that?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Collins.
With this legislation, this would put that auditing firm out of business.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Syverson.
I guess -- I thought just the opposite. I thought this legislation hires them and brings them in and pays them the ten percent fee for going to the companies to do these audits. So I think it's just -- I think it's just the opposite.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Collins.
No, it does not. The -- it requires the insurance companies to hire the auditing firm. Not this bill. This bill eliminates them from securing a fee for a finder's fee.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 Senator Syverson.
Okay, so you're saying for the record - I just want to make sure it's clear - saying for the record that Verus is not part of this contract. They do not have a ten percent contract fee for doing these audits at these insurance companies. So that is -- that is not part of this legislation?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Collins.
That is not contemplated by this legislation.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Syverson.
So I guess I'm still confused on who does the -- who does these audits if it's not done by the Treasurer's Office going out and auditing these companies?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Collins.
This bill has nothing to do with that current practice and that is -- their argument is a distraction. That argument is a distraction. This bill has nothing to do with that.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Syverson.
Again, I'm sorry, I guess I'm confused, 'cause going through these hearings, the discussion was always that they had a auditing firm that was going to do these audits. So, what does -- does the 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 legislation -- must mandate that there is an audit that gets done by somebody. So, are the companies just self-reporting? Is -- is that what it's spelled out in here, that the companies self-report?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Collins.
The insurance companies make those comparisons themselves.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Syverson.
Okay. All right, so this -- I just want to make sure I'm clear then. So this is -- so they -- the Treasurer's Office does not do the audit. The companies do their own self-reporting of this information. And is there a timeline when they have to get that -- that they have to do their self-reporting?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Collins.
It provides a compliance date of December 31st, 2018 for those insurers going back to 2012 and 2000.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Syverson, is there a final question? Senator Collins.
We're going to take it out of the record to respond directly and personally to the Senator and we will come back -- bring it back.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Thank you. Out of the record. Okay, with leave of the house, we will be going to the timer. We are down for the final days to 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 move this process along. We will be going to the timer. We're going now to page 35, to House Bill 2771. Senator Hutchinson. Senator Hutchinson. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 2771. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Hutchinson, to the bill.
Thank you, Mr. President. House Bill 2771 creates the Healthy Workplace Act. It'll require all employers with more than one employee to provide paid sick time to full- and part-time employees. Employees would earn up to five paid sick days per year and sick time would accrue an hour at a time for every forty hours worked. Employees would not be able to take sick time for the first hundred and eighty days of employment. Leave could be used for illness of the employee or a family member, to care for children in the event of a school closure, or for a need related to domestic or sexual violence. Employers are not required to pay for unused sick time when the employee leaves the employer. Happy to answer any questions and I would love to earn your support.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Is there any questions? Senator Nybo.
Will the sponsor yield for a couple questions?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) She indicates she'll yield.
18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 Senator, this -- this seems similar to a bill that you ran last year. Am I correct in my -- my recollection there?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Hutchinson.
Yes. We've done a -- a lot more work on it since then to try to make it as tight as we possibly could, but this is what we have before us today.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Nybo.
How -- how many paid sick leave -- or paid sick days does your bill provide for each year?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Hutchinson.
Five. You would earn an hour for every forty hours worked.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Nybo.
And I -- I appreciate the effort that -- that you appear to have put in this bill this year, but my analysis indicates that there's still significant opposition to this bill from the employer community. Is -- is that your understanding as well?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Hutchinson.
Yes, and that's why I'm also -- we -- we looked at states that have actually enacted this, so we could get some reasoned 19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 response to what that employer opposition would be, but I recognize in certain respects, ideologically, I may never get their support. So we attempted to deal with a number of those issues by doing things like making sure that if you already have a plan in place that this bill wouldn't make you change any of that. So we've tried to be as sensitive as we possibly can and we can point to statistics where it's actually beneficial to business.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Nybo.
To the bill, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) To the bill.
You know, this is another instance where we're -- we're going to add an additional cost on business in -- businesses in this State, in a State where we're already having significant difficulty attracting new opportunities and new jobs. This is going to contribute to that problem, rather than help it, so I'm going to ask everybody to consider a No vote on this bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Is there any further discussion? Any further discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 2771 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. All 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 -- the question, there are 31 Yeas, 17 Nays, no voting Present. House Bill 2771, having received the constitutional majority, is declared passed. Going… Going back to page 29 on the regular Calendar, House Bill 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 302. Senator Collins. Senator Collins, do you wish to proceed? All right. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 302. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Collins.
Thank you, Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. I have had a conversation with Senator Syverson and I think we've -- reconciled the misinformation or miscommunication and I would like to move forward with the bill with the permission of Senator Syverson.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator -- Senator Syverson.
Thank you. I want to thank Senator Collins for taking it out of the record and having a chance to clarify how that contract works. So, we feel satisfied with that answer. We still have the -- the concerns obviously with the constitutionality of the underlying legislation. And so that's still a concern, but I appreciate addressing the -- the auditing questions that she had. So, thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Hunter.
To the bill, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) 21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 To the bill.
Ladies and Gentlemen, this is a great deal. As you all know, I had a -- a couple of deaths in my family a couple of years ago and we, in fact, had an insurance policy and we -- I -- I suppose with all the drama that was involved with the deaths and everything, we simply forgot that we had this insurance policy intact. And because of the bill that was passed last year, the insurance company contacted my family and said, because of the law that was passed, they had to go back into their records and they had to check and they found that we actually did have a policy intact for my two nephews. And after filing a claim report, that policy was in fact paid and it was paid immediately. And that just happened within sixty days. So, this is a great bill. I encourage an Aye vote on this bill, because there's so many families that need the money that is just simply sitting there with the insurance companies and it's really important that we get that moneys into the pockets and to the hands of the family members. Thank you very much.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator McCann. SENATOR McCANN: Thank you, Mr. President. To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) To the bill. SENATOR McCANN: I believe this is a -- a wonderful bill as well. I was pleased to sit on the Treasurer's Task Force on Unclaimed Life Insurance Policies last summer. We traveled the State from top to 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 bottom and back again, holding public hearings, hearing from the people of Illinois - not just the politicians, not just the lobbyists, but the people actually showed up and gave testimony. And it was heart-wrenching to hear the stories of -- of all these folks whose parents and loved ones had scraped and scrounged the pennies out of the sofa cushions every month to make the life insurance premium payment, but at the bitter end, because they were too sick and maybe in the hospital or in hospice care to make those payments after a lifetime of payments, that it would lapse, or even worse, they might even have an account set up so that automatic withdrawals were made and the policy premiums were paid for a year or two or more after their death. And I think most of us -- most of us in this Chamber, Mr. President, would -- would agree that when -- when we buy a life insurance policy, we're buying it for one reason, to create peace of mind for our families, and there's none of us who would want to -- to go to our grave believing that all that sacrifice that we had made, all that forward thinking that we had made, that we'd done, was in vain and that our -- we would want to believe that our families were going to be better off because of this. And so, the very first speaker on this bill, when it was called a -- a few moments ago, mentioned contract law and contract language several times, and I agree contracts are very important - I've -- I -- I was a contractor for twenty-five years - but many times the letter of a contract and the intent of the contract can be two different things. Just imagine if you called me out or called a contractor out to -- let's say your mother called me out to roof your -- her home because it was starting to leak and she paid me in advance because she was afraid that she might not be able to make everything right because 23 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 she knew time -- time was drawing nigh and she told me that she would call me soon to set the scheduled date, after I'd taken the payment and after we'd moved forward with the contract, and I never heard from her. She passes on and you pull in the driveway five years later to find that the city had bulldozed her house down because it it had rotted down, because the contract said that she would call me. Now don't you think that as a contractor - we're talking about contracts - as a contractor, wouldn't it be incumbent upon me, upon my conscience, to call this lady and make sure -- and -- and show up and do the job that I was paid to do? I think it's unconscionable that there are insurance companies who prey on the people, who intentionally take advantage of -- of -- of death and families -- a family's loss and trauma. There are good players. There are many -- there were many companies who showed up. It made me proud to be an Illinoisan. It made me proud to be an American. But there are some companies who use what I would call deceptive business practice in preying upon these families. This is a good bill. This is common sense. It's constitutional. It's what the constituents want. It's what's right in our conscience. You know it to be right. I urge an Aye vote. I thank the lady for bringing the bill. Please vote Aye.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Seeing no further discussion, Senator Collins, to close.
Thank you, Mr. President. I want to thank all my colleagues who spoke in support of the bill and I know are going to vote for the bill. I want to thank Senator Harmon, Senator Hunter, and Senator McCann. But the way we got here, I want to acknowledge the work of Senator Haine and Senator Mulroe, who carried this 24 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 bill previously. Also, we would've never got to this point of debating the bill if it was not for the prowess of our Leader, President Cullerton, who brought all the stakeholders together, the insurers and all the stakeholders, to sort of hammer out an agreement. Unfortunately, the insurance companies feel that this is not what -- it's not a hundred percent of what they want. But I think this is best for those who have paid and invested in insurance to ensure that their loved ones are taken care of. And for -- on the constitutional issue, if it was unconstitutional -- New York has the same policy with no date restricting how far back they could go. West Virginia goes back to 1988 and Florida goes back to 1992. So, if it was unconstitutional, I would think it would've been raised in those court cases. So let me just close by -- in saying that this is more than just a question of advocating for -- for consumers. This is about the way that State government should be fighting for fairness and accountability in our society, because, sadly, sometimes an aging parent may not remember he or she holds a life insurance policy. Sometimes that safety deposit box key or contact number is forgotten due to a move or to -- to dementia or to the deep grief that a family feels during the passing of a loved one. Those families may not have somebody to remember those accounts and keep those affairs in order, and when that's the case, we need to do everything we can to see that these families receive the fruits of the wise investment their elder intended to provide them. And for those who still feel that they don't have a need to vote for this bill, I would like to quote from the Chicago Tribune editorial, it said "keep in mind the legislation became necessary only when it was clear some insurance companies were looking the other way and hanging on to benefits. 25 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 … Some insurers have routinely matched the names of their insureds against Social Security's death list. But this bill is for the ones that haven't." That's not too much to ask. "Lawmakers ought to recognize that." I ask for your Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) The question is, shall House Bill 302 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 36 Yeas, 19 -- 19 Nays, no voting -- having voted Present. House Bill 30 -- 302, having reached the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Connelly, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. For purpose of an introduction.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) State your purpose, sir.
Thank you, Mr. President. I want to introduce my Page for today, John Milas. John is a recent graduate of my alma mater, St. Joseph High School, in Westchester. He's an honor roll student, National Honor Society, vice president, Principal Award for Excellence in Social Studies, State Finalist for Youth Senate. Do you do anything else? My goodness. Plans to attend DePaul University to study political science and pre-law. He's accompanied today by his mother, Debbie, up in the audience here. He'd like to run for political office someday, so he wants to get a firsthand look of whether that's the right call. So hopefully he will get -- make the right call after being here today. But how about a warm welcome for John Milas? 26 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Welcome to the Illinois Senate, John. We're going to go to page 15 of the regular Calendar. House -- Senate Bill 484. Senator Cullerton, do you -- President Cullerton, do you wish to proceed? Indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, the Senator -- President Cullerton seeks the leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 484 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 484. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by President Cullerton.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) President Cullerton.
Yes, I'd like to adopt Floor Amendment No. 1, which becomes the bill, and explain the bill on 3rd Reading.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Is there any discussion? 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 President Cullerton.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) President Cullerton.
Yes, we've made an addition at the request of some Senators with regard to financial hardships language. So we need to adopt Amendment No. 2 and I'll explain the bill in its entirety on 3rd Reading. 27 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Is there any discussion? All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. In the opinion of the Chair, 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 TROTTER) 3rd Reading. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 484. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) President Cullerton.
Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. Senate Bill 484 is a two-year property tax freeze that applies to schools. It exempts levies for pensions and debt service and it has a school district financial hardship exemption so that a school district may apply to ISBE for an exemption from the property tax freeze if they meet some standards that ISBE would consider. It's very straightforward. Ask for an Aye vote and be happy to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Is there any discussion? Senator McConnaughay. SENATOR McCONNAUGHAY: Will the sponsor yield?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) 28 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 Indicates he will. SENATOR McCONNAUGHAY: Thank you, Mr. President. A couple questions. First, there's a hardship exemption for school districts. Is that correct and how does that -- how does that work?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Mr. President.
Yes, the concern with the bill is, when you freeze school districts, we know that there are some very well-off school districts and some really poor school districts, and so for the poorer ones, we're concerned of what this property tax freeze could mean to them, especially in light of the fact we have a school funding formula that needs to be reformed. So, we decided that we would let the administration, who appoints ISBE, make the decisions as to whether or not school districts could have a waiver and we had ISBE investigate this request, and if -- in order to be eligible, the school district has to be one that lost ten percent or more of its EAV compared to the prior year, or lost five percent of more average daily attendance, or the district is fifty percent -- more free or reduced lunch, or it's twenty percent or more special ed students, or it's a Tier 1 district under the proposed evidence-based funding, or if it's on the financial watch list. So all those factors were taken into account and ISBE would make a decision as to whether or not they should exempt that school district - totally within the discretion of the administration to make that decision. If they don't want to give anybody any exemptions, they don't have to and it'd be a two-year freeze.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) 29 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 Senator McConnaughay. SENATOR McCONNAUGHAY: So would there be any sort of rebuttal opportunity? If -- if ISBE said, no, they didn't want to give that exemption, what -- what -- what would happen? Do they have any other alternative?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) President Cullerton.
I don't believe so.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator McConnaughay. SENATOR McCONNAUGHAY: To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) To the bill. SENATOR McCONNAUGHAY: So, we had a conversation last week about work comp and a week ago -- this past Wednesday, we were very close in negotiations here in the Senate on both work comp and on property tax reform, and when that unfortunately fell apart, we were at a point where we were talking about the importance of -- of balancing and creating parity between the amount of income tax that we raise with providing some property tax relief for the people of Illinois. This is a State that has -- it's just a fact, we have the highest property taxes in the entire country on both residence and also on our businesses. It is one of the driving reasons why people leave the State of Illinois. That, combined with the fact that we have more units of local government that we see on our tax bill every day, is another reason why people are leaving the State of 30 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 Illinois. If we are going to pass a massive income tax, 5.4 billion dollars in new taxes, don't we think the very least we can do for the people of Illinois is to give them more relief than what's being presented in this bill? You know, we're -- we're talking about people who have lived their entire lives in their communities, that retire and they can't even afford to stay in the community that they've been committed to all their life, because the property taxes are more than what they -- they get in Social Security. We have first-time home buyers that can't afford to move into our communities, because their taxes, their property tax bill, is more than what their monthly mortgage payment is, and there we go, one more reason why people want to leave the State of Illinois. I ask that we reconsider this idea and go back to where we were in the negotiations and I -- I think we were down to talking about whether or not we were going to exempt pensions at that point. That was the last remaining issue. So if it was good enough a week and half/two weeks ago to talk about true parity between the income tax increase and providing relief to the people of Illinois, I ask that we go back to that negotiation and pick up where we left off. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Nybo.
Oh, thank you, Mr. President. Will the sponsor yield for a couple questions?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) He indicates he will.
Mr. President, you've been much more involved in the -- the 31 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 budget negotiations throughout the first half of this year than I have, so -- but I just have a couple questions about how that process has played out. It's my understanding that this concept of -- of -- a property tax freeze or -- or property tax relief was supposed to have been tied into a broader package of budget and - - budgetary and reform measures that were supposed to be considered as a package, right?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) President Cullerton.
Yes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Nybo.
It -- it's also my understanding that -- that the concept of -- of the -- the property tax relief was -- was meant to have some sort of parity with the extent of revenue raised through other methods, right? Some concept of parity?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) President Cullerton.
Senator, I never bought into that philosophy, but part of the grand bargain was to have a property tax freeze along with a balanced budget. And so, whatever the motivations were with regard to the tying in of the two, that was left up to individuals. But we had definitely agreed that part of the grand bargain had to include a property tax freeze.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Nybo. 32 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017
Mr. President, do you have -- do have any understanding of - - of what parity means to those who are pushing for it?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) President Cullerton.
Well, Senator, I think that maybe the question is not the degree of the relief here. It's a full property tax freeze. The question is the length of how long this freeze would be in -- in place. That is what -- where we've had a difference of opinion. But a property tax freeze along these lines is exactly what was contemplated when we first agreed to this grand bargain.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Nybo.
Mr. President, I heard some -- some reaction to the question that I asked over there. I meant no offense by my question. What I'm trying to get to is -- is this concept of parity, because some people think that this concept is really important and -- and I'm just trying to understand and make sure that the Body understands what -- what some people were pushing for with this concept of parity. So, let me ask you this question, we just passed on Tuesday -- that was the 5.4-billion-dollar income tax increase in conjunction with -- with some additional tax increases, right?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) President Cullerton.
Yes. We passed a reinstatement, almost a full reinstatement of the income tax level that existed two years ago. And at the 33 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 same time -- I'm sure for political reasons, people at the same time would like to pass a property tax freeze at the same time that you pass the reinstatement of the tax, and that's what this bill does. The question is whether or not it should be two years, or three years, or four years, or five years. My philosophy is, two years is a really good start. If it's so popular, we can come back and do it again. I would point out, Senator, that two years ago Senator Radogno introduced this very same property tax freeze for two years and on January 11th, when we started the grand bargain, we introduced a two-year property tax freeze that now we're trying to vote on and try to pass. Someone has asked for you to vote No or Present because they want it to be longer. That's the nature of the -- difference. My argument would be, why don't you just vote for this and then get it on the books, and if it's so popular, we can extend it after the next Governor's election.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Okay. Your clock has run out, Senator Nybo. We're good. Okay. Senator Hastings.
To the bill, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) To the bill.
I'd like to thank the Senate President for his patience for working together with Members from both sides of the aisle and, moreover, for listening and tending to the needs of the struggling schools of the south suburbs, who may need to address some of their concerns and issues through property taxes. I know the Senate 34 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 President listens to the Members of his caucus and to other Members of the aisle {sic}, and for that, I thank you, Mr. President. I urge an Aye vote. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Bush.
Thank you, Mr. President. To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) To the bill.
Just want to say I -- I find some of the arguments disingenuous. The budget that we just passed is Governor Rauner's budget, those numbers. He's the person who left a 4.6-billion- dollar gaping hole to be filled with what he called the grand bargain. And no one on the other side of the aisle, when those votes came and we actually got to doing some place {sic}, none of them stood and did what I believe is right. They didn't do the right thing. These are the same group of people - and I apologize - but these are the same group of people that I heard the Speaker's name probably every day and begged us to stand up to the Speaker. Well, I'm going to tell you what, the Illinois Senate, the Democrats, we have stood up and done the right thing. I live in Lake County, probably the highest property taxes in the State of Illinois, and I'm going to tell you what, I didn't take one of those votes that created those. Those are all local taxes and we know it, and if we really want to change the trajectory, you got to get the cojones over there to stand up to Governor Rauner. It's time, it's time to do the right thing. It is absolutely time. And, I'm sorry, we are going to pass a bill to freeze property 35 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 taxes for a couple of years and we all know that's not the answer. It has nothing to do with State government. If we pass a property tax freeze for the next twenty years, we are still going to be in an enormous mess. And to call this tax increase like it's an abomination - if we do nothing, be clear, every one of you over there and anybody over here who didn't vote for these bills, be clear - you think 4.95 is a big number? - every year that goes by, you're talking a good additional one percent, at least. And, you know, you can smile over there. This isn't circuses; this is legit, sister. So, I urge an Aye vote. I'll have what I had for damn breakfast again tomorrow morning and I'm going to get up every day and do what people elected me to do, regardless of party, to do the right thing. Do the right thing. Stop the damn politics. Let's pass a real budget in the State of Illinois. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Rose.
To the bill, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) To the bill.
I'd -- the -- the notion that somehow this isn't popular, I -- I love that. I've heard this described three or four times here - that if this is so popular, we'll just renew it after the -- the 2018 election. Well, I've never had one -- oh, that's not true - I've had one person, one person I've seen, that said their property taxes weren't high enough, but other than that, every person I've ever talked to has told me our property taxes are too high. So if we're going to sit here and pretend, pretend that 36 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 we're doing the people's work, pretend that we care about our constituents, then you know what we ought to do? We ought to do something more than a two-year freeze on property taxes with exclusions. Thank you. With exclusions. So if we're going to sit here for one minute and pretend somehow that something's going right here, it needs to be more than two years. You have a permanent -- a permanent increase in the income tax and two years in property tax relief? Two years? Come on.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Brady.
To -- to the bill, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) To the bill, sir.
You know, I was pleased with the progress that President Cullerton and Leader Radogno made in what we all called the -- the "grand bargain" and I thought a lot of good things came out of that. Unfortunately, this property tax freeze, which was supposed to be part of the grand bargain, is nothing more, in my opinion, than "grand bargain light". And grand bargain light is not enough for the people of Illinois. A permanent income tax, raising five- plus billion dollars a year, is damaging to families and businesses throughout this State. They didn't create this problem, yet we're asking them to solve it. A watered-down work comp bill is not part of a solution to create jobs in this State. And now a property tax freeze that lasts a meager two years is not enough. It's not a balance. If you ask me, this grand bargain light that the Democrats have proposed will be an utter and complete failure and 37 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 the people in my district feel that way. The people in my district want parity. If they're going to help solve the problem with income taxes, they want a property tax comparison to it. We also know that if we're going to freeze property taxes, we need mandate relief, which is void in this grand bargain light package. The grand bargain light is not a solution for the people of Illinois, and if you want a real solution for the people of Illinois, you'll vote against this.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator McCarter. SENATOR McCARTER: To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) To the bill. SENATOR McCARTER: I wasn't going to speak until the lady used the C word. But -- listen, I had to ask whether it was a C or K, I didn't even know. But, Ladies and…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Your -- your time is running out. SENATOR McCARTER: Ladies and Gentlemen, this -- this bill is not everything it should be. It's not everything we want it to be. It could - should - be permanent. It should be coupled with a real plan to put more money into education to take that pressure off of property taxes and -- and -- and deliver through the State, according to their obligation in the Constitution, to truly fund education. It should be connected to that. Now, I put out a plan to do that. I put out a plan that everything that comes in in revenue on top of 38 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 the current revenue this year, twenty-five percent of that would go to education and actually take the pressure off property taxes. It should be. And I understand everyone has their reason for not being part of a big plan. Let me tell you what, there's no big plan teetering here that's going to be voted on tomorrow to fix this, not mine, not anybody's. So I'm okay with incrementally moving things forward. I'm okay with voting for this bill, because, you know what, this big deal probably just isn't going to happen tomorrow. I wish it was. I wish it was mine. I think it would be better if it was mine. But, at some point, we've got to say no more to local taxing bodies that continue to take more and more and as much as they can. And I understand, on our side, we've got to do our jobs. So, I encourage you, finish this deal off. An eight-billion-dollar tax increase is -- is no solution, whatsoever, and I'm just -- going to be just as vocal and just as passionate against that as -- as I am us not moving forward. We have to move forward, so I'm going to vote for the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Oberweis.
Thank you, Mr. President. A question for the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) He indicates he'll yield.
Senator, you talked about approving a two-year property tax freeze, then coming back two years from now and looking at it and, if people like it, extend it for another two years or whatever. May I ask you to consider doing exactly the same for the income tax increase? Let's change that. Let's just approve that for two 39 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 years and, if people like it, come back two years from now and approve it again. Would you consider doing that?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) If we can stick to the bill, I'd appreciate it. Mr. President.
Actually, Senator, we tried that before, in 2011. I was the sponsor of the income tax. It had a four-year life. It then expired, went back down to 3.75 after the election of Governor Rauner. He asked that we keep it there in the period of time between the election and his inauguration because he had a plan and that we could get by with a balanced budget without it being reinstated. At the time, we owed about three and half billion dollars in old bills - now we owe fourteen. So, in my opinion, this is a reinstatement of a tax that had been in existence, albeit a little bit less than it was before, and I think that in light of that experience, if we find that we have massive excesses of revenue four years from now, we can always find a way to give it back to the taxpayers.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Oberweis.
Thank you, Senator. As I think we all know, there's no intention to roll that back. We here in Springfield will find ways to spend any money, if there should be excess money, which there never is. But, easily, we'll find ways to spend it - no doubt about that. A prior Senator argued vehemently that it's time to stop the politics. Now I realize that there is a political advantage to getting people on this side of the aisle to vote No 40 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 for a property tax freeze, even if it's a bad property tax freeze, because it will sell in commercials - XYZ voted against the property tax freeze. But I believe, Senator, that you care about the future of Illinois. I believe you care deeply about this State. I believe seriously if you would now hold the bill, walk back in your office, take Chris Radogno back there and talk about this, you could come back in fifteen minutes or thirty minutes with an agreement on a four-year property tax freeze that could be supported across the aisle for both sides and one that the Governor would in fact sign. I would ask you to take that step now to really change the whole psychology of what's going on in this room, to get the politics out of it and to work together on this for something that people across the State will love. They'll love the Democrats for approving it and proposing it. They'll love the Republicans for supporting it. We can do our job, do something together that makes sense for the future of the State. And I would ask if you would consider just holding the bill for - not a week, not a month, not a year - fifteen minutes to sit down with Senator Radogno and see if a -- an agreement could be reached.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) President Cullerton.
Well, maybe I should just try to explain the -- the efforts that we've made along those lines, Senator. So, two years ago, Senator Radogno put a bill in with a two-year property tax freeze. When we started the grand bargain, we filed everything on January 11th. We actually expected to vote within a few days after that. It was a two-year property tax freeze. Okay? So then, when, I would say, the grand bargain experience got hijacked, if you will, 41 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 then all of a sudden, in my opinion, in this particular area, the bar -- the -- the -- the -- the goalposts were being moved. So, recently, recently, I made an attempt to reach out to the Governor to see if there's a way which we could resolve this issue and there were new additional requests even beyond the four years. Now, I have to explain, this -- I view this as a compromise, because, you know what, as popular as property tax freezes are, for some of us, we think it's really bad policy when you have the worst funding formula in the nation for some of our poor school districts. So to freeze 'em all the same way for two years is a big, big experiment and it's risky, but I'm willing to do it. So the two years is a compromise. But when they keep on moving the goalpost in this particular negotiations, I -- I -- I don't know what else to tell you. I -- and the reason why we're doing it today is because we have not promised -- we -- we promised to try to compromise with the Governor in the grand bargain, to give him some reforms, certainly property tax freezes are a reform, and that's why we have it. So -- and I'm not trying to trick anybody over there into voting on a -- on a -- No on a -- on a good bill. I mean that's not my motive. I'm trying to pass it, because it's reasonable. And if it's -- again, if we get a new funding formula and we get the State back on track, if we stop spending an extra seven and a half billion dollars a year, then maybe in two years we can extend this freeze. Maybe you can go back to your local school districts, where two -- close to two-thirds of the property taxes go, ask them to spend down their reserves, not ask for additional property tax increases, change the school board if people are -- keep on raising money and raising salaries. That's what -- local control can be done -- and -- and -- and utilized. 42 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 So that's why maybe two years is enough, to see if those -- those reforms can be done at the local level. So, again, it's -- it's with the best of intentions to try to compromise with the Governor. When it -- when it became four years, yes, just -- I can say the same thing back to you - what's wrong with two years? What's wrong with four years? Because he kept on adding even more additional provisions. I offered, I can tell you - everybody knows this - I offered two years plus a referendum for three more years. He said, no, that wasn't enough. That was five years; that wasn't enough. So I don't know what else to tell you, Senator. You can tell people are frustrated. There's only a couple of days to go. This was -- this was an accommodation to try to make a -- a compromise and it's being rejected, not by you guys, but by the Governor's Office, and I'm -- I'm sorry, but that's -- we've got to call the bill and we've got to pass it.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Oberweis, your time has expired. Senator Rezin.
Sure. Thank you, Mr. President. To the bill, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) To the bill.
Thank you. I would like to make a correction regarding this bill and to the sponsor of the bill and thank you very much for working with our Leader on this bill. This is not a property tax freeze. This bill is a property tax relief, though. It does give, for two years, our -- our counties, our State relief from the -- overburden of paying property taxes. As someone who represents - - of the eight counties I represent, I represent three counties 43 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 that have median property taxes that are nationally ranked. Kendall County, Will County, and LaSalle County are ranked nationally for the median property tax. We do hear consistently from everybody at the door and my colleagues and my friends across the aisle have talked about the need for addressing that issue. We also know that until we take a very serious approach to how we fund our schools, it's going to be difficult to really freeze our property taxes or, potentially, in the future, reduce them, until we look at that as well. But at the end of the day, I would like to say that this is not perfect at all. It is a small step in the right direction. This bill is not a bill for property -- freezing your property taxes, but this bill does provide a small amount of relief to the property taxpayers. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Hutchinson. Senator Hutchinson. Okay. Thank you. President Cullerton, to close.
Yes, thank you. I think we've had a full discussion of the bill. I was able to make the points that I made and I would just ask that our colleagues vote Aye for this bill. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) The question is, shall Senate Bill 8 -- 484 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 37 Yeas, 11 voting Nay, 9 voting Present. Senate Bill 484, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Zbigniew Bzdak from the Chicago Tribune has requested leave to photo. Seeing no objection, leaved is granted. Turn to page 14. The 44 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 bottom of the page, we have Senate Bill 482. President Cullerton. Senator seeks the Body to return Senate Bill 482 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. On that Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 482. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by President Cullerton.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) President Cullerton.
Move for the adoption of the amendment. It's a -- contains the bill, which I'd like to debate on 3rd Reading.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) There -- 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 TROTTER) 3rd Reading. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
Senate Bill 482. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) President Cullerton.
Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker -- Mr. President -- President and 45 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 Members of the Senate. This bill is a two-year property tax freeze for all units of local government, except school districts. This requires -- since it preempts home rule, it requires a three- fifths vote. It does have exemptions for debt service and pensions. And unlike the last bill, there's no opportunity for a municipality or other taxing unit to ask for an exemption. It's a straight two -- two-year freeze with those two exceptions that I mentioned. Ask for an Aye vote. Be happy to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Righter.
Will the sponsor yield, please?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) He indicates he'll yield.
Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, why is the City of Chicago exempted?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) President Cullerton.
Yes, this has been consistent with all the bills that we have passed. The City of Chicago has -- recently raised the income tax, in part by calls from Legislators from outside the City, arguing that they were too low. Many of those were raised in order to sustain the pension systems within the City of Chicago. So the theory is that the pension exemptions that we have for all units of local government apply to Chicago as well and that's why they are exempted. 46 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Righter.
Mr. President, I thought I heard in the first part of your answer, the suggestion anyway, it's -- was -- had to do with the level of taxes in the City of Chicago already. So, I -- and I don't want to put words in your mouth, but part of the reason that we're exempting the City of Chicago from this is because the level of taxes that are being paid by the people who are in the City already?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) President Cullerton.
You can correct me if I'm wrong, but I've heard over the last number of years calls from people in the suburban -- suburban areas of Chicago that Chicago had not raised their taxes enough, like - - like their -- their taxes were. So as a result of an effort to try to shore up the pension -- the four pension systems in the City, the City of Chicago and the school district - last year, we raised -- we passed a law allowing them to raise it by two hundred and fifty million dollars - the City of Chicago has raised their property taxes very dramatically. Okay? Now this freeze does not apply to them because the money that's being raised by those property tax increases is going to pay the pensions - the same theory that we have for the exemptions for all the other school - - all the other municipalities. So that's the reason for it. It -- it's -- they're exempted because the money that was recently raised in property taxes is going to pay off the pensions. We want to make sure that the pensions are fully funded at the local 47 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 level, just like we do at the State level. That's the reason for the change and -- and in addition to responses, as I said, from primarily Republican legislators that Chicago's taxes, up until recently, had not been high enough. That's the reason for the exemption.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Righter.
To the bill, if I might, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) To the bill.
I have -- and -- and I will admit that I am one who has expressed concern about the City of Chicago's willingness to pull their own weight, which, by the way, is a condition that's been enabled by their representatives from the City here in this Chamber and the other Chamber. That's why -- that's why we're in this position, is because we do those things. To turn around and suggest, however, that their residents -- and -- and the -- this conversation here has -- has been all about what government's going to do. To suggest that somehow -- that if we're going to -- if we're going to actually be bold enough to provide property tax relief for citizens, that the citizens of the City of Chicago - the citizens, the people who pay for the City - shouldn't be allowed to partake in that and maybe require the City of Chicago to do what every other municipality is going to do and that is figure something else out, it's -- I -- I find myself in the strange position of -- arguing on behalf of the people who live in the City of Chicago. We're either going to have it statewide or 48 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 we're not going to have it statewide. The -- the equality argument with regards to property taxes and funding schools applies across the board, and if we're going to provide some relief elsewhere in the State, let's provide it for them. Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Seeing no further questions, Mr. President, to close.
Yes, thank you. I just wanted to clarify, if I hadn't, the current Chicago levy goes to pay for -- for debt service and pensions and a small amount for the library. So, in effect, they would be exempt because of the exemption for pensions and debt service that applies to all of the -- the same -- all the towns. So, again, I would ask for an Aye vote on this. I would ask for this, even though it requires a three-fifths vote, in a bipartisan fashion to get this property tax component over to the House so that the Governor understands that we're serious about offering compromises so we can get a balanced budget. I'd ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) As the bill denies and limits the powers of a home rule unit to tax, pursuant to Section 6(g) of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution, the passage of this measure will require a three- fifths majority - thirty-six votes, Ladies and Gentlemen. The question is, shall Senate Bill 482 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 38 Yeas, 11 Nays, 9 voting Present. Senate Bill 482, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator McCann, for 49 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 what purpose do you rise? SENATOR McCANN: Thank you, Mr. President. On a point of personal privilege, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) State your point, sir. SENATOR McCANN: Mr. President and Members of the Body, I would like to introduce my honorary Page for today. This is Bill Blinn. He is a whopping seven years old and he just finished first grade at Farmingdale Elementary here in west Sangamon County today. Today was his final day of school and he cut out a little early because he wanted to come over here with his mom, Christine, who's -- who joins us here at the desk. He wanted to see how this all works, and to say the least, he has been impressed. We're not going to ask him in -- in what regards he's been impressed, but it has definitely left -- left a lasting impression upon this young man. So, he really enjoys soccer and kickball and video games and, my favorite of all time, climbing trees. And so I hope that you will join me in welcoming Bill and his mom, Christine Blinn, here to the Illinois Senate today.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Welcome, both of you, to the Illinois Senate. May you continue to have many ventures. Senator Murphy, for what purpose do you rise?
A -- a point of correction, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) State your point. 50 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017
Yesterday I must have had a malfunction and I wish to be recorded as an Aye vote on Senate Bill 569.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) The record shall reflect your intensions. Going -- turning your books to page 43 on the Calendar, we are going to go to Senate Bill -- Motions to Concur. Senate Bill 41. Mr. Secretary, read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 41. Signed by President Cullerton.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) President Cullerton, please, to the motion.
Yes, I'd concur with Senate {sic} Amendment No. 1 that the House added to this bill. To refresh our memory, this bill was meant to extend the ability of home rule municipalities throughout the State to save money, the ability to borrow at lower interest rates and help them, local governments, save money. The House amended -- amendment changed the language of the underlying slightly to allow a statutory lien on the transferred receipts of the assignment agreement and the reason for that is they -- the proponents wanted to make it clear that the revenues that are reconveyed to the municipality after debt services paid are not subject to the statutory lien. They also - and this was a bipartisan vote in the House - added an amendment that allows CMS to enter -- to enter into energy savings contracts for leases up to fifteen years. Currently, it's limited to ten years. So with 51 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 that, I would be happy to answer any questions and ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 41. 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 49 Yeas, 4 Nays, 1 voting Present. Senate Bill 41, having received the required constitutional majority, the Senate does concur in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 41, and the bill is declared passed. Bottom -- bottom of page 44, a Motion to Concur for Senate Bill 1730. Mr. Secretary, read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1730. Signed by Senator Muñoz.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. The House Floor Amendment 1 on 1730 becomes the bill. The amended bill passed the House by a hundred and one votes. Illinois is only one of three states that statutorily sets the price of the collision damage waiver. The collision damage waiver is commonly referred to as the insurance rental car companies offers to customers. No other state in the Midwest sets the price on collision damage waiver. This bill removes the price control for 52 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 this optional product that is offered to rental car customers. I know of no opposition and -- and I appreciate working with Senator Brady and other Members, both sides of the aisle, to get an agreement.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Is there any discussion? Senator Brady.
Thank you, Mr. President. I just stand in support of the legislation and appreciate the Senator's comments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Seeing no further discussion, the question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1730. 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 51 Yeas, no Nays, 1 voting Present -- excuse me, 53 Yeas, no -- 1 voting Present. Senate Bill 1730, having received the required constitutional majority, the Senate does concur in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 1730, and the bill is declared passed. We're going to the Order of House Bill 3rds. Going to the bottom of page 33 on House Bills 3rd Reading. We have House Bill 2510. Senator Muñoz. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 2510. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: 53 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. This is a recommendation of the Illinois Restaurant Association. It amends Food Handling Regulation Enforcement Act to address allergen awareness training for individuals seeking food service sanitation manager certification or recertification. It requires food service establishments to have a sanitation manager certification or recertification. It requires food service establishments to have at least one food service sanitation manager trained in allergen safety and awareness training to be available at all times when the establishment is in operation. It preempts home rule. I'll attempt to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Is there any discussion? Senator Barickman.
Thank you, Mr. President. To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) To the bill.
Mr. President, we had a -- a -- a healthy debate on this in committee and I just, for the sake of the Body, want to raise some of the concerns that were brought to the committee's attention. That being, while I certainly appreciate the work that the sponsor's trying to do on this bill, what this legislation does is carve out exceptions for franchise restaurants, it carves out exceptions for restaurants which may operate in multi-state jurisdictions, but what it leaves out in the mandate that it imposes is on your local unfranchised single Illinois location restaurants. It's a new regulation, a new mandate upon them. I certainly understand what the sponsor's trying to -- to do here, 54 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 but because of that additional regulation on local restaurants - these are your mom-and-pop shops, family-owned restaurants in our communities - I felt it was important to cast a No vote in committee and will plan to do so -- the same on the Floor. Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Syverson.
Thank you, Mr. President. Question to the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Indicates he'll yield.
Sponsor, with exempting -- when we talked about the -- Senator, we talked about exempting out the multiple locations in multi-state operations. That was something that was worked with and negotiated with the Retail Merchants Association. And can you explain the reason why the decision was to exempt out the multi- state locations?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: I remember when we had the negotiations with IRMA, yourself, myself, we were trying to get to the agreement of -- on the exemptions. I'm not sure which -- we worked out a couple that you had -- some concerns with, and if you can be a little more specific. I -- I apologize, Senator.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Syverson.
55 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 Sure, thank you. The agreement -- I think the reason we worked out the -- taking out the multi-state locations were 'cause those were organizations that had their -- agreed to have their own training programs. They already had those programs in place and were funding those programs themselves, but they have to follow the exact same rules everyone else has to do. If that's -- you'd comment to that.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Yes, Senator. That's correct. We were just -- they were doing it. We wanted to make sure that they were going to be a part of it.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Syverson.
And so, again, I -- I want to thank the sponsor for working with that, which certainly there are concerns about adding more mandates and originally this bill was far more sweeping and the hours of training were significantly longer. And while it's not maybe a perfect bill, there was -- again, I want to make clear, the reason we exempted the multi-state or multi-locations were only because they were organizations that have to meet the same qualifications, but they're using their own staff for doing that training. And lastly, the -- the cost of taking the classes was also reduced, and maybe you could just, in your closing, talk about what -- what kind of cost we're talking about, because I think initially there was concerns about a real high price for this, but the cost for the program for taking these additional -- this 56 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 additional class, if you could highlight that as well. And again, I appreciate the help that you gave the retailers in trying to make this a little more reasonable piece of legislation. Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Is there any further discussion? Seeing none, Senator Muñoz, to close. The question is, shall House Bill 2510 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 34 Yeas, 16 Nays, none voting Present. House Bill 2510, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Turn your Calendars to page 37. House Bill 3044. 3044. Mr. -- Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 3044. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Silverstein. Senator Silverstein wishes to proceed.
Thank you, Mr. President. I'm sorry…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) To -- to the bill, sir. Yes.
Similar bill that we had…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) House Bill 3044.
57 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 Similar bill that we had in the Senate. It was amended in the House to require the Department of Labor just to publish the prevailing wage schedules for each county on their website by August 15th of each year, as opposed to July 15th. It was amended in the House.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 3044 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 Yeas, no voting Nays, none voting Present. House Bill 3044, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Moving on to page 34. House Bill 2610. House Bill 2610. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 2610. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. The bill allows the Secretary of State to electronically verify auto insurance policies. The verification must be done twice a year for all registered vehicles. If no match is found, then the Secretary of State will follow up with the owner of the vehicle. The owner must then provide, within thirty days, their insurance information or reason why they don't have insurance. If the 58 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 insurance coverage cannot be verified, then the vehicle's registration will be suspended. In addition to the semi-annual verification, the Secretary of State may do monthly verification of a motor vehicle owned or registered by a person who, during the preceding four years, had his or her vehicle registration and driving privileges suspended or has been convicted of operation of an uninsured motor vehicle, operation of the motor vehicle when registered {sic} (registration) suspended for noninsurance, or a display of false insurance card. It also moves the Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Council from the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority to the Secretary of State and has the Secretary of State make appointments, rather than Governor. I know of no opposition to the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Is there any discussion? Senator Mulroe.
Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. Questions of the sponsor for purposes of legislative intent.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) He indicates he'll yield.
Thank you. Senator Muñoz, for purposes of legislative intent, can you explain the type of system to be utilized for verification under this bill?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: The Secretary of State plans to implement a web-based system which transmits requests for verification of automobile liability 59 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 insurance by the web to insurance companies in accordance with the industry standards and the companies will respond to each request. This type of system is now recommended by the Insurance Industry Committee on Motor Vehicle Administration and is working successfully in about a dozen states and is being considered in others. This is the type of -- this type of system, which was specifically recommended by the task force evaluating various alternatives, has been accepted by the Secretary of State.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Mulroe.
Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you for your answer, Senator Muñoz. One more, last question for purposes of legislative intent. Can you explain how the bill envisions implementation of this program with insurers?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: The Secretary of State plans to work closely with the insurance industry to promulgate rules and implement and continue to evaluate the operation of the system. The Secretary will also convene a group of members of the insurance industry to work closely with them on the rules, the implementation and evaluation of the system. Everyone agrees that is -- it is in everyone's best interest to make this system work.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Mulroe. Is there any further discussion? Is there any further discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 2610 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. 60 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 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's 58 voting Yea, no voting Nay, and none voting Present. House Bill 2610, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Page 37, to 2977. Leader Lightford. …Secretary -- the Senator seeks leave of the Body to return House Bill 2977 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is House Bill 2977. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Lightford.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Lightford.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. I'd be happy to discuss the amendment on the -- on 3rd Reading, as it does become the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Is there any discussion? All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. In opinion of the Chair, 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 TROTTER) 3rd Reading. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 2977. (Secretary reads title of bill) 61 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Leader Muñoz. Sorry. Leader Lightford.
Thank you, Mr. President. Senator Muñoz and I, we are related. However, House Bill 2977, as amended, states that the - - beginning with the 2018-19 school year, public elementary schools shall offer at least one unit of instruction in cursive writing. Districts shall, by policy, determine at what grade level students shall be offered cursive, provided that such instruction must be before students complete grade five. So this bill started out as an initiative of the House sponsor with the support of the American -- the American Handwriting Analysis Foundation. We strengthened it on this side of the aisle, broadened it to allow school districts more flexibility, but to detail it enough so that it could be accomplished before the fifth grade. I had support in drafting the amendment by LUDA and the State Board of Education and I want to thank both Diane and Amanda for giving me a hand with clarifying language. I'd be happy to answer questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Thank you very much, Leader. Please, can you keep it down a little bit while the debates are going on? Is there any discussion on this bill? Any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 2977 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 41 Yeas, 15 Nays, and no -- none voting Present. House Bill 2977, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. On page 33, we're 62 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 continuing to move on and on House Bills {sic} 2462. On House Bills {sic} 2462, Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 2462. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Biss.
Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. Here we are in 2017 and women still make roughly seventy-nine cents on the dollar made by men. House Bill 2462 is a bill to take a step toward solving that problem. It does a -- a few things. The most significant is it prohibits employers from…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Please, one -- one second, Senator. Please, can -- can we please get your attention on the Floor? Keep the conversations down low. Senator Biss, you want to continue?
Sure. The most significant thing in this bill is it prohibits employers from asking prospective employees about their past salary history during the course of the application process. And that -- that sort of takes people aback when they first hear it, so let me explain it. Most employees {sic} don't discriminate. Most employees do -- most employers, I should say, do the right thing. But there are some employers that do discriminate and we see that in the data. And if you base the wages you pay somebody on what they got paid at their previous employer, then if someone has the misfortune of being employed early in their career by an 63 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 employer who does engage in sex discrimination with wages, then that discriminatory wage is likely to follow that employee with them from workplace to workplace to workplace, through no fault of the new employers. And so what this provision does is it stops that importation of sex discrimination in wages from work -- one workplace to the next. It's something that's been enacted in some places and is being considered in many more, and it's an important step to take towards stamping out the scourge of pay -- of gender pay inequity that is still way too rampant, way, way, way too late in our country's history. Happy to take any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 2462 pass. All those in favor would 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 35 Yeas, 18 Nays, 1 voting Present. House Bill 2462, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. We have Rich Saal, who is requesting leave, from the State Journal- Register, to photograph our proceedings. Leave is granted. Senator Anderson, for what purpose do you rise? Senator Anderson.
Thank you, Mr. President. I was in the back room and I didn't get a chance to vote on that last bill. If I could be recorded as an Aye, I would appreciate it.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) The record will reflect your intentions. Senator Martinez.
…President, me too. I was standing in the back and I didn't 64 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 get to my button on time. 2462, I'd like to be voted as an Aye.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) The record will so reflect your intentions. McConnaughay. SENATOR McCONNAUGHAY: Thank you, Mr. President. If you could, I couldn't get to my switch in time and hit the wrong button. Could you record me as a No vote on 2462, the last one?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Yeah. Yeah, the record will indicate your intentions. And we have Senator Harris.
Like to be recorded…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) In that discussion, too, back there?
I was talking with Senator Manar, in deep thought, and I would like to be recorded as an Aye.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) The record will reflect your intentions. Supplemental Calendar. We're going to Supplemental Calendar No. 1. It's been printed and distributed and we'll be going to that Order, to Senate Bill 31, in just a moment. Leader Lightford in the Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, we are going to continue on with House Bills 3rd Reading. Thank you very much. On the Order of -- page 31, the bottom of the page, please, if you turn with me to House Bill 1797. Senator Trotter. House Bill 1804. Senator Hutchinson. Out of the record. Top of page 32. Senator -- Senator McConnaughay, on House Bill 1853. Out of the record. 65 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 Senator Bivins, on House Bill 1895. The gentleman indicates he wishes to proceed. Please read the bill.
House Bill 1895. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Bivins.
Thank you, Madam President. This is an important bill which amends the Illinois Police Training Act and adds to the training curriculum requirements training in effective recognition and responses to stress, trauma, and post-traumatic stress experienced by police officers. The bill will help with identification and assistance of officers who struggle with PTSD. And the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board is already currently revamping the training curriculum and states the bill will not increase costs or make the process more burdensome. This bill is also known as the (Officer) Greg Lindmark Memorial Law, in honor of Greg Lindmark, who is a former Deputy Chief of Rockford Police Department, who tragically took his own life. And police suicides actually account for more deaths than in the line of duty deaths, so this is important legislation. And I'd also like to thank Senator Syverson and Senator Stadelman for co-sponsoring this. The former Deputy Chief Lindmark lived and worked in their districts. So I'd appreciate an Aye vote. Happy to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall 66 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 House Bill 1895 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 57 voting Yea, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 1895, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Koehler. Senator Koehler, on House Bill 1914. Out of the record. Senator Anderson, on House Bill 1952. The gentlemen indicates he wishes to proceed. Please read the bill.
House Bill 1952. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Anderson.
Thank you, Madam President, Members of the Senate. House Bill 1952, it -- it will give the ability of the EMS Director to give the ability to allow fire trucks or other ambulance assist vehicles with proper equipment and properly trained firefighters to be able to provide advanced life support when needed prior to an ambulance arriving. I know of no opposition. I'll be happy to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 1952 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 57 voting Yea, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. 67 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 House Bill 1952, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Fowler, on House Bill 2028. The gentleman indicates he wishes to proceed. Please read the bill.
House Bill 2028. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Fowler.
Thank you, Madam Chairman {sic}. This is a -- this House Bill 2028 is a -- makes conforming changes. It amends the Fish and Aquatic Life Code. Provides that non-resident and resident aquatic life dealer license, wholesale aquatic life (dealer) license, mussel dealer permits, minnow dealer permits, taxidermist license, and daily fee fishing area license shall expire November -- excuse me, March 31st of each year. It just makes conforming changes. It's an initiative of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and passed the House unanimously. Not aware of any opposition. Thank you. Ask…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 2028 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 58 voting Yea, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 2028, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator 68 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 Steans, on House Bill 2361. The lady indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 2361. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Steans.
Thank you, Madam President, Members of the Senate. This is a permissive bill that enables the City of Chicago to enact an ordinance to provide for a noise monitoring system on Lake Shore Drive, which is a State road. I would encourage an Aye vote. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator Steans. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 2361 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 58 voting Yea, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 2361, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Harmon, on House Bill 2373. The gentleman indicates he wishes to proceed. Please read the bill.
House Bill 2373. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) 69 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 Senator Harmon.
Thank you, Madam President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. I'd like to start presenting this bill where I often finish my opening remarks. I know of no opposition to this bill, and as you can see from the board, it is a bipartisan effort. Why do I start there? Because this is the kind of bill the subject of which has in the past generated some controversy and because it's confusing. I'd like to call the Chamber's attention to one stunning statistic. The National Employment Law Project estimates, using U.S. Department of Justice statistics, that forty-two percent of Illinois adults have a criminal record. Whether it's an arrest or a conviction or some other brush with the law, forty-two percent of Illinois residents, adults, have a criminal record. Almost half of children have a parent with a criminal record. This is a grave impediment to employment, an impediment to finding housing. A while back, the General Assembly created a mechanism to seal misdemeanor records and some low-level felony records with certain crimes excepted. In this bill today, we would be doing the same thing for another batch of felonies, again, with certain crimes excepted. We're also adding a misdemeanor crime, which was not included in the earlier iteration, but which we've subsequently excluded from several blanket hiring prohibitions. I want to emphasize two things: One, this is completely discretionary. It requires a judge to review the petition and to make an affirmative finding that sealing of the records is appropriate. And second, I would call your attention to the difference between sealing and expungement. This does not make the records go away. It seals them to many, but not to all, 70 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 and the General Assembly has created significant exemptions so that law enforcement and others can still have records or access to these records. Again, I'll start -- finish where I started. I know of no opposition to this bipartisan bill. I'm happy to entertain your questions, but I ask for your Aye votes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Senator Nybo, for what purpose do you rise?
To the bill, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) To the bill, Senator.
Thank you, Madam President. I -- I rise to offer my strong support for this bill, contrary to my neighbor's reaction on that. Look, I am in favor of anything that we can do in this State to create opportunities and put people back to work. Sometimes that affects how businesses are run and sometimes it's about creating opportunities for people who need to have an expanded opportunity. So I think there's good protections that are built into this bill and I see this as a good pro-jobs bill and I'd ask my colleagues on this side of the aisle to support this.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. Further discussion? Senator Hastings, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) To the bill, Senator. 71 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017
This bill received extensive debate in the Criminal Law Committee and one of my constituents, Karlos, who had -- who is an excellent member of our society, had explained the positive benefits that it would have on his life and other members throughout the south suburbs who may have something on their record that took place at the age of nineteen, once they reached the age of majority. And it -- it'll -- this bill would allow them opportunities that would allow them to be successful residents in our community and I think this is a great bill. And more importantly, for those that are concerned, Senator Harmon's bill has a judicial discretion provision in that bill. For those who may be a little bit wary, the judge does still have the discretion in the event that something does happen within a period of time. And I just want to say thanks to Senator Harmon and to those members in my constituency that I've had the opportunity to meet with that are productive members in society and don't let their mistakes weigh them down from their past because they're focused on the future. And for that, I urge your Aye vote. Thank you, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. Senator Righter, for what purpose do you rise?
Will the sponsor yield, please, Madam President?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) The sponsor indicates he will yield, Senator. Senator Righter.
72 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 Senator Harmon, I'm curious about the rationale behind things that are included as sealable and those that are not. For example, under your bill, what would be eligible for sealing would include homicide or -- a forcible felony. What would not be eligible for sealing would be animal-related crimes. Put those two together and help me bridge the gap there, would you please?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Harmon.
Thank you, Madam President. And, Senator Righter, thank you for the -- the question. I will readily confess that there is not a perfect logic to this. When the General Assembly created a mechanism to seal misdemeanor records, there was recognition that certain offenses invoked a degree of ire and consternation from our constituents and therefore, as a result, those were left off the list of offenses that would -- could be sealed. Driving under the influence is one example. There is a -- a -- a significant group of constituents active on that issue, and as a result, it was a calculation to leave it off the list of things that could be sealed. The same framework is at work here as we move into the felonies. There are certain crimes which we believe would not enjoy the same public support if we authorize sealing of those records.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Righter.
Senator Harmon, I want to make sure I understood your answer correctly. That -- that the way this bill has been organized, in terms of what can be included and not, is based in part, in the 73 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 example that I gave you, is that there would be a more adverse reaction in the public to allow someone to have sealed a crime which may have involved a dog or cat than the murder of a human being?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Harmon.
No, Senator. I -- I did not mean to say that. I think that there are certain crimes that are viewed, if you will, as gateway crimes or indications of further criminal behavior. I would posit that many folks who have been convicted of murder committed only that one crime. There, I think, is a prevailing theme, at least among our constituents, that crimes against children, certain sex crimes, crimes against animals indicate a propensity to commit other crimes in the future, and as a result, sealing of those crimes would be contraindicated to tracking the criminal behavior over time.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Righter.
To the bill, if I might, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) To the bill, Senator.
Thank you. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, I -- I think that Senator Harmon is probably, if not the most articulate, one of the most articulate individuals who serves in the Senate with us here today. But even Senator Harmon struggles, I think a little bit, to explain why we are going to be willing to hide from an 74 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 employer someone's conviction for a forcible felony or murder, but we are not going to allow them to conceal from an employer some crime related to an animal. I think we should just rest in that for a moment and think about the off the charts contradiction that that presents for all of us, not by reading a study, but just through sheer common sense. Now, above and beyond that -- those remarkable contradiction, there's a -- there's a broader issue here, Madam President, and that is, is that the -- the -- the theory posited by this bill is that the best way to address the issue of recidivism and reintegrating people who may have committed a crime into society and helping them get a job is to allow them to hide the fact that they committed a crime from their -- potential employer. We're starting with deception. I'm not suggesting that the challenge to bring these people back into the mainstream of society is easy at all, but what I would suggest is that we not start by allowing that person to be dishonest with their potential employer when, at some point in the process, they're asked about a criminal history. For that reason, Madam President, I would urge a No vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Further discussion? Senator Rose, for what purpose do you rise?
Question of the sponsor, if I may.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Sponsor indicates he'll yield. Senator Rose.
Thank you. Can you tell me which forcible felonies would be sealable? Not the exclusionary list, but the ones that would now 75 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 be sealable.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Harmon.
We have a fairly extensive list, Senator. I'd be happy to ask our staff to run it over to you rather than reading them all aloud here. It's -- it's your preference.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Rose.
Let -- let -- let's start with violent crimes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Harmon.
Most crimes are violent, Senator. Certainly, we've talked about homicide and assaults, batteries. I'm not -- I'm not sure where you're trying to lead me. I'm happy to -- to -- to let you try, but perhaps you could be more explicit.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Rose.
We'll get there. Gun crimes?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Harmon.
In certain cases, certainly, yeah. But I want to emphasize, Senator, this is -- this is completely discretionary on -- on part of the judge. You can't petition until three years after you have completed the term of your sentence, including any supervised 76 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 release. It's longer for cases like murder, if you're on the -- the -- the -- the registry. So this is a -- a much more thoughtful process than you are painting it to be.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Rose.
Thank you. And to the bill, if I may, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. To the bill.
So, I -- I -- I don't think I'm painting anything. You're right, I'm not painting a thoughtful process. In fact, a minute ago, I think you used something to the effect of -- something to the effect of confused logic somehow, sometimes in this building. I would say it's beyond confused logic. This is tortured logic. This is the part where common sense leaves the building. I sit here day after day and listen to people tell me that we need to crack down on gun crimes, but then, three years later, we're going to let people seal their records and pretend that a gun crime never happened. Look, myself; former Senator Milner, when he was in the House of Representatives; former Representative Jim Sacia, a former retired FBI agent; Senator Aquino's predecessor; the four of us, when we were in the House, drafted the first expungement bill because Representative Connie Howard couldn't get it out of committee. And the four of us drafted it - a prosecutor and a retired FBI agent, a former Chief of Police and a probation officer. And the four of us drafted the first expungement bill because it's the right thing to do to try to rehabilitate people, get 'em back to work and make them productive citizens. But 77 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 there's a point, there's a point where that well-intentioned motive walks off the cliff and now we are putting society in harm's way. There's a point where common sense leaves the building, because we're no longer -- our first function of -- our first function is to protect - to protect - our citizens, to make our communities safe. And -- and I just don't know how we can, you know, how we can sit here and say that we're going to let forcible felonies be sealed from the world. I don't know how that enhances public safety. I don't know how it squares - again, tortured logic - with the -- the litany of gun crimes that we've been hearing about in this State. In fact, it doesn't square and I'll just leave it at that - it doesn't square. So, thank you, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) You're welcome, Senator. Further discussion? Senator Hutchinson, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you. Will the sponsor yield?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Sponsor indicates he will yield. Senator Hutchinson.
Could you go through the difference between sealing and expungement?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Harmon.
Thank you, Madam President. Thank you for the question. Simply put, expungement is the -- the destruction of records and sealing is sealing the viewing of those records from certain folks, like employers or landlords. 78 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Hutchinson.
So, when you are -- when you're able to seal these records, who can still see them?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Harmon.
Thank you, Madam President. I'm sorry. So, unlike expunged records, which are removed and destroyed, sealed records are maintained under seal and may be used by law enforcement and the courts. They may also be available to a limited subset of employers, along with State and federal agencies for licensing purposes. However, they are off limits to most employers and to the general public.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Hutchinson.
Thank you and thank you for those answers. To the bill. I've -- I've been listening to the debate and I -- the one thing I wanted to point out is the fact that after someone has completed the requirements of their -- their punishment, proffered by the State or the -- or, literally, passed by the General Assembly, proffered by the State, they have satisfied those things, they are now done with their sentence. I just want to know whether every sentence is a life sentence, whether there are people in here who really do believe that you are never done with your sentence, that you never get an opportunity to find a job or change your life or do the things that we say we all want people to do once they have 79 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 satisfied the conditions and the terms of their sentence. You know, that doesn't stop, you know, especially since -- if the records are still available to the courts and government. If they get in trouble again, that information comes out again. But at some point, we, as a society, do need to get to the -- to the place where we can acknowledge that every time someone -- hands down a sentence to you, every sentence can't be a life sentence, and that's what we're doing to people on a regular basis. That -- that leaves people prescribed to, you can never sign a lease, you can never get hired, you can never go back to school, you can never. That means no matter what it is you did, you'll be serving time for that thing for the rest of your life. That's not common sense, criminal justice conform -- or reform. That's not -- all that is, is vengeance. And for those folks who have some modicum of faith, "Vengeance is mine, saith the Lord", not ours. Once you've satisfied the terms and you qualify for this, who are you to prescribe someone to suffer for -- or to pay for this over and over and over again for the rest of their lives? I urge an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Harmon, to close.
Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, Senator Hutchinson. I should just adopt your -- your statement as my closing. I -- I do want to add a couple of things, though. I get it, this is an easy bill to criticize. It's too hot, it's too cold, it's too hard, it's too soft, it's too thick, it's too thin - whatever Goldilocks defense you have. It's easy to say no to this. But this isn't -- we've attempted to balance the equities here and 80 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 we're not letting anybody seal their records. We're creating a process by which someone can go to a court and petition, and the State's Attorney and the law enforcement can come in and say why or why not the court should seal those records. Forty-two percent of Illinois adults have a criminal record. So let's imagine just for a moment your eighteen-year-old nephew or grandson is in a car with some buddies. One of them's an idiot and shoots someone and kills 'em, and your grandson or nephew is convicted on felony murder, accomplice liability, and serves a long stint in -- in -- in the State penitentiary. Gets out, serves the ten years on the murder registry. In his mid to late forties, can't get a job, can't do anything, is clearly -- didn't have a lot to rehabilitate, but served his sentence completely. You don't think he should be able to go to the courthouse and say to a judge, I've done my time, I've served my sentence, I'd like to try to use the skills I've learned to get a job, I'd like to seal my records? The State's Attorney doesn't object, the sheriff doesn't object, judge, will you please seal my records to give me a chance, a second chance. A lot of work has gone into this bill. It's easy to knock it, but it balances the equities. I ask for your Aye votes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) The question is, shall House Bill 2373 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 36 voting Yea, 19 voting Nay, 2 voting Present. House Bill 2373, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Okay, please travel with me to Senate bills - Senate bills. On the Order of Senate Bill 3rd Reading, page 6, please, with Senate Bill 32. 81 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 Senate Bill 32. Mr. President, the gentleman indicates he wish to proceed. He seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 32 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 32. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Yes. Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by President Cullerton.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) President Cullerton.
Yes, thank you, Madam President. I'd like to adopt the amendment and debate 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?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 32. Mr. Secretary, please read the gentleman's bill.
Senate Bill 32. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) President Cullerton.
82 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 Thank you, Madam President, Members of the Senate. The substance of this bill were substantially passed earlier by the Senate in Senate Bill 31, which is known as the Trust Act. The House took this provision out of the Trust Act, so I'm asking us to repass it. This has to do with a particular type of visa that the federal government has created, called T visas and U visas. They're for people who have been the victims of crimes, perhaps human -- human trafficking or other -- other crimes. They're very limited to folks who are undocumented, but who are victims of crimes, and they're allowed if they cooperate with law enforcement to perhaps obtain one of these visas. The reason why we need the bill is that there's been some concern about the certification form that has to be completed by law enforcement. So, in an effort to encourage the law enforcement folks to fill out the form, we've drafted an amendment to obtain their support and the purpose of that is to allow them to have an exception. If -- they can decline, by written notice to the requesting victim, if they don't feel like filling out the form, after a good faith inquiry, because they don't feel the applicant was a -- a victim, they don't have to. And they're also given some more time from the bill that we passed for ninety business days to obtain the -- to fulfill the request. So with that, I know of no opposition. I'd be happy to answer any questions and ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Is there any discussion? Any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 32 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 49 voting Yea, 6 voting 83 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 32, having received the -- required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Ladies and Gentlemen… Okay, let's go back to the Order of 3rd Readings, House Bills. 3rd Reading, House Bills, page 31. We will start with Leader Trotter on House Bill 1797. The gentleman indicates he wishes to proceed. Please read the bill.
House Bill 1797. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Leader Trotter.
Thank you very much, Madam President, Members of the Senate. House Bill 1797 provides that if a -- for a period of twenty-five years, a regional port district has not been required to remit any amount owed under contract with the Capital Development Board due to not reaching the required level of profit, that the port district is not required to remit any other -- any amount under the contract.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Is there any discussion? Senator McCarter, for what purpose do you rise? SENATOR McCARTER: To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) To the bill, Senator. SENATOR McCARTER: We had a long discussion about this in -- in the committee 84 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 and I think, practically, we need the money as the State, but, practically, we're probably not going to get it from these folks. If you haven't been paid for twenty-five years, it's probably not going to come. But I would hope -- I would hope that we could decide a few things. One, that we won't make an agreement with a -- any entity saying that you can pay us back when you make money. It never works. It didn't make -- it didn't work for the two hotels that we got involved with, in Collinsville or in here in Springfield. It didn't get -- it didn't work here. So, if -- I just want us to remember, let's just never do that again, because people conveniently just don't make money so they don't have to pay it back. Now, I listened to the new people in charge in this -- this port -- port district. I -- I think the -- the young man seems to have promise, he seems to have potential, he seems to be able to do something to turn this thing around. So, I -- I'm just going to say that it's -- as much as I think we need the money at this time, we maybe just ought to chalk this one up to a lesson to not do this ever again and hopefully give these guys a chance. I don't know who will loan them any more money after they have to disclose that they never paid the last back, but I -- I wish them the best. I hope they can turn this into something that actually produces revenue for the State of Illinois and the community. And, again, we just take it as a lesson. I will still vote for the bill. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Further discussion? Senator Tracy, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. To the bill. 85 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) To the bill, Senator.
Yes, in State Government, we did have quite a bit of discussion on this bill and, certainly, we want to support port districts. We want to support our communities. But something about this whole scenario just doesn't seem to ring true. We're talking about two different tracts that make up the port authority - one being about a hundred and ninety-two acres, one being about sixteen hundred acres. As we got into this discussion about whether this debt of fifteen million dollars that was loaned by our economic agency should be forgiven, we -- we learned that there's two golf courses operating on this that are -- are state- of-the-art, well-developed golf courses. It just doesn't seem to ring true that the forgiveness of fifteen million dollars by the State will allow the port district to finally become solvent and get other development opportunities. It -- it seems to me that there's plenty of collateral here to repay the State if -- if that were the case, that… We don't want to stop the development. We are all for the development, but there is no precedent ever been set for us to forgive a loan and it -- it makes us question, as a State, if we start forgiving this type of debt, what do we tell our future bondholders as to the integrity of the State funds that we are asking them to bond. So I -- I have a lot of questions about this. As I say, it just doesn't seem to ring true. I wanted to go forward and tell the Body all the things that concern me, because we -- we're setting a precedent that's never been set before. I think that they can still develop this port authority without the forgiveness of funds. And, certainly, it would appear 86 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 that they have a lot going on here with these two thriving golf courses and a lot of acreage that will allow them to have collateral to move forward. And I -- and I echo the sentiment of Senator McCarter - it sounds like they are finally getting a good plan. It seems like the new director does have together a plan and I -- I just find -- it -- it's just faulty reasoning to think this is a critical piece in allowing them to move forward for the development. So, for that reason, I cannot support it. I think it's terrible precedent for the State at this time. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Further discussion? Seeing none, Senator Trotter, to close.
Thank you very much, Madam President and Members and to the other speakers. In -- in part, as we talked about in committee, I agree with you. This -- if -- this was not a State agency; this is a creature. The port authority is a creature of the State. It is an agreement that they made over thirty-eight years ago, and in that agreement, it was stated that if they were not able to require a profit -- make a profit, that they were not required to remit the dollars. CDB has not asked for the money back, but what they have is on their books, this fifteen-million-dollar indebtedness. So, when you said, how can they go forward? Well, once they can resolve that indebtedness that's in their book, that's in the red, then they can go forward and -- and make the -- the -- the many changes that have been projected and has been well thought out by the port authority. The area -- for -- for the Members here, the area that we're talking about, less than twenty-five years ago, was the landfills. It was the dumpsite, on part of the land, the dumpsite for the City of Chicago. So many things has changed. 87 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 There's been some large remediation over there in the area. So that's where the golf courses are. They became what used to be the Paxton Landfill, which is the largest landfill in the State of Illinois - became a golf course, because they saw a different way to use that land. And the port authority, because of its unuse through years -- I mean, a lot of things need to be done to -- to get it viable enough so they can go forward with their plans to do things. It needs to be dredged. It -- it needs to be updated. There's a lot of work that -- that can be done. Part of the -- the plan to make it a economic engine is they're talking about, on that land, that remediated land, that they're going to put a hotel. There's been a memorandum of understanding with the -- the many community groups that look at that area as part of their home, the Wetlands Group, the people who want to use it for -- for boating, making a connection to -- not only to Lake Michigan, but to the Calumet rivers as well. So there are some big plans, but this indebtedness stops them, for one, to get the revenues, to get the resources to go forward and it's -- it's a good idea. It's not a precedent in that this is our property. It's not the same deal as what happened with those hotels and -- and many of us that were here, and even if you weren't here, know that was the -- one of the worst deals that we've made in life. So -- but this is a good plan and I -- I seek an affirmative vote from everyone here.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) The question is, shall House Bill 1797 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 36 voting Yea, 12 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 1797, having received 88 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Please turn your Calendars to page 32. Continuing with House Bills 3rd -- 2377. 2377. Senator McCann, on House Bill 2377. The gentleman indicates he wishes to proceed. Please read the bill.
House Bill 2377. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator McCann. SENATOR McCANN: Thank you, Madam President. House Bill 2377 is a simple sunset extension. The Illinois School for the Deaf and the Illinois School for the Visually Impaired are both in my district, over in Jacksonville, but -- but probably almost everyone here has a constituent whose child is there or -- or has been there at one time, and this allows them some leeway in their hiring practices. It's been working very, very well for the last couple of years and this extends that sunset date by -- by about two years. I ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Is there any discussion? Any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 2377 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 Bill 2377, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Hutchinson, on House Bill 2382. The lady indicates she wishes to 89 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 proceed. Please read the bill.
House Bill 2382. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Hutchinson.
Thank you, Madam President. House Bill 2382 amends the Fire Hydrant Act to define "dry hydrant", as well as articulate provisions concerning the maintenance of and access to specified dry hydrants.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 2382 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 54 voting Yea, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 2382, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Steans, on House Bill 2390. The lady indicates she wishes to proceed. Please read the bill.
House Bill 2390. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Steans.
Thank you, Madam President, Members of the Senate. This bill 90 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 expands the definition of a hate crime to include crimes committed on the exterior or grounds of a place identified or associated with religion. Right now, it's just in a church, synagogue, or other place of worship. It also removes the one-thousand-dollar restitution cap and allows the court to impose a fine based on the severity of the crime and the injury or damage it's caused. I don't know of any opposition to the bill and look forward to your Aye votes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 2390 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, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 2390, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Please turn to the top of page 33. On the Order of House Bills 3rd Reading, House Bill 2404. Senator Rose. The gentleman indicates he wishes to proceed. Please read the bill.
House Bill 2404. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Rose.
Thank you, Madam President. This is a wonderful bill that will allow us to award, potentially, credit for activities that would lead to higher learning. And it came to me from the Illinois 91 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 Community College Board. And it was -- passed previously this Chamber and it also passed the House, and so I think we ought to pass it again. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 2404 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 56 voting Yea, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 2004 -- 2404, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Connelly, on House Bill 2408. The gentleman indicates he wishes to proceed. Please read the bill.
House Bill 2408. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Connelly.
Thank you, Madam President. House Bill 2408 is an initiative of IDFPR. It enhances the Department's e-license initiative to streamline licensure and renewal. It also makes a number of technical changes. I'm not aware of any opponents and I strongly urge an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Is there any discussion? Any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 2408 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who 92 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 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 Bill 2408, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Cunningham, on House Bill 2439. The gentleman indicates he's ready to proceed. Please read the bill.
House Bill 2439. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Cunningham.
Thank you, Madam President. House Bill 2439 amends the Energy Efficient Building Act. It's an effort to close a loophole -- loophole in State law and prevent any conflicts of interest by prohibiting members of the Illinois Energy Conservation Advisory Council from receiving State grants for teaching continuing education courses. I know of no opposition. Would appreciate the Senate's support.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 2439 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 57 voting Yea, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 2439, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Castro, on House Bill 2449. The lady indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please 93 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 read the bill.
House Bill 2449. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Castro.
Thank you, Madam President and Members of the Senate. House Bill 2449 modifies the Illinois Service Members {sic} (Member) Civil Relief Act to allow service -- members to cancel or suspend certain contracts when the service member receives orders to relocate for at least ninety days. Provides that any service member who receives those orders to -- ninety days may terminate or suspend contracts for internet services, television/cable services, athletic club or gym memberships, and satellite -- or satellite radio services. I know of no opposition. I ask for a favorable vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. Any discussion? Senator Schimpf, for what purpose do you rise?
To the bill, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) To the bill, Senator.
Yes, Madam President, Members of the Senate, I would like to -- to thank my fellow Senator for carrying this bill. The Service Member Civil Relief Act is a very important protection for our 94 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 service members. This -- this bill improves it. It brings it in line with the -- with the federal system. So I would thank my fellow Senator and ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. Seeing no further discussion, the question is, shall House Bill 2449 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 55 voting Yea, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 2449, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Hutchinson, on House Bill 2453. The lady indicates she wishes to proceed. Please read the bill.
House Bill 2453. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Hutchinson.
Thank you, Madam President. House Bill 2453 requires that the Department of Revenue transfer the acquired proceeds from the sales tax directly into the Downstate Public Transportation Fund instead of depositing funds into the General Revenue Fund. This is what we call our Downstate Mass Transit Bill that is sorely needed and I hope I get everybody's support.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 2453 pass. All those in favor, vote Aye. Opposed, 95 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 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 55 voting Yea, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 2453, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Bush, on House Bill 2461. The lady indicates she wishes to proceed. Please read the bill.
House Bill 2461. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Bush.
Thank you, Madam President, Members of the Senate. House Bill 2461 requires information related to gifted education to be included on the Illinois school report card. It's an initiative of the House sponsor. The bill's an attempt to provide the public more information on gifted education. I know of no opposition and I would ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Is there any discussion? Any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 2461 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 Bill 2461, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Steans, on House Bill 2465. The lady indicates she wishes to proceed. Please read the bill. 96 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017
House Bill 2465. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Steans.
Yes, thank you, Madam President, Members of the Senate. So this is an initiative of the Alliance for Living organization that works with the specialized mental health rehab facilities. About three years ago, we enacted new procedures for developing provisional licenses for them, but none have been issued to date. So this was an effort -- negotiation between the Alliance and the Department of Public Health to put in place some guidelines to make sure we actually get the provisional licenses issued. I don't know of any opposition and look forward to your Aye votes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 2465 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 Bill 2465, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Hastings, on House Bill 2492. The gentleman indicates he wishes to proceed. Please read the bill.
House Bill 2492. (Secretary reads title of bill) 97 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Hastings.
Thank you, Madam President. This bill exempts emergency vehicles and fire trucks from all size, weight, and load limit in the Vehicle Code -- Code, except for weight restriction on Class I highways. There are no opponents and I ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 2492 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. House Bill 2492, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Please turn your Calendars to the top of page 34. House Bills 3rd Reading. Senator Stadelman, on House Bill 2527. Out of the record. Senator Mulroe, on House Bill 2534. The gentleman indicates he wishes to proceed. Please read the bill.
House Bill 2534. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Mulroe.
Thank you, Madam President, Members of the Senate. House Bill 2534 adds and removes several scheduled substances from the 98 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 Illinois Controlled Substances Act. This was brought to me by the Illinois State Police. I don't know of any opposition. I'd ask for your support.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 2534 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 57 voting Yea, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 2534, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Sandoval, on House Bill 2543. Senator Sandoval. Out of the record. Senator Muñoz, on House Bill 2559. Senator Muñoz. Out of the record. Senator Castro, on House Bill 2567. Lady indicates she wishes to proceed. Please read the bill.
House Bill 2567. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Castro.
Thank you, Madam President and Members of the Senate. House Bill 2567 creates a ten-member Automotive Dealer {sic} (Automobile Dealers') License Task Force with {sic} (within) the Office of Secretary of State to conduct a study relating to the licensing and oversight of nontraditional vehicle dealers in Illinois. The task force study must be completed and presented to the General Assembly no later than December 31st, 2018, at which point the 99 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 task force will be dissolved. I know of no opponents and it passed through committee and through the House unopposed. Look for a favorable vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 2567 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 55 voting Yea, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 2567, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Martinez, on House Bill 2577. The lady indicates she wishes to proceed. Please read the bill.
House Bill 2577. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Martinez.
Thank you, Madam President. House Bill 2577 extends the sunset of the Marriage and Family Therapy Licensing Act from January 1st, 2018, to January 1st, 2027. It also provides various technical, clarifying, and conforming changes throughout the Act. And I'll be happy to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 2577 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted 100 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 53 voting Yea, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 2577, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 2612. Senator Bertino- Tarrant. The lady indicates she wishes to proceed. Please read the bill.
House Bill 2612. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Bertino-Tarrant.
Thank you, Madam President. Senate Bill 2990 {sic} is a rewrite of Article 7 of the School Code, which deals with the detachment of property and annexation of each property to another district or a district -- as well as instances where an entire district is dissolved. It is an initiative of the State Board of Education and I know of no opposition.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 2612 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 57 voting Yea, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 2612, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. On the top of page 35, House Bills 3rd Reading, House Bill 2618. Leader Harmon. The gentleman indicates he wishes to proceed. Please read the bill. 101 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017
House Bill 2618. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Leader Harmon.
Thank you, Madam President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. House Bill 2618 came over unanimously from the House. It provides that if parties do not agree to use mediation to resolve a disagreement between parents and a school district regarding special ed services, the parent has ten days to file a request for a due process hearing. Not aware of any opposition and I ask for your Aye votes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 2618 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 57 voting Yea, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 2618, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 2664. Senator Harris. Gentleman indicates he wishes to proceed. Please read the bill.
House Bill 2664. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Harris. 102 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017
Thank you, Madam President and Members of the Senate. House Bill 2664 amends the State Prompt Payment Act to provide that for construction contracts with the Department of Transportation, contractors, subcontractors, or material suppliers may not offset, decrease, or diminish payments due to subcontractors or material suppliers without reasonable cause. There are no opponents at this time and I ask for a favorable vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 2664 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 56 voting Yea, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 2664, having received the required constitutional…(microphone cutoff)…, is declared passed. Senator Hutchinson, on House Bill 2698. Senator Hutchinson, on House Bill 2698. Out of the record. Senator Steans, on House Bill 2700. The lady indicates she wishes to proceed. Please read the bill.
House Bill 2700. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Steans.
Yes, thank you, Madam President, Members of the Senate. This bill just provides that the consent protections currently provided to minors under Consent by Minors to the {sic} Medical Procedures 103 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 Act includes chiropractic physicians and licensed optometrists. I don't know of any opposition to the bill. Look forward to your Aye votes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 2700 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting… 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 55 voting Yea, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 2700, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Hunter, on House Bill 2762. The lady indicates she wishes to proceed. Please read the bill.
House Bill 2762. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Hunter.
Thank you, Madam President. This is an initiative of the House sponsor and basically what it is doing is amending the Hospital Licensing Act and the University of Illinois Hospital Act to provide that hospitals may not maintain a list of individuals that cannot be admitted for treatment, notwithstanding that the bill would still give a hospital the ability to recommend an alternate provider or arrange access to care services that best meets the needs of an individual patient. And this bill came from a situation that occurred where an adolescent was autistic and the 104 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 person's signs -- the -- the child displayed some aggressive behavior and the caretakers presented the individual to the hospital in which they were denied services. And so we would ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 2762 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 50 voting Yea, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 2762, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 2778. Senator Jones. Senator Jones. The gentleman indicates he wishes to proceed. Please read the bill.
House Bill 2778. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Jones.
Thank you, Madam President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. House Bill 2-7 -- 2778 allows fire protection districts to annex, by ordinance, property into a jurisdiction for which districts is providing coverage under the Emergency Telephone System Act. I understand there's some opposition from the second floor, but I'm hoping for a bipartisan support on this bill. Looking for a debate. So…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) 105 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 Is there any discussion? Senator Righter, for what purpose do you rise?
Will the sponsor yield, please, Madam President?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) The sponsor indicates he will yield. Senator Righter.
Thank you. Senator Jones, first of all, I want to thank you for making the trip over to this side of the aisle to make an inquiry and I apologize, in the time, I have not had a chance to get back to you. So I do want to walk through this a little bit. My understanding is, the bill would allow the board of a fire protection district to annex in to the property that it can tax, property that it is assigned to cover in cases of a fire. Is that a -- is that an accurate portrayal of the bill?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Jones.
Yes, Senator, that's a accurate description of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Righter.
So, Senator Jones, let's say that I am a homeowner in a relatively newly constructed subdivision that is not in a municipality and the fire protection district, which you're a member of, is assigned to cover my subdivision, but it's not in your taxable property. So you want to annex my subdivision into the district so you can begin collecting property taxes from me and my neighbors. The question I have for you is, if I don't want 106 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 that, what recourse do I have?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Jones.
You can go to a hearing, have a hearing done and have that assessed. But the whole point of this legislation, Senator, is basically -- the service is already being provided to these homeowners, fire protection. So, even though they're not paying for it, the services are still being provided. We passed a law a few years ago that made it mandatory that even if they're not paying into the system, we're still -- are supposed to provide the services. So this is just leveling the playing field. That's it.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Righter.
Well, Senator, now let's walk through that. So, my neighbors and I show up at the hearing that the fire protection district board is having to vote on whether or not to annex our subdivision and a hundred of us show up and we all testify and all this stuff and the board says, ah, you know what, it was nice hearing from you guys, but, quite frankly, we want the taxes because we're covering your area, and you vote to annex the subdivision into the fire protection district, which means that your property tax levy that you're charging now applies to me and my neighbors. What recourse do my neighbors and I have? Is there some mechanism by which we can appeal this?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Jones.
107 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 Okay, this bill does not stipulate that. It doesn't have an appeal process in there.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Righter.
…bill -- to the bill, if I might, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) To the bill, Senator.
And I think, Senator, therein lies the problem, is you -- you talked about leveling the playing field. The playing field is not level, because the homeowners have no choice here. If the board votes 'em in, they go in. I can't go -- I -- I can't do anything. There's no administrative body to which I can appeal to. I guess we could get a lawyer and go to court, but the -- the bill is completely silent on what kind of remedy could be ascribed by a court if they feel like the board did something wrong. There's a missing piece here, Senator, and I think that that's the issue here. So with that, Madam President, respectfully, I would urge a No vote, until we can find the -- the -- the next piece we need to put into this bill. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. Further discussion? Senator Oberweis, for what purpose do you rise?
To the bill, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) To the bill, Senator.
108 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 This bill could result in an increase in racial profiling. We have to vote No on this bill. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Wow! Senator Nybo, for what purpose do you rise? And I hope it's not to follow up to the previous speaker.
Well, that was a bum luck of the button push there. To the bill, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) To the bill, please, Senator.
So, to -- well, listen, I -- I am not understanding the opposition on this bill. So to -- to follow up two speakers ago, this is not the board voting to forcibly pull people into their district against their will. My understanding in my analysis is that under the Emergency Telephone System Act, these -- these people are already receiving services under the Act. And even more so, my -- my analysis shows that there's only three districts where we know that there's situations that people are receiving services but not appropriately paying for those services: South Roxana Fire Protection District, Amboy Fire Protection District, and Stockton Fire and Ambulance Protection District. If I'm mistaken, let me know, but this seems to just be a -- a fair way of addressing an unfair situation right now, which is that certain communities are receiving a service but not paying for it in the same way that other members of the same district are paying for it. So I'd encourage a Yes vote on this bill and I just don't understand the opposition.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) 109 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 Further discussion? Seeing none, Senator Jones, to close.
Thank you, Madam President. Senator Nybo, you're absolutely correct. A few years back, we passed legislation to have service for the entire State. Everyone is covered, but a few communities fell through the cracks and they're not paying into the system. So this bill will allow that to be taken care of. So I appreciate a -- a bipartisan support on this bill. And, Senator Oberweis, this is how you pass a bill in the Senate.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) The question is, shall House Bill 2778 pass. All those in favor, vote Aye. Opposed, vote 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 45 voting Yea, 12 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 2778, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Trotter, on House Bill 2800. The gentleman indicates he wishes to proceed. Please read the bill.
House Bill 2800. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Trotter.
Thank -- thank you very, Madam President, Members of the Senate. House Bill 2800 is the recommendation of the AIDS Foundation, which is trying to increase HIV testing among at-risk pregnant women by adding a third trimester HIV testing in addition 110 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 to the current first trimester testing. This -- this went out of the committee on Agreed Bill List. It's -- it's not a controversy. It's an important bill, but it's not a controversial one.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Is there any discussion? I guess you're right, Senator. Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 2800 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 Bill 2800, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Sandoval, on House Bill 2802. Senator Sandoval. Turn your Calendars to the top of page 36. Out of the record on Senator Sandoval, House Bill 2802. Senator Manar, on House Bill 2810. Senator Manar. Out of the record. Senator Tracy, on House Bill 2813. The lady indicates she wishes to proceed. Please read the bill.
House Bill 2813. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Tracy.
Thank you, Madam President. What this bill does is it amends the Property Tax Code, and in the definition of "wooded acreage", it provides that the property must be defined as woodlands as to comply with the United States Department of the Interior. And it's more of a -- intended as a clarification. It's an initiative 111 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 of the Illinois County Assessment Officers Association and I know of no opposition. So I would ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 2813 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 57 voting Yea, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 2813, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Tracy, on House Bill 2814. The lady indicates she wishes to proceed. Please read the bill.
House Bill 2814. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Tracy.
Thank you, Madam President. This bill amends the provisions of the Illinois Public Aid Code and it requires monthly DHS and HFS monthly pending application reports to specify the number of applications, redeterminations, and appeals that have been pending for zero to forty-five days, forty-six to ninety days, ninety-one to one hundred and eighty days, one hundred and eighty-one days to twelve months, and so on. It's an initiative of the IHCA and I would certainly appreciate an Aye vote. I think it's very good policy. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall 112 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 House Bill 2814 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 Bill 2814, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Schimpf, on House Bill 2828. Gentleman indicates he wishes to proceed. Please read the bill.
House Bill 2828. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Schimpf.
Thank you, Madam President and Members of the Senate. House Bill 2828 is an initiative of the Illinois Parents of Adults with Developmental Disabilities. It requires IDNR to make sure that State park projects are designed to consider the needs of the disabled. It came out of State Government on an Agreed Bill List. I know of no opposition to this bill and I would ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 2828 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 56 voting Yea, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 2828, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 2842. Senator 113 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 Cunningham. The gentleman indicates he wishes to proceed. Please read the bill.
House Bill 2842. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Cunningham.
Thank you, Madam President. House Bill 2842 amends the Environmental Protection Act. It standardizes the process that pollution control facilities must follow when they're applying for site approval before a local governing board. I know of no opposition. Ask for your support.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 2842 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 55 voting Yea, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 2842, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Hastings, on House Bill 2876. The gentleman indicates he wishes to proceed. Please read the bill.
House Bill 2876. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd -- 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) 114 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 Senator Hastings.
Thank you, Madam President. House Bill 2876 is a recommendation of the Recycled Asphalt Shingles Association. It amends the Environmental Protection Act to address the recycling and disposal of asphalt shingles and it clarifies the definition of an "eligible shingle recycling facility", which, asphalt roofing shingles, the Act covers. It also establishes notification requirements. There are no opponents to this bill and I'll answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Is there any discussion? Any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 2876 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 57 voting Yea, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 2876, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Hastings, on House Bill 2880. Please read the gentleman's bill.
House Bill 2880. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Hastings.
Thank you, Madam President. This bill is a recommendation of the Land Reclamation and Recycling Association. It amends the Environmental Protection Act to require the IEPA to propose to the 115 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 Illinois Pollution Control Board and for the Board to adopt rules that permit owners and operators of clean demolition debris operations who are transferring a portion of a fill operation site to another individual to be released from permitting requirements in relations to the transferred section of the fill operation site, provided that the several conditions outlined in the Act are satisfied. And I'll answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Is there any discussion? Senator Rezin, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam -- Madam President. Question for the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Sponsor indicates he will yield. Senator Rezin.
Thank you. Senator Hastings, can you tell me the difference between a clean landfill and a sanitary landfill?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Hastings.
There are different requirements for clean landfills and sanitary landfills. In a clean construction debris landfill, which is a clean landfill, there's a limited amount of inputs that you can put into the -- the fill itself. Those being soil, concrete, brick, and asphalt.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Rezin.
116 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 Still, also, in -- I have a list of chemical contaminants that potentially could be put into the clean debris landfill as well, correct?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Hastings.
Those items that I had answered in the question previously are, to my understanding, the four inputs into a clean construction demolition debris site.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Rezin.
Does the clean construction landfill -- do they have a liner?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Hastings.
No, a clean construction demolition debris fill is different from landfills and other fill sites. So, no, it would not have a liner, as per the current IEPA standard that's in place today.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Rezin.
Does the clean debris landfill -- do they have water -- permanent water monitors around the clean debris landfill, such as the sanitary landfills do, that monitor the water?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Hastings.
I want to be very clear in terms of the differences in which 117 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 you are referencing. A landfill is significantly different from a clean construction demolition debris site. Landfills are able to put various inputs outside of hazardous substances, chemicals, and contaminants. Landfills don't -- none of these sites, unless they're previously approved for that through the IEPA, are allowed to put those in there, and those are very highly, highly regulated sites. But I want to tell you that the definition of a landfill is significantly different than a quarry and a clean construction demolition debris site.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Rezin.
To the bill, please, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) To the bill, Senator.
Thank you. I understand that there are differences between the two landfills. A sanitary landfill, as many of us had, I have many in backyard. What you're talking about is the -- a clean debris landfill. But there is a difference, as -- as you had mentioned before. So, in this clean debris landfill, there are no liners required, there's no leachate system, and there's no ground -- groundwater monitoring system around the clean landfills. While yet -- ultimately, yes, we would like to think that there's clean debris going in there, but there is, you know, this landfill is not monitored near as closely as the sanitary landfills. In this bill, we're asking a company to be able to partially close a clean debris landfill without -- without knowing where the liability rests after that partial closing of the landfill is finished. As 118 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 a result of that, I ask for a No vote. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Further discussion? Senator Righter, for what purpose do you rise?
To the bill, please, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) To the bill.
Thank you, Madam President. You know, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, I've served in this Chamber for fourteen years and never once have I been recommended by any what would -- what we would commonly refer to as pro-environment lobby group - say, hey, Dale Righter's a great candidate - not once. I'm not, in political terms, an environmentalist. This bill should get your attention on that issue. This bill would allow individuals who own quarries -- now quarries are often used for this clean construction debris. Quarries are porous, made of porous rock. There's no liner in them. It would allow these quarries to fill in a portion and sell a portion of that property to someone who wants to buy it and develop it. That's not striking. What's striking is, is that the bill would exempt the owner of the quarry from any closure permits. Right now, the IEPA says if you're going to do something like that, you have to obtain a closure permit, and that's designed to prevent contamination to other areas, particularly groundwater, so it might rain, filter through, and go out. Now, some would say, well, that's not a big deal - right? - because it's clean construction debris. Well, I'm going to reference, in 2012, the IEPA was engaged in some rulemaking with the Pollution Control Board and 119 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 provided us some information that said in twelve of the clean construction debris sites that it surveyed - and it used the same equipment that the owners of these quarries used to measure contamination - in ten out of twelve surveys, they found amounts of toxins that exceeded what are called the maximum allowable concentrations of these elements - cadmium, iron, aluminum, chromium, lead, magnesium, manganese, and something called benzopyrene. Now I don't know what all those things are, but they don't sound like anything I want in my drinking water. Now, you will hear from the proponents that it's okay, because the bill requires the quarry owner to offer up a performance bond. In other words, buy a bond as security that if something goes wrong that that bond will be -- that bond will pay it out and take care of everything. Couple things to know: First of all, that's to pay for a cleanup after a disaster happens. But, second, the performance bond, we don't know how much that is, because the bill allows for up to two years for the rulemaking for this. And during the rulemaking, the transactions can go on. Now I want to say that again. The transactions are supposed to be regulated by rules that are going to be promulgated by the Pollution Control Board, but the bill gives the Pollution Control Board up to two years to put the rules together and the land transactions are going to go on during that time. So the question you may have is, well, wait a second, how are we going to know what the performance bond is supposed to be if that's supposed to be in the rules? And that's a great question. Or how the EPA is supposed to get the performance bond to pay for the damage, because we didn't look for it on the front end, because we exempted them from the -- permit -- the closure requirements. Ladies and Gentlemen, this bill, while 120 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 perhaps well intended, is a disaster waiting to happen. There will be rainfall. It will be in quarries that have more than the maximum allowable concentrations of these toxins and it will flow out through, into drinking water supplies at some point. There is a reason, even though some people don't like it, that we have these closure permit requirements - to keep these things from happening. This bill blows an exception to that. I would respectfully, but strongly, urge a No vote. Thank you, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Hastings.
I believe that was to the bill, but I'll respond to his statements. The distinguished gentleman from Mattoon had just given us five minutes of the greatest Bill O'Reilly "Spin Zone" that I've heard in Springfield since the budget debate. Normally, over the last couple months, I -- I'm pretty intense about certain things, but the one thing that I've been intense about is studying the laws that regulate quarries in the State of Illinois, and I'm going to give everyone just a brief tutorial for everyone's indulgence, because I think it's extremely important to understand. This can happen now. In order to close a quarry in the State of Illinois, you have to fill it with soil or the inputs that I had discussed when I answered a previous Senator's questions. Those being soil, concrete, brick, or asphalt - that is it. In order to close out a portion of a quarry, you have to fill in the entire quarry with any of those input. The soil that you put into the quarry has to be of higher standard than the soil surrounding the quarry. It is to be inspected, monitored, and 121 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 tested by the IEPA at any given time the IEPA shall deem necessary. So the soil inside the quarry is of the standard of higher quality of the surrounding soil around. This bill has nothing to do with the quality of water whatsoever. The reason why the good Senator brings up the water is because he's tacking an issue on that they have failed to regulate at JCAR, in which he sits, for the past seven years. The Pollution Control Board has failed to do this. If it was so important -- if they found it to be so detrimental to the drinking water of the State of Illinois, they would have done it over the course of seven years. To touch on the performance bond requirements of this bill: In order to close out a quarry - and the reason why we're closing out quarries is to make the land economically viable for the communities in which the quarry sits - the -- the land itself, after it's filled with soil, has to be completed with either three feet of top soil -- and according to the environmental engineers, that three feet of top soil is for mere aesthetic purposes only. There are no other purposes out -- that's that final permitting requirement that the previous speaker has spoke of. The performance bond is to come into effect as a surety. What does that mean? If the purchaser of the property fails to meet the permitting requirements for the closing out properly, of putting that top soil on, the performance bond would come into effect. I think it's extremely important to realize that. Last, this bill does not circumvent local control in terms of water monitoring. Counties across the State of Illinois have the ability, they have the ability to enact storm water management acts. So, in the event that they have to close out a quarry, the county could permit a special use permit in order to finish up closing of the quarry. If they choose not to, that's up to them, 122 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 but the county could enact an extremely stringent storm water management act, where they could possibly require a quarry owner to build a shed over a quarry. I will just tell you that the expense to a quarry owner to put a fifty- to sixty-million-dollar shed over a quarry, I don't think that would be cost beneficial than it would be just to -- do ground water monitoring. Last, I want to tell you that drinking water in the State of Illinois is just as important to me as it is to everybody else in this Chamber. It's so important that -- I don't have a quarry in my district. I have a quarry next to my district…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Fourteen seconds, Senator.
Thank you very much.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you. You do…
I can…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) You do have more speakers and you have a close.
I do and I will close, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) But, but…
But I want to make sure everyone understands before some of the misinformation gets out from all the opponents that Senator Koehler and myself, Senator McGuire and myself have agreed to work on a clean water monitoring bill. Any of these bills, any of these 123 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 things they talk about, clean water and all that, is outside of the purview of this bill. I want to focus on the merits of this bill. Thank you, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator McGuire, for what purpose do you rise? SENATOR McGUIRE: Thank you, Madam President. Question of the speaker, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) The sponsor indicates he will yield. Senator McGuire. SENATOR McGUIRE: Senator Hastings, not only are we colleagues and friends, we're also neighbors. Our districts abut each other. Near Gougar Road, the boundary between our districts, is a clean construction demolition debris landfill. I know you're an attentive Senator; you probably noted that Joliet is known as the "City of Steel and Stone". The stone refers to limestone, limestone which was mined for over a century in Joliet and Lockport, up in Lemont. Again, you're an attentive Senator. Senator, are you aware of the number of clean construction demolition debris landfills in the county which we both represent?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Hastings.
Thank you, Madam President. I represent the County of Will, obviously in the boundaries that the good Senator has stated. It is to my understanding there are nine clean construction demolition debris sites. That was the last number I was advised of. Some of those sites may be confused with other clean fill sites as well, but in my district alone, the neighboring boundaries of my district 124 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 have the clean construction demolition debris sites. And so I hope that answers your question.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator McGuire. SENATOR McGUIRE: Correct. There are nine clean construction demolition debris landfills in Will County, more than in any of the one hundred and two counties in our State. Senator Hastings, are you aware of what percentage of Will County residents, nearly seven hundred thousand men, women, and children, what percentage draw their drinking water from the aquifers which lie beneath Will County?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Hastings.
I do not have the specific answers statistically to that question, so I can't answer that specifically, Senator, but I'm sure, since you've asked the question, you have the statistic handy.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator McGuire. SENATOR McGUIRE: Approximately eighty percent of the residents of Will County draw their drinking water from municipal wells and, obviously, in unincorporated areas from privately owned wells. Senator Hastings, are you aware of the position that Will County Executive Larry Walsh, Sr., has taken on your bill?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Hastings.
125 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 I am aware of the position the County Executive has taken.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator McGuire. SENATOR McGUIRE: Senator, is Will County Executive Larry Walsh, Sr., in support or in opposition to Senate Bill 2 -- House Bill 2880?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Hastings.
According the opposition list on my bill analysis, Will County is not listed as an opponent, but I know, when I spoke to him, he does not like this bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator McGuire. SENATOR McGUIRE: Appreciate your honesty. Same question regarding Will County Board Speaker Jim Moustis. Is he in support…(microphone cutoff)…in opposition to your bill?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thirty-five seconds. Senator Hastings.
I have not spoken with Mr. Moustis.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator McGuire. SENATOR McGUIRE: Okay, in the interest of time, I will add that the Will County Legislative Committee is also on record as opposing this bill. This bill is shrouded in doubt. There is doubt about what's at the bottom of these landfills. I grew up around these quarries, 126 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 which are now landfills. For years, the possibility existed that car batteries containing lead were dumped in there, fifty-five- gallon drums full of toxic solvents were dumped in there, asbestos- containing materials from demolished buildings were in there. It was only later that the rules were promulgated regarding clean construction demolition debris. Secondly, there's great doubt about whether or not existing storm water ordinances would protect our groundwater. Here's a letter from the Will County State's Attorney, which reads the statute in a way different than the sponsor does. Again, this is a bill shrouded in doubt. This is a bill which is being rushed to passage with scarcely more than thirty hours before adjournment. If we are wrong on this bill, we will risk poisoning the drinking water of generations of Will County residents. I urge a No vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Further discussion? Senator McCarter, for what purpose do you rise? SENATOR McCARTER: Question of the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Sponsor indicates he will yield. Senator McCarter. SENATOR McCARTER: Senator, there -- there's been a lot of talk of concerns about the bill and you and I talked about that and you -- you gave me the assurance that you were going to come back with a trailer to address these concerns. Can you give us an idea of how you plan on doing that to give us more confidence that we should go forward?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Hastings. 127 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017
There are currently two bills out right now that have been filed in the Senate and have gone nowhere. They've been filed by Will County Members of the House of Representatives. I've given my word in the committee and I've partnered with Senator Koehler and even those that are opposed to the bill, with the good Senator from Will County, who I share Will County with. I'll be introducing a bill later on this afternoon that'll be a third option to clean water well monitoring for quarries. So there will be three bills out there and we will discuss those in depth to provide protections to Illinois residents for clean drinking water.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator McCarter? Further discussion? Senator Althoff, for what purpose do you rise?
Will the sponsor yield?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Sponsor indicates he will yield. Senator Althoff.
Senator Hastings, I actually had to unfortunately remove my name as a sponsor of this legislation when I really started to hear from constituents about its ultimate effect. May I ask you, what is the Attorney General's position on this legislation?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Hastings.
The -- the Attorney General's in opposition. I'll explain why. They feel as if there's no liability to these quarry owners. 128 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 I want to tell you that under federal law and State law, there is extensive liability law that addresses original liability if somebody is to introduce a contaminant, which is a very broad definition under the law. They also have the ability to bring original liability to those who introduce a hazardous substance or a chemical into the water table or into a stream of water, the penalties of which are very severe. I think it's important to know that. And I'll just tell you that when we were in private negotiations with the Attorney General, the Attorney General openly admitted that they still have the jurisdiction to prosecute original landowners.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Althoff.
I can't speak to that meeting. All I can tell you is that in my conversations, the Attorney General asked for several considerations. One of them is to allow the owners of the quarry sites -- they can sell off partially closed portions, but they need to maintain current environmental protections created by rule and permit. That's one request that they had for amendment to the legislation. The second was to absolutely state that the Attorney General's Office still has the ability to sue for any pollution violations. And three, to clarify that a quarry site operator is still liable to the State or private individual for damages caused by soil and/or groundwater contamination. The concern not only is for the Attorney General to have that ability, but the concern is also that potentially you could have local governments responsible for the cleanup of these sites, and that could obviously break the bank. So my question is, was there any attempt to include this 129 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 language in the legislation?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Hastings.
You know, Senator Althoff, we had expressed -- we had -- we had discussed this extensively with the Attorney General's Office and we spoke about the issue of liability associated with commercial or industrial property transferred from a buyer to a seller. There is environmental statutes that include the federal Clean Water Act, CERCLA, the RCRA, and the Illinois Environmental Protection Act that dictate responsibility in environmental issues associated with real property. They -- they had openly admitted in a meeting to me that they had the original jurisdiction under the current law. In which, if we were to add other law onto that, you and I both agree that duplicative law generally isn't good for public policy.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Althoff.
To the bill. I, too…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) To the bill, Senator.
Thank you very much, Madam President. I, too, would urge the Body to take a long hard look at this legislation. I do not think it's in the best interests of our constituents. I do not think it's in the best interests of our local governments. We are leaving people hanging on the vine, concerned about their safety. I'm not going to say the two words that I promised Michael -- 130 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 Senator Hastings that I wouldn't say, but there was a significant issue in a neighboring state and I think we have an obligation in this Chamber to do all within our power to ensure that we're protecting the safety of all of our constituents. So I, again, would urge a No vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Further discussion? Please pay attention to the timer. It is set. Senator Sandoval.
Thank you, Madam President, Members of the Illinois Senate. I stand in support of Senator Hastings' bill. This is an effort to create jobs, keep working-class people working during these real difficult times. But even in light of no budget here at the State of Illinois, it's ironic, it's ironic that the gentleman from Will County -- spoke up and -- against this bill. Will County, one of the centers of -- of greatest progress, construction, investment of intermodal. Senator McGuire, maybe when we get around to passing a capital bill and maybe, as you look at the five-year plan of IDOT's five-year construction project, maybe we should just bypass Will County altogether. Maybe we should just bypass Will County and there should be no roads, no bridges. We should not put any people to work. We should not have any union folks be working on our projects in…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) To the bill, Senator.
…in Will County.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) To -- to this bill. 131 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017
You know…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) To this bill.
…as a former commissioner of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District and as a former official of the U.S. EPA Region 5 in the Superfund Program, where I spent a number of years, I can tell you, Madam President, for the record, Illinois has some of the most stringent regulation, environmental requirements on - - on quarries in the Midwest. I don't know what the gentleman from Will County, nor some -- some Members of the other side of the aisle are insinuating, because if these quarries were not in compliance, they'd be shut down. And so, then, if we shutdown these quarries, you know what, then maybe we should shut down all those projects, those highway and road projects, and maybe we should tell the road building industry and the engineers and the architects, they should just go somewhere else, 'cause this is not a place for them. I'd ask an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator McGuire, I do recognize your name was -- during debate. Please, to the bill. SENATOR McGUIRE: Thank you, Madam President. Quarries are places from which rock is extracted. These are not quarries. They once were quarries; they now are landfills. And, again, we don't know what's at the bottom of them. I mentioned some of the toxins that could be there. We don't know what lies between the bottom of these erstwhile quarries, which are now being utilized as clean 132 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 construction demolition debris landfills. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Final speaker, Senator Koehler, for what purpose do you rise?
To the bill, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) To the bill, Senator.
A lot of emotion on this issue. Let me try to rationally approach this. We have quarries that once were productive as quarries and now they're not, so we need to fill 'em with something. What Senator Hastings has talked about are acceptable materials to put back into these pits. The purpose then is to try to reclaim these so that it can be developed and put into productive use. When these exist in areas where populations are expanding, you need to reclaim this land and -- and to put it back into a useful purpose. I don't have any problem in supporting this bill. I have made a commitment that I'm going to work with the sponsor on what I think is the real issue, and that's clean water monitoring, groundwater monitoring, because there's a lot of -- of quarries in the past that may have had, you know, unauthorized materials put into them. Those need to be monitored. And so I commit to the sponsor to working on that. I intend to bring back a groundwater monitoring bill that's going to address this issue and other issues in our State, but, right now, I'm going to support this bill, because I think we've made too much of -- of it on its face. If the EPA does their job and monitors this the way they should, these should not be a problem for our communities to redevelop. I urge an Aye vote. 133 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Hastings, to close.
…President, thank you so much for your time. I really appreciate your patience in this matter, but it's of upmost importance that we listen to maybe my close. The IEPA, the IEPA sets forth the rules. The Governor's administration set the rules and we agreed on this right here. The Governor's -- I'm working with the Governor's administration on this bill. If that's not a sign enough of good things happening here in Springfield, well, I don't know what else to tell ya. I want to rebuke the good Senator from Will County's remarks. Yes, the Will County CEO is against this bill, but I want you to look at the Floor vote - I want you to look at the Floor vote - a hundred and ten to two, a hundred and ten to two. All of Will County, except for one person, voted for this bill. Holy cow, that's amazing! Everyone in Will County voted for it, except for one person. I guess it wasn't that important to them. The last thing is this: If water -- clean water was such a concern to this Chamber and through all the debate I've heard today, I have not seen one clean water bill filed in this Chamber this Session. So, for seven years, seven years, groups that have had an issue with quarries, they've lost for seven years. They should have filed a bill every year for the last seven years, is what they should've done. And the part about this bill that makes it so unique is that you could already do this. In order to close out a part of a quarry, alls you have to do is, under current law, fill in the entire quarry, sell off part of the quarry, and then reopen the rest of it. You can do it under current law right now. This bill, in addition to being an act of 134 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 bipartisanship, this is a reduction in that government bureaucracy that everyone hates in Illinois. I urge an Aye vote. Thank you, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. The question is shall House Bill 2820 {sic} (2880) 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 20 - can someone vote me? - 26 voting -- 26 voting Yea, 26 voting Nay, 5 voting Present. House Bill 28 -- 2 voting Present, excuse me. House Bill 2880, having -- have not received the required constitutional majority, is declared failed. Senator Hastings, for what purpose do you rise?
Madam President, I move that House Bill 2880 be put on Postponed Consideration so we can vote in its affirmative tomorrow.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Hastings requests that House Bill 2895 {sic} be postponed. The bill will be placed on the Order of Postponed Consideration. You got a long night ahead of you, Senator. Senator Muñoz, for what purpose do you rise? SENATOR MUÑOZ: Thank you, Madam President. Point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please state your point, Senator. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, I want to introduce my Page for the Day. His name is Michael Tiran. He's -- actually 135 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 lives in Senator Silverstein's district, but I've known his dad for many, many years. His dad was born in Romania and his son, Michael, was born here. Michael just completed his freshman year at Niles West and had a grade point average of 4.0, so he's really good in school. He wants to be a neurologist one day. If we can welcome him to the Senate, I would greatly appreciate it.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Welcome to the Illinois General Assembly. All the best, young man. Senator Oberweis, for what purpose do you rise?
Madam President, it was Bill 2880 that was requested to be put on Postponed Consideration, not 2895, which you announced.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Leader Muñoz in the Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Mr. Secretary, Resolutions.
Senate Resolutions 573 and 574, offered by Senator Morrison and all Members. Senate Resolution 575, offered by Senator Bush and all Members. And Senate Resolutions 576 and 577, offered by Senator Harmon and all Members. They are all death resolutions, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Mr. Secretary, Resolutions Consent Calendar. Mr. Secretary, Messages from the House.
A Message from the House by Mr. Mapes, Clerk. 136 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 Mr. President - I am directed to inform the Senate that the House of Representatives has concurred with the Senate in the passage of a bill of the following title, to wit: Senate Bill 1348. Together with the following amendment which is attached, in the adoption of which I am instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1348. We have received like Messages on Senate Bill 1400, with House Amendment 1; Senate Bill 1434, with House Amendment 1; Senate Bill 1462, with House Amendment 2; Senate Bill 1489, with House Amendment 1; Senate Bill 1532, with House Amendment 1; Senate Bill 1598, with House Amendment 1; Senate Bill 1668, with House Amendments 1 and 2. All passed the House, as amended, May 30th, 2017. Timothy D. Mapes, Clerk of 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 concurred with the Senate in the passage of a bill of the following title, to wit: Senate Bill 1720. Together with the following amendment which is attached, in the addition {sic} (adoption) of which I am instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1720. Passed the House, as amended, May 30th, 2017. Timothy D. Mapes, Clerk of the House.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Will all members, Committee on Assignments please come to the President's Anteroom immediately? All members, Committee on 137 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 Assignments. Mr. Secretary, Senate Bills 1st Reading.
Senate Bill 2211, offered by Senator Harmon. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 22 -- 2212, offered by Senator Biss. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of the bills.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) 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 concurred with the Senate in the passage of a bill of the following title, to wit: Senate Bill 1399. Together with the following amendment which is attached, in the adoption of which I am instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1399. We have received like Messages on Senate Bill 1722, with House Amendment 1; Senate Bill 1774, with House Amendments 1 and 2; and Senate Bill 1842, with House Amendment 1. Passed the House, as amended, May 30th, 2017. Timothy D. Mapes, Clerk of the House.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Will all members report to the President's Anteroom? Committee on Assignments, all members, please, we need to get these reports out. We will be going to committees today and then coming back on the Floor. Mr. Secretary, Messages from the House.
138 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 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 a bill of the following title, in the passage of which I am instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Bill 1424. Passed the House, May 30th, 2017. Timothy D. Mapes, Clerk of the House.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Mr. Secretary, House Bills 1st Reading.
House Bill 1424, an Act -- offered by President Cullerton. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Clayborne, Chairman of the Committee on Assignments, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Refer to Criminal Law Committee - House Bill 3074, Floor Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 2073, Floor Amendment 1 to House Bill 303, and Motion to Concur with House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1722; refer to Education Committee - Motion to Concur on House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1223, House Bill 1774, and Floor Amendment 2 to House Bill 2527; refer to Executive Committee - Motion to Concur on House Amendments 1 and 3 to Senate Bill 8, Motion to Concur on House Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 1446, Motion to Concur on House Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 1933, and House Bill 643 {sic}; refer to Judiciary Committee - Motion to Concur on House Amendment 1 to 139 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 Senate Bill 910, Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1021, Floor Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1035; refer to Licensed Activities and Pensions Committee - Motion to Concur on House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 898, Motion to Concur on House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 899, and Motion to Concur on House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1688; refer to Transportation Committee - Motion to Concur on House Amendments 2 and 3 to Senate Bill 675; Be Approved for Consideration - House Bills 238, 479, 1955, Floor Amendment 1 to House Bill 2893, and Floor Amendment 2 to House Bill 3519. Signed, Senator James F. Clayborne, Chairman.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Senator Raoul, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. I move to waive all notice and posting requirements so that House Bill 1774 can be heard today in Senate Education Committee.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Senator Raoul moves to waive all notice and posting requirements so that House Bill 1774 can be heard today in Senate Education Committee. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the notice and posting requirements have been waived. Senator Bush, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. I move to waive all notice and posting requirements so that HB 643 can be heard today in the Senate Executive Committee.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Senator Bush moves to waive all notice and posting 140 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 requirements so that House Bill 643 can be heard today in the Senate Executive Committee. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and all notice and posting requirements have been waived. Senator Schimpf, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. I move to waive all applicable Senate rules so that Senate Joint Resolution 21 can be heard in the Senate Transportation Committee tomorrow.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Senator Schimpf moves to waive all notice and posting requirements -- Senate Joint Resolution 21 can be heard tomorrow in Transportation. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and all notice and posting requirements have been waived. Senator Weaver, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
…you -- thank you, Mr. President. I'd like to move to waive all applicable Senate rules so that House Bill 3784 can be heard in Education Committee today.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Senator Weaver moves to waive all notice and posting requirements so that House Bill 3784 can be heard today in Senate Education Committee. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and all notice and posting requirements have been waived. All right. Following committees will meet this afternoon and tomorrow morning. Here we go, Ladies and Gentlemen. Starting today, Executive, 5 p.m., Room 212; Licensed Activities and Pensions, today at 5 p.m., Room 400; State Government, today, 141 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 5 p.m., Room 409; Education, today, 5:45, Room 212; Public Health, today, 5:45, Room 400; Criminal Law, today, 6:30 p.m., Room 400; Higher Education, tomorrow, 9 a.m., 212; Judiciary, tomorrow, 9 a.m., Room 400; Human Services, tomorrow, 9 a.m., 409; Transportation, tomorrow, 10 a.m., Room 212. Back to House Bills 3rd Reading, page 36 of the Calendar, where we left off, House Bill 2895. Senator Fowler. Indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 2895. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Senator Fowler.
Thank you, Mr. President. House Bill 2895, this bill seeks to designate cycling as the official State exercise. We believe it's important, as the State, we encourage the people of Illinois to pursue an active lifestyle for long-term health. Also, Illinois State government and many local governments have invested significant resources the last twenty years across the State to build and expand biking trails. By declaring cycling as the State exercise, I believe we can bring attention to the importance of living an active lifestyle and promote tourism at the same time. This bill passed the House with a hundred and eleven votes. I ask for an Aye vote. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Is there any discussion? The question is, shall House Bill 2895 pass. All -- Senator Righter, for what purpose do you seek 142 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 recognition?
I -- I wonder if the sponsor will yield, Mr. President?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Sponsor indicates he will yield, Senator.
Thank you. Senator Fowler, this is not your first bill, correct? I am a cross country coach back in my hometown of Mattoon and have been for coming up on eight years. So I want you to help me explain, if I choose to vote for this bill, help me -- how am I going to explain to my kids, who run every day, run hard, that the State of Illinois has made a decision to endorse some other kind of exercise as the State exercise? How -- what am I going to say to these kids?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Senator Fowler.
That's -- that's a great question, Senator Righter. This -- this initiative, it's tourism-based as well, and also the fact that there's been significant dollars invested in many -- many trails throughout the State of Illinois. Hopefully, it'll be a revenue generator and also that our -- some of our retail establishments will be able to promote the fact that -- that the State is offering cycling as a -- as a retail tool as well, to create revenue dollars.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Senator Righter.
Senator, do you cycle? 143 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Senator Fowler.
Sir, I do. We have -- we have a lot of trails down in Southern Illinois, as an example, the Tunnel Hill (State) Trail, which is fifty-five miles. And also, to allude on that as well, there's a lot of proactive initiatives and, actually, there's an influx of cycling groups, such as veterans, now that are -- are promoting cycling and, in fact, there's an honor -- an event honoring the fallen that's going to be transpiring in Southern Illinois in the very near future for -- for veterans, fallen veterans.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Senator Righter.
Now, Senator Fowler, as I recall, down in your neck of the woods, you have a lot of wineries. Now, I know in motorcycling, they have these things called poker runs, where they'll ride to a place and go to a place and then ride to another place and go in that place. Do you do that kind of thing in cycling with wineries down in Southern Illinois?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Senator Fowler.
Actually, on the Tunnel Hill Trail, I have actually biked to a winery.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Senator Righter, thirty seconds.
I give up. I give up. 144 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Question is, shall House Bill -- Senator Harris, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Sponsor -- will the sponsor yield, please?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Sponsor indicates he will yield.
Senator Fowler, did you just indicate to the Body that you were biking under the influence?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Senator Fowler.
No, sir, actually that was the very end of the bike ride and we -- actually, we all biked to a wine trail and they picked us up from there and then they took us back to our prespective {sic} residences. So, no, I did not, sir, to answer your question.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Senator Harris. No other speakers? The question is, shall House Bill 2895 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 45 voting Aye, 7 voting Nay, 2 voting Present. House Bill 2895, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 2897. Senator Manar. Indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 2897. (Secretary reads title of bill) 145 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Senator Manar.
Thank you, Mr. President. This is a straightforward bill coming from the Department of Corrections. Provides that the Helping Paws Service Dog Program shall include training service dogs for veterans with PTSD or depression. I know of no opposition to the bill and I would ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Is there any discussion? There being none, the question is, shall House Bill 2897 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 56 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 2897, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 2898. Senator Morrison. Indicates she wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 2898. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Senator Morrison.
Mr. President, Members of the Senate, this bill removes the sunset on a provision that allows school support personnel with at least four years of work experience to receive a principal endorsement on their Professional Educator License. The provision 146 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 currently sunsets on June 30th, 2021. Probably the most remarkable aspect of this bill is the fact that it has been shepherded along by a gentleman whom many of you know, who we have very high esteem for and respect, and that's Mr. Dick Lockhart. This is probably Dick's last bill. He's decided at the young age of ninety-three, with more than fifty years in service here in Springfield, that he's probably going to retire this winter. So please vote Yes for this bill. Not only does it have merit, but it has a very special gentleman who has been working this.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Is there any discussion? And, yes, Mr. Lockhart's a great man. He will be very much so missed. The question is, shall House Bill 2898 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 57 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 2898, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Mr. Lockhart, we wish you all the best, sir, and thank you for your service. For those of you that don't know, Mr. Lockhart is a World War II veteran, highly decorated. House Bill 2907. Senator McGuire. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 2907. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Senator McGuire. SENATOR McGUIRE: Thank you, Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the 147 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 Senate. House Bill 2907 seeks to expand the provision of telepsychiatry by removing a requirement that the provider -- that a licensed healthcare professional be in the same room as the patient receiving telepsychiatric services. It retains the requirement that a licensed healthcare professional be in the same building. I cherish the bipartisan sponsorship of this bill. I know of no opposition and I ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Is there any discussion? The question is, shall House Bill 2907 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 55 voting Aye, 1 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 2907, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 2953. Senator Sandoval. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 2953. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Senator Sandoval.
Mr. President, we're going to -- we're going to pull it back. We're not ready yet.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) What was that, Senator?
We're going to reconsider. We're going to take it out of the 148 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 record. There's some more amendments being worked on.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Out of the record. House Bill 2963. Leader Harmon. Mr. Secretary, read the bill. Oh, no, out of the record. House Bill 3002. Senator Manar. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 3002. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Senator Manar.
Thank you, Mr. President. This bill establishes the Infectious Disease Testing Act. It was a collaborative effort between the Illinois Ambulance Association, the Illinois Society for Advanced Practice Nursing, and the ANA. I know of no opposition to the bill and would ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Is there any discussion? The question is, shall House Bill 3002 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 57 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 3002, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 3004. Senator Sandoval. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 3004. (Secretary reads title of bill) 149 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Senator Sandoval.
Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. House Bill 3004 is initiative of the Regional Transportation Authority. It will allow them to sell and deliver additional Working Cash Notes, bonds. It would allow the RTA to open a line of credit with a bank or financial institution using Working Cash Notes and the aggregate limit of the Notes and the credit may not exceed four hundred million dollars. There is no opposition. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Is there any discussion? Senator Righter, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Will the sponsor yield, please, Mr. President?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Sponsor indicates he will yield.
Thank you, Mr. President. Senator Sandoval, the -- they've asked for a line of credit. Can you explain a little more about their request or their need for that?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Senator Sandoval.
Senator Righter, I am not a banker nor a financial analyst. I'd have to get back with information on that.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Senator Righter. 150 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017
Senator, I was just curious about why the party who would be granted the ability to have a line of credit might want it. If - - if -- if we don't have that pretty basic information, would you be willing to pull the bill from the record until we can have that answer?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Senator Sandoval.
Well, this bill would simply allow the RTA the -- greater flexibility to allow for late payments from the State of Illinois so that they can continue operating our transit systems in Illinois.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Senator Righter.
Senator, the State -- from my reading of the bill, the State Treasurer plays a role in this with regards to perhaps -- perhaps purchasing debt. Can you explain that?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Senator Sandoval.
I have had no conversation with the State Treasurer, nor the State Treasurer has inquired about the mechanics of this bill. They have not expressed any interest in this bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Senator Righter.
Senator, your bill mentions the State Treasurer in it. I've 151 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 got it right here. So, I -- I appreciate that you may not have had a -- a conversation directly with Treasurer Frerichs. What I'm asking is, is what role does the Treasurer play in the bill? And the reason I'm asking that is because it says State Treasurer in the bill. Can you help me?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Senator Sandoval.
You know, I'd like to help you, but I -- I can't 'cause I don't have that information. I'm not…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Senator Righter, fifty seconds.
Wow, the -- the -- this will be the best running out of the clock ever, if he's able to do this. How about the Comptroller, Treasurer {sic}? I also read the words of the State Comptroller in your bill. Can -- I'm guessing you haven't had a conversation with Comptroller Mendoza about it, but can you explain to me her role in the legislation were it to become law?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Senator Sandoval.
Well, House Bill 3 -- this bill allows the Comptroller to intercept payments from the RTA and the CTA if either -- any entity defaults on its payments. She's a great Comptroller. I've known her for years. I remember I grew up with her in the neighborhood and she's a great gal.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Senator Righter, to the bill. I'll give you -- your time is 152 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 up, but go ahead.
Thank -- thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. I know that all of you are kind of looking around, saying "I really don't know what this bill does", and I'm kind of in that crowd with you. I -- I worry that the -- the sponsor's not clear on that either. The State Treasurer here apparently has the ability, with the Comptroller, to intercept payments that be made in case of a default. I'm not clear on what role or -- or authority we're giving the Treasurer or the Comptroller, but in the absence of clarity from the sponsor himself, perhaps we should at least not vote or vote Present until we can have a more thorough conversation about what the bill does. Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Senator Oberweis, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
To the bill, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) To the bill, Senator.
I believe, in answer to the good Senator's question, I believe what this does is prioritizes cash flow to support the bondholders at the expense of other parties, including taxpayers. For that reason, I'm opposed.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Senator -- Senator McConnaughay, for what purpose do you seek recognition? SENATOR McCONNAUGHAY: To the bill. 153 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) To the bill, Senator. SENATOR McCONNAUGHAY: Thank you, Mr. President. This -- this bill is before us each and every year. And for reasons that started over in the House, instead of giving -- the decision was made to give the RTA expanded bonding, borrowing authority. But somehow, over in the House, it was decided to make 'em come back and redo it every single year. So we pass this bill every single year. It's based on a policy decision to give the RTA the flexibility to invest and pass bonds necessary to operate three different public transit systems. So there's nothing new here. This isn't out of the ordinary. This is the same thing we do each and every year. This has been misrepresented by some outside forces, as well, that have suggested that this is somehow some sort of tax increase that the General Assembly is passing on behalf of the RTA, and that just simply is not true.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Senator Sandoval, to close.
I appreciate the leadership provided by Leader McConnaughay on the other side of the aisle. We pride ourselves on working in a very bipartisan manner in the Transportation Committee. I know that the Senator from Mattoon enjoys -- Mattoon -- enjoys getting his jollies off my bills. I understand -- I understand your -- your approach to life, maybe because I'm a Mexican. To Senator - - no, I appreciate your questioning, Senator from Mattoon, I appreciate your questioning. Generally, on my bills, you like to get up and you like to -- and you like to joust and you like to 154 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 make be fizzle in my chair and jizzle, and I appreciate that, 'cause you're such a nice guy. Senator Oberweis, oh, you're out of the Chair, but I hope to never see you again in my committee. I'd ask a favorable vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Question is, shall House Bill 3004 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 39 voting Aye, 11 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 3004, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 3033. Senator Rose. Senator Rose seeks leave of the Body to return Senate {sic} Bill 3033 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading, Senate {sic} Bill 3033. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Rose.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Senator Rose, on your amendment.
We'll try to adopt the amendment…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Is there any…
Debate it on…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Is there any discussion? All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. 155 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) 3rd Reading. On the Order of 3rd Reading, Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 3033. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Senator Rose.
Thank you, Ladies and Gentlemen. This bill is very similar to Senate Bill 1866 that passed earlier this year and Senate Bill 2404 that passed the last General Assembly, except instead of being up to five hundred dollars, this would just limit the fee to a hundred dollars, period. And I'd ask for its adoption. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Is there any discussion? The question is, shall House Bill 3033 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 54 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 3033, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 3036. Senator Jones. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
156 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 House Bill 3036. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Senator Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. House Bill 3036 requires each county to adopt/implement a fee schedule that eliminates surcharges and other additional fees (to) record standards {sic} (standard) documents with a county recorder by January of 2019. I know of no opposition and look for a favorable vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Is there any discussion? The question is, shall House Bill 3036 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 55 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 1 voting Present. House Bill 3036, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 3091. Senator Manar. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 3091. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill -- 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Senator Manar.
Thank you, Mr. President. This bill is an initiative of the 157 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 Illinois Community College Board. It establishes a procedure for when a vacancy occurs on a community college board by clarifying that in the event of a vacancy on the board, the successor is elected to serve out the remaining time on the term of the board member they were elected to replace. I know of no opposition to the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Is there any discussion? There being none, the question is, shall House Bill 3091 pass. All those -- 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 57 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 3091, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 3072. Senator Hastings. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 3072. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Senator Hastings.
Thank you, Mr. President. This bill isn't a very exciting bill. It has no opponents and it makes changes to the Insurance Code regarding vehicle protection products and it corrects a drafting area -- drafting error from Public Act 98-0222 that now requires a -- stand-alone VPP providers to be licensed as service contract providers. There are no opposition. I'll answer any questions. 158 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Is there any discussion? There being none, the question is, shall House Bill 3072 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 57 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 3072, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Out of the record. House Bill 3131. Senator Aquino. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 3131. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Senator Aquino.
Thank you, Mr. President. House Bill 3131 would standardize data collection reporting at DHS with regards to the variables used to determine a program participant's race -- race and ethnicity. DHS does not currently have uniform standards in place for collecting and reporting information about program participants by race and ethnicity. DHS would then be required to make the information it captures available to the general public through existing program reports or new forms of documentation. Equipped with consistent and standard demographic information about program participants, government officials can make systemic improvements to the State's service delivery infrastructure to provide more equitable access to State services and adjust inequities where they exist. It passed out of the House 159 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 unanimously. I know of no opponents and I ask for an Aye vote. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Is there any discussion? There being none, the question is, shall House Bill 3131 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 55 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 3131, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 3167. Senator Collins. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 3167. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Senator Collins.
Thank you. House Bill 3167 requires the Department of Human Services to conduct and regularly update a study on the early childhood workforce at least once every three years. The study shall describe the professional development system for the early childhood workforce; determine compensation levels that are sufficient to attract, support, and retain a workforce of high- quality childcare providers; make recommendations to help create an accessible career advancement pathway (and) estimate the providers' costs of implementing training and professional development; and describe how the Department can set provider payment rates sufficient to allow providers to achieve the 160 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 compensation levels identified above.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Any discussion? Senator Syverson, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. Question of the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Sponsor indicates she will yield.
Senator, I know that the Department has an -- has -- has concerns with this or is opposed to this. Can you tell me both - - I guess, what were their concerns and, second, is there a cost to implementing this program?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Senator Collins.
I think, Senator Syverson, you know, from the committee hearing, I think their opposition to the bill possibly is that, they made an argument, there are some other studies out there. I think they estimated the cost at forty thousand dollars.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Senator Syverson.
And the -- and -- and the goal of this -- this study is to - - is to tell us that the pay is -- that what we're currently paying those in the child care field, that we're paying them too low, which is I think something most everyone already knows that's the case. So is that the intent, to give us an outcome of something that -- I guess we could do that without spending the forty 161 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 thousand.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Senator Collins.
Thank you, Senator. This does much more than that. The current surveys only capture data on the childcare world as it is, makes no recommendations on what should be or plans on how to get there. This is proactive. It sets forth -- it does more than identify inadequate wages as a problem; it develops the framework for a solution to that problem. It also creates benchmarks, so we see what it would take for the State to have a truly high-quality well-compensated workforce, and it develops a plan for achieving those benchmarks within the childcare assistance program.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Senator Syverson.
Do we know, is this a -- is this a study that other states have done and how we currently stack up with other states?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Senator Collins.
I'm not aware of any other states, but what we're trying to do with this legislation is focus on our own State and our own workers, trying to create an educated force of professional development that really help and serve our early childhood participants.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Senator Syverson.
162 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 Okay. Thank you. I -- I -- again, I appreciate the intent, I think, of the legislation. I think the concern is that, obviously, the Department has concerns with this. There's also the cost of this. And we'd probably have more success if we were able to come up with a game plan that we could be working in conjunction with the Department on. And so, for that reason, I - - I guess I would urge that we don't support this until we come up with a -- a plan that the Department will embrace and work with us so it can be -- as opposed -- as -- to an adversarial study. But I -- again, I appreciate what you're trying to do and the intent of the legislation. Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Senator Martinez, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
To the bill, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) To the bill, Senator.
Childcare providers are not being adequately compensated. We need to study -- we need this study - and I want to just commend Senator Collins on this - some of the recommendations on how to retain and grow this important workforce. For example, licensed family childcare providers earn an average of five dollars and five cents an hour when accounting for time spent preparing for care. Early childhood teachers with a bachelor's degree in early childhood earn an average of thirteen dollars and ninety cents an hour. An early childcare teacher -- childhood teacher with a master in early childhood or child development earns an average of sixteen dollars and fifty-one cents an hour, or less than thirty- 163 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 five thousand annually. Early childhood assistants with a child development associate earn an average of ten dollars and ten cents an hour. And those with associate's degree in early childhood or child development earn an average of -- eleven dollars and fifty- five cents an hour. The State has put tremendous effort in creating professional development systems with pathways for all providers in Illinois, but has not tackled the issue of compensation when building the career -- ladder. We are losing the workforce and they're leaving due to low wages. This was -- that's why this study is an important study. It will help look at these numbers and I think we can do -- from the studies, I think we can actually address this issue that -- that we have with child -- with child providers. So I urge an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Senator Biss, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
To the bill, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) …bill, Senator.
Thanks. I just want to quickly commend the sponsor. I mean, we look at our modern economy and we try to figure out where the middle-class jobs have gone and why wages stagnated and why there's all this economic inequality and then, at the same time, we try to figure out why is it so hard to provide adequate care, whether it's childcare or elder care or -- care for individuals with disabilities. These two problems align. These two problems align. This is skilled work, it's crucial work, it's work that allows our society to function properly, and the kind of proposal that Senator 164 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 Collins is bringing forth will allow us to treat that work with the kind of dignity it deserves, to support the kind of professional development that it needs, to support the compensation that it needs, and to help build a new set of middle- class jobs. I strongly urge an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Senator Collins, a brief close.
Thank you. I just want to say for -- thank you, Senator Martinez and Senator Biss. But to Senator Syverson, we have tried to work with the Department and we would welcome the Department being at the table to help reinforce and improve the study as we go forward. So let me just close in saying this, when we talk of infrastructure investment here in Illinois, we often talk about roads and bridges. It's when we get to human capital that we suddenly start talking about budgetary constraints. Investment in people is the same as investing in infrastructure in one important way - the earlier you begin the greater the return. We know that for the first three years of a child's life are when seventy percent of their brain function develops. Southern Illinois University School of Medicine finds that adverse conditions in early childhood can mean that low-income students fall behind two and a half to three grade levels by the time they reach fifth grade. Just as we need capital bills to sustain a strong framework for our roads and bridges, we need to invest in the quality early childhood care that ensures our next generation remains our most precious resource. I ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) The question is, shall House Bill 3167 pass. All those in 165 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 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 39 voting Aye, 16 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 3167, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 3213. Senator Hutchinson. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 3213. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Senator Hutchinson.
Thank you, Mr. President and Members of the Senate. This is an identical bill to a bill that we've already passed out of the Senate. This came over from the House. It's House Bill 3213, which amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. It adds to the list of types of families that the Department of Human Services is minimally required to cover in the child care assistance program to include families that are not on -- Temporary Assistance for Needy Family {sic} (Families) recipients, but need child care assistance to participate in education and training activities. The most important part of this is that we believe that if these parents can complete their education, they will be more self- sufficient and less likely to rely on more costly governmental services in the future. This is something we ought to be doing proactively so that we can help people do exactly what we told them to do, which is go to school so you can get a better job and you can raise your family up. I'd -- I'm happy to answer any 166 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 questions and I'd look for your support.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Is there any discussion? There being none, the question is, shall House Bill 3213 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 51 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 3213, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 3298. Senator Manar. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 3298. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Senator Manar.
Thank you, Mr. President. This is an initiative of teachers in the State. It allows a substitute teacher to apply for a refund of the licensure application fee within eighteen months of the issuance. We hope that this would incentivize, to a small degree, more individuals becoming substitute teachers, as we know that there's a shortage throughout the State. Be happy to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Is there any discussion? The question is, shall House Bill 3298 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 167 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 are 56 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 3298, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 3342. Senator Raoul. House Bill 3376. Senator Manar. Out of the record. House Bill 3519. Senator Link. Senator Link. Mr. Secretary, read the bill. Oh, it's a recall. Senator Link seeks leave of the Body to return Senate {sic} Bill 3519 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate {sic} Bill 3519. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Link.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Senator Link, on your amendment.
I… I'd like to withdraw Amendment 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Mr. Secretary, the amendment will be withdrawn. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 2, offered by Senator Link.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Senator Link, on Amendment 2.
Thank you, Mr. President. I would move for its adoption and I'll explain it on 3rd Reading.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Is there any discussion? All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. 168 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) 3rd Reading. On the Order of 3rd Reading, Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 3519. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Leader Link.
Thank you, Mr. President. This bill is a combination of a couple bills. This bill requires digital signature to be signed using a tablet provided by the election authority, plus it requires organization providing for a vote by mail application to include contact information or face a fine of one hundred dollars per application if they are not turned in in a timely manner, and it also expands early voting locations statewide and expands the hours of early voting and makes the last day of early voting the second day before an election. I'll be more than happy to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Is there any discussion? There being none, the question is -- House Bill 3519 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 voting Aye, 2 voting Nay, 0 voting 169 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 Present. House Bill 3519, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Martinez, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
My button got stuck. I wanted to vote Aye on 3519.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) The record will reflect…
Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) …you voting Aye. House Bill 3744. Senator Hunter. Out of the record. House Bill 3785. Senator Rose. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 3785. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Senator Rose.
Thanks. This is the second time we've had this issue this year. I -- Senate Bill 2060 passed out of here 51 to 0, but to refresh everyone's recollection, it -- first time, it's a technical rewrite of an Act that was originally passed in 1935 to correct various terms and processes that are no longer used.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Is there any discussion? There being none, the question is, shall House Bill 3785 pass. All those in favor, vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted 170 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 56 voting Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 3785, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 3803. Senator Hutchinson. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 3803. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Senator Hutchinson.
Thank you, Mr. President and Members of the Senate. House Bill 3803 changes the offense of unlawful contact with a streetgang member to unlawful participation in streetgang related activity. The bill provides that in order to be convicted of the offense, a person has to knowingly commit an act in furtherance of gang- related activity, instead of being convicted for coming into direct or indirect contact. Happy to answer any questions. Would look for your support. Don't know of any opposition.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Any discussion? There being none, the question is, shall House Bill 3803 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 41 voting Aye, 14 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 3803, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. House Bill 3897. Senator Martinez. Mr. Secretary, read the bill. 171 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017
House Bill 3897. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Senator Martinez.
Thank you, Mr. President. House Bill 3897 amends the Amusement Ride and Attraction Safety Act by adding trampoline courts to the definition of amusement ride. Any entity operating a trampoline court will be subject to the regulations of the Amusement Ride and Attraction Safety Board. Trampoline courts means commercial facilities with a defined area of one or more trampolines, but does not include gymnastic training facility. And I want to take this opportunity to thank Senator -- I mean Senator Althoff and the Republicans who helped me with this bill. Thank you very much. And I ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Is there any discussion? There being none, the question is, shall House Bill 3897 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 43 voting Aye, 9 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 3897, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. With leave of the Body, we'll be going back to page 29 of the Calendar, House Bill 155. That is a recall. Senator Weaver, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
172 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 Thank you, Mr. President. I'd like to be recorded as a No on 3897, House Bill 3897.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Record will reflect. Senator Hutchinson seeks leave of the Body to return House Bill 155 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is House Bill 155. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 2, offered by Senator Hutchinson.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Senator Hutchinson, on your Floor amendment.
The amendment becomes the bill. I'm happy to discuss on 3rd.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Is there any discussion? 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? Are there any other Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) 3rd Reading. On the Order of 3rd Reading, Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 155. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) 173 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 Senator Hutchinson.
Thank you. As amended, House Bill 155 extends the time in which a taxpayer in Cook County may pay their delinquent taxes to April 1st of the next calendar year after the second installment due date for tax year -- and each tax year thereafter before an application for judgement is submitted to the court and the taxes are sold at a tax sale. This is a negotiated bill and I'd look for your support.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Senator -- is there any discussion? Senator Althoff, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Will the sponsor yield?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Sponsor indicates she will yield.
Thank you very much, Mr. President. Senator Hutchinson, we had a small little confab right after the Revenue Committee about a potential trailer bill, because there were some concerns about dates and uniformity. Is there still plans to follow -- we did not want to stop this legislation, but we did want to address that with a trailer bill. Can you provide some information for the Body?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Senator Hutchinson.
Yes, we have the language. The language has been filed and we'll be working on that over the summer.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) 174 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 Senator Raoul, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) To the bill, Senator.
I support the sponsor so much that I'm -- in a Chicago way, I'm going to vote for the bill twice.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Senator Hutchinson, to close.
Thank you, Mr. President. I just wanted to make sure that I was clear on that. The language has been drafted and -- and we will be working on it this summer. I didn't want to insinuate that it was filed yet, because we'll have to negotiate that process too, but we're all on the same page. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) The question is, shall House Bill 155 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 Aye, 0 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. House Bill 155, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Leave of the Body, page 34 of the Calendar, House Bill 2568. Senator Bush. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
House Bill 2568. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill. 175 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Senator Bush.
Thank you, Mr. President. 20 -- excuse me, House Bill 2568 amends the State Designations Act by designating milkweed as the official State wildflower. I think most of you know that we have had a problem with our monarch population and milkweed are the only thing that monarchs actually feed on. So we've planted milkweed along our State highways. We've done a lot to really increase the population of the milkweed. So we're going to name it our State wildflower in hopes that we can continue that education and make sure that our pollinators are safe for generations to come. I know of no opposition and I would ask for an Aye vote, particularly from those of you that were into bicycling earlier today.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Is there any discussion? Senator Jones, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Question to the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Sponsor indicates she will yield.
Senator Bush, is this your first bill?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Senator Bush.
Would you like it to be my first bill, Senator?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) 176 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 There being no further discussion, the question is, shall House Bill 2568 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 45 voting Aye, 8 voting Nay, 1 voting Present. House Bill 2568, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Can we have the members of the Committee on Assignments please come to the President's Anteroom immediately? We're running behind. We want to get to these committees. Mr. Secretary, Resolutions.
Senate Resolution 578, offered by Senator Hastings. And Senate Resolution 579, offered by Senator Harmon. They are both substantive.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Clayborne, Chairman of the Committee on Assignments, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Refer to Education Committee - Committee Amendment 1 to House Bill 1774; refer to Transportation Committee - House Bill 2938. Signed, Senator James F. Clayborne, Chairman.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Senator Castro, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
To make a motion, Mr. President. I move to waive all notice and posting requirements so that House Bill 2938 can be heard tomorrow in the Senate Transportation Committee.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) 177 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 Senator Castro moves to waive all notice and posting requirements so House Bill 2938 can be heard tomorrow in the Senate Transportation Committee. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and all notice and posting requirements have been waived. Senator Weaver, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
Thank you, Mr. President. For the purpose of making a motion to waive all notice and posting requirements so Senate (Joint) Resolution 40 can be heard tomorrow in the Senate Higher Education Committee.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR MUÑOZ) Senator Weaver moves to waive all notice and posting requirements -- Senate Joint Resolution 40 can be heard tomorrow in Senate Education Committee -- Higher Education Committee. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and all notice and posting requirements have been waived. We also have Telecom at 10:30 a.m. tomorrow, Room 400 - Telecom. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, we will be going to committees, but after the committees, we will be coming back to the Floor so they can report back from the committees, and we will be moving bills from 2nds to 3rd. So if you want your bills to move, you need to come back so we can do that. Senate stands in recess to the call of the Chair. (SENATE STANDS IN RECESS/SENATE RECONVENES) …(microphone disengaged)…
178 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 …and all Members. It is a death resolution, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Resolutions Consent Calendar. Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Harmon, Chairperson of the Committee on Executive, reports Motion to Concur - House Amendments 1 and 3 to Senate Bill 8, House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 100, and House Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 1933 Recommend Do Adopt; and House Bill 643 Do Pass. Senator Landek, Chairperson of the Committee on State Government, reports Motion to Concur - House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1029 Recommend Do Adopt; House Bill 3293 Do Pass; and House Joint Resolution 37 Be Adopted. Senator Martinez, Chairperson of the Committee on Licensed Activities and Pensions, reports Motions -- Motion to Concur - House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 701, House Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 768, House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 898, House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 899, House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1688, and House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1811 Recommend Do Adopt. Senator Mulroe, Chairperson of the Committee on Public Health, reports Motion to Concur - House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1544 Recommend Do Adopt; and House Bill 1785 Do Pass. Senator Bertino-Tarrant, Chairperson of the Committee on Education, reports Motion to Concur - House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1223 Recommend Do Adopt; House Bill 3784 Do Pass; House Bill 1774 Do Pass, as Amended; and Senate Amendment 2 to House Bill 2527 Recommend Do Adopt. Senator Hastings, Chairperson of the Committee on Criminal 179 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 Law, reports Motion to Concur - House Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1722, Senate Amendment 1 to House Bill 270, Senate Amendment 1 to House Bill 303, and Senate Amendment 1 to House Bill 531 Recommend Do Adopt.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) 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 concurred with the Senate in the passage of a bill of the following title, to wit: Senate Bill 886. Together with the following amendments which are attached, in the adoption of which I am instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Amendments 1 and 2 to Senate Bill 886. We have received like Messages on Senate Bill 1869, with House Amendment 1; Senate Bill 1895, with House Amendment 1; Senate Bill 1902, with House Amendment 1; Senate Bill 2034, with House Amendments 1 and 2. Passed the House, as amended, May 30th, 2017. Timothy D. Mapes, Clerk of the House.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, Senate Supplemental Calendar No. 2 has been distributed to the Members' desks. On that Order is House Bills 2nd Reading. We'll begin with House Bill 238. Senator Biss. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 238. (Secretary reads title of bill) 180 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) 3rd Reading. House Bill 479. Senator Raoul. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 479. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) 3rd Reading. House Bill 643. Senator Bush. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 643. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) 3rd Reading. House Bill 1774. Senator Raoul. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 1774. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. The Committee on Education adopted Amendment No. 1.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration? 181 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) 3rd Reading. House Bill 1785. Senator Hutchinson. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 1785. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) 3rd Reading. House Bill 1955. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 1955. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) 3rd Reading. House Bill 2893. Senator Anderson. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 2893. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) And have there been any Floor amendments approved for consideration? Mr. Secretary, we'll take that out of the record for a moment while we figure out our paperwork. Mr. Secretary, 182 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 let's move forward here while the paperwork catches up with us. House Bill 3293. Senator Castro. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 3293. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) 3rd Reading. House Bill 3784. Senator Weaver. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 3784. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) 3rd Reading. Ladies and Gentlemen, we're just going to stand at ease for a moment while the paperwork catches up with the sponsors so we can close out the Order of House Bills 2nd Reading. (at ease) Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, so let's turn back to the Order of House Bills 2nd Reading. We have House Bill 2893. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 2893. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) And have there been any Floor amendments approved for 183 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 56th Legislative Day 5/30/2017 consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Bivins.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Bivins, welcome back. On your amendment.
I move for its adoption.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Bivins moves for the adoption of Floor Amendment No. 1 to House Bill 2893. All those in favor, say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Have there been any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
No further amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) 3rd Reading. There being no further business to come before the Senate, the Senate stands adjourned until the hour of 11 a.m. on the 31st day of May 2017. The Senate stands adjourned. 184