PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) The regular Session of the 100th General Assembly will please come to order. Will the Members please be at their desk? Will our guests in the galleries please rise? The invocation today will be given by Dr. Driss El-Akrich, Islamic Society of Greater Springfield, Springfield, Illinois. Dr. El-Akrich.
(Prayer by Dr. Driss El-Akrich)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Senator Cunningham.
(Pledge of Allegiance, led by Senator Cunningham)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Rae Hodge, The Daily Line, requests permission to photograph. Leave is granted. Mr. Secretary, Reading and Approval of the Journal.
Senate Journal of Tuesday, October 24th, 2017.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Hunter.
Madam President, I move to postpone the reading and approval of the Journal just read by the Secretary, pending arrival of the printed transcript.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thanks, 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 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017 Resolutions.
Senate Resolution 1030, offered by Senator Koehler and all Members. Senate Resolutions 1031 and 1032, offered by Senator Hunter and all Members. Senate Resolutions 1033 through 1036, offered by Senator Harmon and all Members. And Senate Resolutions 1037 and 1038, offered by Senator McGuire and all Members. They are all death resolutions, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Resolution Consent Calendar. Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Landek, Chairperson of the Committee on State Government, reports House Joint Resolutions 52 and 64 Be Adopted. Senator Harmon, Chairperson of the Committee on Executive, reports Senate Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 225 and Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 332 Recommend Do Adopt; and Senate Resolutions 582, 864, and 904 Be Adopted.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Mr. Secretary, Introduction of Senate Bills.
Senate Bill 2249, offered by Senator Hastings. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 2250, offered by Senator Clayborne. (Secretary reads title of bill) And Senate Bill 2251, offered by Senator Silverstein. 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017 (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of the bills.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Paul William Elders, Blueroomstream.com, requests permission to videotape. Leave is granted. The Committee on Assignments will meet immediately in the Anteroom. Will the Members from the Committee on Assignments please come to the Anteroom immediately? Senator Link in the Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Lightford in the Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Harmon, Chairman of the Committee on Assignments, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Be Approved for Consideration - Floor Amendment 3 to Senate Bill 403, Floor Amendment 4 to Senate Bill 1086, and House Bill 1479. Pursuant to Senate Rule 3-8 (b-1), the following amendments will remain in the Committee on Assignments: Floor Amendments 2 and 3 to Senate Bill 1086 and Floor Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 403. Signed, Senator Don Harmon, Chairman.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Curran, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. A -- a point of personal privilege. I would like to introduce my inaugural Page, Emma Dillard. Emma is a junior at Hinsdale Central. She is involved in tennis, Class Board, and Habitat for Humanities. She is the daughter of Stephanie and former Senator Kirk Dillard, who's also 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017 here in the Chamber. And Emma aspires to be an elementary school teacher. So I would ask everyone welcome Emma Dillard to the Chamber today.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Welcome to the Illinois General Assembly. So good to see you and your dad. Welcome, former Senator Kirk Dillard. Ladies and Gentlemen, if you would please turn your Calendars to the order of page 3. Please turn your Calendars to the order of page 3. Senator Tracy, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. If I might, I would like to introduce my Page for the Day, if it's appropriate at this time?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Yes. Please state your point, Senator.
I have with me today, Hannah Ingram, who resides in Cooperstown, Brown County, Illinois. Hannah is a senior at Brown County High School. She is very active at high school in basketball, drama, track, and choir. And whatever spare time she has, she spends singing and doing art and writing. She is somewhat undecided, but she's thinking right now she would like to attend Parkland Community College and major in dental hygiening {sic} and then perhaps continue on and to get a four-year business degree. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Welcome. Please welcome her to the General Assembly. On the Order of Senate Joint Resolutions, Senate Joint Resolution 35. Senate Joint Resolution 35. Senator Weaver. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution. 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017
Senate Joint Resolution 35, offered by Senator Weaver.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Weaver.
Thank you, Madam President. I'd like to go ahead and present this resolution that Senator Koehler is cosponsoring with me. Whereas, it is highly fitting -- could I have the room's attention, please? Thank you. Whereas, it is highly fitting that the Illinois General Assembly pays honor and respect to the truly great individuals who have served our country and, in so doing, have made the ultimate sacrifice. Whereas, Senior Chief Petty Officer William "Ryan" Owens, of Peoria, enlisted in the United States Navy in August of 1998. He entered Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL Training in Coronado, California and, after six months, graduated in September of 2002. Whereas, Senior Chief Officer Owens was a highly decorated combat veteran with numerous awards and twelve deployments. His awards include the Silver Star, the Navy and Marine Corps Medal, three Bronze Stars Medal of Valor {sic} (Bronze Star Medals with Valor), a Bronze Star Medal, a Purple Heart Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, two Joint Service Commendation Medals with Valor, two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, and the Joint Service Achievement Medal, with three Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals. Senior Chief Officer Owens was a SEAL and I just highly recognize an amazing gentleman. On January 29th, Senior Chief Owens died from wounds sustained while in combat supporting oversea contingency operations. He's survived by his wife and three children and his father. Therefore, be it resolved, by the Senate of the -- of the 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017 Illinois General Assembly, that we designate Illinois Route 29 within the Chillicothe city limits as Senior Chief Petty Officer William "Ryan" Owens Memorial Highway, and that the proper signs be located in the appropriate locations. And we're here today to honor this gentleman and I'd ask for approval of this resolution.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Senator Koehler.
Yes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) For what purpose do you rise?
Yes, to the resolution, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please speak to the resolution, Senator.
You know, this is one of the most important things we do in this Body, is to recognize our fallen heroes who have really given the ultimate sacrifice so that we can enjoy the kind of country that we have. I remember hearing about the fact that a Navy SEAL had been killed in late January and was saddened by that. And I'm particularly saddened to see that it was one of our own favorite sons of the Peoria area. It's important that we recognize what we do here in honoring these men and women that have given that ultimate sacrifice and by placing that sign. We do that to honor the family that can view that sign as they -- they go by familiarly traveled streets and for that community to know that -- that we as a State, as a community, really care. And for unknown children 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017 who may come after, who will say, mom or dad, grandma or grandpa, who was that, that Navy Seal? - this is why that's important. And so I want to thank Senator Weaver for the resolution. I'm proud to join him as a sponsor. I want to thank the community, the family, and for this Body for acknowledging one of our own, one of our special heroes. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Further discussion? Seeing none, Senator Weaver, to close.
I just ask the Body to approve this resolution. Make comments after the vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. As this resolution requires the expenditure of State funds, a roll call vote will be required. The question is, shall Senate Joint Resolution 35 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. Senate Joint Resolution 35, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared adopted. Senator Weaver.
Thank you, Madam President. If you don't mind, I'd like to have the family of Chief Petty Officer Owens please stand. And, Madam President, if you could please lead a moment of silence, we'd appreciate that.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) That is always in order. Please rise for a moment of silence. (Moment of silence observed) Thank you. Continuing on the order 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017 of page 3, Senate Joint Resolution 36. Senator Weaver. Mr. Secretary, please read the gentleman's resolution.
Senate Joint Resolution 36, offered by Senator Weaver.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Weaver.
Thank you, Madam President, and I really want to thank the Body for letting me present two of these today. They've been in the works for quite a period of time. I want to particularly just recognize the Streicher family, who, in 2002, started working on this and now, fifteen years later, joined with the Wolf family to actually have this resolution. Whereas, it is highly fitting that the Illinois General Assembly pays honor and respect to truly great individuals; and whereas, Deputy Sheriff Adam Streicher dreamed of being a police officer at a young age. He started as a Police Explorer in high school and later attended college to earn a criminal justice degree, while working as a Code Enforcer for the City of Kewanee. If we could just have a moment of silence please here.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Excuse me. Excuse me. Ladies and Gentlemen, we are on the Order of Senate Joint Resolutions. Thank you.
Thank you, Madam President. And whereas, Deputy Sheriff Adam Streicher worked for the Village of Atkinson, Sheffield, and Annawan, which was his hometown, before accepting employment as a Sheriff's Deputy for Stark County in 2001. On March 22nd, Deputy Sheriff Adam Streicher was shot and killed while attempting to 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017 serve a failure to pay warrant; and whereas, on -- on -- in 1997, Deputy Sheriff Adam Streicher graduated from Annawan High School in 1997. Another fallen police officer, Michigan State Trooper, Chad Wolf, graduated from Annawan High School in 1995. Whereas, on August 28th, Michigan State Trooper Chad Wolf was killed while on patrol when his motorcycle was struck by a vehicle; therefore, be it resolved, by the Senate of the State of Illinois, that we designate Illinois Highway Route 78 overpass over Interstate 80 as the Deputy Adam Streicher and the Trooper Chad Wolf Memorial Overpass, and the Illinois Department of Transportation erect the appropriate signs in that location. And I would ask that we pass this resolution. Thank you, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, as this resolution requires the expenditure of State funds, a roll call vote will be required. The question is, shall Senate Joint Resolution 36 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. …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. Senate Joint Resolution 36, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared adopted. Senator Weaver, for what purpose do you rise?
…privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please state your personal privilege, sir.
Yeah. Thank you. If you don't mind, I'd like to have the 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017 family of Trooper Wolf and Deputy Sheriff Streicher please rise.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please rise and be recognized by the General Assembly.
Thank you. And, Madam Chair {sic}, I wondered if we could also just have a moment of silence for both of these two gentlemen.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) That is always in order. Please remain standing for a moment of silence. (Moment of silence observed) Thank you. Mark Maxwell, WCIA, requests permission to video. Leave is granted. Senator Harmon, for what purpose do you rise?
A point of personal privilege, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please state your privilege, please.
Thank you, Madam President. The Union Pacific Railroad maintains significant operations in my district and in your district, Madam President - the rail yards out in the western suburbs near us. The Union Pacific's Commuter Operations Service Unit actually provides rail service to more than a hundred and five thousand customers daily in the Chicago Metropolitan Area and run more trains per Metra than any other train line. The Union Pacific has been recognized for its safety efforts and, in fact, 2016 marks the second consecutive year that the Union Pacific was the top-performing railroad in employee safety and that Union Pacific's Commuter Operations Service Unit was recently awarded the Union Pacific's Safety Bell, which recognize them as the safest service unit in the Union Pacific's twenty-three-state network. 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017 We have some special guests from the Union Pacific Railroad here today with us. You may have seen them pushing the bell around in a large parade. It looks a little like the Stanley Cup if you're -- see it from a distance. But they're here with us today in the gallery behind me and I just wanted to salute them for their exemplary work in providing employee safety and welcome them to Springfield.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please rise and be welcomed to the Illinois General Assembly. Thank you for all your hard work. President Cullerton, for what purpose do you rise?
Purposes of an announcement and introduction.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please state your announcement, sir.
Yes, thank you, Members of the Senate, Madam President. The month of November has been designated by the United States Congress as the National Native American Heritage Month and I have two gentlemen I'd like to introduce. Scott Sypolt is an attorney, has deep ties with the State of Illinois. He is Cherokee and Chickasaw. He had served as -- Illinois as the Director of Ethnic and Minority Affairs for the Office of the Attorney General. Also, we have with us, visiting from the State of Oklahoma, John Barrett, who is the Tribal Chairman of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, the first Tribe to become citizens of the United States. Like to welcome them to Springfield.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please rise and be welcomed to the Illinois General Assembly. 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017 Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, please turn your Calendars to the order of page 4, Motions in Writing, Override Total Vetoes. Going on to the order of Senate Bill 321. Senator Murphy, on Senate Bill 321. Out of the record. Senator Link, on Senate Bill 419. Senator Link, on Senate Bill 419. The gentleman indicates he wishes to proceed. Please read the bill.
I move that Senate Bill 419 do pass, notwithstanding the veto of the Governor. Signed by Senator Link.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Link, on Senate Bill 419.
Thank you, Madam President. It's always a pleasure seeing you up there. This bill is just to -- rectifies a -- a firefighter's pension. We passed it out overwhelmingly in the Senate in a bipartisan way. And I would ask us just to vote to override this bill {sic}. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator Link. And it is a pleasure to serve in this capacity. Is there any discussion? Any discussion? Senator Anderson, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) To the bill, Senator.
Madam President, I would like the record to -- to show that this could be a conflict of interest for me. So I will be voting 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017 Present, although I think it's a great bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. Is there any other discussion? Any other discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 419 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who -- excuse me, I need to step back for a moment. Shall Senate Bill 419 pass, notwithstanding the veto of the Governor. 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 42 voting Yea, 9 voting Nay, 3 voting Present. Senate Bill 419, having received the required three-fifths majority, is declared passed, notwithstanding the veto of the Governor. Senate Bill 1351. Senator Biss. Senator Biss, on Senate Bill 1351. Out of the record. Senator Koehler, on Senate Bill 1446. The gentleman indicates he wishes to proceed. Please read the bill.
I move that the Senate -- I move that Senate Bill 1446 do pass, notwithstanding the veto of the Governor. Signed by Senator Koehler.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Koehler.
Thank you, Madam President. This is a bill that we passed earlier this summer, so I think that all of us will remember some of the discussion on that. What's different about it at this time, after the Governor's veto, is that most of the MCO contracts have been signed, so -- and I know some say, well, that makes it a moot point. I don't think so. I think it's important that we really 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017 state what the position of the Legislature is going forward, because this is the largest contract in the history of the State. It's going to be worth about nine billion dollars. And so I would requestfully {sic} request that we support an override of the Governor's veto.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Senator Righter, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. Will the sponsor yield, please?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Sponsor indicates he will yield. Senator Righter.
Senator Koehler, I remember when we debated this during the spring and you were adamant that the process that was underway at the time was the process that should be subject to the Procurement Code. I mean, you referred to the process that was going on at the time. What I just heard you say was that, well, now the contracts have been signed, so -- and something about going forward. And so I think it's very, very important here that you be clear on whether or not this affects the process that was just completed - in which case, the signed contracts are a problem; they're just a different kind of problem now - or this is only going forward.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Koehler.
No, I think it's both pertinent for the present time and for future times. You know, some will argue that it's a moot point to 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017 -- to do anything about this bill because the contracts have been signed. I would -- I would raise some questions about that. So, to answer your question, I think it's -- it's important in two aspects: One is -- is currently for the present moment and for future. Madam President, while I have the -- while I have the floor, I'm going to request that we withdraw this right now and I'll come back to it.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Let -- the record will reflect your request, Senator. With leave of the Body, we will return to Senate Bill 1351. Senator Biss. On the Order of Senate Bill 1351, the gentleman indicates he wishes to proceed. Please read the bill.
I move that Senate Bill 1351 do pass, notwithstanding the veto of the Governor. Signed by Senator Biss.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Biss.
Thank you very much, Madam President, Members of the Senate. We debated this bill at length back in the spring. This is the Student Loan Bill of Rights that deals specifically with the conduct of student loan servicers, a small collection of private companies involved in the student -- in the servicing of student loans. This is one of several bills moving across the country to place some regulations on those servicers to ensure that they don't direct student loan borrowers to unduly expensive options, to make sure that they're providing students with all the information they need to make choices they need. As we know, there's an 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017 extraordinary crisis of student loan debt in this State and in this country and one piece of that crisis is what I would characterize as predatory activity on the part of some student loan servicers. This bill would address that problem and I would appreciate Aye votes for this motion.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Is there any discussion? Senator Althoff, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. Will the sponsor yield?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Sponsor indicates he will yield. Senator Althoff.
Thank you. Senator Biss, I really admire the idea and concept behind this piece of legislation. I mean, we really do want to address the burdening debt that most of our students are facing as they graduate and -- and move on to a job. I know that this bill specifically states that we want the service providers to direct the loanees to the appropriate program, but in -- in no way, this legislation, allows us to control the interest of that loan, the -- the length of time. It -- it doesn't address the actual loan itself. It just basically says that these service providers have to lay out all options and basically say that there are several options and this one might be good for this particular student.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Biss.
Yeah, I think that's a fair characterization. This bill will not solve every problem related to student loan debt. I wish it 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017 would. But it will take an important step in the right direction.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Althoff.
And the only other question I have, Senator Biss, is, it's my understanding that these service providers actually receive a monetary incentive based on whichever program that they do direct the student toward and the programs that obviously are the most effective for the student receive a lower reimbursement amount, so to speak, an incentive amount. Is that true?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Biss.
Well, the economics is pretty complicated. It depends on the specific case and the specific example. But I would add that one of the findings that has led to, for example, an important lawsuit in this field is not just about whatever monetary incentives may exist, but also about the fact that if the servicer has churned through cases as quickly as possible, they're decreasing their own overhead, which increases their profit irrespective of those incentives, and that's part of the challenge that this bill is seeking to address.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Althoff.
To the bill. I think everybody in this Chamber wants to ensure that we are doing the best possible job on behalf of our residents who have these horrific student loans that they're having difficulty paying back. I mean, I know I have family members who 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017 finished medical school and are still paying back the loans that they incurred during that process. However, I really believe that this piece of legislation doesn't address the largest complaint that most of these individuals have with this type of loan, which is the ability to restructure the loan. All this does is require twenty service providers to ensure that they provide as much information to the student as they possibly can about which program is better for them. My contention is we would be better served if we educated those individuals and let them know what all of these programs provide. So I'm not going to say which way you should vote, but I really think you need to look at this very seriously and consider how it's going to be interpreted by your constituents. I believe most will think that we somehow are correcting the debt problem and I really don't know if this legislation goes that far. So thank you, Senator Biss.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Further discussion? Senator Nybo.
Thank you, Madam President. Will the sponsor yield for two questions?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Sponsor indicates he'll yield for two questions.
Senator, you and I had a long back-and-forth about this bill when it was originally in this Chamber several months ago. But - - but, again, can -- can you summarize for us what is the problem that you are trying to address or fix with this bill?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Biss. 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017
The problem is the problem of student loan servicers failing to take the time needed to lay out all the options for student loan borrowers who are seeking other ways of making their repayments and, therefore, not enabling them to choose what is often the best option for them - quite frequently, for instance, income-based repayment.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Nybo.
To the bill, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) To the bill minus the second question.
Yeah, minus the second question and here's why. I mean, there's a lot of discussion in the Chamber and -- and I'm just gonna kind of go right to the heart of this one and I want people to -- to -- to hopefully pay attention to what I'm about -- about to say. This is a complicated issue, no doubt, Senator, and -- and I appreciate what you're trying to do. Here's the problem that I see: The problem that we're -- that we're dealing with is -- is excessive and sometimes what some would say is unreasonable levels of student debt. And -- and there's a problem that you're trying to tackle. I analogize this to a situation where you've got a bad car or a broken car - okay? - and -- and instead of going to the manufacturer who -- who made the car or instead of going to the dealership who sold you the car, you're going to the gas station with this bill, the person who puts gas in your car and has nothing to do with the underlying problem with the vehicle. 19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017 And -- and what I would say to your bill is, there's no doubt that there's a student loan problem, but let's really deal with it. Servicers are just servicing the loan. They're not setting the terms. They're -- they're not setting the rates. They're not making the loans. They're not financing the loans. If there's a problem that you're trying to address here with student loans, let's really address it. But going after the servicers, the gas stations, that's not going to fix the problem. So I urge a No vote because we're really not focusing in on the problem with student loans and all we're touching upon is -- is an ancillary service that's provided in connection with student loans. We're not really addressing the problem with this bill. I urge a No vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Further discussion? Further discussion? Seeing none, Senator Biss, to close.
Thank you, Madam President. I appreciate the discussion. I just want everyone in the Chamber, if there's anyone who's unsure of how they're going to vote, to analyze the -- the thoughtful and -- and reasonable comments that were made by the two speakers. Neither one of them said they didn't support anything in the bill. Neither one of them said there was anything wrong with the bill. I don't think either one of them even said that the bill wouldn't help solve a problem that I laid out that is a real problem. What they said is, the bill doesn't fix the entire student debt crisis facing our State. Guilty as charged. Guilty as charged. But the bill takes a real step. The bill takes on a real problem. The bill will actually make life better for real student loan borrowers 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017 in every single one of our districts. So please vote Yes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) The question is, shall Senate Bill 1351 pass, notwithstanding the veto of the Governor. 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 37 voting Yea, 19 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 1351, having received the required three- fifths majority, is declared passed, notwithstanding the veto of the Governor. Senator Biss, on Senate Bill 1720. Out of the record. Ladies and Gentlemen, please turn your attention to the top of page 5 on your Calendars, Motions in Writing, Override Specific Recommendations of Senate Bills. Senate Bill 1462. Senator Holmes. The lady indicates she wishes to proceed. Please read the bill.
I move that Senate Bill 1462 do pass, notwithstanding the specific recommendations of the Governor. Signed by Senator Holmes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Holmes.
Thank you so much, Madam President. I would like to see us go ahead and just pass the underlying bill that we had originally, which did pass in this Chamber with a vote of 52 to 3. This was establishing an Entrepreneur Learner Permit program. And basically what it was doing is it was limiting it to certain industries, those specifically dealing with newer services such as information services, biotechnology, and green technology 21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017 businesses. And it is a pilot program, which will be revaluated in two years to see if the effectiveness of it works. I would appreciate an Aye vote in overriding this amendatory veto.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Senator Righter, for what purpose do you rise?
Will the sponsor yield, please, Madam President?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Sponsor indicates she will yield, Senator. Senator Righter.
Thank you very much, Madam President. Senator Holmes, as long as I've been around here, I usually get most of the reasons why Members file motions to override vetoes. This one I do not get, because as I understand it, the Governor took your idea, which was to establish this Learner's -- Entrepreneurs {sic} (Entrepreneur) Learner's Permit program for a few industries, and said, that's a good idea, let's do it for everybody. And -- now maybe I've got that wrong, but that's my understanding of the amendatory veto. Why are you objecting to that?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Holmes.
Yes. And the reason I am doing -- I -- I -- I think it's -- it's a great idea. The reason I wanted it limited to these is because I think, after a two-and-a-half-year budget impasse, it's fiscally irresponsible to go further. So why not set this up as a pilot program and see how well it works? If it ends up not working well as a pilot program, we haven't invested anymore into 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017 it, but we've certainly laid the groundwork to see if this program is viable moving on.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Righter.
Senator Holmes, what was the -- what was the projected cost of the underlying bill?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Holmes.
I wish I knew. We have been going after that number since this bill came. As a matter of fact, right before the veto came up, I also went to research it and we were informed that the Department had a ballpark figure that they would prefer not to share.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Righter.
Well, putting aside for a moment the concern -- the newfound concern about fiscal matters, I mean, if you don't know how much the bill is going to cost, how do you know it would be too expensive to allow all industries to take advantage of it?
We had a cap…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Holmes.
Yes. We had a cap on this of five hundred, which the Governor chose in this veto to remove - and that is irresponsible. And, 23 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017 I'm sorry, I think on this side we have demonstrated some fiscal responsibility in the last budget we passed. So I'm a little offended by that. We can just keep discussing this bill and not have your editorialized version of the past budget we passed.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Righter.
First of all, Senator, as long as Madam -- the Madam President allows, I will editorialize on anything I want. The point is this, is that the Governor said, you know what, let's not have Springfield pick the people who could take advantage of a program; let's let the market decide who should be -- who should be into this program. If there's a group over here that wants to take advantage of it, because that's a burgeoning industry, let's let them do it, or a group over here as opposed to the group in the middle. Now I apologize, Senator, if I offended you. Let's get - you're right - let's get back to the issue. I do apologize for that. Let's get back to the issue. You just said it's a really good idea to open it up to all industries, so why don't we just open it up to all industries?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) For the sake of all bills, we would like to stay within the confinement of the legislation that we are discussing. President rule. Senator Holmes.
Thank you, Madam President. And certainly let's do that if this pilot program proves that it's viable in these burgeoning new industries. It's not that I'm opposed to expanding this at some point. As a matter of fact, if you are such a proponent of doing 24 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017 that, I certainly look forward to seeing you introduce some legislation in the spring and I'll be happy to work on that and be a cosponsor with you to expand this to other businesses and industries.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator -- Senator Righter.
To the lady's motion, please, if I might, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) To the motion, Senator.
Thank you. Senator, I will do that. But I hope we don't have to spend that paperwork, because if we defeat your motion, then perhaps there's a chance you'll reconsider, we'll file a motion to accept the Governor's veto, and allow the market to decide which industries are growing and which ones are not. I urge a No vote. Thank you, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. Is there any further discussion? Seeing none, Senator Holmes, to close.
Yes, I would prefer an Aye vote again on this bill, which we all passed, fifty-two votes, in spring Session. It is a good idea and I do like the fiscal responsibility at this point of limiting it when we are having budget difficulties. I would appreciate an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) The question is, shall Senate Bill 1462 pass, notwithstanding the specific recommendations of the Governor. All those in favor 25 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017 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, 7 voting Nay, 1 voting Present. Senate Bill 1462, having received the required three-fifths constitutional majority, is declared passed, notwithstanding the specific recommendations of the Governor. Please turn your Calendars to page 2. We will be going to the Order of Senate Bills 3rd Reading on the top of page 2. Senator Link, on Senate Bill 2-2-5. Senator Link seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 225 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 225. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 2, offered by Senator Link.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Link, on Amendment No. 2.
Thank you, Madam President. The amendment becomes the -- the bill. I would ask -- I'll explain it on 3rd Reading and ask for its adoption.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. 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) 26 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017 3rd Reading. Now on the Order of 3rd Reading is Senate Bill 225. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 225. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Link.
Thank you, Madam President. This bill amends the Township and Municipal Code to allow a person previously convicted of a felony to hold office under certain specific -- conditions. Under this bill, a person previously convicted may run for office if he or she: one, completed his or her sentence; two, completed the sentence fifteen years or more years prior to running for office and has not been convicted of a crime during that fifteen years; three, filing an affidavit of proper election authority stating the person is in compliance. I want to explain a case that's -- I -- I just have a hard time hearing myself, Madam President. I want to explain a case that's familiar in my area of a man that was convicted of a crime thirty-six years ago. And I'll tell you the crime - he stole an air conditioner as a kid, was convicted of a felony. He went on to change his life and became a pillar of the community in which he serves. He has worked with children. He has worked in his church. He got elected to school board years ago. Then he turned around after that and was elected a township trustee. And then when we passed a law a couple years ago, he couldn't run for trustee anymore and ran for school board again and was the top vote-getter in the community. Then a sore loser 27 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017 filed a case to the State's Attorney stating that this person is ineligible to be on the school board. Now, I want to explain, I'm a Democrat, my State's Attorney's a Republican. He brought this to attention to me also. He not only -- the State's Attorney not only signed in as a proponent of this bill in a witness slip today, he also has sent a letter to the Governor and the Pardon Board in favor of this gentleman having a pardon. But as Senator Trotter indicated in committee, some of this stuff takes forever to get done as a -- far as a pardon goes. So with this bill, what it does, is we're not -- we're making him still serve {sic} an extra fifteen years after his sentence before he could run for office, but we're letting the voters of the -- of the district, whatever they're running for, be the decision-makers on this person because he'd have to file a paper stating what had happened in your life. I think it's time that we do everything in criminal justice in this Body to entice -- tighten things up, but we also look at giving people a second chance. This is a second chance that the voters have an opportunity. This is not being soft on crime by no stretch of the imagination. And I don't care if you're looking for a flyer against me, I welcome it, because I'll tell you right now, this is the right thing to do for the right people and I would ask for an affirmative vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) 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. 28 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017
Well, I am certainly not going to be the Member to send out a nasty flyer about you, Senator Link. So, let me say -- and we've had a conversation about this bill and it's hard to criticize you for thinking that this is a good idea. And if the Body were to come to that conclusion, it'd be -- it'd be hard to criticize that. It's just this is something that I personally am not comfortable with and so, as you know, I'm going to be a No vote on this bill. And so I'd -- I'd advise and caution Members on our side to pay attention to what we're voting for at this point and -- and vote how you wish. But I will be a No vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Further discussion? Senator McCann, for what purpose do you rise? SENATOR McCANN: Thank you, Madam President. To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) To the bill, Senator. SENATOR McCANN: I would like to thank the sponsor, first and foremost, for bringing the bill, for bringing this amendment. I thank the sponsor for allowing me to join him as his chief cosponsor. I think here, serving in the General Assembly for a little over six years as I have, I see every day where we have the opportunity -- opportunity knocks at our door every day, and it knocks and it knocks and it knocks and it says, here's an opportunity to do something good. And some days we seize that opportunity and some days we don't. Here's an opportunity to do a great thing. Here's an opportunity to -- to return the voice of the people to the 29 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017 people. When we talk about limited government - we as Republicans, we like to talk about limited government and local control - there are instances around this State where the voters go to the ballot box, they fully know about these convictions. They -- it's a part of the program. It's a part of the election process. It's a part of the campaign. Flyers are mailed out on these candidates and the electorate goes to the voting booth and chooses these candidates in spite of it. And interestingly enough - here -- here now, if you don't listen to anything else I have to say today, listen to this - we don't have the same set of rules for ourselves. You can get out of prison -- you can be convicted, serve your time, and that same day you get out, you're released, you can run for Governor, you can run for State Senator, and you can run for State Rep. But we're telling people in their communities - remember, we're the -- we're the limited government folks over here - we're telling people in their communities that we know better than they know. These people know. I -- Reagan is my favorite President and he said he didn't fear the people, his belief was in the people. He believed that the people would deliver us. I agree with that wholeheartedly. I believe that whether you're a Democrat or a Republican, a liberal or a conservative, this is the right thing to do. Opportunity is knocking here once again. It's -- it's time to restore the voice to the people and to also make it clear that we do not believe that every sentence is a life sentence. If we don't believe that, here's another opportunity to put those words into motion. Thank you, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senators. Further discussion? Senator Hastings, for what purpose do you rise? 30 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017
To the bill, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) To the bill, Senator.
I want to tell a story about an eighteen-year-old young man who made a horrible mistake and committed a crime of mail fraud. The judge had sentenced him to community service hours and to pay restitution for what he had done. He did all that. Then he decided that he wanted to become a public servant. He wanted to be a firefighter to help save people's lives. He went through the ranks. He went from the bottom, just a regular old probie, all the way up to a fire chief of a major municipality, where they respond to fires on countless occasions. He saved lives. He served his time. And as the Chairman of the Criminal Law Committee over the last year, this Chamber has overwhelmingly voted for juvenile expungement to give our youth second chances that have committed non-violent offenses. This Chamber has also voted in overwhelming majority to seal felony records after a certain period of time. So this isn't that far off from the actions that we've already taken. In my situation, the eighteen-year-old man ran for mayor of a municipality after he had served as a fire chief and has served our community so proudly. He won by an overwhelming majority. But because of something that happened when he was eighteen years of age, has plagued him past his sentence, when all's he wants to do is serve his community. We've all made mistakes at a young age and we can all understand that we've all grown from our mistakes and become better people. And that's why I think this bill is just fine for people who want to serve our 31 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017 community and give them a second chance, as long as they're fully rehabilitated. And to the sponsor of this bill, this bill is not an easy bill, but you're a courageous person, and you, like me, you can send all the negative mail you want, but I know this, when I look at myself in the mirror, I'm going to know that my towns are led by people who actually care and that have grown from their mistakes and they want to do the right thing. Thank you, Madam President. I ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Link, to close.
Thank you, Madam President. I want to thank the two previous speakers. And I think this exemplifies what we're talking about here of a second chance. But, Senator McCann, I thank you for bringing up something I forgot about, that everybody in this building could run without this law. We should be looking at this how the voters think. And I think the voters in my -- in the community that not only elected this gentleman to the school board as the top vote-getter, but they done it twice. They elected him top vote-getter as a trustee. You know, let's give the hands of the voters back to the voters to make these decisions, not making 'em here. We're opening the door for a second chance for people and I think it's about time to do the right thing. I ask for an affirmative vote. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) As the bill has an immediate effective date, the passage of this measure will require a three-fifths majority. The question is, shall Senate Bill 225 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have 32 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017 all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 40 voting Yea, 17 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 225, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Bush, on Senate Bill 403. Senator Bush. The lady indicates she wishes to proceed. Please read the bill. Senator Bush seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 403 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 403. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Bush.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Bush, on Floor Amendment No. 1.
I would ask that we adopt Floor Amendment No. 1 and I will explain it on 3rd.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. Are there any further Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Floor Amendment No. 3, offered by Senator Bush.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Bush, on Floor Amendment No. 3, please.
Thank you, Madam President. I would ask that we adopt Floor Amendment No. 3 and I will explain it on 3rd. 33 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. 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 403. Mr. Secretary, please read the lady's bill.
Senate Bill 403. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Bush.
Thank you, Madam President. Members, Senate Bill 403 allows a natural disaster income credit of up to seven hundred fifty dollars for 2017 in the counties where a major disaster was declared in July. The claimant must be an owner of the property or business and must have reported the damage properly to the appropriate authority in conjunction with IEMA or FEMA, or applied for disaster relief from FEMA. Most of you know that Lake County, along with four other counties - McHenry, Cook, Kane - were declared natural disaster areas by the Governor of the State of Illinois. We experienced unprecedented flooding. Thing was interesting about this flooding - it was very different than what we've seen in the past - it was really a product of about eight 34 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017 inches of rain that fell over a very, very short amount of time and caused pockets of flooding, where literally people's homes that had never flooded before were -- the -- the water was up to the stop signs in -- in their neighborhoods and a neighborhood immediately next to that had absolutely no damage. These were not houses along rivers. This was not -- you know, these weren't homes that were in floodplains. This is really a product of a unbelievable rain that fell from our skies. And as we all know, when a hurricane happens, we're insured for that; when a tornado comes through, we're insured for that. But when a flood happens, we're not used to these kinds of floods. When they happen along a floodway, those people already have insurance and are required by, frankly, those that hold their mortgages to have them. So this happened in areas where they didn't have those protections in place. These counties -- you need about eighteen million dollars in damage to -- in order to be in a position to get help from the federal government. We reached about twelve million dollars in damage. Roughly thirty-two hundred homes were damaged, of which about two hundred forty of -- two hundred forty-four of those were considered to be major damage, where more than fifty percent of the property was damaged and will need to be repaired. We're really trying to -- I realize that this is not everyone's community. We're talking about seven counties. This also includes Cook, Carroll, Henry, Jo Daviess, Lee, Ogle, and Rock Island, Stephenson, and Whiteside counties, as they had incredible flooding damage. Perhaps we need to look at something on a statewide level going forward. Maybe we can look at this as a pilot program. But I'm asking for a Yes vote. There are many residents in Lake County that live in homes that value under a 35 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017 hundred thousand dollars and they need help taking down the -- the -- the drywall that has mold on it and those kinds of things. Those are the people we're really trying to reach. I'm happy to answer any questions. I would urge an Aye vote. And I truly ask you to look outside of your own district and understand this is something devastating to our State and certainly devastating to those -- those of us who represent these areas.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you. Is there any discussion? Senator Althoff, for what purpose do you rise?
Will the sponsor yield?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Sponsor indicates she will. Senator Althoff.
Senator Bush, you know I am a strong supporter of this legislation. In fact, you were kind enough to allow me to be one of your chief cosponsors. A couple of questions, however, for clarity. During natural disasters, the State of Illinois allows assessors to reduce property assessments based on the damage done. In the event I were a property owner and I obtained that reduction in assessment, can I still apply for this tax credit?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Bush.
I'm sorry, I do not believe you can. No.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Althoff.
36 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017 Thank you very much, Madam President. I -- I know for sure you cannot, so be very clear. Number two, you indicated that it had to be an owner-occupied home basically. My understanding is, the legislation actually says it must be your primary residence. So for those of us who live in that area, who this is a second vacation home, can I use this tax credit?
No, you may not.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Bush.
I'm sorry, Madam President. Gosh, I jumped the -- jumped the shark I think. No, you may not.
And that is the point that I'm trying to make. This -- this tax credit that we would hopefully pass and graciously offer these homeowners really is limited in scope as to who can apply and who would receive that type of tax credit. So I would hope that the State of Illinois would not lose a huge amount of money on this, but would recognize that these are homeowners that will again improve the property and raise that property tax value so that the local entities are really achieving a benefit to this type of a tax credit. And also, in this area, as -- as you know, Senator Bush, many of these property owners cannot obtain flood insurance, so they really are at, you know, the -- they're at the discretion of weather and sometimes weather is not always kind to us. So I, too, for my colleagues over on this side of the aisle, I would urge an Aye vote. Thank you very much for carrying the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) 37 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017 Senator Hutchinson, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you -- thank you, Madam President. To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) To the bill, Senator.
I just wanted to speak very quickly in support of Senator Bush's bill. Largely, I'm really keyed into when you're narrowing the base and how difficult it is for local governments to do that. But this is one of those situations where we all know people who've had something like this hit and they're underinsured and the cost and the emotional -- you know, the draining that happens as a result of this is really significant. So it's a onetime thing and I really wanted to say I appreciate all of the narrowing that you did to make sure this got to people who needed it the most. So with that, I urge the support of the Body with an Aye vote on this bill. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Further discussion? Senator Oberweis, for what purpose do you rise?
A question of the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Sponsor indicates she will yield. Senator Oberweis.
Senator, as a lifetime resident of Kane County, this -- and also representing most of Kane County, this certainly sounds like a wonderful idea. But then I started to think about this. Do you have an idea of how much this is going to cost the taxpayers of 38 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017 Illinois? And, secondly, where that money is going to come from?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Bush.
So we certainly worked with Revenue on this bill and -- and addressed all the concerns they had. And I can tell you, I stayed up the night before last really thinking about this bill and the fiscal impact, because that's important to us obviously. We know how difficult these last few years have been. But I believe that the money will come from the additional dollars that we're already receiving because of the amount of insurance work that has been done. So, remember, we put people to work because of this flood. Been a tremendous amount of dollars coming into our coffers because of the additional work, all the materials that have been bought, the sales tax from those materials and, in addition, I think we'll see those too. So I think those will be offsetting, if not completely offsetting. That's number one. Number two, we've seen some fiscal impact -- I did ask for a fiscal impact and we believe the numbers were going to be somewhere between one million and three million. I was given a number that comes about -- to about 1.9 million - just received that information earlier today. I don't know how they compiled it, frankly. I'm not saying it's not accurate, but I think we're somewhere between one and two million dollars.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Oberweis.
To the bill, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) 39 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017 To the bill, Senator.
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, while this would obviously help my home county, I have to say that the idea that we're going to raise as much through additional sales taxes as the result of a disaster, as the cost of repairing things from the disaster, is -- is just not quite sensible to me. I also believe that taxpayers in Illinois have suffered enough. We don't have an extra million here and a million there for good ideas. If we had lots of money, I could support this. But with the financial condition the State of Illinois is in, I have to strongly urge a No vote, even though it would benefit my home county.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Link, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. To the bill. As a strong supporter of this, I just want to remind the previous speaker, if they watched on TV and you saw businesses that have been businesses for years, will be probably not reopening because of this, what - - what this flood happened to 'em. But if they do reopen, it's going to cost them extreme amount of money. So I'm telling you, we're not paying their bill by giving 'em a seven-hundred-and- fifty-dollar tax break. We're trying to do a little token to say the State actually is concerned on what happened to you. This was unforeseen. This was the twelfth hundred-year flood we had up there. And the municipalities have done everything to try to avoid this in the future -- or in the past, that it wouldn't happen in the future by buying homes that are in floodplains, by demolishing those homes. They have worked on their levees. They have done 40 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017 everything possible to avoid the circumstances that happened in this last summer. So I got to say, would -- somebody who has a heart and feels really sorry for what happened to those individuals, if we can't afford a million or three million dollars to help those people in disaster, then we're in the wrong business what we're doing here today. I would ask for a strong affirmative vote. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Is there any further discussion? Senator Rezin, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. Question for the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Sponsor indicates she will yield. Senator Rezin.
Thank you. I do apologize, I don't know a whole lot about this bill other than I was listening to the discussion as well. We all have major floods in our districts. So, four or five years ago, I had a major flood in 2013 that caused about a hundred and fifty million dollars' worth of damage in my district. As a result, we've been studying flood mitigation and what we can do to alleviate all of the damage that -- that causes it. So I read on your bill that this only encompasses certain counties. Well, flooding, as we know, is a problem everywhere. We have five- hundred-year floods every other year. So my comment or my question would be, if you're going to do this for your particular area, is -- is this something that you will look at and add an amendment to, to include all of our counties that may deal with this catastrophic flooding and try to deal with how to -- how -- how to 41 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017 deal with the constituents who do not have flood insurance and are trying to just simply rebuild their homes?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Bush.
Thank you so much for that question. And I share your concerns. So we don't specifically name counties, but we do give this a time frame for when the flooding occurred. So, let's be honest, it does really just include these counties. I think those are conversations we should have. You said you had -- had a hundred and fifty million, so you did qualify for FEMA. We did not. So there are no programs in these counties. But having said that, I've -- I've talked to several Members who that is certainly their concern, is what happens in other parts of the State when we experience flooding? I think it's something we should be talking about. I don't know if it's an amendment to this bill, but it's certainly things I'm -- willing to consider conversation, you know, and we can talk about it as the bill goes over to the House. But I think those are conversations for another bill. And I would be happy to work with you on that. And I -- I mean that sincerely, because when this happens in your area, I mean - you obviously know - this is devastating. These are people that are - many of them - have -- don't have the resources. And I would disagree with my colleague from Kane County that -- I do believe that there will -- there is quite a bit of revenue that we are generating in the repairs that are being made to those homes. And certainly not -- not believing that's going to pay for it, but I just wanted to make the point that there is that reinvestment and the values of those properties are important, too, to the tax rolls. But -- so 42 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017 - and I know I'm being really long-winded on this and everybody probably wants to head out of here soon - but I so respect the work that you've done in your county. I know you did a lot on floods -- flooding last year, worked this last legislative Session working on storm management in your area. Lake County's done a, I believe, a tremendous job - I can certainly address that - in stormwater management, but we always have more work to do. But I would pledge to you to work on something statewide. But I don't know for this bill, these taxpayers, you know, we're coming up on tax time, so we need something passed now if we expect to be able to help them. And I don't -- so I can't really commit to changing this bill, but I absolutely commit to working on something that we can do statewide.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Rezin.
Thank…(microphone cutoff)… To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) To the bill, Senator.
I appreciate your leadership regarding this bill. Despite having a hundred and fifty million dollars' worth of damage, that did not rise to the level of qualifying for, you know, the FEMA grants as well. There's a certain level - I believe it's about seventeen or twenty-one million dollars - of uninsured property before you rise to that level. So despite having all of this catastrophic damage, we did not, in a very rural, low-income part of my district, qualify for FEMA as well. Again, I understand where you're coming from, trying to help your citizens. We all 43 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017 try to do that when we have these catastrophes and -- and disasters that go through our district. Again, my point is, instead of looking at one particular area and putting a specific date in this legislation to make sure it's for a particular area, you know, I would -- much prefer working on a comprehensive bill for the entire State that affects all of our districts so we have the same protections that you're offering your constituents as well. And I look forward to working with the sponsor on that. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Further discussion? Seeing none, Senator Bush, to close.
Thank you for that little signal, Madam President. I just ask that you all consider how you would vote today if this catastrophe happened in your district. And we had a tremendous amount - nearly eight million of our damage was uninsured. So I would just ask for an Aye vote and I do promise to continue to work and will continue to work to make the bill -- whatever we need to do before it goes through the House. But I urge an Aye vote and I would thank you very much ahead of time.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) The question is, shall Senate Bill 403 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, 2 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 403, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Muñoz, on Senate Bill 332. Senator Muñoz. The gentleman indicates he wishes to proceed. He seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 351 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. Senator 44 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017 Muñoz seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 332 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 332. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Yes, Madam President. Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Muñoz.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Muñoz, on Floor Amendment No. 1, please. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Thank you, Madam President. I ask for its adoption. The amendment becomes the bill and I can explain it on 3rd Reading.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. 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 332. Mr. Secretary, please read the gentleman's bill.
Senate Bill 332. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: 45 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017 Thank you, Madam President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. The bill allows the City of Chicago to be able to issue a liquor license to S.K.Y. Restaurant, which is located at 1230 {sic} (1239) West 18th Street. It is within a hundred feet of a church. There was no letters of objection and support has been received from the affected church and the local alderman, respectively.
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.
Leader, we discussed this at committee. I'm going to support this bill, as I've supported bills like this in the past in this Chamber; however, that being said, a -- a good question has been raised, and we discussed it a little bit at committee, that this is a municipality wanting to issue a liquor license, you know, within its own municipality. Municipalities do this all the time without coming to the State Legislature and there's a good question as to whether we even should be in the business of approving these requests and having municipalities come to us to get this power. So it's effectively a zoning decision and I'm going to look at, in 2018, whether there's -- there's a basis for discontinuing our involvement in these decisions in the future and -- and getting this -- getting these decisions back down to the local governments. But I'll support this bill. 46 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) No further discussion? Senator Muñoz, to close. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Thank you, Madam President. Respectfully, Senator, you know, this has been law for quite some time. I don't actually know when it started, but we're just abiding by the rules. We want to change it in the future, I don't have a problem with that. I believe every municipality should do as they -- should do it with -- so long as it's within the law. I ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) The question is, shall Senate Bill 332 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. Senate Bill 332, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Morrison, on Senate Bill 351. Senator Morrison seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 351 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 351. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Yes. Floor Amendment No. 1, offered by Senator Morrison.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Morrison, on Floor Amendment No. 1, please.
Madam President, I would ask for the adoption of this and discuss it on 3rd.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) 47 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017 Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? All those in favor -- 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 351. Mr. Secretary, please read the lady's bill.
Senate Bill 351. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Morrison.
Thank you, Madam President, Members of the Senate. This bill simply acts to allow college students to be eligible for SNAP benefits. It dispels all opposition from the administration concerning previous legislation, House Bill 3211, and basically by allowing ISAC not to have any official role in terms of determining or notifying students. I would ask for a favorable consideration.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) …Senator. Is there discussion? Senator Syverson, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Madam President. This language -- I guess to the bill. This…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) 48 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017 To the bill, Senator.
This language includes the -- the language from the Governor's amendatorily {sic} veto and I think is -- is supported from most of us on this side of the aisle. It's an agreement that's been worked out and I would urge a Yes vote on our side. So thank you for working with everybody on getting this done.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. Is there any further discussion? Senator Morrison, to close.
I would appreciate an Aye vote on this bill. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. The question is, shall Senate Bill 351 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, 1 voting Nay, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 351, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Althoff, on Senate Bill 1086. The lady seeks leave of the Body to return Senate Bill 1086 to the Order of 2nd Reading. Leave is granted. On the Order of 2nd Reading is Senate Bill 1086. Mr. Secretary, are there any Floor amendments approved for consideration?
Yes. Floor Amendment No. 4, offered by Senator Althoff.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Althoff, on Floor Amendment 4.
49 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017 The Floor amendment becomes the bill. Discuss it on 3rd.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. 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 1086. Please read the lady's bill.
Senate Bill 1086. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Althoff, on your motion.
Thank you very much, Madam President. I want to begin by thanking the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, the Department of Military Affairs, and the Comptroller's Office for really working with us to draft this specific bill and tweak some of the technical language. The amendment actually - the bill - gives funding flexibility for only the Illinois National Guard when another state or territory makes a request for and accepts mutual aid assistance from the Illinois National Guard through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact. The proposed change allows the Governor, who already has this authority for State- proclaimed emergencies, to identify, the Comptroller to direct, 50 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017 and the Treasurer to transfer available funds as needed to the Illinois National Guard State (Active) Duty Fund to support the salaries and costs of soldiers, Illinois soldiers, on State Active Duty status. These moneys actually are reimbursed, hopefully. Sometimes it takes a little while, but the intent is to reimburse the State for providing that assistance to either other states or to our territories. This actually came to be -- want to point to my wonderful chief cosponsor, Iris Martinez, who actually benefitted from our Illinois Emergency Management Agency, as well as the State Department, for returning her safely to us after she was vacationing in Puerto Rico. So I would ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 1086 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 No, 0 voting Present. Senate Bill 1086, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Trotter in the Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Okay. Continuing on page 2 of the Calendar, we're going to House Bills 3rd Reading. House Bill 1424. Senator Biss. Senator Biss. Senator Biss wishes to proceed.
Have we read the bill? Okay. All right. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Hold it -- hold it a second. Mr. Secretary, read the bill.
51 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017 House Bill 1424. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Biss.
Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. House Bill 1424 is a identical piece of legislation to one that we've seen now a number of times, including most recently in this spring when it passed this Chamber. As you know, the Community Care Program is a very important program that provides home care for older adults, keeping them out of nursing homes, enabling them to have a better quality of life, and saving the State significant money. Unfortunately, the Rauner Administration has sought to go after that program in a series of ways and this bill would simply retain the eligibility standards to ensure that a standard level of services that we have found to be important in our communities would be retained for older adults in the State of Illinois.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion on the bill? Senator Syverson.
Thank you, Mr. President. To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) To the bill, sir.
Or actually - let me take it back - question for the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Questions for the sponsor. He's open for questions, sir. 52 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017
Senator, are you aware of the -- the bipartisan community care hearings that are taking place now, that have been meeting for the last couple of months, meeting every week?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Biss.
Yes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Syverson.
So, I guess, wouldn't this legislation be a little premature until we can get a -- a system worked out? The Department has held up and not implemented some of these changes that were of most concern. They've held that up in deference to waiting until we get this -- this bipartisan hearing over with and we look at ideas of how we can deliver these services in a more cost-effective way and a compassionate way. And we've been meeting with all the stakeholders on this, and while we're close to having some resolution, this, I think, this looks -- seems awful -- seems premature when we don't have a solution and a -- an agreement in place yet. So, is there a reason we're calling this today or is this something that could be held up until after you see what the results are? And if you aren't happy with those results, then you could always come forward with whatever legislation you wanted. But wouldn't this make sense to hold it up until after the committee work is done?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Biss. 53 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017
No, I don't think so. To that task force - and I appreciate the work that's being done and we'll -- we'll see what comes out of it - I would say that the -- there -- the two largest stakeholders in this topic were left off the task force and then put -- put on the task force, then thrown back off the task force again, which gives me a significant degree of skepticism about the extent to which the process will include all needed voices. I think this is a good bill. I think it was a good bill when we passed it out of this Chamber last spring, as well as the last several years. If some great news happens during the course of the next few months in the time that this is perhaps vetoed by the Governor, before we have a chance to seek an override, we can cross that bridge when we get there, but based upon the exclusion of key stakeholders from that task force and from that process, I think it's pretty important that we advance this legislation today.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Syverson.
Just say in closing that this -- this legislation is opposed by the Department of Aging and HFS and DHS. And I would urge our Members to vote either No or Present until the work gets done on coming up with a -- a long-term solution that can address the needs of community care organizations, but one that's done in a bipartisan fashion. Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Biss, to close.
I appreciate those comments. Again, their -- the work of the 54 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017 task force is important, but it's a task force that has deliberately excluded the voices of the two largest stakeholders involved in this issue. As I said, I think this is an important bill to protect older adults in Illinois, when we passed it a few months ago, when we passed it a year ago, when we passed it two years ago. I hope we'll pass it again today. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) The question is, shall House Bill 1424 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 the question, there are 36 Yeas, 15 Nays, 6 voting Present. House Bill 1424, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Harmon. Senator Harmon, on 26 -- 2963. 2963. Mr. Secretary, he indicates he's ready for the bill. Please read the bill.
House Bill 2963. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Harmon.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. House Bill 2963 is an initiative of the Illinois Business Law Commission. This is the successor organization to the Secretary of State's Business Law Advisory Committee. Senator Barickman and I have worked closely with them and advanced several pieces of legislation they initiated over the years. This one is a -- a -- a relatively noncontroversial effort to provide for a uniform 55 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017 conversion and domestication process across all types of business entities. I am not aware of any opposition. We held the bill over the summer only because we anticipated a potential amendment, but now that we know we don't need that, I'd like to advance the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall House Bill 2963 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 Yeas, no Nays, no Presents. House Bill 2963, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Proceeding to Supplemental Calendar No. 1, we will go to House Joint Resolution 52. House -- Joint Resolution 52. Yes, Senator Althoff will carry the bill as the chief -- cosponsor of the bill. Is there leave to do so? Seeing no objection, leave is granted. Senator Althoff.
Thank you very much, Mr. President. House Joint Resolution 52 authorizes…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Pardon -- excuse me, Senator.
Oh!
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Sorry, I was going too fast. Excuse me. Mr. Secretary, House Joint Resolution 52.
House Joint Resolution 52, offered by Senator Clayborne and 56 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017 Althoff.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Althoff.
Thank you, again, very much, Mr. President. House Joint Resolution 52 authorizes the State Treasurer to contract for the production, marketing, distribution, and sale of the official commemorative bicentennial medallions. As this Body will remember or recall, we are celebrating the State's bicentennial in 2018. We have done this in the past when we have celebrated the centennial. This just again gives the Treasurer the authorization to move forward so that we have a commemorative bicentennial medallion.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, as this resolution requires the expenditure of State funds, a roll call vote will be required. The voting is open. The question is, shall House Joint Resolution 52 pass. All those in favor, vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. Voting is open. All voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 58 Yeas, no Nays, no -- no one voting Present. Having received the required majority, House Joint Resolution 52 is declared passed. House Joint Resolution 64. House Joint Resolution 64. Senator Link. Senator Link is here. He wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, read the resolution.
House Joint Resolution 64, offered by Senator Link.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) 57 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017 Senator Link.
Thank you, Mr. President. This resolution designates Illinois Route 251 between Spring Creek Road and Bauer Parkway as the "Sergeant Blake W. Evans Memorial Highway". Sergeant Blake {sic} was a graduate of Guilford High School in Rockford and he joined the U.S. Army in October 2003 and arrived in Fort Campbell, Kentucky in January of 2004. He was -- assigned as an infantryman to the Delta Company, 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team. He was decorated with three Army Achievement Medals, a Army Good Conduct Medal, and a National Defense Service (Medal). Sergeant Evans was killed in {sic} May 25th, 2008 while serving in the second tour of duty in Iraq.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? As this resolution requires the expenditure of State funds, a roll call vote will be required. The question is, shall House Joint Resolution 64 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 Yeas, no Nays, no voting Present. The House Joint Resolution 64, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senator Link, reason do you rise?
I -- I know it's long overdue, but I would ask for a moment of silence for Sergeant Evans.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) That's in order, sir. Would -- would everyone please rise and give a moment of silence? (Moment of silence observed) Thank 58 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017 you. On Supplemental -- remaining on Supplemental Calendar 1 in the Order of House Bills 2nd Reading, we have House Bill 1479. Senator Hutchinson. Senator Hutchinson wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
House Bill 1479. (Secretary reads title of bill) 2nd Reading of the bill. No committee or Floor amendments reported.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Hutchinson, please.
Thank you, Mr. President. House Bill 1479 is actually the culmination…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Hutchinson. We're going to 3rd Reading.
Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) To fulfill our responsibilities under Article V, Section 9 of the Constitution, we will now proceed to the Order of Advise and Consent. Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Senate resolve itself into Executive Session for the purposes of acting on the appointments set forth in Appointment Messages 100 through 106 {sic} (100-0106), 107, 111, 117, 118, 119, 126, 127, 130 through 135, 137, 138, 141, 150, 160, 166, 186 through 191, 210, 237, 238, 249, 280, 282 through 290, 296 through 300. 59 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Muñoz moves that the Senate resolve itself into Executive Session for the purpose of acting on the Appointed {sic} (Appointment) Messages just read. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the motion carries. The Senate is resolved into Executive Session. Mr. Secretary, are there any Motions in Writing?
I have a Motion in Writing from Senator Muñoz, Chairman of the Committee on Executive Appointments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Mr. Secretary, print the motion on the Calendar. Mr. Secretary, on page 5 of the regular Senate Calendar is the Order of Executive Appointments. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1000106.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Advise and Consent to the following salaried appointment: To be the Chair of the Employment Security Board of Review, Jack Calabro.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the nomination just made. All those in favor, vote Aye. Opposed, 60 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017 Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Mr.… 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 Yeas, no Nays, no one voting Present. The Senate does advise and consent to the nomination, a majority of the Senators having -- voted accordingly. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1000107.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Advise and Consent to the following salaried appointment: To be a member of the Employment Security Board of Review, Carolyn Holder.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question, does the Senate advise and consent to the nomination just made. 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 Yeas, no Nays, no one voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1000111.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments 61 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017 recommends that the Senate Do Advise and Consent to the following salaried appointment: To be the Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, Nirav Shah.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the nomination just made. 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 Yeas, no voting Nays, no voting Present. A majority of the Senate {sic} (Senators) elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1000117.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Advise and Consent to the following salaried appointment: To be a Commissioner - Business - of the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission, Elizabeth Coppoletti.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) 62 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017 Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the nomination just made. 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 Yeas, no Nays, no Presents. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1000118.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Advise and Consent to the following salaried appointment: To be a Commissioner - Business - of the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission, Deborah Simpson.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the nomination just made. 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 wished? Take the record. On that, a majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1000130.
63 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017 Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Advise and Consent to the following salaried appointment: To be a member of the Prisoner Review Board, Virginia Martinez.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, does the Senate advise and consent to the nomination just made? 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 wished? Take the record. On that question, there are 57 Yeas, no Nays, no voting Present. A majority of Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1000135.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Advise and Consent to the following salaried appointment: To be a member of the Miners' Examining Board, Wesley T. Campbell.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the nomination. 64 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the nomination just made. 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 Yeas, no Nays, no voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1000137.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Advise and Consent to the following salaried appointment: To be a member of the Miners' Examining Board, Michael Martin.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the nomination just made. All those in favor -- 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 Yeas, no Nays, no voting Present. A majority of Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, 65 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017 please read Appointment Message 1000141.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Advise and Consent to the following salaried appointment: To be a member of the Prisoner Review Board, John Clough.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? The question is -- seeing none, the question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the nomination just made. 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 Yeas, no voting Nays, no voting Present. A majority of Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1000150.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Advise and Consent to the following salaried appointment: To be a member of the Prisoner Review Board, Edith Crigler.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: 66 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017 Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Is there any discussion? Is there any question? The question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the nomination just made. 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 Yeas, no Nays, no voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1000210.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Advise and Consent to the following salaried appointment: To be a member of the Miners' Examining Board, Dale Winter.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Is there any discussion? The question is -- seeing none, the question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the nomination just made. 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 Yeas, no Nays, no voting Present. A majority of Senators 67 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017 elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1000237.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Advise and Consent to the following salaried appointment: To be a Member and Chair of the Pollution Control Board, Katie Papadimitriu.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the nomination just made. 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 Yeas, no Nays, no voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1000238.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Advise and Consent to the following salaried appointment: To be a member of the Illinois Racing Board, Thomas McCauley.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) 68 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017 Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the nomination just made. 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 Yeas, no Nays, no voting Present. A majority of Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1000280.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Advise and Consent to the following salaried appointment: To be a member of the Illinois Commerce Commission, Sadzi Martha Oliva.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the nomination just made. 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 69 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017 who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 57 Yeas, no Nays, no voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1000282.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Advise and Consent to the following salaried appointment: To be a member and Chair of the Prisoner Review Board -- of the Prisoner Review Board, Craig Findley.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the nomination just made. All those in favor will vote Yea. Opposed, Nay. And the voting is open. All -- have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wished? Take the record. On that question, there are 58 Yeas, no Nays, no voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1000283.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Advise and Consent to the following salaried appointment: To be a member of the Prisoner Review Board, 70 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017 Donald Shelton.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the nomination just made. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. 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 Yeas, no Nays, no voting Present. A majority of Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1000284.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Advise and Consent to the following salaried appointment: To be a Member - Employer - of the State Mining Board, John Duty.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the nomination just made. All 71 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017 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 Yeas, no Nays, no voting Present. A majority of Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1000285.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Advise and Consent to the following salaried appointment: To be a Member - Employee - of the State Mining Board, Larry Jones.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the nomination just made. 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 58 Yeas, no Nays, no voting Present. A majority of Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1000286.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments 72 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017 recommends that the Senate Do Advise and Consent to the following salaried appointment: To be a Member - Employee - of the State Mining Board, Randy Lewis.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the nomination just made. 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 Ayes, no voting Nay, no voting Present. The majority of Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1000287.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Advise and Consent to the following salaried appointment: To be a Member - Employee - of the State Mining Board, Thomas Smith.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) 73 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017 Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the nomination just made. 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 Yeas, no Nays, no voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1000288.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Advise and Consent to the following salaried appointment: To be a Member - Employer - of the State Mining Board, James Steiner.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) …there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the nomination just made. 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 Yeas, no Nays, no voting Present. A majority of Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1000289. 74 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Advise and Consent to the following salaried appointment: To be a Member - Employer - of the State Mining Board, Steve Willis.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the nomination just made. 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 Yeas, no Nays, no voting Present. A majority of the Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1000296.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Advise and Consent to the following salaried appointment: To be an Arbitrator for the Workers' Compensation Commission, Anthony C. Erbacci.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to 75 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017 the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the nomination just made. 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 Yeas, no Nays, no voting Present. A majority of Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1000297.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Advise and Consent to the following salaried appointment: To be an Arbitrator for the Workers' Compensation Commission, Steven J. Fruth.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the nomination just made. 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 Yeas, no Nays, no Presents. A majority of Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the 76 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017 nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1000298.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Advise and Consent to the following salaried appointment: To be an Arbitrator for the Workers' Compensation Commission, David A. Kane.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the nomination just made. 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 Yeas, no Nays, no Presents. A majority of Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read Appointment Message 1000299.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Advise and Consent to the following salaried appointment: To be an Arbitrator for the Workers' Compensation Commission, Michael K. Nowak.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Muñoz. 77 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017 SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the nomination just made. 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 Yeas, no Nays, no Presents. A majority of Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the nomination. Mr. Secretary, please read the Appointment Message 1000300.
Mr. President, the Committee on Executive Appointments recommends that the Senate Do Advise and Consent to the following salaried appointment: To be an Arbitrator for the Workers' Compensation Commission, Ketki Steffen.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Mr. President, I move that the Senate advise and consent to the nomination.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the nomination just made. 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 wished? Take the record. On that question, there are 56 Yeas, 78 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017 no Nays, no voting Present. A majority of Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the nomination. I have caused Supplemental Calendar to be printed and distributed. On Supplemental Calendar No. 2, Mr. Secretary, Motions in Writing – Appointment Messages.
I have a Motion in Writing from Senator Muñoz, Chairman of the Committee on Executive Appointments.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Mr. Secretary, read the motion.
Motion to Compile Appointment Messages. Pursuant to Senate Rule 10-1(c), as the Chairman of the Executive Appointments Committee, I move to compile the following Appointment Messages to be acted on together by a single vote of the Senate: Appointment Message 1000119 - Illinois Finance Authority; Appointment Message 1000126 - Board of Higher Education; Appointment Message 1000127 - Illinois Student Assistance Commission; Appointment Messages 1000131, 1000132, 1000133, and 1000134 - Illinois State Museum Board; Appointment Message 1000138 - Illinois Housing Development Authority; Appointment Message 1000160 and 1000290 - Amusement Ride and Attraction Safety Board; Appointment Message 1000166 - Treasurer's Personnel Review Board; Appointment Messages 1000186, 1000187, 1000188, 1000189, and 79 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017 1000190, 1000191, and 1000249 - Employment Security Advisory Board. Dated October 25th, 2017. Antonio Muñoz, Assistant Majority Leader, Chairman, Executive Appointments Committee.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, Senator Muñoz moves to compile the Appointment Messages to be acted on together by a single vote of the Senate. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the motion carries. Mr. Secretary, read the Compiled Appointments.
To be a member of the Illinois Finance Authority: Lerry Knox. To be a member of the Board of Higher Education: Jay Bergman. To be a member of the Illinois Student Assistance Commission: Niketa Brar. To be members of the Illinois State Museum Board: Brian Anderson, Donna Sack, Beth Shadur, and Roger Taylor. To be a member of the Illinois Housing Development Authority: Luz Ramirez. To be members of the Amusement Ride and Attraction Safety Board: Don {sic} (Dan) Schwabe and Weston Sparks. To be a member of the Treasurer's Personnel Review Board: Andrea Barthwell. To be members of the Employment Security Advisory Board: John Easton, Rob Karr, William Potts, David Prosnitz, Rick Terven, Shannon {sic} (Sharon) Thomas-Parrott, and Mark Grant.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: 80 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017 Mr. President, I move that the Senate do advise and consent to the compiled nominations just read.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, does the Senate advise and consent to the compiled nominations. 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 Yeas, no Nays, no voting Present. A majority of Senators elected concurring by record vote, the Senate does advise and consent to the compiled nominations. Senator Muñoz. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Thank you, Ladies and Gentlemen. I move that the Senate arise from Executive Session.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Muñoz moves that the Senate arise from Executive Session. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the motion carries. The Senate has arisen from Executive Session. If we -- we are going to Senate Calendar -- on page 3 of the regular Calendar, we're going to Senate Bill -- Senate Resolution 726. Senate Resolution 726. President Cullerton. President Cullerton, do you wish to proceed? He -- Senator indicates that he does. Mr. Secretary, read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 726, offered by President Cullerton.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) President Cullerton.
81 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017 Yes, thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. This resolution declares December 31st, 2017 as (Richard) "Dick" Lockhart Day. Richard "Dick" Lockhart has recently announced that he's retiring at the end of this Session after fifty-nine years as a registered lobbyist. You may know that he was in the Army, 1943. He was held as a prisoner of war in 1945. He was awarded the Bronze Star and the Combat Infantry {sic} (Infantryman) Badge. And he was honorably discharged on December 12th, 1945. He's written books about the legislative process. He is known to many of us and he's supported a number of causes during -- during his time that he has served us. So I'm very happy to sponsor this resolution and congratulate him on his early retirement.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Resolution 726 pass. All those in favor will say Aye. All opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Going back to Supplemental Calendar No. 1, we're going to Senate Resolution 864. Senate Resolution 864. President Cullerton. Mr. Secretary, read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 864, offered by Senate President Cullerton.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) President Cullerton.
Yes, thank you Mr. President, Members of the Senate. This resolution was in Executive Committee today. This resolution deals with the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals or the DACA program, which was instituted by the Obama Administration back in 2012. I think we're aware of the fact that the Trump 82 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017 Administration had, back on September 5th, indicated that he was intending to rescind the DACA program but has since reconsidered. So we are just simply urging the Trump Administration and -- and Congress to preserve the protections for the undocumented young people who were previously eligible. We happen to have the third- largest number of DACA recipients of the fifty states with approximately forty-two thousand initial DACA applicants. And I think it's pretty well accepted that the studies have shown that our economy benefits from the DACA recipients who are residents of our State. So with that, I urge that we pass this Resolution 864.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Is there any discussion? Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Resolution 864 pass. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. In the opinion of the Chair, the Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Continuing on Supplemental Calendar No. 1, we have Senate Resolution 9-0-4. President Cullerton. Indicates -- he indicates he wishes to proceed. Mr. Secretary, read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 904, offered by President Cullerton.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) President Cullerton.
Perhaps this will be less controversial. The -- this bill deals with -- this resolution designates September 11th to the 15th, 2017 as "Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week". These are folks who are the primary providers of publicly funded, long-term support and services for children and adults with -- and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It's a 83 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017 retroactive recognition. This -- dates of September 11th to the 15th is the -- the national recognition week that's accepted throughout the United States. So, with that, I would pass -- urge us to pass this resolution.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Resolution 904 pass. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Mr. Secretary, Introduction of Senate Bills.
Senate Bill 2252, offered by Senator Muñoz. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) We will proceed to the Order of Resolutions Consent Calendar. With leave of the Body, all those resolutions read in today will be added to the Consent Calendar. Mr. Secretary, have there been any objections filed to any resolution on the Consent Calendar?
No objections filed, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Is there any discussion? If not, the question is, shall the resolutions on the Consent Calendar be adopted. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the motion carries. And the resolutions are adopted. Mr. Secretary, Resolutions.
Senate Joint Resolution 48, offered by Senator Link. (Secretary reads SJR No. 48) 84 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 77th Legislative Day 10/25/2017
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) On the Order of Resolutions, Senate Joint Resolution 48. Mr. Secretary, read the resolution.
Senate Joint Resolution 48, offered by Senator Link.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR TROTTER) Senator Link moves to suspend the rules for the purpose of immediate consideration and adoption of Senate Joint Resolution 48. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the rules are suspended. Senator Link moves for the adoption of Senate Joint Resolution 48. All in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. There being no further business coming before the Senate, pursuant to SJR 48, the Senate stands adjourned until the hour of 12 o'clock noon on the 7th day of November 2017. The Senate stands adjourned. 85