PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) The regular Session of the 101st General Assembly will please come to order. Will our Members please be at their desks? Will our guests in the galleries please rise? The invocation today will be given by Pastor Matthew Smith-Laubenstein, Grace Lutheran Church, Libertyville, Illinois.
(Prayer by Pastor Matthew Smith-Laubenstein)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Please remain standing for the Pledge Allegiance. Senator Cunningham.
(Pledge of Allegiance, led by Senator Cunningham)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Blueroomstream.com seeks permission to videotape. Seeing no objection, permission granted. Mr. Secretary, Reading and Approval of the Journal.
Senate Journal of Wednesday, March 20th, 2019.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Hunter.
Mr. President, I move to postpone the reading and approval of the Journal just read by the Secretary, pending arrival of the printed transcript.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Hunter moves to postpone the reading and approval of the Journal, pending the arrival of the printed transcript. There being no objection, so ordered. Mr. Secretary, Resolutions. 1 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/21/2019
Senate Resolution 249, offered by Senator Martinez. It is substantive, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Resolution… Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Bennett, Chairperson of the Committee on Agriculture, reports Senate Bills 61 and 1490 Do Pass, as Amended; and Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1572 Recommend Do Adopt. Senator Manar, Chairperson of the Committee on Appropriations II, reports Senate Bill 1814 Do Pass. Senator Murphy, Chairperson of the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development, reports Senate Bills 1472, 1760, 1919, 2104, and 2146 Do Pass; and Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1608 Recommend Do Adopt. Senator Stadelman, Chairperson of the Committee on -- Telecommunications and Information Technology, reports Senate Bills 1624, 1719, and 2089 Do Pass. Senator Bush, Chairperson of the Committee on Environment and Conservation, reports Senate Bills 1270, 1392, 1532, 2027, 2140 Do Pass; and Senate Bills 9, 1184, 1256, and 1310 Do Pass, as Amended; Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1724 Recommend Do Adopt; and Senate Resolution 190 Be Adopted. Senator Cunningham, Chairperson of the Committee on Energy and Public Utilities, reports Senate Bills 52 and 2080 Do Pass; and Senate Bills 130 and 135 Do Pass, as Amended. I have a Committee Report Correction. On March 20th, 2019, the Senate Executive Committee omitted Senate Bills 1680 and 1758 from its report to the Senate. Senate 2 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/21/2019 Bills 1680 and 1758 should have been reported to the Senate with a recommendation of Do Pass, as Amended.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Mr. Secretary, House Bills 1st Reading.
House Bill 2038, offered by Senator Plummer. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 2050, offered by Senator Plummer. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 2073, offered by Senator Curran. (Secretary reads title of bill) House Bill 2074, offered by Senator Koehler. (Secretary reads title of bill) And House Bill 2133, offered by Senator Stewart. (Secretary reads title of bill) 1st Reading of the bills.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Will the Committee on Assignments please meet in the President's Anteroom immediately? Will the Committee on Assignments please meet in the President's Anteroom immediately? Senator Hunter in the Chair. (at ease)
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR HUNTER) Senator Link in the Chair.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) President Cullerton, for what purpose do you rise?
Point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) State your point. 3 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/21/2019
This point of personal privilege relates to the Republican Leader of the Illinois Senate, Bill Brady. I'd like to make an announcement. I'd like to congratulate Senator Brady. I understand that on the 19th of March, this year, he had a granddaughter born to him. Congratulations, Senator Brady. And I happen to know -- I happen to know his son who had this baby. He -- his son used to live in my district in a building that my own daughter lived in - in a different apartment, I would add. And he is -- I know him to be an extremely bipartisan young man. And this is so gracious - that he decided to name this granddaughter, Quinn Margaret Brady, named after former Governor Quinn, who I think Senator Brady may have actually run against. So I just want to congratulate Senator Brady and his son. Thank you very much.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Leader Brady, for what purpose do you rise?
Point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) State your point.
Well, first of all, let me thank President Cullerton for his kind gesture, and -- but I -- I -- I need to correct him. The word "Quinn" comes from Ireland and it -- it stands for "counselor" and "wisdom", so -- which is contrary to what my thoughts were about his remarks.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Bush, for what purpose do you rise? 4 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/21/2019
Thank you very much, Mr. President. Point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) State your point.
I want to take a moment of our time today to recognize Go Furuya, who is an intern in our caucus and has been working us since -- with us since November. Go is visiting us from Tokyo, Japan, and has been assigned to work with us through the Japanese Foreign Ministry. Go has been an exceptional help to both our Communications and our Policy and Budget staff. Tomorrow's his last day with us. He'll be flying back to Tokyo on Sunday. And he's going to be dearly missed in our Senate Democratic Caucus. We wish him a safe flight home and the best of luck as he continues his career. Fu, thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Good luck and thank you. Senator Righter, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. I rise simply to announce the Senate Republicans will be having a caucus immediately upon adjournment from our action here on the Senate Floor. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Gillespie, for what purpose do you rise?
Point of personal privilege, Chairman {sic}.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) State your point. 5 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/21/2019
Okay. I'd like to share with the Senate today that we have a group of young women from various schools in my district, Thomas Middle School -- Thomas -- Middle School, Science and Arts Academy, and John Hersey High School. They are from the Civics Clubs at these school {sic}. They are here with the League of Women Voters from my area. And specifically, one of these young ladies, when she was in third grade, authored a puppy mill bill that passed the General Assembly, and another one of these young ladies is the youngest women -- youngest member of the League of Women Voters. So I want to give them a big welcome to the Senate today.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Welcome to Springfield. Senator Fine, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. Speak -- President. I'm sorry.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) And that will be the last time, Representative Fine.
Wrong chamber. It's just -- it's loud in here. I thought I was in the House. I apologize. Anyways, a point of personal privilege, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) State your point.
I would like to introduce my Page for the Day, Luke Kwaitkowski. He's an eighth grader at Lincoln Elementary School in Chicago. He is in the gifted program for math and science. He is years ahead in math. He is in eighth grade. He participates 6 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/21/2019 in Science Bowl and plays soccer. He is a left forward. So please welcome him to the Senate Floor today.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Welcome to Springfield. Senator Bush, for what purpose do you rise?
Point of personal privilege, President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) State your point.
So there's not too many days that it gets much better than this for me. I'm -- I have the fortune to have my husband, Andy Bush, with me here on the Senate Floor today. Many of you have met him before. And no offense to anyone else's husband, but my husband is the best human in the world. Anyway, and we're really excited to have his grandson, Nick Murry, and his girlfriend, Gabby Johnson. If you could stand up. They're here from Tulsa, Oklahoma. They wanted to see what a Democratic majority looked like. So, if you would, kindly welcome them to the Senate.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Welcome to Springfield. Mr. Secretary, Committee Reports.
Senator Lightford, Chairperson of the Committee on Assignments, reports the following Legislative Measures have been assigned: Pursuant to Senate Rule 3-8 (d), the following bill and amendment will be re-referred from the Government Accountability and Pensions Committee Subcommittee on Omnibus Legislation to the Government Accountability and Pensions Subcommittee {sic} (Committee): Senate Bill 37 and Committee Amendment 1 to Senate 7 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/21/2019 Bill 37. Pursuant to Senate Rule 3-8 (b-1), the following amendment will remain in the Committee on Assignments: Committee Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 1793. Signed, Senator Kimberly Lightford, Chairperson.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Koehler, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. A point of personal privilege.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) State your point.
If I could have the Chamber's attention, we -- I have a -- there's going to be a -- a death resolution that we will pass at the end of the Session, but I wanted to bring everybody's attention to it and -- and talk about it. Very similarly, we had a situation, where Deputy -- Jacob Keltner was -- was killed in -- in Rockford. He was acting on behalf of the U.S. Marshals Service. And so what I have is -- is a resolution that honors a young man from Peoria named Chase White. I'd like to just read this. The -- the Peoria community mourns the loss of Deputy U.S. Marshal Chase Sabethal White, forty-one, who died in the line of duty while executing an arrest warrant in Tucson, Arizona, on November 29th, 2018. Prior to joining the Marshals Service, Deputy U.S. Marshal White served our Nation in the the United States Air Force from 2000 to 2007, rising to the rank of Captain and, later, Lieutenant Colonel. He earned many awards, such as the Meritorious Service Medal, two Air Force Commendation Medals, and two Air Force Achievement Medals. Deputy White joined the U.S. Marshals Service in 2015 and served in the District of Tucson, Arizona, and for nearly three years, 8 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/21/2019 until his life tragically ended, performing one of the most dangerous missions. Chase grew up in Central Illinois. He earned his bachelor's degree in history from the U of I in 2000, and while serving in the Air Force, he worked towards his master's degree in human relations, which he received from the University of Oklahoma with a perfect 4.0 grade average in 2003. The U.S. Marshals Service has said of Chase that we have lost one of our finest. He was devoted to making his community and his Nation safer and he made the ultimate sacrifice and he will not be forgotten. Chase was serving a warrant upon somebody who had violated parole in Tucson and was shot in the face and -- and killed. He's survived by his wife, Sue Ellen, four children. His mother is Reverend Lynnda White, who is the Associate Pastor of our church. And I think they're watching right now, and if they are, we just want you to know of our deepest sympathy. So I'd like to ask for just a moment of silence in his honor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Please stand for a moment of silence. (Moment of silence observed) Will all Members at the sound of my voice please come to the Senate Floor? We will be doing a couple resolutions and, after that, we will be taking final action on some bills. Will all Members at the sound of my voice please come to the Senate Floor? Turn to page 50 of the printed Calendar. Senate Resolution 99. Senator Morrison. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 99, offered by Senator Morrison.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Morrison, on your resolution. And can we keep the noise and conversations down, please? 9 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/21/2019
Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Resolution 99 designates May 15th, 2019, as Trauma-Informed Awareness Day in Illinois to highlight the impact of trauma and the importance of prevention and community resilience through trauma-informed care.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the -- question is, shall Senate Joint -- Senate Resolution 99 pass. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Senate Resolution 239. Senator Schimpf. Mr. Secretary, please read the resolution.
Senate Resolution 239, offered by Senator Schimpf.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Schimpf, on your resolution.
Thank you, Mr. President. Good afternoon, Members of the Senate. I rise today in support of Senate Resolution 239, which declares that today, March 21st, 2019, is Illinois Down Syndrome Day. Today is also World Down Syndrome Day and this year's theme is "Leave no one behind". When we stand in front of our maker, we're not going to be judged on the money we've made, the positions we've been elected to, or the wealth that we've accumulated; instead, we're going to be judged on the love that's in our hearts and the good works that we did for our fellow travelers. We've all had the opportunity to meet our brothers and sisters with Down syndrome and we know that there is no other group of individuals with such a great capacity to love and such a great devotion to their fellow man. Unfortunately, people with Down syndrome do 10 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/21/2019 face negative attitudes, discrimination, and exclusion. So Down Syndrome Day is important to raise public awareness about this unique group of individuals. We must all remember that we are much more alike than we are different and I ask your support today for Senate Resolution 239. And I'm joined on the Floor by my former Com staffer, Alex Williams, and her son, Harry. So I would ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Resolution 239 pass. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Senate Bill 222. Senator Castro. Out of the record. Senate Bill 241. Senator Holmes. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 241. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Holmes, on your bill.
Thank you, Mr. President. Forgive me being somewhat unprepared. Senate Bill 241 amends the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. Prohibits the importation or sale of cosmetic products or ingredients that use animal testing after January 1st, 2020. The ban does not include cosmetic products or ingredients that have been tested on animals but are currently being sold before the implementation date. This bill has broad support. It passed out of committee unanimously. I'll be happy to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 11 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/21/2019 Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 241 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 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. Senate Bill 241, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 244. Senator Martinez. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 244. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Martinez, on your bill.
Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. Senate Bill -- 244 provides for the administration of Grow Your Own Teachers {sic} (Teacher Education) Initiative and preparation prepares -- programs for {sic} (by) Grow Your Own Illinois rather than the Board of Higher Education. It also provides that, subject to appropriations, and that the funds to -- and to allocate funds to Grow Your Own Illinois for the purpose of administering the program and awarding grants for the GYOT Initiative. It also expands the definition of eligible schools and hard-to-staff schools. It also -- it also helps services are -- are actually receiving subsidized care under the Department of Human Services' Child Care Assistance Program. And it also provides that the -- the Grow Your Own Teachers Initiative to -- may also be offered to high school students who are enrolled in dual credit course at participating 12 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/21/2019 institution of higher education. And the -- and finally, it prohibits the Board of -- Higher Ed from adopting more restrictive rules regarding candidate eligibility to those outlined in this bill. And I'll be happy to answer any questions.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 244 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 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. Senate Bill 244, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. With leave of the Body, we'll turn to page 44 of the printed Calendar. Senate Bill 1136. Senator Morrison. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1136. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Morrison, on your bill.
Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. This bill requires that -- each State agency to designate at least one person to attend an annual presentation conducted by the Central Management Services on navigating the State's programs for hiring disabled persons. I know of no opposition to this bill and would ask for an Aye vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall 13 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/21/2019 Senate Bill 1136 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 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. Senate Bill 1136, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 1140. Senator Harmon. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1140. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Harmon, on your bill.
Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. Several years ago, we passed a law that required candidates who have changed their names in the last three years to disclose their old name on the ballot when they file their nominating petitions. This is particularly of interest to folks running for offices where appealing names are more advantageous - candidates for judge in particular. This bill would extend that requirement for candidates for judge or for State's Attorney, all lawyers, back to the point when they became lawyers when they joined the bar. I'm not aware of any opposition and I ask for your Aye votes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 1140 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 14 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/21/2019 question, there are 53 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. Senate Bill 1140, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 1158. Senator Peters. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1158. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Peters, on your bill.
Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Bill 1158 removes the provision in the Code of Corrections that allows the Department of Corrections to seek reimbursement from recent -- recently released incarcerated folks to cover the cost of their incarceration. I ask for a Yes vote.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? Senator Righter, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. Will the sponsor yield, please?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Indicates he will.
Thank you very much, Mr. President. Senator, you're familiar, I'm assuming, with the John Wayne Gacy case, where reimbursement was sought and I think obtained from Mr. Gacy after he went out and made money off of the unspeakable atrocities. Why is that not in select instances the appropriate thing to do? 15 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/21/2019
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Peters.
The Department of Corrections establishes rules and regulations for how works of art, literature, handicrafts, or other items produced by incarcerated individuals may be sold to the public. They can't profit off of their incarceration right now. So…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Righter.
Right, but the issue here is seeking reimbursement, not what they may or may not do. So I'm not sure that that was an answer to my inquiry or may -- or maybe you can rephrase it so I can understand. I'm not sure what -- how you -- I'm not sure how that was responsive to my question.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Peters.
The John Wayne Gacy case was dropped when -- the one you brought up, and it was used as a bargaining tool with him. So…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Righter.
Well, it's fine that it may have been dropped, Senator. The point is whether or not it should be an option for the Department of Corrections to seek reimbursement from someone who has enriched themselves from the atrocities they committed. I mean, I -- I -- I mean, what is the philosophical objection to that? 16 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/21/2019
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Peters.
So, when someone is incarcerated, the State has already taken responsibility for them, and in profiting -- the -- the idea is, like, the State's already taken up for them, so it's making sure that they're not being -- the State is not using the incarcerated to get money. So…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Righter.
To the bill, if I might, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) To the bill.
Ladies and Gentlemen, this would remove the ability for the taxpayers to seek reimbursement from someone who speak -- who commits unspeakable, unimaginable atrocities and then goes out in the market and profits from them. The question here is, should the State, the taxpayers, be able to seek reimbursement from someone who profited off of killing people or maiming people or doing whatever? I -- this to me, with all due respect, seems to be a no-brainer. The taxpayers should have this option and we should be willing to exercise it on their behalf when -- when the situation is -- is appropriate. Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Tracy, for what purpose do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. Questions of the speaker -- or the 17 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/21/2019 sponsor, please.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) He indicates he will yield.
Yes, Senator Peters, I'm glad this isn't your first bill, because I -- this is a very serious bill, and as Senator Righter mentioned, we have great difficulties with it. Is there any means testing in this bill as to whether or not an inmate who has means could be sought for recoupment of his incarceration expenses?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Peters.
So, to means test each prisoner in the Illinois system would be too time-consuming; it would never be applied in an equal manner. And according to the Illinois Department of Corrections, the State prison population is about forty thousand individuals. Suing the prisoners is not free and the taxpayers are paying for these lawsuits that have not resulted in substantial income to the State. In 2015, the State recouped three hundred and fifty-five thousand dollars. That's it.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Tracy.
Actually, I believe that's because the last Attorney General didn't pursue many of the collections. However, when I started working for Jim Ryan's office at the Attorney General's, this is exactly what I did. And you would be amazed at the individuals that are incarcerated in Illinois prisons. Now most of 'em are indigent, no doubt. Many of 'em are in there for white collar 18 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/21/2019 crime, taking insurance, fraud. It -- it's amazing. You would be surprised. And it's not for money they earned after they got into prison; it's money they had when they got into prison. And the DOC has every ability to -- when you go into prison, your assets are declared. They know. They -- it's not difficult to know. I collected millions for the Department of -- of Corrections and I'm proud of that. It costs forty thousand dollars per inmate per year, at least. And why wouldn't the Illinois taxpayers deserve to collect that money if somebody is going into prison with millions of dollars in assets. And I have seen it and it is the case.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Peters.
I will just say this, the State has taken over forty thousand people in order to means test people. It's time-consuming. It's taxpayers' money to do the means testing. And the other part about this is, the idea is, no matter what, when you're in -- incarcerated and you come out, we should be lifting people up, not pushing them down. It's too much of a risk to have us caught -- sue people for their own incarceration. So…
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Tracy.
There again, I think that you have -- the -- the Department has every ability. Have you discussed this with the Department that they do not have the ability to say this person has the means to pay?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 19 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/21/2019 Senator Peters.
Currently, this bill has no opponents and the Department of Corrections is neutral. And this bill has passed in the -- it had passed in the past.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Tracy.
Well, there again, from someone who has seen the inside of this, I -- I think it's -- it's let the -- the agencies decide what they want to do in this instance, but we don't need to remove this tool and codify that you could never do this, because it is -- it's stealing from the taxpayers when they could be reimbursed by someone who has ample means. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Sims, for what purpose do you rise?
Question of the sponsor, Mr. -- Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Indicates he will yield.
Senator Peters, you indicated that the Department or the State is unable to recoup a tremendous amount of money during this process. Is that right?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Peters.
Yes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 20 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/21/2019 Senator Sims.
Is it your intent, Senator, to ensure that we are not adding to the financial instability of individuals who are incarcerated in the Department of Corrections?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Peters.
Yes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Sims.
Additionally, Senator, how many instances -- as egregious as the case was that was mentioned earlier of John Wayne Gacy, doesn't it -- have -- haven't there been -- hasn't it been shown that these -- these lawsuits or these -- these chargebacks typically affect low-income incarcerated individuals more so than wealthy incarcerated individuals?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Peters.
Yes.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Sims.
Thank you, Mr. President. To the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) To the bill.
21 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/21/2019 I understand that there is a concern about the celebrity case, but in this -- the intent of this bill, as the sponsor just mentioned, is to make sure that we are not further exacerbating the -- the -- the situations and the conditions of individuals who -- who are incarcerated, because we know if we -- if we continue to exacerbate those situations, what happens is those individuals recidivate. They're going to go back into prison. So we are trying -- what the sponsor so ably pointed out is that he is trying to make sure that in those cases where an individual has the means, there -- there -- there should -- there -- there can be some considerations, but in an -- a situation where an individual does not, we do not -- he does not want -- he does not wish to and not seeking to exacerbate those situations. I -- I request -- I request everybody vote Aye.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Barickman, for what purpose do you rise?
Question of the sponsor.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Indicates he will yield.
Thank you, Mr. President. Senator, I want to -- I want to shift gears a -- a bit here. Have you -- we have a new Attorney General. Have you spoken to the new Attorney General about his intention to enforce the existing law that would seemingly allow for some discretion and recoveries by the State for certain instances against an incarcerated individual? Have you spoken to the Attorney General about this?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) 22 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/21/2019 Senator Peters.
No.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Barickman.
The prior Attorney General was well documented in applying significant discretion through her office as to whether she would enforce this provision of the law. Her office has made many public comments about the very limited use that they used, the discretion that they applied. Do you have concerns about the new Attorney General's discretion that he may apply for this existing law?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Peters.
My concern is that with this law on the books, whether it's means tested or not, that it can be abused by someone else in the future. So I feel that at this moment, we can strike this -- this law off the books so that it can never be abused, whether it's means tested or not, so that the forty thousand people who are incarcerated aren't going to be impacted or affected by such a rule or law -- law.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Barickman.
But I want to be clear. Right? The existing law gives discretion to an office, the Office of the Attorney General. Is your concerns that the new Attorney General may not appropriately apply the discretion afforded him? 23 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/21/2019
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Peters.
No. I'll repeat what I said before. This law, which has -- you know, for the last four years, hasn't been used. We might as well remove it from the books so that, in the future, we don't risk someone abusing this on the forty thousand folks who are incarcerated.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Barickman.
Okay. So, based on that answer, I'm not sure what problem we're trying to solve if you're not concerned about the discretion offered by the current Attorney General. But, again, let me shift. Are you familiar with the case involving a gentleman from Illinois named Ty Suter?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Peters.
I -- I am not.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Barickman.
Okay. So let's talk about -- instead of talking about all the people that is purported to protect -- by the way, those people have not then sought recovery through the Office of the Attorney General. There's no suggestion by the sponsor that the new Attorney General is attempting to collect reimbursement from some of these other people. Let's talk about the instances where Lisa 24 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/21/2019 Madigan, our former Attorney General, did use this provision of the law for help. That's the case of Ty Suter. Ty Suter was a convicted child sex offender in Illinois. He, in fact, molested a thirteen-year-old boy and was sentenced to prison and Attorney General Madigan's Office discovered that Ty Suter was the beneficiary of a multimillion dollar trust fund. And working with the victims, Lisa Madigan's office pursued this beneficiary of a multimillionaire {sic] trust fund to say that it was in the interest of the victims that this individual pay for his incarceration. And in fact, Lisa Madigan's office sued him and recovered almost three hundred and twenty thousand dollars from him. My question is, why do you want to remove the ability from the Attorney General to apply that very limited discretion, as the prior Attorney General has? You've offered no suggestion that the new Attorney General will take some new broader view of this law, and so who is it that you're trying to protect?
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Peters.
I will pull this from the record and work on it some more. I would just like to point out that the new Attorney General, as Senator, did vote for this bill back in 2016. But I'll pull it from the record.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Out of the record. Senate Bill 1165. Senator Steans. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1165. (Secretary reads title of bill) 25 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/21/2019 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Steans, on your bill.
Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. This bill is simply moving back a deadline date for the Behavioral Health Workforce Education Center Task Force on when they need to submit their findings. I would ask for your Aye vote. Thanks.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 1165 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 52 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. Senate Bill 1165, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. WTAX News seeks permission to photograph the proceedings. Seeing no objection, permission's granted. Senate Bill 1166. Senator Martinez. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1166. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Martinez.
Thank you, Mr. President, Members of the Senate. The -- Senate Bill 1166, as amended, amends the Civil Administration {sic} (Administrative) Code by stating that expert -- excerpts {sic} (except) as otherwise provided by law, no department shall deny an 26 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/21/2019 occupational or professional license based solely on the applicant's citizenship status or immigration status. And I'll be happy to answer any questions on this bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 1166 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 37 Ayes, 12 Nays, none voting Present. Senate Bill 1166, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Senate Bill 1183. Senator Muñoz. Mr. Secretary, please read the bill.
Senate Bill 1183. (Secretary reads title of bill) 3rd Reading of the bill.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Senator Muñoz, on your bill. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Thank you, Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate. The bill allows funds derived from issuance of Police Memorial Committee license plates to be used for the purpose of giving grants and scholarships to spouses. Currently, it is just available to children of police officers killed in the line of duty.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? Seeing none, the question is, shall Senate Bill 1183 pass. All those in favor will vote Aye. Opposed, Nay. The voting is open. Have all voted who wish? Have all voted 27 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/21/2019 who wish? Have all voted who wish? Take the record. On that question, there are 54 Ayes, no Nays, none voting Present. Senate Bill 1183, having received the required constitutional majority, is declared passed. Mr. Secretary, Messages from the House.
A Message from the House by Mr. Hollman, Clerk. Mr. President - I am directed to inform the Senate that the House of Representatives has adopted the following joint resolution, in the adoption of which I am instructed to ask the concurrence of the Senate, to wit: House Joint Resolution 48. (Secretary reads HJR No. 48) Adopted by the House, March 20th, 2019. John W. Hollman, Clerk of the House.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Mr. Secretary, Resolutions.
House Joint Resolution 48, offered by Senator Martinez.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) On the Order of Resolutions is House Joint Resolution 48. Mr. -- Senator Martinez moves to suspend the rules for the purposes of immediate consideration and adoption of House Joint Resolution 48. All those in favor will say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the rules are suspended. Senator Martinez moves the adoption of House Joint Resolution 48. All those in favor, say Aye. Opposed, Nay. The Ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Senator Muñoz, for what purpose do you rise? SENATOR MUÑOZ: Thank you, Mr. President. Point of personal privilege. 28 STATE OF ILLINOIS 101st GENERAL ASSEMBLY REGULAR SESSION SENATE TRANSCRIPT 25th Legislative Day 3/21/2019
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) State your point. SENATOR MUÑOZ: Ladies and Gentlemen of the Senate, this year's annual -- 6th Annual Bowling Tournament is for the Diabetes Caucus, if you'd like to sign up. We've had great responses in the past. So please keep April 9th open. Love to see our Members, our staff, both sides of the aisle participate. It's for a good cause. Thank you.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) We will now proceed to the Order of Resolution Consent Calendar. With leave of the Body, all resolutions read in today will be added to the Consent Calendar. Mr. Secretary, have there been any objections filed to any resolutions on the Consent Calendar?
No objections filed, Mr. President.
PRESIDING OFFICER: (SENATOR LINK) Is there any discussion? If not, the question, shall -- 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. There being no further business to come before the Senate, pursuant to House Joint Resolution 48, the Senate stands adjourned till the hour of 12 noon on the 26th day of March 2019, or until the call of the Senate President. The Senate stands adjourned. 29