PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) The Senate will now come to order. The regular Session of the 100th General Assembly will please come to order. Will the Members please be at their desk? Will our guests in the galleries please rise? The invocation today will be given by Reverend Nicole Cox, Springfield First United Methodist Church, Springfield, Illinois. Reverend Cox.
(Prayer by the Reverend Nicole Cox)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Senator Cunningham.
(Pledge of Allegiance, led by Senator Cunningham)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Lisa E. Yuscius, Blueroomstream.com, requests permission to videotape. Leave is granted. Mr. Secretary, Reading and Approval of the Journal.
Senate Journal of Tuesday, January 30th, 2018.
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) Thank you, Senator. Senator Hunter moves to postpone the reading and approval of the Journal, pending arrival of the printed 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 87th Legislative Day 1/31/2018 transcripts. There being no objection, so ordered. Mr. Secretary, Reading and Approval of the Journal.
Senate Journals of March 15th, 16th, 17th, 22nd, 28th, 29th and 30th; and April 4th, 5th, 6th, 20th, 25th, and 26th, 2017.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Senator Hunter.
Madam President, I move that the Journals just read by the Secretary be approved, unless some Senators has any additions or corrections to offer.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Thank you, Senator. Senator Hunter moves to approve the Journals just read by the Secretary. There being no objections, so ordered. Mr. Secretary, Resolutions.
Senate Resolution 1364, offered by Senator Hunter and all Members. It is a death resolution, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Resolution Consent Calendar. Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Jones, Chairperson of the Committee on Local Government, reports Senate Bill 2299 Do Pass.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Mr. Secretary, Introduction of Senate Bills.
Senate Bill 2483, offered by Senator Tom Cullerton. 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 87th Legislative Day 1/31/2018 (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 2484, offered by Senator Murphy. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 2485, offered by Senator Murphy. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 2486, offered by Senator Jones. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 2487, offered by Senator Collins. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 2488, offered by Senator Connelly. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 2489, offered by Senator Connelly. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 2490, offered by Senator Althoff. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 2491, offered by Senator Syverson. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of the bills.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, please come to the Senate Floor for final Floor action. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, please come to the Senate Floor for veto action, final action, and within a timely fashion so that we can address ourselves at 12 noon in the House Chamber to hear the State of the State Address. Please come to the Senate Floor immediately. Senator Schimpf, for what purpose do you rise?
Point of personal privilege, Madam President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 87th Legislative Day 1/31/2018 Hi, Senator. State your point, please.
Yes, I -- I have my first two -- first two Pages for -- honorary Pages for the Day with me today. I have Willa Sauer and I have Brooke Cole. They are both seniors at Valmeyer High School in my district. Willa wants to study chemical engineering with a -- a minor in -- in political science and Brooke wants to be a nurse. So I would just ask the Senate to give them a warm welcome to the Illinois Senate.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LIGHTFORD) Welcome, ladies, to the Illinois General Assembly. Hope you enjoy your stay. Senator Harmon in the Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, if I could have your attention, we'd ask all Members to be at their desks. We are turning to final action. We have two motions to override vetoes of the Governor. We are also turning to 3rd Reading and potentially to Resolutions. If all Members could be at their desks. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, Senate Supplemental Calendar No. 1 is being distributed to the Members' desks. When that Calendar has been distributed to all Members, we're going to turn to the -- Senator Manar's motion to override the Governor's veto on Senate Bill 444. As soon as that Calendar is distributed to all the Members' desks, we're going to turn to that order. While the Supplemental Calendar is still being distributed to the Members' desks, we can turn to the Order of Secretary's Desk, Concurrences on House Amendments to Senate Bills. On page 4 of your printed Calendar, we have Senate Bill 863. Senator Bertino- Tarrant has filed a motion to concur. Do you wish to proceed? 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 87th Legislative Day 1/31/2018 Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I move to concur with the House in the adoption of their Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 863. Signed by Senator Bertino-Tarrant.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Bertino-Tarrant, on your motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 863 becomes the bill. The amendment changes a Section of the School Code related to teacher licensure requirements for educators trained in other states by allowing educators from other states to provide evidence of completing a comparable state- approved educator preparation program as a requirement to be licensed. I know of no opposition.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion of the motion? Seeing none, the question is, shall the Senate concur in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 863. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 51 voting Aye, none voting No, none voting Present. Having received the required constitutional majority, the Senate does concur in House Amendment No. 1 to Senate Bill 863, and the bill is declared passed. We'll stay on the printed Calendar. Lower on page 4 is Senate Bill 332 and Senator Cunningham has a motion to override the total veto. Senator Cunningham, do you wish to proceed? Mr. Secretary, please read the motion. 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 87th Legislative Day 1/31/2018
I move that Senate Bill 332 do pass, notwithstanding the veto of the Governor. Signed by Senator Cunningham.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Cunningham, on your motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Senate vote to override the Governor's total veto of Senate Bill 332. This is a bill, offered by Senator Muñoz back during Veto Session, to extend a liquor license to a -- a restaurant in his district that was in -- within one hundred feet of a church. The Governor vetoed it. In his Veto Message, he brought up, I think, a lot of very valid points about this process that we're going through, having to review these proposals here in Springfield. He's recommended that we shift that to the local municipality. I think that's a -- a good idea. Senator Nybo is working on a bill to do just that, Senate Bill 2346. In the meantime, we have a -- a young entrepreneur in Chicago who's opened a restaurant in Pilsen and is having trouble competing with his neighbors, because unlike neighboring restaurants, he can't pour a glass of wine. So, with understanding of the -- of the Governor's point and support of Governor's point, ask you to vote to override him on this in order to help this young entrepreneur.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Thank…
Be happy to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 87th Legislative Day 1/31/2018 Thank you, Senator. This is final action. We'd ask you to keep the conversations down to a dull roar. Is there any discussion? Senator Nybo, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
To the motion, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) To the motion, Senator.
So Senator Cunningham knows that -- and Leader Muñoz knows that I would have been gladly willing to make this motion myself in this instance. So, I have been involved in the discussion of this issue. Senator Cunningham summarized the issue very well. We have taken the Governor's recommendation to heart. We have drafted a bill. We filed it as the -- at the earliest opportunity available. And we are -- we are trying to push forward with the Governor's recommendations. However, to punish this business in this instance, when they have followed the rules that we've set, is unfair. We shouldn't change the rules in the middle of the game. We have been working cooperatively with the administration to address the issue. I -- I think this veto was an inappropriate way to deal with this issue. They understood that this request had come through late last year. I think they should respect our ability to negotiate and deal with issues cooperatively, which we have done. And I'd invite the Governor and his administration to participate in that cooperative process on issues like this. So what I would like to do is encourage Members on this side of the aisle, most Members on this side of the aisle, to support this override. I think it's the right thing to do. And then let's 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 87th Legislative Day 1/31/2018 deal with Senate Bill 2436 and let's see if we can fix this issue on an ongoing forward basis, so that businesses like the one that we're dealing with right now do not need to come down here and get our approval on issues that are essentially local issues and that should be local issues. So I urge a Yes vote on this motion. Thank you, Senator Cunningham.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Thank you, Senator. Senator Haine, for what purpose do you rise?
Would -- would the sponsor yield for a question, Mr. President?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) The sponsor indicates that he will yield. Senator Haine.
So what type of restaurant is this? Four-star or -- and where is it, the address?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Cunningham.
I'm sorry, Senator. I don't know the exact address. I know it's in the Pilsen community in Chicago. I believe it's an American Asian fusion theme, is what the restaurant offers, but I don't know the address.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Haine, a follow-up?
To the -- to the bill, Mr. -- Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 87th Legislative Day 1/31/2018 To the motion, Senator.
I'm -- I'm going to vote for this, despite the lack of clarity on the quality of the food being served with the booze. But I also want to disagree with my distinguished colleague, Senator Nybo. I don't want to give up this authority. As a downstater, I don't trust the Board of Aldermen of the City of Chicago to do anything right, so I think we should keep this authority and review these requests for fairness and for the quality of food served in Chicago. So I think we should keep it. I don't think the Governor's veto is well-taken at all. I think he should defer to the General Assembly and trust the General Assembly of the entire State to review the fairness of these things, rather than cede more authority to the City Council of Chicago. Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Haine, it's good to have you back in your full- throated glory. Senator Nybo, your name was used in debate. Thank you, very much. Senator Cunningham, to close.
Thank you -- thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, Senator Nybo. I look forward to continuing to work with you. I ask for Yes votes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) So the question is, shall Senate Bill 332 pass, notwithstanding the veto of the Governor. 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 48 voting Aye, 2 voting 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 87th Legislative Day 1/31/2018 No, none voting Present. And Senate Bill 332, having received the required three-fifths majority, is declared passed, notwithstanding the veto of the Governor. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, Senate Supplemental Calendar No. 1 has now been distributed to all of the Members' desks. We'll turn to that order. On that -- on that Calendar is Senate Bill 444 and Senator Manar's motion to override the specific recommendations of the Governor. Senator Manar, do you wish to proceed? Mr. Secretary, please read the motion.
I move that Senate Bill 444 do pass, notwithstanding the specific recommendations of the Governor. Signed by Senator Manar.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Manar, on your motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. This bill was passed by our Chamber and the House - overwhelming majority here in the Senate; unanimous, I believe, over in the House. And it is simply a small handful of technical changes to Public Act 100-465, which of course was the school funding reform bill that was signed by the Governor earlier this fall. The veto in my opinion is unnecessary. And I think it's important that we move forward as quickly as possible with these changes recommended by the State Board of Education. Be happy to take any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Thank you, Senator. Is there any discussion? Leader Brady, for what purpose do you rise?
10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 87th Legislative Day 1/31/2018 Thank you, Mr. President. To the -- to the motion.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) To the motion, Senator.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I -- I certainly understand the details of the underlying bill, 444, and the fact that we have resolved the issue of registration for private schools to enter into the scholarship program. But I stand opposed to 444 and I encourage Members in this Chamber to vote their district. But let me also tell you that my reason for opposing it, as I stated when it was first brought to our attention, is that I believe when we sign -- when we pass something -- when we negotiate and pass something as monumental as the education reform proposal, which we did in a bipartisan way, that we need to stick with that agreement and let time serve out and see what really happens. So I believe we negotiated on the language, we passed the language, and collectively we passed bipartisan monumental legislation. And I think we should stick with that for the time being. I understand that there are some parochial interests here on this matter, but I don't think it's appropriate to be changing that language, and -- and therefore I stand opposed to 444. I would encourage my Members to vote their districts as best they feel they should, but I think it's important to note that we agreed on the language of the original bill as a legislative Body. I'm not talking about the State Board of Education, but I'm talking about a legislative Body who agreed on language in negotiations that the Governor signed, and I favor sticking with that until we see how that plays out. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 87th Legislative Day 1/31/2018 Senator Manar, to close.
Thank you, Leader Brady, for -- for your perspective. I would just offer to the Body that this bill came to us from the Rauner administration. We didn't draft it ourselves. And it is to implement correctly the language that we did come to an agreement on. And the place where that agreement was inked was with the Governor's signature and the previous speaker was at the Governor's side. This is simply implementing the bill that was agreed to. Everyone in this Chamber knows that there are technical changes that happen to legislation that have to take place for small bills, let alone large pieces of legislation like this one. This should not be an issue. It's important that we continue to work in a bipartisan way. It's unfortunate this has become a partisan discussion. But the Governor didn't make changes in his veto to the underlying language of 444. He did not recommend changes to the underlying language of the bill that he asked us to pass. So this is important that we put this in place per the direction of the Rauner administration so that school funding reform can move forward. I would ask for a vote to override the Governor's veto. Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Thank you, Senator. The question is, shall Senate Bill 444 pass, notwithstanding the specific recommendations 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 38 voting Aye, 17 voting No, none voting Present. And Senate Bill 444, having received the required three-fifths constitutional 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 87th Legislative Day 1/31/2018 majority, is declared passed, notwithstanding the specific recommendations of the Governor. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, we're turning to page 2 of your printed Calendar on the regular Order of Senate Bills 3rd Reading. We have Senate Bill 2273. Senator Raoul, are you ready to proceed? Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 2273. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Raoul.
Thank -- thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Senate Bill 2273, as amended, allows the State Board of Elections to enter into exclusive photo data sharing agreement with -- excuse me. Senate Bill 2273 provides that the Electronic Registration Information Center, known as ERIC, shall be the exclusive interstate voter registration program of the State of Illinois, although the State may also enter into a direct data sharing agreement with a neighboring state. The bill additionally prohibits the State Board of Elections from sharing data on Illinois voters with any interstate voter registration program other than ERIC, except that the State may share voter data pursuant to an agreement with a neighboring state. The bill is intended to end the State's participation in the Interstate Voter Registration Data {sic} Crosscheck program, a program for sharing voter data among states that pose a significant cybersecurity risk and has been the basis for discriminatory purging of voter rolls 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 87th Legislative Day 1/31/2018 in other states. I'd yield to any questions on the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Is there any discussion? Senator Nybo, for what purpose do you seek recognition?
To the bill, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) To the bill, Senator.
So I -- I know we've got a busy afternoon and there's an important speech here. And -- and instead of engaging in a significant back-and-forth with questions, I -- I do think it is important to have a conversation about this bill, because, as Mr. President certainly knows, it was a very abbreviated conversation in committee. I know there was a more extensive subject matter hearing up in Chicago. What I want is, I want to set some context here. Senator, I certainly understand why you're moving this bill. I understand that there are certain pressures from -- from -- from organizations and groups to have some activity on this. Just keep in mind, the federal government requires us to -- to purge and scrutinize and keep accurate voting records of who can vote in elections. The system that you are asking us to get rid of is the only system that is used by two of our biggest neighboring states, Indiana and Missouri. And so I want everybody to understand that if this becomes law, we will effectively lose the opportunity to check and make sure that we've got accurate voting records for people who might be moving to Indiana or Missouri or from Indiana and Missouri. So we are going to lose the ability to do any sort of voter scrutiny in checking with respect to two of our 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 87th Legislative Day 1/31/2018 neighboring states. But, more importantly, let -- let's go to the concern with -- with what we're trying to address here. It's security concerns. It's the possibility that a breach can take place with respect to one of these systems that we are using to check voters. I think it's important to note that the State Board of Election {sic} (Elections) has already voluntarily made the decision not to share any information with the system that you're trying to get rid of here, this Crosscheck system, until the operators of the Crosscheck system have improved security measures to a point where the State Board of Election {sic} is confident that no data will be compromised. So, two things: One, we are already addressing this issue and -- and there is no need to take this extreme and drastic measure; and, second, if we do take this extreme and drastic measure, we are going to lose the ability to do what the federal government is asking us to do, which is to ensure that voting records are accurate. So for the sake of -- of the -- the integrity of the election process and making sure that the Election Board can -- can do all that it can to make sure that the people voting in our election are authorized and entitled to vote, I urge a No vote on this, and I would ask my -- I would ask the sponsor and my colleagues who are supporting this bill to please slow down, because this is a serious subject and we should not just react when groups ask us to take certain action, unless we're confident that's the right action to be taken. I urge a No vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Raoul, you have a response?
Yes, Mr. President. And I -- I -- I appreciate the Senator's 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 87th Legislative Day 1/31/2018 concern. The State Board of Elections made that decision after several of us legislators brought this issue to their attention. And that's what we're supposed to do as a Legislature. We're supposed to protect the citizens of -- of the State and their privacy. And I'm glad the State Board of Elections reacted to the Legislature and I -- I -- I'm going to make sure that the State Board of Elections continues to do that. With regards to the neighboring states, this concern -- one of the states that the speaker mentioned was Missouri. Obviously, they had the same concern in Missouri, 'cause the State of Missouri has just embraced the ERIC system. So the trend is moving the way that we're moving. With regards to the federal government's concerns, we're led in the federal government by one who's talked about widespread voter fraud that think tanks, nonpartisan think tanks, all across the country have said just does not exist. We cannot put voters' private information at risk. We have a provision in here, thanks to Senator Cunningham, that allows us to share information in a - - a secure way with neighboring states. And we can't -- you know, I've -- I've prided myself in embracing voting rights and passing a Voting Rights Act and a constitutional amendment to protect voting rights. We shouldn't be knocking valid voters off the rolls. We -- we should encourage voter participation instead.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Thank you, Senator. Further discussion? Senator Hastings, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) To the bill, Senator. 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 87th Legislative Day 1/31/2018
So keeping sensitive voter information on an unsecure database is a hacker's dream. Today, Illinois is one step closer to moving away from the use of this inferior program named Crosscheck to protect citizens of Illinois' personal information and the sanctity of our democratic values. We've had countless discussions on the Crosscheck system. We had testimony from people who are cybersecurity experts and -- and renowned cybersecurity experts nationally. It was in their opinion that the Crosscheck system is inferior for many ways. What are some of those ways? Number one, it sends unencrypted information, sensitive information of voters in the State of Illinois, across emails from state to state. Any hacker, a simple hacker, a very fundamental hacker can get that information, sell it off, use it for bad purposes. I think it's very important that everyone understands, whether it's your Social Security number, your address, so on and so forth, that information can be hacked and shared with other people, not only across our country, but across the world. We heard testimony from the Illinois State Board of -- Elections. From their own staff -- their own staff said that this system was a far inferior system. I hope you all are listening. The Illinois State Board of Elections staff said this was a far inferior system and that we shouldn't use it. It'd be better -- ERIC -- the ERIC system is a more secure system. I want to make sure -- their own staff said that, and then when the -- when the Board of Elections voted, they voted split right down the line, party line. That's a shame. And I guess the last major concern that I have about this system is that it's not always accurate. Crosscheck has a very high false positive rate. What does that mean scientifically? 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 87th Legislative Day 1/31/2018 That means if your last name is Smith, that means if your last name is Jones, that means if your last name is Sims, whatever it may be, in the other states across the country and our neighboring states, whether that be Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, they can reduce the voting roll without having the confidence, the full confidence, that the information is correct. Last, as legislators in Illinois, we must be cognizant about people's privacy and we must be protective of that privacy. This system does not provide the adequate security necessary to provide privacy to the citizens of Illinois. And I want to thank the sponsor of this bill, Senator Raoul. Senator Raoul has been an advocate for consumers across the State of Illinois. He's committed to protecting people's privacy. I think that's important. He puts his money where his mouth is. And, Mr. President, I ask this Chamber for the sanctity and for the safety of the privacy of Illinois citizens that we vote Yes to back Illinois out of Crosscheck. Thank you very much, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Thank you, Senator. Senator Cunningham, for what purpose do you rise?
To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) To the bill, Senator.
Thank you, Mr. President. I think it's important to point out that the system we're talking about right now, Crosscheck, is in the process of imploding. Just in the last day -- last couple of days, Kentucky, one or our neighboring states, who we'd like to 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 87th Legislative Day 1/31/2018 share data with, has left the system. As Senator Raoul pointed out, Missouri has joined the other system, ERIC, the system that we're already in. We're in two systems right now for sharing voter data - the ERIC system, which works very well, as was previously pointed out by Senator Hastings, and the Crosscheck system, which is imploding. States are leaving it. It was mentioned earlier in debate that our Board of Elections is not uploading information currently to the Crosscheck system. That's true. No states are doing that right now, because Crosscheck cannot be trusted. We cannot trust Crosscheck with our data and states throughout the country are making a decision not to trust Crosscheck with their data. I think we really need to make this official. I think that there's one clear path for us to follow to make sure our voter data is secure and that is to go exclusively into the ERIC system. That's what this does. The amendment to the bill allows the Board of Elections to enter into agreements with our neighboring states if they're not part of ERIC. That -- that -- this bill addresses all the problems that the opponents have brought up. I urge a Yes vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Thank you. Senator Raoul, to close.
Thank you, Mr. President. I want to thank Senator Cunningham and Senator Hastings for their work on this issue on an ongoing basis. And I want to thank the group Indivisible for bringing attention to this issue throughout the State and beyond. This is not a partisan issue by any means. I think folks on both sides of the aisle value protecting our citizens' private information. And I think folks on both sides of the aisle, as has been shown 19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 87th Legislative Day 1/31/2018 historically, value protecting voting rights. And so I don't think it should be treated as a partisan issue. The DuPage County Clerk raised concerns about Crosscheck, as well as Cook County. So I urge all Members to cast this vote in -- in favor of protection - - protecting the privacy of our citizens and protecting their voting rights.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) The question is, shall Senate Bill 2273 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 35 voting Aye, 17 voting No, 1 voting Present. Senate Bill 2273, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Mr. Secretary, Introduction of Senate Bills.
Senate Bill 2492, offered by Senator Rezin. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 2493, offered by Senator Rose. (Secretary reads title of bill) Senate Bill 2494, offered by Senator Tom Cullerton. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of the bills.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Mr. Secretary, Messages from the House.
A Message from the House by Mr. Mapes, Clerk. Mr. President - I am directed to inform the Senate that the House of Representatives has adopted the following joint resolution, in the adoption of which I am instructed to ask the 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 87th Legislative Day 1/31/2018 concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Joint Resolution 96. Offered by Senator Link, and adopted by the House, January 30th, 2018. Timothy D. Mapes, Clerk of the House. It is substantive, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Link moves to suspend the rules for the purpose of the immediate consideration of House (Joint) Resolution 96. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the rules are suspended. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
House Joint Resolution 96, offered by Senator Link.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Link moves to -- for the adoption of House Joint Resolution 96. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Senator Lightford, for what purpose do you rise? Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, if you could please bring your conversations down to a dull roar. Senator Lightford.
Thank you, Mr. President. I rise for a point of personal privilege, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, could you please give the speaker your attention? Senator Lightford.
I'd like… Thank you, Mr. President. I'd like to request a moment of silence. On tomorrow, February 1, fifty years ago in 21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 87th Legislative Day 1/31/2018 1968, a rain storm forced Memphis city sanitation workers Echol Cole and Robert Walker to seek shelter in the back of their truck. The workers' repeated warnings to management about faulty equipment proved tragically -- that day when the truck's compactor kicked on, crushing the two men to death. Their coworkers decided they had had enough. They had worked for far too long for poverty wages without any benefits, in dangerous conditions, and with no respect. They voted to strike, and despite facing intense animosity, they bravely continued their strike for more than two months. Their struggle, and all of the workers, men and women, who joined together in collective action to stand up for their own dignity, was symbolized by the simple, but the now-iconic slogan of their picket signs, which read "I AM A MAN". They would be joined in their struggle by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who traveled to Memphis to march in solidarity. As he said in his first visit, "One day our society will come to respect the sanitation worker if it is to survive, for the person who picks up our garbage, in the final analysis," is a significant -- "is as significant as the physician, for if he doesn't do his job, diseases are rampant. All labor has dignity." On April 3rd of 1968, Dr. King returned to Memphis and gave a powerful and historic speech in support of the workers struggling for dignity and justice to a packed gathering of several thousand strike supporters. It would be his last public appearance; the next day he was assassinated. The Memphis sanitation workers would ultimately prevail in their strike, and with the help of national AFSCME, go on to win union recognition and a collective bargaining agreement. They continue to be represented to this day by AFSCME Local 1733. We wish to pause today to join in a -- in a nationwide moment of 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 87th Legislative Day 1/31/2018 silence to commemorate the lives and deaths of Echol Cole and Robert Walker, and to honor the 50th anniversary of the tragic events that sparked the 1968 Memphis Sanitation Workers' Strike. I'd like to request a moment of silence, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Lightford has requested a moment of silence, which the Senate will now observe. (Moment of silence observed) On the Order of Resolutions is Senate Joint Resolution 53. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Joint Resolution 53, offered by Senator Link. (Secretary reads SJR No. 53)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) Senator Link moves to suspend the rules for the purpose of the immediate consideration and adoption of Senate Joint Resolution 53. 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 53. All in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. We'll now 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 HARMON) Is there any discussion? If not, the question is, shall the resolutions on the Consent Calendar be adopted. All those in 23 STATE OF ILLINOIS 100th GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 87th Legislative Day 1/31/2018 favor, say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it. The motion carries, and the resolutions are adopted. I'd remind you that the following Senators have been appointed to the Committee of Escort to escort the Governor to the House of Representatives for the Joint Session: Senator Jones, Senator Stadelman, Senator Van Pelt, Senator Syverson, and Senator Althoff. When the Senate adjourns, I'd ask the committee to meet at the rear of the Chamber. Mr. Secretary, Introduction of Senate Bills.
Senate Bill 2495, offered by Senator Oberweis. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HARMON) There being no further business to come before the Senate, pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 53, the Senate stands adjourned until the hour of 12 noon on the 6th day of February 2018, or until the call of the Senate President. The Senate stands adjourned. 24